Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Romans 5:9-10

In 1970, Stevie Wonder released a song that would become a classic: Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours. This idiom (“signed, sealed, and delivered”) is thought to have originated in the 1800s as phrase to mean “satisfactorily completed” and was used to describe a valid deed. The expression was used more widely in the 20^th century to refer to any legal action or business deal…or, in Stevie’s case, a relationship.

This song popped into my head randomly as I was listening to a pastor’s podcast on a few verses of Romans. He was teaching about how Abraham was saved not by the act of circumcision, but rather 14 years before that. Abraham, like us, was saved (delivered, made right with God) through faith, not works. Circumcision, then, was a sign to set the Jews apart from the rest of the world. Anyway, that tune got me thinking of how our Christian life can actually be described in the opposite order of those lyrics: delivered, sealed, signed. Let me explain…

First, we’re delivered. When we acknowledge that we are broken and sinful (i.e., not perfect!), and believe that Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled with God, we are delivered from paying the penalty—made righteous by the gift of grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8). That’s all it takes! A leap of faith…no do’s, don’ts, or wondering if we’re good enough.

Second, we’re sealed. When we surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior, He doesn’t leave us all alone to fend for ourselves in this dark and evil world (John 14:26, 16:13). We are given the Holy Spirit to live in us—a Person of the Triune God—to guide us in Truth, give us understanding of the Word, and help us live out the fruit of belief (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—Galatians 5:22-23). I don’t know about you, but I certainly can’t demonstrate those traits on my own volition. Equally as thrilling is the fact that the Holy Spirit seals us for our eternal destination in heaven (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30). Once saved, always saved! We’ll certainly slip up and fall down, but if we’ve truly put our faith in Jesus Christ, we do not lose the security of salvation (John 10:28-29, 2 Corinthians 5:5). 

Finally, we are “signed”—actually, we’re to be a sign. Before Jesus went to the Cross, He told His friends, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Sisters and brothers, we are Jesus’ representatives to the world. We are to be demonstrate the grace, mercy, and love of Christ to others. To be a light in our dark world to point the world to the Light (Matthew 5:16).

Fellow Christian, are you a “sign” in your world—and if so, what kind? And, friend, if you have not yet been “delivered” and “sealed,” won’t you take that step of faith right now? It’ll definitely put a song in your heart.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-4

What would your answer be if I asked, “Do you love Jesus?” If you are a Christian, you’d likely reply with a hearty, “Yes, of course!” You might be especially fired up about your answer having just celebrated Easter and the Lord’s victory over death. But brothers and sisters, the real question is, How much?

This makes me think of a bedtime ritual I had with my boys when they were little (and not so little). In saying goodnight, I would tell them I love them. The response from them would be, “I love you more!” And I’d reply, “That’s impossible! I love you to the moon!” They might respond, “But I love you to the end of the whole universe!” I’d say, “But I love you to the universe and BACK!” Finally, this back-and-forth would come to a close with them saying, “I love you to infinity!” My answer? It’s easy to figure out: “I love you to infinity and back again!”

How much do we love Jesus? Enough to tell the cashier, “God bless you” as we leave the checkout? Or do we love Him enough that when an unbelieving friend uses His name as a curse we respond, “I would appreciate if you don’t use the Lord’s name like that”? Do we love Him enough to share the Good News of His grace and mercy with a stranger you’ve just met…or, harder still, with a family member? 

OK, let’s get really real here. Do we love our precious Lord and Savior enough to stand up for Him at work—not just when cursing is the normal vernacular, but when a task is given that goes against our Biblical beliefs (we’re told to lie or cheat a client, for example)…could we refuse and risk getting fired? What about when the government is forcing an action (or non-action) that flies in the face of God’s teaching? What if it meant a significant fine? Prison? 

What would you risk for Jesus? What would I risk? 

My life? Well, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8), so it seems like I could answer affirmatively to that. But what about my child’s life?

