Davis Elementary School in Montgomery, Alabama

A Grand Welcome

Many children throughout the U.S. began school this past week. There probably weren't very many
students who received a welcome like the students and faculty of Davis Elementary School in
Montgomery, Alabama, on their first day of school last Monday.

Around 300 athletes from Faulkner University, a Christian school in Montgomery, lined the sidewalks
and the halls of Davis Elementary to welcome students and faculty with smiles, high-fives, claps,
and cheers. This is the third year that Faulkner athletes, including cheerleaders and members of
the golf, football, soccer, basketball and volleyball teams, as well as the Eagles' mascot, Baldwin,
have provided the welcome to Davis students, parents, and teachers.

"It's so neat to see the motivation and the enthusiasm on the kids' faces and of the parents," said
Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, Vice President of Student Services at Faulkner. "Seeing our athletes out
here is a blessing and it gets everyone excited for who we are and what Faulkner stands for."*

It is the hopes of all that this grand welcome will be the beginning of a great school year.

There is another grand welcome that no one will want to miss.

The Apostle Peter wrote to some suffering saints (Christians): "you will receive a rich welcome into
the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11 NIV).

They could look forward to this grand welcome into Christ's eternal kingdom because they had been
cleansed from their sins by the blood of Christ (2 Peter 1:9) and they had continued to follow Jesus
and had grown in their faith (2 Peter 1:5-8).

We can share in that grand welcome if we'll respond the same way those Christians did.

Sin will keep us out of the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21). That is the bad
news, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

But the good news (the Gospel) is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose
again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Through Him, we can have our sins forgiven and receive
the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:23).

God will save, give eternal life, and give a grand welcome to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before
men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1
John 1:7-9).

And one day, Jesus will say to all of God's children: "Welcome home!"

It is our hope and prayer that the promise of that grand welcome will motivate YOU to accept God's
offer of salvation and life on His terms.

Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Faulkner athletes offer surprise welcome at local elementary school" by
Chellie Ison in An Update from The Christian Chronicle, August 7, 2018.