No Risk for Sure

Embarking on a new venture calls for calculating reward against risk. Risk considers possible failures and unforeseen consequences. Reward ushers in desired prospects—perhaps even better than hoped. Somehow we measure negatives before choosing to proceed.

In the case of an all-knowing, all-powerful God, laying a foundation for human salvation did not risk failure. Success was guaranteed by the character of the Son: his righteousness and his willingness even to lay his life on the line. The Father’s certain foreknowledge meant no surprises, and his power assured success against all opposition.

So Christ’s death was not failure; it was voluntary. His burial was not defeat; he resurrected. Any failure in the salvation enterprise rests, not in its founding, but in its application to us individually.

The saying goes, “God always accomplishes his purpose.” While true, that does not mean everybody is saved by his plan for salvation. Regardless of how many reject it, his plan established something meant to save “whosoever will” accept it. Coming together here expresses our ongoing choice to accept what the emblems signify and to live accordingly, moving forward.