“But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark…” (Genesis 6:18)
When God spoke these words to Noah, He was declaring the special relationship He had with him. He was promising to save Noah from the coming flood by having him enter an ark that would float above the rising waters of judgment. Why? It was because “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).
In the same way, Christian believers in Jesus Christ are in a special relationship with God. They, like Noah, have entered the ark of God’s covenant through faith in Jesus and are delivered from all judgment and wrath. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Many Christians, however, do not fully walk in the light of this truth. They often feel as if they have to somehow measure up to earn God’s favor. Yet the Bible states, “He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Safe in the Ark of Jesus
As believers in Jesus Christ, we have entered the ark of His salvation. It was built by the wooden cross of Mount Calvary 2000 years ago. Through His sacrifice, Jesus has promised to deliver us from all judgment and condemnation. As it says in Romans “…Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:9-10).
And Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). There is no longer any punishment because Jesus has borne the punishment for us. In Christ Jesus, we are free from the condemnation and punishment of our sin to walk with God in a new relationship of life in the Spirit. We are able to serve Him without fear and to truly love and obey Him, because “He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Let us therefore, as Christian believers in Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross, receive His gift of grace not only in our spirits but in our minds and emotions as well. He was judged in our place so that we may be free from guilt and fear and condemnation. Don’t be afraid to draw near to the One who has saved you and purchased you with His blood. The Bible states that there is no greater love: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Come to the Ark
If you do not know Jesus, there is an invitation for you. God calls anyone and everyone to come into the ark of Jesus’ saving grace. Won’t you call on His name and receive His salvation for you? The Bible says: “For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). It is as simple as realizing you are a sinner and that you can’t make it to heaven on your own. Just ask Jesus to forgive you and to come into your heart as your Savior. In doing this, God will establish His covenant with you and you will enter the ark, forgiven, saved and bound for heaven. You will be high above the waters of judgment—not because of your own goodness—but because Jesus was punished in your place. It’s a free ticket to board the ark! All you need to do is receive the gift of God’s salvation in Christ. Upon doing so, you will realize that you too, like Noah of old, have found “grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
In Christ Jesus,
Richard O. Webb
HeartoftheLord.org
