Saved

I wanted to come out and let people know that my faith is unwavering in Christ.  I have been a Christian since high school, and I will be the first to admit I do now always portray that life.  I know I swear sometimes, I talk about sex and sexual relationships, and get angry.  I am not saying at all that this is right, but you know it does do two things: 1) Allows me to remember I am saved and 2) Shows everyone that I am human.  Listen, Christians fight a tough fight.  I have an array of emotions just like every other human being.  But, I have accepted Christ as my Savior, and I want to work hard for Him.  So when I give into things of this world, it hits me hard.  What’s worse, it portrays that I am weak in my faith.  People see me acting a fool and saying/doing things I shouldn’t, and they think Christians are people who say that is what they are because they don’t know what else to call themselves.  Let me make it clear, God is still working on me.  I would die for my faith.  I try daily to live by the Bible and the Christian code of ethics.  It isn’t because it is cool, but because it is what I believe.  And I am going to be honest here; because I am a man of God, of Christ, I am tempted more than most.  We as Christians are tempted in such ways so we may have victories for Christ.  In these victories, we can be a shining example, a beacon of light, to what the Holy Spirit can do, and has done, in our lives.  But, I cannot do it by myself.  So, I pray to God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I need Him and a real intimate relationship with Him.  But at the same time, I recognize that I am a sinner.  You do not have to read this.  It may get lengthy, and it may sound preachy.  I hope that maybe it convicts some of you, as well as me.  The Bible says that the truth of our faith will offend.  I am here to offend you by talking about my faith.  So, either stop now, or hopefully the Spirit takes hold of you, of me, and starts us off in a direction of the faith-walk.

 

So, let us talk about a big question.  How can we call ourselves Christians when we do things that are not Christian-like?  The answer is simple, but the concept is difficult.  The Bible (I refer to the Bible because I believe that it is God’s word.  We do not worship the Bible, but it is written by the divinity of God and is His rules; His love letter, and rest assured, it is flawless) tells us that once saved, always saved.  No man can pluck you from the hand of the Father.  Sounds kind of strange doesn’t it?  I mean, that literally means you can accept Christ into your heart, and then live a sinner’s life and still go to Heaven.  But, let’s be honest.  If you accept Christ, you accept Him and His entire teachings.  He tells us how to live.  Wouldn’t it make sense to follow His guidance?  If we do that, then that means even though we can live a sinner’s life, we wouldn’t want to because we know the glory that awaits us if we don’t.  You can feel Christ tug at your heart when you do things you should not be doing.  People call it a conscience, but come on.  You know that a higher power is pulling at your soul.  Where do you think our knowledge of right and wrong comes from even if we have not been taught it?  Christ is there.  I know it is hard to be a Christian and still live in this world.  When drinking, partying, and sex are so prevalent, the temptation is intense.  When you avoid these things, they are victories.  God doesn’t tell you to avoid these things because He is boring, He is looking out for your well-being.  Drinking kills any inhibitions we have.  Sex is a sacred act reserved for two people who vow to become one (marriage).  If God thinks that sex is sacred, shouldn’t we?  I know it doesn’t seem like a big deal, and I could write numerous times about sex and marriage, but this is a small insight to it.   All of these things of the world are fun and feel good.  Sex is healthy.  But, like all things of health, there is a time and place for it.  Anyway, this is not a sex talk; it is about a walk in faith.  I just want to caution against immediate gratification and sin compared to winning a victory for Christ and your faith.  I think it will feel better in the long run. 

 

Continuing with the same idea, I hope this relates to some of you.  We all call God the Father.  The reason we do this is because He says that He is our Heavenly Father.  So, I hope that we all understand that we can live a life of sin, truly believe Christ is our Savior, get into Heaven, and live an eternity of peace and happiness; but we don’t do that because we want to be a living testimony of what Christ can do in our lives.  I think of it this way: My dad is amazing.  He even honored me by giving me his name.  He fell in love with my mother, and they brought me into this world (their best decision ever!).  Sometimes, I upset my dad a lot.  I get angry, I mouth off to him, and I have even said some hurtful things.  In short, I broke a commandment and did not honor him.  But, to this day, I have an excellent, wonderful, loving relationship with him.  He is my rock and my number one supporter.  I have done things to him that is wrong, yet he still loves me and cares for me.  He has taken me back every single time I have disobeyed, angered, and hurt him.  Now, that is an earthly man.  He is strong and unwavering in his faith, but he is only human, and knows only a human love.  The King of kings, the Heavenly Father, the Creator of love (get that?  The CREATOR of love), surely knows more about love than any of us.  His is unconditional.  No matter what we do, He loves us.  If your earthly dad can love and forgive you, God can do one better.  He can forgive you, and forget what you have done.  He wipes the slate clean and we start fresh.  God knows something about love.  So, my non-Christian reader, be confident that Christians will make mistakes, stumble and fall, and we will hurt our Father.  But, He forgives us just as an earthly father would.  Christians, if you struggle with this, I do too.  But, I know in my heart this is what happens because the Bible tells me so.  Since the Bible is God’s words, that means God tells me so.  If you make a mistake and fall, get up, wipe yourself off, and tell your Father you are sorry.  But mean it.  Saying sorry should be followed by a look at character.  Where did I go wrong?  Here.  Ok, I will try my hardest to never do this again.  That is a sincere apology to God.

 

If you are afraid, or doubtful, about the Christian faith and who Christ is and what He can do for you, it is ok.  I am talking to everyone here; Christians and non-Christians.  If you are a Christian and have never doubted, then I don’t believe you are a Christian.  Re-evaluate your life.  Temptations are there for a reason.  Non-Christian friends, if you still doubt–no worries.  I hope this at least brings some thoughts into your mind about what Christ can do for you and what his love means.  It is unconditional, and it will never fail.  All you have to do is believe.  Give in a little.  If you feel any kind of tugging, or thinking, at all, please talk to a friend, a pastor, a priest, a stranger that is a Christian.  Hear their story.  I do NOT believe you can get to Heaven without knowing Christ as your Savior.  So, please, get to know Christ and come home with me.  I love you here; think about how much I will love you at our eternal home.  Get yourself into a good Bible-based church and listen to the Word of God.  Let it fill you.  Drink it in with a desire to know the truth.  It is there.  The Bible has never failed to be proven right.  If there are things that still have not been proven right in the Bible, just give it time.  In time, all things are revealed.  The Bible has stood the test of time. 

 

Friends, I encourage you to step out and be counted among the saints.  We are all seeking for the truth.  I believe that we try to concern ourselves with the facts and ignore the truth.  Do not fall into this way of thinking.  Christ is what we are all seeking.  You cannot find healing or a saving grace in anything of this world.  What does it prophet a man who has gained the world, but lost his soul?  My friends, the faith-walk is worth it.  You will stumble, you will fall.  You will doubt, fear, hate, and cry.  But, you will also be filled with the love of Christ, and He will show you the way.  He will show you why we truly wake up every morning and live our lives.  In this lost generation, there is a way, light and truth to follow; His name is Jesus Christ.  If you want to learn more, or need some guidance, talk to some friends.  Also, take a look at a devotional and a book called What Every Christian Ought to Know.  I think we will all benefit from these things.  Remember, God is still working on us all.  We will have troubles and worries, but we can lean on the cross and leave our troubles there.  Christ will help you and love you.  Think about it, and you have any questions, let me know.  I am always willing to give some more insight and tell you what I believe.  I do not know all of the answers, but I think I can help in our walk together.  I write this with love and the desire to see all of us become closer to God through Jesus Christ.  Until next time…