The Guarantee
We live in a world which is overwhelmed by guarantees. Yet, the warranties often are not quite as good as they may sound. The apostle Paul offers a guarantee for the one who follows the biblical guidelines—
“Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Everyone needs salvation through Jesus. The Israelites believed they had to fulfill the law to be saved … “They did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law.” (v. 9:32) But the apostle makes it clear that salvation is only through Jesus Christ, and he provides a “roadmap” to heaven: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (v. 10:9) What happens if you receive the guarantee? If you are sincere, you won’t be turned down; and you won’t have to wonder if you are saved. It’s about sincerity of heart, not following rituals … (a) believe in your heart; (b) confess with your mouth; (c) call upon the name of the Lord. But what happens if you neglect the guarantee? Theoretically, you would have to live a perfect life (not a single sin) according to the Bible – i.e. faithfully keep the 10 Commandments … never once violating them, to any degree. Nice thought but wholly unrealistic. Hebrews 2:3 inquires, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? The reality is: neglect God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ … and Hell is your destiny—the guarantee does not apply! Okay then, how can you receive the guarantee? You can’t receive it by waiting. You can’t receive it by bargaining. You can’t receive it by working. Salvation is completely a gift of God through Jesus Christ … you only need to accept it, and the guarantee of eternal life go into effect: “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b) Have you received the “guarantee” of salvation?
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
