Monthly Devotional (Jan)

Subject: Bob Coy Staying True 'Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.' (Acts 4:12 NKJV)A recent survey revealed some startling statistics on the subject ofsalvation. 53% believe that you will go to heaven if you're a good person.* 45% believe that you will go to heaven regardless of your religiousbeliefs. 93% believe in heaven while only 39% believe in hell. 30% have no idea what 'the gospel' is.My heart broke as I read these numbers because God has entrusted us, His church, with the responsibility of informing and educating theworld about His message of salvation. It's not a popular message, it's not a politically correct message, but it's a message that must be shared inthis day and age: if you don't have Jesus, you aren't going to heaven.This rubs a lot of people the wrong way because they want the good promises of glory without being bothered by the cross, much less the One who died there for their sins. They don't want to accept Jesus as the only way and are determined to find another path to paradise. But Christ warns us that no such path exists and the consequences for not trusting in Him are eternal:'He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.' (John 3:36 NKJV) Some will argue that it's extremely narrow-minded of God to provide onlyone way to heaven. But I believe that in light of mankind's rebellious rejection of God, it's extremely broad-minded of Him to provide us with any way to heaven.Whether someone sees this as narrow or broad, it's true, and we need to stay true to the message that Jesus is the only way to heaven. DIG - Why is it important for Christians to know the truth about salvation? DISCOVER - How did you first learn the truth of the gospel? DISPLAY - Summarize the gospel in twenty words or less.