The power of the cross

The first sunny day here in Spokane, I drive home from work the windows down and wind in my hair, music blasting. I take my cute chiuauah for a walk in the historic, beautiful, yet trendy Browne’s addition. Kind of a forgotten gem in the city because of the kind of people living there, but I feel so fortunate to live just outside of this European style neighborhood. I hear someone call behind me: two Mormon missionaries. I am wearing my Campus Crusade for Christ sweatshirt. I think: “if I blow them off, no big deal, they get that by a lot of people.” Instead I see it as an opportunity to learn. After standing on the sidewalk talking for an hour and a half we decide to meet again. Concequentlty, I have met with these missionaries and talked with them on numerous occasions. During this time, Jesus has really showed me that it is not my pride permitted to talk- so often I just want to prove to them that they are wrong. But, I have no part in the Salvation Story- I am saved by His mercy and grace. I own nothing, I owe all. So often I have a pride issue. Wow, if anything I am learning from our meetings is how to speak when the Holy Spirit wants me to, not when I feel I have a good point to make. Also, how the simplicity of the cross is enough. IT IS ENOUGH!! Praise the LORD!! There is no such thing as a restored gospel- Jesus is the gospel. I have no right pretending I am a major contributor to the process of salvation- I just realize and admit I am so lost without it. While researching the truth of the Trinity I read the greek and hebrew meaning of Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” means that persuason is not the outcome of imagination but is based on fact, such as the reality of the resurrection of Christ. It is the immediate instument of perservation, is dependent upon and made to work by the power of God; while faith does not enable the power of God to keep us, the power of God, creating and sustaining faith, enables it to keep us secure in our state of salvation.