Devotion - Thursday, February 4

For the past couple of days, there has been a hum of deep theological discussion surrounding the issues of salvation. It began with last Wednesday’s powerful presentation by our guest, Pastor Casey Callahan. It was furthered with my decision to follow up on Pastor Callahan’s comments by asking the Pre-Seminary Group to read and discuss an article on Neo-Calvinism. All of this has lead to what might be called a rather theoretical and somewhat esoteric discussion of how salvation happens and how it is determined who is saved and whether a particular person has been saved.

This morning, my Bible brought me to a verse which serves as the perfect correction to this abstract discussion. Hebrews 12:1 reads, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

Yes, it is important to understand the how’s and why’s of Christian Theology. It is a nagging question to understand why some respond to God’s invitation and others to not. But in the end, what matters most is our own willingness to follow. And, by virtue of being on the receiving end of this electronic message which implies that somehow you are a part of the community of faith known as Lutheran Campus Ministry-Clemson, you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Ask your questions; seek your answers – but lay aside the weights which would encumber you and run with perseverance the race set before you.

Spend some time today thinking about salvation and how it has come into your life. Spend some time on this, but not much. Use the remainder of your time doing the things Christ would have you to do – responding to the needs of others, reaching out to those who are lonely or lost, caring for your family and friends, looking for ways to help the poor.

“I don’t know,” is an okay response to the questions we are asked. What isn’t acceptable is “I won’t serve.”