Evidence of Salvation

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. – Proverbs 21:3

First Samuel 15 relates a story that illustrates today’s verse. God rejected Saul as king because he did not exactly obey Him. Instead of destroying everything in the war against the Amalekites as instructed, Saul spared some of the animals for sacrifices. He also spared the king. This story illustrates how vital it is to obey the Lord.

Jesus taught the life of obedience, which is learned through faith and love. Many religions strive for salvation by trying to do enough good works. This puts the cart before the horse. When someone asked what they must do, Jesus told them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he sent” (John 6:27-29). Does that mean Jesus abolished the commandments? No, Jesus said He didn’t come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). He said the greatest commandments are to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-40). James wrote that if you verbally bless someone in need without meeting that need, “…what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

Paul illustrates the proper order of the life of faith and salvation and its evidence: “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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). Those who receive salvation in Christ show it by good works. In prayer, examine your actions. Does your salvation show? Pray that believers across the nation provide evidence of their faith to their neighbors by their love.