God's Call

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." 

Joel 2:32

Salvation - plainly put, is of God. It is not man, nor by the will of men! It is by the sheer will and grace of God (Eph.2:8). Personally, I am glad. No one can dictate my salvation except myself and God. No one except God's Son (Heb.9:15; 12:24) can stand between me and God at anytime for any reason.

It’s very important to understand though, that in any rescue operation, the rescuer gets to determine means and method of the rescue. You and I do not get to determine how we are saved. God has placed this authority in His Son only.  "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Col.1:18-20)."  Jesus said, "I am the way…. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  Jesus doesn’t say he’s a good way, or a nice way, or even the best way because there are many ways. He says, “I am THE way..."  If there was an alternate way, another way, another savior besides Jesus, then God wouldn’t have sent Him to die for you. How cruel would it have been to have Jesus go through all the suffering and pain of the cross, only to have God say - "Sorry...there's also this way and this way, and this prophet and that guru that can get you here too!"  We know that this is NOT what the scriptures teach! If you’re going to be saved and have all your sins forgiven, there’s only one way it will happen, and there’s only one person you can call on … Jesus.

Many will fuss at this, many like those who have gone before will downright refuse it. Yet, this does not negate what God has said.  "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Heb.1:1,2)" You have the right and the freedom to choose another way, another shepherd, another Savior. Yet again, hear what God says,   "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.(Jn.10:1-3)." 

So, maybe its time to ask yourself - Are you following the right Shepherd? If you feel that you are not, can I introduce you to Jesus?

Jim