The Salvation Club

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:27-28

The thing that seems to be so troublesome today is that there are thousands and perhaps millions being told that they are saved when in fact, they are as lost as the devil himself. Much of this is happening by pastors and evangelists making an alter call, people come forward, they quote the sinners prayer, go forward to baptism, sign the required document for baptism, and go on their way being told they are now saved. Yes, they are now in the salvation club. They are told that all they have to do is say Jesus Christ is their Lord and savior, shake the preachers hand as an acknowledgment of that, and that's it. There in!! That does wonders for the numbers game but most go out the same way they came in, lost! Yes, the went forward and even quoted the sinners prayer after being led through the Romans' Road. They felt that was the cultural or intellectual thing to do, and even felt a little religious and perhaps a little repentant for a few minutes. But like the seed that was sown on the stony ground, they soon are scorched by the world, their besetting sins, and life's trials and they lose out. Many never had it in the first place but went forward just because it was the thing to do. I know, I did that myself when I was a teen. Yet, all of these are told they are saved and on their way to heaven even though they are still laden down with their sins and lust without any way to try to overcome them. Their life is a defeated life in that, while they know they shouldn't do some of the things they are doing, they still do them and bemoan the fact that they just can't overcome them. Yet, again, they are told they are saved because after all, no man shall pluck you out of his hand as says John 10:28. What a sad lot.

Those who tell them forget to read the previous verse that says "My sheep hear my voice and follow me." Yet, they are unable to really follow him because they are not his. Why? There was never true repentance or a hunger to please God, and if there was, it was snuffed out by someone who told them that that's all there is, no further, you're in the club - sort of speak.

Our God is not like that but will give us what we need to overcome sin in our bodies and minds. If we will truly follow him and listen to his voice through his Word and spirit, we can have victory over sin. Yes, we fight this flesh and will will continue to fight it but we can have victory through Jesus Christ. If you are one of those who bemoan your sin because you can't seem to get out of it and really don't seem to have any power in your life, make a fresh start and do the first works over again and come back to Christ, confessing your sins and asking him to come into your heart and life and give him your all. Yes, there are those who are in Christ who are struggling with some things yet, I'm sure as we are not changed in a day on this earth, but if you are one of those, as for new strength and a new desire to come clean of whatever sin that is besetting you. "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

I can't help but to be reminded of the passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Even the rugged Apostle Paul was fighting the flesh but fought it by keeping it under with the help of the Holy Ghost. Don't be just a statistic on someone's church role or attendance board for a few weeks but become a warrior for Christ against Satan and seek God and his righteousness. Let's pray for revival in our own hearts, our families, churches, and our nation. Be a powerhouse for God through the power of the Holy Ghost!! 24 ¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.