It Depends

“It [salvation] does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” (Roman 9:16, NIV 1986).

My Musings – A widely held belief is that salvation does depend upon our desires and efforts.  If we live what is on balance a “good” life, things will work out in the end.  But none of the following were saved that way.

• Adam & Eve – God’s original creation made in His image, but they could not be saved by their own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. Genesis 1:26.
• Noah – The last righteous man, but he could not be saved by his own desire or effort. It took God’s Mercy. Genesis 6:9.
• Job – A man that God boasted about, but he could not be saved by his own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. Job 1:8.
• Abraham – A man of great faith, but he could not be saved by his own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. Galatians 3:9.
• Moses – He spoke to God face-to-face, but he could not be saved by his own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. Deuteronomy 34:10.
• David – God called him “a man after My own heart,” but he could not be saved by his own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. Acts 13:22.
• Mary – The mother of Jesus, highly favored by God, but she could not be saved by her own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. Luke 1:28.
• John The Baptist – None greater born of woman, but he could not be saved by his own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. Matthew 11:11.
• Peter – The man on whom Jesus built His Church and who was given the keys of heaven, but he could not be saved by his own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. Matthew 16:18, 19.
• Paul – He fought the good fight and he kept the faith, but he could not be saved by his own desire or effort. It took God’s mercy. 2 Timothy 4:7.

My Advice – Even at our best, are we any better than these? No, we cannot be saved by our own desire or effort. It takes God’s mercy. Psalm 14:3.   Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. God’s mercy comes only through Him. John 14:6.

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Want to become a Christian? See my blog series “The Born Again Experience.”
Want a closer walk with Christ? See my blog series “Got Spiritual Milk