THE WELCOME STRANGER

   By Dr. M. R. Dowler

On February 5, 1869 two Cornish prospectors, John Deason and Richard Oates discovered the largest gold nugget in history. The nugget, named “The Welcome Stranger” measured 24 inches by 12 inches and weighed 3,123 ounces (over 150 pounds). The nugget, discovered in Victoria, Australia was so large that Deason and Oates had troubling transporting it, only to find that no scale capable of weighing a nugget that large was available. The solution was to break the nugget into three pieces on an anvil.

Gold is the most precious metal on earth, not capable of being tarnished by air, water or most acids. Gold has been used as currency for nearly 2,500 years. Gold is so versatile that it can be melted down over and over again without losing its quality. And a single ounce of gold can be stretched out to make a single wire thirty-five miles long. Interestingly, gold plays a prominent role in the Bible; mentioned nearly 200 times.

In comparison to other religions, Christianity is noted for one thing; its exclusivism. The scriptures explain this theological principle---that absolutely no one can be saved except through faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). So important is salvation that it has been God’s top priority from the very beginning of time (Luke 19:10; 2 Peter 3:9). Trouble is, Jesus has never been welcome by His human creation (John 1:11; Romans 3:11).

The theology of salvation has been divided to two different categories---supernatural theology; God came down to save man, and natural theology; man’s futile attempt to climb up to God for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is a big deal! The world says there are many ways to God, but this is simply not so. Jesus honors those who choose Him (John 1:12). The Lord Jesus refers to Himself as a welcome stranger sought out by those who want Him (Matthew 25:35-40). Think about it.