"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." — Acts 4:12
What’s saving you?
Or to put it another way, what’s your lifeline—the thing you most rely on or worry about or dream about? What’s the thing you go to when things are hard? Your most important thing. Maybe it’s a person. Maybe it’s finances or at least security. Maybe it’s success…maybe not even your success, but the success of your kids. Maybe it’s comfort or rest or an upcoming vacation. Maybe it’s escape—like Netflix or wine or scrolling.
Whatever it is, that’s your salvation…at least practically speaking it is.
And here’s the truth: that thing you’re relying on, it probably isn’t even a bad thing. It just can’t save you. It can’t fill you up fully, like there’s a hole in the bottom of your cup. Sure, it might give you a little thrill or help you deal with life or numb you to the hard things for a moment…but real life and joy and peace? It just can’t deliver those things, not long term. Whatever it is, whoever it is, just isn’t ever enough. And you know it.
You find yourself wondering who will carry your burdens for you. Who will carry you? Who will save you…and keep you safe? Who won’t let you down or leave you in life or death? Who’s powerful enough and faithful enough to follow through every single time? Who is committed, no matter what, to you, in all your mess and idiosyncrasies? Who can give you real life and joy and peace? Is there anyone? Yes. There’s only one.
Only Jesus.
Only Jesus can save you.
Only Jesus, the God-man, is strong enough to carry you.
Only Jesus, who was forsaken for you, will never forsake you.
Only Jesus has the commitment and the power to always follow through.
Only Jesus, who made you, knows you entirely and loves you fully.
Only Jesus lived and died and rose to give you real life and joy and peace.
Only Jesus can save you
from your problems and yourself,
from worry and fear,
from despondency and emptiness,
from chasing all the things that never satisfy,
from all the dark things you’ve ever done,
from shame and condemnation.
Only Jesus can save you. But will you let him? Will you trust him above all other things? Will you believe his promises instead of the empty ones you’ve been clinging to? Will you seek him first, trusting he’ll give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33)?
The choice is yours. Every day. Today. What will you choose?
Want to know more about what it looks like to trust in Jesus? Listen to my podcast episode called God, If You’re There, Show Me Who You Are.
