1 Samuel 19-20 and Romans 10

"And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10: 8-9

So much good stuff today. The pact between Jonathan and David, and the way to receive salvation in Christ.

I will focus on the latter, because theologically, it's way better.

There is good news. We are no longer bound by the law, for Christ has accomplished the law. The tedium, walking on egg shells, and justification through behavior is gone. There is nothing you can do to earn it. It is yours for the taking, all you have to do is believe in your heart and confess with your tongue and you will be saved.

MORE good news. This gift from God to the world is not limited to one type of group in one moment in time. God releases this gift to everyone in all corners of the earth. In fact, he will use the people (The Gentiles) who historically have not believed, as examples of his inclusive love.

"I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me." Isaiah 65:1.

Can you pick out a Christian walking down the street?
Do they all look exactly the same?

No.

Why?

Because God's love extends to all people, in all cultures, at all times.

If love is the strongest bond, why do we try to earn it? Why do we think it's conditional?

On the "religious" continuum, the left says, "Do good." The right says, "Be good." And in the middle is Christ, who lovingly says, "You are not good. You need me to stand before the throne of God confidently, for your are dead in your sins, but my death has covered your debt."

Rest in the fact that you can not be good enough, or do enough good things to be justified. You are deeply loved the way you are- sinful, but made in the glorious image of God our Creator.



Walker