For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16
Salvation is One Hundred Percent Jesus
‘I believe in Jesus, and I am a good person.’ ‘I believe in Jesus, and I have never killed anyone or stolen anything.’ ‘I believe in Jesus, and I give lots of my time and money to various charities.’ Jesus and something else, is a common religion in America today. If you were to ask someone why they think they will make it to heaven the answer is often, ‘I believe in Jesus, and …’
It is easy to think that way. In all areas of life, we are quick to want to add our own contributions. We want to do our part or pay our own way. We want to feel good about ourselves. We want to know whether we carried our own weight or held up our end of the bargain. All this is also true when it comes to getting into heaven. We want to feel like we did everything we could.
But there is a problem. ‘Jesus and …’, is not the faith of the Bible or of Christianity. The gospel of salvation is Jesus and only Jesus. We are going to heaven always and only because of what Jesus has done for us. He lived a perfect life in our place and died an innocent death to take away all our sins and rose from the dead to give us eternal life in heaven. That’s it. We cannot add anything to that. It all has been done by Jesus, for us—one hundred percent! This salvation is for all who believe in Jesus—free of charge. Nothing further required.
So, when someone asks about why you think you are going to heaven, take yourself out of the equation. Only Jesus saves. Only he can provide the confidence we need that we are saved. Our salvation is one hundred percent Jesus and zero percent us. And we would not want it any other way.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, my salvation is entirely dependent on you. Help me not to look at my own efforts but to know and believe that you and you alone are my salvation. Amen.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation. Isaiah 25:9
His Salvation, Not Mine
I used to play golf. I wasn’t in a league or anything, but I played frequently enough over the course of the summer to feel like I could call myself a golfer. Truthfully, I wasn’t any good, but I liked to try. Even though my ball ended up more often in the woods than on the fairway, or in the pond instead of on the green, I kept playing.
Perhaps because of my poor scores, my favorite format of playing golf is undeniably the scramble. In this type of golf event, each team of four tries to compile the best score to win the tournament. To achieve this score, each golfer tees off on the hole. Then they decide which of the four shots was best, and all four hit their second shots from there. I always liked that style of play because I could use someone else’s shot when mine wasn’t good enough.
Getting to heaven is a lot like that. We try hard. We aim to stay on the straight and narrow. But frankly, our best is not good enough. Our thoughts wander into the woods of greed, lust, and pride. Our actions are often so far out of bounds that we would be embarrassed if anyone saw them. Our words often fail to be on par with what is God-pleasing.
Thankfully, there is someone else’s life we can use. If life in this sinful world is a scramble, we need someone on our team who can get it right. That someone is Jesus. He always got it right. He never let his thoughts stray into sin, and he always kept his words and actions perfectly in line with God’s Word. Believing in Jesus means we get to use his shot every time. We trust in his life and not ours. His life of perfection enabled him to present a perfect scorecard to his Father in heaven. We rejoice in his salvation because we are unable to achieve it on our own.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, you are my perfect substitute. Thank you for all that you have done to ensure that I can be with you forever in heaven. Amen.
As a parish pastor, I have visited many people over the years. It has been a blessing to minister to people in their homes, hospital rooms, and assisted living facilities. Often on such visits, we end up sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying good conversation. Often, as we gather around the table, I will notice that an individual has several containers of prescription medication. I have seen more than one individual expected to take staggering amounts of medication to enable their bodies to keep on going.
Swallowing pills is quite common: vitamins, supplements, pain relievers, and prescription medication are all taken in an effort to put off swallowing that one pill that no one wants to take. That last bitter pill is death. No amount of vitamins or medication can ultimately prevent it. Whether we live to be 80, 90, or even 100 years old, we will all eventually encounter this inevitability. Death is undefeated.
Actually, it was undefeated until Jesus came along. Jesus died a horrible death, and it looked like he would face the same fate as everyone else. But then something happened. He didn’t stay dead. Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, forever conquering death for all who believe in him. In his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has swallowed up the one enemy none of us could defeat. Through faith in Jesus and his saving work on our behalf, we are saved. Death is not the final answer for God’s children. Death for the one who believes in Jesus is now nothing more than the door to heaven. Because of Jesus, heaven is ours!
