Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

The devil and those deceived by him have spent the past 2100 years trying to deny this bold statement of truth, to no avail. The companion truth that they try equally hard to deny is that we need to be saved. Life circumstances generally clue people in on that one, though, so the devil tries to set up all sorts of “saviors” to distract people. The current leader in “advanced” countries is humanism, or man himself. In a slick play, the devil is reinforcing that by the surge of Islam, which is clearly in violation of a whole range of human values, so people retreat into humanism in response. The problem with that is that man, though a remarkable creation indeed, is no match in himself for the devil. That’s why we need a Savior who is greater not only than humanity but greater than the devil and everything else in creation. We have the expression, “grasping at straws.” Any “savior” apart from Jesus Christ is of no more benefit than straw to a drowning man. We dress them up with all sorts of fine-sounding titles, but they are empty and powerless when it comes down to the line. The good news in all of this is that Jesus isn’t like all the rest, but is a Savior indeed and is able to “save to the uttermost” those who believe and trust in Him. (Hebrews 7:25)

This is, of course, the message that I preach, and try to communicate through every facet of my life. The wiles of the devil are many and devious, and I can’t overcome them by human intellect and persuasion. I have to rely on the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts and minds, and then to speak God’s truth through me so that it will penetrate through all the barriers that have been set up. Thankfully, I have been given the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17) and is “sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) My words just don’t cut it (to continue the metaphor)! I must be careful not to contaminate what comes out of my mouth with pride, jealousy, or anything of the sort; it must be God’s truth spoken in love, (Ephesians 4:15) His love and mine. Only then will people’s eyes be opened to see and receive the salvation that is found in Jesus Christ alone.

Father, thank You for this reminder. You know who came to mind as I wrote. We all have a limited time on this earth, limited opportunity to receive the salvation You offer. Help me be fully effective in communicating Your love and grace so that as many as possible may receive while they can, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!