According to the 2021 World Watch List reporting period, in the last year alone, over 340 million Christians live in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination. Moreover, 4,761 Christians killed were for their faith, 4,488 churches and other Christian buildings were attacked, and 4,277 believers were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned (https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/)

(You never hear THIS on CNN, now do you?) I’m not going to say that this type of persecution will be in our country tomorrow…but I do not doubt that it’s coming. So, we each need to ask ourselves that question: Would I risk it all for Jesus?

Lord, help me be bold for Jesus. No matter the cost.

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

There’s a lot of “Christianese” out there that, to the unbeliever, can sound pretty intimidating. In our efforts to share the Good News of the Gospel, we may throw out words like “justification,” “sanctification,” maybe even “propitiation.” Sometimes, even the use of “salvation” can be daunting for someone who doesn’t know the love of Jesus, particularly since forms of this word have been diluted and blurred by heretics and false teachers in modern culture. 

So, as Easter morning is about to dawn, I wanted to try to sweep away any confusion, misconception, or trepidation about what it means to be a “Christian”—and why believers take this day to celebrate a Truth that is our daily reality.

What is a Christian? Simply put, a Christian is someone who has been rescued.

I think we all can agree that when we’re in trouble or at risk of impending danger, we need rescue. It could be financial distress, where we can’t pay our next rent or power bill and need help. Maybe it’s psychological peril resulting from life trauma, and we need someone to help us think and act in different ways to change our future trajectory. Or there’s physical endangerment, like an abusive situation, addiction, or risky behavior that has put us on a path of destruction from which we need extricated. 

Every person reading this (and every human on earth), is on a road to eternity. We are all walking in the same direction toward physical death—from the moment we are born, we are, in fact, dying. Although our physical body will cease in its current form, our spirit or soul is eternal (John 11:25-26, Matthew 10:28). And we’re all going somewhere.  

In truth, all of us are headed toward peril—an eternal existence of torment, guilt, pain, and separation from God. That road, the Bible says, is broad (Matthew 7:13). Like sheep being led to slaughter, we can unwittingly follow the mob mentality of “me first” and “if it feels good, do it” and “it’s my truth, so keep your judgment to yourself.” We are all in need of rescue.

Easter is about celebrating the Great Rescue. See, there’s a narrow road too—a path paved by the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ, leading to an eternal life with God in heaven. When Jesus died on Calvary’s cross, he paid the penalty for our sin, selfishness, and pride. And when He rose again, He defeated death so we could be reconciled with God. Jesus took our place, taking on our unrighteousness and cleansing us, making us pure and as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 51:7, 1 John 1:9). 

On that first Easter Sunday, Jesus provided a spiritual “life preserver”—and He stands ready to wrap it around us and pull us out of danger. But we have to want to be rescued. He will not force anyone to accept that free gift…we have to ask Him. 

So, will you do that today? Will you reach out to Jesus to be your rescuer, deliverer, rock, and refuge (Psalm 18:2)? Make this Easter a celebration of victory—Jesus’ triumph for your personal rescue.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

Our culture today is all about entitlement. A whole generation has been raised to believe that they should win, regardless of their efforts. (“Everyone gets a trophy!”) And for those who work hard to excel, well, they have to give in (and give up) what was rightly earned, so others won’t “feel bad” about what they didn’t get (or earn). (“No valedictorians allowed!”) People make good money receiving unemployment, so why bother getting a job? Then, of course, there’s the social-media-selfie lifestyle: “I’m awesome, look at me, see how special I am!” It all can be boiled down to three words: I deserve it.

If you were to poll random people today, asking them if they believe there’s a heaven, most people will probably say yes. And, if you followed that up by asking if they’re going to be there, the typical answer would sound something like: “I think I’m a good person, so yes, I think I’m going to heaven.” Most people believe they are good enough—that, in the scheme of things, they’re not “bad” and, certainly, not as bad as other individuals they can bring up as examples (you know, Hitler and his ilk). Yes, our culture of entitlement extends to spiritual things…people are going to heaven because, well, they deserve it.

