Calling Upon the Lord's Name: Nature, Condition, and Scope

"Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Salvation encompasses three essential dimensions. First, its nature: deliverance FROM the guilt of sin, the power of sin, and the punishment of sin; deliverance TO acceptance with God, conquest of evil, and Heaven itself. Second, its condition demands calling upon the Lord's name, which involves three prerequisites. A man in the water will not cry out if he can wade to dry land, but only when drowning without assistance—salvation requires a sense of helplessness. A beggar will not petition another beggar; a sick man scarcely seeks medical aid from one equally afflicted—we must be convinced of His power to help. Third, we must possess assurance that He will respond when we call; this is faith itself. The call should be earnest and persevering. Third, its scope: "Whosoever"—poor and rich alike, ignorant and learned, bad and good. Consider the Turkish maiden following her beloved Gilbert through England's streets, crying his name until the intended ear caught the sound. So the sinner, though knowing little of religion, knows the name of Jesus. Continue the cry—"Jesus! Jesus!"—whether in street or chamber, and it shall reach the ear for which it was meant. A young man returning home from business recognized his growing carelessness toward his soul's salvation. He asked himself: "Why should this be? Why not seek the Lord now?" This question remains the turning point for every convicted heart.