Are Christians Right When they say I Need to Be Saved

Why Do Christians Believe I Need to ‘Get Saved” or ‘Be Born Again’?

Barbara Henderson

The non-Christian says:
Christians refer to themselves as ‘born again’ or ‘saved’.
Christians are always nagging other people to get saved or be born again.
Why do Christians seem so determined to convert others to their way of thinking?

The Christian says:
Without Jesus Christ, you are going to a place called hell.
I don’t want that to happen to you.
How can I help you see the truth?

What can I say or do to explain all this to you?

The Christian thinks about how to approach the subject, how to explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an acceptable manner. The Christian finally decides that the place to start explaining the need for salvation to the lost begins ‘In the beginning……..

What happened in the beginning? Where did all creation begin? What happened?

Something most people can understand when viewing things around them is that design proves a designer. Something made proves a maker. Whether it be so simple as how a room is arranged, a thinking person realizes that someone put the things in a specific order. If the couch is sitting in a corner someone put it there. If a picture is hanging on the wall, someone hung it there. It is a no-brainer.

The same person who knows that the objects around them were made by and placed in a specific place by someone may not understand or acknowledge that the earth is a created object specifically hung in a particular place in space. Yet, there Earth is, sitting in space between Venus and Mars. It was carefully placed at just the right distance from the sun. It was set in orbit. The seasons come and go. There is air to breath, water to drink, and food to eat. It was a very well thought out design. Plant life, sea life, animal life was created on the earth with the materials necessary for their survival. Then a man and a woman were created. The plan was properly carried out.
God was there when it all happened. God gave us His eye witness account of creation. He said, ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’

God created mankind with free will. He did not want slaves in heaven. People had to have a choice. And the choice came in the form of temptation by God’s adversary the devil, formerly known as Lucifer. Adam and Eve fell for the lie Satan told to them. By their sin, death entered into the world. (By the way, the next time something bad happens – blame sin or blame the devil. But, don’t blame God. He set things up to be perfect. He is around to pick up the pieces of shattered lives. God is the helper. Satan is the destroyer.)

Those rejecting Christ do not see themselves as sinners. To them a ‘sinner’ is someone who is a terrible criminal, or someone who is cruel and abusive to everyone. Comparing themselves to others, they see themselves as ‘much better’ than most of those around them. Honestly, that may be true. However, sin is not measured by others.

Sin is measure like this.

Are you perfect? Absolutely perfect and blameless in everything every nana-second of your entire life?

The question, ‘Are you perfect’, should be asked of yourself at night when you are all alone in a dark room. Of course you are not alone exactly, because the Truth is with you. ‘Am I perfect?’ is the question. You can lie to yourself, but you cannot lie to the Truth and get away with it. Any semi-honest person will admit, ‘I am not perfect’. That is where the problem enters in.

Your sins, your imperfection, separate you from God. Thankfully, God is merciful. He does not want you to die in your sins, leaving you separated from Him for eternity. But, what can be done? He can’t let imperfect people into heaven, or heaven would no longer be perfect. Yet, He loves you personally. You are His creation. God does love you. God wants to help you. God has a plan to restore to you fellowship with Him. No, you will not become a ‘god’. But, you can be reconciled to God. You can be redeemed from sin. Your ransom has been paid in full. All you have to do is walk through the Door (Jesus Christ) into freedom and eternal life.

Let’s look at it like this.

God IS perfect.

And,

You are NOT perfect.
It doesn’t matter how many really good excuses you have for your failures and shortcomings. Excuses won’t get you into heaven. Only Jesus Christ can get you into heaven.

The human being living without Jesus Christ is separated from God by the great gulf of sin. In a very simplified way, I suppose you could say the ‘gulf of sin’ is the dividing chasm between perfect and imperfect. No human being has the ability to change something imperfect into perfect.
Those living in sin, in separation from God, are like those living in a dark concrete box without any means of escape. They will never be able to get out of the box without help. In the box in which they live, there is one door that leads to freedom. (There are also a lot of shallow doors that lead nowhere – false religions.) The door to reconciliation with the Almighty God who created you in the first place, was made at an unimaginable cost to the Perfect God of creation. He laid down His own life to make that door, that way, of escape.
Remember,

God is perfect.

You are not perfect.

You can be reconciled to the Perfect God through the Perfect Sacrifice which is Jesus Christ.

‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’ (Acts 16:31a)

Jesus offers you:

Salvation

‘by grace’

‘through faith’

‘not of works’

(Ephesians 2:8)



The offer is made by the grace of God – not because anyone deserves the offer.

You accept this offer by faith.

You don’t have to do anything except believe the Truth.
People often condemn God for making only one way into heaven. They are not considering the cost of making even one way into heaven. They also do not consider that the way provided by Jesus Christ has the capacity to receive everyone who accepts the offer.

The offer of salvation is open ONLY during the days of your life. ‘And it is appointed to man once to die, but after this the judgment.’ (Hebrews 9:27)

Don’t face the judgment without Jesus Christ.

A beloved Hymn is ‘Just as I am’ (without one plea)

You don’t have to understand it all - in fact you will never understand it all. You do have to understand that God is perfect – you are not perfect – but God will take you right now. (Yes, changes will come in your life as you understand more about who Jesus is and what He expects of you.) Listen to this song. God wants you just the way you are right now.

Just as I am
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9oSB3elWY4

Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need in Thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, Thy love unknown

Hath broken every barrier down;

Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.



Just as I am, of that free love

The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,

Here for a season, then above,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Doctrine is Important to Christians - but Most Don't Know What it Is!

Can You Define the Word ‘Doctrine’?
In the Bible we find many recorded words of God. Actually, the entire Bible is the written Word of God. Some of it is recorded history. Some of the Bible is direct quotes from God Himself. He makes some very definite statements on how people should act. It is settled for true Christians that God has the authority and the power to make the rules. What seems in question for some Christians is, ‘Did God REALLY mean what he said? Are His rules still relevant, and are they for everyone in every situation?’

There is proof aplenty that many who claim to be followers of the God of the Bible do not do the things God says to do. They claim to accept Jesus, but they disannul the DOCTRINE of Christ in order to follow their own doctrine. They in fact, reject the doctrine of God as revealed to us in the Bible in favor of cunningly devised fables. Actually, some people turn from the doctrine of Christ in order to follow their own selfish lusts and ideas. There is often nothing ‘cunningly devised’ in the fables they follow. My dad says they get their theology from the seat of their pants.

Cunningly devised fables can be identified in worship services that put the traditions of men above the doctrine of God. ‘Tradition’ did not die for sinners on Calvary. Traditions that work for our good are traditions that make worship of Christ and following His teachings easier. Traditions are wicked when the tradition itself begins to substitute for true worship. Keep in mind that if there was salvation available in following the ‘traditions of men’, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.

Cunningly devised fables may be seen in rituals. There are ritual religions outside and inside Christianity. People believe that through certain repetitions and rituals they will be able to obtain something they want, cause someone to do something they want done, and even gain eternal life. You can also gain wealth and health through ritual sacrificial giving according to some purveyors of cunningly devised fables. That means watch out for the wealth and health preachers. Remember, that if there was salvation in rituals, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.

Cunningly devised fables may be seen in vain repetitions and babbling. People will chant a mantra as though often repeated words somehow gain the power, or call upon some unknown power to grant their request. It may work even better if the mantra is chanted while the chantor is sitting in some uncomfortable position. Again, if vain babbling and chants could gain salvation for the lost soul, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.

A rampant cunningly devised fable in the church today is the myth that church growth is proof of a spiritual church. A growth oriented church, believing that church growth proves their relationship with God is good, will often set aside doctrine in favor of ‘doing what it takes' to get the number of church members to grow.’ Such churches are willing to destroy families in order to establish a mega church. Everyone in the church is supposed to be involved in every church function, or their salvation is suspect. A family cannot survive as a strong family under such circumstances.  And, it is very likely that many of the members brought in this way, will not actually be true believers.
In order for His children to avoid being deceived by a cunningly devised fable, God gave us DOCTRINE.

This doctrine is based on the truth, as given to us by our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, infallible Creator and God. This Doctrine is written down for us in the Bible. It is not a tradition that was handed down by word of mouth for a thousand years and then written down.. It was written down directly from the mouth of God through the hand of the writer. Knowing and living the Doctrine of the Bible gives us the prescription to avoid being deceived by the great abundance of cunningly devised fables.

According to biblegateway.com the term ‘doctrine’ is used in the Bible fifty (50) times. Due to the limits of space, I won’t be able to include all fifty here. However, I will use some of them.

Proverbs 4:2

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Remember that the doctrine given us by God is infallible. It is correct, truthful, and good. To forsake it is foolish; yet many do.

