Saved? Saved??? Saved from WHAT?

Apparently, the original language connoted this within the words, but English leaves us in a quandary. We can be saved from having to do more work, saved from sickness, saved from a car wreck or falling off a ladder or saved from drowning.

Does this verse mean that if my car goes out of control, I can call on the name of the Lord and nothing is going to happen to me because I’ll be saved from it? I think it’s a LOT more than that.

I believe that in these words, quoted from the prophet Joel by Peter, the shamed and redeemed apostle, are speaking of the spiritual rescue we get when we call upon the Lord to do what we can’t possibly accomplish. That lifting from having to endure the rightly deserved wrath of God to the plane of walking in His given righteousness. Only through Jesus.

But, what’s this “calling on the Lord” look like? I mean, do I just say “Jesus” or do I have to yell it? Am I supposed to say it constantly or only in intense situations?

Reading the translation of the original words explains that as, “invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord Jesus…” Hmm. So I don’t have to actually SAY anything? It’s all this inner stuff? Seems so. As is in so many other areas, God is more concerned with what’s going on in our hearts than what we’re doing or what we look like. He knows we can fake it on the outside, but He knows our hearts. Intimately. Maybe better than we do.

Maybe when we get in the car and it cranks, we can thank God for it. “Thank You Jesus.”
Maybe when we’re not sure which choice to make we can ask Him for help. “Guide me, Lord Jesus.”
Maybe when we’ve messed up, we can tell Jesus and ask forgiveness. “I’m sorry, Lord. Please forgive me.”
Maybe we can shift our way of thinking of Him from cosmic vending machine to One of highest adoration. He calls us friends, maybe we can choose Him to be the same.
Maybe we can start today.

Coffee, Bible, Journal.