Each Christian needs to know, and even memorize, these scriptures in order to tell someone else how to be saved. Tell someone today!
Lostness: Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Penalty: Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Price: Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Response: Romans 10:9-10: “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Security: Romans 8:38-39: “38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
New Life: Romans 12:1-2: “1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15)
Have you ever been discouraged in
your Christian walk?
Do you feel like you are standing
for the truths of God’s Word on your own?
Have you shared the Gospel message
with someone only to have them reject the offering of Salvation?
Does that mean it is pointless to
continue living a life pleasing to the Lord?
No! This world is a dark place (and
becoming darker by the day!), but we are to be a light in this world. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6: “5. Ye are all the children of light, and
the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6. Therefore
let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” The
first thing to remember is that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 9:5).
Because I trusted in Jesus, I am now one of the “children of light.” The darker
the world gets, the brighter my light should shine. To watch and be sober are
key words here. To watch means “a
mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an
alert mind, keeps it from slackening in the energy of faith and conduct.” To
fully understand this, we must remember what faith means. Faith means “to appropriate what God in Christ has for man
resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life; a firm
belief in Jesus and His Gospel.” Sober
in this verse means “to be watchful.” In other words, we are to be alert and
watch out for threatening dangers in this world that will keep me from allowing
my life and character to be transformed revealing Jesus in my life. Notice the
confirmation to be watchful (remember sober in this verse means to be watchful).
I must be diligent in my awareness of things that will come into my life that
will keep me from becoming more like Christ. I am instructed to not allow those
things into my life. Instead, I am to be
ready always to give an answer to anyone when they have a question as to why I
live my life as I do. The Gospel message of Jesus should always be near to my
heart and mouth, sharing with this lost world how they, too, can become a Christian.
Telling someone how to become a Christian should be an easy thing. Remember the following:
One must first recognize they are Lost (having committed sin – disobedience to any of God’s commands): Lostness: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
One must then understand the consequences, Penalty, for that sin (punishment / or eternal life by Jesus): Penalty: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23),
What is the Price for this eternal life? Price: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
What Response should be made? Response: “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
What Security do I have of eternal life if I ever commit another sin? Security: “38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
How do I live this New Life, free from sin? New Life: “1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). Don’t live like the world lives anymore. Read God’s Word and you will learn how to please God.
Each Christian has a hope that the
lost world does not have: Jesus promised to come back and take us home in
heaven to be with Him for eternity. “Looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)
This world is not my permanent
home, and I am only passing through. But in the meantime, I must be a “light”
warning this world, so that they can have the same hope I have. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter
3:15)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
“Have you ever
tried to play a game with someone
without reading the instructions? Was there arguing over unknown rules? Was it
a peaceful game or was there much disagreement? Was it any fun?
How about putting something together without
instructions? Or making a trip without consulting directions? Living a
Christian life without reading the “rules” is impossible to do. The rules are
God’s Word. Read 2 Timothy 3:16. “All scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy
3:16). Understand it better by using the following definitions:
inspiration
of God: breathed by God; divinely inspired
profitable:
helpful; useful; advantageous
doctrine:
instruction; not only the teaching but also the authority of the teacher
reproof:
conviction; manifestation of the truth and the results
correction:
set right again; correct
instruction:
teaching that includes chastening
Notice that 2
Timothy 3:16 builds upon itself in its instruction. They are interdependent
(mutually dependant) upon each other. First we see it is a doctrine (used for
instruction or warning), then as truth (knowing the truth, convincing us of
error), correction (morally correcting), and instruction (we see discipline to
lead us to righteousness).” (Excerpt
from Y1Q4 – Lesson 6)
As Christians
read the Bible, they can understand the importance of seeking God with their
whole heart and to not wander (stray) from God’s commands. It is good to hide
God’s Word in your heart until it becomes a part of who you are. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). It would be good to read all of
Psalm 119. Let it be an encouragement to those who truly seek to know and
please God; to seek God’s heart (remember David?). This Psalm was written by
one who truly loved God and did not find His Word laborious. Reading the Bible
to know God better must be our hearts’ desire in order to walk with God. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and
a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) We should be happy to walk according
to God’s Word. “Thy word is very
pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psalm 119:140).
Christians must
read the Bible to remember what God has done, which leads to understanding the value
of God’s Word. It is at this point we begin to recognize the importance of
walking with God, obeying God’s Words, to live a life pleasing to and blessed
by God.
