Salvation

Thanks for taking the time to read these devotionals. At The Journey, we aim to help you engage in God’s Word. As we continue to consider Promises in the Psalms, we learn today that when we walk with Jesus, we never have to be afraid.

Scoffers are great at scoffing. Dripping with sarcasm, they asked the believers, “When is this so-called ‘coming’ that Jesus promised?” Facing persecution, the believers were wondering the same thing. No doubt many were thinking, “Lord, if you are going to come back, this would really be a good time!” So, Peter gives an explanation and encouragement.

Becoming a Christian is a free gift of grace. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. We were dead in our sins, and God breathed spiritual life into us. Salvation is of the Lord. But growing as a believer involves the power of the Holy Spirit in us and our personal commitment, desire, and ongoing discipline to grow.

The context of today’s passage began when an invalid beggar was healed by Peter and John as they made their way to the temple for afternoon prayers. Reports of the healing drew quite a crowd and quickly caught the attention of the Jewish leaders. They arrested the two disciples and brought them before a group of high officials with a demanding question: “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Peter’s answer is straight to the point— “Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”

I recently spent time in Thailand. It was amazing to see the work that is being done there. At Faith House, girls destined for the sex trade are rescued, educated, and introduced to Jesus. We are thankful for the Thailand staff and their ministry to these girls. Paul said it this way in Romans 10:14-15.

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Isn’t this relationship with God something to be earned? Don’t I need to spend time demonstrating my religious worth—confirmation, first communion, baptism, listening to sermons, or to speed up the process—volunteering with the youth group? Don’t I have to do something, be something, or achieve some spiritual…something? This sounds too easy. Just say, “Jesus is Lord,” and that’s it? Come on!

Do you ever feel like you are being pushed hard? Feel like you are falling? Happens to us all and to our children. This week we are using Psalm 118 as a guide to praying for our children (and grandchildren). Today’s verses speak to the real-life experience of being pushed hard.

But Jesus came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. On the cross, he paid sin’s penalty. He bought us back from sin’s slavery. He freed us from sin’s prison. 

Then one day, studying Scripture, I learned that nothing could separate me from the love of God found in Christ alone. It was like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. That day, on a hot parking lot in Dallas, Texas, I understood that I was a child of God and would forever be!