Are You a Christian and what did You Do to be one?

 

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First of all, a word about the so called sinners prayer you may have heard of.

The Sinner’s Prayer is a Christian name for any prayer of repentance, prayed by individuals who believe convicted of the presence of sin in their lives and have the desire to establish a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10 is often cited as Gods will and authorization for the use of a sinners prayer to be saved. It says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This is not the case because it short circuits Gods will for us to be obedient to his instructions I will mention shortly.

The basic version of the prayer goes like this: “Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner. I believe You died for my sins so I could be forgiven. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for coming into my life. Amen.”

This mode is not the way one becomes a Christian. Nowhere in the Bible does Gods word teach a simple prayer and mentally receiving Jesus in ones heart to be saved and have the gift of salvation. In fact this unbiblical practice bypasses obedience to Gods will in a gross way and will make it very difficult to renounce and correct because one will have disobeyed the gospel (2 Thes 1:8-10). The sinners prayer in any form is probably the number #1 reason millions will end up somewhere else other than heaven on the day of judgment by Jesus Christ. We emplore you not to do it!

Now, Gods word teaches that we need to test the spirits, and that responsibility falls on our personal spiritual inventory as well.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.”

1 John 4:1-3

If asked, how do you explain you are a Christian? It’s kind of egotistical to talk about ones self and I understand the person asking may be a Christian desiring to test your spirit. This is perfectly biblical and there should be no angst on the questioner’s part if he or she is asked the same question in this conversation. 

Here is the biblical response to the questioner with scripture references God has left both parties to learn from.

First, we must inform them we have within our heart, mind and spirit that Jesus Christ came to earth by the Holy Spirit from his heavenly home in the flesh. That He was God in the flesh here 2,000 years ago. Then tell them you believed and obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Bible. Then we need to inform them we had to be obedient to the gospel by faith making our salvation actual by the following biblical teachings.

Tell them you read and heard the word from teaching or preaching. Romans 10:17

You believed the word of God the Bible. Ephesians 1:13. And the gospel of Jesus Christ which is, “Christ died for my sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day defeating death according to the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

Then you repented or turned away from your sinful life walking towards God now. Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11, 2 Peter 3:9, Revelation 2:5-6

Then tell them you verbally confessed Jesus as Lord, King and your Savior in front of witnesses acknowledging he was God in the flesh on earth. And that he is the only way to God the Father now. John 14:6, Acts 8:36,37, Romans 10:10, John 8:56-59, Heb 1:8-12, 1 John 4:1-2

Then you by obedient faith in the working of God was baptized in water by another for the remission of your past sins in the name of Jesus Christ as commanded by Jesus, apostle Peter and the Holy Spirit who inspired the written word. Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 22:16, Galatians 3:26-27, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:11-12.

Finally you began walking in newness of life everyday a new creation exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit in your life the best you can as a new citizen in the kingdom of God, the church. All the while Loving God with all your heart, all your strength and with all your mind, and loving your neighbors as yourself, even those who persecute you for your faith. Matt 22:37-40, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and  difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

Scriptures Weekly 55 - True Meaning of Grace

The concept of God’s “Grace” is thrilling beyond words. It shines its brightest, however, against the backdrop of another aspect of our Creator’s nature — that of sacred "Wrath."

The most common Greek word for “wrath” is orge. The term occurs 36 times in the New Testament (cf. Romans 1:18; 2:5). Another expression denoting “wrath” is thymos (18 times; cf. Revelation 16:19; 19:15). Most scholars make some distinction between the terms. Some suggest that thymos is “boiling” anger, whereas orge reflects an “abiding and settled” state of mind. Perhaps the two terms in concert denote the intense and sustained disposition of God towards evil, and those who abandon themselves to it.

But “wrath,” as used of God, does not suggest an impulsive, emotional reaction, as the term frequently does with humans. Rather, divine wrath is the reflection of a deliberate and measured reaction of a perfectly holy Being toward sin — a response that is entirely consistent with the righteous nature of a loving God. Standing over against the starkness of sacred wrath, is the dazzling concept of “grace.”

Grace Defined

“Grace” derives from the Greek, charis. In secular Greek, charis was related to chairo, “to rejoice.” As far back as Homer it denoted “sweetness” or “attractiveness.” It came to signify “favor,” “goodwill,” and “loving kindness” — especially as granted by a superior to an inferior.

In the New Testament, “grace” (156 times) takes on a special redemptive sense in which God makes available his favor on behalf of sinners, who actually do not deserve it.

There is tremendous emphasis in the New Testament upon the fact that human salvation is the result of Heaven’s grace. This beautiful truth should never be minimized. At the same time, it must not be perverted. Unfortunately, much too often those with only a superficial concept of “grace” have hijacked the term and foisted upon it a sense alien to scriptural teaching. Let us consider some of the precious Bible truths associated with the concept of salvation by grace.

Encompassing Grace

God’s grace has been offered to the entire human family. “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men . . .” (Titus 2:11). This cannot mean that every soul will be saved. Such a conclusion would contradict numerous other passages.

What this does suggest is that Heaven’s grace is potentially available to all who care to access it by means of the divine plan of redemption (cf. Romans 5:1; 6:3-4,17). This reality is in direct conflict with the Calvinistic notion that God, before the foundation of the world, chose only specific persons to be recipients of his grace.

The Grace/Knowledge Connection

The access to God’s grace is by means of an objective body of revelation. Paul noted: “For the grace of God hath appeared . . . instructing us . . .” (Titus 2:11-12). Christianity is a taught religion. Isaiah, speaking of the messianic age, exclaimed: “. . . he will teach us of his ways . . .” (2:3). Jesus himself declared: “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and has learned, comes unto me” (John 6:45).

God’s grace is not dispensed apart from an instruction that requires both understanding and obedience. In these days when there is a tendency to “stampede” folks into the church, with minimal comprehension of what they are doing, this is a crucial matter to emphasize.

Conditional Grace

The reception of God’s grace is conditional. Calvinism erroneously asserts that grace is bestowed unconditionally by the sovereign will of God. The Bible negates this concept.

The principle is illustrated by the example of Noah, who “found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8); and yet, as the writer of Hebrews shows, the patriarch and his family were saved by preparing an ark in obedience to God’s instruction (Hebrews 11:7; cf. Genesis 6:22). Jehovah proffered the grace. Noah, by faith, obeyed the Lord, and so was blessed. While God extends grace, human beings must be willing to “receive” the favor (2 Corinthians 6:1).

Grace Is Not Earned

Grace excludes merit. We must constantly remind ourselves that humanity is not deserving of salvation. No one can “earn” pardon by works of human merit. If such were the case, we could boast regarding our redemption; however, that is impossible (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Even if one were able to perform everything God commands, he still must regard himself as an “unprofitable servant” (Luke 17:10). Jesus taught that our sins have put us head-over-heels in debt, and no person has the innate ability to liquidate that obligation (cf. Matthew 18:24-27).

When this concept is truly grasped, service to Almighty God will flow with a freshness and zeal that invigorates the soul. Doubtless a failure to fathom the true significance of grace is the reason many church members are spiritually lethargic.

Accessing Grace

Grace is accessed initially at the point of gospel obedience. It is shocking that so many sincere people are unaware of the fact that “grace” and “obedience” are not enemies. Paul affirmed that grace is accessed by faith (Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9). It is not, however, a faith void of loving response to God; it is a faith that acts (James 2:21-26).

Consider this fact. In Ephesians 2:8, the apostle states that one is “saved by grace through faith.” Later, in the same document, he says that sinners are “cleansed by the washing of water with the word” (5:26). “Saved” and “cleansed” represent the same idea. Further, scholars almost universally acknowledge that the “washing” is an allusion to baptism. It is clear, therefore, that the reception of grace, by means of the “faith” system, includes immersion in water for the remission of sins before God.

Again, note that eternal life is the result of grace (cf. “grace of life,” 1 Peter 3:7, i.e., life resulting from grace). But one experiences that “life” when he is raised from the water of immersion (Romans 6:4). Heaven’s grace plan system includes obedience.

To express the matter another way, Christ “saves us, through the washing of regeneration [acknowledged to be a reference to baptism], and the renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). Yet this is equivalent to being “justified by his grace” (v. 7). Obedience and grace do not stand in opposition to one another.

Continuing in Grace

The state of grace must be embraced continuously; otherwise one will fall from divine favor, and his initial reception of Heaven’s grace will have been “in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:10).

It is incredible that many, who identify themselves with Christianity, should contend that it is impossible for the Christian to fall from God’s grace.

If one cannot fall out of grace, why did Paul urge his fellow-believers to “continue [present tense — sustained perseverance] in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43)? The Scriptures warn of certain Christians who attempted to revert to the Mosaic regime for salvation. As a result, they were “severed from Christ” and “fallen away from grace” (Galatians 3:26-27; 5:4).

Conclusion

Grace is a soul-thrilling concept; it must be deeply appreciated, but never manipulated or distorted.

By Wayne Jackson
Christian Courier

Scriptures Weekly 12 - Hear and Do

Welcome to Scriptures Weekly. Do you open your heart and apply the Word of God in your life? We often read and hear the Word of God yet we aren't listening. We hear it but we forget to actually listen to learn how to draw closer to God. Preaching and studying the Bible is the delivery of His Word, but the most important aspect is doing the Word in our lives. Take time and really listen to Gods Holy Word so you’re not distracted in applying His will to your life. Be a doer, not just a hearer.

The Apostle Paul says,

Romans 12:2,

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

And...

James 1:22-23,

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.”

Is your heart engaged when reading and listening to Gods Word? May many blessings come your way when studying Gods Word.