Friday, March 30, 2007
It Is So Easy?
Just close your eyes and bow your head......now while everyone else's heads are bowed and no one is looking around to see you, keep your eyes closed and quietly, while no one is looking, raise your hand if you'd like Jesus to be your Savior...no one will see you, this is just in between you and God...don't be afraid...God is waiting for you to let Him in...is there anybody here who wants to be saved? Now, in the stillness of the moment and while no one else is looking, just raise your hand...that is all you have to do. It is that easy.
Have you heard this before? Have you even been to a youth function or conference where the no one is looking is emphasized? Or maybe you have been in a church that has a basic invitational time...the pastor says these thing and you wonder...is it really that easy? What is this saying about the gospel? What is this saying about the Lord and His suffering? What does this say about all those who stood firmly for Christ in years past, who gladly suffered for Christ's sake. Did those who claimed Christ name timidly raise their hand in a service, while no one was looking, and say,yes,I want to be a Christian as long as I don't have to do anything. Or did they stand before those who hated and rejected our gospel willing to die for it? Were they ashamed of the gospel? Are we ashamed of the gospel? Are evangelical churches today ashamed of the gospel? Just some questions to ponder.
What is involved in Jesus being Lord of our lives? Does it involve just saying a prayer...does it involve signing a card and joining the church? Does it involve walking an aisle? How many have done these things and trusted in those things to say, yes,I am saved. When in reality, the gospel and all that is involved in that has been mixed in with an easy believism philosophy that could be leading those to think they are right with the Lord when they may not be. Of course, we do know that faith in Christ alone is the only way to salvation...it is His work that has saved us...but so many times,I think people depend on those other things I have mentioned instead of on their faith in Christ alone. Let us examine what is does mean to be a follower of Christ.
It does involve:
1) Trusting Christ(and Him alone) and His sacrifice on the cross for the atonement of our iniquities. If this faith is evident in our lives,we will desire for the following. Philippians 3:9
2) Repenting of our sins regularly because the Holy Spirit abides in us and convicts our souls. Acts 26:20
3) Considering the cost of following Christ. The cost involves everything we once were. Luke 14:28
4) Taking up our cross and following Him. Luke 14:27
5) Suffering for His name's sake. 1 Peter 2:21 Yes, suffering is part of it....
6) Imitating Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
7) Pressing on...this should be the spiritual growth that is all consuming...not intermittent exercise...(John MacArthur's words) Philippians 3:12
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first.
May we not timidly raise our hands when no one is looking...but,let us all claim from the mountain tops, Jesus is LORD!
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
22 Comments:
What a great post! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Lori
"I know my daughter/son/husband/friend is saved because they walked the aisle and said the prayer"
It's been said countless times about people I know and love when there was clearly no heart change whatsoever. God alone must change the sinner's heart. That is where glorious transformation takes place!
Wonderful post. It warrants an amen!
Gosh, I have so much to say and no time to say it. I'll just say a big AMEN and thank you for sharing. I pray more people dig deeper.
This is so true Kim! I did a post yesterday with a quote about the importance of the recognition of sin. It isn't truly evangelism or the Gospel if we try to leave sin out. My husband commented on that post and I copied it here because it's so good. He said ... "An even greater problem in the church culture as demonstrated especially among teenagers is how they feel the urge to get saved over and over again because they made a "decision" for Jesus, but they continue to live just like the rest of the world. Also, they feel bad about their sin, but there really isn't a true biblical, God-centered conviction of sin. Our customs and lack of biblical doctrine has brought a lot of damage to the church in this generation. It's time for churches and teachers and pastor/elders to get back to the "old evangelicalism" and lead the body of Christ back to what it means to be a Christian. This starts with how we evangelize the lost. It's got to be more than just a one time "decision" for Christ. It's got to be more than just feeling bad about your mistakes.... "
Amen!
Kim,
What a powerful post. Thank you so much for sharing this.
God Bless you and your family!
Leigh
Kim,
I agree wholeheartedly with much of what you have shared and have certainly seen my fair share of young people (we served as youth pastors for nine years) either raise their hand or walk the aisle only to leave the service and continue living in sin.
But as one of those young people first at the age of 10, who knew nothing truly of Christ's sufferings for my sin, but was presented with a God who loved me, I know when I prayed a simple prayer, Jesus came into my life. I went on with very little change in my life and no one to show me what the scripture says or even explain that I needed to read the scripture to again at 13 in the quietness of my own bedroom ask the Lord to come into my life. I was at a crossroad as a young teenager and without any understanding still of scripture and only hearing messages at youth events, I knew I wanted Jesus. As a very shy 17 year old and regularly attending youth events at Calvary Chapel in So. Cal., I walked the aisle at a concert and decided at this point I would completly surrender my life to the Lord. I did not grow up in a Christian home or attend Sunday church and it was at this time in my life I purchased my first bible. I heard the voice (through whoever was preaching that night) of a loving Savior inviting me to come to Him, even though I had very little understanding of sin, grace, holiness, etc.. I am grateful for the simple invitation, otherwise I might not of felt worthy of coming to the Lord. I personally never put my faith in the preacher or my walk down the aisle. It was from here I began my journey of faith in Christ and Him alone that continues to this day.
