A Voice in the Wilderness |
*** PORTIONS *** Re: From "Start" to "Finish" Recently while tweaking on things at the website, comparing how things look/work with Netscape and IE, finding that IE3.02 had little quirks negotiating JavaScript, I finally bit the 2-hour -download- 'bullet' and installed IE4. While it still isn't up to the 'standard' of Netscape 3.04 in some things, I was actually enjoying some of its features...and was out surfing...just for the sake of surfing...to see how IE4 works. Just 'doodling'. As I was surfing I happened upon Dave Hunt's 'statement of faith'. And noticed no mention of "repentance for salvation". Then, I went to PsychoHeresyAwareness...I think their's is basically the same. Not there, either. [Ed: Hopefully, -merely- examples of what Tuesday's Portion was talking about, statements being 'incomplete', because these two groups, certainly, -do- proclaim 'repentance' don't they? Surely they do? I'm -sure- I've read it in their writings?] But you know...that got me thinking. I've seen a lot of statements of faith in my time...and not very many include it. Everybody proclaims 'where salvation comes from' ...but fail to give directions on how to get to the "Start" point...which is 'repentance'. As I was sharing these observations with a friend, my mind pictured these 'maze' puzzles Pizza Hut used to have (do they still?) as place mats. There's the picture. There's all the routes through it. A person can see the correct route. But to actually get to "Finish", one must actually start at "Start" and trace through. You don't get to "Finish" unless you start at "Start". There are many statements of Faith, many books on doctrine, many sermons and teaching sessions; which proclaim, correctly, the lost condition of man due to sin. (Rom3:23,6:23) They correctly proclaim Jesus' death, burial and resurrection to pay the penalty for sin. (1Cor15:3-4) They present God's "gift" of "grace through faith" (Eph2:8) and everything related to these points. And it is all -correct- doctrine. It's all there, for the 'receiving'. (Jn1:12) But they fail in one point. How to get to the "Start" point. The proclamation which Jesus instructed to be proclaimed. They correctly include... "..Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.." but they omit... "..and repentance and remission of sins to be proclaimed in His name.." (Lk24:46-47) For the sake of our 'object lesson': Start = Repentance Maze = Salvation Finish = Eternal Life A person can look, from a distance, and 'understand' the path through the maze. But to actually -arrive-at- the "Finish", he must actually pick up that crayon, start at "Start", trace through the maze, and -then- he will actually -reach- the "Finish" point. Another example: Suppose you have an expensive car with all the latest gadgets, global positioning driving system and onboard computers. It's been detailed with a fine-tooth comb, the engine runs flawlessly, and has 'flat-proof' tires. You can drool over it's shiny finish, and 'imagine' how smoothly it drives. But unless you have the -KEY- to put in the ignition, the fact that the car might have been a 'free' prize isn't going to do you any good. It's not going anywhere! No matter how hard you push on the gas pedal, it's just going to 'sit there'. From our Romans3 study on Sunday, it does no good to agree with the 'sign' on the dock. One must understand the 'NEED' -personally- to accept the 'life preserver' the Son is offering. That's the "Start" point. "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Lk13:3,5) Amen! Addendum: (3-3-99) Since writing this a few days ago, I've had occasion to surf around in response to requests to link to URLs, checking out this and that, etc. While seeing these places, as well as 'checking out' the sites of a few people I already know, I've made a point to look at the area where a 'statement' of some kind is made about "salvation". And you know what? So far, the ones I've looked at... -NONE- of them speak of "repentance". Even places where I know the person believes in it. This morning as I was getting going for the day, meditating on this fact, it really struck me as to 'why' there is such "apostasy". Nobody, much, is actually saved! Salvation 'by faith' is preached. People know about it. But they are not being led to the "Start" point. A new 'understanding' of Jesus' words, "Go in through the narrow gate..because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way which leads to life... and THERE ARE -FEW- WHO FIND IT." (Mt7:13-14) Remember, folks, out of all Sodom there was only Lot and his two daughters who 'made it'. Out of the whole world's population, only Noah's family of 'eight' who made it. I wish I could grab each of you by the shoulders and 'shake' you, and ask, "Do -you- understand this?? Do you -SEE- it??" ??? Do you ??? The time is short! How many of -you- will, sadly, hear His words, "I never knew you! Depart from Me..." (Mt7:23) ??? "Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, -now- is the day of salvation." (2Cor6:2) ![]() |