God blesses us in this world with medicine and doctors who help us to continue living and serving the Lord. Thanks be to God when this earthly life is over, death holds no power over us!
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, you have done what I could not. Thank you for defeating death and swallowing it up forever. Help me to live for you here and to look forward to the day I will be with you. Amen.
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Upcoming webinar offers tips for intentional ministry recruitment On Nov. 11, 2026, at 7 p.m. Central, WELS’ five ministry recruitment counselors will be hosting a webinar called “Generational Differences and Ministry Recruitment: The INVEST Framework.” Using the acrostic […]
11 So I ask, “Did they stumble in order to fall permanently?” Absolutely not! Rather, by their trespass, salvation came to the Gentiles to make the Israelites jealous. 12 Now if their trespass meant riches for the world, and their failure meant riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean!
13 I am speaking to you Gentiles. For as long as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I am going to speak highly of my ministry. 14 Perhaps I may make my own people jealous, and so save some of them. 15 For if their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, what does their acceptance mean other than the dead coming to life?
Gentiles Should Not Become Proud
16 If the part offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole batch. And if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you—a wild olive branch—were grafted in among them and share in the rich sap from the root of the olive tree, 18 do not boast that you are better than the branches. If you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, but the root is supporting you. 19 Then you will say: “Branches were broken off so that I am grafted in.” 20 That is true—but remember that they were broken off because of unbelief, and you remain in place by faith. Do not be conceited, but stand in awe. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you. 22 So take note of God’s kindness and his severity: severity on those who have fallen, but God’s kindness on you—if you remain in his kindness; otherwise, you also will be cut off.
Some Jews Will Be Grafted in Again
23 And if they do not remain in unbelief, those branches will be grafted in again, because God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from a wild olive tree and, contrary to nature, were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more easily will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree?
1 So I say, did God reject his people? Absolutely not! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people whom he foreknew—or don’t you know what Scripture says about Elijah, how he was pleading with God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life.” [1]4 But what did God’s answer tell him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” [2]
5 So in the same way at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. [3]6 Now if it is by grace, then it is not the result of works—otherwise grace would no longer be grace. [4]
God Planned a Way to Recover Some Hardened Jews
7 What then? Israel did not receive what it was striving to get. The elect did, but the rest were hardened. 8 Just as it is written:
God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, right up to the present day. [5]
9 And David says:
Let their table be a trap and a net, and a snare and a retribution for them. 10 Let their eyes be darkened so they do not see, and let their backs be always bent. [6]
Footnotes
Romans 11:3 1 Kings 19:10
Romans 11:4 1 Kings 19:18
Romans 11:5 Literally according to an election of grace
Romans 11:6 Some witnesses to the text add and if it were the result of works, it would no longer be grace—otherwise work would no longer be work.
The Majority of Jews Rejected Justification by Faith
30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, have obtained righteousness, a righteousness that is by faith. 31 But Israel, while pursuing the law as a way of righteousness, did not reach it. 32 Why? Because they kept pursuing it not by faith, but as if it comes by works. [1] They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 Just as it is written:
Look, I am putting a stone in Zion over which they will stumble and a rock over which they will fall. The one who believes [2] in him will not be put to shame. [3]
Prayer for Israelites to Believe
Romans 10
1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God on behalf of the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 Indeed, I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but it is not consistent with knowledge. 3 Since they were ignorant of the righteousness from God and sought to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to the righteousness from God. 4 For to everyone who believes, Christ is the end of the law, resulting in righteousness.
5 Indeed, Moses writes this about the righteousness that comes by the law: “The one who does these things will live by them.” [4]6 But the righteousness that comes by faith speaks like this: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” [5] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” [6] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” [7] that is, the word of faith that we are proclaiming. 9 Certainly, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and it is with the mouth that a person confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” [8]
12 So there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 Yes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [9]
Israel Rejected the Message God Sent
14 So then, how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one about whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news of peace, [10] who preach the gospel of good things!” [11]
16 But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who believed our message?” [12]17 So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ. [13]
18 But I ask, did they not hear? Of course, they certainly did.
The sound of their voice went out to all the earth, and their words to the farthest parts of the world. [14]
19 Yet I ask, did Israel not understand? First, Moses says:
I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; I will make you angry with a nation that does not understand. [15]
20 And Isaiah also boldly says:
I was found by those who were not looking for me; I became well known to those who were not asking for me. [16]
21 But about Israel he says:
All day long I stretched out my hands to a people who disobey and oppose me. [17]
Footnotes
Romans 9:32 Some witnesses to the text read by works of the law.
