For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.    Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

We like to believe we are independent and self-sufficient. You hear terms tossed around like self-made man or self-made millionaire or self-made whatever. Frank Sinatra crooned about doing things his way. And several other singers covered his big hit.

This leads to a problem in our lives when we fail to understand God’s true character. We need to understand a few things about God. God is omnipresent. This means he can be everywhere at one time.

God is also omniscient. He knows everything. He knows what our future may hold, so if we trust in Him and surrender to Him, and do His will, He will work all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). This means even when things are looking bad, He is working it out for our good. Sometimes this means we suffer for a while. We are told in 1 Peter 5:10 that after we have suffered for a while, God will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support us.

God is also omnipotent. He is all powerful. There is nothing He can’t do. Even when it comes to changing a lousy, rotten sinner like me. Only He can bring about the type of lasting change that I so desperately needed in my life.

Maybe you are trying to make some positive changes in your life. Maybe you made some New Year’s resolutions and are doing your best to stick with them. Maybe you are one of those do-it-yourself kinds of people who want to do it their way. How’s that working out for you?

The other thing you really need to know about God is that He is sovereign. He is in control, and He controls everything. If you read the book of Job, you will soon see that God could only do to Job what God would allow. God even controls how far the devil can go.

I’ve heard it said that a person can never change. A leopard can’t change its spots. This is true. But God can change you. Only God can do that. Only God can save you. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Me.”

We can’t get to heaven without surrendering to Jesus Christ. There are many out there who faithfully attend church and are good people. But that won’t get them into heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who says to Him, “Lord, Lord!” will enter the kingdom of heaven but only those who do the will of His Father in heaven.

We are not saved because we are good people. We are not saved because we struggle to be a better person. We are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ alone. Only God can save us.

Maybe you were saved years ago. You must be sure you were truly saved. Many times, we give a public profession of faith because we are swept up in a moment or because others are doing the same and our hearts have not changed. We go through the ritual of baptism without truly surrendering to Christ.

My friend, if you want to know if you are truly saved ask yourself a few questions. Who are you living for? He died for us so that we could live for Him and spend eternity with Him and reign with Him in heaven. Have you died to yourself and are now surrendered and living for Him?

Are your thoughts acceptable to Him? Do your words and your actions honor Him? Many people believe they can’t help what they think, but He can help you with that. We are told in Psalm 139:23, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” Ask God to search your heart and lead you so that you will be in His will and obey His commands.

We are also told in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.

Often times we don’t have true salvation because we are unwilling to submit to Christ and surrender our lives to Him.

Only God can save us from our sins. Only God can give us the strength to stand against temptation (Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13) so we can be obedient to Him.

Sadly, so many are unwilling to surrender. Are you willing?

Have a great day!