07/17/2017
I am thinking back to the moment I confessed Jesus as my savior, and the events that brought me to that place. I am considering the strength of the gospel that I heard and comparing it to all the preaching I have heard since then. What made the message strike home with me? What have I heard since?
Paul was a highly educated man and his ability to speak powerfully, and convince people of one thing or the other was obviously an ability he possessed, but not one he used in preaching. He recounted to the Corinthians how he preached the message of the gospel for what it was... not by using his great ability as an orator; let's listen to his words...
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV
It was summer, and I was nine years old. I rode my bicycle to Vacation Bible School each morning and listened to stories of Jesus that told me the gospel story. As the week progressed I thought a great deal about His life, death, and resurrection, and learned songs such as "We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder." The seed was planted, and over the next few weeks the Holy Spirit moved within me as I read my bible, until finally I knew that there was no way that I could go another day without accepting Him as my personal savior. So one morning after church, I jumped on my bicycle again and rode to the house of my VBS teachers, and in their living room I prayed the prayer of a sinner, and asked Jesus to come into, and take control of, my life.
No flowery speech, no cajoling, just the gospel message, and the move of the Holy Spirit. I am now 65 years old, and have looked back on those weeks fondly every day since. The experience was powerful, and the Holy Spirit has remained alive within me.
Since then, I have listened to preachers as they delivered the message, and then the altar call. I have heard the good and the bad, and have listened to many forms of delivery, but there is one thing that sticks out in my mind as truth... only the simple message of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit saves people for a lifetime... all else is trickery, emotionalism, and the work of a slick, smooth talker. When someone comes to the altar as a result, it is usually followed a short time later with an awakening to the fact that they were caught up in it, or just plain conned... and the Holy Spirit fights an uphill battle in them after that.
Paul spoke in Romans about what it takes to be saved, and it is simple in execution, but requires that our hearts be circumcised by the Holy Spirit in preparation..
“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Romans 10:9-10 ESV
Jesus also told of the simplicity when He spoke of His second coming and being lifted up; it didn't involve a sales job, or take some form of convincing. Two simple verses tell the story...
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.”
John 12:32, 36 ESV
An altar full of people who have been brought there by flowery speech, enticing words, and the oration of a preacher who is leaning upon his own ability, is overshadowed entirely by one soul that hears the gospel; who is led by the Holy Spirit, and receives Jesus Christ in solemn affirmation. In this person the roots of faith will grow deep, and hold the oak of his belief firm and without fail. We aren't born Christian; tricked, or aroused emotionally into faith... we are brought there by the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the move of the Holy Spirit.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
John 14:26 ESV
This doesn't mean that those who were brought to the altar by smooth talk, emotional plea, or by hook or crook are lost... it just means that they should now turn to the simple straightforward gospel of Jesus Christ, and listen to the Holy Spirit while leaning on the power of God as it leads to a true and deep faith. Put down a tap root and stand firm in the Word of God. If this is done then a life of faith and righteousness is your promise, and eternal life your reward.
The message is a simple one, and the working of the Holy Spirit leads us. This is our call to Christ, and this is the seed that falls on good ground and takes root.
“And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."”
Mark 4:8-9 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and the gospel I heard those many years ago. I thank you for the Holy Spirit that led me to my confession of belief, and started me down the road of faith that has brought me to this place. I pray this morning for all those who were brought to the altar through guilt, emotion, or smooth words... send your Holy Spirit to them Lord, and take what started as trickery and turn it into a true confession of belief in Christ. Instill in them a lasting faith. Let the simple message of Jesus Christ be the seed that is nurtured by your Spirit in each one who receives it, and let every seed take to the water and care you provide that it might grow mightily in you. Lord Jesus, you alone are enough, and the gospel message of your life is all that is required for the Spirit as it begins to work. No man can add to or detract from the truth that is in you... come to each of us, young and old alike, and let our hearts be open as we hear the call.
Rich Forbes