Let me share something that I’ve been mulling over for several years--even decades--Christianity is more than what you say. Over the years I’ve heard many a man, woman, boy and girl say to me “I’ve sinned.” Please don’t misunderstand me, these words are powerful and can be the beginning of a wonderful life with God. However, these words alone, outside of a transformed heart and true repentance, can actually demonstrate a hard-hearted rejection of the Gospel. Let me illustrate this for a moment: Pharaoh, King Saul, and Judas Iscariot have all professed “I have sinned” (Exodus 9:27, 1 Sam. 15:24, Matt.27:4). The issue with all three of these men is that they wanted to escape the consequences of their sin instead of seeking God’s forgiveness and responding in true repentance. To say it another way, if all you have to your Christianity is what you say then it is empty and useless. The apostle Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” This is the principle that we see in the lives of David, Job, and story of the prodigal son. They were people who readily admitted that “I have sinned” but then surrendered to the power of God in repentance.
We have a saying where I grew up that says “Words are cheap”. Well dear friend, let me ask you honestly, how expensive is your Christianity? If all you have is words, I’m afraid that your faith is very cheap indeed. Today I pray that you make your profession your practice--matching what you say and believe to what you live.
Walking in grace, Pastor George
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