THE CHILDREN'S SAVIOUR

It is God's desire that all persons should be saved and know the truth; in fact a great prophet said that God would come Himself to save us. This became true when Jesus was born a Saviour. Both Peter and Paul wrote of Him as our "God and Saviour Jesus Christ" so He is ever divine. John even says that He was sent as Saviour of the world so that no one need ever feel overlooked in blessing. Then in love Jesus came to save those lost through a sinful nature - children as well as older persons - while He even seeks those who in self-will stray like sheep. As a glorified Saviour we look for His coming from heaven to change our bodies like unto His own.

The Person of the Saviour gives value to the work that He came to fulfil so that the believer should be righteously saved. The Passover lamb without blemish, and its shed blood, are a sign of this. There must be judgment for sins and Jesus endured this on the cross in a suffering body and in the deep agony of His soul. At that time His thoughts were directed in love to each individual believer through the centuries and He atoned for the sins of saints who had already died in faith. Older children should be able to trace at the close of the Gospels the seven speakings of Jesus from the cross, and consider the order in which they were uttered. The cry "it is finished" before yielding His spirit shows a work completed for ever to the glory of God.

But there is also the continuing work of the Leader of our salvation. His word keeps us from thinking and doing things that are sinful, and He speaks to us in many ways such as by the Scriptures, through our parents and in the preaching of the glad tidings. We need as well to be saved from denying the Master who has bought us; and to confess the Lord's name gives the safety of a strong tower.

Especially do we need to be kept at all times in the communion of friendship with God. When a king or a queen holds what is known as an audience, those people who are called have the privilege of a brief conversation and then leave the royal presence, probably for ever. But some highly favoured persons will be seen to remain there always. Likewise believers have a right and a welcome through the Saviour to abide in God's presence. Are you always acceptable to Him as well as accepted by Him?

J.C.Evershed