Acts 17:9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. NIV

The similarity of being held captive by sin is a bondage, much like being placed in jail as Jason was here. Someone has to pay to set them free. Now Christ has paid the price and has set you free from this bondage. You are now at Salvation Station, your ticket has been punched, all you have to do is get on board the Jesus Train and begin that journey.

Yesterday I mentioned that those of us who are on the train are rejoicing at your ticket purchase and longing to see you get on board. You hear the conductor call out “All aboard” and you are still rejoicing over being set free. You did not focus on the invitation to get on board. Salvation Station is your symbol of freedom and you haven’t explored those feelings of freedom and all that means to you. You see Salvation Station as a destination and not the departure point for your next great adventure.

Salvation Station was never created as a place to abide in Christ. Another Jesus Train will be along at some time but until then, this Salvation Station is not the source of the abundant life promised to you John 10:10. Salvation Station is located in the world for ease of access to sinners.

Are you tempted to go back out into the world to explore your new found freedom?

Romans 6:13-15 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Get on board. Your journey has yet to begin.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Picking up where we were yesterday on the Jesus Train, perhaps you would like a ticket. God distributes those tickets to all who have placed their faith in Christ. Think of God’s actions within vv 22 as God punching that ticket, validating its authenticity, and giving you the rights of passage onto the Jesus Train.

Praise God. All board!

Are you on board yet? The conductor has invited you, you have the ticket, it has been validated, it is sealed and paid for; why haven’t you gotten on board?

Every demand has been met to allow you to get on board. What is holding you back?

Now that is a puzzle that confounds all of us sitting on the train staring at those standing on the platform.

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Key here is the term obedience of faith to God only. It is only by obedience of faith that you can get on board. The second and even more important issue is that of God’s glory through Jesus Christ. You have to get on board, be in Christ, so God’s glory might shine through Christ, who by the way now resides in you.

What are you waiting for?