Looking through the window

DAILY BYTE

There’s a common misunderstanding that salvation means having your sins forgiven. Certainly, the forgiveness of sins is an indispensable part of salvation, but it’s only a part. The truth is, Jesus has far bigger concerns than just our sins. Yes, he came to save us from our sins, but he came for much more than that. He came that we might have LIFE, and have it to the full. To miss that is to miss the whole point of the salvation story.

Let me illustrate what I mean:

There was once a painter who lived in a humble little house. The house wasn’t much to look at, but it had one outstanding feature, and that was the view. It overlooked a spectacular section of coastline, framed with mountains on either side. It was breathtakingly beautiful, like a picture postcard. Realising how special the view was, and wanting to be able to enjoy it and paint it, the painter made some alterations to his house. He put in a massive window in his living room, so that he could sit there and gaze at the mountains and the sea, and stand next to his easel and paint to his heart’s content. It was glorious.

But then one day a bird messed on the living room window, and so the painter got a bucket, some rags and soap and cleaned it, so that nothing would obstruct his view.

A few days later there was a big storm, and the rain and wind off the sea left ugly streaks on his window. So he got the bucket and rags and soap, and cleaned it again.

A few days later he noticed some fingerprints on the inside of the window – the grandchildren had come to visit. So once again he got the bucket and rags and soap to clean it. And so it continued.

If you visit that house today you’ll find the painter sitting in his living room, with a bucket and rags and soap by his side, watching and waiting for the slightest mark to appear on his window. What he hasn’t realized is that he’s so intent on looking at the window, that he no longer looks through it. The view, of course, is still there – as glorious as ever. But the man no longer sees it – he’s too focused on keeping his window clean. And his canvas? His canvas remains empty.

Which is a parable.

What if the forgiveness of sins is like the cleaning of the window? Necessary – yes! Important – of course! But let’s understand why. It’s so that we can see the breathtaking beauty of God and the life that God lays before us, all of which he wants us to enjoy, and to experience, and to share.

The point of Jesus’ coming was not just so that we might be saved from our sins. That’s like looking at the window instead of through it. When we make sin our primary focus, we easily end up missing the view.

Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Jesus came so that the lives we’re living right here and right now may be infused with his love and his power. Jesus came so that we might become channels of healing and transformation for our world, working for justice and peace, speaking the truth in love, pointing people to God.

That’s what salvation is really about, and that’s why it’s good news.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Saviour of the World. Come, with all your saving power and grace, and be my Saviour too. Come not just to save me from my sin, but come to save me for your Kingdom, for your purpose, for your glory. Save me for the new life that is found in you – a life of justice, compassion and love; a life that will be a witness to hope and a channel of grace within the world. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

John 10:10b

[Jesus said] “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”