Discover the Real Gift of ChristmasSample

Only Jesus Can Do the Saving

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

For three summers in my youth, I was a lifeguard. And like every lifeguard understands, I knew that you can’t save somebody as long as they’re trying to save themselves. When someone’s drowning, they’re typically panicked. They’re flailing around, trying to stay afloat. If a lifeguard tries to help them while they’re still trying to save themselves, then they’re going to take the lifeguard down with them. So a good lifeguard will often swim out and wait until that person is exhausted and gives up. When they stop trying and they start trusting, the lifeguard’s job is easier. You just put an arm under their arms and swim back to shore.

You can’t save somebody when they’re trying to save themselves.

Some people are trying to save themselves spiritually. They may think they’re going to get into heaven because of their good works. But God doesn’t grade on a curve. Heaven is perfect, and we’re not. We need someone who is perfect to get us in on his ticket, and that someone is Jesus Christ. If there were any way we could get into heaven without trusting Jesus as our Savior, then God would have done it. If we could go to heaven by just trying to be a genuinely nice person, then Jesus’ death and resurrection were pointless.

There’s no way we’re getting into heaven on our own effort. That’s why God came up with the plan for Jesus Christ to come to earth and die for our sins. But he can’t save you until you stop trying to save yourself. Stop trying, and start trusting.

The fastest thing in the universe is the speed of light: 186,000 miles a second. If you don’t believe it, try opening your refrigerator door before the light comes on. You can’t beat it!

But there’s one thing faster, and that’s God’s answer to you when you ask him to save you. It is instant. There’s no delay. There’s no waiting period. The moment you say, “God, help! I need you to save me,” God’s response is instant. Your salvation is secure. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “a new life has begun!” (NLT).

It will be the most life-changing prayer you’ll ever pray.

This devotional © 2024 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.