The Journey Continues: It's simple, really

 

"And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Joel 2:32a, ESV

"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9, NLT

One of my favorite scenes from the movie "A River Runs Through It" is when the young Norman Maclean is writing an essay, which is being graded by his Scottish father, the town's Presbyterian minister. Norman brings down the first draft, and his father (beautifully played by Tom Skerritt) crosses out line after line with a red pencil before handing it back to the young boy with the admonition, "Good. Now, half as long." This effort is repeated until young Norman finally gets it right. The lesson being taught was to write efficiently, with the goal of expressing thoughts using as few words as possible.

During my devotions this morning, the presenter read several verses from the second chapter of Joel because of its reference to Pentecost, which is tomorrow. But the verse that stood out to me was the first part of verse 32, where the prophet Joel gives the simple statement that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." This is echoed by Paul in his letter to the Romans, chapter 10, verse 9, that all one needs to do to be saved is to "openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead..."

Is it really that simple?

We who follow and preach Christ tend to over-write the story. We embellish sentences. We repeat concepts or themes. We assume that the simplicity of the message of God's Grace needs elaboration. But we forget Paul's teachings in 2 Corinthians 12:9a, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'”

We need God to take our papers and lovingly cross out all the extraneous content that clouds the simplicity of God's Grace, not only as it applies to our sharing The Gospel, but in our own lives. I know, for myself, I often question, "Am I doing enough? Am I saved? Will I enter into the Joy of Heaven?" I too need to remind myself of the Gift of Grace which is given, not earned.

Soli Deo Gloria