Dear Mr. Miller

DEAR MR. MILLER by Ray Pritchard Thank you so much for writing. I am honored that you took the time to read An Anchor for the Soul and then took even more time to thoughtfully write out your objections. I am further honored to have the response of a man who has served his country with such distinction for so many years. You say, “Jesus was NOT crucified for the sins of men.” Your argument that the death of Christ didn’t stop one sin misses the point. The death of Jesus provides for the forgiveness of sins. His blood paid the price for your sins and for my sins so that when we trust him, our sins are forgiven forever. No one can go to heaven apart from true faith in Jesus Christ. “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from every sin” (I John 1:7). Jesus himself declared that he came to be a “ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). It is the glory of the gospel that God saves sinners while they are still sinners. That is, he saves people like you and me even while we are rebels fighting against him. Sinners are the only people God saves because they are the only people who know they need salvation. “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repent-ance” (Luke 5:32). Not only does he save sinners, he gives them a brand-new heart and a new life (II Corinthians 5:17). He declares them not guilty in his eyes (II Corinthians 5:21) and gives them the free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Jesus was not killed simply because the religious leaders didn’t like him. Oh, they had a part in his death to be sure and they are truly guilty before the Lord. But everything that happened to Jesus happened to fulfill God’s plan for bringing salvation to the human race. Palm Sunday was no accident and Good Friday was no mistake. Easter was not an afterthought, but the culmination of God’s plan from before the foundation of the world. The events of Holy Week teach us that only in Christ do we find salvation, freedom and forgiveness. You and I share in the world’s guilt for killing the Son of God. Denial of the truth does not lessen your guilt or mine. The only “madness” is the madness of going your own way and refusing God’s free gift of salvation. Mr. Miller, I urge you to get on your knees right now and confess Jesus Christ as your own Savior and Lord. Admit your sins. Run to the Cross. Trust in Jesus who died to save you. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Thank you again for writing. Even though you disagreed with what I wrote, I was glad to hear from you.