FIRST LOOKS: Here we take a look at the theme of the coming week. For the Sunday after Easter we look at I John 5:4-12, which ends with these words: 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
WHO REALLY WINS?
Modern aircraft are marvels of engineering. They are incredibly strong for their weight. Nevertheless, they all have limits. A pilot has to know and respect the limits of his aircraft. There is the Vne, the never-exceed speed. There are g-force limits. There is the limit to the icing that the aircraft can tolerate.
The limits are included in the Aircraft Operation Manual and often the key ones are on placards in the cockpit. In addition the Federal Air Regulations make it clear that violating the noted limits is against regulations.
The limits are a matter of physics. Even with margins built in, aircraft cannot operate far beyond the physical limits without fatal results.
Every so often, however, a pilot comes along who views the restrictions as a personal limitation on his freedom. “They won’t even let you do loops in this thing! That isn’t fair!” But there is no “they,” and the laws of physics aren’t fair or unfair, the just “are.”
Sad to say, many such pilots eventually make the “what went wrong” safety articles in the aviation magazines. They push an airplane beyond its limits with fatal results. They “won.” They showed that they could go beyond the operational limits. Do you think they really won?
In our text for today, we have a similar situation. John writes, 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. He makes it clear that without Christ, there is no salvation. Only Jesus has redeemed the world. Only by faith in Him do we receive the gift of His redemption.
There are people who respond in various ways: “Narrow minded!” “Unfair!” “Bigots!” “Who do those Christians think they are?!” You can add to the list.
But John isn’t being bossy. He is just telling us the facts. Nobody can make another person put their trust in Christ. Those who are offended can reject Christ and denounce those who bring the good news of His redeeming work. They can assert themselves and avoid anybody telling them what to do or believe. Do they really “win” against John and others who invite them to know and trust Christ?
The fact is that there is only one Savior for mankind.
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) That’s just the way it is.