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42)
In some of Jesus’
final teachings to His disciples, He gave them a specific warning that we must
heed today.“37. But as the days of Noe
(Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38. For as
in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe (Noah) entered into the ark, 39.
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the
coming of the Son of man be. … 42. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour
your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:37-39, 42).
Remember back
for a minute to Noah. You can read the events in Genesis 6-8. “God saw that the wickedness of man was
great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was
only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). God said He would destroy man and
beast. “But Noah found grace in the eyes
of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). We can read that God described him as just, and
Noah walked with God. God told Noah to build an ark for his family and two of
every animal. Noah obeyed. It took him 100 years to build that ark. That means
that everyone around saw what he was doing. See what we can read in 2 Peter 2:5:
“And spared not the old world, but saved
Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the
flood upon the world of the ungodly.” This means that while he was building
that ark, he was warning people (preaching) of what was coming. Notice that in
Genesis, God revealed that “the
wickedness of man was great in the earth … only evil continually.” Jesus
helps us understand that in this wickedness “they were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage”
until the day that Noah entered into the ark. They were just living their normal
lives. But God told us that they were living wickedly. And they had no idea
that a flood was coming to destroy them and the whole earth. But Noah knew. And
while he was building that ark, he warned people.
Now, think of
today. We know that when Jesus went back into heaven after His resurrection, we
have the promise that He would return in like manner (Acts 1:11). Right before
that promise, Jesus told those that had trusted and believed in Him to be
witnesses. Christians are to proclaim the Gospel message (that Jesus lived a
sinless life, died for sinful man, rose from the dead, and will one day take us
to heaven with Him) to a lost world. A world full of people that eat, drink,
are married and given in marriage — just living normal lives. But a life
without Jesus is a life that God sees as one who is wicked, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of the hearts are only evil continually (remember
Genesis 6:5).
What did Jesus
tell us (Christians — those who belong to Jesus) to do?
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42). Watch means to “keep awake; be vigilant; awaken; figuratively to rouse from inactivity.” From what are we to awaken? From what inactivity are we to rouse? In what are we to be vigilant? We must do just as Noah did. Wake up and become preachers of righteousness! How do we do that? A preacher in this context is just one who delivers a message. All we need to do is warn people of their eternal separation from God by sharing with them the Gospel message of Jesus. For we hold the truth that Jesus is the only Way to heaven! “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 16:6).
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he
hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Excerpt from “The
Biblical Path of Life, Year Three Quarter Three” Lesson 5:
“Read Paul’s
conflict of continuing to work for the Lord here on earth, many times in
tribulation, desiring to be in heaven. “6.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home
in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7. (For we walk by faith, not by
sight:) 8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from
the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9. Wherefore we labour, that,
whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10. For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the
things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it
be good or bad. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade
men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in
your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-11) Terror means “the fear of God as in a deep and reverential sense of
accountability to God or Christ.” Paul’s conflict was resolved when he
understood that God had much work for Christians to do here on earth: teaching
Jesus. And that each Christian would stand before the Lord one day to give an
accounting of their faithfulness in their Christian walk, “whether it be good or bad.” As we understand
that, remember something important that we have already learned. God knows
everything, even the things done in secret (see Ecclesiastes 12:14: “For God shall bring every work into
judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it
be evil”). We are to understand that each Christian will stand before
God and be accountable for what they have done with his or her life. What are
we to do? We are to “persuade men.” Not only tell about Jesus, but to live for Him,
faithfully.
Why live for Christ? “14. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:14-17). Jesus died on the cross for man’s sin. Once He gave His life, He gave the ability for any who would believe in Him to have life instead of death. Once a Christian receives that gift of life, he must understand that he is now “in Christ, he is a new creature.” No longer what he once was, a sinner doomed for eternal separation from God. Now, all things are become new. There is a new life to live in Christ; for Christ. “20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Because God took man’s sin, placed it upon Jesus (“made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin”), it made those who believe able to stand righteous before God. Each Christian must understand that he represents Christ here in this world. According to the dictionary, ambassador means “a minister of the highest rank, representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. They are ordinary when they reside permanently at a foreign court, but extraordinary when they are sent on a special occasion.” Christians must be considered extraordinary for they do not permanently reside on the earth, but were sent especially by Jesus to represent Him, living right and telling others about Him, until He returns.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10)
Excerpt from “The
Biblical Path of Life, Year Three Quarter Three” Lesson 8:
“Paul again reminded them of the life Jesus gave, comparing it to the life they had before Christ. “1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Ephesians 2:1-3). Remember that Paul was writing to the saints which means “the sanctified ones who were called out into the service of the Lord and were morally pure.” But it was important to remember from whence they came. Why? How does the old saying go: “Those who do not remember their history are doomed to repeat it.” Christians were, and still are, to remember the old life from which Jesus saved them, one of death and promised destruction. By remembering, one would never take for granted the life given by God, Himself. “4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2:4-5). In this verse, Quickened us together means “to make alive as being raised from death to life with Christ.”
