David Bahn – Reflections

Today’s readings are Romans 10; Deuteronomy 30; Psalm 19; Ezekiel 20. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 10:5-13

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ⁶ But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I had an interesting conversation with Keith, a fellow passenger on our cruise. He describes himself as an agnostic. His understanding of the Christian faith is fairly superficial, and he is quick to dismiss the Bible as factually untrue. Since his wife’s death two years ago, he has embraced a hedonistic lifestyle. He seeks as many casual relationships as possible, and he stopped attending worship the day after her funeral.

I pressed him on the resurrection of Jesus, because that is the event that changes everything. He isn’t sure what to make of it, but he has come back to talk with me more than once since our first conversation.

I think of him in light of this passage: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” What a promise! And what a clear witness to our need for salvation. Many people feel self-satisfied and see no need to be saved. Their lack of awareness, however, does not negate their need – nor does it weaken God’s promise.

The Christian faith is not ultimately about whether Noah’s Ark can be proven – though dismissing God’s account in favor of a godless, accidental origin of life is both foolish and dishonoring to him. I believe the account of Noah is true, but even more importantly, I believe that Jesus, the Son of God, lived and died for the sins of the world, rose for our justification, and will come again to bring our salvation to completion. I believe that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

What a promise. What a call to repentance and faith.