I've been a Christian now for almost 6 months and man I can boldly say that these past months has been the best times of my entire life! I'm not saying that the problems has been removed or I am no longer affected by emotions, stress, sickness... I can say that all my "troubles" or "tests" prior to becoming a Christian is / are still present... but because of my relationship with Jesus... I'm able to weather the storms :)
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
Christianity is not a religion as some say it is... it is a personal relationship!
I'd like to comment on one message that was aired on TV by a charismatic "religious" leader in our country, it seems that he has memorized the entire Bible and dares people to ask him anything about it - I think it is his way to display "his" knowledge of the Word of God.
Anyway, he commented that the born-again’s (a term used to call some Christians - I'll tackle this later in another post) got it all wrong... that Jesus is not a personal Lord and Savior. And he challenged everyone listening to check the Bible - because the term personal Lord and Savior is not written in it... and included in his challenge is that... if whoever sees a verse that says that... he'll have his arms chopped-off. He continued that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the entire church (as an institution)... and not of an individual (since he already said no to Jesus becoming a personal Lord and Savior). He even commented that for people to be saved... we need to be Biblical... just follow what is written in the Bible. (his members then clapped to his entertaining comments). I think the institution thingy... came about because he's at odds with another "religious" institution... getting members... a numbers game. :(
Anyway, I agree with him in some points though... that we should be Biblical... as Christians we go to the word of God for guidance :) and so far... yup he's right... I haven't seen a line in the Bible that literally states... "Jesus should be your personal Lord and Savior"... but still... I disagree with that "religious leader".
My bro and sis... I'd like you to reflect upon the Words of God Himself... and you decide :)
"Come, follow me, " Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Mark 1:17)
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9)
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews
"Then I acknowledge my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" - and you forgave the guild of my sin." (Psalm 32:5)
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)
Ok... I'll stop typing... if I continue... I'll be typing the entire Bible! Hahaha! :) kidding aside. What have you observed with the verses above? :) Search your heart... do you think God is just talking to an institution? Or an individual? Talking to your heart? :) If you read the Bible from cover to cover it shows how God is... who God is... that he is constantly trying to reach out to his children... you can read stories of how God interacts and talk with people as individuals... from Adam to the last pages of the book of Revelations (You!).
But probably the best evidence that Jesus should be a personal Lord and Savior is through what he did on the cross 2000 years ago.
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Jesus died for each and everyone of us... God held you worthy to be saved… that’s why he sent his only son to die for you! Imagine what kind of love that is! That’s the awesome love that God has for each and everyone of us… for you! That’s what I call mind-blowing love!
The Bible is a method of God conversing with individuals… hmm, just like what I’m doing right now to you :) I created this blog to reach individuals… to reach you!
Lastly... maybe there is no verse in the Bible that say "personal Lord and Savior" but... check-out the following verses...
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9,10)
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him." (Colossians 2:6)
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." (1 Peter 3:15)
So my friend... what do you think God is telling you? :)
2 comments:
I praise God for your boldness. May the Lord continue to use you for your work.
I love your enthusiasm for the Lord!
How about where Jesus calls us "friends"? I think it's in John 15. In the larger context He may be talking to the church as a whole. But calling someone a friend, how personal can that get, right? Just my thoughts.
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