THE REFUGE
DEVOTIONAL
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NASBS
The Christian faith is not to be compared with any formalistic religion that seeks to prove itself as the way which leads to the true knowledge of God. Reader let us be very clear, not all roads lead to eternal life though this is what our culture predominantly teaches, and society wants you to accept. As a matter of fact, apart from the redemptive plan set forth in the holy Scriptures, concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all other religions lead to eternal destruction.
Apart from Christianity man may turn to atheism, in which he does not believe in a supreme being who governs the world but makes all of his logical decisions based upon his own reason. Though God has made it very clear in all creation that something exists outside of him, not to mention his own immoral disposition which he seeks to cover up, yet he still will not acknowledge there is a Creator. He may also lean on agnosticism, in which he takes the knowledge of creation and applies it to his thinking. He sees very clearly and understands that something exists outside of himself, though He is not sure what it is. This pathway too leads to destruction.
Unfortunately, there are also those who clothe themselves in the garments of religion and seek to build a bridge of their own righteousness by achieving moral accomplishments. Some of these people will even proclaim to know Christ and may set next to you in a pew on Sunday morning. But this too leads to pride and self-exaltation. False religion will never expose the sin that lies hidden in the heart that blinds the eyes to the reality of eternal judgement. This will all become evident at the end of this life, for all these attempts to seek to know the living God will end in utter ruin. It is the Christian faith, found in the Bible, that defends this argument in the clearest measure, “How can a man be Justified before a Holy God, apart from sin and self righteousness?”
The Christian faith is conclusive, for it answers this question not on the basis of what man must do to be saved, but what God has done in the Person of Christ that saves man. What man could not do for himself, as weak as he was through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. Gods only Son, Jesus Christ, emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of man. And though found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Jesus Christ, God in the Flesh, lived the life we couldn’t live, and died the death we deserve. He paid the penalty of sin by sacrificing Himself on the cross, drinking the full measure of wrath for man’s transgressions, thus making atonement for the sins of humanity. Ready be aware, for there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your heart as some have and shipwrecked their lives but come unto Him and be saved.