Jesus is Lord
No matter how good you are, how hard you try, or how decent of a person you attempt to be, when it comes to following Christ, you can’t earn your way to God. You can’t do enough good things to tip the scales in your favor. You can’t buy, win, impress, or manipulate your way into salvation.
But Jesus has already purchased your freedom on a cross and offered it to you as a gift. And you have one job, as Paul describes in his letter to the Romans…
“If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9 NIV
Many people believe that Jesus was a real, historical person. Many people believe that Jesus was a genuinely good man. But the Bible says that even the demons believe there’s only one God, and shudder (James 2:19).
It's more than knowing in your head—it's believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth.
Minutes before their deaths, two criminals hung next to Jesus on the cross. One of the criminals mocked Him, but the other one trusted in Him. Jesus told the one who trusted Him that he would soon be in Heaven. He received grace.
You see, we’ve all sinned and fallen short of God’s holy standard. We all need His grace, but we haven’t all received His grace.
So are you trying to be good enough for God? The bad news is, you can’t. You can’t ever be good enough on your own. But the great news is, Jesus has already made a way. However, you can’t simply know that He was a real person or think that some of His teachings were nice.
The most important question remains: Will you make Him the Lord of your life?
Reflecting on my own faith journey, I realized that trying to earn God's favor through good works left me feeling empty and burdened. It wasn’t until I fully embraced the truth that salvation is a gift—something freely given, not something I could earn—that my heart found peace. Romans 10:9 resonates deeply because it highlights the simplicity yet profound impact of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing His resurrection. Many people struggle with the idea that just acknowledging Jesus as a historical figure or admiring his teachings is enough. But true faith involves a heartfelt commitment and public confession, transforming us from within. The story of the two criminals crucified beside Jesus illustrates this beautifully; one mocked while the other trusted, and only the latter received grace. This made me understand that grace isn’t about our past or shortcomings but about surrendering to Jesus’ lordship. In daily life, this realization encourages me to live not by my own strength but through reliance on Jesus’ finished work. It's liberating to know that striving for goodness isn’t the path to salvation—receiving Jesus’ gift is. This shift in perspective brought freedom from guilt and an overwhelming joy that grows as I deepen my relationship with Him. For anyone questioning their worthiness, remember: no one can be good enough on their own. But Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross made a way, so we don’t have to. Embracing Him as Lord means starting a personal journey of faith filled with grace, hope, and transformation. This truth has profoundly impacted my life, and I believe it can do the same for others seeking purpose and forgiveness.