Romans 10:12-13, Jesus Is Able to Save
Romans 10:12-13 (KJV) 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
One of the two criminals that hung on the cross with Jesus Christ at the execution ground of the Jews outside Jerusalem called Calvary, confessed with his mouth and believed with his heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of the world. He was gloriously saved in the last moments of his physical life.
The other criminal could not understand how the cross judges the world – and every one of us individually – by confronting us with our sin, our wickedness, calling us to open repentance and challenging us to a high allegiance than anything we have known before, to be reconciled with our Creator God, by a change of heart.
Jesus promised to the repentant criminal eternal life. He will be with Him in paradise when he dies. This man rested in the truth that Jesus is able to save him by His atoning death and resurrection three days later. There was a glorious transformation in this man’s heart. It was miraculous and permanent. The converted soul is changed forever. He is booked on a permanent ticket to heaven. He is snatched out of the torment of hell fire forever.
The appetite and desire for this world suddenly wane and replaced by the desire for holiness and heaven. This is the power of a true conversion. There is no longer a longing for the things of the world.
I recall the music of the world no longer charms the heart but hymns that praise and glorify God now captivates and fill the heart with peace and joy. There is a marked change. There is a desire to worship God with the people of God in His house each Lord’s Day. There is a desire to come for prayer meeting. There is a desire to read God’s Word and pray. A new desire and a new appetite for the spiritual!
That desire to come for prayer meeting has not waned since then. Praise God for His grace. Amen.