In vs. 13, we read, “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” We might be tempted to subconsciously (or maybe consciously?) say to ourselves, “Well, except for…” These verses are a great argument against that type of judgment of others, against self-righteousness, and against certainty about who is in and who is out when it comes to God’s love and mercy. You’ve probably heard the phrase “All means all.” Here, the author is saying, “Everyone means everyone.”
What do you think it means to call on the Lord? Is it possible to call on the Lord, but then run the other way? What difference does a confession of Jesus as Lord and a belief in his resurrection make in the way you think, speak, and behave? Has your confession led to an inward-out transformation in your life?
In prayer, ask the Spirit to scour the corners of your heart for any relics of self-reliance, self-righteousness, or pride.
