What I learned from the flu- Mark 16:15, Acts 10:34-35

I look around and everyone about me is coughing, with runny noses, fevers and the works; it is just that time of year.  It seems like no one is immune; young, old, male, female, rich, poor, black and white alike are all affected. The flu does not care who it infects, it shows no prejudice as it jumps from person to person.   The flu does not wait on an invitation; it takes the initiative to accomplish the goal at hand: spread and multiply.

What if we decided to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way? What if we paid no attention to race or creed? What if status, appearance, and even hygiene did not matter?  What if we went about with the gospel as if it was the most important thing we have to share, and with the idea that God wants everyone to hear it?  Wait a second.  I think I remember reading somewhere in Bible that it is and He does.  Yes, now I remember: And then he told them, Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Mark 16:15 (NLT).

I am no rocket surgeon, but I am fairly certain that when Jesus said “everyone, everywhere”, that is exactly what He meant.  He did not single out one group, and He did not leave anyone out.  You would almost think that God loves everyone, and desires that everybody would come to Him and receive eternal life; you would be right in making that assumption (2Peter 3:9).  Unfortunately many people will choose not to accept God’s great gift; but He still extends it to all (Rev. 2:21; Rev. 22:17).   

Are you failing to share the gospel with someone because they are different? Maybe you think they will never receive Jesus, or maybe you think they are not good enough.  There are dozens of scenarios and hypothetical situations I could come up with, but the answer to the question “Who should we share Jesus with?” will always be the same: everyone, everywhere. 

What are you waiting for? He already said, “Go”!

Of Security and Liberty- Romans Road Part 5- Romans 8:38-39

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.39Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

I remember hearing a story of a young boy who was playing by a lake.  A crocodile lunged and grabbed the boy; his mother quickly took hold of the boy by the arms and hung on for dear life.  She dug her nails into the boy’s arms; refusing to let him go.  The crocodile tired of the struggle and went off for an easier meal.  The boy was showing off his scars one day; he pointed to the scars on his legs. “This is where the crocodile grabbed me; he was going to kill me.”  Then he pointed to the scars on his arms, “but this is where my mommy wouldn’t let go.”

When we accept Christ into our life we are adopted into the family of God; we become His children (Rom. 8:15).  Although here on earth we still face danger and persecution, even to the point of physical death; our souls are secure in Him.  There is no fear of our salvation in Christ Jesus being stripped from us; God is not in the business of allowing His children to be taken or separated from Him.

Still Satan will try to convince us that we have done too much, we have gone too far; we cannot still be saved.  He will whisper doubts in our ears and attempt to sabotage our peace and our witness.  He will beat us and bruise us on every side (2Cor. 4:8-9); He may even take away things that we hold dear (Job) but He cannot take away our salvation. 

We will go through valleys where we do not feel God; we may not feel saved.  However, we can be assured that nothing can take away our salvation; not death, life, angels, demons, friends, enemies, fears, worries, far away places, mistakes, sins: nothing!

When we are saved, God is our father and He is not about to let us just be snatched away (John 10:28).   Once we are God’s children we do not need to be concerned with our own salvation, we are secure; instead we need to focus on helping others come to Jesus.  It is important that we do not take this liberty lightly; but we diligently put our changed life into action; the salvation of other men’s souls depend on it (Phil. 2:12-15). We may be disobedient and suffer punishment here on earth (just like we punish our children when they disobey), but we will not forfeit or be stripped of our salvation (like a good parent never disowns their children) (Psalms 118:18, 1Cor. 3:15).

Receiving the Gift- Romans Road Part 4 – Romans 10:9-10

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)

I overcomplicate things; my wife tells me that I take a simple matter and find a way to make it difficult.  I guess it is just in my nature.  I have thought long and hard on how to present this section of scripture; it is such and important part of God’s plan.  I have worried so much about getting it right that I have forgotten the basic principle that my dad taught me: God has made it simple.  So simple in fact that even a child can comprehend it. 

When we have taken the Romans Road we understand that we are lost sinners and that we deserve and are destined for Hell; we grasp that we cannot fix our problem and that we need a savior; we understand that God loves us and gave His life to save ours and that He lives again (defeating death and Hell) so that we can live eternally.  God is standing before us and offering us the greatest gift; we have to choose whether or not to accept it.  So how do we receive this gift?  It is with our heart, we have the head knowledge of God, but we must decide if we will take it to heart and let it become real in our life.  We must believe in our head? No, we must believe in our heart that Jesus loved us so much He died to pay for our sins; and that He arose to conquer death and hell.  Then we must confess Jesus’ Lordship (His power over death, His being God).  Why do we need to confess?  Our words are the outward expression of the heart; if we truly believe with our heart, our words will follow suite (Luke 6:45).

Accepting the gift of salvation is a heart thing; it is not gained with fancy prayers or great speeches.  It is about you opening your heart to the truth in Jesus Christ and allowing God to forgive you for your sins.  He will not force down your hearts door; He will simply knock.  Will you let Him in and accept this great gift of eternal life?  It will change your life forever!  Do not concern yourself with men who try to complicate the gospel of Jesus; it is simple.  Follow the Romans Road to Jesus; allow Him to forgive you of your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).  Fear not, you cannot mess it up; when you seek God with all your heart, He will meet you there (Jeremiah 29:13)!  

I will never forget the day that I called to my dad from my bedroom and told him I wanted to be saved.  He went through Romans Road with me; I bowed my head and prayed, “Lord forgive me for my sins.” I invited Him into my heart: He came. He will do the same for you!

Why Such a Gift? – Romans Road Part 3- Rom. 5:8

God offers us the great gift of eternal life; He paid for the gift by dying on the cross and taking our sins.  Why?  Why would God purchase for us such a gift?  Do we deserve it? No, if we deserved it, it would be a reward not a gift; and we certainly do not deserve it.  So why would God offer us eternal life with Him?  Why would He go through such drastic measures?

Love! God loves us, every one of us.  Yet we find it so hard to believe that such a great God, who knows all of our dark and hidden secrets could love us; but He does.  Why does He love us? He has every reason not too; we have broken His law, disobeyed, and even turned against Him.  We deserve eternal damnation in Hell; He could have justly just decided not to pay for our sins and let us go there, but He did not.

God took on human form and dwelt among us; not as a noble king, but as a servant. He did not stop at saying “I love you”, He proved it! Jesus died for us so that we would not have to suffer the torment of our deserved punishment: Hell and eternal separation from Him.  Even though we spiritually reeked (I think of a drunk who smells of body odor, urine and other vile things), He took our sins with our entire filthy stench on the cross. He proved His love for us, and offers us salvation.  He desires that we all come to Him and be forever redeemed (2Peter 3:9).