Savior of Judge

Some years ago President Jimmy Carter popularized the phrase "Born Again." The phrase became a by-line in our culture. A person would restore an old car and say it was born again. I still hear the phrase applied to something that has been restored or renewed. The phrase comes from the Bible. Jesus told Nicodemus "Unless a man be born again he will not see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). Peter tells us "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God". (I Peter 1:23). The salvation process involved the Word of God and the Holy Spirit of God. The Word tells us about the work of our Lord at Calvary, when He died and shed His blood and rose again for the sins of the world. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and of our need for a Savior. Peter tells us the Scriptures are "Living and enduring." The Bible says "Forever is your Word settled in heaven O' Lord." The Bible will outlive this life time. We will have the Scriptures with us forever. I believe the Lord will continue to teach us His Word throughout eternity. Salvation is not so much a feeling or an experience as it is a relationship that involves a transformation. Paul says in I Corinthians 12:13 "By one Spirit we are all baptized into one body...and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." Becoming "Born again" involves being baptized (placed) by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. We have a new life and a new position. We are spiritually born into God's family, just like we were born into a physical family on earth. We know "We are kept by the power of God" (I Peter 1:5). You can't undo a spiritual or physical birth. Salvation involves entering into a permanent relationship with God as a result of "being born again". The most important decision anyone ever makes in this life is what they will do with Jesus. A true story has been told about a young boy who was drowning in a well. A judge heard his cry for help and was able to save his life. The boy grew into manhood and committed murder. He appeared before the same judge who had years before saved his life. When the judge informed the man he would be put to death for his crime he asked, "Do you remember when you saved my life"? The judge answered "That day I was your savior, today I am your judge." Today Jesus is your Savior, He says "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13). Should you die without Christ you will appear before Him, and on that day He will be your Judge. Dr. Ken Copley is asvailable for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.