TAKING GOD FOR GRANTED 1
TAKING GOD FOR GRANTED 1
2 FOR you answer our prayers. All of us must come to you.
3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all."
Psalm 65:2,3 (NLT)
• God answers prayers, and forgives Sins. However, through what the psalmist said in the above passage, there is an end to every person on earth.
- Humans are Eternal beings. There is life after death. However, where your eternity would be spent is determined whilst you are here on earth.
- The decision you make determines where your end would be, after your journey on the earth.
- God answers the prayers of those who want Him to be involved in the matters of their lives. God is the God of everyone, but He is the Father to those who come to Him through Christ Jesus—those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. Those who are born-again.
- God is not a Father to every human being. In fact, It is not everyone who acknowledges His existence, and accepts His Fatherhood.
- God would only answer the prayers of those who acknowledge Him, see Him as their Father—those who are reconciled to Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18,19).
• Albeit, the psalmist says a person's heart might be filled with sins, God forgives him or her of all (Psalm 65:3).
- No matter how overwhelming someone's sins might be, If the person turned to God, through Jesus Christ, he or she would be forgiven (Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 1:9).
- God yearns and longs that every soul should repent and be reconciled to Him: 19 FOR GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF, NO LONGER COUNTING PEOPLE'S SINS AGAINST THEM. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 21 FOR GOD MADE CHRIST, WHO NEVER SINNED, TO BE THE OFFERING FOR OUR SIN, SO THAT WE COULD BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD THROUGH CHRIST" (2 Corinthians 5:19,21 NLT).
3 THIS is good and PLEASES GOD our Saviour,
4 WHO WANTS EVERYONE TO BE SAVED AND TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH."
1 Timothy 2:3,4 (NLT)
Thus, whoever acknowledges himself or herself as a sinner, and comes to God, believing in the substitutionary death of Christ Jesus, and confesses with their mouths that He is Lord, would be accepted and be reconciled to God:
9 THAT IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THE LORD JESUS AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD HAS RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. 10 FOR WITH THE HEART ONE BELIEVES UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION" (Romans 10:9,10 NKJV).Being reconciled, which occurs through being born-again, is a step, a foundational step, out of a number of steps that would culminate in the person's intimacy with God—the fellowshipping with Him.
The step of consecration or setting apart or sanctification; unwavering commitment and submissiveness, should be the next to take after salvation: "NOW MAY THE GOD OF PEACE HIMSELF SANCTIFY YOU COMPLETELY; AND MAY YOUR WHOLE SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY BE PRESERVED BLAMELESS AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV).
But a number of believers usually shy away from this step, because it is sacrificial, and places a demand on the flesh—the human body.
Human being is a spirit, and has a soul, and lives in a body. In other words, Human is in three parts; the spirit, soul, and the body. The sanctification mentioned above, which also means setting apart, should affect the three parts of a human—a believer.
The inward Man of a believer, or the human spirit, is regenerated and has the nature of God in it; but the person's soul and the body are yet to be saved or regenerated.
Thus, a believer needs to work on the soul, the seat of thought, and the body, the flesh—the outer man.
Living a consecrated life is as important as the first step, the step of being born-again. You do not claim to be born-again and reject a consecrated life.
After the claim that you are saved, you have to live your life for Christ Jesus, and not for the self:
"HE [Jesus] DIED FOR EVERYONE SO THAT THOSE WHO RECEIVE HIS NEW LIFE WILL NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES. INSTEAD, THEY WILL LIVE FOR CHRIST, WHO DIED AND WAS RAISED FOR THEM" (2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT).Someone who is saved should not remain at the salvation stage, being saved, which is known as babyhood stage (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
You do not continue your life, as a professed believer, in the babyhood stage. You grow up to become a mature and responsible believer in the vineyard of God (Hebrews 5:12-14).
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
- Hold of sickness is completely broken and never to rise again in your life in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!