But
God commendeth His love toward us,
in
that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ
died for us.
Romans
5:8
Jane
(Doe) is what I will call this lady who was a dear friend of mine
several years ago. Jane was at the time as active in our church as
anyone could be. She was active in the women's ministry, a director
of one of our children's Sunday school departments, sang in the
church choir, wife of a respected deacon, mother of sweet children,
and professionally successful.
I
realize I've painted a picture of what sounds like the perfect
Christian lady and she was from all outward appearances.
One
Sunday morning during the invitation time and on the last verse of
the invitation hymn, almost like a flash, Jane came running down the
aisle and just fell on the altar steps. One of the pastors went and
knelt by Jane and they talked for a good bit of time. Soon, she and
the pastor went up some side steps that led to the baptistry and even
sooner, there stood Jane in the baptismal water. People were shocked
almost all 1,000 of them.
When
the service was completely over, I asked Brian and our children to go
on to the car because I wanted to linger and talk to Jane. When Jane
came back into the auditorium I went to her and gave her a hug and in
so many words congratulated her on her decision. She asked if I was
upset with her and I assured her that there wouldn't be any Christian
right with God who could be critical of of her.
Jane
told me of her spiritual struggles for more years than she could
remember, knowing she wasn't a born again Christian. She had walked
a church aisle as a teenager along with friends but knew her
profession of faith wasn't genuine. She married a fine Christian man
which caused more conviction in her. When her children accepted
Jesus as their Savior, again she felt condemned, knowing she wasn't
saved. But on this Sunday morning, standing with her family with her
fingers dug into the back of the pew in front of her, she had the
feeling that at that moment, it was her last opportunity to get this
thing settled. She laughed as she said how she almost knocked people
over as she shoved her way out to the aisle. She said that she
couldn't get to the altar fast enough. Now as we spoke, she
confessed to feeling a freedom and love for Jesus she had never known
in her 53 years of life.
When
I teach ladies whether in Sunday school, Bible study class, retreats,
or conferences, I never take for granted that everyone sitting before
me is a born again Christian even though all would say they are a
saved person. I'm always conscious that there could be one or more
“Jane's” sitting in the room, ladies who know they are leading a
phony Christian life. Ladies who walked a church aisle when the age
of 10 rarely have any follow up. They sign a card, parents weep with
joy, church staff are happy for the new soul added to the rolls but
such a child can be left with the title of Christian without the real
relationship. It happens all the time, but anyone who dies without
Jesus no matter the circumstances will still face a Christless hell.
Therefore,
I ask patience on the part of readers and your prayers as well with
this next part of this blog because I feel so led to present a simple
plan of salvation. Readers of this blog aren't just from Texas,
Tennessee or a couple other states. Readers are from just about
every state but I lost count of foreign countries after I counted 47
of them. Some are readers from countries who would be in a great
deal of trouble if authorities knew they were reading anything
Christian in nature. I pray for their protection every day.
It
doesn't hurt for any of us to take spiritual inventory. I'm not out
to encourage doubt in the life of a Christian regarding her
salvation. We women are very chemical with our up and down emotions.
There may be days when none of us feel very saved but inside we know
better.
So
where do we begin? Let's be very basic. I am going to give some
verses from the book of Romans...the Roman Road, we call it.
The problem of sin for the unsaved person must be faced and dealt with. We read:
“For
all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
This
is perhaps the most difficult of any plan of salvation. We don't
like to think of ourselves as being sinners. We may even compare
ourselves to some really good people but guess what, they too are
sinners. Looking at ourselves in the mirror and saying, “I am a
sinner” is very difficult. The willingness to repent, turn away
from our sin may be unthinkable but this is the place to begin. Are
you a sinner?...yes? Good, we can move to the next step.
2.
Wages come to us when we are an employee and we get paid on a
regular basis.
Romans
6:23 says:
“For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Yes,
there are those earning their way to Hell. However, God provided us
with a gift. Gifts are free. I like gifts. I don't have to shop
for one, don't have to pay for it, don't have to wrap it...someone
else does all of that. How great is that? God has given us a
gift...eternal life...provided through His Son Jesus Christ who died
on a cross for our sin that we might have a wonderful relationship
with God. The huge bonus is receiving the gift of eternal life.
3.
So what steps do we take. We sure can't save ourselves. However
Romans 10:9 tells us that if we confess with our mouths that Jesus
is Lord and believe by faith in our hearts that God raised Him from
the dead, we will be saved. In confessing our sin we need to ask
forgiveness of God and be willing to repent and turn away from our
sin. To confess Jesus as Lord involves agreeing with God about our
sin and our need for salvation. When we believe in our heart, we
are placing our faith in Jesus, trusting that He died on the cross
to pay for our sins.
This may all sound just too simple.
God never wants to make salvation difficult for anyone. He loves you
so much that He sacrificed His Son that you might be saved. All you
need to do at this point is just to pray to God by faith asking Him
to save you. You could pray a prayer as simple as this:
Dear God, I know I'm a sinner and am
in need of your forgiveness
and salvation. I am trusting you in
this moment as I turn away from
my sin and place my faith in Jesus
as my Savior and Lord. Thank
You for saving me and for giving me
the gift of eternal life. Amen.
If you have prayed either this prayer
or one like it and have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior at this
time, please let me know and I will get some material to you to help
you on this new road. It will take real courage for some who like
Jane had struggled for years knowing you are not truly saved. You
may be very weary of putting on the front like Jane did for so many
years. Jane would say that it's not worth the struggle and it really
isn't. I am praying for our readers and ask readers to pray as well
for those who need Jesus to be their Savior.
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your open
arms, arms open to the unsaved, but arms that are open to those of us
who are Your children already. May we regularly confess our sin, not
wanting to take You for granted. May our relationship with You grow
as we study Your Word and spend time talking to You on a regular
basis. We love you. Amen.
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