The Gift

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. [Romans 10:9-10;13]

There is nothing in this world that compares to the love of Christ! One of my greatest joys is to see others come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. My heart rejoices in the presence of new Believers because they have chosen to love the Son of God. I have often wondered what may happen in the "heavenly realm" when a lost person finds Christ. Let's journey together and observe, with "spiritual eyes", a lost soul receiving the glorious gift of eternal life.

There she sits on the wooden pew, in the third row from the front of the church. She came alone this morning, a stranger needing to be in a safe place. Desperately needing the love of Christ, her soul is anguished. Life has been empty, lonely, and meaningless. She cannot remember when it began to spiral out of control, not that it mattered. Ironically, by the world's standards, all appeared perfect in her life. Her husband and children love her dearly, and she knows that she loves them. But her unhappiness and despair now consumes her, leaving a tremendous void in her heart. She came to the church needing a miracle. She came in search of a Savior.

The angels from Heaven are perched around her, watching and guarding. The battle for her soul is waging now, and she is totally unaware of the struggle. Satan is angry because he is about to be defeated. With a final attempt to keep this broken soul captive, the prince of this world tries to fill her mind with lies and deception. But his wicked grip is slipping and his power over her mind is weakening.

The woman is eagerly listening to this anointed pastor. He has been speaking about the love of Jesus Christ, and how it is available to anyone who accepts. Her heart is racing within her, and she is trembling. Closing her tear-filled eyes and humbly hanging her head, she prepares to open her heart. As she does, the holy angels of God fall prostrate on the floor, and the enemy of God suddenly flees. The Lord Jesus Christ is present now, and the radiance of His glory fills the sanctuary. The Messiah stands in front of the woman, placing both hands on her weary shoulders. He is looking at her face-to-face, yet she is blind to His presence. The Holy Spirit of God is hovering above her, calling her name and drawing her close:

Come to Me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with Me.

The woman feels the Spirit drawing her to Him, and in faith, she opens her empty heart to receive life. She whispers her prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to You now. I am calling on You to save me, Jesus. I pray that You will forgive me for all of the sin in my life. I ask you, Jesus, to come into my heart and be Lord over my life. I confess that You are Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. Come, Lord Jesus.

The Son of God gently wipes the tears from the woman's face. As He does, the Blessed Holy Spirit, the Breath of God, envelops her and gives her new life from Heaven. Her body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit, for He now dwells within her heart. Her salvation is forever sealed. The Lord Jesus is smiling and holding her. The woman's face now radiates from the glory of God surrounding her and from His Spirit filling her. As the tears flow down her cheeks, the chains of life that have held her prisoner for so long fall to the ground all around her. The grace of God has set her free!

Jesus lifts His holy hands towards Heaven, thanking the Father. As He does, the angels see the woman's name written on His palm. Then the heavenly hosts joyfully celebrate, watching her name be inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life. Their voices carry in Heaven and throughout the entire universe, and they shout,

Alison is now a child of the Living God! Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! She was lost, but now she is found! Let us rejoice! Hallelujah!!!

As the angels continue to celebrate her new life, the woman stands from her seat. Consumed with joy and an indescribable peace, the empty place in her heart and life has now been filled. God has forgiven her sins and has embraced her as His child. Leaving her place and walking down the aisle of the church, an angel of the Lord accompanies her, now guarding her in all her ways. Unknown to this new creation in Christ, the Son of God is holding her right hand, walking by her side. Speaking to her healed heart, He says:

I knew you before the creation of this world, Alison. You are the very reason My blood was shed. Your sins are forgiven, and I will remember them no more. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is My love for you. It is by grace you have been saved. You are eternally saved, and you are forever My beloved child. I love you.

Walking hand-in-hand, the Everlasting Father, the Son of the Living God, the Blessed Holy Spirit, and the redeemed saint leave the sanctuary together. The woman turns her tear-streaked face up towards the sun, and thanks the Father from the depths of her grateful heart. And for the first time in a very, very long time, she smiles.

         Alison