Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.For the past few months, I have been teaching a “Foundation of Faith” class on Wednesday evenings at our church here in Anaheim, California. As the last couple classes on the subject of Creation verses Evolution close the series of basic doctrines of the Christian church, one of the students asked if I could read a “letter to himself” that he wrote some thirteen years ago, one early morning when he couldn’t sleep and struggled with the arguments of the reality of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, sent to be His personal Lord and Savior, if he would accept, believe, and trust in Him with all of his heart, all of his mind, all of his soul, and all of his strength in pure and complete love of God. (Mark 12:30 & Luke 10:27)
John 6:67-69 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
After reading Scott’s letter, I asked and received permission to post what he wrote on this blog, so it is my prayer that you be blessed by the open and sincere conversation between a man and his heart for Christ. Written shortly before his conversion, Scott wrote: "So, what if I said to you?: Jesus is here. Have you accepted Him as your Savior? Can you truly imagine death without Him in your heart? Do you really believe that without His help, you can achieve a truly meaningful and real happiness? How important is your spiritual existence and awareness right now? What could you stand to lose by asking for and accepting His guidance and love? Do you recall ever hearing of any negative testimonies from any individuals who believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ? How many accounts of healing and “miracles” heave you heard of? Can you discredit any of them? Would you, after considering all of your answers to these questions, be willing to try following the path of Jesus yourself? The ultimate dare is to tell the truth; the ultimate existence is to follow it. Jesus is leading the path to truth and glory. Follow Him and rejoice in His splendor! I dare you." Scott Evans – 2:30am on April 23, 1998
John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
In Christ, Brian
5 comments:
Excellent and Amen!
Happy Tuesday :o)
There comes a point where the inner voice has to yield to the will of God. Many of us can reflect back on those times when the voice from within fought against the voice from without and be glad for the victory of the Word of God over the mind of man.
Great point UGP. Coming to a "saving" knowledge of Jesus Christ is a process that leads to a decision. That process is quite a battle and must be fought, but in the end victory and liberty.
And thanks Larri for the comment.
I truly hope this young man has been made alive by the power of God through His Holy Spirit for Christ's sake and his sake. But brother, none of those are valid reasons for trusting in the work of Christ on Calvary's cross. Those are the motivations that continue to keep our churches full of professors rather than possessors.
The only motivation for trusting in the finished work of Christ is not to be truly happy or obtain meaning or meaningful happiness, or the fact that no negative testimonies have ever been recorded by those who believe and follow Christ, etc, the only reason and motivation is that this young man has offended a holy and righteous God man has been called to repent of his sin. Where was the mention of sin? Where was the mention of anquish at sinning against a holy God, where was the fear of damnation if he didn't repent.
Brother I love you but I hope this not another case (I will not judge the heart) of easy believism.
We run to the cross because we have sinned and are in danger of hell-fire, we trust Christ and as we are saved we then reap the benefits of salvation which is genuine and meaningful happiness and etc.
Your friend in Christ.
Excellent point again Pastor Gregg. This student, Scott, wrote this note well over a decade again, while struggling with the questions that seeks work through You are correct that these question do not save, but can and many times do led the seeker to the foot of the cross. Scott has attended every lessons of this New Believer's course this year to learn the missing truths that you speak of. The gospel of Jesus Christ was presented nd explained first class given. You and I can not see or judge the heart, but we pray that everyone that hear the gospel message, recognizes their sin, realizes their inability to pay for the penalty of those sins against a just and holy Creator God, sees and accepts the free gift of eternal life in the sacricial atoning death ont he cross by the Savior Jesus Christ as a free gift completely out of the Heavenly Father's undeserved mercy and grace. I'm happy to see the struggle of Seeker's, so that brothers and sisters in Christ can speak to them and guide them, witht he help of the Holy Spirit to the foot of the Cross byt he message of the gospel truth that they are truly seeking. Far too many are having no struggle with their heart towards Christ based on lies that lead to a false salvation in the wrong Christ. I agree in your concerns and do see them in society today ... even inside the church. Many of the basic Christianity teaching and issues that I taught in this class, where being heard for n the very first time. But praise the Lord that they were hearing these truths now. Romans 10:13-15For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Keep teaching, keep preaching, and keep commenting Pastor Gregg. For it is in the name of Christ that we do. Thank you for your excellent input.
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