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Genuine Salvation |
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Author: John H. Griffith |
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Not so long ago a man was dying. Though a church
member, he had never experienced a change of heart and had not been
taught the absolute need of repenting for his sins. He became
conscious of the fact that he had been deceived and was not right
before God.
It is surprising indeed, that church-going people of the various
denominations often know little of what genuine salvation really
means. Yet this is the exact condition of many who do not read or
study the Bible.
Due to the lack of proper instruction, and that one seldom hears or
reads that all are guilty sinners in need of the pardoning grace of
God, the world is in darkness concerning the way of real salvation.
Reforming, making new resolutions, or joining church, is not
salvation at all. These possess no power to truly transform the soul
and change a person's heart. And though one should live the highest
standard of moral life possible, it cannot save without true
repentance.
The Lord God commands all men everywhere to repent. To admit no need
of such contrition, is to claim self-righteousness. And the Lord
classes such a life low and contemptible, or as "filthy rags" in His
sight.
When we are convinced and convicted of sin, godly sorrow enters the
heart. The Apostle Paul declares that "godly sorrow worketh
repentance unto salvation" (II Cor. 7:10), and also states that
there can positively be no pardon without such repentance.
Professors of religion who think that salvation is doing social and
charitable work in a church, without ever having been converted or
born again, are mistaken. A sad picture is recorded of this in Luke,
chapter thirteen. Jesus speaks of a certain class of people who will
be denied admittance into heaven because they failed to meet the
conditions of salvation required by God.
Natural sorrow is the result of an offence toward a friend, and one
feels miserable and mean until they seek forgiveness. When one
becomes serious minded, penitent, and meets the conditions of
genuine salvation, the power of God automatically responds in
supernatural power. Then the pardoned soul undergoes a
transformation, or a change of heart and life.
Being made a new creature, or delivered from sin to a life of
righteousness in Christ Jesus, is to be born again. This is an act
which records your name in the Book of Life. The burden of sin is
removed from your heart and a real experience of joy, peace, and
happiness comes in. This is a new life no one can ever hope to
realize until he learns and meets the conditions for genuine
salvation.
Banish the idea from your mind that you have been so bad and sinful
that the Lord does not consider you worthy of a place in His
kingdom, for He will gladly grant salvation when you make your
decision to forsake evil and follow Him.
If you are unsaved, this important message is personally for you. It
is no myth or fabled story. It is no theory of man's mind, but sound
Bible doctrine as revealed in the gospel of Christ our Lord. You
positively cannot escape the wrath of God if you reject Jesus and
neglect His great salvation.
Get serious, friend. Confess your sins to God through Jesus Christ,
and seek salvation. It's too late for forgiveness when death
overtakes you. |
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Printed By: Faith Publishing House,
P.O. Box 518, Guthrie, OK 73044 |
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