"Those whom the Spirit draws to Jesus are those whom the Spirit has convinced of sin. Without thorough conviction of sin, men may seem to come to Jesus and follow Him for a season, but they will soon fall away and return to the world." John Charles Ryle, From his classic book, 'Holiness'.
[ JC Ryle (May 10, 1816 - June 10, 1900) was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. Ryle was born at Macclesfield, and was educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was Craven Scholar in 1836. He retired in 1900 at age 83 and died later the same year. He is buried in the All Saints' Church, Childwall, Liverpool.]
I like these words of Bishop Ryle. Though he saw this problem in his century, I see the same problem now.
Many churches are simply preaching a gospel that makes fairly nice people, and not nice people, a bit nicer, and accepted in their own self.
The Gospel is quite different for it is the power to save a rebel from his sinful dilemma of condemnation and hell, and also make his heart of sin new in Christ. In other words the genuine Gospel makes a sinner a saint. There will be a huge difference in a heart that is changed by the Spirit of Christ. With fruit unavoidably visible; the fruit of love fro Jesus, and for our neighbor.
And there's much more that goes along with that of course, but don't we simply all need to agree on this truth first, before we proceed? I think so. All Christians must agree on this. Those who don't may need to be converted themselves.
4 comments:
I think it crazy when the churches preach watered down religion.
Sometimes just to get people in the door, but never set it striahgt!
Me too. The believer needs to hear the whole truth of God. Man can not live on bread alone, but we need the Bread of life, and every Word that proceeds from God's heart, which is in fact the Holy Scriptures.
What a wonderful treasure the Bible is, and yet so many have no hunger.
I pray for the body of Christ to become hungry once again for His truth, and then we will see such a move of the Lord as we only dream of!
"Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts....
...Therefore thus says the Lord:
“If you return, I will restore you,
and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
you shall be as my mouth.
They shall turn to you,
but you shall not turn to them." Jer. 15:16,19
And in between these two verses are some aches and pains for the man of the Lord, but, hey, that goes with the calling in this world.
But the joy will outweigh the heaviness and sorrow we endure; or at least fortify us enough to endure.
Thanks for dropping by sister.
When people hear an incomplete gospel, and have a false sense of assurance, I call that being "innoculated."
On the other hand, I had an interesting discussion recently with a man who understood his need for a Savior, and confessed Jesus as Lord, but can't seem to get excited about worship like his churchmates. After probing for a while, I discovered that he takes medication that forces him to stay even-keeled all the time. It is discouraging to him. I wish he could be raised above the cloudy funk he's stuck in.
Thanks for sharing that Craver.
The Lord has children with different expressions of their affections for sure. And some of His children have emotional problems, I have learned that as well.
There are the false disciples as well, and they will forever be mixed in with God's genuine disciples. We need to mark certain ones who can be, and leave the final judgment to the Lord for others.
One day we will all stand face to face with the King of glory, and will bow, and confess His holy name as the name above all names, and then He will have things to say to us, I'm sure. Or He may have nothing to say.
I do long for Him to say, "Enter in." I know I am His child, and it's only by His grace and forgiveness; nothing I have done. And the fruit I have, which is paltry at best, is fruit from His grace nonetheless.
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