S155P1 – Certainty in an uncertain world: salvation

Rom. 10:8a-13

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, 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.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.  For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.  For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

When it comes to slot machines, there is a method to the madness.  Those who sit for hours pulling that handle or pushing that spin button over and over expect a result.  The lights and sounds in that place make it seem like winning is happening all around them.  Even for someone who never has come out ahead on the slots, there is a hope in mind.  This hope rests on the flawed belief that playing long enough must result in a win.  The problem is that the odds say otherwise.  These machines are engineered not to work out that way.  The player who thinks there is a sure thing up ahead is mistaken and very likely to be disappointed.  Hitting the jackpot is a matter of chance and a very long shot.

I had a conversation with someone who subscribes to a version of the Christian faith.  She indicated to me that certainty in salvation does not exist.  I asked her what the point was in practicing her brand of faith if she could not be sure that she would be saved.  She said that she merely has a hope, and the rest is in God’s hands.  I pressed her a little more because I did not know why someone would have hope in Christ if they did not think that hope was secure.  That seemed to me like nothing better than a roll of the dice.  She could not answer my question.  She could tell me only that she would continue trying to make it there and keep hoping that she would.

There are many uncertainties in life.  We never know what tomorrow will bring or whether tomorrow will come at all.  Yet, no matter what we believe, it is certain that each of us will meet one of two ends: salvation or damnation.  Those who do not follow the Lord are guaranteed damnation.  Those who call on his name are guaranteed salvation.  God does not call us to follow him so that we can sit in uncertainty.  Jesus did not speak of what or who He might be.  The Lord tells us in certain terms who He is and what we can expect when we believe in him, which gives us all the certainty we need in this life.  Father, thank You for a hope that is secure and not just a gamble or a shot in the dark.