As I said when I posted tetelestai, I will be blogging about my faith from time to time. Well maybe I’ll be doing more of that, maybe I’ll be making a separate blog for that but for now, this is one of those posts. Today’s post may turn more folks away but it’s on my chest and it’s coming off.
Today was the national day of Prayer (Website). This is an annual celebration of remembering our nations heritage and remembering where the only hope for this country is found –> God. No elected leader (from either party) can give us this same hope. No elected leader will ever fulfill the traits of who God wants to rule the world- Christ, the king of kings.
Through a great sermon, some wonderful prayer time with other believers and an extra dosage of conviction from the Holy Spirit I picked up a valuable lesson today: I’m not focusing on what is important in life.
The Bible is quite clear that I deserve hell. My actions and motives back that up. I am a sinner, motivated by selfishness and pride. Even when I do good I look to see who noticed far too often. I should be spending an eternity banished from God’s presence. It’s only fair.
The Bible is also so very clear that I am not getting what I deserve! In a verse that almost anyone can recite, that many people like to mock and that means so much I am told why I am not getting what I deserve:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 – King James Version)
I am bound for Heaven, an eternity of joy worshipping the very one who formed this world. The author of the Bible (a collection of 66 love letters written to us using over 40 human authors from all walks of life and profession over 1,500 years but the message being so tightly woven nonetheless!) will share the rest of eternity with me.
Not because of me but In spite of me. I was purchased with a price, a price so dear to God – the blood of His Son. God robed in human flesh took on our humanity, he paid a horrible price. He suffered more than anyone in the history of suffering: paying the price of my sins and your sins. Our actions could never pay this price! Our works are but dung according to Paul when it comes to our deserve of salvation. We are guilty as charged and the punishment is death and Hell. In spite of this, Christ came down to mediate for me. He suffered, bled and died for me. In spite of me. He was dead, buried and he arose, a glorious feat with so much evidence that so many who seek to fight the truth come to be fervent believers after their journey.
He now sits at the right hand of God in Heaven as my mediator. Every time satan says, “look what he did” Jesus cries out, “UNDER THE BLOOD!”. My sins are covered by His sacrifice. I am free from the bonds of sin and free to serve the Lord who gave so much for one who for so long hated Christianity, hated His truths and fought against those people who served Him.
Today’s service for the National Day of Prayer didn’t remind me of the above, I have had that in mind. Today’s time, however, helped me realize how much I am not doing. How far my walk with Christ is not moving.
He didn’t die so I could live a carnal life, worrying about the small stuff, living on in sin, stagnating in my walk. He didn’t die so I could work as hard as possible to be a go to guy with SQL Server. He didn’t die so I could have as many clients as possible. He died so I could taste Heaven and be His. While my sins are paid and I can’t be wrestled away from the hand of God that isn’t a license to go on as before. Can I? Sure, Heaven is still mine because it’s not up to me and my works.
But – why would I? Why would I want to? God gave me so much in Christ. My motivations in life are being turned upside down today. How can I do my Bible studies and go to church and then be a quiet, in the closet, Christian every other day. When so many don’t know the simple truth found in John 3:16? When so many (like me 10 years ago) have heard the words but don’t understand what they mean?
No. I can’t stay quiet anymore. There may be ramifications, there may be opportunities lost but who cares? I am here for another 40-70 years, Lord willing. I will be in Heaven for the rest of forever. I have a growing desire to offer more of myself to Him. Let Christ work through me and in spite of me.
I will be shifting my priorities – blogging, SQL Server knowledge growth, picking up extra work, etc need to take a back seat to walking with Christ and sharing what He has done for me. Family needs to come more into the spotlight, but even that comes under God. I will still be out here, but not as much. I want my short time here to be getting closer to Go. I am writing this goal so I can be reminded of it often.
What about you? Have you thought about where you stand with God? Are you trusting in the hope that the good in your life outweighs the bad? Are you hoping that your community activities are enough? Are you curious but waiting to close the deal until you are done, “having fun”?
Your works mean nothing because the standard is God’s holiness. We all fall incredibly short. Your community activities are works. Waiting? What if tomorrow never comes? You don’t know your death date, why chance it? Worried about missing out on fun? I never knew what true joy was until I asked Jesus into my heart.
Today is the day that you can ask for salvation. There is no other day that is better. If you feel that same feeling I felt a couple times before giving in, that strange, “I know it’s true but this, or but that” feeling then act on it. If you have never trusted in Christ’s completed work on the cruel cross you can do that right now.
You just have to admit you are a sinner, admit you can’t be good enough for Heaven. Trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Believe in your heart that when He died on that cross that He was doing it for you. Just like the thief on the cross next to Jesus who believed and entered Heaven that same day you can have eternal joy. Pray and ask Him into your heart if you believe.
It’s as simple as:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 – King James Version)
Send me an e-mail if you have questions. Send me an e-mail if you want to know more. There is no secret ritual or handshake. It’s all clearly in the Bible. I may not have your answer but I know the Answerer.