What Does it REALLY MEAN to Follow Jesus? - Addendum

             One of my post recipients had a question regarding the general premise of my post from yesterday morning, titled “What Does it REALLY MEAN to Follow Jesus?” She pointed out that Romans 10:13 says, “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” There is no doubt that God’s desire is to bless everyone who places their trust in him.

                  Paul is quoting from the prophet Joel in the Old Testament. The time period of Joel’s service as God’s prophet was roughly 835-796 BC. During this time period Judah had become prosperous, which led to complacency. They began to take God for granted, turning to self-centeredness, idolatry and sin. Joel’s warning to them was that their lifestyle would inevitably bring about God’s judgment. Joel speaks of a terrible locust plague that will strip the land of all its crops. Desolation will be the end result. This was just another call to repentance for the children of Israel. 

                  The message Joel has is for us today too, for many of us call ourselves followers of Christ, yet are spiritually lazy and have lessened the importance of imitating the Lord in our own minds. Joel 2:12-13 says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.”

                   “But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.” - Joel 2:32 ^{New Living Translation}

                  Along with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will be the outworking of salvation for those who truly trust God as Redeemer. To "call on the name of the LORD" is to call on him in believing faith (Ps 99:6; 145:18; Ro 10:3), which gives not only physical deliverance but a spiritual transformation and an abundant entrance into that great millennial period of peace and prosperity, when Judah and Jerusalem are once again spiritual centers for a redeemed Israel (cf. Hos 3:5; Mic 4:6-8).

                  While Joel is referring to the Jews from his time period, who already believed in God, I believe we can still use this text to validate my posts meaning for it speaks of a sincerity of the heart of the Jews.

                  My only meaning regarding calling on the name of the Lord is that it must come from a sincere and contrite heart. It cannot be a glib gesture of simply acknowledging Him without allowing any change to come to your daily routine.  

I welcome questions and other points of view. Anyone who’d like to make a comment, please, by all means, feel free. I am neither a theologian, nor the son of a theologian. I simply have a wealth of valid resources at my disposal that help me come to my conclusions. Could I be wrong? While I try to be extremely careful disseminating posts regarding God’s Word, I certainly can be mistaken. That’s precisely why you readers should check out for yourselves the validity of what I have shared if you have a question regarding the posts content. Have a wonderfully blessed day as you seek to serve our King. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The portion explaining Joel 2:32 comes from my Minor Prophets study from last year.