01/11/2020
We hear the call, and go to the altar where, in that magnificent moment, we give ourselves to Jesus Christ, but when we do so are we fully prepared to live Our life as He lives His? We know where we are coming from; the life of the world is fresh in us, but do we see the light ahead, and feel the love and joy that awaits our next step in Christ, knowing that it will be met with temptation and suffering? can we possibly see all that is expected of us, and what awaits us, and still want a relationship with Him?
“among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Ephesians 2:3 ESV
Did the disciples know what awaited them when they were called? Would they have gone had they known the price? Are we prepared for the lifelong transformation of Peter, the vision and foresight of John, the heartbreak and doubt that Thomas felt before he placed his hand into the wounds of Jesus, or will we fall back into the snare of the world, and judge Jesus against the worldliness we know so well... like Judas?
Becoming a Christian is not just a pronouncement we make, or something we should decide in haste just because it looks like we can escape the hardship of our life by it. We should become a Christian because Jesus says “Follow me.” And our very souls feel the undeniable presence of God drawing them.
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 ESV
In this case of Simon and Andrew their answer was instantaneous, but with some of us it comes after a period in which the Holy Spirit woos us with a drawn out call of Follow Me, while our humanity wrestles inside us like Jacob did with the Angel of God. It is the difference between being called in the fast spoken dialect of an American northerner as compared to the slow deliberate drawl of a southerner.
“And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."”
Genesis 32:24-26 ESV
So the decision to follow Jesus, although it most certainly should be thought out, should not be the result of a mental exercise alone. Our salvation is not won by our own deciding, or the works we do, but by our soul’s longing for a relationship with Christ, and God. It is gained by God’s love and grace so that no one can claim they obtained it themselves.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
If we attempt to think ourselves into heaven, we will most certainly fail. We might perform works, never miss a day of church, and server at the altar, but unless we have responded to the call to righteousness, godliness, and done God’s will, we have nothing but empty religion. I read a Puritan author this morning who long ago exposed this same truth, listen...
“Here you find The unsoundness of many that take themselves for good Christians. They take up the cheap and easy duties of religion, but are not thorough with the work. They are like a cake half-baked. You may find them exact in their words, punctual in their dealings, but they do not exercise themselves unto godliness; as for governing their hearts, they are strangers. - Joseph Alleine, “A Sure Guide to Heaven”
And even further back in time, we hear Jesus giving us His warning of this danger as well; listen to what He says...
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:20-23 KJV
So we are not saved by our own doing, and indeed we find that we are so familiar with the world and our worldliness that we can’t defeat it without God’s call, the intercession and blood of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who gives us help and understanding. Certainly we will stumble, but our contrition and heartfelt cries for forgiveness won’t fall on deaf ears if our lives are given over to a relationship with God, and our actions are in obedience to His will.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would send your Son Jesus to redeem us, and for calling us to Him. Thank you Holy Father for speaking life into our souls, and making its Word irresistible. Help us Lord to worship you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; Help us to lean on you and not our own understanding and efforts. Hear us as we pray that your Son will find us worthy, and know us in the moment of our judgement. Hear us as we long for a deep and abiding relationship with you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who reaches into our souls, and draws us to yourself. Great are you whose Son takes our hand in relationship and makes righteousness possible for us. We praise your name Holy Father, and Sing of the faith, and grace, you pour into us. All glory is yours Lord, and we are blessed by the share we receive from you as we obey your will, and love you so completely. Forever is your love for us, and forevermore does your grace lift us from the citizenship in the world we once found so enticing. Praised be your name, and the name of Jesus Christ, now and forevermore!
Rich Forbes