It seems every time I Tweet, preach or write a blogpost about forgiveness it stirs people. Most of us must struggle with this issue at some point in our life.
With that in mind, here are my top posts about forgiveness:
8 Reminders for Granting True Forgiveness
Gayle Haggard on Grace and Forgiveness
7 Ways to Offer True Forgiveness
The Blessing of Offering Forgiveness
I Am Sorry…Asking Forgiveness…Receiving Grace
Is it easy for you to forgive? Has it gotten easier?
“In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be” (declares the Lord) Amos 9:11 NIV
Yesterday I posted my thoughts on Harold Camping’s now failed prediction of the end of the world on May 21, 2011. (You can read that post HERE). We know that prediction didn’t come true, and most are relieved, but I can’t help but wonder if some are disappointed.
Do you have any broken places in the “tent” of your life? Are you ready for them to be restored? What Camping was promising would have been relief for many believers.
It seems hardly a day goes by that I do not encounter someone going through a struggle in life. That’s among those people inside and outside the church. We are experiencing the heartache and pain of a broken world.
May I offer this as hope as we continue in this path of life: Restoration is on its way! In the meantime, God’s Spirit stands ready to assist you in your time of need!
Jesus is going to return! At the very breath through the Father’s mind, Jesus will mount a great white stallion, whose rider is called Faithful and True, and He will, in a mighty display of His glory, bring victory to the people of God. The broken places will be made whole. Everyone will finally know that there is but One God, and He is Maker and Ruler of all things.
Jesus will come quickly, with a shout, and we will be brought before the Throne of the Almighty, where God will permanently and personally wipe every tear from our eyes. We will be with the Lord forever!
Are you ready for that glorious day? It didn’t come yesterday…but it’s coming!
For the next several weeks, the memory verse will be from Romans, looking at what has been called “The Roman Road”. I am not one who believes it takes a formula to be saved, it takes a change of heart, believing in the One God raised from the dead…Jesus…but sometimes a script can help a person process through what seems to be complex information. That’s what the Roman Road has done for many.
Romans has been described as one comprehensive look at what it means to be a believer; from start to finish. If you study this book well, you’ll have a great understanding of who you are in Christ.
Here is this week’s memory verse:
Some Romans Road scripts will not start with this verse, but I always do. It reminds me why I’m willing to share my faith.
Will you commit to memorizing this Roman Road with me over the next few weeks? It could change someone’s life…perhaps even yours!
A recent college graduate from our church sent me an email recently. She’s struggled with her spiritual past. She became a believer early in life, got off track for a while, and now she’s on fire for God, Her dilemma is whether she lost her salvation during that time. She wonders what would have happened to her eternally had she died during her time of wandering. She wanted to know why I believe in eternal security.
I realize I’m stepping in dangerous territory with this discussion question. This issue divides people theologically as much as any other. Some of my closest believing friends would disagree with me here, believing that one can lose their salvation, but I believe in eternal security. I am not a theologian so I look for simple answers.
Here is my quick answer to my friend:
Dear _______,
These are standard questions most people wrestle with at some point in life. Great questions.
Here’s a short answer. I believe in eternal security, because:
The Bible says “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you SHALL be saved”…not you might be saved…
The Bible says “Do not worry”…How could you not worry if you were constantly wondering if you’ve gone too far…if you had lost your salvation?
It takes grace to be saved, why would it take works to remain saved?
Works are the result of salvation, not to earn or keep salvation…
Was there ever a time when you were “living in sin” when you didn’t “believe”? I’d say probably not…you may not have looked like a believer…but Jesus looks at the heart, not the outward appearance…
If we start drawing lines of how to lose salvation, where does the line stop? Could we ever remain saved? It’s just like the law…Jesus even added higher standards…one bad thought…one lust…one hatred…one dishonoring of parents…one idol placed in front of God…and we’re doomed…who then could be saved? Read the rich young ruler story…”What’s impossible for man is possible with God”…
The bottom line though is what difference does it make about what could have happened then? The bottom line is, are you saved now? Which, from watching your heart and life, I believe you are indeed.
Rejoice in your salvation!
Love your heart!
Hope this helps!
God bless,
Ron
There is so much more to this issue, but I suspect many others, including me, have wrestled with this same issue.
How would you have answered?
What questions do you have about eternal security?
Does this testimony resemble your own?
Share your thoughts!
Have you ever been curious about the 10 Commandments, specifically how we can implement them into our life today? A couple years ago, I wrote a series about each one. I’m a grace guy…if you read this blog much you know that. We are not under the law, but under grace. There are great Biblical principles, however, that these commandments have for us to live better lives today.
Here’s a repost of all of them together…just click on the link:
Questions:
Which is the hardest for you to keep? Be honest!
What would you add as ways we violate these commandments today or how they have meaning for us still, even in the days of grace?
