Stay The Course

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army is credited with the following statement;  I consider that the chief dangers that confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell."

Was he prophetic or what??   Acts 10:38 says "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."   You have an anointing that abides in you according to the Epistle of John.  The same Spirit that raised Christ from dead dwells in you and will make alive even your mortal body according to Romans 8:11. It is Holy Spirit who introduces us to Christ, that is brings conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment.

How can we have Christianity without Christ?   Listen, read and discover that far to many are inclusive of other so-called gods.  "What fellowship has Christ with the devil?" Paul asked.  Do you suppose for a moment that Christ is going to be a partner with false gods in any place of worship?  Do you know those who attempt to display their Christianity by their works and fail to worship, praise, mention or give thanks to Jesus Christ the One and Only redeemer who gave His life and then arose from the dead and was seen by hundreds of witnesses, even at one time.  Do you suppose those who are apparently ashamed to mention Him in their daily lives are being mentioned at the Throne of God?   Their is NO Christian life without Christ, and their is no Christ in our lives without the presence and influence of Holy Spirit.

In Luke 24:45 - 47, it is written  "Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."   Men still SIN.  Repentance, a sorrow for committing the sin against God, and a change of heart concerning it are still the ONLY WAY to apply the Blood of Christ which washes away our sin.  We are to confess our sins before Him, and receiving the Truth that He is faithful and just to forgive us of all unrighteousness.   Acts 27 tell us "He now commands all men everywhere to repent".   Don't buy the lie that you don't need to repent.  Don't buy the lie that you only have "issues" or "problems".  If not of faith, it is sin.  Repent and be cleansed.





Only by being Born-again, can one enter heaven.  Jesus said you MUST BE BORN AGAIN.   You cannot be saved by a "social" gospel that declares your works will earn you a way into heaven, or that everyone is going to heaven because they are basically good. Titus 3:5 says "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,".   The Way IS narrow, and the path straight that leads to Life.  That broad, easy way leads to death (separation from God)


Do we have "politics without God" as Booth feared?   Listen to or read only a few news stories any you quickly discover any mention of God is being strongly discouraged in any public place.  To many believe they are granted "freedom FROM religion" in lieu of "freedom OF religion" in our Constitution.  Without the provision and protection of God in our Land, we increasingly have overwhelming difficulties that we as mere men cannot solve, or in some cases even stand.
 

Heaven without Hell, Booth spoke of.  When is the last time you faced the issue that there is a Heaven to gain, and a hell to shun?  Are you aware that hell is everlasting torment in darkness being separated from God who is the source of all Light?   Do you know that the decision concerning you eternal abode (Heaven or hell) is made now, in this lifetime.   Today is the day to choose Life, to choose Christ as your personal redeemer and know that Heaven is your eternal home - not because of any good thing you have done, but rather because He paid the price with His own Blood.   Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.


Let as many as be saved, contend for the Faith once and for all delivered to us.  Let us arise and shine with the Glory of the Risen Lord radiating out from our lives.  Let us recognize we have been crucified with Him, and that the life we now live is not our own, but rather let us live out of and by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.  Let us stay the course. Be strengthened with His Might in your inner man today.  Rejoice and be glad in Him.  Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and see the Salvation of God in your own life today. 

 Read and believe Romans 10 verses 9 and 10.  Look at Ephesians chapters one and two. After you read it, repent as needed, apply the Truth of the Word of God and experience Him today.  Be blessed in your walk of faith in Christ.