Romans 9:33 Some witnesses to the text read And everyone who believes.
Romans 9:33 Isaiah 28:16
Romans 10:5 Leviticus 18:5
Romans 10:6 Deuteronomy 30:12
Romans 10:7 Deuteronomy 30:13
Romans 10:8 Deuteronomy 30:14
Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16
Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
Romans 10:15 Some witnesses to the text omit who preach the good news of peace.
Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7
Romans 10:16 Isaiah 53:1
Romans 10:17 Some witnesses to the text read by the word of God.
14 What will we say then? Does this mean that God is unjust? Absolutely not! 15 For God says to Moses:
I will show mercy to whom I show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. [1]
16 So then, it does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
17 Indeed, the Scripture says in regard to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to stand, that I may demonstrate my power in how I deal with you, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” [2]18 So then, God shows mercy to whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.
19 Then you will say to me, “Why does God still find fault? For who has ever succeeded in resisting his will?” 20 But who are you, a mere human being, to talk back to God? Shall the thing that is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” No. 21 Doesn’t the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay one pot for special use and another for ordinary use?
22 What if God, although he wanted to demonstrate his wrath and make his power known, endured with great patience the objects of wrath—ripe for destruction? [3]23 And what if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of mercy whom he prepared in advance for glory, 24 including us, whom he called—not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles.
God Shows Mercy to Gentiles and the Remnant of Israel
25 This is also what God says in Hosea:
Those who were not my people, I will call my people, and she who was not loved, I will call my loved one. [4] 26 And, it will be that in the place where they were told, “You are not my people,” there they will be called “sons of the living God.” [5] 27 And Isaiah cries out about Israel:
Although the number of the sons of Israel is as great as the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 28 For the Lord, who carries out what he says without delay, [6] will do what he said completely and decisively on the earth. [7]
29 Just as Isaiah said earlier:
If the Lord of Armies [8] had not left us some descendants, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been like Gomorrah. [9]
Footnotes
Romans 9:15 Exodus 33:19
Romans 9:17 Exodus 9:16
Romans 9:22 Or who had prepared themselves for destruction?
Romans 9:25 Hosea 2:23
Romans 9:26 Hosea 1:10
Romans 9:28 Some witnesses to the text omit who carries out what he says without delay.
Romans 9:28 Isaiah 10:22-23
Romans 9:29 Or Sabaoth. The Hebrew word Sabaoth means armies. God’s armies are the armies of angels and the armies of stars.
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying—my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit 2 that I have great sorrow and continuous pain in my heart. 3 For I almost wish that I myself could be cursed and separated from Christ in place of my brothers, my relatives according to the flesh, 4 those who are Israelites. Theirs are the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, came the Christ, who is God over all, eternally blessed. Amen.
6 This does not mean that God’s word has failed, because not all who are descended from Israel are really Israel, 7 and not all who are descended from Abraham are really his children. On the contrary, “Your line of descent will be traced through Isaac.” [1]8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are counted as his descendants. 9 For this is what the promise said: “I will arrive at this set time, and Sarah will have a son.” [2]
God’s Choice Is Based on His Mercy
10 Not only that, but Rebekah also had children by one man, our forefather, Isaac. 11 Even before the twins were born or did anything good or bad, in order that God’s purpose in election might continue— 12 not by works but because of him who calls us—it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” [3]13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [4]
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In the same way that women actively served in the work of the early Christian church, WELS is using women’s gifts to share the gospel with other women in situations […]
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“Closing down [an] organization isn’t failure; it is just a symptom of the laws of organizations. Organizations have a life span.” Retired Pastor Mark Jeske passed along that observation in […]
The biennial meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Forum, which consists of leaders of WELS and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), took place October 19-20, 2026, at the WELS Center […]
On Nov. 11, 2026, at 7 p.m. Central, WELS’ five ministry recruitment counselors will be hosting a webinar called “Generational Differences and Ministry Recruitment: The INVEST Framework.” Using the acrostic […]