“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.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
God has dreams for your life!
In Pastor Rick’s book "Created to Dream: The 6 Phases God Uses to Grow Your Faith," you’ll learn how to discover God’s custom-made dream for your life—a dream that is bigger and better than anything you could ever dream up on your own! And you’ll find practical help for navigating challenges, delays, and detours that stand in your way.
We’d love to send you a copy as our way of saying thank you for your generous gift below to help take the hope of Jesus to more people through Daily Hope.
Request yours when you give today—and thank you for your partnership!
*All gifts will be doubled up to the full amount of the grant. Thank you for your generous support! *The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
