I originally wrote this in January 2016, but it has been on my heart to share it again. Even the preachers once on-fire for God who took a stand and preached against sin, are now leaving out the message of holiness and just preaching about salvation. Yes, our walk with God absolutely starts with asking Jesus into our heart, but that is just the beginning. It does not end with acknowledging Jesus died for your sins. We need to do more than just realize Jesus loves us, we need to love Him in return by living only for Him, not for ourselves or others. Anyway, here is that blog with a few edits.
My blog "The Parable of the Lost Sheep" has to do with being lost, and allowing Jesus to find you and be saved. However, once you have surrendered your heart, mind, and soul to Christ, you are not instantly saved forever. The theory of eternal security is a lie of the devil in order to put Christians to sleep. When we think there is grace for everything, and that our actions suffer no consequences because our salvation is guaranteed with one simple prayer, we can easily slip into a life of sin and comfortably stay there. You can read more about that topic on a post I wrote titled: "If you call yourself a Christian, are you eternally secure?"
https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2020/10/if-you-call-yourself-christian-are-you.html
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness. Joel 2:12-13
It is very true that Christ accepts us as we are and He freely gave His life on the cross for our sins so we can have eternal life. Yet it is also very true that, though we may come just as we are with all our faults, God expects us to change. Jesus is a loving Father who readily forgives our sins as long as our repentance is sincere and we do not continue to live in sin. Think of it this way: if your child wrote on the living room walls and said, "I'm so sorry, please forgive me," you would forgive him. If he does it again, you will still love him, but there will be consequences for his actions. If he does it a third time, and continues to defy you and take advantage of your gracious heart, the consequences become more dire. It is the same with our Heavenly Father. Even more so since He is holy and it is His desire that we live holy lives if we are to follow Him. That does not mean we have to be perfect, but we must seek out to destroy our sinful nature.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I Peter 1:13-19
On my husband's blog "The Sword of the Spirit," http://swordofthespirit77.blogspot.com/ Mel wrote a blog in July 2015 titled "The Finish Line," http://swordofthespirit77.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-finish-line.html that goes along perfectly with my blog. Here is some of what he wrote (I would encourage you to read his entire writing):
"Most churches today are not teaching their people the truth in regard to salvation. They are taught that by simply reciting the sinner’s prayer that they are saved and the angels are singing in Heaven. The sinner’s prayer is a great prayer when done in sincerity, but this alone does not save a person’s soul, it is just the beginning. Most churches today are not teaching their people to repent of their sins and to be born again. To be born again, a person must become a new creation in Christ, and this means to be set apart from the world and unto God... If Jesus Christ is truly the Lord of your life then his attributes will be apparent in your life. Christ said that any tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
"This life of probation, may be compared to running a race. We run this race of life hoping to obtain the prize, which is eternal life with God, but if we do not complete the race and cross the finish line, then all is lost... Paul was saying that like a runner in a race keeps his body in good physical condition, we must also keep our spiritual body in good condition so that we might be able to cross the finish line and win our crown. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. I Corinthians 9:24
"Christ said that those who endure unto the end shall be saved, if we fail to cross the finish line in victory, then all is lost... And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12
"The lukewarm church of the end time is preaching a greasy grace message that makes people feel good, instead of teaching them the truth. When there is no distinction between the sinful world and the saints, then the salt has lost it’s savor and the truth has been turned into a lie. If we live, dress, talk, as well as act like sinners, then we are lost as well. Christ made atonement upon the cross for sins committed in ignorance, as well as for sins that are repented of. If we do not repent of willful sins, then there is no forgiveness. Atonement is not automatic, it follows repentance. No one is perfect of course, but we are called to righteousness, and this means to live right..."
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14
The key words there are “if,” and “humble themselves.”
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
Humble yourself and admit you have done wrong. Salvation begins with repentance and admittance of sin. In spite of the very popular Calvinistic belief that, poof, you are now saved forever and will automatically go to heaven because you ask Jesus into your heart is a lie. It is an excuse to live however you want because you are a “Christian.” There is no desire to please your Creator or live a truly Christian lifestyle. There is no self-evaluation or repentance.
For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2
(All artwork is by Ron DiCianni)
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