True Spiritual Salvation
True Spiritual Salvation is not a repeat after me “word salad” that is sometimes called “The sinner’s prayer.
I recently spoke with a lady who said her aunt was sick; in the hospital and giving up on life. She stated her sister had the aunt pray a prayer after her. I told this lady that I did not want to be the bearer of bad news, but to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, one must confess with their mouth and believe in their heart (Romans 10:9-10). This lady was very kind. She said, “I know.” She listened attentively. We had a very brief conversation and went on with our day.
As I reflected on our conversation I said a prayer for this lady’s family, including her aunt. The death bed or any crisis situation is not the place or time to get a person to call upon the name of the Lord, especially if they do not know Him. Salvation is a FAITH process. Romans 10:17(NLT) says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, Hearing the Good News about Christ.” Romans 10:14-15(NLT) says, “But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tell them. And how would anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scripture say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
John 6:44 (NLT) says, “For no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent me draws them to Me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” Mark 13:10 says, “For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.” It’s not a repeat after me “word salad.” It is a process, whereby the Holy Spirit is convicting the individual’s heart.
I was in my late 20’s when I was aware that I was being drawn to Jesus. I did not have knowledge of the Holy Spirit at that time. Many times out of ignorance and the constant struggle of life, I thought I was experiencing Hell on earth. At the age of 16, I was in a car accident that could have taken my life. Would I have gone to Hell? “I don’t know.” But I do know, in that car, after I gained consciousness, while I was bleeding and scared, was not the time or place for someone to tell me to call on the Lord I did not know. Today, now that I have a clearer spiritual revelation about the place of Hell; I am thankful I finally listened when an outreach worker approached me to share the gospel. When I decided to listen from my heart, God set His plan in motion for my salvation.
The thief on the cross is an example of someone being in a crisis situation. However, Jesus did not ask him any questions about salvation. The thief on the cross initiated the conversation. He was not trying to con Jesus. Jesus knows the heart of every human. Jesus said to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Only God knows the end results in matters when the person’s life is ended.
Let us who are truly Born Again be about our Father’s business of salvation; preaching the Gospel of Christ and snatching souls from the fire (Jude 23 NLT).
MORE WILL BE REVEALED; TO BE CONTINUED…