Call
This blog post is Part 4 of a series entitled "The Philosophy Of Life" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN.
Message Date: January 26, 2025
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We began this series, The Philosophy of Life, discussing Life Philosophy #1: Today. I shared with you the importance of realizing - today is the day. You have to seize this day. There is no promise of the next day. In week two of our study, we examined Life Philosophy #2: Time. Here we discussed the mantra that the time is now. You are only afforded this moment that you have been given. You have no guarantee of any time except for the present time. Last time, we assessed Life Philosophy #3: Purpose. Scripture reminded you that you have a God-ordained purpose for which you are to live. And as you live out this purpose each day, wisely using the time you have been given, you are to bring glory to God in everything you do.
As I began this week praying through this series, I came to the realization that these attributes, and the other 12 yet to discuss in aligning one’s life philosophy with God’s, are insignificant without the attribute I will share with you today. I want to say this, and I want you to hear this clearly as we begin today: If you do not appropriate this attribute, you are wasting today; wasting the time with which you have been given; wasting your purpose; wasting your life philosophy; wasting your life.
So the challenge today for you: Listen! As you read, listen with all that you have; with all that you are; with all that you aspire to be!
Thus far in 2025, we have discussed critical attributes of a life philosophy that separates the Christian from the world. It should be the aspiration of us each to excel in these attributes, to live differently than the world, and to be separate of the world. Each of the attributes we are discussing in this series contribute to a philosophy of life that is good and healthy and that is to the benefit of society at large, specifically to the Church, your family, and most assuredly is an eternal benefit to your own personal well-being. Your life philosophy can be one immersed in doing good, being kind, helping others, offering generosity, serving well, giving to those in need, and any number of good and well gestures that benefits the lives of others.
Life philosophy attribute #4 is so very unique in comparison to all other attributes we are discussing in the series. And cumulatively, these other 14 attributes, if void of this attribute, are merely a list of concepts that, though good, are nothing more than positive, life-bettering habits. Simply: Without this attribute, none of the other attributes matter.
I too will say that you will never attain the eternal purpose for which you are created without embracing the attribute of this one life philosophy we will discuss today. And, if you never choose to accept nor apply this attribute, you will have entirely missed the reason for which you are to draw breath. It too is this one attribute, above all others, that determines where and how you spend your eternity. And as your Pastor, it is my prayer for you, above all other prayers, that you exercise this attribute in your life. We find this attribute, simply stated, in a passage in Scripture written by the apostle Paul in his words to the Church in Rome. Paul writes:
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
If you are like me, then I presume you are naturally drawn to the promise revealed in these 12 words from Paul that assure you of the Lord’s hand of salvation. Paul simply states: the Lord will save you. What a great promise; a life-altering promise; an eternal promise of hope and peace and joy; the promise of salvation! Yet, it is the verb in this statement from Paul, the action step, on humanity’s part that allows one to be the recipient of such salvation! It too is this one word action which is the attribute upon which we will focus today.
Attribute #4: Call
Without your decision to call on the name of the Lord, there is no salvation!
Call / Greek/ epikaleo / v. = to appeal; to beg for mercy
Paul clearly articulates that there is a decision, a choice, you must make in order for this promise to be yours! And in applying this attribute to your life, do you see the promise that accompanies one for all of eternity? This promise from the Lord is one that re-writes your story of brokenness; loneliness; regret; fear; guilt; the past; sin. This promise completely deviates the trajectory of your eternity.
This promise is salvation!
There are 3 critical realities Paul makes in Romans 10.As a human:
1. You need to be saved.
2. To be saved, you must appeal to and beg mercy from the Lord.
3. When you “call” on the Lord, you will be saved.
Ironically, this is indeed the great dilemma – so very many do not believe they need to be saved in any way... especially by God! The greatest hazard of our present time on earth is not that people no longer believe in the existence of God. Instead, it is that people who do believe in His existence believe even more that there is no need for Him in their life. We live in a time when people arrogantly confess that, though God may exist, He is no longer needed in the lives of people. Such confessions may not always be verbalized audibly. Yet they most definitely are stated, and even celebrated, in how so very many people live their lives publicly.
According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey:
39% of U.S. adults believe that people who do not believe in God can go to heaven.
