SALVATION AND BECOMING A FRIEND OF GOD
Introduction
The highway to heaven may be difficult to climb into for the first time, but subsequently, and as you continue you will discover that it gets easier when you understand your heavenly Father a little. When you apprehend the plans God have for you, and the truth that everyone born of God is an overcome, then you will become eager to please Him.
The first step to pleasing Him is to repent of your sins. It is to turn away from your evil ways, no matter how little or few they may be. Some people could keep the law as the rich young man did, but his heart was resting on his possessions, that is evil also. You should trust in the Living God and hope only in Him.
Sin is the only thing that separates us from God, and no man can overcome sin by his own power, or by being careful. Satan is the power behind sin, and flesh and blood cannot defeat Satan, the old serpent. So, when a person repent from his/her sins, defilement is gone and you can boldly enter into the presence of the Lord.
In the book of Revelation, John declared that “nothing which defileth” would be allowed in heaven, the dwelling place of God. The only thing that defiles in God's sight is sin. Isaiah wrote, “your iniquities have separated between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2).
Many people in Africa will tell you they are struggling with life and therefore, holiness is a hard thing to do, but that is a lie from the devil to keep them in their sin and iniquity. How can anybody justify sin and cover, when the bible says that whosoever covereth his sins shall not prosper?
People who think it is difficult to live holy does not know that it is those sins they are hiding that is separating them from the blessings of God. If they were living right, they will see the mercy and favour of God, and their struggle will vanish with time. Many Christians are not yet overcomers, though they go to church. The reason is that they have not made up their minds to serve the Living God with all their heart and obey His word.
They are in church but find it difficult to separate from their old lifestyles and friends, and so there is a constant struggle between moving forward and going back to their old life. The Lord is moving them forward, but the rope ofg their past life and friends are drawing him back into where he left.
The meaning of all these is that the brother or sister is not yet committed to eternity in heaven. It is not that God cannot help him, but he cannot pray due to guilty conscience. It is not that he does not hear the word of God in the church, but his heart does not retain the word of God he hears. It is not as though there are no brethren in the church for him/her to relate with, but he thinks they are too strict and rigid for his liking.
Here comes the reason why many think the salvation message is not working for them. They have not received the Lord, neither the Comforter He sent to help them. But, if you are willing, you can make the difference today.
So, repentance is your first step. Confess every known sin and be ready to forsake the evil ways henceforth. When you do that, the Lord will forgive yours sins and iniquities and send His Spirit, the Holy Spirit inside of you. You will receive a new Spirit, the Spirit of God - That is the first giant step on the way from earth to heaven: we must have our sins forgiven.
What is Repentance?
Repentance literally means to feel godly sorrow for the wrongs we have committed. Such genuine sorrow is only possible when we fully recognize that our only hope rests in recognizing the sacrifice made by the Lord at the cross of Calvary and receiving the gift of God, which is salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Why Should We Confess?
Confession is a necessary condition for your sins to be forgiven. John wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Some people may ask: How do I know I have been forgiven? There is only one correct answer to that question. We know we are forgiven because God said we would be, that's faith. Believe the Lord hears and answers prayers, that He saw your heart and the genuineness of your confession and you are forgiven. This is the most basic of faith!
Faith Makes No Provision To Fail
Faith is your key for kingdom success. Whether it is deliverance you desire or healing, you need to believe God and trust His Word to be true. Faith makes no provision for plan B. In Romans 13:14: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
The Necessity of the New Birth
Now we are prepared to consider the New birth, which Jesus talked about. Jesus referred to it as being born of the Spirit. The Lord says to Nicodemus: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.- John 3:3-6.
When you receive Jesus, you also receive the Holy Spirit of God, as well as the power to be called the son of God. John says: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). and Paul described it thus: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things has become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Do Restitution when Necessary
Restitution simply means to correct the things we have done wrong. It is never easy to correct ourselves and rectify our past wrongs, lies, and dishonest act. In the first place, we can't even remember all the times we were guilty of those things, but the ones we remember, we should rectify.
If something has been stolen, it certainly should be restored. If lies have been told which damaged someone's reputation, we can apologize and tell the truth in order to remove any stigma on that person's character. Sometimes prison might be a possible consequence if crimes of theft or robbery have been committed, but it is very important to arrange repayment whenever the possibility exists.
Restitution should be done prayerfully. There should be no fear of being arrested and charged to court if it is done with prayer. The mercy of the Lord will speak for you.
Becoming a Friend of God
Friends, you can become a friend of the Lord Jesus today and He will give you the power to make it to heaven at the end of your journey on earth. You cannot do it alone or by your power. But, if you say YES to Jesus, the grace will be released unto you.
There is a reason why the Lord says we should not love the world and all the things that are in the world. They are contrary to God, the pride, lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh. These things cannot allow a Christian to grow in the spirit and become like Jesus. Friends of God are people who have overcome the corruption that is in this world through lust.
If accept the call of God, your story will change. That was the story of men like father Abraham, Enoch, Moses, Job and David. These men discovered their purpose in God and pursued it to the end, and God was pleased with them.
Little Instructions: After your salvation, you are required to live in obedience to the word of God. The following instructions regarding our relationship with God and man should be followed.
1. In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus said the greatest commandment is: To love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
2. This is followed by the second most important commandment, which is to "Love thy neighbour as thyself" The Lord says there is none other commandments greater than these - Mark 12:30-31
3. In Ecclesiastics 12:13-14, we are commanded to fear the Lord our God and keep His commandments - For that is the whole duty of man. It says: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil - Eccl 12:13-14
4. In 2 Cor 6:14-7:1, the bible counsels every Christian to come out of the world, as we are not part of the world. We are pilgrims and heaven is our home. It says: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye is the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk-in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having, therefore, these promises, Apostle Paul counsels believers saying: Dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Take the final step right now!
If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, please accept the gift of God for your redemption. Repent and confess your sins unto God and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
FIRE...
Post a Comment