Do You Trust Jesus Alone for Salvation?

Daily Reading: Acts 8

Scripture Focus: But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!” (Acts 8.20)

Devotional Thought: In Acts 20, we encounter a man, Simon, who came to know Jesus through the preaching of Philip. Yet, having been saved by faith, he was trying to be filled with the Spirit by finances. He offered Peter cash money in order to get the gift of the Spirit, and the ability to impart the Spirit to others. Peter did not look favorably upon the offer, saying, "May your silver perish with you... you have neither part nor lot in this matter..."

In the book of Revelation, Jesus is described as the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world. When God looked forward through time and saw the need of humanity, he planned that Jesus would be the sacrificial Lamb who would take away the sin of the world. It is by grace we are saved, through faith in what Jesus did on the cross.

Yet, people have always struggled to accept that salvation is a free gift of grace. We have tried somehow to earn or work or pay our way in. But, grace always points to the cross.

What about you? Do you trust him, and him alone, for salvation? Are you tempted to substitute anything for Jesus? Social status? Family relationships? Church attendance? Generous giving? When we, like Simon, try to buy our way in, we grieve the heart of God and Spirit of grace. If we find ourselves in that position, there is, however, no need to despair. As Peter counseled Simon, we can repent of our wickedness and be forgiven by God.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you paid the price for my sins. I have been redeemed, from my empty way of life, by the precious blood of the Lamb. If I forget that, remind me and bring me to repentance. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 68.11-18

11 The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host: 12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!” The women at home divide the spoil— 13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds— the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold. 14 When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon.

15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! 16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever? 17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. 18 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.