The Question Of Salvation: A Matter Of The Heart
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.'
Romans 10:9-11 (NKJV)
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)
I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV)
A verbal confession of faith in Christ marks the beginning of our walk with God. It’s a wondrous and life-changing moment. Surely, Heaven cheers.
Surely, Satan sneers, as he makes a careful plan of attack aimed at the heart of every new Christian.
Can the enemy snatch away God's Word, rooted in the yielding soil of our hearts? NO! Our Father is 'Lord of the Harvest' (Matthew 9:38). He protects His field. However, the Captain of Salvation allows testing. In trials, we get strong.
But… without due diligence, we get weak. And in weakness, we can abandon God.)
SIDEBAR: What if faith is just a surface story? What if enlistment wasn’t personal… but simply people following the herd? I label these saints ‘Cultural Christians’
HERE’S THE THING: In predominantly Christian nations (like America), running with the herd has advantages. Worldly advancement becomes easier.
For instance, most U.S. politicians say they’re Christians. Is it true? Are they true?
Rest assured, all phonies will be revealed: 'For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed' (Luke 8:17). 'For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart' (1 Samuel 16:7).
ONE MORE THING: What if our heartfelt commitment was real, but later, we deserted our Captain… from fear, greed, neglect or bad examples?
NOTE: A new recruit needs careful attention. So does a new plant. When they’re ignored, either can shrink or die.
Although the Lord’s Spirit will never shrink, we can shrink from Him. We can go AWOL.
'If anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him' (Hebrews 10:38). Instead of being covered by prayer, we uncover ourselves… as Satan’s prey.
When we turn from God, we have two choices:
Copy Peter and the prodigal son: repent and return to the Living God. ‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him’ (Luke 15:20).
Continue down the dark road to ruin. 'And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done' (Romans 1:28).
'Let your heart therefore be loyal to the Lord our God' (1 Kings 8:61).
'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God' (Matthew 5:8).
The Question Of Salvation: A Matter Of The Heart (Part 6)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.