Prayer Journal
Monday, September 22, 2003
"...we are confident of better things in your case - things that accompany salvation." Hebrews 6:9b
The writer of Hebrews warned his Jewish brethren against the danger of apostasy, or falling from the faith. He sternly told them it was impossible to have faith in the Lord Jesus, fall away and then be restored back to the faith without being saved twice. What was his message? Will Christ die more than once for their sins? I think not; it's all or nothing. While many opportunities to be saved may be availed them, there is but one salvation, one Lord and one Door.
Jewish people have a problem with salvation, probably because they believe their religion shares the same God with Christianity, but existed for two thousand years before Christ and therefore saves without Christ. Christians believe Jesus is the prophesied Messiah of the Jews, Savior of all those who come to Him by faith and as God's only perfect Son, is in fact one person of the Triune deity of God Almighty, El Shaddai.
Understandably, a Jewish convert must go against what he'd been taught his whole life in order to come to Jesus for salvation. That can either be a rough ordeal or an easy transition should a person honestly examine the Old Testament in light of Jesus life and testimony - He is God.
You may not be a Jew, but have found that like them, expressing faith in Christ required you to walk away from family, friends and religion. Everything's OK when you're in Church around Christians, but when you go back home or to work, you might find condemnation, ridicule and sometimes persecution waiting for you.
That's exactly what happened to the Jews in Jesus day. After declaring faith, they often had to find a new home and new friends. Of those who refused to give up their past affiliations, most found themselves falling from faith. It seemed they tried to "add" Christianity to their life without discarding previous religion rituals and customs. The ones who survived were those who gave up everything and followed Christ. How did they know they were truly saved? The writer of Hebrews said things that accompany salvation showed up in their life, such as, but not limited to love, hope, faith, holiness, devotion, sacrifice and consecration.
Perhaps you wonder if you're truly saved. Why don't you take the test the Hebrew's writer suggested. Do you have the things that accompany salvation in and around your life? Or has your life been unchanged except for your outward expression of faith. Is there external evidence in your life to prove you've been changed?
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2003
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
