“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
—Acts 16:30

Thought Of The Day...
“I’m good.” We use this expression a lot these days.

I trip over a curb. Someone asks if I need help. “No, thanks,” I reply, limping away; “I’m good.” I may be a little bruised, but I’m OK enough to walk and keep going.

The jailer in today’s story was in a real dilemma. An earth-quake had set his prisoners free, and he knew that it would be his life or theirs. (In those days, jailers were usually killed if their prisoners escaped.) This was certainly not an “I’m good” moment. So he asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?”

Was this a theology question—now? In this crisis, was the jailer calling a “time-out” to talk about faith? Though he was probably more concerned about avoiding a death sentence, the jailer heard from Paul and Silas about the Lord Jesus—and he believed.

Something happens when you discover that you can’t make your life “good.” Whether in a jailer’s crisis or in slow motion over time, it eventually brings a total surrender to the One who really can make things good.

There will come a day when every stumble I’ve ever made will be available for public display. I wonder how long that list will be. But just when everyone looks, Someone else will hold up nail-scarred hands on my behalf—and he’ll say, “It’s OK; he’s good.”

Prayer...
Heavenly Father, We come to you today with humble hearts, recognizing that we are not good on our own. We have fallen short and have sinned against you. But despite our shortcomings, you are perfect and holy. You sent your son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins, and we are forever grateful for this sacrifice.

As we reflect on Acts 16:30, we are reminded of the jailer who asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Just like the jailer, we too ask this question. We realize that there is nothing we can do on our own to earn our salvation. It is only through your grace and the finished work of Jesus on the cross that we can be saved.

Thank you, Lord, for your nail-scarred hands that bore the weight of our sins. Thank you for your death on the cross, which paid the price for our redemption. Thank you for loving us so much that you gave your only begotten son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Help us to live our lives in a way that brings glory to your name. Give us the strength to resist temptation and to walk in Holiness. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.