Salvation — Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (ESV)
In mid January, I had the opportunity to go to Austria on a mission trip. We were a group of 6 guys who spent 10 days installing flooring and lights, and doing general repairs for a Christian school. (The trip itself was amazing, and I would recommend everyone go on at least one short-term mission trip if possible!)
Anyway, the whole time we were over there, we were watching this winter storm that was supposed to hit the day after we got back to Kentucky. We would hear predictions of 16”-24” of snow one day. Then the next day we would hear 1” of ice. It changed often, but the one constant was that it was coming and it was going to be bad. We spent the better part of the last week debating whether or not the storm was coming and whether it would be as bad as the meteorologists claimed. I am a natural skeptic, so I was convinced that it was being overblown.
When we made it back to Kentucky, I had two options. I could act on my belief that it was being overblown and continue as normal. Or I could act on my belief that it really was going to be bad and take precautions. (If you’re curious what I did, I now have enough propane at my house to last through several years of BBQs.)
Belief naturally leads to action. If we truly believe something, we will act differently based on those beliefs. If we believe a winter storm is coming, we will storm the grocery store to buy bread, milk, and eggs. If a fire alarm goes off, we believe there is a fire and take action to evacuate. The same is true for our spiritual beliefs. Our actions give testimony to what we truly believe.
If we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, we will make the decision to accept Him as our Lord and Savior. If we believe He loves us and wants to spend time with us, we will spend our time getting to know Him better. If we believe He is Lord of our life, we will do our best to live for Him. If we believe He is the ONLY way, we will urgently be praying for those who don’t know Him as Savior.
APPLICATION
If we truly believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life… then we can’t stay silent. Easter is one of the few times of the year when people are more open than usual to coming to church. If we believe He is the only way to life, then inviting someone isn’t optional—it’s a natural response to what we believe.
So here’s the challenge:
Think of your one more. Who is that one person who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus?
Pray for them by name this week.
Then invite them to attend one of our Easter services with you.
PRAYER
God, help my actions reflect what I say I believe. Show me who needs an invitation this Easter, give me the courage to reach out, and prepare their heart to hear about You.