In a recent fellowship gathering the conversation
moved to flawed presentations of the gospel. I suggested one of the biggest problems that looms before the sharing of the gospel is the motive to become saved or to become a Christian.
I suggested that merely or simply praying the "sinner's prayer" to escape or be rescued from hell was quite possibly an improper motive for salvation. I maintain that merely wanting to go to heaven or wanting to escape hell may not be sufficient reason to trust Christ. I also suggested that unless the Holy Spirit regenerates an individual, that individual will not come to Christ.
The reason I think that wanting to go to heaven or wanting to escape the fires of hell is insufficient is that they do not address the real issue. Rarely, does one who desires to escape hell have the desire to saved from their sin and to be transformed into the image of Christ. In other words, many who "embrace" the gift of salvation (not necessarily the Savior) do not want to forsake their carnality or their sinfulness.
I was certainly poo-pooed if not censured for my thought process. Naturally, this is OK with me since I have had some differing ideas with fellow brothers whom I love dearly. It was nice however to come across this quote on Christmas Eve by one of my hero's of the faith and favorite dead guy, Arthur W. Pink:
I suggested that merely or simply praying the "sinner's prayer" to escape or be rescued from hell was quite possibly an improper motive for salvation. I maintain that merely wanting to go to heaven or wanting to escape hell may not be sufficient reason to trust Christ. I also suggested that unless the Holy Spirit regenerates an individual, that individual will not come to Christ.
The reason I think that wanting to go to heaven or wanting to escape the fires of hell is insufficient is that they do not address the real issue. Rarely, does one who desires to escape hell have the desire to saved from their sin and to be transformed into the image of Christ. In other words, many who "embrace" the gift of salvation (not necessarily the Savior) do not want to forsake their carnality or their sinfulness.
I was certainly poo-pooed if not censured for my thought process. Naturally, this is OK with me since I have had some differing ideas with fellow brothers whom I love dearly. It was nice however to come across this quote on Christmas Eve by one of my hero's of the faith and favorite dead guy, Arthur W. Pink:
"The nature of Christ's salvation is
woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior
from hell rather than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally
deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of Fire who have
no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness."
A very thought provoking issue Gregg.I can't think of anyone would want to see the fires of Hell.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Gregg thanks for your comment about Feedpost but I clicked on a link that they sent me on an e/mail and your blog is there also.....thought I'd let you know.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.