Jump Start Mailing List - No. 3

Back in the time when the American Revolution was taking place, there was a man named Peter Miller. Now, Peter lived in Pennsylvania at the time, and was a preacher there. Peter had a friend named George Washington. You may have heard of him.
But, Peter also had an enemy. Michael Wittman was described as an evil minded man. And for some reason, he did everything he could to oppose and in fact abuse Peter. Michael Wittman was arrested and sentenced to death for the crime of treason.
When Peter heard this news, he set out on foot and walked 70 miles to Philadelphia to plead for Michael’s life. He was granted the ability to meet with his friend General Washington, and immediately began to plead for the traitor’s life.
General Washington said, “No Peter, I cannot grant you the life of your friend.” Peter exclaimed, “My friend?? This man is the bitterest enemy I have.” To this, Gen. Washington replied, “What? You’ve walked seventy miles to save the life of your enemy? Now that puts the matter in a different light.
I will grant the pardon.” And he did! Peter then took Michael from the very shadow of death back to his own home. No longer his enemy, but his friend!
We sing the song 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus', but we sometimes forget the meaning of the words...
In Romans 5:6-10 'For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
When we were abusing and opposing Jesus – He went to His death in our place.
Jesus was without sin, but BECAME sin so that we might have the hope of eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:21). This was taking something beautiful, and defacing it on our behalf!
Now, this next scripture covers the whole story and remains quite possibly my favorite passage in the Bible for this type of thing. Acts 16:30-33 says, 'And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Now, what of this baptism - Acts 2:38 For the remission of sins... That part gets left out too often... But, that is the part that counts...
Now, the story doesn’t stop there. In John 14:15 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” After we have become friends, we must remain friends. We need to continue to keep His commands.
Have a great day!