janbear
04-23-2008, 10:59 AM
The Burden
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8)
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By the grace of God, I invite you to look into a place with millions and millions of people. They are people like you Christian and like me, but they struggle at a place where we also have struggled. They carry a huge burden on their shoulders and on it is written: "These are the souls who are saved by their own ability and efforts."
Ask any of them, or ask all of them one at a time, "Are you saved?" They hope so- and they are quick to say that they try.
The religious, who do their best to follow the written code will say, "I am trying." But they look away from the code, blazing in fiery letters: For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. (James 2:10)
The moralist seeks approval by quoting the code, but also hides from what is written: "None is righteous, no, not one" (Rom 3:10) The philosopher and theologian both claim to be seekers of the truth, but are always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. (2Tim 3:7)
The evolutionist points to other creatures, and says, "Look how far we have come." (see Rom 1:19-23) The environmentalist, though he himself is lost, will say, "If we pull together, we can do this." But none of them, not a single one can say, "I am saved." It is a burden that only Christ Jesus can lift from their shoulders.
Some try to follow humanitarians that they admire. They will tell you, "I hope to be saved". But not one will tell you, "I am saved." Some say, "There is no God." (see Psalm 14:1) Others say, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die." (see Isa 22:13) Most have heard the empty rumor that God helps those who help themselves. (see Job 40:10-14 and Rom 5:10) But not one among them can say, "I am saved."
When you tell them, "I am saved." Some answer by saying, "That's OK for you, but it is not my way." "No" you say, "there is no other way." (see John 14:6) Others will say, "How dare you think that you are better than we are!" "No" you say, "it is the gift of God." But they do not hear you. Yet still, there are those who, by God's grace are able to hear. (Mat 11:15)
Christian, when you say, "Jesus died and rose again to free you from the burden. We are saved by grace!", they hear the Good Shepherd Who is gently calling them to lay down their burden. Just as He saved you, they look up and find the comfort that we ourselves are comforted by God. (see 2Cor 1:4)
We are here, Christian, you and I, to love people just like us- sinners who need Jesus to forgive them, lift their burden, and give them true life. Let us walk with Jesus today and be here for the lost by humbly walking with Jesus and loving them- counting them more important than ourselves. (Phil 2:3-5) Let's pray.
Lord Jesus, You are the author and finisher of our faith. In You we have eternal life. Thank You for lifting the burden of condemnation from our shoulders. Grant that we would walk with You Lord Jesus, and share the love of God with others. Amen.
Today's very great and precious promise
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." (John 6:47)
We have God's Word on it.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the grace of God, I invite you to look into a place with millions and millions of people. They are people like you Christian and like me, but they struggle at a place where we also have struggled. They carry a huge burden on their shoulders and on it is written: "These are the souls who are saved by their own ability and efforts."
Ask any of them, or ask all of them one at a time, "Are you saved?" They hope so- and they are quick to say that they try.
The religious, who do their best to follow the written code will say, "I am trying." But they look away from the code, blazing in fiery letters: For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. (James 2:10)
The moralist seeks approval by quoting the code, but also hides from what is written: "None is righteous, no, not one" (Rom 3:10) The philosopher and theologian both claim to be seekers of the truth, but are always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. (2Tim 3:7)
The evolutionist points to other creatures, and says, "Look how far we have come." (see Rom 1:19-23) The environmentalist, though he himself is lost, will say, "If we pull together, we can do this." But none of them, not a single one can say, "I am saved." It is a burden that only Christ Jesus can lift from their shoulders.
Some try to follow humanitarians that they admire. They will tell you, "I hope to be saved". But not one will tell you, "I am saved." Some say, "There is no God." (see Psalm 14:1) Others say, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die." (see Isa 22:13) Most have heard the empty rumor that God helps those who help themselves. (see Job 40:10-14 and Rom 5:10) But not one among them can say, "I am saved."
When you tell them, "I am saved." Some answer by saying, "That's OK for you, but it is not my way." "No" you say, "there is no other way." (see John 14:6) Others will say, "How dare you think that you are better than we are!" "No" you say, "it is the gift of God." But they do not hear you. Yet still, there are those who, by God's grace are able to hear. (Mat 11:15)
Christian, when you say, "Jesus died and rose again to free you from the burden. We are saved by grace!", they hear the Good Shepherd Who is gently calling them to lay down their burden. Just as He saved you, they look up and find the comfort that we ourselves are comforted by God. (see 2Cor 1:4)
We are here, Christian, you and I, to love people just like us- sinners who need Jesus to forgive them, lift their burden, and give them true life. Let us walk with Jesus today and be here for the lost by humbly walking with Jesus and loving them- counting them more important than ourselves. (Phil 2:3-5) Let's pray.
Lord Jesus, You are the author and finisher of our faith. In You we have eternal life. Thank You for lifting the burden of condemnation from our shoulders. Grant that we would walk with You Lord Jesus, and share the love of God with others. Amen.
Today's very great and precious promise
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." (John 6:47)
We have God's Word on it.