Simply calling out to God

It's the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God - 'Jesus is my Master' - embracing body and soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That's it. You're not 'doing' anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That's salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud; "God has set everything right between him and me!" Romans 10:8-10 MSG

In a world we are so often told that we need to 'do this, to get that', it can be quite bewildering when you read for the first time that we don't have to do anything other than 'simply calling out to God and trusting him to do it', to gain salvation.

However, as it turns out, for some of us, coming to that place where we can 'simply call out to God' is not actually that simple.  We rationalise, surely there must be more to salvation. We must have to do something else, give something extra, achieve a certain thing, to gain salvation. It can't just be a gift. But it is God's gift to us.

For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favour) that you are saved (delivered from judgement and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8 AMP 

Why do some of us have such trouble accepting this gift of salvation? Maybe it is the Giver that we have an issue with, not the actual gift. Maybe the bigger question we are asking is, Is God really trustworthy? Can I be vulnerable and surrender my heart to Him? What happens if I do call out and He doesn't answer?

The issue of trust. How do we build trust? One approach to building trust is by taking small steps and starting a dialogue with God. Daily, talk to Him as you would a friend, making sure you give Him space in the conversation to respond. Open your bible and read a passage of scripture, asking God to speak to you through it. Start putting in the time to build a relationship with Him. Time to get to know Him and His great love for you.

Over time, the truth of this scripture will be 'front and centre' in your heart. You will know, that you know, that you know, He is more than worthy of your trust.

With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God! Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour our your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 62:7-8 AMP

Question for today, are you having difficulty trusting God for something? Open the dialogue with Him, acknowledge that He is your Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness. Thank Jesus for His free gift of salvation and all that means for you. Call out to God, tell Him about the area you having difficulty trusting Him with, be brutally honest. Ask Him to help you to trust that He will set everything right, in Jesus Name.