Salvation: it is a religious word, we do not use much anymore. But if all roads lead to heaven and grace covers all of our sins, there is not much need for salvation. But in the Bible, there is a high price paid for salvation. And our response is more than to simply show up on judgment day. Here are som passages about salvation to ponder.
PRAYER
O Holy and Gracious God, reveal your truth through your Word that I may live in the grace of your salvation, through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Monday – John 3:14-19
Jesus is teaching Nicodemus, a religious teacher, about the true nature of God’s plan. What action did God initiate? Why? It is not God’s intention to condemn anyone, but what will lead to judgment/condemnation? So what is it we need to do to receive salvation? How do you live that out today?
Tuesday – Mark 8:31-36
These were hard words to hear. The disciples had given up all to follow Jesus, and now they hear he is to be rejected and killed. Where did that leave them? Jesus teaches them a paradox of God’s truth. What does it take to follow Jesus? How does one find salvation – save their life? What will happen to those who do gain all the world has to offer? How does this truth shape the decisions you will make today?
Wednesday – Romans 10:9-13
Paul is writing to the church in Rome about the importance of speaking about one’s faith. To simply be a good person often leads to misconstrued assumptions. So what does Paul teach about witnessing? Who is it then that will receive salvation? In Paul’s day, nearly everyone was either Jew or Greek. What terms would we use today? There is no distinction between ____ and ____. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved! Who will surprise you when you discover they are in heaven? Who will be surprised that you are there?
Thursday – Titus 3:1-7
We live in a culture where we often believe the right politics will solve the world’s problems, and to have political power and influence is the key to salvation. It is not new to our day. But Paul – who once had political power and threw it away – teaches something different to young Titus. What is it? Who initiated the work of salvation? How do we earn it or pay for it? What is the reward of salavation? How do you plan to live in this salvation?
Friday – Ephesians 2:1-10
The nut and bolts of the gospel in this paragraph. How would you paraphrase this in your own words? How do we receive the gift of salvation? How do we know that? What are we supposed to do with it? What is God’s way of life for you?
Saturday – Galatians 2:15-21
Paul was a Jew – a very good Jew.He was a rising star of Pharisees, until he confronted Jesus on the road to Damascus.Therefore, he understood the limitations of the law – living as a good person.Instead of that, what did he discover worked for him?What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ?”How is the power and presence of Christ within us better than doing it on our own?