MY FRIENDS, THINK OF WHAT IT MEANS TO SAY “NO” TO CHRIST?

Feb. 28, 2017

MY FRIENDS, THINK OF WHAT IT MEANS TO SAY “NO” TO CHRIST?

“Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said, “One thing you lack: [YOU MUST ELIMINATE SELF FROM YOUR LIFE], and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Eliminate self, How dare that street preacher ask some one of my status to eliminate self “even the “foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but [this] Man has nowhere to even lay his head.” And He wants me to follow Him.

My friends, Christ timing for a commitment has caught most of God’s children at a bad time. His standard of character for His kingdom seems to be out of touch from what our plans are at this point in our life. But friends, focus, because “only those who will say, Lord, all I have and all I am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons and daughters of God.

[We must] consider what it means to desire heaven, and yet to turn away because of the conditions laid down. Think of what it means to say “No” to Christ.” (E.G. White, Desire of Ages p 523) And think what it means to say to Christ, I am to busy to get with you today, maybe at the end of the month?

Think what it must mean to the One who died on Calvary for our salvation for us to accept an offer made by Satan that we consider to good to refuse, “all this I will give you he tells us, if you will only bow down and worship me.”? Matt. 4:9 (NIV) My friends, History, as we know it, is about to end, are we ready?

I remember, as I child no more than eight or nine fallen asleep during Church service, the alter call was given right at the time I was waking up people started standing so I stood, not knowing what was going on. That my friends, is the scenario we all face today because the church is asleep which allows God’s word and the prompting of His Spirit to become unfamiliar to its members.

And Like the five foolish virgins, “they are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit’s working.

They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken [while allowing God’s Spirit to eliminate self and the things of this world where we have no problem telling Christ no, maybe later]“ (E.G. White, Christ Object Lesson p 411)

We must remember the battle that rages from within will not cease because we have now made some miraculous earth shaking decision to serve God. Every aspect of who God has created within us, Satan is at war against. every hereditary tendency that focuses our attention on the things above, Satan is at war with.

Every avenue that God has given to “forsake all others.” Satan is at war with. My friends Satan seeks total domination of every part of our life. Remember this battle is not with flesh and blood. And if we are lacking in putting on any part of God’s armour daily, and done all, through Christ His word and Spirit to remain focused, even the elect will not survive the assaults of Satan.