Nothing can be more tragic in life than missing the Savior. I remember the Lord gave me a vision during a Saturday evening worship service while serving communion. As I looked at the congregation, each believer appeared to have a light inside them, while those who did not were dark. As I looked out, about one-third of the people were dark.
I had only served this congregation for a few weeks, so I did not know many people. God erased who believed and who did not from my mind because that was not the purpose of the vision. As I reflected on what God revealed, I realized it was not to condemn people but to know the importance of preaching the message of salvation so people could come to faith. God’s vision to me was about rescuing people.
What are Biblical Requirements for Salvation?
Scripture tells us we must believe in Jesus as our Savior. To believe is to have a relationship with the Lord, not just to know information.
- John 3:18:There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son[1]
- John 5:24:I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. [2]
- John 20:31: But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. [3]
Religious leaders Challenged Jesus
Luke 20:1 One day, as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 2 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” [4]
The religious leaders of the day had much of the Old Testament memorized. They had information, but their actions didn’t match their knowledge. The way they treated Jesus showed they were not following God.
God Himself was in their presence, but they missed Him because of their hard hearts. We can be just like these religious leaders when we know information, yet we don’t take the step of having a personal relationship with Jesus. As we turn to God in faith, He changes everything about us. Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.[5]
To learn more about missing the Savior, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-on-authority
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.