Comments on: Religious, But Lost http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2009/09/18/religious-but-lost/ Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:20:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marilyn http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2009/09/18/religious-but-lost/comment-page-1/#comment-50163 Marilyn Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:28:28 +0000 http://thelife.com/?p=16727#comment-50163 This is so important, and it saddens me to ponder how many will find themselves at heaven's gates, only to be shut out by their prideful presumption of salvation by their religious affiliations, their good works, and their sliding-scale righteousness! I, too, was among those, who faithfully went to church throughout my growing up years and early married life, was an active member of our congregation, singing hymns and receiving communion, having my children baptized and living what I thought was a morally/ethically responsible life. If asked, I would surely declare that I was a Christian. Yet, I did not enjoy intimacy with God, or a burning desire to know Him more. Praying to Him was limited to times of need, rarely did He hear from me just to praise Him, or thank Him for His wondrous love. And yet, though He could have, and perhaps should have, passed by my soul, damning me to the eternal death that I deserved, He showed great mercy and offered me a place at the banquet table of His Son! So great a gift leaves one awestruck and filled with overflowing gratitude! And this is what being 'born again' is all about -- one starts out afresh with a new spirit and hunger for a deeper relationship with his/her Creator. This 'new creation' (2 Corinthians 5:17) is guided and prompted by the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who authenticates one's salvation by a gradual sanctifying process (becoming more like Jesus.) Those closest to a new believer should be able to witness the fruit of the Spirit ("love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control" Galations 5:22) developing over time. If a person claims to be 'saved,' but remains unchanged and lives by the flesh, then his/her salvation experience may be only imagined. This is worthy of reflection, for we are exhorted in 2 Peter 1:10 to "be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure." As our eternal destiny hinges on our salvation experience being authentic, there is no greater pursuit of knowledge than the assurance of one's own salvation! Precious, merciful Lord, we praise You for Your love, and for Your patience with us as You wait upon our hardened hearts to become cracked by the stresses of life! Thank You, Lord, that You wait with cupped hands to catch the pieces of our broken spirits, and take them in to Your Holy Spirit workshop, where You design a 'new creation!' Illuminate our hearts, Lord, and show us the truth about our spiritual conditions! Open our eyes and hearts to see any deceit that may be obscuring an authentic, saving relationship with You! Soften our hearts, Lord, that we may be pliable in Your hands, teachable at Your feet, and faithful to Your calling for us! May our lives be a testimony to Your redeeming work and we will give You all the glory! In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen! This is so important, and it saddens me to ponder how many will find themselves at heaven’s gates, only to be shut out by their prideful presumption of salvation by their religious affiliations, their good works, and their sliding-scale righteousness! I, too, was among those, who faithfully went to church throughout my growing up years and early married life, was an active member of our congregation, singing hymns and receiving communion, having my children baptized and living what I thought was a morally/ethically responsible life. If asked, I would surely declare that I was a Christian. Yet, I did not enjoy intimacy with God, or a burning desire to know Him more. Praying to Him was limited to times of need, rarely did He hear from me just to praise Him, or thank Him for His wondrous love. And yet, though He could have, and perhaps should have, passed by my soul, damning me to the eternal death that I deserved, He showed great mercy and offered me a place at the banquet table of His Son! So great a gift leaves one awestruck and filled with overflowing gratitude! And this is what being ‘born again’ is all about — one starts out afresh with a new spirit and hunger for a deeper relationship with his/her Creator. This ‘new creation’ (2 Corinthians 5:17) is guided and prompted by the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who authenticates one’s salvation by a gradual sanctifying process (becoming more like Jesus.) Those closest to a new believer should be able to witness the fruit of the Spirit (“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control” Galations 5:22) developing over time. If a person claims to be ’saved,’ but remains unchanged and lives by the flesh, then his/her salvation experience may be only imagined. This is worthy of reflection, for we are exhorted in 2 Peter 1:10 to “be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.” As our eternal destiny hinges on our salvation experience being authentic, there is no greater pursuit of knowledge than the assurance of one’s own salvation!

Precious, merciful Lord, we praise You for Your love, and for Your patience with us as You wait upon our hardened hearts to become cracked by the stresses of life! Thank You, Lord, that You wait with cupped hands to catch the pieces of our broken spirits, and take them in to Your Holy Spirit workshop, where You design a ‘new creation!’ Illuminate our hearts, Lord, and show us the truth about our spiritual conditions! Open our eyes and hearts to see any deceit that may be obscuring an authentic, saving relationship with You! Soften our hearts, Lord, that we may be pliable in Your hands, teachable at Your feet, and faithful to Your calling for us! May our lives be a testimony to Your redeeming work and we will give You all the glory! In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen!

]]> By: Deebee http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2009/09/18/religious-but-lost/comment-page-1/#comment-50152 Deebee Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:46:19 +0000 http://thelife.com/?p=16727#comment-50152 What a good reminder that not all those that are religious have that personal relationship with Jesus. I call it moving our faith 18 inches, from our head to our hearts, from a head knowledge to a personal faith. What a good reminder that not all those that are religious have that personal relationship with Jesus. I call it moving our faith 18 inches, from our head to our hearts, from a head knowledge to a personal faith.

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