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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD
Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 188 July 04, 2001
DO THEY REALLY KNOW?
I was at a prayer meeting yesterday morning and heard something of interest. A ministry team had asked literally hundreds of Canadians, in informal interviews, how do you become a Christian. Very few could answer that it was through a personal relationship with Christ.
In a country with churches on every corner, Bibles in most homes, Christian programming on the television and radio, MOST people did not know that you accept Christ by confessing your sin and asking Him to be Lord of your life.
I guess that somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew that was the case, but it really hit home when I heard it.
I suspect the situation is similar in many countries.
Many people write this ministry with prayer concerns, to ask questions about the Bible or just to comment on something they have read that I have written. A large number of them comment on having been “born” Christian. Not born again, but a Christian simply because their parents were believers. They have never made a personal commitment to Christ.
I wonder how many people are sitting in church pews on Sunday mornings, and think they are saved by going to church, or because their parents/grandparents had a relationship with God.
How many pastors are preaching each Sunday and not proclaiming the way to salvation?
How many of us have family an friends that assume they are Christian but have never made a commitment?
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.
"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:5-21 NIV
Do the people around us know that you must be born again? Do you know it? Have you made a decision?
Until next time, may you know and proclaim the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God bless.
Kevin
Not sure if you have been born again? Want a relationship with Jesus? Please email me. I’ll share some Bible verses that will explain why a relationship with Jesus is important and a prayer that will make it possible.
Don’t wait. Please accept Him now.
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin
All Rights Reserved