Sadly, I didn’t see this in the news, but I did see it on Ed Stetzer‘s blog and thought is was worth sharing here as well. I’ve asked before about the role of believers in politics. My personal opinion is that Christians need to be influencers in our culture…at every level. Therefore, I think this type speech is important for us to hear. I’m not offering commentary on what was said, but I do believe we should know what the president is saying in these matters.
Watch the video, then share your thoughts:
It happened like this…
Cheryl and I were eating at a restaurant…
That’s happened many times before…
There was a large family gathered at a table nearby…
We’ve seen that before too….
The family prayed before their meal came….
That was nice…
We noticed…
Then their food came…
The order wasn’t right…
They were mad…
They made it known that they were made…
Numerous times…
They were just plain rude to the waitress…
We felt bad for her…
Cheryl even apologized for “their” behavior after they left…
It made me wonder….
If you’re going to be a rude customer, should you even bother to pray before you eat?
Aren’t you sending mixed signals?
Just asking…
What do you think?
One frustration I have had in ministry is watching people come to church, get excited for a time, then disappear. You spend energy and heart on people, grow to love them and get excited about them, and suddenly they are nowhere to be found. These people don’t transfer to another church. I’m okay with that if it helps them better grow in their relationship with Christ. I’m talking about people who quit going to church altogether.
What happens to them?
I’ve found the same 7 reasons repeated continually. Perhaps you have seen this too.
Here are 7 reasons people disappear from church:
Burn out - These people came out of the gate too strong in the church. They showed up, got excited, and signed up for everything. They got so busy doing church they failed to enjoy being the church.
Injury - People inside the church can be cruel. These people experienced some of those people and they couldn’t get over it.
Distractions - These people got distracted by seemingly good things. Over time, their lifestyle of attending becomes the habit of not attending.
Life change – These people had a lifestyle change, such as divorce or re-marriage, or they move to a new community and never connect with a church.
Mistakes - These people messed up…they made a mistake and the place that should dispense grace appears to refuse it. Many times this is more perception than reality and based on the way a person feels about themselves, but sadly sometimes it is reality.
Power struggle – These people had an agenda and when it wasn’t met and when they couldn’t overpower the system, they left.
Immaturity – These people never grew spiritually; there was never any depth to their faith, so church soon became a chore rather than a joy.
Pastors, is this frustrating to you? How do you address these issues?
What other reasons would you add to my list?
A common email for me is one where someone is questioning their salvation. The typical person is one who has been in the church for a number of years, perhaps even growing up in the church, but, for whatever reason, never quite feels they are saved. Recently I had this kind of question and decided others may have the same struggle. I’m not pretending I have the best answer, but perhaps you need to read it.
Here is my email reply:
Thank you for your email. I don’t know if I can help or not, but I’ll try. I think though, that this may be less complicated than you are making it.
The Bible is fairly clear to me what is required to be a follower of Christ…to be a Christian…to be saved…
John 6:29, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13….
It takes believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that He lived and died on a cross and rose from the grave, and that Jesus is the only way for a sinner such as you and me to be right with a Holy God.
Do you believe that?
If so, you are saved. Not because I said so or you said so, or even because you feel you are saved or you do not feel you are saved, but because God said so. In my experience, many times when a person doesn’t feel saved, it’s because they are looking too closely at what they have done or haven’t done instead of at what Christ has done. Salvation hangs completely on the finished work of Christ, not on the efforts of man.
I seldom meet non-believers who even question their faith. That seems to be something the devil loves to use against believers…causing us to doubt our salvation. The key may be to accept truth…and convince yourself that what God said is true! (It is by the way.) You may have to remind yourself of that truth many times until it sticks.
I’m praying God speaks clearly to your heart that you are saved…that your heart has been changed…and that you are in a right relationship with Him, not by your efforts, but by the grace of Jesus Christ, in whom you believe. Remember also, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). He measures and weighs our motivation. If you truly are desiring to be saved, I’d say you have a saving kind of faith…
From what you are telling me, I think you’re in! I don’t believe it takes special words or a special prayer to be saved. I believe it’s what happens when a heart chooses to simply, without reservation, follow Christ alone. There’s nothing wrong, however, with saying a simple prayer if it makes you feel more certain in your decision.
You might pray, “Dear God, I know you love me. I know I’ve done things wrong…I’m a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose from the grave, paving the only way for me to get to you. Forgive me of my sins, come into my heart, and save me. I want to follow Christ with my life. Thank you for saving me.”
Again, use your own words, but be certain your heart is fully open to Jesus!
God bless,
Ron
Have you ever doubted your salvation? Are you doubting now?
I don’t know if I buy into the research of this report, especially in my church where we seem to have an abundance of exercise and health conscious people. But, according to this ABC News report…
Well, just watch for yourself… (After the short advertisement)
Did you watch it? What do you think? Agree or disagree? Is the report offensive to you?
Also, do you think the pastor’s health or lifestyle influences the church in this area? Does the style of church play into this?
Just curious….
For a printed version of this story, click HERE.
Mustard Seed Thoughts
