Yes, I meet some people who go to church – religiously. I meet others who read the Bible, occasionally. I meet people who pray, when they need or want something. But rarely do I meet people who have made a decision to not merely believe in Christ, but to follow Him.
Rarely do I meet people who deny themselves and their own dreams and desires, take up the crosses that have been handed them, and truly follow Jesus Christ. Rarely do I meet people who have not only made the decision to follow Christ, but have actually followed up on their decision with action. Rarely do I meet people who truly live for Him, seek Him, are engaged in an intimate relationship with Him, study and apply the Bible to their lives, are willing to make the changes He calls them to make, and actually go to the places He calls them to do what He has called them to do.
I am grieved to see a broken world with broken people clinging and cleaving for dear life to the brokenness of themselves and the world while Jesus stands waiting at the door of the heart of the world – and the door of the hearts of our lives. But imagine the tragedy for Jesus, who took the sins of the entire world onto Himself, died on the cross in a way unfathomable, and rose again for the world’s salvation.
I cannot imagine the depths of His grief to watch the world continue to fall apart as He stands waiting with the only answer that ever was, is, or will be. Himself. Through faith in Him, through true repentance, through the decision to follow Him and the actions that go with it, we could have the abundant lives He died and rose again for us to have on this earth – and eternal life in heaven, forever and ever and ever.
But instead, the world stands painting its toenails, dining at the newest chain restaurant, saving money to buy a new house, whatever. Lost. Broken. While Jesus stands waiting……
Rev 3:20 KJV “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
As a friend pointed out to me not so long ago, these verses refer to those who already know who Christ is. I cannot think of a greater tragedy than to be introduced to Jesus, to actually meet and encounter Him, and to choose to walk away – or, equally grievous, to watch Him walk away as you sit in your recliner or rocking chair, stand in line for your coffee, show up at work early or late, shop for your groceries, read your magazine, follow your man-made patterns and routines, believing there is a better way to live than to lay down your life and follow after Him.
Let this be the day you not only come face to face with Jesus. But let this be the one you make the decision and commitment, and take the actions, to truly follow Him. And may this not be a decision for this day only. But may it be a decision and commitment, followed by all the necessary action, for the rest of the precious life you have been given.
Rom 10:9 KJV “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
