The more I meditate on Psalm 85 the more the beauty and the grandeur of God’s salvation moves me. Is there a more beautiful line in all the Scriptures than verse 10, “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other”? These beautiful expressions of God’s character come together for our benefit. 

In the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ these attributes enter into the story of humanity. When Jesus takes the man tormented by demonic oppression in Mark 5 and frees his mind and his soul from torment, he replaces this man’s living nightmare with true peace. The rage that made this man a terror to society was replaced with a shalom that moved him to share the good news with his neighbors that were once terrorized by him. 

When Jesus entered the home of Zacchaeus, the Roman tax collector was transformed from one who perverted justice through government sponsored extortion, to one who experienced Christ’s righteousness.  After only one meal with the Lord, he was moved to away half of his wealth to the poor and give back four times what he had stolen to anyone he had cheated. 

Jesus met under the cloak of darkness with Nicodemus—a religious man with all the answers. In one meeting this holy teacher of Israel was left with the realization that despite all his good deeds and religious studies, he himself was unrighteous before a holy God. He needed the new birth that only Jesus could offer. 

After three years of living, eating, and ministering with Jesus, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. Peter watched in shame as Jesus was led away to the cross. And yet, on a quiet beach in Galilee, the resurrected Jesus approached Peter and restored him with a type of steadfast love that would change everything about Peter. 

It has been said that there are two types of Christians, those that admire Jesus and those that follow Jesus. When we truly experience the salvation of Christ, we cannot stay the same. We call ourselves Redeemer Church because we want to be a people that demonstrates the redeeming love of our Savior. As you analyze your life, how is Christ turning you? What is it that you need to turn away from as you follow King Jesus? As you keep turning toward Christ you will see that you cannot stay the same. We don’t believe in a social gospel—one that simply focuses on external change, but the gospel always has a social impact. How are you showing the transformation of Christ in your life this week? How will you be a different neighbor because of Jesus Christ? How will your workplace be different because the love of Christ is there? How will this city be transformed little by little because we live and serve here? How will your family feel the impact of your life being transformed by the power of the gospel? 

Spend some time this week meditating on Psalm 85 and take moments throughout the week to ask God how you can show the salvation of God in your place this week.