According to the Bible, the truth is very different from the normative belief. God is holy, righteous, perfect. And He only welcomes perfection into His glorious presence. Any unrighteousness, any sin stain at all, is not tolerable to Him. No one who has ever told a single lie, taken one pencil from work, or had a momentary lustful thought can stand before Him. So, who of us deserves heaven? No one… 

…but Jesus.

Jesus—God Himself—came to earth to live the perfect life we could not live. Then, on Good Friday (which we observe this Friday), He hung on Calvary’s cross to pay the penalty we do deserve. The story doesn’t end there, though! On Easter Sunday, we celebrate His glorious resurrection and victory over Death. The tomb is empty, and He has reconciled us to God the Father, making a way—The Way—to heaven.

Salvation is ours by grace alone, through faith (Ephesians 2:8)! Not by doing “more good than bad,” or by doing “enough”—it’s a gift. If you believe Jesus is who He said He is, acknowledge your sin and turn away from it, and surrender your life to Him, you will one day stand before the Throne justified (“just-as-if-I’d” never sinned). Despite our sin (because we’re all still sinners), we are wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus, washed white as snow. 

Do you know where you’re going once you leave this earth? Heaven can be your forever home. But you cannot earn it, and you certainly don’t deserve it. Why not make this Easter your new-birth-day and accept the free gift of salvation from Jesus Christ? That, friend, is something you very much deserve.

Lord, as we celebrate Easter Sunday, I pray You draw people to the empty tomb. Let them see that Jesus paid the penalty they deserved, making a way to be reconciled to You.

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. 

Hebrews 8:12

Here comes another one of those moments of transparency: I am getting forgetful. Thankfully, this is not applicable to my work—somehow, I manage to keep all my plates, cats, and fiery batons in the air and move from one thing to another like a tapdancing hip-hop dancer. (Often, I shock myself—and give glory to God—at my ability to be engrossed in laptop customer presentation one minute and an article about generational poverty the next.) 

Instead, my memory lapses occur when I walk out of one room and into another only to pause and think, “Wait, what was going to do?” Or when I plop down on the couch and put on a House Hunters episode only to hear my husband say, “We saw this one.” To which I respond, “Maybe we did, but I don’t remember which one they picked, so I’ll watch it again.” (Can I get an “Amen” out there?)

Honestly, any kind of forgetfulness can be both frustrating and frightening. It makes us wonder if it’s a health concern—those of you who have a loved one with any level of dementia have experienced this awfulness firsthand. Or maybe it’s simply a matter of over-multitasking in our boundaryless virtual world. (Sometimes I think that, for me, memorizing hundreds of song lyrics during the 1980s might also have something to do with it.) 

Ah, but there is a forgetfulness that we can celebrate: the forgetfulness of God. 

Let me pause here to emphatically interject that God will never forget you, no matter how alone you feel (Isaiah 49:15). He will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). The Lord is with you always (Matthew 28:20).

So, what does God forget? His love is so great for us, that He promises to forgive our sins and remove them from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:10-12). Think about it…that’s an endless distance. No matter how “east” you go, you’ll never start heading “west.” 

That being said, God’s forgetfulness requires that we initiate this amazing grace-filled transaction—our Heavenly Father will not force us to choose Him or His way. First, we must recognize that we have sinned and admit that we are sinners! (Romans 3:23). Then, we must ask for the Lord’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and repent—that is, turn away from them and go in a different direction (Acts 3:19). Cue heavenly celebration (Luke 15:7).

And here’s the best part, once forgiven, you are free from the shackles of that sin (Romans 6:18, John 8:36, Isaiah 61:1)! The Lord will remember your sin no more (Hebrews 8:12), and He will not bring it back up with you to rehash the details or discourage you with it. (Now, be careful, because Satan will do all that, but that’s another blog.) 

Isn’t God absolutely awesome? He loves us, and He will never forget us, leave us, or forsake us. But, sweet brothers and sisters, He will forget our sin. And I am so grateful for His forgetfulness.

