Only Jesus Can Do the Saving

by Rick Warren — December 23, 2023
From Jesus Came to Light Up Your Life

“When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (TLB)

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 over their shoulder 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!” (TLB).

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

Talk It Over

  • In what ways have you been trying to save yourself?
  • Why do you think God made it necessary for you to surrender to him in order to be saved?
  • If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, what is keeping you from making that decision?

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer?

Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace that can get you back into a right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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