"Opps, I Missed A Step Salvation".

"Opps, I Missed A Step Salvation".

Romans 8:26-29

I was saved at the age of five. To be honest I do not remember a time that I did not believe Christ paid the price of my redemption through His Blood. (Having Godly Missionary parents, and learning to read from the Bible tends to have that effect.) So to be more accurate; At the age of five I made my profession known. And then at the age of 16, I confirmed that faith by being baptized at Gilead Baptist Church in Owosso, MI.

I bring this up to tell you that the greatest question I had as a child and as a young man was "Did I miss a step?" This question never came about from an unbelief in Christ or the Bible but from a strong desire to do all that I could to follow as closely as possible God's words for my "salvation".

Now as every Bible Believing Christian knows it is the faith in Christ work which saves us and this salvation is free. The problem though is the "application process" or a set of requirements in order to qualify your faith. "Things you must do before this "event" that show you are truly "accepting" salvation "correctly" and things you must do after the event to "prove" you have been "saved". (Sounds harder then doing my taxes in order to get money that is already mine!)

Also, each process is fully backed up by random verses which promote their process with a additional caveat that if you ascribe to any other model then you are not correct and are now bound for Hell! If their model is not popular among other Christians they will add the fact that Christ said "few there be that find it".

On one small point I appreciate the Catholics because they are honest and say it is all part of a process of salvation but for many Baptist (because they play gymnastics with words and separate the process in our minds) will pay lip service to "faith in Christ alone" but then doubt a person's salvation if they failed to complete a "process of sanctification" to which many unconsciously ascribe.

Some things needed before true faith can "become available" Some say a various level of repentance or sorriness for your past sins is needed before salvation. Another relies on various levels of hearers knowledge or the presenters accurately voicing the truth; they have to understand the events correctly as presented in the correct bible (1611 KJAV Pure Cambridge Edition only for English speakers or it won't work).

Now we come to the "Free Gift" hopefully you chose the correct "pre-approval process. At this point you have three options (but be careful because if you chose wrong you don't understand salvation and will have to start over or go to Hell!)1. "Ask for salvation" by prayer. 2. Just acknowledge Christ work but don't say anything or it proves you do not believe Romans 3:18. 3. Be baptized by immersion before believers to show your belief.

Now you are saved but you we're not really saved you did not give God Lordship authority or do not do these following things in six months/rest of your life or when we all discover a mistake in our model.

By this time you understand what I'm getting at through my exaggerated examples and may even ascribe to a milder form of one or two points my intent is not to prove or disprove anything but to also share the model I used for salvation. Look. Believe. Follow. (John 3) Simple desire of the heart words.

What I learned as a young man is that while information, knowledge, physical actions, etc can help me better understand Christ redemptive work and to grow in faith and wisdom, there are no steps, no process, no "things" I can do to pre-approve myself mentally or verbally. These things will merely amplify what the Spirit has already done in my heart. The Spirit gives the birth and I merely cry Aba! Father! (Galatians 4:6)

At this point many out of concern will perhaps wish to present a step we must keep in mind or risk leading a sinner down a wrong path. Remove that link to head knowledge and let Christ work in the man's heart. Lift up Christ and let Him worry about the steps and you might be surprised that a few extra lost people find the narrow way into heaven without all our extra steps and sign post.

People "being saved" require a process and teachers but people which are saved required only a Saviour.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; [not head] and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Cain the Model Modern Christian

Cain the Model Modern Christian.

Genesis 4:1-15

Introduction: Why is it that many Christians today seem to be following and serving God but do not seem to be blessed by God and in the end fail? Cain is a perfect example of Why....

I. Why He is a Model Christian.

A. Sacrificed to God. v.3
B. God spoke to him and he spoke to God. v.6, v.13
C. Cain asked for forgiveness. v.13
D. People saw God's mark on him. v.15

II. Why He is a Modern Christian.

A. Sacrificed the wrong things.
B. Ignored God's words and followed his own.
C. Asked God to forgive punishment but did not admit to wrong doing.
D. God's mark was a mark of warning to others.

III. What we need to do.

A. Sacrifice the right things.
B. Obey God's word and pray properly.
C. Admit our wrong doings to God (and refer back to point B).
D. Seek to have a good mark.

Conclusion:

Even Cain in his sinful fall received warnings and mercy from God in every step he took to failure as a Christian. We today receive the same warnings. The question is will we heed the callings of God? Will we continue down our own path or submit to God?

Your Local Pastor vs. Your Youtube Pastor

Your Local Pastor vs. your Youtube Pastor. 

Here are some of my ramblings on the topic.

Its all the rage nowadays. "So and so is the best Pastor alive today!" Have you met him or attend his church? "No he is on the internet and I read his books though.....he is so knowledgeable". "I wish my pastor......"

Do not forget! The Bereans did not search the internet or watch other pastors on Youtube in order to find out if what their pastor said is true! They searched the scriptures! In this age of technology the false teacher does not have to be in your church. Nor do they even have to be false. As Baptist we declare local church importance on one side and yet on the other follow a non-local pastor's leadership!

Even though these non-local preachers are often a blessing in head knowledge they lack much of what a local church pastor can offer. That youtube preacher cannot love you, minister to you, or have an understanding heart towards you. You also cannot see how he leads and shepherd his church all you see is a snippet.

Your Local pastor loves you and knows you personally and God gave him to pastor your local church congregation. He may not be the best preacher and you see his faults and he has some weird belief that Jesus will come back in the month of September, etc. But he wants the best for you so give him the benefit of the doubt.

If you feel your local pastor needs to change or improve because of what your "non-local pastor" said or teaches, give your local pastor the benefit of the doubt and confirm it through the Bible first then humbly seek his advice rather than having a critical spirit toward him. That youtube preacher may be "right" but often your local pastor has more insight to the subject at hand and he too was "right."