Confessions of An Imperfect Christian

Confession #1-You probably already know this, but, I’ll say it anyway- I am an imperfect Christian. Sin still lurks within the corridor of my heart and as hard as I may try, perfection escapes me like the fake rabbit that the greyhounds chase so rabidly.

Confession #2- I am not so good at evangelism either. I long to see people transformed by the witness I present, but. somehow or other it just does not occur. My methods are awkward, my words are stuttered at times and, quite frankly, I stumble all over myself trying to give people a clear presentation of the gospel.

Confession #3-I wonder if the church at large will ever come to its senses and realize that church is not about us, it’s about others. The others who are not saved. I fear that the church has become so cloistered and so inbred, that we can no longer hear the cries of the lost nor see the hurts streaming out of their eyes. The biggest fear I have is that I am so blind with indifference that I no longer can see beyond my own nose. I wonder if the church is so comfortable with its routine and its machinery that we have lost the ability to be moved with compaasion for those who are lost and not having anybody to care for them.

Confession #4- I am hoping this blog will let some see that in spite of my imperfections, the mistep of the church, that one thing is very clear, I still believe in the power of the gospel. I still believe Christ will prevail in lives in spite of my stumbling, bumbling efforts to bring the gospel. The truth is, if I didn’t care, I would no longer press on, I would not tell you Jesus loves you, that He is the only way to have your sins forgiven. If I didn’t believe Christ is still building His church, still using the great instutution He is building, I would no longer invite you to go and hear the gospel. Am I imperfect, you betcha, do I have it all nailed down, not on your life, will I continue to fight the fight of faith, count on it!

Confession # 5- I almost did not send this out. Hope this helps someone somewhere to know there is an imperfect Christian still willing to proclaim with a loud voice-JESUS SAVES! JESUS SAVES!

I Believe In God, That Makes Okay, Right? Finale

Yesterday this series took to us to the place of validity and relevance to what makes everyone okay with God. In short, Christ is the only place where you can find the answer to this popular question.

Having said, that, the reaction to this truth, is really quite interesting. It seems as though people are quite content to stick with generalities and get uncomfortable with the speciifics of the question. People, especiallly Americans like to choose. We live in a choosing society. Choice is good for the economy and people are happy. This carries over to the realm of religion as well. People think religion is just another part of the “American Dream” and so people think salvation is a multiple choice scheme. In many people’s minds religion is just another choice in life and they approach it just like every other part of their day to day routines: they explore their options. They compile a list and pick out a church group. They think, I gotta get religion, it’s part of life and go about “choosing a religion”. To many it doesn’t matter whether they pick a Baptist Church, Pentecostal Church, Methodist, Lutheran, Islam. Mormon, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Roman Catholic. Just so long as I pick one, I’m covered, I’m good with God. Everything is fine, it doesn’t matter which one I chose.

This is where everything goes awry. No one with this worldview sits down and ponders-does God see this way as well? No, He sees it as having only one final answer. It’s not a deal or no deal type of proposition. It’s not multiple choice. In fact; there are no questions on this test, only a declaration- Acts 4: 12 There is no salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The name- Jesus Christ. The sad part in all this ; is that even though you sit here and read what I have shown you from the word of God, there is still that attitude, that belief that I still have options. Most of you are willing to take a chance, gamble with your very soul. You still think the answer to the question- how does one get saved is either a, b, c or d. There are still some of you who don’t believe a word I’ve said, you don’t believe anything concerning church, the Bible, and God, you are an option thinker too. You’ve chosen, e- none of the above, you’re gambling on the fact that there may not be a God. God is a man made concept to keep the populace under control and weak-minded people hopeful. You too, are gambling with your souls.

Believing in God is not enough. It’s a nebulous practice. It’s in the same arena as those who propound the non sensical mantra-I support the troops in Iraq, but, not the war. That is just a smoke screen to cover the real issue- I want God on my terms or not at all. I am okay because I simply acknowledged His existence. Save it, pan it. Until you own the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross which paid for your sins, you will never be able to stand before God in the end and be okay.

However;the Good News is this-John 3:16- the first verse I ever memorized- God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son and whoever will believe in Him shall be saved. Do this my friends, and you will see what I meant all though this series. May you call upon Him today. I would love to hear your testimony if you did just that.

I Believe In God, That Makes Me Okay, Right? Pt. 4

So here we are looking at this question once more. As you might have guessed from the last post, I am heading in a particular direction concerning one individual in the Godhead- the SON, Jesus The Christ. This is where the discussion must go. Why? Simply this-you are not all right with God until you come to acknowledging Jesus as the only true road to making yourself okay with God. You are not right with God apart from being right with Jesus. You cannot believe in God and not believe who Jesus is. Why, you ask? Because Jesus is God as well. Only God can save; Jesus said He could save people from their sins. Would such a holy man be so taken up with himself to overstep God? No, a thousand times no.

But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves just a bit. I want to ask you this question-where does Jesus fit into your faith? Do you see yourself safe with God without Jesus as your only Savior? Are you one of those who say Jesus was a good man, but, God, nah? I’m cool without that “guy”. If you are sure of that, how then, do you deal with I JOHN 5:
11 And this is the testimony: THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE, AND THIS LIFE IS IN HIS SON. Or in this scripture-He who denies the Son has denied the Father(God) and eternal life does not dwell in him. The question, is, can you be okay without Jesus Christ? Is this the standard God will accept from you as being okay with Him?

Jesus is the proverbial “fly in the ointment” for many people. He is what separates true faith from the psuedo kind. People who think they are okay with God and neglect, despise or rejcect His Son cannot do so without denying the very God they say they believe. Where do you stand? There are only two positions for anyone to take, acceptance of Jesus as Savior or rejection as being their Savior. Which are you? Fence sitting is not an option, it’s either or? More tomorrow.