Thursday, April 6

Thursday, April 6

Reading:  Acts 4:1-12

Key Verse: Acts 4:12 (NIV) — 12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Devotional Thought: It’s easy for us to fall into the trap that our “good” neighbors are not in need of the message of Jesus.  In a world that minimizes the power of Jesus’ name, it’s easy for us to “live and let live.”  The people Peter was preaching to were not bad people.  They weren’t committing heinous crimes.  They were for the most part respected members of their community.  But salvation doesn’t come by our own goodness or through a respectable life.  Salvation comes only at the profession of the name of Jesus as Lord.

There are many philosophies of life that can lead a person to success and respectability but there’s only one person who can bring salvation – Jesus.  Peter and the apostles were so committed to this truth that they called the Jewish people to accept Jesus as the one and only source of salvation, not Moses, Abraham, or any other prophet. 

There are ways of living that can help you be good, but there’s only one way to salvation.

Action:  Have you been hesitant to talk to someone about Jesus because they seem happy and successful even though they are not a Christian?  Today pray for the courage and wisdom to boldly introduce them to Jesus, the only name that can save us eternally.