the basic message # E72
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
King David has been called “a man after God’s own heart”, and the Psalm above tells me why that complement was given. Have you ever prayed that God would give you a pure heart? Have you ever prayed for a willing spirit?
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
I have wasted many good hours debating the issue of “once saved” or “eternal security”. What have I learned in the process? I’ve learned that while I and others continue to argue back and forth, many people have gone to Hell for lack of understanding. Many people have said, “Lord, Lord”, but never did “the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Are you saved or not? The answer must be an unequivocal yes or no. There is simply no in-between. You can visit the cross all you want, but until you’re willing to fully accept what the cross means you’re not saved. I tend to believe that most “professing” Christians are about 90% saved. They’ve given about 90% of their life to Jesus Christ. 90% is pretty impressive, except that in God’s eyes 90% is no better than 9% or 1%. Think about it, until you give your heart and soul totally to Jesus Christ, you’re an outsider. You don’t belong to him, and if you don’t belong to God, then you must belong to “the competition.” That scares the wits out of me. Is Jesus Lord of your life? How can you be sure? Can you sincerely pray a prayer like the one below without any reservation?
“Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you seeking a pure heart as King David once did. Lord God, I realize that I’m not able to discern what is best for me- only you know that. For that reason, I beg you to take full control of my life and make every needed change to allow me to fully be your child. If that means taking away my family, do it. If that means taking away every material thing I own, do it. Dear Lord, if it even means taking my earthly life, then do it, I plead. God, I already know that you can do anything you please, but today I offer myself as a willing participant in your plan for eternity. I will trust you and believe that through your son, Jesus Christ, I will have eternal life in paradise with you. Amen”
In the three years I’ve written this weekly message, I’ve never appealed to anyone to “officially” invite Christ into their heart and life. This message might be on the break room table, or even a church bulletin board. God has somehow placed this in the hands of someone who is searching. Someone reading this is ready to “close the deal.” I want to hear from you right now (www.basicchristian.com). I can assure you that this world has nothing to offer better than what God is offering you at this very moment. Do it now. Please.