03/13/2019
Today I ask you a simple question: “are you saved as a believer in Jesus Christ?” Knowing who Jesus is, acknowledging Him to have lived in the past, or that perhaps He was a great prophet, this is not what I am talking about. My question drills into the very heart of the Christian Faith... do you acknowledge Jesus as the living Messiah, the Risen Son of God, and have you placed your life in His hands by believing, and having faith in Him as such? These are not trick questions, but are easily understood. The hardest part is stepping out in your faith... from the world you know into the unseen.
“Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, "Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, 'Let us enter the city,' the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die."”
2 Kings 7:3-4 ESV
Like the leper’s in this scriptural story, unbelievers have three questions to ask themselves... will I follow the world into certain death, will I sit where I am and likewise die, or will I enter in faith into the camp of Jesus Christ, and ask Him to give me life? Where do you sit today? Some of us are already joyfully in the camp of Jesus awaiting others to join us, a few are trying to decide whether the world can at least satisfy their immediate needs, and a larger portion of us are convincing ourselves that if we just sit where we are, and be morally good, that somehow someone will come along and rescue us.
There was a television game show called “Let’s Make a Deal” in which the host would give a contestant something of value, and then show them three doors, or curtains, and ask them if they would like to trade what they have for what is behind one of the curtains. They are told that something of far greater value than what they already have is behind one of the curtains, but if they guess wrong then the other two curtains contain either a gag gift, or some nearly worthless prize. As you can tell this is similar to the choice we must make in faith, with one major exception... we know what is behind each curtain, and need only to decide if what we have is of greater value to us than what we see... Jesus. Do we believe our eyes, our heart, or choose not to make a deal at all?
In our bible story the leper’s were in a land of famine, and were starving to death. They knew their choices. The worst thing that could happen to them when they chose was that they would die... and that was happening anyway. But... if they chose to go to the camp of the Syrians there was at least a possibility they would live. Is that where you think you are today? Are you facing spiritual starvation and deciding if you should gather all the worldly food you have remaining into one final feast, and then die? Maybe you are dividing up the little food you have left into tiny portions and attempting to live as long as you can before you succumb to death, or are you looking across the way at the camp of Jesus where there is no starvation, and trying to overcome the uncertainty of this new existence... trying to decide if He will even share what He has with you. Well my friend He refuses no one who believes in Him. Everyone who believes in him, and asks Him to share what He has with them, will receive it... salvation, and not merely a life sustaining portion, but an everlasting feast beyond their wildest dreams.
Faith, and belief; is it worth the risk to you? Are you ready to step into a new life and abandon the certainty of all you have ever known to gain the promise of eternal joy by your faith?
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Through our faith we will dine with the Lord, and this is a certainty. God’s Word is truth, and His Son is our Redeemer. Oh... and there is one further wonder in accepting Jesus as our Savior... we don’t have to travel to His camp... He comes to us with His feast. When we are too weak from starvation he will come to the sound of our frail voice, and give us the strength to accept Him.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says...'"”
Revelation 3:20-22 ESV
Make the choice, accept the love and sustenance Jesus brings into our life. Open your mouth, and let God’s grace pour in to replenish and reinvigorate you! Make this your prayer today...
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and for His life, death on Calvary, resurrection from the grave, and ascension into heaven where He sits at your right hand. I confess that you are my God, and also my belief in Jesus Christ, your Son, who has conquered sin and death that I might receive your grace and forgiveness. Hear me Holy Father, and although my faith might be small now, help me in my unbelief, and make me stronger in faith with each passing day. Merciful Father, send your Holy Spirit, to nurture me, pray for me, and to make your Word known to me. Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior... I ask that you come into my heart and abide in me, and that you allow me to abide in you. Holy, Holy, Holy is our Father, and great are you the Dove of Peace, the Lamb of God, and my Redeemer and Savior. Praise be God our Father forever, and all glory be His through you Lord Jesus.
“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”
Acts 2:21 ESV
Rich Forbes