Genesis 15:1, 6 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.”
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

This is one of the most important passages in the whole Bible. All the rest of the interaction between God and man for man’s salvation hinges on this passage. In the first place, this was initiated by God, who appeared to Abram in a vision. Jesus later told His disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16) Salvation is from God’s side, because there is nothing we can do that is sufficient to save our souls for eternity. God told Abram not to fear, that He would protect him and that he would be blessed abundantly. We have such a tendency to be afraid we’re going to miss out, that we won’t have what we need, much less what we want. God is saying to Abram, “Leave that up to me.” Then, after some interplay between the two, we have the statement that Abram believed God, and that God said, essentially, “That’s enough.” As Paul so famously explained to the Romans, that is the basis of salvation in Christ. God provided salvation for us through the cross of Christ. All we have to do is believe it, but we do have to believe it. People have many reasons for refusing to believe, but none of them hold water. God is absolutely worthy of our complete faith, trust, and obedience. When we get that through our heads and hearts, we step out of darkness into light, from death to eternal life.

This is of course the basis of my salvation, and it is the message I preach. There are a great many ramifications of course, and no limit to the depth of it all, but this is where it all begins. I must not forget that, failing to make it clear to everyone. It does no good for some­one to “join a church” without this foundation. We have such trouble with all parts of this at one point or another. We have trouble believing that God loves us enough, cares enough for us to make salvation available. We have trouble letting go of the various petty things we cling to instead of God. We have trouble really believing, deep down, that God knows better about our life than we do. I need to remember my own weaknesses and extend to others the same grace that was poured out on me, so that as many as will may believe and receive the salvation God has provided for them.

Father, thank You for the beautiful illustration we had of this last night in the meeting. Thank You for the five or so people who raised their hands asking for prayer. Guide as we read the questionnaires that people turned in, that we may follow up effectively. I pray that Your Word would be sealed in each heart, not just in those who raised their hands, so that none of the harvest may be lost, but so that all may be brought into Your family, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!