DRAWING NEAR
December 19
A Warning to the Intellectually Convinced
"How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After
it was at first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us
by those who heard" (Heb. 2:3).
Many people know the facts of the gospel but won't make a commitment
to it.
I will never forget a lady who came to my office, confessing that she
was a prostitute and was desperate for help. I presented the claims
of Christ to her and asked if she wanted to confess Christ as Lord of
her life. She said yes and prayed, seemingly inviting Christ into her
life.
Then I suggested that we burn her book of contacts. She looked at me
incredulously and said, "What do you mean?" "If you want to live for
Jesus Christ," I explained, "and you've truly accepted His
forgiveness and embraced Him as Lord, then you need to prove it."
"But that book is worth a lot of money," she said. "I don't want to
burn it." After putting it back in her purse, she looked me right in
the eye and said, "I guess I don't really want Jesus, do I?"
When it came to counting the cost, she wasn't ready. I don't know
whatever became of her, but my heart aches for her and others like
her.
I'm sure you know people like her--they know and believe that Christ
is the Savior, they know they need Him, but they are unwilling to
make a commitment to Him. Perhaps they even go to church and hear the
Word of God. They are like the proverbial man who says he believes a
boat will keep him afloat, but never sets foot in one.
Those people are the most tragic of all. They need to be warned--to
be given a powerful shove toward Christ. May the Lord use you as His
instrument for that purpose in the lives of many who are on the edge
of a decision for Christ.
Suggestion for Prayer:
Ask God to soften the hearts of people you know who understand the
facts of the gospel, but haven't yet made a commitment to it.
For Further Study:
Read Matthew 19:16-22. What kinds of questions should you ask of
someone who appears eager to become a Christian?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Matthew 19:16-22 (NKJV)
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good
thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but
One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the
commandments."
18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, " 'You shall not
murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You
shall not bear false witness,'
19 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.'"
20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my
youth. What do I still lack?"
21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you
have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come, follow Me."
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful,
for he had great possessions.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
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NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
http://www.gty.org/Gospel/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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