Everyone

"Everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved." The Apostle Peter quoted the Prophet Joel. So did Paul. This is a truth for all people everywhere.

Today four children in 3rd and 4th grades called upon the name of the Lord for their salvation. I'm always cautious talking with children about salvation because I don't want to guide them where they are not deciding to go. I've had too many adults say they prayed a prayer in Bible School or summer camp or revival services only to realize later they never called on his name for salvation.

What an injustice the church does to a person when they lead them to believe they are saved - right with God, OK for eternity - when actually they are still lost in their sin and in need of salvation! They think they are saved because of a recited prayer or a mindless decision. And they never really get serious about coming to Christ because they think they already have.

No doubt, the rolls of Cross Road Baptist Church - and of your church, too - contain at least a few who would fall into this category. Maybe there are many. Take a look around next time your church gathers for worship. Who is not there? Who is regularly not there? Who has dropped out and been missing for years? Whose life seems to be a series of bad choices? Who lives in disregard for God's word? Who lives without a sense of guilt or conviction?

There's really no way to know for sure if a person is saved or not, but Jesus said that a tree is known by the fruit it bears. Salvation is a total makeover of the person. If the "change" lasts only until his hair dries after coming out of the baptistry, then there's probably no real change at all. If a person can turn on and off his "Christianity" as he pleases, then there's probably no real turnaround in his life.

The truth from Scripture is that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. That decision cannot be made lightly. But made rightly, it's a life-changing decision.

I witnessed four children make that decision today. I believe they did it right. Now it's our responsibility (or the church's where they normally attend) to help them grow into faithful followers of Christ.