Pew Research Center, 2021
In the same research conducted by the Pew Research Center:
34% of Protestants believe that people who do not believe in God can go to heaven.
Pew Research Center, 2021
These findings indicate that a substantial portion of the U.S. population does not believe that faith in God is a prerequisite for entry into heaven, reflecting diverse theological perspectives and interpretations within American society. Even you may be asking, “Why do I need to be saved?” Well, Scripture is explicitly clear on the matter!
Why do you need to be saved?
1. You have sinned.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23
2. If you are not saved, you will pay the penalty for your sins.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
3. God’s love for you is greater than the evidence of sins against you.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
4. The Lord is the only one who can save you, because He is the only one who paid the penalty for your sins.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
When the Bible speaks of the need for humanity to call on the name of the Lord, it does so as a very personal and individual response to an invitation that first originates in Jesus Christ. We see this invitation time and again from Jesus. When I thought about such occasions this week, I was immediately drawn to the very intimate invitation Jesus offers in Matthew 11:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
I wonder if you are able, truly able, to feel the weight of such words from our Savior? These words are marvelously given to you from One who truly and undoubtedly wants you to find an exhale in Him. I too wonder what word or words jump off of the page for you here in Matthew 11? There are so many words here that immediately bring comfort to the weary and to the burdened: Learn from me; gentle; humble; easy; light. I am truly drawn to this word: rest. Look at the Greek for the word “rest:”
Rest / Greek / anapauō / v. = to take life easier
Oh, let this soak in y’all. I mean... who doesn’t want, who isn’t in need of, a Savior who invites you to learn from Him; a Savior who is gentle; humble; easy; light; a Savior who offers you the prospect to “... take life easier!” I do not know about you, but I really need these words in my life today. Listen to this passage again, and as you do, rest in these words of comfort from our Savior.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
These are not mere words spoken by a good man thousands of years ago. No! These words are enduring; everlasting; changeless; timeless. Hear this today, y’all... Jesus Christ is speaking these words to you at this very moment in time pleading with you who are weary and burdened to come to Him and choose to take life easier in Him. This is a personal invitation from the Christ that merits a response from you...
Will you call upon the name of the Lord and be saved?
Life is full of so very many exciting and exhilarating adventures and offers and opportunities – an elating drive in fast cars; a trip of a lifetime on a cruise across the seas; and now, if you can write the check, you can take a rocket trip to the edge of space. Yet... There is no thrill, no ride, no getaway, no fifty-yard line seat, no bird’s eye view, no moonlit night, no trip of a lifetime, no lottery, no payday, no relationship, no win that offers you forgiveness, mercy, grace, a new beginning, a new life, a new you, a clean slate, a peace that passes all understanding, a refuge, tranquility, acceptance, joy, pleasure, freedom, eternity, and salvation such as that offered to you when you choose to call on the name of the Lord.
It is mind-blowing when you consider what Jesus offers to you. Yet it is too so very perplexing, and sad, and heart-wrenching to realize that so very many people, a majority of people, who choose to simple say, “No! Jesus confirms exactly this when He says:
Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Luke 13:24
Why? Why do so very many say, “no” to Jesus? I presume there are countless reasons. Here are 7: Many say, “I will not call on the name of the Lord to be saved,” because:
1. Perceived self-sufficiency.
Many believe they are inherently good and do not require salvation.
2. Fear of social repercussions.
“If I choose Jesus, I lose my position in the world. I lose my friends. I lose my reputation.”
3. Attachment to the ways of the world.
The allure of earthly pleasures can dominate spiritual pursuits.
4. Resistance to spiritual conviction.
Some choose to never call on the name of the Lord because they are fearful of being convicted over past regrets; mistakes; guilt.
5. Christianity carries a negative perception.
I have met many who tell me, “The church is full of hypocrites. So I will never become one of them.”
6. Unanswered questions in Scripture.
“The Bible doesn’t answer all of my questions, so it must not be real.”
7. Fear of losing family.
I have been counseling a man for several years. We speak once a month. He grew up a Jew. His family is Jewish. He told me recently while sitting in my office, “Jeffrey I want to believe in Jesus and give Him my life. But if I do, I will lose everything – my family, my parents, my way of doing life.”
Let me respond to each of these reasons for why so many people choose not to receive Jesus as Savior with this one statement that Jesus made which is recorded in the New Testament:
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Matthew 16:26
In contrast... When you choose to call upon the name of the Lord, you are making the ultimate life philosophy statement: “Lord, my life is yours.” Now... it too is important to note that calling on the name of the Lord is not the same as knowing about the name of the Lord. Knowledge of who Jesus is does not, can not, and will not save you. You can know so very much about our Lord yet remain disloyal to Him and disengaged in Him as a human. Paul said these words about this very reality:
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:32
And look at what James said:
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder. James 2:19
One can know of the Christ, know historical facts about the Christ, and even know what Scripture confirms as to the Christ. But knowledge alone, even in excess, will not save you. So, when Paul wrote...
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
... Paul fundamentally understood that salvation is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. And this is why the “call” is the life philosophy” attribute above all others. To call on the Lord is humanity’s cry for a divine rescue from sin and its ultimate consequences. Humanity is in need of being saved from humanity’s own sins. This is why in his letter to the church in Rome, Paul also writes:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
What does Paul mean when he says that we all “... fall short?”
Short / Greek / hystereō / v. = to lack; to be destitute; to be penniless
This is where humanity falters - believing that life without God is doable. The great deceiver, Satan, has been rightly named - He deceives! He works to deceive you into believing that your choice to not call on the Lord to save you is as insignificant and routine and casual as choosing Coke over Pepsi; McDonald’s over Wendy’s; Lowes over Home Depot. He works to convince every human that to choose the world’s way over God’s is immaterial; inconsequential; trivial. This is why he toils so very hard to fill your life with stuff - busy; success; worldly acclaim; notoriety; feel-good; ecstasy; pleasures; and more.
Satan clearly knows that if he can distract you from the reality that a life void of God is a life empty; a life of nothing; a life destined for eternal damnation... then he knows that he will most likely have won you over for life. But in reality... The one who chooses to say “no” to God, to not call on the name of the Lord... remains lost, is incapable of attaining a life philosophy of purpose, and is destined for an eternity forever separated from the Creator.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2
The Bible presents a sobering reality for anyone who chooses a life philosophy at odds with the Christ. As a matter of fact, Jesus said in Matthew 25:
Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41
In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire. Luke 16:23-24
During my time as Pastor at Donelson First, I’ve often spoke of heaven and the eternal joys that are yours for the taking for those of you who have called on the name of the Lord to be saved. I have celebrated with you when one has made the decision to call on His name and receive Jesus as Lord. I have spoken often of eternity, heaven and life forever with our Lord awaiting those who have been born again; saved; redeemed.
But here is one question I have never asked you... ever! Do you want to go to hell? Do you want to spend forever in the place, as we just read about in the book of Luke, that torments relentlessly and keeps people in agony in fire? I presume there are churches, pastors, ministries all around the world who rarely if ever speak of hell. I too presume so very many do not speak about this horrific place over concern of scaring others, creating unnecessary fear, and sounding as one trying to scare others into “calling on the name of the Lord.”
Y’all I will tell you... My aim is not to instill fear within anyone. To the contrary, I have never met a person who wants to go to hell. I've never met a person who wants to spend an eternity separated from God in such a place of fire and pain and misery and agony and torment. But the reality is no matter how well you embrace the life philosophies we are discussing in this series, if you choose to ignore life philosophy #4 – to call on the name of the Lord and be saved – you will undoubtedly spend an eternity wishing you had not done exactly this during your time on earth.
I do not say these words out of fear. To the contrary, I say them out of love. I love you so much, I am willing to share this horrific truth with you. Not to scare you, but instead, to plead with you to call on the name of the Lord today and be saved! I end with these 3 truths about calling on the name of the Lord!
Call on the name of the Lord because:
1. Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
There is no other way to get to heaven – period!
2. Being good enough is never enough.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Unlike other religions believe, doing good will not get you into heaven. Placing faith in Jesus is the only way to avoid hell and go to heaven.
3. Make the call.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
I am so very glad that I do not have to do everything “right” to get to heaven. I want to do everything right. I strive to do so. But I am human, and I will fail. Fortunately, access to heaven only requires of me to “call on the name of the Lord and be saved.” Wow! No gimmicks. No perfect score. No getting everything right.
Salvation is God’s greatest gift to humanity. To receive it, one just need to make the call – to call on the name of the Lord and be saved!
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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.