by David Brenneman
"If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." 1 Timothy 6:3-16.
On the other side of Hell's gates are only those who rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
In the world of Christianity souls are not 'won'. People are shown a still better way. People are shown the Truth, the Way and how to find the Life. People choose to either accept or reject the life in Christ that He's prepared for them.
Acceptance and Rejection are in the hands of all who breath the breath of life. Our day of accountability before Jesus will either be for the deeds we did in our lives for Him AFTER coming to Christ for salvation or for the deeds we did in life and to be shown after all that's to be revealed that our choice was to reject Him. Those who accepted Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior will spend eternity with Him in glory. Those who rejected Him will spend eternity feeling only a taste of the painful torment that Jesus experienced on the cross when He died for them.
My Dear Reader acceptance or rejection of the message of the Gospel truth about salvation in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins is in YOUR hands.
In Christ there IS a life in Christ to which all Believer's are called to live out. It's not burdensome, it's not heavy, nor complicated. It's not about all that we've been told by the world that we're going to lose out on.
Our faith must help others find themselves at the feet of Jesus so that they can see and experience the love of Christ Jesus for themselves.
A long time ago I heard a sermon about daring to be an Andrew.
Think about how different the four Gospels might have been if Andrew hadn't been so willing to obey God and tell his brother Peter about Jesus!
In my life I cannot help but consider all the saints before my decision to follow Jesus that went through all their journeys to get to me.
If they hadn't been obedient to their calling in Christ then I wouldn't be writing these things today.
The life of a Believer isn't what the world would have everyone believe. It's not about missing out, it's not about giving up, it's not about all that the world holds dear. You cannot compare the Light with the Darkness. It's beyond the teaching example of comparing apples to oranges. Without the Light of Jesus Christ you cannot even taste what it means to know the truth of God!
To all a measure of faith has been given...and it's enough to open the door to your own personal life in Christ if you so choose.
Jesus has provided enough light to you my Dear Reader to find the door to open up to Jesus. It's still on you to invite Him in to be your Lord and Savior.
I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't come to Christ for salvation. Since I about went through it once, I imagine decades ago I probably would have committed suicide. Painful despair was very much apart of my first few weeks after coming to Christ for salvation. I said yes to His free gift and it felt that life got worse! Well it might have felt that way but it wasn't true. The path of righteousness isn't the path of the world. I imagine there was ridicule to be had by the Disciples when they dropped lives they were living to follow Jesus.
Jesus's free gift of salvation is free to all. Romans 10 says "But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:8-17).
You, my Dear Reader, choose Heaven or Hell. Acceptance and Rejection are in the hands of all mankind because of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Only the Spirit of God can write your name in the book of life that belongs to Jesus Christ. He writes your name in the blood of Jesus that was shed for all who believe.
Lastly...your belief must go beyond believing that God exists. In the book of James it says that even the demons believe that. A life in Christ must be more. A life given to Him will be so much more.
He says "Behold I stand at the door and knock..."
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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