Do you know Him as the Person who is your Savior and Lord?
November 18, 2008 (Tuesday)
The Apostle Paul declared, “I know who I have believed” (2 Tim 1:12). He knew Jesus. He knew Him as a person, as his Savior, and as his Lord. Do you know Jesus in these ways?
Do you know Jesus as a person? He is not just an idea or a force for good in the world. He is a person. Paul said “I know whom I have believed.” He did not say, “I know about whom I have believed.” His first encounter with Jesus was on the road to Damascus, when he was on his way to persecute Christians. A bright light blinded him and knocked him to the ground. Then he clearly heard a voice, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Paul understood from that first encounter that Jesus is a person.
Do you know Jesus as Savior? He is the only one who ever died for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification. We are saved through faith in Him. Some people seem to think that doing good things will somehow offset the bad things we do and will result in God’s judgment that we deserve to enter Heaven upon our death. The truth is that salvation is the gift of God (Romans 6:23), and is conditioned only upon our belief in Jesus and acceptance of His grace. He is our Savior.
Do you know Jesus as Lord? When Peter preached about Jesus on the Day of Pentecost, he announced, “God has made Him both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Having accepted Him as Savior, we serve Him as our Lord and Master. We want to please Him, to do whatever He wants us to do. He is Lord. Do you know Him as your Lord?
Do you know Jesus as the Person who is your Savior and Lord?
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was Lost, but now am found,
Twas blind, but now I see.