Now is the Day of Salvation, March 15
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation’” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV).
If you are experiencing cancer, most likely the concept of salvation has crossed your mind. What is salvation? It is a simple process—as easy as 1,2,3. And, as today’s verse says, “now is the day of salvation.”
1) Salvation begins before we recognize God’s loving presence in our lives. Some theologians call this prevenient grace. Think of it as God’s eternal light shining in your life, enabling you to see who He is, what He’s doing, and the way home. His love may be like a spotlight that enables us to see God’s love and goodness, or a lighthouse helping you avoid the rocks and sail home safely, or a ray of sunlight piercing through the storm clouds, giving you hope. These and a million other little revelations can lead us to God.
Eclipses like cancer prove that God’s light and love continue to shine on us. His love is unconditional, unmerited, and unending.
God’s love-light reveals our brokenness. Plants and flowers naturally turn and lean toward the sunlight and live, blossom, and grow. Similarly, God created us to turn to Him and thrive in the light of His love. Instead, we often choose to stay in the darkness. We reject a relationship with God and don’t do what He asks. In other words, we sin. As we try and fail or fail to try, we realize we are slaves to sin (see John 8:34).
2) God does not give up on us. Instead, He sends Jesus, the Light of the World, to save us. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus overcame the darkness of sin and death. In Jesus, God’s glory and light shine into our hearts to save us. By believing in Him, you can be forgiven. You are justified. It is just-as-if-I’d never sinned! Now you can bask in His love-light and draw near to God, living abundantly and eternally.
You are freed from sin’s power. Nothing can prevent God’s love from shining on you. No disease, no struggle, no pain, nothing—not even death—can stop God’s light from shining into your life. You can engage in spiritual practices and capture even more light, true solar power! Sin has no power, and death has no sting (see 1 Corinthians 15:55). You can immerse yourself in God’s unconditional love—soaking up the rays!
3) God wants you to be sanctified, to become holy like God and to grow up to be like Jesus. When the Son-light shines on you and in you, you will grow … big time! You can become so full of love for God and love for others that there is no room for anything else. The Holy Spirit will yield a bumper crop in your life of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23).
There has never been a better time for salvation. And it’s never been easier. Because God loves you so much and gave His Son to save you, all you must do is believe in Him! (see John 3:16).
Pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.”1
Your Turn: The prayer above is known as the Sinner’s Prayer. It is written by the great evangelist, Billy Graham. Many have begun their journey of salvation—or recommitted themselves to Jesus—with this prayer. I encourage you to pray it now.
1. “Sinner’s Prayer.” Wikipedia, July 2, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinner%27s_prayer.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
