November 7

Everyone Needs Salvation

No Salvation by Works
Romans 3:19-20

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 8-10 : PM – Hebrews 3

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20).

Paul indicated in Galatians 3:24 that the law served as a “schoolmaster” to bring people to Christ. James 2:10 asserts that if his readers had tried to live by the law “yet offend in one point’ they were guilty of breaking all law. The law did not provide the Jews with salvation; it only revealed their need for it.

When the speed limit sign says 35 and my speedometer reads 50, I know I have broken a civil law. When I break one of God’s commandments, I face the truth. I have sinned. The law reveals my sin. I am not “justified in his sight.” And I have no works to offer God that will redeem my disobedience or earn salvation for me. Prayer, giving, or a multitude of good works will not merit God’s grace or assure me of salvation. But the good news is Jesus died to make available to me the righteousness of God. I cannot earn it, but I can receive it by believing in Him.

God, help me remember my salvation is a gift, and Jesus is the giver.

November 6

Everyone Needs Salvation

From empty religion
Romans 2:2:25-27

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 3-5 : PM – Hebrews 1

For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. (Rom. 2:25).

“Toe the mark.” “Toe the Line.” “Walk the straight and narrow.” “Go by the book.” Americans use many colorful idioms to express the importance of following the law. Law is good and necessary to society, but law is never enough.

Paul used circumcision as an example of the law’s not being enough. In order for the law to be adequate, he pointed out, it must be kept perfectly.

Paul knew by experience the futility of keeping the law perfectly. He realized it could not be done.

He wanted everyone to be delivered from empty religion that invokes laws that cannot be fully kept. He desired that all to whom he wrote would experience the ultimate gift of love expressed in Christ Jesus. Jesus Himself promised, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Father, thank You that in Jesus I have fullness of life, not empty religion.

November 5

Everyone Needs Salvation

From Dishonoring God
Romans 2:17-24

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 1-2 : PM – Philemon

You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? (Rom. 2:23).

When I was growing up, my mother would often caution me as I left our house, “Remember who you are.” It was her code for reminding me I was representing our family –in the activities in which I engaged, in the words I spoke, and in the character I displayed.

Paul was eager for Christians to exemplify Jesus Christ in ways that would bring honor to His name. In practice, Jews were not willing to offer help to Gentiles. This carried over to those Jews who professed Christ. Such rigidity and lack of mercy brought them a poor reputation with the world. That reputation was seen as representative of God.

Paul’s question was blunt. He forthrightly asked, “” (Matt. 22:37-40). Refusal to be merciful to others broke that law.

Today would be a good time to contemplate how well each of us is doing in remembering “Whose we are.”

Father, my desire is to honor You every day.

November 4

Everyone Needs Salvation

From God’s judgment
Romans 2:14-16

Read the Bible through:
AM - Lamentations 5 : PM – Titus 3

In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel (Rom. 2:16).

“I’ve Got a Secret” was a popular show in the early days of television. A panel of four celebrities would try to guess the secret of a contestant through questioning. The show was lighthearted and fun to watch. Discovering someone’s secret entertained us.

Although we can keep secrets from one another, the Bible clearly teaches there are no secrets from God. In fact, at the coming of Jesus Christ, all that is hidden will be known.

Those of us who are related to God through Christ do not have to dread that day. On the contrary, we live our lives knowing that Jesus, our Advocate, will stand with us at the judgment. He has exonerated us by His death on the cross. With Paul we can rejoice, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1)

Hallelujah for the cross that freed us from God’s judgment.

Father, thank You for my salvation. Thank You for sending Jesus to deliver me from condemnation

November 3

Everyone Needs Salvation

From God’s Wrath
Romans 1:18-20

Read the Bible through:
AM - Lamentations 4 : PM – Titus 2

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18).

In recent years the term politically correct has been a byword of our nation. Expression of one’s belief, particularly as a Christian, is seen as provocative and insensitive. We are urged to see all lifestyles as equal and to be tolerant of all things. Political correctness has led us to be a society with few moral absolutes. The truth of God is being suppressed.

Paul warned his readers of the danger of suppressing the truth about God. The truth was then as it is now: God is our loving Creator and deserves our worship and praise.

Paul’s admonition is timely. The 21st century suffers from the same kinds of evil. Today the truth is still squelched in the name of being politically correct. We must pray for our nation to repent of it tolerant, anyway-you-want-to-live society in order to experience God’s forgiveness rather than His wrath.

Father, let the truth be the hallmark of my life as I seek to follow You each day.

November 2

Everyone Needs Salvation

The Gospel: God’s Power
Romans 1:16-17

Read the Bible through:
AM - Lamentations 3 : PM – Titus 1

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Rom. 1:16).

When a couple in our church had their first baby I watched the young father standing at the nursery window.. To the casual observer all of the babies in the nursery looked much alike: red-faced, wrinkled, wrapped tightly in blankets. But to this young man, one was a standout. To all who stopped to look at the babies, he proudly said, “That’s my son. Isn’t he great?”

We, like that boy’s father, have every reason to speak proudly. We have the gift of eternal life given us by God the Father through His beloved Son, Jesus. The power of God brings salvation to all who will receive it. That salvation is the forging of a relationship between God and us. It is deliverance from fear of death and despair. It is the gift of fullness of life now and forever.

Such wonderful news is nothing to be ashamed of. Indeed, it is a cause for celebration.

Father, help me to celebrate my salvation that comes through Your power alone by sharing it with someone else.

November 1

Everyone Needs Salvation

The Gospel for All
Romans 1:13

Read the Bible through:
AM - Lamentations 2 : PM - 2 Timothy 4

Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles (Rom. 1:13).

When Grace became engaged, she was eager to tell everyone immediately. Nick was more reserved than she. He wanted to wait to tell others about their plans so he could savor the experience as a couple first. She was frustrated by the delay. Eventually, her excitement won him over. And tell it she did.

Paul was experiencing frustration in much the same was. He was eager to reach Rome where the church was already established. From Rome, he could reach Spain and other areas for which his heart longed.

Paul’s understanding that the gospel was for all motivated him to keep moving farther from Jerusalem just as Jesus commanded in Acts 1:8.

Father, lead me to be aware of lost people around me. Make me a bold witness of You everywhere I go today.