The Christian Walk

"So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day they were added about three thousand souls."  Acts 2:41


I was fifteen when I declared my faith in the Lord.  Upon confessing Jesus as the Son of God, my Savior, I was baptized.  Thus, I began my walk as a Christian.  It was not only a glorious moment within my life, it was when I was "added" to the church, the same way that those three thousand were added when the church was newly formed.  

What tends to confuse others that were brought up under different teaching, is they presume that this process is how a person states they were "saved".  Nope, it is how one becomes a Christian.  The bible tells me what process I should go through in order TO BE saved; not *POOF* now I can turn my proverbial tassel over from the "unsaved" to the "saved" side.  What it is saying is the day I am truly saved, is the day that I have been given the inheritance of eternal life.  Right now, I'm still living on Earth.  I don't HAVE the inheritance yet, I've just been promised it.  The actually inheritance of salvation happens on the day that I stand before God.  That is the day that we "will be saved" or, "will be condemned" (Mark 16:16)

In that context, I don't refer to the "day I was saved" (hang on, checking to make sure I still have a pulse).  That IS the day that I began my Christian walk.  I will be saved as I continue to keep Jesus in my heart until the day I pass from this world to face my day of judgement.  Only then, am I truly spared from eternal punishment.  Let's face it, until then, there are still plenty of chances for me to screw that up.  While I am far from being a perfect Christian, I don't think God will allow that to happen.  My God IS an awesome God.  I will continue to hunger for further knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that is ONLY found in God's Word.  

Only One Truth

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14

"Listen to me, the other guy is terrible, I'm the best one for the job....blah, blah, blah."  Anyone else tired of the constant political ads?  Tired of the smearing of an opponent in order to boost one's own (and very flawed) image?  It seems that the best way to win your vote is by trash-talking the other candidate.  Can we stoop any lower than that?  Everyone claims that they are right.  Everyone swears by the "truth".  Who can you trust and does it just end with the political arena?  No!

Here's one for you:  Who do you trust with the biblical answers?  Sure, there are plenty of biblical scholars out there.  You can call them a preacher, teacher, pastor, minister, reverend but, does that put them on an authoritative pedestal?  Certainly not.  Some may act as if they are His authority but, when it comes down to it they are merely simple men trying their best to interpret God's Word, without adding or taking away, as best as they can.  That's what it should be, anyway.  My old preacher would readily admit, in any sermon, when he is putting his best opinion to a scripture.  "According to the book of Lonnie...", I would remember him saying.  My friend, that performed the wedding ceremony for Megan and I, would say that as a pastor, he is still learning and doesn't have everything just perfect.  I admire those that are in these positions that also know humility.   They don't speak with a forked tongue.  There is no "I KNOW the bible better than you so, you're just wrong!"  There are some issues that are very plain and don't require someone to explain it to you.  Other issues will take some deeper exploration.  However, everyone is fallible.  No one is perfect.  This is what can make or break new Christians.  

In a world where political leaders and biblical leaders tend to have their own views that they call "the truth", there is one hope:  The Truth - God's Word.  Who better to go to when you need honest answers to your questions?  Your pastor or preacher?  Your representative, or governor?  Sure, you want to be able to turn to them for many situations.  However, not all questions were meant to be answered by a simple human.  The most important questions won't be answered that way.  Not accurately, anyway.  I don't even like when someone asks me if I "think" this way or that way about a question of their salvation.  I'll tell them what the bible says and they must figure out the answer from that.  They may not like what they hear but, I'm just quoting the bible and I'll leave the interpreting to them.  

God has all of your answers.  He will always be honest.  He will never deceive you.  He will NEVER be the wolf in sheep's clothing.  Follow your heart when it comes to the important decisions in life.  After all, if we are carrying God in our hearts, how can we go wrong when we use that to guide our understanding of His Word?