But what does it say? "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."
I have heard several "alter calls" recently that have disturbed me. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it well in the Cost of Discipleship, "Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, ….Cheap grace is grace without discipleship," These alter calls have been cheap grace or another term would be "simple salvation."
Grace is not cheap nor is salvation simple. There is a cost: the repentance of sin, the commitment to pursue the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ, the acknowledgment of Him as Lord and Master and the sacrifice of self on the alter of the Cross.
This study began as an effort to thoroughly understand what it means to believe in Jesus Christ, to trust in His promises, to have faith in Him and to obey Him. It will continue.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 16
Mid-day: 119:73-80
Evening: Psalm 91
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Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/item/7251-2016-voices-together-weekly-format. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.
