Truth To Wonder: conversation for christ

Today, I looked out my kitchen window and saw a wonderful picture of the Gospel unfold before me. The night had been cold and crisp, leaving a deep frost on everything. As the early morning hours gave way to the rising sun, its unusual warmth considering the coldness of the preceding night, caused something very distracting to happen.

As I walked into my kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee, I was mulling over what I could write about in this column. As I thought, I became somewhat alarmed when I saw what appeared to be thick smoke coming from the driveway where my car was parked. So, I looked out the window down at the driveway (we’re in a first floor flat), and saw that the surprising intensity of the rising winter sun, was making the deep frost evaporate with eye grabbing intensity. The evaporation of the deep frost against the brilliance of the sunlight, was so marked it really did look like many fences were on fire! 

Looking at that unusual sight, it brought to mind how such a scene is a tremendous picture of the salvation of a sinner. We sinners once had a heart that was truly cold towards God. Thick layers of sin built up over a lifetime had numbed our heart to the love of God, much like thick layers of frost cling to and numb all that it touches. 

Yet the light of Christ Jesus rises on the icy and sin numbed heart, causing it to be freed from that cold grip of sin and death. The joy of that freedom from those bitter chains of our sins, prompts us to live joyfully in thanksgiving unto God for our delivery from death unto life. That joy of salvation animates our words, thoughts and deeds, making our lives a visible witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ. 

This is much like the rising steam from those frost-bitten fencing panels. That steam climbs high into the air and draws the eye due to its unusual nature and potency. It appears as smoke, yet much like the fire of God that moves a heart to His service, it doesn’t harm or stain. It is like gentle steam, pure and eye catching. And so the joy of salvation declares the fullness of freedom we enjoy in Christ Jesus to all who bear witness.

Then we can draw another lesson from those frost-bitten fences in the winter sun. The panels that had the thickest frost affecting them, produced the most intense steam. Isn’t this a tremendous picture of what Christ showed Peter in Luke 7:40-43! Those whose hearts were affected deepest by the bitter numbing cold of sin, would be those that would go on to show the truest, humblest service to Christ. Such is the manner of salvation throughout time, as God used great sinners such as Mary Magdalene, the Apostle Paul, John Newton and Billy Bray to name a few, to become some of His most effective servants. They were so because they had been forgiven much, and so they loved Him deeply. 

There are pictures and reminders of the wonder of the Gospel all around us. To look for them is a great guard against backsliding in faith. For when we see such powerful testimonies of the mercy and grace of God, we are moved to awe and thankful reverence for the provision of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.