A WORD THAT IS NOT IN GOD’S WORD!

Carl Sandburg was a great American author who won several Pulitzer Prizes for his poetry. Near the end of his life he was asked, “What’s the ugliest word in the English language?”

Without hesitation, he answered, “Exclusive!”

While it is included in the world’s dictionaries, it is not found in God’s Word. “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord,” said Paul, will be saved!” And anyone includes everyone.

How wonderful it is to know that the God of love and the love of God is not exclusive. No matter who we are or what we have done, He loves us. No matter where we have been or whom we have traveled with, He loves us. No matter how dirty we get or how often we have disappointed Him, He loves us. He loves us when we are at our best and when we are at our worst. Anyone at any time can call on the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will hear and help!

But Paul follows his statement about God’s gracious invitation with the question: “How can they believe in Him and receive Him if they have never heard about Him?” With this critical question, he places a great responsibility on every Christian: We are accountable to God to take the Good News of God’s message of salvation to those who are unsaved. Unless we accept this challenge from Paul, and the Lord Himself, those whom we know that are lost and condemned will never find Christ as their Savior. We must do for others what others have done for us.

Prayer:  Father, we are so grateful that someone took Paul at his word and shared Your message of salvation with us. Give us the courage to do the same. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Romans 10:13-14