in a few minutes it will detonate and be irreversible…..
I have attempted below to explain my rational for exposing you to seven consecutive posts from Chapter Three titled “Going Deeper” from Wedell Martin’s “GO NOW: From the Innermost Parts of the Heart to the Uttermost Parts of the World.”
First, I desire that you can experience Wendell’s real life practical exposure of the struggles as a young man involved in going deeper, spiritually “warts” and all, and perhaps, we be reminded of the intricacies of the twists & turns, even the highs & lows, of our own spiritual journey. Indeed, there are likely hundreds of such written encounters out there, but I do believe because many of you readers share both Wendell’s childhood niches of geography and faith traditions, his written accounts may become especially meaningful as we reflect on our earlier personal struggles of “going deeper,” as many of us are now, or about to, be coming down our life’s ladders, preparing to enter our “count-down years.” And by now, you surely better be aware it is past time to be strategically prepared!
Second, I am sensing a profound disconnect in too many professing Christians, perhaps not fully practically believing that God loves them and wants them to experience the assuredness of peace and both the abundant and eternal life. As with I, this discontent has plagued their spiritual peace for decades with no definitive resolve. Yes, God did create us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us robots to automatically love and obey Him, but rather, with a will and freedom of choice. Early on in our lives, we may have chosen to disobey and go our own willful way, never exiting the compelling fast & furious Interstate for His township gravel road (sometimes a mere footpath) in search of the Celestial City, such that even yet today, we are still living separated from God. Just imagine, being around the church all your life, and never been “grafted,” or adopted in, or ever seated at His table. “Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Rom. 8:15.
Third, we may have in our desperation during key life events attempted to reach a Holy God to experience His peace and abundant life, so we chose for a time, to do good works, to live a morally exemplary life, to join a church, may even read our Bible and other Christian books about being a successful Christian, but we never really ever have faced the reality that God’s remedy is THE CROSS. Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave, such that He paid the penalty for our sin thus bridging that impossible gap between a Holy God, and we, as sin ravaged men & women. NO BRIDGE REACHES A HOLY GOD EXCEPT ONE – HIS CROSS!
Therefore, EACH PERSON MUST MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICE…EITHER WE MUST TRUST JESUS CHRIST AS LORD & SAVIOR & RECEIVE HIM BY PERSONAL INVITATION, OR NOT! If our response is to claim His gift of salvation, the Cross of Christ is the link we as convicted sinful & rebellious people claim the Holy God’s gifts of peace, forgiveness, INCLUDING an abundant & eternal life! Do understand when we IGNORE HIS Call, we are refusing His invitational gift of our lifetime.
Folks, that’s the way I see it this morning, always speaking to myself, first & foremost! To be continued…