I was driving home today, frustrated by a number of things, and Chris Tomlin’s version of “Amazing Grace” came on the radio. Tomlin’s music is great for stress relief (try it if you haven’t) but it was the words above that really caught my attention. I was reminded that I have been given salvation that I don’t deserve. My sins are horrific, but washed clean through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. This “Amazing Grace” is a gift from God. The song’s author, John Newton, knew this as he was an evangelical minister. However, he spent the majority of his life as a disgruntled sailor and slave trader – converted to Christianity during a violent storm while out at sea.

As Christians we are called to be joyous because of God’s grace. This is not to be confused with happiness as we will certainly face trials, have days where we feel frustrated, and even have times when we are persecuted for our Faith. Our joy comes from Jesus, who is bigger than all life’s problems, and died the death that we deserved for our sins. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:21) (also listen to Tomlin’s version of “Jesus Messiah”)

Oswald Chambers said it much better than I can. Here is an excerpt from his book My Upmost For His Highest. “The Cross of Christ is the revealed truth of God’s judgement on sin. Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell. There is nothing in time or eternity more absolutely certain and irrefutable than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross. He made it possible for the entire human race to be brought back into a right-standing relationship with God…”

Wow! If you have not trusted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, I hope you soon will. You will not only find joy and relief from frustration, but most importantly, eternal salvation.

Dr. B