"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord."

Our one true God began His plan of redemption in eternity past (Ephesians 1:4), and although this redemption was partially veiled to the world, it became fully manifested to us at the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem (1 Peter 1:20).  

My personal story of redemption began when I was five years old. I accepted Jesus into my heart at the prompting of my parents. Like a good little pastor’s kid, I repeated the prayer. But there was no new birth. For the next 35-plus years, I lived an increasingly degenerate life. Nothing about my thoughts or behavior pointed to a person who was redeemed. I was a slave to sin. I worked very hard to look good on the outside, but I was dead on the inside.  

Almost 20 years ago, after years of addiction, I was arrested on felony drug charges.  While in the Dallas County jail, I began to sense the Lord drawing me to Himself. I was literally shackled both physically and spiritually, but God began His work on my heart. I dropped to my knees and cried out to God for mercy and repented of my sin (Acts 2:38). At that very moment on February 18th, 2005, Jesus became my Savior.  

Since that day, my Lord has faithfully led me and is working out His perfect purpose in me. I have often been stubborn and sometimes outright rebellious throughout the Spirit’s sanctification in my life, but He does not give up. He will accomplish His will in my life (Philippians 1:6).  

Jesus, the Son of God, loved me so much that He carried out His Father’s will, even to a brutal death at the hands of sinners and His own people. God made Him to be our sin and poured out His wrath on His own Son. Jesus took all of my sin and then covered me in His perfect righteousness. I am no longer a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness.  Jesus, my Savior, lives in me (Galatians 2:20). And this is not of my doing, but Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).  

Our Lord is a glorious Savior. He fills us with His Spirit. He brings death to life. He heals the wounds of our past. He comforts those who mourn. He adopts us into His heavenly family as children of the living God (Romans 8:15). One day, He will rule the earth as our one true King. He will wipe every tear away, and there will no longer be suffering and sorrow (Revelation 21:3-4). What a marvelous comfort to know where we can place our hope!  

The Lord’s amazing plan of redemption, fully revealed to us as the baby Jesus Who is God in flesh, will one day be fully accomplished. When we hear the archangel’s shout and God’s trumpet, we who are in Christ will be caught up to meet our Lord in the clouds, and He will carry us home to be with Him for all eternity. What a day!!!

Jesus is a Savior. Today, if you hear His voice in your spirit, run to Him with complete abandon. Bring to Him all your sin, your fears, your pain and struggles. He loves you in a way that we cannot truly comprehend. He wants to take it all upon Himself and give you His righteousness. Today is the day of salvation!

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever." (Jude 24-25)

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. From what did Jesus save you and why did you even need His salvation?

2. Do you regularly meditate on and give praise to the Lord for His salvation?

3. Are you in awe of the work He did to save you?  Is this deepening your love for Him?