“And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” — John 6:39
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Like many hockey fans around the nation and world, I’ve enjoyed following the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Especially apparent to me this season has been the profound impact that goaltending play has on the success or failure of a team.
Even the best NHL defenses usually allow at least a few shots on goal every period, so a great defense with a shaky goaltender can still result in multiple scores. Meanwhile, shaky defensive play is often masked by the spectacular saves of a superstar goalie. It should then come as no surprise that the Eastern Conference Finals presents a dream goaltending matchup: Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers against Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
As I pondered all this, my mind drifted to the assurance that true followers of Christ have in Him. Even the best hockey goalies — even Shesterkin and Vasilevskiy — are bound to give up some goals. But this is decidedly not the case with our perfect goalie — Jesus Christ.
God promises time and time again in His Word that He will surely save all of His people, not just some or even most. He will never forget about any of His children or let a single one see corruption. He can atone for and forgive even your most heinous sins, even the ones you’re worried might keep you from eternal life with Him.
The Bible verse Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Examine yourself. Do you truly believe that Jesus is Lord and truly act like He is? If so, you can take comfort in the full assurance of salvation offered to you through the astoundingly wonderful grace of your Heavenly Father.
This grace that God has so lovingly lavished on His children did not come without a price. God, who is perfectly holy, cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Yet the fact remains that every person on earth does wrong, no matter how hard we try to do the right things. We were dead in our sins, but the Father sent His one and only Son into the world to make us alive again and reconcile us to Himself.
Jesus lived the perfect life you and I could never live, and then died the death on the cross that you and I deserved. In taking our sins upon Himself, He gave us His righteousness in return, so that we might enjoy fellowship with our Heavenly Father forever.
As you watch the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs and admire the skill of Shesterkin and Vasilevskiy and all the players, remind yourself of God’s assurance. Delight in the truth that, if you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you will be saved. Nothing can snatch you from His hand.
— Kevin Mercer
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