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

Matthew 24:12-13

The confusion and chaos in our country are undeniable—and can be overwhelming. A football coach is fired for praying with his team. College students are being kicked out of clubs and sororities for having conservative views. A member of a popular band tweets a simple compliment to an anti-Antifa author, and he’s kicked out of the group. Children in my city are being pressured in school to “choose where are they are the gender spectrum.” Perspectives differing from the Pravda—I mean, mainstream media—narrative are, well, simply canceled. Churches around the nation have remained closed through a year of crises, during which time another million babies have been exterminated through readily available “healthcare.” I could go on and on and on. Right is wrong, and wrong is right. Like me, you may be looking around in astonishment thinking, “Things are falling apart.”

But, brothers and sisters, none of this should come as a surprise to us. The Bible is very clear that everything in this world will get worse and worse before Jesus returns for His bride. In fact, since the Fall, the perfection of Creation has been collapsing, decaying, dying. Even during the Apostle Paul’s time, Nero (the most powerful leader in the world) married several people, one of whom was a man. Unwanted babies were left outside to be eaten by wild animals or to be stolen for temple prostitution. And there were more slaves in ancient Rome than citizens. We can follow the horrors and madness through the years to today. Our enemy, Satan, has one goal: destruction (John 10:10). He is defeated, but he will continue to prowl around with his cronies looking to devour us until his time is up (1 Peter 5:8). 

Americans are truly blessed. No matter your age or economic status, if you’re reading this, you are among the top percentage of wealthiest people on the entire planet. Beyond economics, though, our nation was founded religious liberty—to keep the government from controlling the Church. And for hundreds of years, we have enjoyed the freedom to worship when and how we want, without government intrusion. Our cultural underpinning has always been freedom and equal opportunity—that’s why, since our nation’s inception, people around the world have risked everything to live here (including my own mother). 

American Christians (and many non-Christians) are feeling a shift in our historical liberty. But let’s not forget that, since the first century, most of the world’s believers have been at risk of being beaten, jailed, and executed for professing their faith in Jesus Christ. (Looking at Mr. Nero again, one of his favorite pastimes was to cover Christians with tar and light them on fire to serve as torches for his garden parties.) Christian persecution and martyrdom are happening today in record numbers globally, so is a ramp-up of American persecution really that shocking?

Well, it is quite alarming when our focus is purely political and cultural—as are many of the topsy-turvy happenings in our nation today when they’re viewed through the lens of our unique Constitution and history. But we are not citizens of the U.S or even this world. We are citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20). We are to be in the world but not of it (John 15:19). We are to keep the insider’s (eternal) perspective by staying an outsider. And based on Biblical Truth and the promises of God, we can know what’s really happening: Nothing is falling apart at all. It’s all falling together.  

Lord, when I look around at the mess of the world, our nation, or even my own life, help me to shift my focus to You and Your promises. Keep me rooted in Your Word and standing firm on my faith.

Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.

James 4:15

As the years of my Christian life progressed through various towns and churches, there have always been precious friends around me who, whether in prayer with me or simply in daily conversation, use the phrase, “Lord willing.” It might be, “I’ll see you next week—Lord willing!” Or maybe, “I pray for perfect recovery, Lord willing.” 

When I was younger in my faith, I really didn’t get it—and, in truth, it could get kind of annoying. I thought our prayers are about asking God for what we want, especially if we’re fervently praying for a dire health or financial situation. And, why use “Lord willing” as an additive to general banter with regard to our habitual activity—isn’t that kind of overkill?

But, as my own faith has matured, my grip on “my way” has markedly loosened. When I accepted Jesus as my Savior all those years ago, making Him “Lord” was so immediate. The process of fully surrendering is just that—a process. 

