Redeemed and Rewritten - Part X

Scripture: 
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

Observation: 
In the book of Romans, chapter 10, a shift takes place. Initially, it was believed that the gospel was strictly for a certain group of people. But Jesus. He came to show that the gospel is for everyone. "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'” (Romans 10:12-13). In today’s lost world, people are establishing their definitions of spirituality and righteousness based on personal beliefs and ideologies. However, “anything that does not involve Jesus is never good!”
Have you ever considered that God truly cares about your call? In all things, at all times–especially in times of temptation–it is critical for the believer to call upon the name of the Lord. If we don't, we are saying, "I can save myself.” When we idolize anything, we let it take God’s place. Maybe you’re thinking, “I don't idolize anything.” 
When you are troubled, what is your first line of defense? Do you turn to alcohol to help numb the pain? Do you abuse substances to help escape your reality? Do you chase romantic relationships to fill a void? Do you pride yourself (over God) on your earthly accomplishments? Maybe it’s gossip. Do you talk negatively about others to feel better about yourself? Is money linked to your happiness? Those things might feel good in the moment, but they will never provide what you need. Satisfaction comes only from Jesus, and only He can bring true righteousness. He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)
Thank God our Savior robbed the gates of hell, making a way for all to receive Him. This is why sharing the gospel is so important! Every life snatched from the kingdom of darkness is a life saved for eternity, with our Father in Heaven.

Application: 
On Sunday, Deacon Ben described some practical ways for believers to share the Good News (the Gospel): 
Step one: Build a habit of declaring what the Lord has done in your life. This is your testimony.  Throughout your day, reflect on His goodness. Remember what He delivered you from and all He has done for you. Tell others about it! 
Step two: Don't be weird. Ask questions that let you into someone's life. Relate to and invest in someone else’s story. Show compassion by offering prayer and encouragement from God’s Word. 
Step three: Remain full of and near to the Holy Spirit. Discern the voice of truth in all situations; act on what the Holy Spirit is instructing you to do. 
I pray God strengthens us in the areas where we fall short, so we can boldly and confidently share the Good News. We can start by reflecting on our personal testimony. We can practice by sharing the gospel and bringing God into conversations with family, friends, and co-workers. We can be more relatable when others share with us. We can know the Word better and practice listening to His still, small voice, helping us to discern better. It’s time to strengthen our spiritual muscles for the mission ahead, which is building the Church of Jesus Christ. 

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for who You are. Thank You for the gift of salvation and sending Your Son to die on the cross to save us from the entrapment of sin. Thank You for Your grace and how constantly You pursue us. May we never take Your mercies for granted. Lord, help us to remember that there is nothing we can do – no sin great enough to make You forsake Your children. Help us to strive for holiness daily. Remind us, when we do mess up, that we can call upon You for strength, guidance, and deliverance. Bring a new boldness upon Your people to share Your Good News with others. We bind any spirit of fear and timidity. Let the Gospel of Jesus Christ be the driving force in our lives. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen!