SCRIPTURE
‘She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the most high God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”’ Acts 16:17
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved - you and your household.” Acts 16:31
“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
SPOTLIGHT
ARE YOU SAVED? The next logical question is, “Saved from what?” When you ask the question, “Are you saved?” the question signifies there is a need for deliverance, safety, and a way to a better life. After a drowning person is rescued, he will tell you how he was saved. When a fireman rescues someone from a burning house or car, that person will quickly describe how he was saved. When a substance abuse/addict describes how she used to do drugs, she will tell you how she was saved. In each of the above cases, the need for deliverance, safety, and a way to a better life was experienced.
ARE YOU SAVED? That question cannot be answered until there is an awareness of the need to be saved. A young woman, tormented by demonic spirits, followed Paul and Silas throughout Philippi shouting, “These men are servants of God and they have come to tell you how to have your sins forgiven.” [Living Bible.] People listened to her because they thought she had a voice of a god. This may appear to be helpful, but it wasn’t, because the utterances were from the voice of a demonic fortune-teller. For days she did this. Finally, Paul, who became greatly distressed at this behavior, commanded in the name of Jesus Christ, for the demon to come out of her. Instantly, she was set free and saved. This young woman experienced total deliverance, safety, and a way to a better life.
At one time, one of the best witnesses of the gospel in my church was a non-Christian. His name was Chris and he had been raised in a Christian home but rebelled against Jesus Christ. He wanted to do what he wanted to do, and he did it. Was he likable and friendly? Yes! Did I talk to him about following Jesus Christ? Yes! Did he come to church? Occasionally. But what shocked me was that when he came to church, he brought friends who he said needed to be there. They needed Jesus, but Chris personally did not see his need. Both Chris and the young fortune-teller were similar in one way. They got the attention of many people to hear the Gospel, but would not admit their need for deliverance, safety, and a way to a better way of life. One time, I was canoeing with Chris, and I teased him by saying that if he confessed Jesus Christ as his Savior right now, I would then drown him so that he would not be drawn back into the sin of the world and turn away from Jesus again. He laughed.
ARE YOU SAVED? You need to be saved from yourself. The master of your life is sin. You are a slave to what you want. You are ruled by “self.” The middle letter of sin is “I.” Your life revolves around you. Life is all about you. Presently, that will destroy you and ultimately, it will lead to death. The Bible clearly says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.” [Romans 6:12,13.] You may argue that you are a good person. That may be true, but your best can have the root of pride which is sin. The greatest need you have is to be freed from sin. You must admit your need for deliverance, safety, and a way to a better life. Only Jesus Christ provides that. You have to make the most important decision in your life, and believe that your salvation can only be experienced by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. [See above Scriptures.]
Just like the tormented young woman, I am so pleased to tell you that later in life, after many wasted years, Chris made Jesus his Savior and Lord. I did not have to DROWN HIM after being set free from his sin master. How about you? Are you a slave to sin, or are you saved because you have made Jesus Christ the Savior and Lord of your life?
[In the next devotional which is based on the book of Romans, you can read Part 2.]
SOMETHING TO DO
Here’s how you can determine if you are saved. Follow the ABCD’s:
Admit you are a sinner. [See 1 John 1:8.]
Believe Jesus Christ is the living God Who died on the cross for your sins. [See John 1:12.]
Confess in a prayer to Jesus Christ, your desire to be forgiven of your sin. [See 1 John 1:9.]
Decide to live your life to please Jesus. [See Luke 9:23.]
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Pray for the ABCD prayer! Now contact us at the church to let us know about the most important decision you have ever made, and the most important prayer you have ever prayed.