Salvation Summaries

I feel bad.  The past two days I had to attend a conference in San Francisco, and yesterday I didn’t read my bible or have quality prayer time.  I was busy of course, but it only takes 10-15 minutes of time, and we can all set aside that in a 24 hour day. It bothered me a few times during the day…that I didn’t read, didn’t pray, and if I don’t do it in the morning, it generally doesn’t get done. Is it the same way with you?

I was surrounded by non-Christians of course, and had to attend a supper meeting the night before the conference, where there was free wine for everyone.  I told one of the marketing representatives there that I didn’t drink (not that Christians can’t, we are simply not to get drunk from wine, for this can cause problems), and he was surprised. He just looked at me, and then slowly said, “I can respect that.”

I always feel out of place at events like this, and as a result usually avoid them.  But on the other hand, if I can learn more about the firm or the people or the “product” the firm offers, I view it as my responsibility to attend despite my discomfort.

In this post I want to quickly make two points regarding my experience.

First, as Christians, we need to hold ourselves accountable.

I don’t have to read. I don’t have to pray.  No one is overseeing me or telling me to do this.  But if I step back and remember that I am to no longer live for myself but for the Lord who saved me, then I have a responsibility to do both.  In fact, scripture tells us to do this.

Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Colossians 1:10-12 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Second, it’s not a good feeling that I’m looking for; rather, it’s a relationship.

I don’t want to be a nominal Christian. I don’t want to be an average Christian. I want to grow (spiritually) as much as I possibly can (and hope you do too) so I can truly know the One who saved me.  All Christians should want this.

Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

2 Peter 1:5-11 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I hope you’ll join me in seeking to grow as much as possible, for this will not only benefit ourselves, but also those around us (including our family members and friends). To do this, we need to obey what the Bible teaches about praying, reading, seeking to grow in our faith, and living for the Lord rather than ourselves. And, as we grow in our salvation, we will be in a better position – and have a greater desire – to witness to non-Christians.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.