Wednesday, April 22, 2009
1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
RESURRECTION REWARDS
The other day I signed up for a "Blockbuster Rewards Card" from the local video store. For twenty dollars I got a "free" movie rental and was enrolled in a program that will give me one free rental each month for a year.
When I enrolled at the store I got a token for my first free movie and couple little keychain scanner cards. When I got home I gave one to my wife. I had put her name on the account also, so she would get the benefits too.
When the Holy Spirit convinced us that Jesus lived and died to save us from our sins, we were given access to Christ's account.
We didn't pay the price, but we have access to free forgiveness for any and every sin. We didn't go to the cross to suffer our debt of hell, but by faith we receive all the benefits as if we actually did. We didn't lie dead in the tomb either, but again, because Jesus did, we were as good as there.
And since Jesus was given new life, we have new life also. Spiritual life: a real connection to God in this lifetime. Eternal life: the promise that sin can never again separate us from God so long as we remain connected to His Son by faith.
Maybe you've got a little keychain scanner card on your ring of keys. If you do, remember your "Resurrection Rewards" next time you use it. Hey, why not write "First Peter 1:3" on the back of one you use frequently. It might even give you an opening to share your "Rewards" with someone else.
