Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the loving initiator of redemption. Every person who has ever lived requires reconciliation with God, but not one of us is capable of achieving that reconciliation on our own. We can neither think of an acceptable plan nor achieve it. Thank God that we don’t have to.
Consider this. Adam and Eve were the only people ever created who started out in perfect communion with God. They messed up. Because of the uniqueness of their initial status, if anyone could have had a “do over” or a restart, it would be Adam and Eve. They had the “smallest” barrier to surmount and the “shortest” distance to come back.
Even Adam and Eve were helpless. When they thought about God, they ran and hid in shame and fear. Nevertheless, they were reconciled. How did it happen? God called to them. God initiated the discussion. God delineated the boundaries of right and wrong. God set the consequences. God killed the animal to make clothing. God offered the promise of a Savior who would conquer sin and Satan. Even this couple who had previously enjoyed unspoiled communion with God could be preserved and reconciled only by a plan, an interaction, and a sacrifice of divine design and initiation.
Redemption has always been the plan of a God who inexplicably loves mankind. Redemption has always been the design of the only one capable of developing or achieving a path to redemption. Redemption is appropriately from the vantage point of the one wronged, the one who then has the right to determine if and how things can be made right.
Thank God for loving us in spite of our sin. Thank God for His beautiful plan that makes salvation possible. Thank God for calling us when we had no hope. What a wonderful Savior! May He deliver more of those that He has placed within your sphere of ministry.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
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