Salvation
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Romans 10:9-15 (NLT)
Sometimes we make things more complicated for ourselves than needed. When we see someone we love doing this, it’s saddening and frustrating because you want them to… get it. And it’s not that hard! But when we do this to ourselves, we’re often completely oblivious that we’re putting ourselves through that same frustrating (and unnecessary) process.
Salvation is one of those things that perhaps some have made more complicated than it needs to be. Paul lays it out clearly in the passage above. Declare Jesus as Lord. Believe that He is alive. Place your faith in Him, and you will not be let down. That’s it. You don’t have to have life all figured out first. You don’t have to eradicate every issue and struggle to the point where you’re perfect (something unattainable anyway). You’re saved by grace through faith—this is the gift of God.
Who do you know who needs to experience the freedom of salvation in Christ? This passage poses a series of challenging questions. How can someone call on God to save them without believing? And how can they believe if they’ve never heard the Gospel? And how can they hear the Gospel if no one ever shares it with them? And who will share the Gospel without being commissioned and called to do so?
You have been commissioned and called. You are Christ’s ambassador (see 2 Corinthians 5:20).
Application: Who do you know who needs to have a life-changing encounter with Christ? People have a certain receptivity to an invitation to church around Christmas—pray about inviting them to join us. But in addition, pray about sharing the Good News with them yourself!
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for the salvation You have made possible through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Your Son. Would you help me as I seek to be Your ambassador? Show me who I can share the Gospel with this holiday season.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?