“Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.”
Isaiah 12:3 NKJV
What would you do if you won a million dollars in the lottery? Would you be happy? Would you celebrate? How would you break the news to your friends and family? Would you begin to walk around the room, planning your new life as a millionaire? A million dollars could change your life and if you had it, it would be evident for the world to see.
You might not have a million dollars yet but you have something of much greater value. Yes, you do. If you have ever heard and believed the gospel, you have received this gift of eternal life in Christ! And this was made possible by the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. This gift of salvation gives us so much to rejoice about. Let’s examine some of them.
The first thing to understand about your salvation is the weight of what you have been saved from. You were once dead in sin and destined for hell and destruction.
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,” Colossians 2:13 (NKJV)
This verse aptly describes the depravity of man and the great gift of forgiveness of sins that we receive when we believe. Understanding that you were headed for eternal death should cause you to cherish and constantly appreciate this gift of new life through faith in Christ (Romans 6: 23). You have been saved from eternal death and have been given eternal life. That popular verse, John 3:16 tells you that eternal life is the possession of everyone who believes.
Another benefit of salvation that is worth celebrating is that we have now been adopted into God’s family as sons. Let that sink in for some time. God, who created the whole earth and dwells in unapproachable light, is now your Father! You have access to Him as a child of God (Romans 5:1, Romans 8:14-15). Much more, you have His Spirit living in you (Romans 8:11) This knowledge should spark pure, unfiltered joy.
As you celebrate the life that you have received, show gratitude to God by living your life purposefully. Knowing that you have been bought with Christ’s precious blood, act accordingly so that your life expresses that of a saved man or woman (1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15, Romans 14: 8).
You should also spread joy by sharing this good news with others. If your favourite football club won a major tournament, you would take to the streets (of the internet) to celebrate and proclaim it. How much more the Gospel? Go out and tell more people that salvation and Eternal life can be theirs too. It is not just an instruction in the word of God but also the appropriate response to God’s grace. If Christ did it, you must tell it!
Dear believer, the gospel is truly good news. It is something to rejoice about. We should see the beauty of all that God has done for us in Christ and walk in that consciousness every day of our lives.
Bible Reading Plan: Joshua 14-16