GOSPEL LIGHT #702

The Sinker's Prayer

Mt 14:30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"

Caught in the tempest's might, Peter knew he couldn't fight. With waves dancing wildly, stirred by winds through the night, he beheld before him a fearful, fearful sight. In such a plight, "Lord, save me" was a cry that's no slight.

Peter's "Sinker's Prayer" wasn't a scripted recital, but a heartfelt plea drawn out from within. Desperation, helplessness, and dire urgency gave him the words. He wasn't even urged to sincerely say it. He saw the emergency. It just came, unbidden, upon his realization of the situation and his recognition of the Savior. He knew exactly why he was crying out to Him (his case was dire) and he knew exactly why it had to be Him whom he should cry out for (he knew it was only Him who could save him at that point).

His case is so unlike many today. Many are manipulated to parrot the Sinner's Prayer even without being convicted of sin. Conviction of sin is God making us realize our urgent and critical need for His intervention. After all, how can one truly ask for something when, in reality, he sees no need for it?

Many a Sinner's Prayer today does not qualify as a genuine call. They are actually mere recitals.

The Bible does not say: "Whoever RECITES calling upon the Lord shall be saved." Rather, it says "Whoever CALLS upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." My friend, call upon the Lord. Call upon Him because you have seen your helpless condition. Call upon Him because you know it's only Him who could save you.

GOSPEL LIGHT #701

 Scripture Savvy - Salvation Smart

2Ti 3:15 and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise to obtain salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Knowledge can take you to the stars, but the true wisdom that the Bible gives takes you beyond. There are people who are smart enough to build a rocket but clueless about the way of salvation. Even the brightest minds can be fools if they miss the path to heaven. What does it matter if you are an expert when it comes to the ship's carpeting? What does it matter if you are a connoisseur about the ship's paintings? What does it matter if you are a specialist about the different metals of the ship? Yes, what does it all matter when the ship is sinking? When the world is a ship that is sinking fast, the only knowledge that truly matters is the one that shows you the way to the rescue boat.

The Bible savvies you for it and gives you the smarts - it is through faith in Christ Jesus.

GOSPEL LIGHT #700

Settle Matters With God Without Delay 

Mt 5:25 "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

Let's apply this verse to our relationship with God: 

While it is true that God has become favorable and propitious toward us through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is also a sense in which He is our adversary in that He has something against us, if, all the while, we remain unrepentant.

God, as it were, goes with us on the way of life and warns us that if we don't settle the matter with Him He will deliver us over to the Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will have us thrown to prison for all eternity.

Don't put this off. This ought to be an urgent and pressing concern on your part. "Agree with your adversary quickly." Come to terms with Him without delay. Settle the score with Him at once. Don't go to court with Him. You will only lose your case.

Come aside with Him now in Calvary, when His Son died on the cross for all your sins against God. There, by faith in the Savior, avail of the payment He provided for your sins against God and have your case closed for all eternity. 





 

 

GOSPEL LIGHT #699

The Sorry Myth: Debunking The Belief That Being Sorry Is Enough 

One common misconception about salvation is the belief that merely expressing a sincere apology to God is enough to make everything okay. 

Yes, the sinner ought to be sorry. He should be sorry. It would be an act of brazenness if he or she is not.

An apology, however, no matter how heartfelt and sincere could never save us from the punishment we deserve. Not even if we do it a million times. Ask any just law court in the world. 

That's because only the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross could pay for the penalty of our sins. If expressing a sincere apology is all that it takes then why did the Lord Jesus Christ have to die on the cross?

Don't settle for sorry. You need the Savior! You need to repent and trust in what He did on the cross for you!