John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The phrase, “believes in him” doesn’t digest well in our day of self-sufficient spiritual food. “Believe in yourself” is the common menu selection of our day. Try harder. Work longer. Dig deeper. Self-reliance is our goal. “In him” smacks of exclusion. Salvation comes in many forms, right?
Christ walks upriver on this topic. Salvation is found, not in self or in them, but in him. Romans 4:5 says, “To the one who does not work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Our spiritual legs have no strength. Our morality has no muscle. Our good deeds cannot carry us across the finish line, but Christ can!
