3-12-2014

   Good Morning to All,

Romans 8: 1-2; “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

     During the 1985 World Series, one of the worst umpiring mistakes ever made occurred.  With St. Louis ahead in the series 3 games to 2 games and leading in the 6^th game 1-0 in the ninth innings, a batter hit the ball to the first baseman who threw to the pitcher on first base.  The ball beat the batter to the bag for the apparent out but the umpire called the batter safe.  The St. Louis team argued and argued.  Millions of people watched on TV and watched the replay of the play over many times.  A lot of people saw what happened but the only one that mattered was the First base umpire who called the batter safe.  Kansas City went on to win the game and the World Series with this one play weighing heavily in the victory.

    It is a play like this that always leads to interesting discussions.  Was he out or was he safe?  Most would say he was out, many would say he was “really” out but he was called safe.  Only a very few would say that the batter was safe.  How we view this can also be how we view our salvation as well.

   Are you someone who thinks that as long as God doesn’t see my sins clearly I can be saved even though I really am supposed to go to hell?  There are many who think this way.  The devil loves it when you think this way because he can continue to accuse you and try to separate you from God by getting you to think you are not holy.  Do you think that as long as the one who judges you thinks you are safe, why tell them the truth? 

     This is how many people view sin.  They think that we always have it with us and that it is there to be seen by real people but they hope God “misses the call” and then calls us safe.  This can lead to fear, guilt and a misunderstanding of what Jesus’ death on the cross meant.

    The right way to view that call is that the batter was safe.  He was safe because the only decision that mattered declared him safe.  His run was worth just as much as any other runner’s would be.  He got to count the run, the batter got to count the RBI, the run counted against the defending team and against the pitcher’s ERA.  The batter was safe; he was called safe and that is the end of the discussion.

    You are declared holy by God.  There is no condemnation waiting for you.  Your place in heaven is just as wonderful as any other place in heaven.  You get to join the other saints like Paul, Peter, John and any other you can name.  You are saved because you are declared holy by the only voice that counts and that is God’s voice.  The devil’s voice, the world’s opinion, your guilty feelings do not matter only God’s grace declaring you saved will be heard.

Father, we take great joy in your freeing us from sin and thus declaring us as worthy of salvation.  Keep us mindful of this promised mercy so that we may have comfort and peace in your loving arms.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret