Our Role in Salvation

Decisions you make today have eternal implications. Choose wisely. Keep Reading...

PRAY
Dear Lord, I want to hear your voice through your Word. Teach me to listen and obey. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

READ
Exodus 12:21-23 - Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down."

REFLECT
Nine plagues in Egypt had come and gone. The Israelites were spared from it all. They watched as their Egyptian neighbors were devastated by plague after plague. The final plague was approaching - the death of the firstborn. At this point, the Israelites were given an important job to do.

Up until this time, the Israelites had simply watched the mercy of God guard and protect them. God had proven his faithfulness over and over. Now he gave them instructions that related to their own salvation. They were to slaughter an unblemished lamb and put its blood on their doorposts. When the destroyer or angel of death would approach, he would pass by if he saw the mark of blood on the doorposts.

Was this task given to the Israelites too heavy or onerous? No. But this is how God works. He gives us opportunity to respond to him in obedience. He never treats us as robots. In this exodus story, all the Israelites faithfully obeyed and put the blood on their doorposts. They were a part of their own salvation.

God always treats us with value. He calls us to respond in obedience and then waits for our decision. Salvation does not just descend upon us. It is offered. Our part is to respond in obedience. Our response to God's initiative will change our destiny.

We often blame God for not doing more in our lives. Or we can drift into apathy, assuming that God has pre-determined every part of our lives. The truth is this - God has spoken, and he awaits our response. He desires a response of obedience. Our choice in this moment has eternal implications, just like the Israelites at the Passover.

APPLY
Is there any specific area of obedience that you have delayed on? Perhaps you have not considered it a "life or death" issue. Choose to turn away from disobedience through repentance. Now do exactly what God has been speaking to you about. Remember, obedience is more important than sacrifice (religious acts).

READ MORE
1 Samuel 15:22-23
Matthew 7:21-23