This Friday will mark the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, and the 58th Presidential Inauguration. (Remember, some of our presidents served two terms, hence the discrepancy.)
The only mandate at the inauguration is the Oath of Office, but tradition has led to other inaugural events as well, such as a morning worship service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, followed by a procession to the Inauguration venue (in recent years in front of the US Capitol), then the taking of the Oaths of Office by both the Vice-President and the President followed by the Inaugural Address. After this ceremony, the previous president will depart the White House. There will then be an Inaugural Luncheon, parade, and finally an Inaugural Ball. It is quite a celebration, at least for the segment of the American people who claim victory, and most of the time for many of the losing faction as well, for at its core, it is a celebration of the democratic process,
However, there is another inauguration that takes place daily that has a unanimous celebration every time, and that is when someone accepts God’s ultimate sacrifice and submits his life to Christ. Luke 15:10 says, “ . . . I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” It doesn’t say some joy, or limited joy, or some angels. It says there “is joy in the presence of the angels.”
So what is the “oath” a person takes at the point of salvation? There are no set words, but it requires the admission of being a sinner, the need for a savior, and the willingness to turn from sin and give Christ control of one’s life.
If you have never taken this “oath”, which immediately admits you into the family of God and gives you the security of eternal life, then just pray this very short prayer–and know that the heavens are filled with joy.
Dear Lord,
I’m a sinner. Please forgive me. Come into my life and cleanse me of my sins. I believe in you as the Son of God, who saved me by dying for me and then rising again on the third day. I turn from sin and trust in You alone as my Savior.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Let the rejoicing and celebration begin.
The only mandate at the inauguration is the Oath of Office, but tradition has led to other inaugural events as well, such as a morning worship service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, followed by a procession to the Inauguration venue (in recent years in front of the US Capitol), then the taking of the Oaths of Office by both the Vice-President and the President followed by the Inaugural Address. After this ceremony, the previous president will depart the White House. There will then be an Inaugural Luncheon, parade, and finally an Inaugural Ball. It is quite a celebration, at least for the segment of the American people who claim victory, and most of the time for many of the losing faction as well, for at its core, it is a celebration of the democratic process,
However, there is another inauguration that takes place daily that has a unanimous celebration every time, and that is when someone accepts God’s ultimate sacrifice and submits his life to Christ. Luke 15:10 says, “ . . . I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” It doesn’t say some joy, or limited joy, or some angels. It says there “is joy in the presence of the angels.”
So what is the “oath” a person takes at the point of salvation? There are no set words, but it requires the admission of being a sinner, the need for a savior, and the willingness to turn from sin and give Christ control of one’s life.
If you have never taken this “oath”, which immediately admits you into the family of God and gives you the security of eternal life, then just pray this very short prayer–and know that the heavens are filled with joy.
Dear Lord,
I’m a sinner. Please forgive me. Come into my life and cleanse me of my sins. I believe in you as the Son of God, who saved me by dying for me and then rising again on the third day. I turn from sin and trust in You alone as my Savior.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Let the rejoicing and celebration begin.
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