"Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through
him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf." Hebrews 7:25 NLT
The RMS Titanic departed Southampton on April 10, 1912. After visiting France
and Ireland, she headed for New York. Four days after leaving, however, disaster
struck when the ship hit an iceberg. The ship's hull plates buckled inward
causing five water compartments to open to the sea's fury. Mostly women and
children were loaded into only half-filled lifeboats. Within two hours of her
foundering, the RMS Carpathia arrived and rescued an estimated 705 people. But
the salvation of the Titanic's passengers and crew was only partial. More than
1,500 people died in one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in modern
history.
Living under the Old Covenant was taxing. Keeping up with the types of
sacrifices, how often to bring them, and which type to offer for a particular
sin or ceremony must have seemed like a full-time job for worshipers. Along with
the laundry list was a creeping feeling that the efforts were all in vain. The
sacrifices only temporarily saved the worshiper from experiencing the
consequences of their sins. They couldn't save them completely or make
intercession for them when they sinned again-which was inevitable.
What the Carpathia and Old Testament sacrifices couldn't do, Christ
accomplished. He saved me completely from the penalty of my sins by assuming
them himself on Calvary's cross. What he's paid for, I'm released from. God
doesn't exact punishment twice. In turn, he saves me from guilt. What I've been
forgiven for I don't have to feel guilty about. False guilt arises from Satan
not God. Additionally, fear is no longer my bedfellow. Perfect love-which I've
received, casts out all fear. I'm no longer under condemnation. Jesus now sits
at the right hand of the Father making perpetual intercession for me. Most
wonderfully, I've been saved completely for eternity. My eternal home is set in
stone-gold. Who or what are you trusting in for salvation?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the hope You've given us in Christ.
Martin Wiles
Hodges,
South Carolina
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