Today’s Post Written By: Rhonda Stinson
“Splish splash Mags is takin’ a bath” is the ditty I sing to my dog when it’s bath time. I usually give her a bath in gigantic double-sided cement sink in the basement, but due to the lack of heat during winter, I decided to bathe her in the tub upstairs. Unlike many dogs, she doesn’t like water but is very submissive to anything I choose to do to her. When she sees me get out the toothbrush or shampoo, she cowers and goes under the kitchen table. She obediently and timidly comes out when called. After getting Maggie out of the tub, I noticed she was shaking uncontrollably. I was concerned because this had never happened before. Guessing she was having cold spasms, I wrapped her in a blanket and held her close in hopes of warming up my poor little baby. After about two hours she was fine.
The next time I gave her a bath upstairs in the tub, it happened again—uncontrollable shaking! I wrapped her up and snuggled her close until she stopped. I didn’t understand. Maggie is a Sheltie with a very thick and long coat of hair. She loves to go outside and roll in the snow and even eat it. When summer comes, she can be found in front of the air conditioner. She loves cold weather. Suddenly, I thought that I’d found the answer to her odd behavior. This time, I put Maggie in the basement sink, bathed her and took her upstairs. She wasn’t shaking! I’d solved the mystery. Maggie wasn’t cold at all, she was shaking from fear! The tub upstairs is slippery and her feet have nothing to butt up against to keep her from falling onto her stomach, while the downstairs sink is very confined with no room for slippage. All she needed was security. Yeah, Sherlock—case closed!
We too have a need for security in many different areas; some of which may include finances, relationships, love, a job, or insurance; but do you have security in your salvation? Jesus died for all those willing to turn to Him and accept His gift of grace and eternal security. Once you accept Christ as your personal Savior, your salvation is sealed for the moment of redemption. “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Some think that means once someone is saved, they can sin as much as they want and still go to heaven. “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) Once someone is truly saved, they don’t long to sin and when they do they experience remorse and guilt. God has given the saved a new nature and that nature wills to please Him. Though we still sin, He forgives us of our sins when we turn to Him in repentance.
Maggie didn’t realize she had no need to feel like she was going to drown. The water was draining and I was there to keep her safe. She had no need to fear. God wants the saved to have this kind of security when it comes to salvation. You, as a believer, are safe, but do you still live in fear of “drowning”? If you’re living in fear, then you are not experiencing the total freedom for which Christ has given.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” (John 6:47)
“By that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
Salvation is a gift which some will accept and some will not. It is unmerited by us, yet freely offered by God. He will not take back this gift of pure and undefiled love once we’ve accepted it. He wants you, as a believer, to live in the freedom of salvation, not the bondage of fear. In parting I would like to share one of my favorite verses. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
