Day 8 – Salvation
JOHN 3:13-21
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God (John 3:13-21).
Our world has many ideas about love. The Bible demonstrates love as a sacrificial gift. Real love costs us everything. God promises us eternal life based upon our willingness to lay down our lives for the sake of God’s love. God holds us accountable for being exposed to the light of His salvation. Our response has eternal consequences.
Reflection
- Where is Jesus from? How can that be?
- What is Jesus’ relationship with God?
- What does God promise those who believe in His Son?
JOEL 2:28-32
And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls (Joel 2:28-32).
Joel tells us about God’s desires for His children. Times will be tough, but we are instructed to call on the name of the Lord. How remarkable that such a simple act can do so much to change our lives for eternity. Suddenly God does not seem to be so far away. It is quite the opposite; He is close to us, ready to save us. Hallelujah!
Reflection
- What is so special about the name of the Lord?
- How can God save someone who calls on His name?
- Do you believe the world will face such deep turmoil?
