The Joy of (Other's) Salvation

As Christians, we should want everyone to experience the joy of salvation and the most loving thing that we can do is to plant those seeds that lead them down the road to experiencing that salvation. I think sometimes it's hard to see people we don't like get anything positive. I think sometimes it's hard for us to witness some people receiving salvation. We think that these people are so horrible and nasty and have done so much wrong to us or others that we believe they don't deserve salvation. I think that sometimes we avoid spreading the Gospel to people we dislike because we are afraid they will receive salvation. 

That's absurd! We shouldn't have negative feelings when people we don't like receive salvation because you know what? No one is righteous, no one is better than another or more deserving of another. 

Christ died for ALL

 "and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised"

2 Corinthians 5:15

I had a moment this week where I saw someone I don't like receiving salvation. And I am so thankful that God put joy in my heart about that, because that's what's supposed to happen. Angels rejoice when someone is saved, we should too.  

I have students who I love dearly and who I would give anything to make sure they are taken care of. And then I have students who challenge me to remain loving and positive towards them. I think every teacher has that one student who you butt heads with constantly, who pushes your buttons always. I have that student who I have been butting heads with continuously for the last 2 and a half years. But something happened on Thursday that totally changed my heart towards this kid. 

On Thursday I got to be a part of an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) rally after school, and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever gotten to be a part of. We had about 50 kids, maybe more, I'm not good at estimating numbers of people. They got to have fun hanging out, winning cool prizes, and playing silly games. They also got to hear an amazing Christian message that I could tell really stirred their hearts. 

The message seemed to stir the heart of a kid that I didn't expect it affect. He's my kid that I butt heads with all the time for his disrespectful and extremely rude behavior. And yet, as the speaker prepared the kids for the time of invitation, as we had our heads bowed, I could see out the corner of my eye this kid getting fidgety. When the speaker asked students to stand if they wanted to receive Christ for the first time, this kid stood right up, and I had to hold back a flood of tears.

Here is this kid, this kid I don't get along with, and he wants salvation! And I cried tears of joy that he wanted to make that decision! My emotions about this kid surprised me. There were several other kids who made a stand for wanting salvation or wanting to rededicate their lives to Christ, several other kids who I liked better, who I had a better relationship with, who were better behaved kids. And yet, my tears of joy were coming more because my trouble child wanted salvation. 

Thursday I was reminded that people receiving salvation is a beautiful and joyous thing. And it shouldn't matter if we get along with that person or if they are our least favorite person in the world. It should bring us joy to know that another person is turning away from their sins, that another person has been forgiven, that another person has been rescued from eternal damnation. The salvation of others should bring us joy just like our salvation should bring us joy. 

Thursday challenged me to think more positive of all of my students, and well everyone I come in contact with. It challenged me to remember that everyone needs compassion, everyone needs a savior (yes, the song Mighty to Save is in my head right now), and we shouldn't withhold the seeds of salvation from people because of how we may feel about them. It challenged me to remember that ALL of my students are spiritual beings, that the states of their souls are in question, that I should be praying for ALL of them and doing what I can as a teacher to help ALL of them grow in their faith and to point ALL of them to the Gospel. 

I still am feeling such joy over Thursday night. And I have this renewed zeal to be a brighter light for Christ at work and everywhere I go because seeing people saved or getting back on the right track with their faith produces seriously one of the most amazing feelings ever.

*Several students made very important decisions Thursday night. Please pray with me that those who received Christ for the first time will grow and flourish in their faith. And pray that those who rededicated their lives to Christ will have a renewed zeal for living out their faith.*

Until another time, this has been a Bit of Gab!

-Gabby