Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So simple; yet, break it down just a little. So many confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord; yet, do they truly in their heart believe? Do they realize that He is their greatest treasure? When they see the cross, do they know the agony that the Creator of the Universe endured for them? We see the acts of terrorists and bombers as evil; but do we see that the greatest evil ever perpetrated was nailing perfect righteousness to a cross. He bore the full wrath that Justice demanded against my sin; though, He knew no sin. He took my shame upon Himself in my place. We look too lightly upon this and say thank you with a gesture as though it should have been so. It must have been easy for God to give His life this way; after all, He was God. But what you must remember, it was harder than even for you or I. He was fully God and fully Man, so His human body was subject to pain, temptations, and suffering just as you or I. I am certain that it was much harder to endure; because you or I when suffering have no choice–He, on the other hand, could call forth a legion of angels at any moment to say done–finished, I quit. So what held Him to that cross? He knew that the only way that I could ever experience the Joy and Love that He wanted to share with me would demand He finish the work He came to do. He must bare the penalty for my sin, or I could never have a relationship with Him and my life would be left without any hope of True Joy–as can only be found in Him. He loved me that much. He was thrust into Hell–separation from the Father (soul) and Holy Spirit. He then rose from the grave, conquering death’s curse. He stands with open arms to all who would believe in their heart. Do you really believe? If so, then follow Him.
Hebrews 12: 12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Remember this, there is no pain too great to endure for the salvation of one soul. An entire lifetime is nothing compared to eternity. So whatever afflictions may be mine here on this earth, I must throw aside the feelings of self pity and deny that whispering voice searching for immediate gratification and look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith. He endured more than I could ever be asked to endure focused always on the future Joy that He could share with me. Shouldn’t I do the same?