Week 24
Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me (Jesus).”
These are the words of Jesus to Saul of Tarsus as Jesus revealed Himself to this man. On this occasion Jesus stopped Saul in his tracks as he was seeking to persecute Christians, and Jesus turned this man’s life around saving him and making him into an apostle of the gospel. Soon Saul of Tarsus would be known as the Apostle Paul.
Listen to what Jesus says to Saul about the powerful impact of the gospel in the lives of those who would come to believe in Him: “To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.”
Christian friend, you are the happy and blessed recipient of these glorious eternal gifts from God through Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. Your eyes have been opened to the truth. You have been delivered from the dominion of Satan. You have been brought graciously and wonderfully into the kingdom of Christ (the kingdom of Light). You are forgiven of your sins. You have been given the inheritance of life eternal and abundant with Jesus in heaven after you die. And, you have been set aside (sanctified) for Jesus in your life both now and in eternity; you are secure in His love and choice of you. Christian friend, you are of all people in all the world be most blessed and privileged. What a glory is yours in Christ!
No matter what may happen to you in this life, Christian friend, you belong to Jesus. His gifts to you are irrevocable, and they serve to form a foundation of joy, peace, and hope for your life and for your comfort. Are you sorely tempted? These gifts speak peace and joy to you. Are you afflicted, and do you struggle in this life? These gifts speak hope and show love to you. Take a moment (in this moment) to say to yourself the following: “Christ has saved me, and He has given to me forgiveness of sins, He has delivered me from Satan’s clutches, He has brought me into the kingdom of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and He has given me promises that will get me through this life, through death, and will take me to heaven with Jesus.” Now smile! Rejoice, my Christian friend, you are saved; you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. All is well!
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for saving me. Thank You, Lord, for delivering me from sin and Satan. Thank You, Lord, for giving to me in the gospel these great promises that float me over the troubling waves of difficulty in this life. Thank You, Lord, for Your great gifts to me in Christ. I love You. Amen.