Devotion: God Will Save Your Family

There are some believers who share in the belief that they themselves can save those family members or friends that are not saved.  They believe that they have the power, as a believer in Christ, through prayer or other means, to do certain things that will guarantee or ensure a person’s salvation.  We are not attempting to diminish the power or the importance of prayer, but do want to add some clarity to a very much misinterpreted, misunderstood, and very sensitive subject.

We all want to save our unbelieving loved ones and there is nothing that we will not do or try to accomplish this, but in all of our attempts, we must follow the instructions that God has put in place in order for them to be saved.  According to the scriptures, we see that “God is not a respecter of person” (Romans 2:11), which means that God treats everyone the same.  And no, nothing has changed, because God says “he changes not” (Malachi 3:6), which means that whatever God did in the beginning, he is still doing today.

The criteria that God has instituted to receive the free gift of salvation are very clear and very specific.  A person must “confess with his or her mouth, believe in his or her heart that God raised Jesus from the dead in order for that person to be saved” (Romans 10:9-10).  The scriptures go on to say that “it is with the heart that a person believes unto righteousness and with the mouth that the confession is made unto salvation.”  Some believe that prayer or other religious rites or traditional ceremonies will provide salvation to others, but there is nothing scriptural to support such beliefs.

As you meditate on this message, please note that there are things that can be done to help bring a loved one or friend, who is not saved to salvation.  The truth of the matter is that salvation can only be achieved through the acceptance of God’s free gift.  Salvation is not something that can be placed upon or passed on to an individual; he or she must accept the gift according to the instructions found in scripture.  Because of free-will, God will not force anyone to accept him, accept his love, accept his son, or accept his free gift of salvation.  All of these things must be accepted by a free-will choice, not by force or threat.

Therefore, continue to pray, continue to minister, and continue the share to word of God that all who need salvation may be freed from their spiritual blindness and spiritual bondage.  God needs our help to help him save our loved ones.  We are the hands and feet of God, “the laborers that are sent into his harvest” (Luke 10:2) but we must go fully armed and prepared with the truth.  Hopefully today’s message will do just that.  “Knowing the truth will make us free” (John 8:32).  If this message is a blessing to you, please share it so that others may be blessed by it as well.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW