Many times I would lay there in bed I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, yet I didn't really want anything to do with church or religion.
Recently I have read a lot about the bottom line for salvation, what exactly do we need to do to get saved, get into Heaven, and into the presence of God. That is one good thing about the Rob Bell controversy; we get to question stuff like this, and use the word heretic. The latter being rather foolish.
The rest of the time it seems I read theories about Jesus, about Christianity, about how we can interpret the Bible to suit our own point of view. Let's add to the melee: stupidity of high-profile Christians, the fallen Christians, "one god fits all", and denominational out- and infighting. It's a mess.
What's the freakin' point?
In order to answer that, I have to answer a few questions. I have 3 points like a good little homiletic-ian.
Why is it that folks have such a hard time deciding who is saved? For the most part, because of religion. I am going to agree with the converted atheist. There are things that people do in the name of Jesus (like feed the poor, give money) that they could do without Jesus. Think about it, we could have motivational speeches instead of sermons, we could easily have meaningful music without worship lyrics, and there are loads of places to fellowship and be yourself - like the gun club, or the DNC. We don't need Jesus.
Honestly, who would want a Jesus that lives in the midst of a rulebook, and never touches you, never speaks to you, and who knows if he would even catch one of your prayers?
It seems sort of selfish to me, but there are a lot of Christians they do whatever they want, and could care less about how they live. Amazingly, they are darn certain they want to be in heaven regardless of what they do. There are others that delude themselves into thinking they just need to be good -whatever that means. You are good, but you cuss, or sleep around or get drunk sometimes - or commit seemingly more heinous crimes.... I dunno.
If I am saved, I want some sort of assurance if not outright proof!
Why is it that character doesn't always conform to one's religious belief system? This cracks me up. Even in the process of sanctification, people still sin! David sinned and God didn't throw him out. Moses was a murderer and so was Paul. Though faith does have good works, that doesn't make anyone perfect, or morally better than someone else. The very fact that we create converts and not disciples (mature believers) is the root of the issue; immature people have poorer character than mature people. I'm just sayin'!
What do I have to do to be sure that I am a "real" Christian? There is a lot of debate. I am not sure if you trust the pastor, the priest, the religious folks, or your own idea of what is required for heaven, but I assure you, that if you are saved, you'll know it. That said, here is my bottom line.
Romans 2:12-16 (NKJV) For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
There, don't you feel better now?
For me, getting saved was the beginning of a relationship with an awesome and amazing God! Why folks want to be Christians, or only want to identify with one facet of who Jesus is, is beyond me. Why not call yourself a college professor?
So what's the point? The point is to enjoy God, that's the point. We don't labor under him, we don't put on an act for him, we are supposed to know him.
Once in a while I get someone that says, wow you must be really special because God did this or that miracle or I had the wonderful supernatural experience. Well, I am not special. Anyone can know Jesus, and anyone can tap into the relationship that produces the supernatural. HERE is what I did, and you can too.
How about you? Are you saved? How do you know? What's your relationship with God like?
5 comments:
I thank God for my salvation daily!
Love the way you make your point about being Christian doesn't mean being perfect. Thank God for His grace! I've used my fair share.
Good way to start the day. Thanks David.
Appreciate what you're saying.
When I read your questions here that verse from Titus 3:5 about how He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Oh boy am I sure glad that He save me! Grateful that, like it says in Ephesians 2:8-9, that He even gave me the faith to be able to believe in Him. It's all a gift.
David:
We all know we are saved because Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.
It is this writers opinion ( me) that no one is worthy of the grace that God freely gives out.
But he is a forgiving God full of love for us despite our wrong doings. After all, we are his children. A messy, rowdy bunch full of mischief,deceit,and easily swayed by temptation. It is a condition of our flesh.
I would have to think once we have been touched by the Holy Spirit and allow God into our hearts,we will have the strength to resist that which is sinful.
But then again, the temptations of the flesh doesn't stop there. It becomes more persuasive and intense. Only when you have a close relationship with God do you have the ability to fully resist sin.
Even then only the strong in faith and character can withstand the earthly implications that surrounds one daily.
One can be saved and healed sprirtually but as Jesus says "Sin no more. That is the key.
how do I know I've been saved? Because I've felt a sliver of the love Jesus has for all people in my own heart. I've been awed.
Romans 11:20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. Paul is speaking of the Jews in contrast to the Roman Christians. This is one of those important Scriptures that help us balance our view of eternal security with the need to believe. Christians are told to fear because there is potential that God will not spare us who have believed. According to v. 22 we experience God’s kindness, rather than His severity, provided that we “continue in his kindness. Otherwise [we] too will be cut off.” How are we eternally secure, then? We are eternal secure because God works in His true believers so they believe such warnings and “continue in his kindess.” Eternally secure believers are not eternally secure because they believed once; we are eternally secure because we continue to stand fast through faith by the grace of God. This is a way to believe in eternally security without watering down these warnings.
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