welcome to "easter people"

Romans 10:1-15 (New International Reader's Version)

1 Brothers and sisters, with all my heart I long for the people of Israel to be saved. I pray to God for them.

2 I can give witness about them that they really want to serve God. But how they are trying to do it is not based on what they know.

3 They didn't know how God makes people right with himself. They tried to get right with God in their own way. They didn't do it in God's way.

4 Christ has completed the law. So now everyone who believes can be right with God.

5 Moses explained how the law could help a person do what God requires. He said, "The one who does those things will live by them."—(Leviticus 18:5)

6 But the way to do what God requires must begin by having faith in him. Scripture says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will go up into heaven?' "—(Deuteronomy 30:12) That means to go up into heaven and bring Christ down.

7 "And do not say, 'Who will go down into the grave?' "—(Deuteronomy 30:13) That means to bring Christ up from the dead.

8 But what does it say? "The word is near you. It's in your mouth and in your heart."—(Deuteronomy 30:14) That means the word we are preaching. You must put your faith in it.

9 Say with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord." Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved.

10 With your heart you believe and are made right with God. With your mouth you say that Jesus is Lord. And so you are saved.

11 Scripture says, "The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."—(Isaiah 28:16)

12 There is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is Lord of all. He richly blesses everyone who calls on him.

13 Scripture says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."—(Joel 2:32)

14 How can they call on him unless they believe in him? How can they believe in him unless they hear about him? How can they hear about him unless someone preaches to them?

15 And how can anyone preach without being sent? It is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"—(Isaiah 52:7)

My name is Hondo, and I welcome you to my new blog. Many of you are familiar with me through the blog Christian Conservatives (http://christianconservatives.blogspot.com/). You will find that this new blog is very different from C.C.

The first difference is that I am going to stay away from politics on this new blog. I'm a political junkie, and I will continue to discuss politics on C.C., but not here. My sole purpose on Easter People is to study and discuss God's Holy Word. More on that in a moment.

The second difference is that, as much as possible, I will strive to be non-confrontational on this new blog--a kinder, gentler Hondo, if you will. Those of you familar with C.C. know that I don't mind ranting and raving, and that I'm not a bit bashful in questioning the wisdom, intelligence and/or character of those who have succumbed to the cancer of liberalism. I will continue with the fire on C.C., but not here. My hope is that God's Holy Spirit will do the talking on this blog, through my keyboard, which means that I need to stay out of the way as much as possible.

OK, let's get started. Just what is an "Easter Person?"

That's a term that I stole from a now-retired Methodist pastor. It refers to the fact that Jesus' resurrection, after having been killed and buried, is the central event of the Christian faith. Salvation, and the eternal life that goes with salvation, can't happen unless you accept the resurrection.

Christmas, which celebrates Christ's birth, is a wonderful holiday, and it has it's place, but the message of Easter is the core belief--the foundational principle--of our faith. We are Easter People because, "Say with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord.' Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved." That's verse 9 above.

Here's what's going to happen. Four or five days a week, I will link to a specific chapter of the Bible, and provide information about that chapter from my Life Application Study Bible. We will have the opportunity to discuss those chapters, if you wish. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Thank you for visiting, and God bless each and every one of you!