The “Words” of our Testimony

It is not my goal to criticize anyone’s testimony, or to unjustly judge anyone. But the subject of this post is best illustrated using a testimony I heard earlier today, which prompted me to write the post in the first place.

It was a great testimony about God’s Saving Grace and the positive internal changes brought about in a lady’s life as a result of her experience with God and church. She seemed like a wonderful lady. Her testimony was candid, well-thought out, and her delivery was sincere and held your attention. She obviously had given this testimony, and had spoken in front of crowds before.

There was but one problem. Perhaps it is better stated as a “grave concern” rather than a “problem”. It was serious enough that it caused me to sigh out loud…okay; I’ll call it a Problem.

The problem is that the language we use when we give our testimony is more important than most of us realize. Within Christianity, especially in Evangelicalism, there has been a sort of language created that is distinct to the movement and those within.

Specifically, the lady that gave her testimony stated that she was in dire straights and made her way to a church where she met a man who was cleaning. She went on to say how she repeated a prayer after him, asking Jesus into her heart, and got saved.

I have no trouble believing that this woman is a Christian, as she went on to describe in detail her conversion story, and it sounded quite genuine. However, the language she used was troubling.

What does “asking Jesus into your heart” mean? This is a term that I think should be removed completely from every Christian’s vocabulary. There is no biblical basis for the statement and it only translates into the relationship side of Salvation. We should be using biblical language like Jesus used; Repent and Believe, or Repentance and Faith.

From her story, it sounded as if she knew the Gospel from her childhood and perhaps reached the point of repentance prior to arriving and being lead in the prayer. Repentance brings the remission of Sins, followed by baptism with the Holy Spirit. In other words, you cannot be saved without having a genuine change of mind and turning away from sinful lifestyles.

If someone with no background in Christianity at all heard that statement, they would not know what was meant. Furthermore, most people assume that it is a lofty concept due to the loftiness of the words used. It isn’t far from that point that they are able to justify to themselves writing-off the person saying the lofty words as a simple-minded kook!

God is in control, and the Truth is written on the hearts of all men…but that doesn’t mean we can be unclear in our message and proclamation of God’s Holiness, Justice, Grace, Mercy, and Love!

Religion is NOT a requirement for Salvation

You and I go out for a coffee. You offer to pay for my coffee. I say, "sure, you can pay for half, but I'm paying for half myself!". Would you still feel as good about your offer, as when you first made it? You tried to extend a little grace my way, but I decided I wanted some of the credit. Not to mention the lovely young lady at the counter now thinks you're a tight wad and that I'm broke!

Jesus Christ paid an enormous price for our Salvation when he died on the cross and rose on the third day. He did that for you, because he loves you. You don't deserve Salvation. I didn't. So, what makes you think that you deserve any of the credit?

We are obedient because we Love God and want to please him. We do good works as a result of our change of heart (repentance), and our Faith in Jesus. When we repent and humble ourselves, fully trusting in Jesus we are given new desires. Works is a reaction, or a result of Salvation, not means to achieving it!

In the book of James, it says that "Faith without works is dead." Good works while not required for Salvation, is evidence of being saved. While this means that everyone who is saved should be doing good works it does not mean that everyone who does good works is saved. The Bible says that any works demonstrated by the wicked are not seen by God because of the sin in the persons life.

Should you go to church? Of course! The Bible tells believers not to forsake fellowship. But do you have to to be saved? No. However you'll want to once you are saved.

Should I be baptized? If you're saved you will have been baptized by the Holy Spirit when you repented and put your Faith fully in Jesus. Baptism is a symbolic ritual that the bible says we should do. As a matter of obedience, not as a requirement for Salvation. You don't have to, but I think the bible clearly says that it pleases God to do it! Just about every new believer in the early church was baptized. Jesus himself was baptized!

Salvation is a gift, given by the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ alone. When you truly realize that, His Mercy and Goodness will overwhelm you and you will not be able to help but be grateful, obedient, and desiring to please Him with your good works!

Go Bear Fruit!

For more on Justification, Check out: Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification by RC Sproul.

Repent and Believe, or Believe and Repent?

I caught an interview with Ray Comfort, from Living Waters Ministries yesterday, and he made a point that I thought made a lot of sense.

The discussion entered into the topic of False-Converts. Ray commented that one of the reasons we may have so many false-converts (people who fall away, who never were of us because they went out from us) in the church, may be because people not saved get into a church community, get confortable, and most times don't even realize they aren't Saved.

Believe and Repent: Someone gets to the point where they believe the Gospel, but aren't nessessarily ready to repent and live in continued sactification...not ready to give up their sins. The problem is that they get comfortable, accepted, and never really get that seed down into the good soil. Hardship comes and they fall away, plus their unrepentant lifestyle affects the church as a whole. Internally, and externally to the community.

Repent and Believe: When someone has taken BOTH steps required to be accepted by Jesus and have righteousness applied to their account, before they come to church, they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and will have a genuine love for fellowship and the discernment that comes from having the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. There's a much lower chance of them being a false-convert, and perservering in Faith into eternity.

Repentance! Post-modern, emergent movements, and other heretical movements have made a God they are more confortable with. One who is not Just, but a weak, lovey dubby type, who doesn't mind if we continually break His laws. They deny Hell and Divine Justice. They are Idolators!

This why Theology and Apologetics are so important, even at the local church level. True Christianity is under attack...Universalism is rampant...Heresy is rampant.

The Wolves in our churches are more attractive than ever before! Perhaps becasue they know that the Goats may soon outnumber the Sheep! Do Not stand for Heresy! Stand up against false teachings, and Check everything you hear a learn against the Word of God.

Be Blessed!

What exactly is "Repentance"?

When I share the Gospel with people, most understand the problem humanity faces and why we need Saving. Once someone understands they have a problem, they are much more open to the solution! It's what we must do to be saved, that is usually a bit foggy in the minds of most; Faith and Repentance.

The english language is continually evolving. Over time the nuances within the meanings of words can be altered. New words are created, and older words seem to have their definitions expand. Both of the words, "Faith" and "Repentance", now have much wider meaning than they once had.

When sharing my faith, I'll often ask if the person to whom I'm witnessing if they know what repentance is! The most common response I get is "asking for forgiveness". While that is true, it's only a part of what it means to Repent.

The idea of repentance in the old testament is usually represented by the hebrew words, "shuv" (to return), or "nicham" (to feel sorrow). In the new testament, the greek word, "metanoia" (which means to change ones thinking, or to have a change of heart accompanied by regret and change of conduct) is used.

At the beginning of the sermon on the mount, Jesus listed eight statements that are commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. Let's look quickly at the first three, it will help us understand and reaffirm a clear concept of Repentance.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". Being poor in spirit means that you have realized that you cannot live without God. It is Humility. It means that you realize that you have a problem. You know that you have a sinful nature that can only be oversome fully with strength from the Holy Spirit.

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." The mourning here doesn't just refer to people who are mourning the loss of a loved one, but also a true sense of remorse and regret that comes from knowing how you've treated your Creator.

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Once who is meek becomes gentle and kind, and exhibits a docility of spirit, even in the face of adversity and hardship. A person that is meek is one that exhibits self-control.

Within these three first Beatitudes that Jesus outlined, we can clearly see the attributes of repentance. They were probaby stated first since they are imperative to having the payment by Christ on the Cross credited to our account! The reamining five beatitudes deal with the virtues of living a righteous and obedient life that will provide a way of life that promises salvation. They also provide peace in the midst of our trials and tribulations on this earth.

If I were to slap you in the face every ten seconds, what would you want me to do? Ask for forgiveness? Of Course! But wouldn't you also want me to stop doing it? So repentance is not only acknowledging what you've done wrong, and apologizing for it! It's also not doing it again, turning away from doing those things.

Some people find themselves, repenting over and over and over again. While we may slip up again because of our sinful nature, one who has Really Repented, will not return to that particular sin as an on-going lifestyle or regular basis.