08/19/13 DON'T MISS THE CALL
I have often heard people say they will eventually get saved, as if they are guaranteed the opportunity in the future. Here are some barriers to getting saved, which they do not anticipate, but they may encounter along the way...
They might die suddenly, with no chance to answer God's call.
They might harden their heart to the point that they will not answer the call of God, even though they hear God's call.
They might be so busy with the affairs of life that they do not hear God's call.
Matthew 22:14
(14) For many are called, but few are chosen.
BUT THEN THERE IS THIS POSSIBILITY...
They might sin so often, and so egregiously that when they are called to faith and repentance, they will not be willing to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
Luke 3:8-9
(8) Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
(9) And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Acts 26:20
(20) But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Repentance is a change in our direction, our thinking. If a person is not willing to do whatever God requires of them, then they have not changed their direction or their mind.
These verses do not indicate that salvation is a result of works of the flesh, they indicate that saving faith is willing to do the works of God.
Be careful as you live your life in sin. There may come a time when you will no longer be able to be saved; not because God cannot save, but because you will not be saved. Remember, in order to be saved a person is required to; Believe, Repent, Confess and Follow Jesus.
Do not wait...
2 Corinthians 6:2
(2) (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2 Peter 1:10
(10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
BAD NEWS, GOOD NEWS
BAD NEWS...
Sometimes in our relationship with God, we are required to do something that is hard, distasteful, in fact, impossible, except that God gives us the grace to do whatever He calls us to do. (With God's calling comes God's enabling). However, pride or selfishness or anger rises up and sometimes keeps the person from following Christ fully.
GOOD NEWS...
He has gone with me through those dark moments, those troubled times, those repulsive, yet requisite steps of reconciliation, which I needed to take with the people I had wronged. Those occasions stood in my path, like the Red Sea, and I feared, dreaded, the shame, the pain that I would have to go through in order to make right a wrong I had done to someone.
YOU CHOOSE...
There have been people who came to those times in their lives, and refused to trust Christ and follow fully. They turned back...
They frustrated the grace of God (Ga. 2:20-21).
They failed the grace of God (He. 12:15).
They fell from the grace of God (Ga. 5:4-7).
He will not lead you to where He will not go with you. But if He leads you, you must go, and do not fear, for He will be with you, giving you grace and peace, resulting in glory.
