The Salvation Sent by God

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:45 am Post subject: The Salvation Sent by God

The Salvation Sent by God

Scripture:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: You princes of the people and ancients, hear. If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he has been made whole: Be it known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God has raised from the dead, even by him, this man stands here before you, whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. ( Acts 4:8-12 )

Behold what manner of charity the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called and should be the sons of God. Therefore the world knows not us, because it knew not him. Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God: and it has not yet appeared what we shall be. We know that when he shall appear we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is. ( 1 John 3:1-2 )

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. But the hireling and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees: and the wolf casts and scatters the sheep, and the hireling flees, because he is a hireling: and he has no care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd: and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father knows me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep. And other sheep I have that are not of this fold: them also I must bring. And they shall hear my voice: And there shall be one fold and one shepherd. Therefore does the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No man takes it away from me: but I lay it down of myself. And I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of my Father. ( John 10:11-18 )

Reflection:

It was the children of His creation who would strike down the One who was sent to save them. They did not know what they did, but it has become the way which has played out through the generations that some would flock to Him and others would reject Him. Those who sought power and selfish desires were threatened by Him, but they failed to see that He was sent to free them from their chains of sin. Others reasoned about what was before them, but they failed in their reasoning. They remained foolish in their conclusions, for they sought understanding through the limitations and flaws of their self proclaimed wisdom.

Blessed are those who open their hearts to the Holy Spirit, for through Him they shall see, their sight shall not be deceived; but sadly, many are blind because of the place they reserve in their hearts for evil to rest. Because of their ignorance, some have sought to test their God and asked for Him to reveal His power. They failed to understand the sign which had already been given to them. Through the Son, the power of charity, mercy, forgiveness and love was revealed. It is also the power He has given us to expose that which is of God; for when these are absent, what comes are the wages of the one of evil.

The One who was sent to save us walked among us as an example of great works, but not works of selfish power, the oppression of the weak or meaningless desires; rather, He walked among us exposing to all who sought to see the true blessings of God. Those who could see would invite Him into their hearts and find the blessings of living with charity, mercy, forgiveness and love. As they embraced the Word, their lives would be fulfilled; but also, through the exercise of their belief in Him, they would find eternal salvation.

The blind reject Him, for they do not fathom His blessings or the meaning of the Word. The blind seek false pursuits and fulfillment through what is limited to this world. In their blindness, they do not see the blessings of the Light or the truth it illuminates. Blessed are those who seek to help the blind to see, for as they help to wash away what closes the eyes, the work of God is done.

If our hands are offered to provide charity, then, we act in love. If our hands are offered to comfort those in need, we act in love. If our hands are offered to guide the blind to the blessings of the Light of God, we act in love. As we act in love, we follow the commandments of the Lord, for it was His commandment to love one another as He loves us.

How is it, then, that those who offer their hands in love are persecuted? It is for the same reason He was rejected by those whom He came to save. It is the deceptions of the evil one which blinds the eyes of the children of His creation. It is the deceptions which make one believe that selfish desires are our goal. If all were to follow the commandments to love, there would be no place for evil and the one who seeks it would be banished alone to the eternal torments evil brings.

It is through the test of love we see the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd guides with love and cares for the flock. He is committed to the salvation of all. He is willing to lay down His life so that the flock may be saved. He stands in the face of evil, fearing not the fangs of injustice; for whatever the pain the wolf may inflict, the Good Shepherd will endure to save the flock.

The one who is not committed to the flock may pretend to offer protection, but the flock must not trust the one who stands falsely in the garb of the shepherd. The voice of the false shepherd will only guide the flock to doom. He can not face down the snarls of the wolf because he is there with evil in his heart and cares only for himself.

It is the test of love which allows us to see the face of all who are committed to Him. It is the test of love which reveals the face of evil, for when love is absent, the pain of the world grows. Through prayer, then, we must seek the wisdom and understanding of love. Through prayer, we must seek the strength and courage to become examples of love. If we allow love to guide our hands, then, we shall be called to hold the hand of the One God sent for our salvation.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier