The Gospel Message - Conversion

What does it mean to be redeemed and what is the credible theological evidence that a person is genuinely saved?

When Adam sinned mankind was plunged into a depraved God hating condition. Adam and Eve were not just Covenant Breakers. They were most certainly that. What is worse, they wanted to be the Covenant Makers. Their desire was to inform God how the universe would be run. It would be according to their rules, not his. They became rebels and brought that blight upon all mankind.

The issue in conversion is not merely the little peccadilloes, the ‘sins’ (plural) that we commit. The greater issue is one of SIN (singular). The Fall brought us a sin nature. We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners!! We have depraved minds and wicked hearts. God sent the Noahic Flood because the ‘thoughts and intent of man’s heart was only evil continually!!

The American Church has dumbed down the understanding of Conversion. Most churches practise what Bonhoeffer labeled ‘Cheap Grace’.

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without Church discipline, communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

The evangelical church has corrupted the glorious doctrine of Conversion by the things they practise. People raise their hand, ‘walk the aisle’, and sign a membership card. This is not CONVERSION. The evidence of conversion is a transformed life. If there is no objective and observable transformation that person is not saved.

The Southern Baptist Convention claims to have 16 million members. But, on the best Sunday morning of the year there are less than 7 million people in attendance. Why? They are simply not redeemed.

True conversion brings a new nature. The Fall made man a sinner by nature. In true conversion the ravages of the Fall are replaced with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Man is enabled to live a righteous and Christ honoring life. That righteousness is real and there is growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, have you been transformed, or, did you merely ‘walk the aisle’? Are you growing in grace? Is Jesus Christ Lord of your life? Eternity rides on an honest and objective response to this question!

I Feared The People

Our focus in this 06/15 News Letter is Exemplary Leadership. King Saul is exhibit ‘A’ of failed leadership. What specifically was his failure? What wickedness was he guilty of that cost him his role as King and deposed him as the leader in Israel?

Let the text of Scripture answer this question.

Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. (1 Samuel 15:24)

Saul feared the people more than he feared the LORD. That single act of cowardice resulted in his removal from the office of king. 

Consider such leadership failures as recorded in the text of the Old Testament.

1.  10 Spies – the 10 spies brought a bad report to the people. (Num. 13:32-33)

2.  Moses - struck the rock rather than speak to the rock as he was commanded. (Num. 20:11-12)

3.  Saul – he feared Goliath more than he trusted the LORD; dismayed & afraid. (1Sam. 17:11)

In each instance a single failure resulted in very costly consequences. The 10 spies died in the wilderness and their cowardice consigned the nation to 40years of wandering. Moses was denied entrance into the Promise Land, a destination for which he had labored for 40 years to achieve. Saul, while blessed with significant physical stature, had a heart that lacked courage. This is a monumental flaw for any leader.

The lesson is this. The LORD is Sovereign. His word is the ultimate authority in life, ministry and leadership. Do what he commands. Never ever yield to the voices of the people you are leading when their voices are urging you to ignore the LORD and disregard his directives. Engage a study through the Scriptures of the instances when the voice of the people was heeded. This is a very revealing endeavor. This study will equip any leader with the historical pattern and consequences on this crucial aspect of leadership.

In a recent Face Book post Pastor John MacArthur said the following:

To preach the gospel in the professing Christian world today, is to engage in more spiritual warfare than to preach the gospel to the world of the lost.

This observation is painfully true. I appeal to my readers that serve as a leader in the body of Christ. Your task is beyond difficult. You must lead with unflinching courage. You must lead with genuine compassion and love for those you lead. You must at all cost resist any attempt by those you lead to modify or abandon what God has clearly commanded. The consequences of disobedience are horrific both for time and for eternity.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:14-20)  

Garden Therapy

Man began in a garden. When the Consummation of The Ages is ushered in by the Sovereign Providence of our all wise God, man will once again find himself in a garden. The LORD will be the Light and man will enjoy the Presence of the LORD for all eternity, no sorrow, no pain, no suffering and no sin!

There is a particular ambiance about a garden. It is peaceful, quiet, and often aromatic due to the many fragrances that emanate from the floral bouquets that grow there. The birds provide a melodic serenade if you just pause and listen.

About a month ago our son came over with his tiller. We created a garden spot in our back yard. It is modest in size, about 125 feet long and 15 feet wide. It is just enough to grow some cantaloupe, squash, water melons, and tomatoes. I planted both Cherry for salads & Beef Steak. The latter for BLT's.

I have a small Patio Table & Chair beside the garden. I am an early riser. Often you will find me in that chair with a piping hot cup of coffee, my Bible, and a settled and a peace drenched soul as the sun peaks over the horizon to announce another new day. I commune with my God. He is always there with me. He speaks to me from his word. The message of the Scriptures has a special penetrating power and authority in the stillness of a new day.

I must confess that in 47 years of ministry I have not honored the Sabbath very well. This garden spot has modified my disobedience. It is amazing how 30 minutes 'in the garden' brings a proper perspective to each new day and the challenges it holds. There are many. I languish in earnest desire to see the American church submit to Reformation & Renewal. Intercessory prayer is most certainly one of the means God will use if that is ever to be accomplished.

Let me encourage you to find a ‘Garden Spot’. Invest time there. Pray. Read God’s Word and most of all look with anticipation to that time when the LORD will once again place man in the garden of His making at the end of the age. Maranatha!!