SOMETHING BETTER!

"God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
(Hebrews 11:40).

Devotion 2 of 10

A GREAT SALVATION

Better things have a quality of their own. They are "great" even if nothing is found with which to compare them. Things related to our salvation are inherently great. They are not "great" because they are impressive--although they are impressive. Our observation is not what makes them great; their nature makes them great.

What we have received in Christ by faith and through the Spirit is truly "great." It excels any and all other provisions offered to the sons of men. Think of solemn warning issued by the Holy Spirit to those that profess faith: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" Its greatness was clearly proclaimed in the Gospel of our salvation (Eph 1:13). The glorious message accentuated salvation's greatness. That is why the Spirit continues, "After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard" (Heb 2:3).

Several Psalmic expressions serve to confirm the greatness of our God and everything He has provided. He Himself is "great" (Psa 77:15). Not only is He "great," that greatness constrains Him to do "wondrous things" (Psa 86:10). How marvelous the affirmation, "God is great, and greatly to be praised" (Psa 48:1). His mercy is "great" (Psa 57:10), as well as His matchless "goodness" (Psa 31:19) and "power" (Psa 147:5). Truly, His "strength is great" (Psa 33:17), and is devoted to the salvation of His people. His glory is "great" in His salvation (Psa 21:5); i.e., He is made known in the fullest way in the salvation of humanity. He has "done great things" (Psa 71:19), particularly in
rescuing us from the snare of the devil. The deliverance wrought through Jesus is "great" in every sense of the word (Psa 18:50). The "reward" He gives is "great" (Psa 19:11). Let those who bear the name of Christ give honor to their God, for He is "great."

The word "great" comes from megas , meaning "big (literal or figurative, in a very wide application): exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty . . . " Something that is "great" excels everything with which it is compared. It looms larger than everything that competes with it. In the case of our God, He is "above all gods" (Psa 95:3; 96:4). His salvation outstrips anything and everything that competes with it.

Admittedly, you would not come to this conclusion by observing the average professing Christian or church. The blight of mediocrity has nearly swallowed up things identified with Christ and salvation. That uncomely condition, however, has not altered anything eternal. God is still "great," and His salvation remains a "great salvation." For those courageous enough to "call upon the name of the Lord," glorious confirmation of this reality will be granted!

The Concept Of "Better"

In Scripture, the Holy Spirit took common words and enlarged them, thus making them uncommon words. Examples of such expressions are "love," "faith," "church," "Lamb," "altar," "commune," "fellowship," "peace, "hope," and "joy." Such words are defined doctrinally more than etymologically. They are used to develop concepts integral to our salvation. "Better" is such a word. It is part of a special nomenclature developed by the Spirit for communicating and expounding the word of reconciliation to spiritual people.

I have observed that people make little progress in the faith until they are impressed with the greatness of their salvation and the "betterness" of the things that accompany it. As long as "religion" is viewed as a duty, or even a burden, progress will not be made toward heaven. Candidly, that is a revolutionary thought. It explains many of the abnormal conditions that confront us in the contemporary church.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise You for the greatness of the salvation You have provided in Christ Jesus. deliver me from small thinking concerning You and Your salvation. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name sake. In Jesus' name, give me grace to take hold of Your "great salvation,' and the "better things" you have provided in Jesus!

- TOMORROW: THE BEST FOR THE LAST --