The Journey Through Salvation (Part 1)

Salvation is a means by which one is delivered from a burning building, a dictator or from a destructive sinful life.  Being delivered from any kind of harm is a relief both internally and externally.    

Jesus said to Thomas in John 14:6 that he is the way, truth and life.  In order to get to God, you must go through me, first.  Philip then asked:  “Jesus, would you show us how to get to God?”  Jesus replied, “Look Phillip, the father and I are one.  We are in this together.  When you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the father.  Trust.  Believe. When you believe, you will do what I’ve have done the entire time we’ve been together.  Work hard.  Stay steady.”

The acceptance of Jesus as they way, truth and life begins the relationship process of salvation.  There are no fancy formulas for salvation.  No steps that need to be taken other than what James 4:8-10 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn, and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will life you up.” (NIV)  Drawing to God are the steps that will get each of us to the point of the surrendered life, a life ready to be saved.   

Salvation begins with the desire to want a relationship with Jesus.  When one is captivated by the God who demonstrated his love for us by giving us the only son he had (John 3:16) and then that son ultimately dying for all of us (Romans 5:8) in order to deliver us for the wrath of God (Romans 5:9) and brought back into a saved relationship with God (Romans 5:10), our voices will not be silenced in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus (Romans 10:9).

The relationship building process will lead each of us to make decisions to live the Jesus life and demonstrate to others our allegiance to God.  Anyone who desires to be all in it for God will totally be sold out in listening to all the instructions of Scripture.  Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 28:19a, “Go and make disciples of all nations….”  The key was to “make disciples.”  A disciple follows someone.  In this case, Jesus said, find those throughout the world that would be willing to follow me.  Live for me.  Speak for me.  Serve the way I served.  Love the way I loved.  Teach truth.  Live truth.  And, honor God.  Secondly, Jesus told them to “baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….” Matthew 28:19b Baptism is a direct result of discovering the true identity of the one who delivered us from our sins and saved us from the wrath of God.  The Apostle Paul put it like this in Romans 6:3-4; 7 “Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? ⁴ For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.

Baptism is a demonstration of the commitment we have made in the relationship with Jesus.  It is our vow we make to live the resurrected life with honor, integrity, and truth.  The baptism is the connection we make with Holy Spirit who seals us and identifies us as one who belongs to Jesus.

You see, there are no magic formulas for salvation.   Salvation begins with a desire to know God, Jesus and Spirit and a willingness to have a relationship with God that is unyielding and faithful. 

God desires for all of us to be saved.  The Apostle Peter said in a letter in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”   

God promises salvation.  He wants you to have it.  He wants you to live for him.  Serve.  Be honorable.  Respectful.  Glorify him.  Will you?  Will you take God up on being delivered from your sins?  Now is the time to say to God, I am sorry for my selfish life and I am ready to begin to know you and build a relationship with you. 

Please call me at 931-836-2874 or email me at thegreatestcommandislove@gmail.com and begin the relationship God so desperately wants with you.  Don’t delay.  Now is the time.  Now is the moment.  Now.  You ready?

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Memorial Day...A Day to Remember!

In the last 240 years our nations has endured: The American Revolutionary War.  The War of 1812.  The Mexican-American War.  The American Civil War. The Spanish-American War.  World War 1.  World War 2.  Korean War.  Vietnam War.  Desert Storm.  Enduring Freedom.  Iraq War.  Afghanistan War.  Plus hundreds of other missions and conflicts around the world that has taken the lives of our men and women serving the nation they sworn to uphold and protect.

Freedom isn’t free! It is costly, demanding, and sacrificial.  Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives in the pursuit of preserving independence and freedom.  Within our own nation, there was a desire to become an independent nation and break free from the taxation and control of Great Britain.  An estimated 25,000 revolutionist died in the pursuit of preserving independence.  The American Civil War was a gruesome and deadly display of hatred. The nation was divided over slavery and the spread of slavery to the States to the west. In 1861, history records that over 620,000 lives were lost and countless men; women and children were injured all because of a desire to control someone else. 

Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter how one passes from this life.  However, losing a loved one for the cause of freeing a nation from slavery because of the color of one’s skin, religion or ethnicity gives his or her death one of nobility. 

Memorial Day is a day to remember the men and women who fought on the battlefields to protect us from the enemy.  It is also a time to say thank you to God for creating men and women who has the willingness and drive to keep our nation safe.  

Freedom is not free!  It’s costly and sacrificial!  To live in a nation where we have freedom is precious, however, there is still one freedom that is far greater than living in a free nation!  This freedom came with a price.  It separated a father and son.  And, it cost a man his life.  Not just any ordinary man, either.  The man?  They called him Jesus.  His name alone means freedom (He saves). 

All of humanity was in the prison of sin.  Hopeless.  Chained.  And, locked in the grips of Satan.  Galatians 3:22 says, "But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin...." Isaiah 59:2 says that our sins have separated us with God.  And, God said in Romans 1:18 that He hates sin.  Our sins have barred us from experiencing the joy of spiritual freedom and have locked us up with no way out! 

Jesus came to rescue us from the grips of Satan.  Romans 5:6-8, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous 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."

Jesus’ sacrifice declared our independence from Satan in Romans 5:9, "Since we have now been justified (Declared Free) by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!"

And, Jesus made it possible for us be set free from sin, John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Jesus is our freedom fighter and gives us independence from Satan. His death and resurrection made it possible for us to live a life of spiritual freedom. Today, I say thank you to the men and women who fought for freedom and died in the pursuit of it.  I also say thank you to Jesus for his unwavering commitments to free us from the hands of a hatful devil that is bent on destroying each of us. 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I grew up in a home where “church” life was the norm.  No matter the weather, we were there.  If you were sick, suck it up!  When “gospel meetings” rolled around, we attended everyone one of them.  I remember my parents having the big name preachers of there time in our home for a meal – V.E. Howard, Jack Exum, Jule Miller to name a few.  We were the poster family for church involvement. 

My father was a deacon and served in the areas of benevolence and evangelism.  No mater how tired my father was, he took his service seriously.  My mother played the supportive role.  There were six children to take care of, plus my father. 

When I was twelve, I made a decision that I wanted to be a preacher.  I was kind of young to make such a career decision in the eyes of most people.  But, I knew.  As sure as I am right now of God’s purpose for my life, I was that sure at the age of twelve.  I still have the same Spirit-led feelings and the call to preach Jesus as powerfully today as I did thirty-six years ago.

On most Wednesday nights at our church, the young men were asked to deliver a short devotional.  I will never forget the anxiety I felt when my name was called to give the next devotional.  “I’m twelve!  What am I going to say?” I asked.  The preacher, Wayne T. Hall said, go home and asked your parents to help you.  You will do great!

My mother went into operation sermon mode!  I remember her spending hours on a five-minute talk.  She and I went over it and over it.  The title:  “Where will you spend eternity”.  This was a big time topic for a little bitty kid!  But, we did it!  I got rave reviews, hugs, and kisses on the cheek from the grandma’s.  But mostly, I got my start to preach the gospel from my mother. 

My mother wrote many of my sermons when I was a teenager.  I would have to stand in front of her and preach them!  It was exhausting.  Painful.  And, time consuming.   As I look back, it wasn’t all the training that I received in college, nor the experience I have had over the years that made me who I am today, but rather, a mother who tirelessly helped me fulfill God’s purpose for my life.

As I have matured over the years, I can see with better clarity the value my mother has had in my life.  While our home was not perfect and there are many memories I would love to erase from my mind, I cannot allow that to be the factor by which I live my life. God used my mother to get me to where I am today.

Although my mother died nineteen years ago, her teachings and the faith building are evident in my life.  The Apostle Paul said to Timothy that the evidence of his sincere faith came as a result of how his grandma and mother lived their lives (2 Timothy 1:5). 

Spiritual mothers are vital to kingdom living.  Mothers are used by God to point their children in the direction of their purposed life. And, when the children grow up, they will look back and echo the words of the Proverb, “Her children arise and call her blessed.”

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian