Day 190

Of Effectual Calling.

Chapter 10, Paragraph 4.

” …much less can men that receive not the Christian Religion be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the Law of that Religion they do profess.”

Scripture Lookup

Acts 4:12

John 4:22; 17:3

Reflection

There are men and women who embody good values. They work with all their might from sunup to sundown. They generously give to charity, and volunteer at various fundraisers. Faithful to their spouse and involved in their kids’ lives, family is a priority for them. Overall, they are really nice, decent folks. However, they have no interest in Christ. Nice these people may be; saved they are not.

You can strive with all your might to be the best human being on the planet. You can follow the teachings of Buddha, glean insight from the Talmud, or forego eating meat during Lent. You can respect clergymen and be patriotic towards your country. All that will win you esteem among various groups of people, and you will not lack for friends. But all your striving and popularity does not save your soul. Only Christ saves.

This is why it is so important to spread the Gospel. So many are misled to believe that anyone who follows the right code of conduct is surely in heaven when they die. Such false hope is no hope at all. The Lord draws those that are His, and He alone regenerates the sinner.

Questions to Consider

• Are there some people that you find it harder to share the gospel with than others? Why?