This week I shared a story from my own life—a time in college when a party spiraled out of control, leaving me with a shattered vase that I tried desperately to fix. That moment, standing over the broken pieces, reminded me of how often we find ourselves trying to put our lives back together. Like that vase, we can't fix ourselves. That’s where Jesus steps in. His sacrifice and grace can restore the broken pieces of our lives.
In Romans 3:23, it says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every single one of us falls into this category. No matter how hard we try, we cannot earn salvation or repair the brokenness caused by sin. Many of us may have grown up hearing that we need Jesus "plus something else"—whether that’s good works, behavior, or religious rituals. But let me tell you, Jesus is enough. His death on the cross was sufficient for you, for me, for all of us.
One of the best places to find this in scripture is Romans 10:9-13, which explains the simplicity of salvation: "If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." That’s it—declare and believe. It’s so simple, yet it’s the most profound decision we will ever make. God doesn’t make this complicated. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, Jesus invites you into His grace. You’re not here by accident—this could be the moment He’s been waiting for, where you respond to His call.
Many of us have also experienced hurt from the church. Maybe it came from people who were supposed to be kind, but instead caused pain. If that’s you, I want to acknowledge your hurt. But I also want to encourage you to not to let that hurt keep you from the One who will never let you down. Jesus is perfect, even though His followers are not. Don't let the imperfections of humans stop you from experiencing the perfection of Christ’s love.
It’s important to remember that salvation is for everyone. There’s no hierarchy when it comes to grace—Romans 10:12-13 reminds us that God is the same Lord of all, and everyone who calls on His name will be saved. Whether you’ve been in church for years or today is your first time hearing about Jesus, this invitation is for you.
Let’s close with a challenge for this week: I want you to embrace the simplicity of salvation. Reflect on this—where are the broken pieces in your life? Have you been trying to fix them on your own? And most importantly, do you believe that Jesus’ sacrifice counted for you? This week, take a step toward Jesus. Whether that’s through prayer, reading the Bible, or even having a conversation about faith with a friend, take that step. Jesus' invitation is always open—“Come and follow me.”
As we go through this week, remember that Jesus' love and grace are simple, but they are the most powerful forces in the world. His sacrifice counted for you. I challenge you to take that to heart and take a step toward Him.
God bless you, and I look forward to hearing how God moves in your life this week.
Blessings,
Pastor John Joiner
Comments