When lifting up my family and friends, I still pray for my hopes and their ideals, whether it’s a job, healing, or freedom from some bondage. I pray for prodigals to return, tumors to shrink, souls to be saved. Of course, there are requests on my own behalf as well. But, through the years of highs, lows, challenges, blessings, and consequences, I have learned that God’s way is the only way I want to go. His thoughts are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8), and His will for me (and those I’m praying for) is perfect. When we live according to God’s Word and yield to Him in all things, the outcome will be for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28)—even if it’s nothing like what we thought it would (or should) be.

To be “sanctified” through our walk as Christians means to become more and more like Christ. So, there is no better example of “Lord willing” to emulate than that Jesus Himself. As fully God, Jesus knew exactly the agony awaiting Him on Calvary. He knew that His death would pay the price for all sin, once and for all, and that Satan would be defeated. He also knew the coming pain and suffering. He knew that serving our penalty would mean temporary separation from the Father—the most excruciating expectation for God the Son. In anticipation of what would happen, Jesus cried out to God—as fully man—for some other way. But He followed that prayer with, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Matthew 26:36-42).

And because Jesus surrendered to God’s will, we have eternal life in Heaven when we surrender to Him. That’s a pretty convincing reason to let go of our will, recognizing that everything will be better when we pray, plan, and profess, “Lord willing.” 

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.  

1 John 2:3-5

Every Sunday in this country, churches are filled with professing Christians. (Well, in most states, they can’t legally be “filled”—so we’ll just pretend it’s 2019 again.) And, whether in-person or virtually, men and women attend weekly Sunday School classes, Bible studies, and small groups. We post Bible verses on social media platforms and throw “Christianese” into our conversations with other believers. And we probably have one or two Bible apps on our phone, literally carrying the Bible with us at all times.

But here’s a challenging question for us Bible-believing followers of Jesus—a soul-searching, plank-in-the-eye-plucking assessment: Does our life really reflect what we say we believe? Don’t get me wrong. We all sin (miss the mark). Every day. But in knowing the Truth and, having the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, do we walk through our days with the intention of following Jesus’s example? Just as the great Apostle Paul admittedly struggled, we want to do what’s right, but we don’t…we want to avoid doing what’s wrong, but we do it anyway (Romans 7:15-25). But the key here is that we recognize it! We’re quickly convicted when those arrows of thoughts, words, or actions not only miss the Biblical bullseye, but fly right past the target.

The confrontation to all of us is not about the daily endeavor for righteousness in serving and glorifying our holy God. Rather, we need to look in the mirror for the excused sins, those choices we make—in secret or for the world to see—that are clearly antithetical to the Bible we profess to believe. Maybe you and your boyfriend are living together. Although you know this isn’t aligned with God’s Word, it’s ok for you because it “makes financial sense” or “his lease ran out, and we’re not getting married until next year.” Perhaps it’s that provocative TV series that we can’t wait to indulge in nightly. Yeah, it’s got profuse sex themes and scenes, but “it’s a great story” and “the character development is well written.” 

Brothers and sisters, let’s search our heart, mind, and daily walk for our “yeah but” ways. And once identified, let’s repent—turn back—to realign ourselves with God’s precious Word. Not only will it be for our good, but we’ll rightly reflect the One we claim to serve.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Show me where I am making excuses to live my own way and not Yours and help me turn back.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 2:18

I wrote last time about my three-decade effort to ensure my “good vs. bad” tally sheet was heavier on the “good” side so that I would be destined for Heaven. Whether it was by choosing to do the right thing or taking action to “undo” all those wrong things, it was my job to determine my eternal future.

Many of us—believers in Jesus Christ and unbelievers alike—have this mindset. For those who have not accepted the free gift of grace through Jesus but believe there’s a heaven, the matter to them is settled: Being a “good person” (defined by their internal, subjective scale) will get them “in.” This is sad, because the Bible is clear on this matter: There is one way to heaven, and that is by the cross of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). But what is sadder are believers who think that salvation is through Jesus and what they do or don’t do—their works.

