December 29, 2004

THE UNIVERSAL SAVIOUR

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world" (I John 4:14, NIV).

Wrapped up in this title of Jesus is the universality of the salvation He offers. He is not a regional or national Saviour. He is the all-embracing, all-inclusive Saviour of the world.

The angelic announcement of the nativity declared, "Unto you is born... a Saviour... Christ, the Lord" (Luke 2:11). The message of the gospel is that Jesus is not only the universal Saviour, but the only Saviour. Salvation is exclusively and altogether His divine prerogative (see Acts 4:12).

As the Saviour of the world, Jesus came to seek and to save from sin and all its deadly consequences (see Matthew 1:21). He came to save everyone who would accept Him from the tyranny of sin. He came to bring new life and hope and restoration to the fallen race. As Saviour of the world, Jesus came to redeem the people of the world and to restore the cosmic world as well (wee Revelation 21:1, 5). His salvation is complete, affecting both man and his environment.

The vicarious death of our universal Saviour has made salvation accessible to every human being on our planet (see John 3:16, 17). "Christ is the Saviour of all who will be redeemed, no matter the age in which they may happen to have lived."--SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 667. That's why in His tenderness and grace our universal Saviour appeals. "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 45:22). "The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, [and] perfect assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour."--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 419.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I claim anew Your great salvation and confess You as the Saviour of the world. Amen.