The Most Important Question
How did YOU come to get saved? It’s a question I like to ask believers when I get comfortable enough with them to ask. I love to hear their stories. That question is also one that a disciple-maker will ask others, because one’s salvation is the very foundation on which to build the Christian life.
But over the past few years, I’ve noticed a change in the answers I hear when I ask, “How did you come to get saved?” Or “How did you come to know the Lord?” Here’s what I’m hearing more of:
I’ve always known the Lord.
I just started getting interested in religion.
God helped me when I called out to Him when I was sick (or had some other need).
I’ve actually gone around the room and asked gatherings of believers how they got saved, and not a single one had what I’d call a “spiritual reckoning moment.” That is concerning.
All this came to my mind while studying Romans. Particularly Romans 6:17, But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. We go from sinner to saved by obeying “that form of doctrine.” What’s that? You hear the gospel, God draws your heart, and you obey the gospel. Here’s a reminder of what the gospel is per the Apostle Paul: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4).
So, is it possible to be born again or saved without knowing and reckoning with the doctrine of the gospel? Simply put, “You are a sinner in need of a savior. Jesus died, was buried and rose again to purchase your salvation. Believe, confess and be saved.”
Is that your testimony? Here’s an amplifying passage, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you (1 Peter 1:23-25).
The word of God is operable in your salvation. So no one is saved by an experience that doesn’t include reckoning with what the Bible says about your condition and His solution. A salvation testimony is going to involve being convicted in your heart about how you woefully fall short and thus your need for a savior. Is that your story?
If the facts of the gospel are boring to you, get it right between you and God before it is too late. Jesus didn’t die to meet your felt needs. He died to purchase your soul from sin through faith. 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).
Of course many or most of you reading this are 100% there with me. Let’s be the ones to hold the line on the gospel and true salvation. Let’s not assume everyone is already saved. Let’s question a little more and be at the ready to insert the word of truth through verses and our testimonies, outlining the facts of the gospel.
R&J Shee