Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Saved and Sure

"For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

Romans 10:13

God has not made it hard for people to be saved. Even a child can understand. The promise of God for our salvation in Christ is summarized in Romans 10:13. This promise is for "whoever." It's still about calling on the name of the LORD. Notice again, that all four letters of the word LORD are capitalized. This is God's Old Testament covenant name. God saves us by His oath of covenant promise.

The same way God saved people during Old Testament days, is the same way he saves people today. Romans 10:13 is a quote from the Old Testament, in Joel 2:32. Long before Joel's prophecy, men were calling upon the name of the LORD. "Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD" (Genesis 4:26).

Before Christ was born, the angel from God appeared unto Joseph in a dream, telling him to "call his name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The name JESUS means "the LORD saves." JESUS is LORD incarnate - "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14). The Old Testament believers called upon Him who would come. The New Testament believers call upon Him who has come. "Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9) in both the Old and New Testaments.

These things about calling upon the name of the LORD are important. First, our assurance of salvation is based on calling upon the only one who can surely save us, the LORD. Also, believers need to tell others how to be saved for sure. We may share the gospel and give the invitation to one and all: "For whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."
LORD, we call upon your name to save us from our sins.