Critical Notes To Ponder On Your Fleeting Journey Through Life
Some time ago, OnePoll asked 2,000 Americans if they thought of themselves as a good person. Can you believe that 75% of the respondents answered yes?
46% of these people (more males than females) then went a step further to admit that (in their own eyes) they’re better than every other person they know.
So if most people are good, how come our life on earth is full of troubles such as: political corruption, devastating wars, murder, slavery, sexual immorality, all manner of abuses, poverty, corporate and street crimes, sickness and death?
The Sobering Truth…
As recorded in the book of Genesis, the origin of sin can be traced (thousands of years ago) to the disobedience of the first humans on earth – popularly known as Adam and Eve. They were tempted, fell from grace and passed on this fallen nature to all of their human descendants.
Our world is badly broken because we all (at one time or the other) have actually sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
Therefore we all need salvation – both from the ravages of sin on this earth and from eternal damnation.
But there’s good news!
It’s not all doom and gloom, thankfully.
God (The Father), in His bountiful wisdom and love, has already made a way to reconcile humanity to Himself and will eventually set things right in our broken world (Read Romans 3: 23 – 26 and Revelations 21: 1-8).
Life is messy and often feels so very unfair but originally it wasn’t so. The earth and the first humans were created good and without the flaws of sin, without age, disease and cruel afflictions.
Thankfully the story is far from over yet. It may seem like a never ending wait but someday, God will set things right. He will punish all evil doers and reward those who obeyed Him despite the difficulties of this present age.
The decision is now yours to make…
Would you like to have a closer relationship with your Creator and a better life after our brief time in this age is done? If so, the salvation of your soul, must become a topmost priority and more so than ever before.
We share this not to offend you but to inform you. The gospel of salvation through Christ (the only begotten Son of God) must be preached or we will give an account for any lives unduly lost as a result.
This is true love and friendship for nobody who truly loves you would keep life saving truths from you.
It is a great cruelty and wickedness to say nothing to others about this vital matter of salvation (out of politeness or political correctness) only to cry at funerals when sadly it may have become too late!
The Way of Escape…
Only through absolute repentance from sin and obedience to God’s commandments, can we be saved. Not by our own fleshly efforts but by the grace of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection.
Church denominations (whether orthodox or modern) are institutions in essence and cannot save you. Those Sunday to Sunday practices (i.e. religious habits) are powerless to save a single soul.
Being kind to people is not enough because any form of self righteousness is like filthy rags before a God who has much higher standards than we do.
Imagine a subordinate (for instance a child or employee) who refuses to follow your good instructions but tries to please you ‘in their own way’. Even as a mere mortal, would you be happy with such efforts? Would you find them acceptable?
Likewise, God, The Father, will reject the seeming ‘good works’ of those who rejected His Son as Messiah.
Our sufferings on earth cannot justify us. Lots of people have endured terrible poverty and sickness, many dying in accidents and wars yet still could not save their souls.
Simply by the mercy of God and our response to the atonement of Christ can we truly be saved. Those who have first reconciled with God in this way, can then please Him. Their acts of kindness to others can then be acceptable to Him.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him may not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16
The Danger Ahead…
We are now living in an age of great deception and must know God and His Word very intimately. Please study the bible and do what it commands. The Holy Spirit can teach you the truths you need to know if you ask humbly and seek for insight persistently.
Mind you, salvation is for doers and not hearers only. So pray and seek God’s mercy always. Shun every form of worldliness and walk in the Spirit.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away and the lust thereof, but he that does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2: 15-17
The Reality Check
Someday, this earthly age, which many are so consumed with, will pass away and be remembered no more. Career success and material possessions will become entirely worthless when that time comes. Family and friends will be separated.
Only that which was done in genuine service unto God will matter and we can be reunited at last only with those who are saved from the wrath of God to come.
To avoid regret, prayerfully seek God’s purpose for your life and pursue it with total vigour from now on.
Beware: False Conversion
Salvation is not about seeking God’s protection, health and prosperity always but about seeking His heart first.
“Enter in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by it. For narrow is the gate and hard is the way that leads to life and only a few shall find it.” Matthew 7: 13-14
The True Ecclesia…
The bible recommends true, living, fellowship, to help you grow in the faith. Not routine church membership and attendance. Not constantly sitting in the pews watching a few people perform on the pulpits. No, no, no.
As the Spirit leads, Fellowship (heart to heart) with believers, in your household and community, who are genuinely seeking to follow after Christ. Be certain you are following after The true Christ of the scriptures and not a false Christ.
As a good soldier of Christ, be in a constant state of readiness for nobody knows the time or the hour.
Never turn away from God because others are corrupt. Remember salvation is a personal affair. We came into this earthly age alone, will depart alone and will be judged alone. Be sober, watchful and vigilant.
Let nobody frustrate, distract or deceive you. Fight a good fight and run a good race for God’s grace is sufficient for you.
5 PRACTICAL STEPS ON YOUR JOURNEY OF SALVATION
Regularly go through these biblical admonitions with all due diligence:
1- HUMILITY:
We didn’t create ourselves, God made us for His purposes. Without Him; we are nothing. Without Him; we can do nothing. This calls for much humility on our part.
If in doubt, sincerely ask God to prove His existence to you and help you to know Him. Be sober. Seek Him and you will find Him.
“You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind… and love your neighbour as yourself.” Luke 10: 27
So as you can see, life is not all about us and our desires. Are you really living in total submission to the will of your Creator? Make time to deeply reflect and take proper stock of your life.
There is a day of judgement coming upon the earth and it is a day in which men will not merely stand in awe of God, but rather “all the tribes of the earth will mourn (Matthew 24: 30)” and people will cry out to the mountains “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6: 16-17)
2- ACCOUNTABILITY:
Think of the sins you need to repent of (whether considered ‘big or small’). You can also write them down if needed. Never use the adage ‘nobody is perfect’ as an excuse to continue in sin because we are commanded by the bible to strive to be perfect as our Creator and Heavenly Father is.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-10: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor the abusive, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
The above list is not exhaustive.
“Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
True holiness is both inward (the condition of the heart) and outward (our actions which reveal what is truly in our hearts).
“But nothing unworthy will be allowed to enter. No one who does what is vile or deceitful will be there. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will be in the city.” Revelations 21:27
A day is coming when every secret sin will be exposed and everyone will receive just reward for what they did during this fleeting journey on the earth. Those who repent will have their sins wiped away but the unrepentant will be punished terribly.
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
3- REMORSE:
Salvation is not about reciting words or going through the motions. Sincerely and humbly ask God for mercy.
Name every known sin one after the other then reject and renounce them. This helps to break spiritual legal rights and put a stop to attacks from the enemies of your soul.
Ask mercy also for the sins you do not even know about. Be sober. Remember in the court of justice (whether it be in heaven or on earth) ignorance is not a valid excuse.
4- REPENTANCE:
As the Holy Spirit leads, go and make amends for your past as much as possible. For instance, correcting errors made, returning ill gotten property or asking those you hurt to forgive you.
Yes, forgiven believers are new creations in Christ. However, God still desires order, fairness and justice. Make an effort to make things right. Imagine if most people did this how much better would the world we complain about be by now?
Forgive.
Although you may still report serious misconduct to the authorities if needed, forgive all who have offended you and leave vengeance to God – who will fairly repay.
“And Zacchaeus having stood, said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anything of anyone, I restore it fourfold.” Luke 19: 8
5- OBEDIENCE:
Study the bible and pray always as part of your personal devotion to God. Fellowship at least once a day with your own household (which is the first fellowship to cultivate).
Obey your Maker and do not lean on your own understanding. Before every major decision, ask for His counsel and (ignoring all pressures) wait until you get adequate direction first.
There is great deception in these last days so be on your guard. Test everything like the Berean Christians who searched the scriptures to see if what they heard was really true. Meditate on God’s Word and confess it always. Share the gospel with others too.
The Holy Spirit really ought to be our navigation system, daily guide, comforter and teacher as believers in Christ. This is why consenting adults require water baptism (by immersion) and baptism of the Holy Spirit after coming to the faith.
Avoid the company of those who mock God, unremorseful and unrepentant wrongdoers, gossips and slanderers, the abusive and all who may, by causing severe spiritual or bodily harm, cut short your life and service to God.
Care for your body which is God’s temple through a healthy diet and lifestyle. Be moderate and modest in your ways.
On your journey of salvation, there will be various tests and trials. It’s not going to be a bed of roses always but you must persevere – for only those who are faithful to the end will be saved.
Be thankful in all circumstances of life. This may sound illogical and is not always easy to do but it is a far more productive state to be in. Keep hope alive and rejoice. Praise and worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
We all sinned and fell short of His glory but the Most High God has chosen to extend mercy and grace to us through the atonement of His beloved Son, Yeshua Hamaschiach, who is the sole Messiah of mankind.
Will you accept this glorious gift of salvation and stay faithful to the end? Will you embrace a love and peace this world can never offer you? Tomorrow may be too late. Think wisely and save your precious soul while you still can.
Thank you for reading. Don’t forget to help others too by prayerfully sharing this message via the email and social media tool on this blog. You may also print and distribute this article with the author credit fully intact.
Written by The Missions Team, Scriptural Reformation Network