As Remembrance Sunday approaches I've been thinking about my Dad. He served in the army during the Second World War as an engineer stationed in both Italy and in Northern Ireland.
He
didn’t talk much about those days but he did have a favourite story to tell and
he told us about it quite frequently - especially as he got older!
When
he was stationed in Northern Ireland he would go out with a driver to the artillery
placements to repair the guns and other equipment.
One
day his sergeant gave him is orders to go to a particular installation but Dad
said that he couldn’t go because he didn’t have a driver.
The
sergeant told him to drive himself, but Dad explained that he couldn't drive because he didn't have a driving licence.
The
sergeant turned to his corporal and said “Get this man a licence”
And
that is how Dad got his driving licence and he enjoyed another sixty odd years
of driving right up to when he was about 86.
He
liked to tell that story because unlike the rest of us he didn’t have a course
of driving lessons and he didn’t have to take his driving test.
Even
though he didn’t really know how to drive.
Even
though he wasn’t ready for the open road.
He
got his licence – no lessons – no test – he didn’t have to prove that he was
ready for it.
He
didn’t even have to pay for it.
He
was just given it - for free
It’s
the same when somebody becomes a Christian!
No
lessons
No test
No fee
Paul
tells us in Romans 5:
You
see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the
ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good
person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love
for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
You see, just at the right time.
Just the right time,
when we were still powerless, Christ died for the
ungodly.
This is the amazing good news of
Jesus!
God Himself in Jesus came to earth,
and was born of a virgin. He lived a perfect and sinless life. He was crucified
on the cross – taking the punishment for all our sin – past present and future.
Because of all the sin in my life
and in your life – we deserve death as a punishment.
But God demonstrates his own love
for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The Bible calls this Grace. Paul
also wrote to the Christians in Ephesus and he says: it is by grace you have
been saved through faith.
but there’s more:
On the third day Jesus rose again
in victory and is now in Heaven seated at the right hand of God the Father and
He has sent His Holy Spirit to live within all who believe.
God has poured out his love into
our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
And there’s more – one day he will
return to judge us all – both the living and the dead.
But God demonstrates his own love
for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus
died that we might live. He said I have come that they may have life and have
it to the full.
Life
in all its fullness – eternal life beginning here - right now on earth and continuing
into the future - for ever.
The
bible tells us that God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
You
see, a bit like my Dad and his driving licence. There are no lessons for us to
take. There is no test. No fee!
It
cost Jesus everything - but for us - it’s
free!
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