“Saved”
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s
desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that
they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the
righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they
have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the
end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Moses writes concerning the
righteousness that comes from the law, that “the
person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that
comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into
heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that
is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near
you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we
proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one
confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one
who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there
is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is
generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord shall be saved.”
People have so many reasons for
rejecting the gospel. A common one is to blame Christians for something they
did, or something they did not do. Christians are not perfect, and many can be
bad examples. But blaming others does not remove one’s accountability to God.
The truth of the gospel does not depend on the way others live out their faith.
Salvation is about Jesus alone. Some people may use Christians as an excuse to
reject the gospel. But they cannot point a finger of blame at Jesus. He is
sinless and perfect in every way. Don’t get sidetracked by looking at the
faults of others. Look to Jesus. He alone is the way to heaven.
There is no
excuse for saying “No” to Christ.
Our Daily
Bread – October 5, 2007