We Must Let Go to Be Saved!
“But what does it say?
(Romans 10: 8 NASB)
“THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—
that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,”
I read a story, one told by another, a story about some friends who went swimming in a dangerous river, one where the current was sure to destroy the life of the one caught in its swirl.
The story goes that the friends were enjoying their day when suddenly one friend jumped into the river; immediately he was caught, headed toward death. His friends yelled for help, raised their hands in protest at the horribleness of this innocent life lost—all while the one who had the power to save stood by and watched.
- Why did He stand there on the riverbank?
- Why did He wait?
Important questions, right questions, truth-revealing questions!
The story goes that the drowning man caught in the current of the dangerous river desperately struggled. Then suddenly, he stopped.
The One who could help jumped in and saved this drowning one from death.
- Why did He wait?
- Why did He not jump sooner?
Since He had the power to save, what took Him so long to save this drowning man?
These questions are the deep pondering of our being, manifested inside each of our hearts.
“But what does it say?
(Romans 10: 8-10 NASB)
“THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—
that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
- What is salvation?
- What does it look like when a drowning man is SUDDENLY SAVED?
The fog lifts & we see the Truth of God—at His word!
Jesus saves!
We hear it; we heard it; we even ignore it.
Jesus does save ALL—
- who finally give up their struggle,
- who suddenly stop trying to establish their own course, &
- who let go of the unbelief they clutch.
At that moment, Jesus saves!
“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
(Romans 10: 9-11 NASB)
for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.”
Jesus saves ALL
- who finally give up their struggle.
- who suddenly stop trying to establish their own course.
- who let go of the unbelief they clutch.
At that moment, Jesus saves!
- Jesus wants our surrender.
- Jesus takes us just as we are in our sin.
- Jesus waits patiently.
HE does!
When the drowning man stopped struggling, stopped trying to “save” himself, in that instant, he was able to be rescued by the Savior.
“For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.”
(Romans 10: 11-13 NASB)
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
for “EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
The story ends, telling how the man who was once drowning suddenly was pulled from the dangerous swirling of the river. At once, he was not in jeopardy of death!
- What changed?
- What caused this man, who was sinking toward death, to immediately be lifted to security, to be placed on the riverbank, and to receive newness of life?
JESUS!
In that instant, the Savior reached in and saved the drowning man!
Jesus Christ brought that drowning man to salvation! &
Jesus Christ offers every man, woman, & child salvation!
“for “EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
(Romans 10: 13-15 NASB)
How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed?
How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard?
And how are they to hear without a preacher?
But how are they to preach unless they are sent?
Just as it is written:
“HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”
Salvation: The fog lifts & we see the Truth of God—at His word!
- God is Who He says He is!
- God’s Son is Who He says He is!
Jesus breathes new life so we may live FREE!
Christians have so much to celebrate!
Jesus gave His life on the cross—DIED—so we might Live!
Jesus was buried for three days in the tomb—DEAD—so we could see God’s power over Death!
Jesus arose from the grave—so that we too can receive “newness” of LIFE!
- What must a person “give up” to be saved?
- What must a person “let go of” to be saved?
- What does it cost for a person to receive God’s gift of Salvation?
It cost God EVERYTHING—the life of His Only Son on the cross of Calvary!
It costs us nothing, & we gain EVERYTHING!
“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,
(Romans 10: 9-10 NASB)
and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved;
for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness,
and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
What does it mean in the Scripture when it says: “Just as it is written: “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” (Romans 10: 15b NASB)
It means that when you and I (the saved—the Christians) leave the building on Sunday after our time of corporate worship, then the “church” is leaving.
Then the “church” is sent to proclaim the “GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS.”
Becoming a Christian is an intimate, personal encounter with God.
After trusting in Jesus, we are immediately joined with other saints, gathered together in something collective, wonderful, & most glorious!
Salvation is personal, but it is not private!
- Salvation is for the individual, but it is also for the masses who become the body of Christ.
- We no longer represent ourselves as we walk through our days!
We represent Jesus!