Renew pledge during Easter

John 3:16 reads, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe upon Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

God is love, and out of his love nature he gave his son to become the savior of the world. Jesus our Lord, who is love, willingly submitted to the Father’s will and left his throne in heaven. He came as a babe in a manger, and as savior and messiah.

Our assurance found in the book of Romans 10:13 reads, “For whoever will call upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.” This promise is true and our faith in Christ is the guarantee. It is the simple, yet life-changing Gospel message.

Christ left his throne in heaven, came to this earth, lived his life, imparted truth, was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day, he rose again, defeating death, hell and the grave. He is alive, and because he lives, those who believe in him will live also, with him.

Because of Jesus, we have eternal life in his eternal kingdom, and can experience life and that more abundantly now. We are forever the apple of his eye and the recipient of his matchless, never-changing, everlasting love.

The Easter season is a time of family gatherings. Family time, meals together and enjoying one another’s company is important and memorable. Relationships are a gift from the Lord to be cherished; as should be our relationship him also.

However, over the years, and much secularism, an uneven exchange has taken place. The true meaning of this holy season has become somewhat skewed, and sometimes replaced.

Let us call to remembrance what is represented by the time we celebrate.

Today, let us together make a choice and new commitment to remember this magnificent season with reverence and joy. A season filled with hope, faith and promises found in no other. Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins on Calvary’s cross, once for all, so that we might be reconciled to the Father.

Salvation comes through one source, Jesus Christ. John 3:17 reads, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.”

I remember as a young mother, committing my children to the Lord through baptism. At that ceremony we stood at the altar of God and promised to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, training them in his ways and being the example of his love to them. We vowed to teach them about him. It was a responsibility we held close and although there were many times we fell short, the Lord’s love and convicting power caused us to walk uprightly in this vow. It must be our commitment to remind ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come of the real reason for the Easter season. It is the sacrifice paid by the Lord Jesus Christ so that we may have eternal life. Not only did he willingly die a horrible death, the spotless, sinless Lamb of God; he did it for you and for all mankind.

The sacrifice of Christ upon the cross at Calvary paid for our sins. Second Corinthians 5:21 reads, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” We no longer have to be slaves to sin but can find freedom at the cross and to be called children of God.

As we ponder this simple message, let our hearts reach out to the Lord, calling upon Jesus with a recommitment of surrender and love. Look at the cross, see the love and receive salvation and life, now and for all eternity in his heavenly kingdom. Rejoice, he has risen, just as he said! Believe and receive.

Patty Scahill of Austintown is a conference speaker and author.