Luke 18:9-14 "And HE spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, GOD, I thank THEE, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the Publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, GOD be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbeleth himself shall be exalted."
"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:13 pictured at top of post). What a wonderful salvation promise ! Man does the calling; GOD does the saving. GOD is rich unto all who call upon HIM (Romans 10:12 pictured above). The richest people in all the world are those who are saved ! The unsaved billionaires of this world are rich for a second but poor for all eternity. The Bible gives two clear examples of men who called upon the name of the LORD: (1) The tax collector (Publican) cried, "GOD be merciful to me a sinner" (vv.10-14). (2) The malefactor (thief) on the cross said, "LORD, remember me when THOU comest into THY kingdom" (Luke 23:39-43). Knowing their desperate need, they each cried out in faith to the only ONE WHO could save them. The Publican was justified, and the malefactor (thief) would soon be in paradise. However, the Pharisee (vv.11-12) and the other malefactor (thief) (Luke 23:39) refused to call upon the LORD, and both remained in their sins.
Calling upon the name of the LORD is not a condition of salvation. That is separate from faith; rather, it is an outward expression of one's inward faith. Before a person can call on JESUS CHRIST, he must first believe on HIM in his heart. When the malefactor (thief) cried out, "LORD, remember me !" he had already chosen to believe in JESUS; his words merely expressed the faith that he had. As the Publican cried out to the LORD for mercy, his faith was already in the merciful GOD. Hence, Romans 10:14 (pictured above) asks, "How then shall they call on HIM in WHOM they have not believed ?" You cannot call upon CHRIST for salvation unless you have first believed on HIM in your heart. Calling upon HIS name is simply a natural expression of the faith that a person already possesses. GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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