Some even point to the book of James in the Bible to make their case, specifically chapter 2, verses 24 and 26, which say, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only,” and “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” 

It seems like James is advocating for “faith plus works for salvation,” which is in total contradiction to the words of Paul and the other writers—not to mention Jesus Himself. But, when we study God’s Word, we need to understand context, including the audience to whom the letter was being written. In James’s case, he was writing believers who were already justified by faith—they had accepted the work of Jesus for their salvation. And our omniscient, omnipresent, all-powerful God knew that. Before God’s throne, they were, in fact, accepted as righteous—they were “in.” 

The problem, he is saying, is that the people around us have no way of knowing we are saved by faith in Jesus unless we show them. We need to “justify” (validate, defend, support, substantiate) our faith outwardly and demonstrate our life in Christ. He’s saying that if we are saved, but our lives don’t give evidence of that amazing transformation, what impact can we have on this broken world? In verses 15 and 16, he writes, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”  

Jesus came to live the life we couldn’t live and die to take the penalty we deserved—He saved us. But if our salvation is the end game, why doesn’t God scoop us up to heaven the moment we surrender our lives to Jesus? Because we have work to do!Sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are able to step ahead in love, showing joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control (often falling down, sometimes taking a few steps backwards)…but becoming more like Jesus as we walk through this world. And, as we show others our faith, we are to share the Good News with them! 

The bottom line is this: Why would someone want to know about Jesus if they can’t see the difference Jesus makes in our life? So, let’s show others what it looks like to live a life of faith. Let’s go do.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Growing up in the religion of my parents, my faith in God was all about negotiation. My prayers would sound something like, “God, please get me out of this mess and I promise never to _______ again.” Or “God, if you give me X, I’ll do Y.” Although my behavior was far from holy, I would acknowledge my ungodly choices after the fact, and beg God for forgiveness. I’d “be good” for a while, but it wasn’t long until I’d fall into the same immoral patterns. I’d give up beer for Lent but carry around a bottle of Vodka to parties—to me, that was a perfectly logical way to abstain. In my head, it was a constant scorecard tally between two columns: good and bad. And, of course, for all my mess-ups (at least the ones I decided to share in the darkened church confessional), a few “Hail Mary’s” and “Our Father’s” would wash away my sins and clear my conscience. (although the scoring continued). Whew. Good thing the priest and my acts of repentance were there to help ensure I didn’t lose my salvation.

Actually, when it came to guaranteeing a heavenly destination, there were quite a few boxes to check (perfect for my box-checking personality): don’t miss Mass—ever; don’t eat an hour before Mass, so you can take communion (because communion counted toward the heaven-bound transit fare); no meat on Fridays—the list goes on. 

So, after six years in our church’s school, ongoing church education, plus not missing Mass through high school, college, and beyond (even if it meant wearing my soccer uniform to hit the field right after communion or attending on Saturday night so I could sleep off a hangover on Sunday), I believed I had two saviors: Jesus and me. I knew Jesus died on the cross for me, but if I didn’t do my part, His part in the process was, well, futile.

But, praise God, like the man who Jesus healed in chapter 9 of John’s gospel, I once was blind, but now I see. I have one Savior—Jesus Christ. He lived a life of perfection that I could not, took the penalty of suffering and death that I deserved, and rose again—defeating death—so that I can be born into eternal life with Him. I will one day stand before God in perfect righteousness—not judgement—because of what Jesus did. Not because of anything I did (or didn’t do).

Friends, our salvation (our peace with God now and eternal life in heaven) is not “Jesus and ______.” No matter how you fill in the blank or what you’ve been taught…and regardless of what the enemy has hissed in your ear to the contrary, salvation is of the Lord alone—by His grace alone, through our faith alone. Period. Isn’t that amazing news? (Now, as James talks about in his Biblical letter, once we are saved by faith, justified before God, we demonstrate our faith to the world by works—but I’ll tackle that topic in my next blog.) 

What freedom! We don’t have to work for salvation—it’s not “do” but “done.” Have you received this gift by accepting the Way, the Truth, and Life—Jesus (John 14:16)? Why not make today the day?