Saved

Followers of Christ are not perfect people. After all, only the sick need a physician and the unrighteous that need salvation (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31), that’s why we came to Christ. Because we believe that He is able to heal the sick and save the unrighteous (Revelation 3:18), regardless of who they are or what they’ve done.

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

A sick person that goes to the doctor may be mocked and scorned by the healthy, but it makes absolutely no difference to the sick person. The sick want healing. A sinner aware of his/her sins wants absolution. Those that think themselves to be good people, after all they haven’t murdered anyone, don’t see much need or merit in a pardon from God. But those aware that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) want to be reconciled with their God.

Christians are just sinners that have come to Christ and believed that He can save them from their fallen nature. They have done nothing to deserve their salvation, just believed simply in the incredible words of Jesus, “whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)

As easy, and in consequence confounding, as that sounds it’s true. As a reward for that simple faith, God gives salvation and forgiveness from sins to all those that believe in His Precious Son in this life and in the world to come, everlasting life.

That is the message that every true follower of Jesus Christ believes and lives by. A new life, lived in gratitude and obedience to their Saviour.

I don’t need to be told about every professing Christian that you can point out that is a charlatan in your estimation, I know there are many liars out there. I don’t need to be told about countless famous ‘Christians’ that have turned their back on God because they have concluded that the way of faith is nonsense, I am well aware of them. Some expect me to explain it to them. I can’t. BUT, my Lord, Jesus made it pretty easy to understand with this parable:

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience."  (Luke 8:5-15)

To avoid future confusion just know that those who truly believe and follow God are known by their fruit. What fruit, you ask?

Apostle Paul gives a good test for those that have fruit of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit. If you see a Christian involved in any of the following: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21) No child of God has any business being involved in any of these things in whatever measure.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

If you don’t see good fruits in someone claiming to be a Christian, it’s safe to assume they’re not.

I know I have always lived my faith out loud, never hid it and may The Lord help me to never feel tempted to hide it. I know I have not always shown signs of good fruit. I had times when I was led more by my flesh than The Spirit. If you know me personally, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. To begin with my nature is very impulsive, loud, obnoxious, always start any conversation thinking I am correct and everybody else is wrong, argumentative, easily angered, sarcastic, mocking and did I say, LOUD? It took my Saviour a long time to weed out of my soil my bad nature and blessed be His Name forever, He’s going to have to work on me until I die. I’ve made my peace with the fact that I’ll never resemble Dalai Lama in exuding calmness, nor Mother Theresa in exuding kindness and humility. I have a perpetual lifted brow that makes me look quite proud and a tone of voice that screams, AVOID! So that doesn’t help, now, does it? But I came to Jesus, just as I was. I knew no amount of meditations and incantations can change me, and Lord, I wanted to be changed! So, I came to Him, who made me in the first place and believed that He who died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6) can make me anew. Not to resemble the best human on earth, but to resemble Himself, Jesus Christ, The Son of God. Am I there yet? No! But one thing I do, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12)

Due to the fact that I couldn’t do a single thing to save myself, that it wasn’t my great remorse for my sins that saved me, nor my tears, nor my resolve to stop doing this and that, but just pure and unmerited grace from my Lord, I live in gratitude, always aware that whatever I am, I am only through the grace of God, and His grace towards me has not been in vain. So no, there is no boasting, only humble gratitude.

I don’t take for granted the fact I was saved so to lord it over others, God forbid! I carefully watch over my every step so to not give anyone a reason to point to me and say, “see, she’s a hypocrite!” I confess, that is my biggest fear, that after I have told others about Christ, I myself would be found lacking, but I have hope that He is faithful to finish what He had begun in me. I believe His grace is there to safely take me home. But just in case I prove to be just another deserter from His ranks, blame the soil not the seed. The seed is good! And no amount of bad soil, thorns or birds can prove me otherwise!

Cristina Pop