Thursday, May 12, 2011

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“I love reading your blog,” she said. “But don’t get excited, you aren’t going to save me any faster.” Her words have burned in my spirit for days.


Accepting Christ as my Savior has changed my life in so many ways. The most important is knowing I will spend all eternity with Him in Heaven. The alternative is unthinkable. Anyone who has even had a glimpse at what hell is like could hardly prefer it, could they?

Another is the ability to live every day knowing that I am forgiven. If I had to spend time reliving the past, with my poor choices and blatant sinful disobedience, it might drive me crazy. Knowing my sins are forgiven and forgotten is extremely freeing. No longer do I have to wonder if they will be held against me one day. With Christ, I know they will not.

There is also a hope that is only in me because I have the comfort of the Holy Spirit living inside. The Bible calls it a peace that surpasses understanding. When troubles come, and they will come, I can rest in peace, knowing that I am being held with the hands that made the universe. What can come against me when I have that?

I pray all the time for my friends and family who are without Christ. I pray they will see His love and light through my life and the lives of others who are saved. I pray they will feel that tug in their heart to learn more. And, I pray they will respond to that tug, nudge, conviction with a decision to accept the gift of forgiveness and love that will completely transform their lives. They only need to accept the gift and have faith in Christ.

It seems so simple. It is a choice of faith. A decision of the heart. One with eternal implications. We are all going to die. When that happens, we will either spend eternity with God or apart from Him. His love for us is so great that He is willing to give us the desire of our hearts, even if that desire is eternity without Him. If we do not desire to accept His amazing gift of love through Jesus, He will honor the choice. The consequences of that choice should thoroughly be examined.

This passage from Acts says it about as plainly and simply as possible. There is only one who can save. His name is Jesus. I love my friend. And as much as I wish I could say or do something to help save her, only God can do that. God, and her heart. I pray that her heart is moved towards forgiveness and eternal life with Jesus. I pray that for all who are without.

2 comments:

  1. Great post! I love this verse, as well. In fact, I just had a conversation last weekend with one of those who think "If I just think happy thoughts, live my life right and be a good person, I'll go to heaven..."
    It's ALL about Jesus! If He's not in it, then I don't want it! Thank you for this :) God Bless,
    Debbie

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