Salvation

Good Day,

I know this is late, but today is the Saturday that we volunteer at Angel Food Ministries, therefore the tardiness of today's message.

Acts 16:29-32 (NIV)
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
Romans 10:8-13 (NIV)
But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

The jailer that asked the all important question both physically and figuratively saw the light and wanted to know what he ought to do in order to be saved. Now, I know that these words go out to people who, for the most part, have accepted Jesus Christ into their lives as Lord and Savior. However, do I take the chance that there might be some few who have not and, therefore, never mention that which is needed for forgiveness, salvation, and an eternity with the Lord in heaven? I don't think so. That's why this is coming along today. If there is even one person who might read these words and does not have the Lord in his or her life, then this message is more than just some nice words, it's necessary.

Salvation isn't some long, drawn out life long process that God wants us to do. It isn't praying the same prayers over and over. It isn't doing enough good to outweigh the bad we've done. Salvation isn't something that we can earn by living any certain way. Salvation is a gift from God. It costs nothing accept what we read in the verses in Romans. "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

So, today, this very moment in time, I want to ask you this simple question. "Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your life as Lord and Savior?" If you cannot answer that question with a firm "Yes" and if you're not sure whether or not that the answer is "Yes" then, please, search your soul to see if, indeed, you have ever asked Jesus Christ to come into your life to be your Lord and your Savior. Now, if you can't say yes, then I would ask, please, that you do that right now. That is, to ask God to forgive you of your sins and to have Jesus come into your life. Do as Paul wrote, "Everyone (that's you, me, and any human being) who calls on the name of the Lord (Jesus Christ) will be saved."

Is this message today a perfect message on Salvation? Probably not. I'm not the world's greatest evangelist, I know. But, I've been led strongly today to send it along and I am certainly not going to disobey, especially on something as important as this.

Should you wish to talk about it, call me. I'll be happy...well, actually overjoyed!...to speak to you, and to pray with you. Or, if not me, then seek out a pastor or someone near you to speak to and to pray with you. My phone number will be at the end of this message.

God loves you. So do I. That may sound a bit corny, but it's true.
Love, peace, and blessings,

David

904-317-0458