My husband and I have served in full-time ministry for over 20 years and have yet to meet a pastor who does not understand exactly what you have shared. We have seen people come to the Lord in many different ways. We have seen some choose to be discipled and truly "take his yoke and learn from Him", and others not. It grieves me for those who have heard the gospel message and choose not to repent.
I have been reading here long enough to know your heart. I know it is for truth. And I agree, what Christ suffered on the cross for me was not easy. I am thankful he was patient with a young girl who did not have any understanding of His great sacrifice and yet still accepted me.
I appreciate you very much!
Chris
Great post Kim. God showed me several years ago that the narrow gate was much narrower than I thought. I am afraid that many people both in and out of church think everything is OK just because they said that simple prayer.
Pleased to meet you! Congratulations on your award (over at Terri's blog). You've written a very thoughtful post. Have a blessed weekend. Hugs, e-Mom :~)
Great post Kim, Romans 1 v 16 is the verse on our prayer card.
Our friends who are missionaries in Ecuador have a 1-year discipleship program for those interested in Christianity. The opportunity to profess Christ publicly is offered at the end of the program. By that point, participants have walked several miles of the road of faith under solid teaching and have a frame of reference for living under the authority of Scripture.
Excellent post, Kim, and something every Christian MUST consider in light of the Truth.
What a wonderful post, Kim, and a greatly needed one.
What a wonderful post, Kim.
Thanks for sharing truth once again.
I agree, so often we "oversimplify" the whole "conversion" thing by making it a matter of a "simple prayer," but at times I think it *is* a matter of a simple prayer. God knows our hearts, His eyes range throughout the earth, searching for those whose hearts are truly His. I agree with what you wrote, and have felt this burden for a long time, but I have found I must balance it with the experience of the thief on the cross who did not have the opportunity for #2-7. God elects, calls, and works in the hearts of inviduals in very personal ways, according to His timetable, for His own glory.
Great post!
Cyndi,
I agree with what you have said mostly. I guess my discussion is more with how the church handles the gospel...not so much who is saved and who is not based on this list...I think the church must explain the totality of the gospel and the cost involved...I think there are many in the pews who have prayed a prayer, but lack true knowledge of a saving gospel. God does save who He chooses...when and how He chooses...I'm so thankful for His power in salvation!
On my own,I would never choose God...I would sadly be like the Pharisees,I'm afraid.
I do think the robber on the cross repented.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Kim
Amen and amen, Kim!
Great post Kim. I heard a pastor explain once that salvation is as simple as asking Jesus to come into your heart and accepting him as your savior, but doing in a public manner helps other Christians help you learn, share the Bible, etc. I always think of that when I hear the "no one is looking" statement.
Have a great weekend.
Kim, thank you again for giving me something to think about. I became a Christian when I was 13. At the time I attended the United Church and was baptized as a baby. Now I attend the Baptist church here and baptism is as an adult. I have no idea why I have yet to do this or what is holding me back. Post like these encourage me to know that it is the right thing to do despite my fears.
Laura
Such great words! I think you're right - people believing they are saved by speaking it. Christ suffered for us all and we also must give up our old lives and walk in a new life to live for Him! Sometimes it is hard to "wear" Christ every day when others seem to flourish while living in the world! I pray every day that Christ is seen through me in all that I do and all that I say! I am human and I am a sinner - but I also know that I live in grace each and every day! Thank you for the gentle reminder!
Great post, Kim. And, while I agree with you wholeheartedly, I know many people who've responded to an altar call and are now vibrant, God-fearing, Word-loving Christians. Two of them are my good friends Rob and Shawn. Rob is now a pastor and they are on staff with Prison Fellowship.
Oh, and when they answered the altar call they were both "high" as they made their living dealing drugs.
They were "high"? What?! Is that possible? Does that happen to a lot of people? Did they immediately become sober? That is really strange. I'm not saying that they weren't saved, I'm just saying that's strange!
I love your last line of this post!!
When my brother in law, not raised in church and having no idea of church terminology, responded to a call to commitment, the pastor asked him, "have you prayed the sinner's prayer?" As if there were a test to "get in." My brother in law, too embarassed to admit he had no idea what the sinner's prayer was, just nodded. I don't know about anyone else, but that's legalism, not the gospel. Great thoughts, Kim.
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