The Father & Son in the Plan of Salvation Part 2
The plan of salvation is a masterpiece from the mind of God. Here Shane Johnson continues his thoughts about the Father & Son working together to bring us back to God.
We Are Like Little Children
Many times we are like little children. From time to time, when I must discipline my sons with extra harshness it will cause them to cry out, “You hate me!” or worse, “I hate you.” Although his words hurts me, yet in my heart I know they are not true. My sons may feel like they hate me at the moment but underneath all that emotion they in fact do not hate me – they hate what they are going through at the moment and are projecting at me.
Our Relationship With God
Our relationship with God is like that. We do not know what we will face in life. A prolonged, painful and debilitating disease may over time erode our belief in the goodness of God. A brilliant, aggressive and ridiculing professor may tear the intellectual component of our faith to shreds.
A devastating, unexpected and instantaneous loss of a loved one may temporarily shipwreck our hitherto rock solid faith. Through the ever changing experiences of life, one thing remains constant: “he will in no wise cast us out.” We may cast Him out, by an act of utter foolishness or a period of rebellion and unbelief, but He will never cast us out. Praise God He is greater than our tantrums, doldrums, disillusionments and doubts.
Jacob And Esau
Remember Jacob and Esau? For twenty years they feuded and for twenty years they went their separate ways. Because of Jacob’s manipulation, because he had taken advantage of his brother, Esau, ripping him off two and three times in ways that cut him deep, Esau swore he would kill him the next time he saw him. As a result Jacob fled from home.
There was no contact or fellowship between them, though they were brothers, for the next 20 years. Finally after decades of separation their moment of reconciliation came.
Repentance
Jacob travelled to see his brother bringing repentance for what he had done. Esau met his brother bringing forgiveness with him. It took repentance and forgiveness to restore, or even resume, the intimacy of the relationship but it never took a formal adoption to make them brothers again. It took reconciliation in order for them to enjoy their brother-ship. All that time their brother-ship was never dissolved, only interrupted.
Relationship With God
So it is for all those who think they have “lost” their relationship with God. You haven’t lost it. Of all God has given to the Lord Jesus, He said He would lose none. You’re relationship with God may seems distant, problematic or even estranged.
But rest assured, it is still intact. Christ will never cast you out. God will never leave us nor forsake us, though for a time, because of sin or doubt, we may feel very far from Him. But rest assured, the one who comes to Him He will in no wise cast out. His promise to us is faithful. He will never break His promise.
To read part 1, click here.
Have you experienced salvation through Jesus Christ? Contact us at HopeStreamRadio, or comment below.
Shane Johnson
Shane Johnson has been commended from Bethel-Park Bible Chapel since 1999. He resides in Brantford, Ontario with his wife Shelly and his five children.
He has his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in History. His passions are teaching children, inspiring young people, writing, music and playing soccer.
Shane is a regular contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio through his programs entitled “Christ Up Close,” “Raising Fathers,” and “Proverbs – Wisdom For Fools.“
Leave a Reply