Isaiah 28:9

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

God will give understanding to the willing. Often Christians are like adults who try to live as though they were still teenagers. They never grow up, and they are very unpleasant people. They are also useless to those around them. There is nothing lovely or cute about idolizing the foolish actions of rebellious teenagers. The same goes for Christians. There is nothing cute or appealing in a Christian refusing to learn the things of the Bible, preferring instead to remain ignorant and easily beguiled. Remember Eve. She was beguiled and look what happened because of her actions.

Jeremiah 10:8

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

Beware of vain doctrines. Only those teachings that are completely within the boundaries of the teachings of the Bible are good. Vain doctrine places man, or a particular man, or a particular humanist ideology as the solution to the world’s problems. Jesus Christ is left somewhere out in left field.

Matthew 7:28

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

The doctrine of Jesus Christ is astonishing. It stays in the mind of the hearer.

Mark 1:22

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

The Triune God of the Bible is the authority behind the doctrine of the Bible. It is powerful and astonishing when told in humility by believers.

Mark 1:27

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

The mighty power of the doctrine of the Bible has not been seen in any earthly teaching, theology, ideology, sorcery, or anything else outside the Bible.

Mark 11:18

And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

The doctrine of the Bible brings about fear in those who reject it. They will seek in vain to destroy it. They know that if the doctrine of the Bible is true, then all other beliefs, or belief systems, or deeply held beliefs, are false. The Bible is not compatible with any other doctrine. When you see someone trying to be reconciled with other doctrines, then they are following fables.

Luke 4:32

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

The doctrine of Jesus Christ has power.

John 18:19

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

The doctrine of Jesus Christ causes curiosity when people hear it.

Acts 2:42

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The doctrine of Jesus Christ inspires great loyalty in those who believe.

Acts 5:28

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

The doctrine of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped by the edicts of men. The Christian will be like the Psalmist who tried, but could not keep his mouth shut. (Psalm 39:1-3)

Acts 17:19

And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

The doctrine of the Lord arouses curiosity. It is something new and wonderful to those who have not heard. They want to hear more.

1 Timothy 1:3

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

Christians are charged to teach no other doctrine. That really kicks things like all the eastern mystic teachings out of the church. Things outside the gospel have no place in the church, no matter how much they will ‘help people lose weight’, ‘chill out’, ‘get in touch with themselves’, and so on. They certainly have no place being taught to the youth of the church, except as things that are outside the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Churches should be teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ alone. By the way, when I was in school in Anchorage, Alaska, we were to taught to sit and stand straight, breath through our nose, and keep our shoulders back. No one had ever heard of yoga; it was just commonly accepted as good health practice. And it was not taught in church.

1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Christians are to continue in the doctrine that is taught in the Bible. This keeps the believer out of trouble and converts those who hear what the Christian says. (That is not out of all the troublesome trials of life, but out of the stupid mistakes made by those who step outside the doctrine of the Bible.)

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Preach the doctrine of Jesus Christ with patience, continually, and with sound theology.

Titus 1:9

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

It takes a solid knowledge of the doctrine of Jesus Christ in order to convince non-believers. Nowhere does the Bible teach that we are to look for things we have in common with non-believers. We are to teach them and tell the truth according to the Bible.

2 John 1:10

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

When someone comes to you with a different doctrine than what was preached by Jesus Christ, you are not supposed to let him into your house, nor bid him God speed.

Nowhere does the doctrine of the Bible teach that we are to band together with unbelievers in order to bring about good. This means any mega church that is trying to be inclusive and work together with all faiths is not following the teachings of the Bible.

Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

The doctrine of Balaam was ‘anything for money’, even treachery toward one’s own people. Today the ‘anything for money’ doctrine is seen in politicians, businessmen, and Christians all the way up to the clergy.

Revelation 2:15

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

This is the doctrine that believes that ‘once saved one could still engage in sin because they are no longer under the law’. Naturally Christ hates such false doctrine.

There is no question that Biblical ‘doctrine’ is important. Doctrine is the message of the Bible. How foolish that some people who profess Christ as their savior don’t even know what it is. Many church members have no idea what their church teaches as doctrine. This is the fault of the church leaders. It is their duty to instruct their flock in the doctrine of the New Testament Church. It is the duty of the pastor to oversee those he allows to teach in the church that God has given him. It is the duty of the pastor to spot error in its infancy and squash it before it has time to grow.

It is also the duty of every Christian and church member to check the things the pastor/preacher teaches against the Bible itself. We have the Bible readily available. We have no excuse to put up with preachers spewing false doctrines from the pulpit.

Doctrine, doctrine, doctrine….. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. His teachings are the foundations of the faith. This is the doctrine by which we are to live. The doctrine of the Bible does not change. The doctrine of the Bible provides stability in an unstable world. The doctrine of the Bible is the key to wisdom and understanding.

There are those who seek to destroy the doctrine of the Bible, in which case the world would be left worshipping one of Satan’s many lies. All religions and belief systems outside the doctrine of the Bible are false religions. They are based on lies. Satan is the father of lies. Therefore, any doctrine outside the doctrine of the Bible is really Satan worship. In that case, is there any way the importance of the doctrine of the bible can be overstated? The answer is, ‘No! The importance of the doctrine of the Bible cannot be overstated.’ That is why Satan is trying so hard to do just that.

Christian, are you willing to follow the instructions in Jude 1:3 which says, ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

If you answered, ‘Yes! I am willing to earnestly contend for the faith.’ you need to realize something very important. No matter how willing you may be, you cannot earnestly contend for the faith if you do not know the doctrine on which the faith is built. Without knowing the doctrine of the faith you profess, then you will be like Eve. You will be beguiled and led into tragic error. Zeal, but not according to knowledge, is a tragedy waiting to happen. For your soul to prosper you must know doctrine.

The song for this article is ‘My Sheep Know My Voice’. When you know the doctrine taught in the Bible then you will know the voice of the Shepherd.

Barbara Henderson

My Sheep Know My Voice
http://nethymnal.org/htm/m/y/mysheepk.htm

‘My sheep hear My voice, and the path that I take,

They follow wherever I go;

My sheep know My voice and come at my call,

But a stranger’s voice do they not know.

Refrain

My sheep know My voice, and day by day

They abide in the fold and go not astray,

They love Me because I have made them my choice,

And they follow My call for My sheep know My voice.

My sheep know My voice, and the pastures of green,

Where I lead them so often to feed;

My sheep know My voice and the cool sparkling stream

Where beside its still waters I lead.

Refrain

My sheep know My voice, and the valley of death

Through which I shall lead them some day;

But no danger nor harm can touch one of them,

For I will be with them alway.

Refrain

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/mysheepk.htm

Eat Dirt - OR – Taste and See That the Lord is Good

I know of no one who actually eats dirt. Probably everyone has tasted dirt a few times accidentally, but they don’t eat dirt because they actually mean to eat dirt or because they like dirt. However, there is a creature condemned to eat dirt. The serpent crawls on its belly with his nose in the dirt all the days of his life. So are the unsaved of this world. No matter how good they think they have it, or how good they plan to have it, the best they can gain is just dirt. Some dirt is more obvious than other dirt, but it is still dirt.

The serpent has no choice. The lost souls of the human race are another matter. Are you one who eats dirt all the days of your life? Are you tired of loving earthly things that cannot love you back or satisfy your soul? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. You have an option.


Are you one of the saved, one of the children of God, those ransomed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ? Praise God if you are saved. Are you grateful to the Lord that Christians are able to back up with scripture the theology that once a soul is saved, that soul is always saved? (Ephesians 2:8, ‘ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God’:)

So, there are those souls who are lost and face eternal perdition if they do not come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

And

There are souls who have been saved, and who have tasted to see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8)
That His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:30)
That He hears our prayers (I John 5:14-15)

And

There are souls who are saved, but are still crawling in the dirt like a snake. They still eat the polluted dirt of this world. Their nose is still stuck in the dirt. They are saved, but still living in the dirt of the past. They love to eat dirt, and have no desire for food from the table of the Lord. They have yet to taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8

The problem is they have not done what is required of them. They have not separated themselves from the people and the things of this world. They are addicted to eating dirt.

These lukewarm Christians have taken to heart the facts that:
God loves them
God forgives them
God will take them to heaven when they die.

What they have not taken to heart is that:
God is righteous
God has set rules within which He expects His children to live
God expects obedience from His children
Disobedience to God prevents the believer from being set free from the dirt addiction.

No Christian can taste and see that the Lord is good while their mouth is full of dirt. Dirt pretty much ruins the flavor of anything good.

