Open Arms

If Jesus saved us all by His death, must we believe in Him to be 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." But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" - Romans 10:1-15

It is a tricky question, but not a trick question.

Paul tells us we need to believe in Jesus to be saved, even though Jesus dies for our sins and thereby saved all of us from death.

But there has to be something we need to do, right?

Believing in Jesus may be that thing. but what if it isn't?

What if doing what Jesus said is the thing we need to do for salvation to kick in for us?

Love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and love our neighbor as ourself.

Sounds easy.  Is it?

If God is as forgiving as Jesus described in parable after parable, our sins are not the problem.  If we truly repent and feel sorry for what we have done, we can be forgiven.

Jesus even taught Peter to forgive many times.

So, what is the work we need to do for salvation to be assured?

Jesus knows that we are a stubborn lot, we humans.  We like to be right and hold it up to others when we believe we are.

Instead of helping others take the lead by humbling ourselves, we would rather cut them down and take the glory for ourselves.

That isn't the path to salvation.

Every ounce of glory we grab for in this life takes away from the glory of the next.

So, when we aim to raise ourselves up, we take ourselves down.

Salvation slips farther away when we do that.

So, love one another.  Help one another thrive.  Give up your seat for whoever comes along, and you will find Jesus waiting with open arms when the time comes.

More to come...