Reflections on Salvation

Yesterday, while celebrating the 4th of July weekend with my husband I received a call that kind of floored me. My friend Carol Mckinney (who has pretty much been my Godmother, and foster grandma all in one) passed away. She also was a victim of emphysema. The doctors had given her 4 months just 4 days prior to her death. I had told my mom that from my experience so far with that particular condition, (and considering her physical condition) their estimate is usually very generous, and realistically she probably had half that if we were lucky. Well they'd been transferring her daily, hospital to rehab to hospital, and were discussing putting her into a hospice house this week sometime. Well instead, they transferred her yesterday, and she expired at about 12pm. I was very distraught because with all her constant transfers I was not able to catch up with her and had decided that I'd go to visit her once she was settled into hospice house for a day or so. I kind of felt like I had failed her...especially because I'm not 100% positive she was a christian. Yes she talked about God at times, but never once that I can recall did she talk about Jesus, and she had some very secular viewpoints on life, and religion that were not consistent with faith in Jesus, and it really bothered me not knowing if she had made it.

I started reflecting on Salvation as spoken of in Paul and Peter's gospels... primarily about Assurance of Salvation which only comes through vocally standing for Jesus, and physically living your beliefs in action on a daily and momently basis. I realized this serves a two-fold purpose. Not only will your life bear witness to those unsaved in your life whom you come in contact with (which is the number 1 reason we always hear from the pulpit), but it also bears witness to those already saved in your life who are left in your wake. Not only does it encourage them to continue in their walk, and gives them incentive, but it eliminates that frustration and deep saddness of not knowing for sure. Your lifestyle should scream your beliefs so there is absolutely no doubt for those you love, and they can be assured as well. Living a quiet and peaceable life is one thing, and it's good to be a private person, but this is one thing that should never be stiffled, no matter what.