The Answer Is Complex

City streets are often very complex. Salvation, not so much, as defined in the Bible.

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)

Understanding what that means is a bit more complex.

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. (Acts 16:32-33 KJV)

The jailer had to learn background. Paul may have thought of that when he wrote:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:13-14 KJV)

That preacher is necessary because he’s called:

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15 KJV)

It’s not a new message, but there are lies that have been told, even by some who said they were God’s called:

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. (John 8:43-45 KJV)

Why not believe? That’s a question we answer individually. One answer I’ve heard has to do with the Bible not being believable. I’m not going to try to change anyone’s mind on that – but if you’re interested in an interesting investigation, try J. Warner Wallace’s “Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels” for an excellent read.

In my opinion, trying to put living a Christian life into one answer, one verse, is absolutely impossible. The answer is very complex – and totally complete in the Bible. It takes a lot of reading with a heart open to prayer and a mind seeking to know the truth – and having faith that God will provide an answer.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

It is possible to find Him.

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6 KJV)

I remember a blog I read (no longer active) where an unbeliever asked God to show her that He exists. She told how He did, and for years she witnessed to people about it. I remember innumerable services where people walked to the front of a church and witnessed about their belief, too.

Every Lord’s Day, billions of people confirm their professions of faith by attending worship services. Every day a slightly fewer number serve Him in a ministry. That’s part of that complex answer, too. None of them can give anyone else a ministry – that call comes from God.

Have you received your call? Or is the answer still too complex?