On a Personal Note…
A couple weeks ago I started discussing an email I had received and I'll finish up this week. As a refresher, the email went something like this:
"My conversion happened the minute I asked Jesus Christ into my heart and into my life. I asked HIM to forgive my sin, and re-store me, and I was a different person from then on. Yes, I do renew my commitment, but the traditional churches of my childhood, and other church experiences, did not underline my NEED to personally ASK Jesus to come in. That is the KEY...as Billy Graham well knows."
So the question I'd like to ponder this week is this: Do we really need to personally ask Jesus to come into our lives?
My answer: Not exactly.
Jesus doesn't need to be asked, because he's waiting to be let in. What we need to do is open our hearts to him... but that tends to take time. (More on that next week!)
Of course, when we are first able to do it, we may feel overwhelmed by His love. Perhaps that's why so many people think that it's complete -- they're saved. What they don't realize is that the feeling of overwhelming love is just the beginning!
And having a single conversion experience is not enough. There is so much more that we are called to do if we truly accept Jesus as our savior. Our actions will reflect what is truly in our hearts.
Christianity is about community. Jesus always emphasized that. In fact, we encounter Jesus through each other, which is why Christ said, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mt 18:20 NIV)
It is very important to have a personal relationship with Jesus, but not an exclusive one. Jesus is not
MY personal Lord and Savior, and he is not YOUR personal Lord and Savior... he is
OURS!
Peace,
~Brandon
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