Out Of The Abundance Of The Heart

A few years ago, a brother and I went to study the Scriptures with a few men who also professed a faith in Jesus Christ. Our intention was to demonstrate that these men possessed an erroneous understanding of the word of God, especially when it came to the issue of salvation.

After arriving, we exchanged pleasantries, and sat down across from one another at a large table. Before we could start our discussion on the "issues", one of the men asked me a question. He said, "if you died today, and stood before God in judgment, and He asked you, 'why should I let you in to my heaven?', what would you tell Him?".

Without hesitation, I looked at him and answered, "I would say: Because I've done your will... I believed, repented of my sins, was baptized, preached the word, and lived faithfully...". The one who asked me the question then asked, "is there anything else?" I then listed off a few more things that I had done, and told him that that was about it. He then said to me, "so, salvation is about what you do, then?... you mentioned everything that you do, and have done, but did not mention what Jesus did...".

As realization set in, I felt as if I had been punched in the stomach. I knew that Jesus had to be my answer, but when asked, I pointed to myself, and to my works. This answer was deeply unsettling to me, and continued to haunt me until the Lord allowed me to fully realize that I had been trusting in my own works for salvation, more than I was trusting in Jesus Christ. I answered the way that I did because, as Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (cf. Matt. 12:34).

Today, when I speak with people about the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, and ask them the question that I was asked, I often hear responses that are similar, if not identical to the one that I had given years before. I realize that many are under the same deception that I was under, in some form or another, and need to be pointed to Jesus Christ. Their works, their this, their that, their whatever is the thing that they point to when faced with judgment. Instead of Jesus, and His shed blood, the reason that God should allow them into heaven is because of something that they did, or are doing.

Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matt. 7:20-21) .

May the abundance of our heart confess Jesus on that day, and on the days leading up to it... May we look away from ourselves, our works, and what we do, and truly trust in Him.

New Year, New Direction?

With another calendar year upon us, resolutions abound. Whether it be weight loss, exercise, eating better, or whatever, it is obvious that the majority of people are not comfortable with themselves and recognize a need for change. But why does the new year cause so many people to think in such a way? What about 12:01 am, January 1st will spur such thoughts, from millions of people, all at the same time?

The fact of the matter is, our lives on earth are limited. With the changing of years, we realize, whether consciously or subconsciously, that another year is behind us, and another year of our life is gone. We realize that we are closer to the end, and that we only have so much time left. That is why the resolution of many is to eat better, exercise, stop smoking, or do something else along those lines because the changing of those habits seem to be able to extend one's natural life.

But New Year's resolutions reveal more to us than just our desire to postpone death. Many resolve to change other types of habits, and other facets of their lives. It seems that, as people, we are mostly unsatisfied with ourselves, and desire to change more than just our bodies. This unsatisfaction is absolutely warranted, and can only be resolved one way...

I read a sign in front of a church building, recently, that said, "New Year's resolution: Go back to church". The sign made the announcement, but many people will make that resolution, regardless of the sign. The problem, however, is that the answer to our unsatisfaction is not going to church. The answer is not trying to be more religious, or doing good things. The answer is Jesus Christ.

When man disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, the relationship he once enjoyed with Him was severed. Along with man's sin came guilt and shame. As a result, Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with fig leaves to hide their nakedness, their guilt and their shame from God, and from one another. But fig leaves were not sufficient to cover them. They could not hide from God.

It seemed that man needed a sufficient covering, and God gave them a shadow of that covering by taking the skins of an animal and making clothes for Adam and Eve. It was through the sacrifice of life, and through the provision of God that man could be sufficiently covered. However, in the garden, God's provision only served to cover man's nakedness... It did not cover his sin.

About 4,000 years later, God took on human flesh, and made provision for man's sin to be covered, and forgiven. Through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and through repentance, and faith in Him, His blood will wash away our sins. We can put on His righteousness like a garment, and our sins, our guilt, and our shame will be covered before God. No longer will our relationship with God be severed, but we will be reconciled to God, through Him...

We are unsatisfied in this world because of sin, and because our relationship with God has been severed by our sin. We know that we need a change, and a new direction, and that our efforts are insufficient. As the years pass us by, we grow closer to death, and our impending judgment before God. If our sins are not covered on that day, we will be eternally separated from Him, and cast into the place called Hell. If we change our direction (repent/turn from our sins), and put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, this new year will not be one more year lost, but the beginning of eternal life gained. May this new year bring that new direction... May He be our resolution today, and for the rest of our lives!