Friday, July 29, 2011

What causes people to accept Jesus into their heart?

In order for man to accept Jesus, he must first hear about Jesus. It's not just an imaginary Jesus it's about what Jesus actually did and about what Jesus is actually doing now, from His exalted position in Heaven. Acceptance is receiving the the personality of Jesus into the heart. Acceptance is taking hold of the Spirit and character of Jesus. Acceptance is giving consent to the authority that Jesus has as Savior and Lord. So, what causes fallen man to accept Jesus? The Spirit of God.

The Spirit of God shows man what he really is (dirty, filthy, and without hope). The Spirit of God testifies Jesus and makes Him known. Man thus recognizes the fact that Jesus became a man just like you and I. Though the Spirit's ministration fallen men understand that Jesus suffered as a man and shed the blood of a man... so that sinful men could have a way to find forgiveness for their (dirty and rotten) sinful conduct. Outside of Jesus sinful men can never find personal forgiveness for their past sins. Only acceptance of Jesus Christ into the heart and soul can cleanse sinful men from the sin stains they live with in normal life...without Jesus.

Man's acceptance comes from a broken and contrite heart prodded by the Spirit of God. Sin (in a broken man) is only realized in light of the person and authority of Jesus Christ our Savior. Brokeness comes to the heart of fallen man from the convicting power of the Spirit of the Living God. Man's consciousness and awareness to Christ comes from hearing about Christ, as the Spirit of God ministers "truth and purity" to the human soul. Fallen man's acceptance comes from a realization of who Christ is. Acceptance (on a personal basis in submission) is man's recognition of Jesus with consent, brokeness, and understanding of what Jesus did on the cross at Calvary.

Man's acceptance of Christ "receives and takes hold" of forgiveness from all past sins. Acceptance allows man to realize that the guilt of sin is taken away, as result of the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Man's acceptance of Christ brings the changed moral character that only comes into the human soul by the power of God's Divine Grace. Acceptance looks to Jesus as the true and only source for holiness of heart and right living. Acceptance clings to Jesus for every need in life. The reason men accept Jesus is because they recognize His suffering for fallen man. Repentance turns fallen men to Jesus. Acceptance takes hold of the fact that Jesus is very God and Savior.

The witness of a man who has accepted Jesus for personal Salvation is an example and light for God. Not by choice, but by the Divine power of the Grace of God. Not in boast, but in humbleness of heart. Men who accept Jesus are changed men. Every sin is forgiven because they accepted Jesus as Savior. The heart is clean because they accepted Jesus as Savior. The testimony is strong for Jesus because men who accept Jesus, are mouthpieces for God. These holy men of God testify about Jesus. They tell the world about Jesus and behind every holy witness for Jesus, is the Spirit of holiness that raised Jesus from the Grave.

The reason men accept Jesus is because they hear about Jesus from people (like you and I) who were touched by Jesus. The Holy Spirit is behind these testimonies that minister truth. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and unrighteousness and leads fallen men to brokenness. The Holy Spirit is moving now and also  leading sinful men to an acceptance of Jesus. When sinful men "break" from realization of who Jesus is...they will accept Him as Lord and Savior and find forgiveness from all past sins and freedom from the guilt of sin. They will desire to do things pleasing in His sight because they have accepted Him, the True and only God. They will mind the Spirit of God because they have accepted Jesus as Lord as Savior.

ac·cept ....verb (used with object)

1. to take or receive (something offered); receive with approval or favor: to accept a present; to accept a proposal.

2. to agree or consent to;

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Behind every sin...is rejection of Christ

Rejection of Jesus Christ? What causes rejection? Where does rejection come from? Does rejection come out of choice or is it a result of man's fallen nature? These questions arise...but what does God say about the subject of rejection of Christ? What does the Bible tell us?

As I write this Blog I think over and over again about how many people sin against God and wilfully reject the truth about Christ. I note that behind every sin is "rejection of a Savior". Sin and disobedience are products of the fallen nature of man. Sin is caused from man's natural rejection of Christ. The natural man is totally out of harmony with God because the nature and will are morally corrupt. Men are sinful by nature and compelled to sin and reject the truth about Christ. They are enslaved to unrighteousness...not by choice, but by nature. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God as they are foolishness to him. Therefore God said these people are children of wrath.

We are told in the Bible that men are "willingly" ignorant. Wilful ignorance is natural rejection of Christ and sinful by nature. The action and character of man is controlled by sin. The conscience is smoothered by self justification that considers itself right when actually wrong in the eyes of God. Why? rejection of Christ. Rejection of Christ says, " I'm to young to get saved". Rejection of Christ says, "I'm not ready yet". Rejection of Christ says, "I'm a good person because I give to charity". Sin is based on man's rejection of Christ.

What kind of godly choice can an unsaved man really make in the eyes of God? An unsaved man can choose to do right and still do wrong in the eyes of God. The intent was right. The action was wrong because Christ was still rejected and there was no righteousness from God within the heart of man. Righteousness comes from Christ not from within a natural man. An unsaved man's decisions are altered likewise because of rejection of Christ. The choices and decisions of an unsaved man can appear to be right in the eyes of the human being... and still be wrong in the eyes of God. Why? rejection of Christ. The will is still tainted. The choices are still morally corrupt. Why? The nature is fallen and unregenerated. Without power from above. Without the power of God's Grace. Without Salvation of the human soul that comes through a Savior's forgiveness that flows from Calvary.

Sin is not essential in the child of God because the child of God accepts, trusts, and has assurance in the person of Christ. Behind obedience to God is faith and certainty in what Christ did and what He's doing now. There is no rejection in faith in Christ. There is no rejection in trust in Christ. There is not rejection in certainty that is placed in the person of Christ. Faith, trust, and certainty bring obedience to God and the inner work of Salvation into the human soul. Belief in Christ consumes rejection. Belief in Christ brings the Grace of God into the human soul. Belief in Christ staggers not. Belief in Christ doesn't waver like the waves of the sea. Belief allows obedience to flow from the power of Calvary granted to the human soul. The desire to sin is changed to a desire to do right. The choices of the saved man become godly choices. The decisions of the saved man become godly decisions. Ignorance becomes knowledge of what Christ did and what He's doing. A child God knows not to do wrong. He is accountable to God because He accepts what Christ did for him personally. He is no longer wilfully ignorant. He's changed by Grace. Morally right as a new creature...created by God. Old things passed away.

Jesus is the new way. Jesus is the new life. Jesus is the truth that gives us a way to "escape" the enslavement of sin. Has Jesus became real to you? Are you morally changed by the Grace of God? Does the Spirit of God control you? Acceptance, belief, and certainty in Christ. No more rejection. Sin doesn't live here any more. Obedient and right in the eyes of God. Christ made you that way. Glory! Isn't that beautiful? Behind this blessed life of holiness is a Savior who takes care of His family and meets their needs. Aren't you glad to be part of the family of God? Goodbye rejection, Hello Jesus.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto Salvation.