And one must remember that salvation did not come from anything one could do, for it was a free gift. “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). Workmanship means “the result, what is produced, in contrast to the act of making – the doing itself and not that which is made.” Created means “renewal; regeneration; to create and form in a spiritual sense.” God did what man cannot do – produce a regenerated, spiritual, creature, created by God, Himself. After that, God provided a path that He expects these saints to walk in. In this verse, before ordained means “God’s foreordaining for good, as in good works.”
God has a plan for each and every Christian’s life.”
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”
(2 Timothy 2:15)
Timothy was a great
Christian and Paul’s faithful friend. Although Timothy’s mother and grandmother
had taught him about Jesus, Paul had led Timothy to Jesus (taught him how to be
saved) and watched him grow in his Christian faith.
Paul wrote a letter
of encouragement to Timothy. After reminding him of his salvation, he
encouraged him to step up to the task God had placed before him. Timothy was to
not
be ashamed of the Gospel message, but to be willing to stand up faithfully and
teach the truths of that Gospel. And to even be proud if he suffered
“afflictions of the gospel” (see 2 Timothy 1:8-10).
Paul had taught him
the importance of sound doctrine. “13.
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and
love which is in Christ Jesus. 14. That good thing which was committed unto
thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (2 Timothy 1:13-14). See
the following definitions to help you understand what Paul was telling Timothy:
Form: “a sketch, or concise, representation or form”
Paul wanted Timothy
to understand the importance of holding on to the sound doctrine – true, pure,
uncorrupted – that he had been taught (that is now recorded in God’s Word for
us to read). Paul followed this with a warning that there would be some who
would turn away from him when he stood for the truths in God’s Word – for Paul had already seen a departure from the
faith, leaving him to stand alone in Asia (see 2 Timothy 1:15). Paul had
already warned him this would happen (see 1 Timothy 4:1). But Paul also encouraged
Timothy that he could endure this because the Holy Spirit dwells in us – He
won’t leave!
But how do you
prepare for a life pleasing to God? “Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Christians must study
and know
God’s Word. They must be able to discern between the truth of God’s Word and
false teaching. This is just the first step in knowing how to live a Christian
life. But it is a very important one.
There is a child’s
song that I am reminded of…
“Read your Bible,
pray every day, and you will grow, grow, grow!
Don’t read your
Bible, or pray every day, and you will shrink, shrink, shrink!”
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6)
We live in a world where it isn’t very popular to hunger and thirst after righteousness.
What does that even mean?
Have you ever been hungry? Everyone
understands the feeling of hunger, and the satisfaction of eating a good meal
to satisfy that hunger.
Have you ever been thirsty? There
is nothing quite like a cool drink of water after working in the heat. It refreshes
you to continue in that work.
Just as our physical bodies desire
food and drink to sustain life, so too does the spiritual body. Only it is very
easy to ignore that spiritual need.
What is this righteousness of which
we are to hunger and thirst?
Righteousness means “by implication innocent, holy; just, right; specifically (Christian) justification.” No one can be considered righteous on their own. See what the Bible teaches: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). That verse is referring to Jesus who knew no sin. He became sin for me, taking my sin and the penalty of that sin from me. If I believe that, I am made righteous before God.
It is here that I would like to point out a warning that is found in God’s Word. “3. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:3-4). No one can do it on their own. Jesus is the only way anyone can stand before God as righteous. This shows us that we must put our faith and trust in Jesus to make us “innocent, just, or right” before God.
But there is much more to it than that. After Jesus is in one’s heart, there is a continual hunger and thirst to become more like Him. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). And as you grow in your Christian walk you should also grow in your appetite. “13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
Are you unskillful in your
Christian walk, still needing the simple milk?
Or are you of full age, able to
enjoy the meat of God’s Word?
Remember the verse with which we started: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
Jesus taught
what many call “The Sermon on the Mount.” In that sermon He taught the character
qualities of the kingdom He would establish. The things He taught the people were
many practical ways to live. As He came toward the end of this sermon, He
presented a choice. Jesus always gives each person a choice that must be made.
No one else can make that choice. But Jesus encouraged the right choice. “13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad
is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow
is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew
7:13-14).
Notice that the
way that leads to destruction (means “ruin or loss; death, damnation”) is wide
and broad – and many go that way.
But see that the
way that leads to life (means “life; or to live”) is strait and narrow – and
few find it.
What is the
difference?
The Bible
teaches that everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23). And the penalty for that sin
is death (Romans 6:23). The only One who paid that penalty for us is Jesus
(Romans 5:8). Jesus declared He is The Way (see John 14:6). What are we
to do with that information? (See Romans 10:9-10.)
We rarely hear this today. Many times we hear that as
long as you are good, go to church, say a little prayer to God and try to live
your best that you will go to heaven.
What Jesus said after the invitation to choose the strait gate and the narrow way.
Read what Jesus said after the invitation to choose the strait gate and the narrow way that leads to life. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). A false prophet (means “deceitful; wicked; liar; a pretend foreteller or religious imposter”) looks like the real thing (they come to you in sheep’s clothing). (See also 2 Peter 2:1-3.) They tell people try to be really good. They teach we are to do good works, make good decisions, to be kind to others, love one another, don’t break the law, and so many other “good” things. But is that the way to life? Can any person be “good” enough? A false prophet offers a religion of one who can come as they are, and just do good things. This is a false religion based upon works. A false teacher produces fruit just like him (see Matthew 7:16). If that person teaches a faith based upon works, not Jesus, they will produce a follower that looks like a Christian, but not like Christ. Religion based upon works promises heaven, but the path is destruction (death; damnation). Faith in Jesus promises life and one day heaven, but you must enter in by the straight gate and the narrow way. Take note that few there be that find it.
Jesus warned
again of false prophets. “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many”
(Matthew 24:11).
We can also read
something very scary. “21. Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we
not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart
from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Many people are self-deceived.
Make sure you are not.
For there is a day when it will be too late. See what Jesus warned, “24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are” (Luke 13:24-25).
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
The following definitions might help you understand this
verse a little better:
keep: guard; protect; preserve
heart: the center; the totality of man’s inner nature;
the place where wisdom and understanding reside
There is so much going on in the world today – good and
evil. With all the many choices of things to see and do, things to take our
time, we are to be very careful of what we allow into our hearts and lives. We
should not only protect our hearts, but be aware of the kind of wisdom that we
allow into our hearts. Why? That is the source for the kind of life we live;
the kind of person we become.
The first and most important thing a person should have in their heart is Jesus. How can Jesus be in one’s heart? Remember the time we can read of in Mark where people brought their young children to Jesus. “13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:13-16). Rebuked means to rebuke without bringing any conviction of any fault. When the disciples kept the children from Jesus, they did not mean anything, except to keep the children away from Jesus. But, Jesus was displeased. Suffer means allow to pass. Jesus told people to bring the children to Him. He then wanted the people to receive (receive means to accept an offer deliberately and readily) the kingdom of God.
Understand the kingdom of God by the following: When the Pharisees asked Jesus when it should come, “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation” (Luke 17:20). The words not with observation means you cannot see it with human eyes. Jesus went on to say, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Within you means it is located in your heart and affections; not external. That is one reason we refer to being saved as “asking Jesus into your heart.” You cannot see it with your eyes. The gospel message is very simple – one must just believe – just as a child. To children, things are simpler, less convoluted. In other words, simply believe and receive without question – just like a child. Remember also what Paul later wrote. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith …” (Ephesians 3:17a).
Remember how simple it is to become a Christian. “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-13).
Be encouraged to consider your heart as the place a special treasure is kept – a place to be well guarded. Once Jesus is there, it would also be good to understand the importance of placing God’s Word into your heart (see Psalm 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”). It would be so much easier to make wise decisions if we would only take time to hide God’s Word in our hearts.
“… whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Have you considered what you have allowed into your heart?
