<font color="purple">But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:11.

Several young ladies were talking. "Don't use that word 'saved' when you talk to me," one said. It is strange that such a good word has come into disrepute.

If a man is drowning, he is glad to be saved. If a building is burning, the whole community rejoices over those who are saved. Why then this change of attitude about being saved from sin?

Perhaps it is because sin is not considered that serious? Yet the Bible indicts all men as sinners and pronounces death as a result. Another reason men dislike the word "saved" may be its inference that the sinner must be rescued from above. Our pride in accomplishment has invaded the spiritual realm. We like to think that we have become refined enough to have gained some favor with God. Surely our honesty, compassion, and reputation must carry some weight in heaven. But they don't.

Apart form God's grace (which is unmerited favor) there is not an ounce of hope for the best of us. The temptation to regress into law keeping has been a problem to the Church from the earliest time. That was the reason for the calling of the council of apostles and elders at Jerusalem. We're saved by grace. How refreshing is that? Spread the good news!