07/17/2025
I am thinking back to the moment I professed Jesus to be my savior, and the events that brought me to that decision. 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 that day? What have I heard since?
Paul was a highly educated man and his ability to speak powerfully and to 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 to sway people; 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 73 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 emotion, or just plain conned... and the Holy Spirit fights an uphill battle in them after that. It is only the gospel and the truth we realize in it that saves us for a lifetime and changes who we are in a dramatic way.
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. Listen to what he has to say…
“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 us of this simplicity when He spoke of His second coming and our being lifted up; it didn't involve a sales job, nor did it take some form of convincing. No, It only took two simple verses to tell us 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 with his heart and is led by the Holy Spirit to receive Jesus Christ in spirit and truth… and in solemn affirmation. In this person the roots of faith will grow deep and hold the mighty oak of his belief firm and without fail. We aren't born Christian; we aren’t tricked or aroused emotionally into faith... no, we are brought there by the message contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ and when our hearts and minds are moved by 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 into the power of God as it leads to a true and deep faith. Put down a tap root that will endure the storms of life 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 has always been a simple one, and the working of the Holy Spirit leads us to it. 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 message 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 maturity in 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 in them as trickery or emotion 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 send down deep roots to take living water and be nurtured by the care you provide so that it might grow mightily in you. Lord Jesus, you alone are enough, and the gospel message of your life, death, and resurrection is all that is required by the Spirit as he begins his work in us. No man can add to, or detract from, the truth that is in you... May the gospel message come to each of us, young and old alike, and let our hearts be open as we hear its call. Praised be your name Holy Father, because it is your mercy and grace which bring us to the garden to receive the seeds of faith. And it is by the love and obedience of Christ that this seed in us germinates and grows. We give you all the glory for our belief, faith and spiritual transformation… we are not raised up by the carefully crafted words of another nor the slick coercion and tongue of man, but by the love you have shown us through your Son Jesus and the understanding we have received from your Holy Spirit.
Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who we worship in spirit and truth… now and forevermore.
Amen
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17 ESV
Rich Forbes