November 14

Salvation Means New Life

Resurrection Faith
Romans 4:19-25

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 21-22 : PM – Hebrews 9

Who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification (Rom. 4:25).

What’s in a name? The New Testament Book of Philemon tells the story of a slave named Onesimus, meaning “profitable.” Onesimus, however, was not very profitable to his master, Philemon. He had stolen from Philemon and run away.

But Onesimus learned about Jesus Christ whose name means “Yahweh is Salvation.” Onesimus trusted in Jesus to forgive his sins through His death and resurrection.

One meaning of resurrection is to “bring back into use.” The Lord gave Onesimus a new life. His friend, the apostle Paul, willing to repay Onesimus’ debt, wrote to Philemon asking that he take Onesimus back as a brother rather than as a slave. By so doing, Philemon would live up to his name which means “affectionate.”

Having faith in Christ’s resurrection brings to one a new life and a new name, Christian, meaning “follower of Christ.”

Lord, thank You for giving me a new life and a new name.

November 13

Everyone Needs Salvation

By Grace
Romans 4:13-18

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 19-20 : PM – Hebrews 8

Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (Rom. 4:16).

Abraham was certainly not saved by keeping the law. It had not yet been given when God promised Abraham “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). He was declared righteous because of his faith. Genesis 15:6 tells us Abraham “believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Paul repeated this truth in Galatians 3:6 and added in Galatians 3:7 “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”

We are part of the promise God made to Abraham –heirs of salvation, his spiritual seed, receiving righteousness because we believe in God’s grace-gift, Jesus Christ. My children often sang a perky song they learned in children’s choir. Part of the lyrics asserted, “Father Abraham has many sons, I am one of them and so are you.”

Father, how thankful I am for Your grace.

November 12

Everyone Needs Salvation

Justified by Faith Alone
Romans 3:29-30

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 17-18 : PM – Hebrews 7

Since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. (Rom. 3:30).

The Jewish people took pride in the fact they were descendants of Abraham, chosen by God as His own. They were familiar with Deuteronomy 7:6: “"For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” Circumcision was a physical sign of their separation unto God.

Now Paul was telling them the Gentiles (the uncircumcised) also were able to be right with God. They could no longer view the God of Israel as their private possession –He was “One God” who would justify both Jew and Gentile alike “by faith.” It was a fact they resisted.

Even today we continue to complicate God’s plan that we are justified by faith alone. Our flesh struggles to comprehend the incredible grace and mercy of the One who originated and completed His plan to bring people to Himself.

Father, I acknowledge Your Son as the Way, the Truth, and the Life – my only source of salvation.

November 11

Everyone Needs Salvation

Boasting is Excluded
Romans 3:27-28

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 15-16 : PM – Hebrews 6

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith (Rom. 3:27).

One definition of boastomg is “to glory in having or doing something.” Church members can sometimes be heard boasting regarding their churches. They might make proud reference to new buildings, successful programs, attendance, or offerings. While it is far better to be positive about our local church body, one should always be cautious about the motive for our pride and note the right recipient of praise for successes is Jesus Christ. We do well to remember Christ is the head of the church and the source of every eternal work the church accomplishes.

Paul made it clear that nowhere is this truer than in the area of our salvation. He indicated “boasting … is excluded” because believers have done nothing to merit right standing with God. By faith we simply receive what Jesus obtained for us. It was Paul’s understanding of this truth that led him to proclaim in Galatians 6:14 “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Father, You alone are worthy of all praise.

November 10

Redemption in Christ Jesus
Romans 3:23-26

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 13-14 : PM – Hebrews 5

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:23-24).

Believers have been set free from the penalty of sin because our payment was made by Jesus. He is our redemption. We are, therefore, redeemed.

Thankfully, some of us never get over the grace of God and how it redeemed our lives. My former pastor never referred to his salvation without tears flowing. A youth leader tells of his own wild youth, then weeps as he describes his encounter with God in the Oklahoma hills. A retired wrestler, in a voice raspy from blows to the throat, shared the story of his salvation with prison inmates.

I have often told my own testimony about how a faithful God intervened in my teen age years.

Father, I am awed by your goodness in redeeming me.

November 9

Everyone Needs Salvation

For all who believe
Romans 3:21-22

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 11-12 : PM – Hebrews 4

Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference (Rom.3:22).

How awesome a thought that salvation is available “to all and on all who believe.” The small child, the weary widow, the homeless alcoholic, even the arrogant intellectual -we welcome their decision to follow Jesus. Yet we often resist the idea that the Ted Bundys, the Hitlers, and the Osama Bin Ladens have access to that same grace, forgiveness, and mercy; “for there is no difference.”

Allen accepted Christ while in prison. Through Bible studies and a chaplain, he grew in his faith. Upon his release, he made himself accountable to a local pastor and developed relationships with other believers. Now, years later, he is married to a Christian woman and gives testimony of a redeemed life.

Lord, I praise You that salvation is for all who believe.

November 8

Everyone Needs Salvation

From Empty Religion
Romans 3:9-18

Read the Bible through:
AM – Ezekiel 6-7 : PM – Hebrews 2

As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one. (Rom. 3:10).

At a recent memorial service, the pastor told those attending that the man who died was a respected church member and a good man. He taught Sunday School and coached young boys in athletics, developing sportsmanship and molding their character. He was a good provider and a good employee. He was a good dad to his children and a faithful husband to his wife.

The pastor then went on to remind us that all of those things did not take away the sting of death. Goodness was not what allowed him to face his suffering and death with faith and acceptance. That is because no one is righteous enough to attain victory over sin and death. He assured us it was his personal relationship with Jesus Christ that brought salvation, allowing him to trust God in this difficult life. That knowledge also allowed his family to sing with confidence “It Is Well with My Soul.”

Father, thank You that I can be declared righteous because of Christ in me.