Are you saved? The Biblical answer for a Christian to that question is: "I have been saved by Christ's death and Resurrection." "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us" (Ti 3:4-5). "He saved us; not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Ti 3:5). Moreover, we not only have been saved but are being saved by the Gospel at this very moment, if we hold fast to it (1 Cor 15:2). Finally, we will be saved, if we persevere in living our Baptisms (see Rm 10:9, 13; cf Mt 24:13).
If we have been, are being, and will be saved, we will be motivated by love (see 2 Cor 5:14) to lead others to salvation in Jesus. However, we may be bewildered about sharing our faith. St. Andrew may be the perfect person to help us. For example, when some Greeks came to St. Philip and asked to see Jesus, Philip, for some reason, did not go to Jesus but to Andrew (Jn 12:21-22). Then Philip, with Andrew, "came to inform Jesus" (Jn 12:22).
Accept Jesus as Savior, Lord, and God. Ask St. Andrew to help you lead others to salvation in Jesus. Then go, be fishers of men (Mt 4:19), and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).
| PRAYER: | Father, beginning this Advent, make my voice sound "over the whole earth" and my "words to the limits of the world" (Rm 10:18). St. Andrew, pray for us. |
| PROMISE: | "Scripture says, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who announce good news!' " –Rm 10:15 |
| PRAISE: | St. Andrew is said to have preached Jesus even as he was being crucified on an X-shaped cross. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College