Call on the Name of the Lord

Posted under The Rectory Bulletin

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. (Joel 2:32)

Well there it is, Christianity is really that simple. God offers salvation, and all that you need to do in order to receive it is call on the name of the Lord. You don’t need to do sixteen good deeds before breakfast, or donate vast sums to charity. You don’t need to learn a great wealth of doctrines, or be able to recite the creed by heart. All you need to do is call on the name of the Lord.

You don’t need to be from a certain background, or be at any particular stage of life. “Everyone” says the text, which is pretty broad. Surely you fall within the category of “everyone”. However good, however wretched you feel, you can be certain that “everyone” includes you.

So why not call on his name? Why try and devise another scheme, or try and find solutions elsewhere? God is closer than a neighbour, and if you call on him, if you cry out “Lord save me”, then he will do just that.

Christianity really is that simple, but how often we find it the hardest thing in the world! How often do you hunt for salvation in family, friends, money, health or causes? Sometimes the easiest thing can be the hardest: simple trust. Well, if that is the case remember that you are one of that crowd of “everyone” and call out! And you shall be saved.

The Dangers of Promiscuous Singing

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16) - Do we sing hymns without paying much attention to the words? Do we accept the words, but not ask ourselves if they a right? Oh! Dear reader! Beware “promiscuous singing”!

The Wise and Foolish Virgins

But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ (Matthew 25:6-10) - Don’t put off getting the oil to another day, or thinking that someone else’s oil will do for you too. You cannot cash in a future promise of faith, or rely on someone else’s faith. When the bridegroom comes, the question is a simple one. Where is your oil?
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