Virginia -
Your post made me smile and reflect upon my past a bit too. I do
remember tuning out my Pastor at church when he would have altar
calls. For it was all to embarrassing to walk in front of the entire
congregation. That’s all I equated it too- nothing more. Now, as an adult
that altar call has such a different meaning. Someone wants to repent
and ask for forgiveness. As you mentioned you are not perfect- none of
us are. God knows this, and is ready and willing to forgive us and poor
his grace and mercy upon us. For just this weekend I asked for his Grace
and was baptized. Salvation is repenting and believing that God's ways
are better than our own.
Philip
The two conditions of Salvation you mentioned: 1. to love God
and others 2. Repent our sins and forgive others, I completely
agree with. I also think Salvation is knowing and understanding
the amazing sacrifice God made for us. Being part of God's
family through a personal relationship and spending eternity is
his plan. As you mentioned, repenting is part of our salvation.
But when we wave our white flag in the air we need to be ready
and willing to let God take control and lead our lives. When one
is given that second chance as you mentioned- or Born of the
Spirit, its not always physically noticeable. Although we cannot
see a difference on the outside the effects on the inside are
extreme and will ultimately lead to a Christ lead life.
Shane,
I enjoyed reading through your post. I thought you made a lot
of great points. Of course your first line- "lip service" was so
true- as I know we can all relate to that. I feel that there are so
many individuals among us that speak as if they are walking
with the Lord, but there actions are not so. Another great point
you made, was how being saved was not our ticket to Heaven. If
that was the case- The line would be really really long at the
pearly gates! Trying to explain that accepting Jesus into their
hearts and repenting still is not enough. Although conversion
is necessary for forgiveness, we still need to live a life inspired
by Christ. Striving to obey the Ten Commandments and
breaking the pattern of our habitual sins will hopefully lead us
away from any conversion regression.
