Being outside the crucible of Sarah’s accident feels strange. Sarah has so far exceeded doctors’ expectations and has recovered so immensely since she was in a coma, that it’s hard to believe there was a time when she couldn’t do anything on her own.
I have hardly touched the surface of all that happened during Sarah’s accident and recovery. The story in itself is substantial, and I don’t want to appear opportunistic by using it as a springboard to talk about something else. Nevertheless there is a relevant and important parallel point to be made: We are all like Sarah was. In ourselves we are dependent. Helpless. Hopeless. It is God who has made us and God who sustains us. At any second, God could righteously remove anything from our lives. We are totally defenseless, completely reliant and utterly destitute without God.
If God, then, is our Maker and our Sustainer, we are accountable to Him (Romans 14:11-12). Every one of us, whether we believe there is a God or not, will stand before Him and give account for our lives; all is before the eyes and ears of God, who, because He is just, must judge us according to our works. Since we have all sinned, this means we are all in huge trouble! Even a judge on earth knows there must be consequences for wrong actions. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” No amount of good works or good intentions will save us (Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9)! We have sinned, and the wages of that sin is death.
We are all as helpless as Sarah
was in the ICU, when she was completely reliant on others. We, likewise, are dependent on outside help to save us, help which Jesus has provided by dying on the cross for our sins. What we could not do, God did for us. Romans 5:6 says, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” What shall we do then? Acts 16:31 tells us:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Scripture cited in this post:
Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Titus 3:5 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Picture of John Paul and Sarah taken by Jordan Cutler.
Picture of Sarah in hospital taken by Melissa Schuurmans.
Labels: ANNIVERSARY, CHANGE, FAITH, FAMILY, LOOKING BACK
If God, then, is our Maker and our Sustainer, we are accountable to Him (Romans 14:11-12). Every one of us, whether we believe there is a God or not, will stand before Him and give account for our lives; all is before the eyes and ears of God, who, because He is just, must judge us according to our works. Since we have all sinned, this means we are all in huge trouble! Even a judge on earth knows there must be consequences for wrong actions. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” No amount of good works or good intentions will save us (Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9)! We have sinned, and the wages of that sin is death.
was in the ICU, when she was completely reliant on others. We, likewise, are dependent on outside help to save us, help which Jesus has provided by dying on the cross for our sins. What we could not do, God did for us. Romans 5:6 says, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” What shall we do then? Acts 16:31 tells us: