Salvation

(Why Not?)

The following are some of the many reasons people give as to why they
won't accept Jesus free gift of salvation, and ask Him to be their Lord
and Saviour, and what Gods Word has to say in answer to the excuses.

1.) I have to get better first

and quit sinning!

a) Two men went up to the temple to pray,
one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and
prayed about himself," God, I thank you that I am not like other men -
robbers, evildoers, adulterers, - or even men like this tax collector. I
fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get".
But the tax collector stood up at a distance. He would not even look up
to Heaven, but beat his breast and said, " God, have mercy on me a
sinner."
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified
before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted".
Luke 18:10-14
 

b) While Jesus was having dinner at
Matthews house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him
and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His
disciples, " Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
On hearing this, Jesus said," It is not the healthy who need a doctor,
but the sick. But go and learn what this means. I desire mercy, and
sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Allow the Holy Spirit to begin changing you from the inside out. When
You have repented, and asked Gods help, the Holy Spirit will begin what's
called regeneration in you.

He will help you overcome the
weaknesses, and sin in your life as you rely on Him!

2.)  I Can't Make Myself Forgive Others!!

a) "For if you forgive men when they sin against
you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not
forgive their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Matthew 6:15

 

b) "And when you stand praying, if you hold
anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in Heaven may
forgive you your sins."
Mark 11:25,26

 

c) "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of
your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to
their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the
Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along
with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32

 d) If anyone says, " I love God," then hates his brother, he is
a liar, For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen,
cannot love God whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
 1 John 4:19-21
 

You're right! If someone has hurt you deeply enough, either from within, or outside of the church, it's hard if not impossible to forgive that person - On Your Own! It is only when you continually draw closer to God, that the love of God through the working of the Holy Spirit in your life helps you forgive that person.

***

The key to remember is that not being able to forgive someone is a warning sign that you NEED to draw closer to God!!

3.) Christians are too inconsistent,

and many are hypocrites!!

a) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God."

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block, or obstacle in your brother's way.   Romans 14:10-13.

I have heard this excuse quite frequently lately. It usually goes along the line, " I used to be a christian but the pastor of my church, wasn't there for me once," or "I used to live for God, but there was just too many hypocrites!" Come on now! Let's get real! Jesus Christ is our example!

Those who have been saved from, and forgiven of their sins, were bought with the precious blood of Jesus. What a mockery people make of the redeeming blood of Jesus, when they walk away from a personal relationship with Jesus, because of another persons faults, or sins.

It is better to spend a little while living for God in the middle of some professing christians who appear to be hypocrites to you, than to spend an eternity in Hell with all those who are definitely hypocrites!

4)  I am too big of a sinner!! God could

never forgive what I've done!!

a) But because Jesus lives forever, He is has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.

Such a high priest meets our need - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

b) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the UNGODLY. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteousness man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:6-8

The fact that you are acknowledging that you are a sinner is evidence that the Holy Spirit has brought you under conviction.

***

Christ is able to save You,  not because of who you are, or because of what you've done or haven't done - but because of who He is, and because of what He's done!!

5,) If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as

Lord and Savior you can do so right now,

right where you are!

Savior means that Jesus is able and willing to forgive all those who cry out and ask forgiveness for their sins, and repent, or turn away from sin with the help of the Holy Spirit!

To ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life means to ask Him to be the Supreme authority in your life, and to guide and lead you, to teach you His ways, and to have fellowship and a personal relationship with you!

If you feel a "tug" if you will, at your heart, mind and spirit, that's the promptings of the Holy Spirit calling you. You see the Bible teaches that we don't just decide to follow Jesus. "He" calls us -  and we either accept and respond to that calling, or we harden our hearts and turn away!!

To turn away from God's calling is Very dangerous spiritually and could determine your entire eternity as the Bible says that if a person continues to turn their back on God, their heart can harden to the point they will no longer hear Him calling! Isaiah 55:6, says " Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near."

2 Cor 6:2 For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."

I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

6.) If you accept Gods free gift of salvation while

He is calling you, please pray the following,

if you mean it with all your heart.

Dear Jesus. I believe you are the Son of God who came to earth, humbled yourself and lived a perfect life, was crucified, died, and rose again on the third day as the only perfect sacrifice for all my sins. I ask you in faith believing to forgive me of my sins. I repent, of my sins and ask you to be my Lord and Savior!! Teach me to live a life that is pleasing to You and brings you glory and honor. I ask it in the Precious name Of Jesus!

If you just prayed this prayer from your heart, then please let someone know as we are taught in the bible to profess our salvation. I would greatly appreciate it if you'd drop me a line at YourCross@Webtv.net and let me know if you have accepted Jesus into your heart, or if He is calling but you are still holding back for some reason.

If you need a Bible, or help finding a good church in your area, please let me know and we'll be glad to help all we can! Feel free to use the ministry address on the front page and address your comments, praise report, or questions to me.

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