After Calvary - 40 Pack

A story of victory and restoration. Herb, once unstoppable in telling the true story of a risen Savior, now just blends in with the worldly crowd. A prodigal story. 
 
AFTER CALVARY
 
“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)
 
I myself am just a sinner, saved by grace (God's unmerited favor).  I would like to share a true story of victory and restoration of a person that I had the privilege of working with for several years.  I had witnessed (given the Gospel message through personal testimony and God's Word) to Herb.  I thought he was lost (without Christ) and on his way to a sinner's grave (Luke 16:19-31), only to find out that he had trusted Christ as his personal Savior, but was no longer living for God.  I presumed that Herb once had a burning fire in his soul by “the true Light (Jesus) which gives light to every man (person) coming into the world.”  (John 1:9)
 
My belief was that, because he was “in Christ” (John 15:5), he was ready to share his story with all who would listen of the Good News (the Gospel) “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Herb, once unstoppable in telling the story of the suffering Savior of all mankind, now just blended in with the crowd, concerned only with the cares of the world, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Or perhaps he was drawn away by hardness of the heart due to some unfortunate circumstance in life.
 
The apostle Paul wrote these words in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron (a harden conscience).”
 
I recall being led by the Spirit of God to talk to Herb while he was in his state of sin and lethargy (moral weakness).  The Bible, the Word of God, says that we will be known by the fruit that we bear, good fruit or bad fruit (as in our life style): “for a tree is known by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33).  Herb appeared to be good natured, and yet something was missing, that is, the sparkle (the light) and the joy of the Lord (“the joy of the LORD is your strength” [Nehemiah 8:10]).  I had given Herb the Gospel witness at least fifty times.  
Then one day I noticed that something was different as I approached Herb.  I couldn't help but notice that he was acting anxious and had a big smile on his face.  In fact, he was the one that approached me.  He excitedly exclaimed, “I rededicated my life to Christ.  I did not get saved, because I was already saved (in Christ); but I was living outside the will of God (a life in sin).”
 
Herb's story is just one of many stories, only his is one of victory and restoration. The apostle John reminds us, “For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father (God) but is of the world.”  (1 John 2:16).
 
Recently I heard the story of the Old Violin (by Myra Brooks Welch) that I believe goes very well with Herb's story.  
 
T’was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
 
“What am I bid, good folks,” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar, a dollar,” then, “Two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?”
 
“Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three ...”  But no,
From the room, far back, a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
 
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
 
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
 
“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand!  And who’ll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone,” said he.
 
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand
What changed its worth?” Swift came the reply:
“The touch of a master’s hand.”
 
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
 
A mess of parties, a glass of wine;
And a game, as he travels on.
He's “going” once, and “going” twice,
He’s “going” and then he's “gone.”
 
After Calvary (after you accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life), will you stay the course, or will you, like Herb, wander from the love and favor of God only to come full circle, somewhat battered and scarred, desiring once again the love and favor of the Father?  There is always forgiveness to the wandering child of God.  God's Word tells us, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)  The Bible also says, “Be sober (serious), be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary (enemy) the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (bring to destruction, destroy).”  (1 Peter 5:8)
 
To the world, your life is cheap and constantly on the auction block; but to Christ Jesus, your life is sacred and priceless.  “The thief (devil) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (life overflowing).”  (John 10:10)
 
Our prayer is that you are in Christ and living out the plan and purpose that our God and Savior has chosen for you.  Stop wondering if God still loves you.  Just believe that His love is real.  Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  
We are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).  We love you and are waiting for you to come home.  We miss you.  You are in our prayers always.
 
Your fellow laborer in Christ,
B.V. Monjarez, B.R.E.