Faith And Confession Are Necessary in Salvation

Devotion for Thursday April 5, 2018

Topic: Faith And Confession Are Necessary in Salvation

Text: Romans 10:1 – 11

The Jews built on a false foundation, and refused to come to Christ for free salvation by faith as a result of not willing to open up for change. Their zeal was not enlightened, wise, or according to truth (Romans 10:2). Today, we have some people with great zeal in religion, and yet are blinded and hardened in sin. Right zeal is always found in accordance with truth and duty; holy in character and kind in spirit. The strictness of the law showed men their need of salvation by grace, through faith. It was based on this reason; Paul tried to point out that confession is necessary in salvation by grace which God has offered us in Christ (Romans 10:4ff). His position is “That 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” Romans 10:9. He further expressed this truth in Romans 10:10. Two things are necessary for salvation; inward faith in Christ Jesus and public confession of that faith. Paul mentions them because both are necessary for salvation; the inward faith in Christ, and the outward confession of Him. It is based on the outward confession of sin that someone is baptized into the body of Christ. Some people often ask, “How do I become a Christian?” Romans 10:8 - 11 give us the answer: Salvation is as close as our lips and heart. People think that it is a complicated process, but it is not. If we believe in our heart and say with our mouth that Christ is the risen Lord, we will be saved. Have you received salvation? If not, this is your opportunity.

Sing the hymn: SS&S 493; Abu 175.

Food for Thought: The basic proof of our Christian faith is to believe in Christ (inward faith) and our confession that Jesus is Lord (outward faith).

Memory verse: Romans 10:9

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I have confessed that Jesus is my Lord, help me to abide by it all the days of my life.

Be An Observable Model (In Utterances)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday February 2, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Utterances)         

Text: Matthew 12:35 – 37   

Today and in the next five days, we shall be looking at some observable models from the scriptures; expected of us, that will challenge us to live well to the glory of God. Jesus posited that Christians are light of the world and salt of the earth which by implication demands that we should be models for the world. We shall, in these five days, look at some of the areas we can model our lives of worthy characters from the scriptures.

Ecclesiastics 5:2 says, “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.” This is a great advice for whosoever wants to be a model in terms of spoken words.

In our text Jesus reminds us that what we say exposes the thoughts in our heart. According to Life Application Notes, What comes from our mouth “Is an indication of what is in your heart. You can’t solve your heart problem, however, just by cleaning up your speech. You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives; then your speech will be cleansed at its source.”

Are the words that come out of your mouth good enough to edify people (1 Timothy 4:12)? Are you the type that doesn’t have control over your mouth? Remember that “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise – Proverbs 10:19. 

Food for Thought: A vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so men are proved, by their speech, whether they be wise or foolish. –Demosthenes.

Memory verse: Proverbs 10:19

Prayer: Help me O Lord to be a model with the words of my mouth that the words of my mouth will be pleasing to you in Jesus name. Amen.