"GETTING IN"

Dear one...You are reading this for a reason. 

We visited an unfamiliar church on vacation and we were a little unsure of the correct entrance into the building.

How about in your relationship to God?  We talk about coming to church, getting right with God, and even salvation, but "which door" do we go through?  We don't want to end up in the wrong place or say the wrong words.

Truth is, we can't--end up in the wrong place--that is.  If we just cry out to God, He hears.

But you want an answer, you want an "entry" so let's try this.

God's Spirit does not need you to walk to the front, or pray a certain prayer to save your soul.  In reality salvation, justification, or faith is created in our hearts all at once in a moment as we ask, in response to the precious Gospel promise and invitation through His Holy inerrant Word.  God comes to us in our most pitiful weakness, bankruptcy and brokenness, and only then.   It could be as minor as you lifting your spiritual eyes in weakness to God.  We come like a young child with nothing.  As Jesus says, “Unless you repent and become like little children, you shall never enter the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 18:3)  And it comes in one package--all at once. It's like a new "smart update" of our operating system.

But practically, for our benefit, it is good to carefully put down a marker. The busyness of life, our sinful world, the wiles of the devil, and the doubting and temptation of our sinful flesh, require a date stamp on the precious moment.  So in my view, that’s why it’s good to have an “invitation” at the close of a service.  That’s why it’s good to bow in prayer to “receive Christ into your heart.”  And that is why Romans 10:9,10 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  So it’s essential for our assurance of salvation to confess, to tell someone what happened, and look back on a particular event. 

Sacraments and church rites of Baptism, and Confirmation, and the Lord's Supper are often these times too.  But for others, there is another special time.  It is that time of renewal.   Even those who are baptized often need to be renewed.  God is the God of second chances.  Even children can stray, but can be renewed, yes must be renewed!

Maybe you have lapsed, fallen away, or been led astray.  The important thing is now you are here.  "Enter Here."  C'mon in.

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"Behold, I stand at the door and knock,.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."  -Jesus  Rev. 3:20,21