“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
(Acts 4:12)
As the offspring of Adam, man is corrupt from the point of conception. David confesses, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psa. 51:5). Scripture tells us plainly that we are poor, miserable, blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17). That is to say, apart from the redemption found in Christ, sinners are destitute and without hope before the holiness of God.
As sinners, we stand in need of His pardoning mercy. Scripture calls our sins trespasses and debts (Luke 11:4; Matt. 6:12). Having broken God’s Law, we owe Him a debt we cannot pay. We are bankrupt, carrying within ourselves the sentence of death (John 3:18; Rom. 6:23). No escape is possible except through God’s mercy to absolve, acquit, and discharge the sinner by Christ’s atonement.
As sinners, we stand in need of renewing and sanctifying grace. Only the Spirit’s application of Christ’s blood can cleanse and purify. We are “washed in his blood” (Rev. 1:5), cleansed from all sin (1 John 1:7, 9), and freed from condemnation. Without this transforming work, no one will see God (Heb. 12:14).
As sinners, we stand in need of peace. Christ promised, “My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). This peace is withheld from the impenitent; it belongs only to those indwelt by the Spirit who walk in His truth.
As sinners, we stand in need of light and guidance. We are blind by nature (Eph. 4:18), ignorant of God’s ways (1 Cor. 2:14), and unable to discern spiritual truth. Unless God Himself leads us, we perish in darkness. Like the psalmist, we must cry, “Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me” (Psa. 25:4-5).
Azariah Mather spoke truth: “There is no help to be had for poor needy sinners but in and through Jesus Christ. He and He only can deliver the needy, the poor, and him that has no helper.”[1]
Contemplations:
- To be forgiven I must be forgiving. Holy Father, I know that before I can hope for reconciliation and peace with You I must freely forgive all those who have done me harm. I must be able to fully and with good will offer them my pardon, as I most certainly desire Yours. And my heart’s desire and purpose is to do good to my brethren that I may not be held unworthy to receive it from You in my own time.
- Forgiving mercy. Help me show mercy to others that I may not be ashamed to ask You for it for myself, for I seek Your favorable mercy towards me, Lord, through Your Son. God be merciful to me, and forgive me, a sinner.
- Hope in Christ alone. I have no hope in myself, O Gracious Lord, but only in Jesus Christ and Your mercy. I do not rest my soul upon any other name given among men whereby Your justice may be satisfied and my sins expiated, but on His name alone. Show this humble and believing sinner Your mercy.
Prayer (confession)
Most merciful Father, I confess before You that I am corrupt from the womb, sinful by nature, estranged from Your holiness, and condemned under Your law. My heart is unclean, my mind darkened, and my will enslaved. In myself I have nothing to offer You but guilt and shame. Your Word declares that there is no salvation in any other, and yet I confess that I have sought many times to trust in myself, in my own strength, in my own works, only to find them unfit for Your presence. Forgive me for every false refuge I have pursued.
Lord, I confess that I am poor and needy, blind and naked, with no hope except in Christ. I have trespassed against You. I have accrued a debt I cannot pay. Every thought of pride, every word of sin, every deed of rebellion testifies against me. The sentence of death is just, and I cannot escape it. God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
I confess my need of Christ’s cleansing. Without the washing of His blood, I am unclean. Without the renewing of Your Spirit, I am dead. Without sanctifying grace, I am unfit for heaven. Yet You have promised that the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin. Wash me, Lord, and I shall be whiter than snow.
I confess that I have often withheld forgiveness from others, though I seek it from You. Forgive me for my hardness of heart. Teach me to pardon freely, to show mercy gladly, to love those who have wronged me. Let me not come to You for peace while refusing to extend it to my neighbor.
I confess that I have lived in fear and unrest when Christ has promised peace. I have sought comfort in the world when only Christ can give it. Forgive me for not resting in Him, for doubting His promises, for forgetting that peace comes only by His Spirit dwelling within me.
O Lord, I confess my blindness and ignorance. Left to myself, I cannot see Your truth, I cannot walk in Your ways, I cannot find the path to Christ. Lead me in Your truth and teach me. Be my light in the darkness and deliver me from the blindness of sin.
Father, I place all my hope in Jesus Christ alone. His merits are infinite, His righteousness perfect, and His sacrifice sufficient. There is no other name given under heaven by which I may be saved. So I cling to Christ, the one mediator between God and man, my only Savior.
Let me live each day in humble dependence, knowing that without Him I can do nothing, but through Him I have pardon, peace, life, and everlasting hope.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Acts 4:12:
Acts 10:43, 1 Tim. 2:5, Matthew 1:21, John 14:6
[1] Azariah Mather, None but Christ (New-London Conn.: Printed & sold by T. Green, 1722), 8.
