Last Sunday I had the opportunity to hear Max Lucado preach at Southeast Christian Church. I’ve read several of his books, plus a daily devotional and a Bible Study on Jesus. But, I had never heard him speak.
I like Lucado for several reasons. The first one is simple. Lucado has this ability to create word pictures. To give you an idea of what I mean, I have included an excerpt from “A Gentle Thunder” below. Take a look…
Come and see the pierced hand of God touch the most common heart, wipe the tear from the wrinkled face, and forgive the ugliest sin. Come and see. He avoids no seeker. He ignores no probe. He fears no search. Come and see.
Lucado also has this ability to take a complex theology and teach it simply. This past Sunday he shared what his favorite verse in the Bible is. Most can recite it without the help of Scripture. It’s John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Lucado then asked a question. “What’s your favorite word in that verse?” Love? Eternal? One and only? His favorite word was “whoever”. He went on to explain that God has a whoever policy. And we can see this policy reinforced throughout Scripture.
…whoever confesses and renounces (sins) finds mercy. – Proverbs
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. – Matthew
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life… – John
Whoever means the invitation is open to all. Gender does not matter. Race does not matter. Status does not matter. Salvation is available to whoever you are, however you are; wherever you are; and whenever you are.
It was a good reminder that we are all equally human. We are all equally unworthy. And, we are all equally able to believe. The choice is ours.
Tags: Max Lucado, whoever policy
