"Do what?"
"Sorry don't get you saved. I've been thinking about that. It don't matter how sorry you are for what you done. If you don't trust in Jesus Christ to save you, your sorry will take you straight to hell."
It was an unusual statement, but I could see what he meant. It's a little like Rhett Butler's words to Scarlett O'Hara in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind. "You're like the thief who's not at all sorry he stole, but very, very sorry he got caught."
Sinners are like that, and I have to admit I've been that kind of sinner before. More than once. Wanting to continue my sin but wanting forgiveness, too. Sam would say, "It don't work like that."
Forgiveness comes after repentance. Repentance is not a simple apology. Repentance is a 180 degree turn. It's apology plus relinquishment. Choosing to leave our sin is part of salvation. We can't have it both ways.
To be perfectly clear, Sam is right. If saying sorry were enough to save us, we could save ourselves, but we can't.
Salvation from the penalty of our sin requires more than an apology to God for what we've done. It requires that we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
I believe that the salvation from sin part is something we can all embrace. It's the Lordship of Jesus, giving up our ways for His, that stops us in our tracks. That's the part of salvation, however, that's not optional. Scripture makes it clear. Salvation requires Jesus. There's no other way.
What about you? Are you counting on sorry to save you? It will never work. Salvation comes through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life. His gift of eternity requires acceptance of His way of living. There's no other way.
As Peter said of Jesus, speaking before the rulers, elders, and scribes in Jerusalem, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 nasb
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In case you missed the story of Sam's project, here's the link: Sam's Project: Rubber Boots for Barefoot Rwandan Children
If you'd like to give to help buy boots for the barefoot school children of Rwandan, you can go directly to the project page here: Help Sam's Kids. We're making good progress. More than 300 pairs of boots have been given so far. 10% of the need has already been met!
In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: The Secret to Miraculous Transformation and here's the link to this week's guest blogger: I'm Fine and Other Lies
#Jesus #salvation #repentance
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