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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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Non-Negotiable A
syndicated writer conducted a semi-serious poll of his associates.
Included was the question, "What
is your most dreaded or
unpleasant task?"
Surprisingly, it was not income tax time or a visit to the dentist that
received the most votes, but it was the process
of buying a car that was most dreaded. In fact, he heard some real
horror stories from those with that experience. Such
negotiations include... numbers and words, hidden terms and "let
me talk to the sales manager" that cause heartburn and frustration to
us because we feel we must enter into the bargaining process or be
bamboozled. The art of negotiation has been around since ancient times,
and the procedure is generally about the same today as years ago. Some
purchases demand some negotiation... and it would seem foolhardy to
fail to do so. It is a game for some, and some even enjoy the game, but
for many of us it is a dreaded exercise in frustration and anxiety. Some
things are not negotiable,
however. As a rule, you won't get far trying to negotiate the price of a
gallon of milk at the grocery store, or a pair of shoes at the department
store. Those prices are pretty well set, and are changed only in a sales
program. So it is with a gallon of gasoline or a CD at the store. One
issue for which there is absolutely NO room for negotiation is our
salvation! Salvation
is NOT a negotiable commodity and
never has been. When God set the price on salvation, you are not going to
get a price break by trying to barter with Him. The
price is non-negotiable and already paid!
If one seeks to pay his own way for his redemption, he is doomed to
failure. You simply cannot negotiate with God about your salvation from
sin. The price of our redemption was paid with a currency that man does
not have and cannot obtain for himself. The Apostle Peter reminded
Christians of the price that was paid for their redemption: "knowing
that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold,
from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19). The
price of satisfying Gods justice is far out of our reach, requiring the
blood of "For
Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might
bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). The
terms of acceptance of the redemption that Christ provides are also
non-negotiable. We must place our trust
in Him (Acts 16:31), repent
of our sins Don't try to barter with God concerning your salvation. His terms are non-negotiable. Accept HIS SALVATION on HIS TERMS today! David A. Sargent, Minister Church of Christ at Creekwood * Adapted from Verse A Week Club; Jim Davis, editor. See http://www.wcoc-ohio.org To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchsearch.org Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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