Has Grace come to You?

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age." - Titus 2:11-12

Saving grace is an educator- that is, it teaches its recepient something of major importance. It teaches us that we cannot live as if grace hasn't come. If a person lives as if grace hasn't come- living just the way they always have, no different than they were before- no different than a worldly person-- then it is a sure sign that in their life and experience grace indeed has not come yet. If a person lives as if grace hasn't come, it is because in their life grace hasn't come yet.- Stuart Olyott

It does not matter how many times a person makes a "decision for Jesus"-- they can wear the church carpet out walking down the isle making decisions-- but if there is no change of life, no repentance evidencing real change, no heart-felt love for God that is genuine, no newness of life-- then there is no true salvation; a decision for Jesus is not the same as true and radical salvation which comes from true regeneration and conversion. The gospel is not, "Repeat this prayer after me and if you are sincere, you are saved"; the call of the gospel according to the New Testament is, "Repent and believe the gospel, take up your cross and follow Me." A cheap, shallow, inadequate, and false gospel message has sent more people to hell than drugs, immorality, and atheism ever did.

There's a new hymn that has recently been released, sung to the old chorus, "I have decided to follow Jesus." It goes something like this:

I never wanted to follow Jesus,I never wanted to follow Jesus,I never wanted to follow Jesus,He rescued me, He rescued me.

That is the truth.

- Mack T.