To overcome their dirt addiction Christians need to put off certain things from their past life. The Bible says:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:22)

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (Colossians 3:9)

Have you ever been so tired that you went to sleep in your working clothes instead of changing into sleeping clothes? Did it seem easier at the time, but it actually ruined your sleep? That is the way the dirt of this world works. It seems easier for new Christians to just live in the rut and dirt in which they lived prior to salvation. Jumping out of their comfort zone seems just too hard, or not worth the effort. Their eternal salvation is secured. Obedience to God and possible difficulties or some level of embarrassment or persecution seems too great a price to pay. The reward of a faithful Christian is not considered. Christians living like this are not brave enough to put off the things of this world. These Christians may start out following the instructions in 1 Peter 2:1-3 which says, ‘

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Then somewhere along the way, something happens. They become lazy, or arrogantly believe they know enough, or they become unwilling to actually do the things the Bible says to do. For whatever reason, their Christian growth stops.
On the other hand, there are Christians who want to put off the things of this world. They are tired of eating dirt. They want to taste and see that the Lord is good. They set out to put off the things of this world. However, once they have swept the dirt of this world out of their hearts , they have an empty place in their hearts. If they do not fill that place with the good things of God, the evil of their past life will crawl back into their hearts. They will be like the dog returning to his vomit. (Yuk!) That is what the world has to offer - dirt and vomit. .

Once Christians have put off things of the unsaved, the need to put on other things. They need to ‘put on’ or fill their hearts, with the things of Christ.

The Bible says:
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 4:24
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Colossians 3:10
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:10
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:14
The instructions are clear regarding what Christians are supposed to do and not do.

When people accidentally get dirt in their mouths, to clean the dirt out requires rinsing their mouths at least several times. For the believer to get rid of the dirt from their old life requires rinsing their mouths of the dirt of their old life at least several times in the beginning. Then it is like good oral hygiene. It is sort of like brushing teeth every day to prevent cavities. Christians need to take care that they do not drift back into eating dirt.

The Lord has given us very clear instructions regarding how we are to live our lives.
It is true that some of the things God asks of us may be easily understood, but more difficult to actually do. For instance we are told to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the wiles of the devil. That is easily understood. And putting on the armor of God can be broken down into exact items we are to put on.

Ephesians chapter six, verses 1o-18 tells us:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15.  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18.  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Verse 11 tells us why we are to put on the armor of God. It is so we can stand against the wiles of the devil. That is easy to understand. The difficult part comes in just simply standing. If we are not careful to stand still we are drifting back to eating dirt again. It is much easier to do just about anything than it is to simply stand still. In fact, standing is exhausting physically and mentally. If you must stand for any length of time, you will be more exhausted at the end of the day than if you actually worked hard. A day spent standing is a dreadful day. Before the day is over you will likely have a found a place to sit. And as you sit, you may even join in conversations going on around you.

John 15:3-8 tells us:
3.  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6.  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7.  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8. 0Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

A young man in the Bible named Daniel was thrown out of his comfort zone and into a heathen environment. In that environment, Daniel put himself in danger by refusing to participate in something that God, Daniel’s God, would not like. Daniel 1:8 says, ‘But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.’

Daniel ‘purposed’. Daniel set a goal to please God above everything else, even if it required risking his own life. Daniel’s desire was to please God. He resolved to do that.

It is time for Christians to take their faith seriously. It is time to spit out the dirt of this world. Like Daniel, purpose/resolve to please God. Today, it is politically and socially correct to compromise every value, to accept every deviant behavior, to excuse every law-breaker, and forget every Biblical teaching. All this so we can just get along. Frankly, it is not in the job description of the Christian that we should ‘get along’ with anyone. Christians should do their best not to offend, and to live at peace with others as much as is possible without participating in things that are contrary to the teachings of God. However, our main goal is to please God. It is up to the individual to resolve to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. When we fail to do that, our reward is ultimately going to be a mouth full of dirt.


I Am Resolved
http://nethymnal.org/htm/i/a/iamresol.htm

I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.

Refrain
I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.
I will hasten, hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One,
He hath the words of life.

Refrain

I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.

Refrain

I am resolved to enter the kingdom
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.

Refrain

I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay,
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
We’ll walk the heav’nly way.
Refrain

http://tobarbara.blogspot.com/
http://chirpyscats.com/ mom currently has one male kitten that is not reserved

I am looking for Baptists missionaries to link to my website.

Thanks

Barbara