The Salvation Riddle

Here's a riddle for you to begin the week.  What can't be bought, earned, or traded for, you can't inherit or steal it from another, yet it's the most precious thing in the universe?  Give up?  It's salvation.  This priceless gift is just that, a gift, for those who put their trust in Christ.

So what exactly is salvation, why is it so great, and how can you be sure you have it?  Let's look at what salvation  isn't , to begin with. As the riddle states, a person can not obtain it by using external means.  For example, no amount of giving, whether it be financially, or by doing good works, can secure it.  If it were that simple, everyone would be saved, because it doesn't involve making a personal decision on the veracity of Christ's claims. You could merely buy your salvation on the installment plan.  Or how about inheriting it from your parents, or the church?  Again, it ain't gonna happen.  Just because your Mom and Dad, or church have a relationship with God, doesn't mean they can pass it along to you in their wills. Salvation only is obtained by making a personal commitment to Jesus.  The information on his birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension are available to all, but we must seek it out and study it carefully.  Think about how much time you put into researching the purchase of a new car, refrigerator or camera, Jesus deserves at least that much effort.

When we truly come to that "ah ha" moment, when we know, and totally accept Jesus for who he says he is, confess ours sins and ask him to forgive us, God graciously writes us in his book of life, securing our place in Heaven. Don't be fooled, it can be found in no other place, name or action.  In the earliest days of the church, a Holy Spirit-filled Peter said this to the Sanhedrin, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."acts 4:12. Please don't take this subject lightly, salvation doesn't come in little paper cups at Sam's, and it isn't a riddle. If you're not certain you have it, don't waste another day trying to gain it by human effort, assure yourself by going directly to the gift giver himself!