July 9, 2010
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Have you?
This excerpt is from Charles Spurgeon. My heart is so saddened when I think of loved ones who ‘believe’ they are Christians but have never put their trust in Christ and His righteousness. I fear for their eternal destiny and cry out that Christ would become altogether lovely and irresistible to them.
“Beloved friends, as I look round upon you all, and gaze into your faces, this question rushes from my heart to my lips,-Have all of you received Christ Jesus the Lord? Alas! I am sorrowfully persuaded that there are some of you who have not received him. He has knocked again and again, with that pierced hand of his, at the door of your heart, but you have not let him in. This fountain of the water of life has flowed close to your feet, yet you have not drunk of it. Christ has been set before you as the Bread of life sent down from heaven, but you have not eaten of him; you have refused him even until now. “Nay,” say you, “you are too severe in charging us with having refused Christ, for we have not done that.” Well, it seems to me that this is just what you have done; but I will put it more softly, and say that, at any rate, you have not received him. You have put him off to a more convenient season, which will probably never come to you. O poor souls, poor souls, how sad is your state in not having received Christ Jesus the Lord!
Every word that he has spoken is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, but sweeter far are the lips with which he uttered those words.
Every command of his is to be esteemed more highly than the finest of fine gold, but as for the King who gave those commands, “he is altogether lovely.”
Human language cannot describe him, and yet you have received him, his very self; you have received him into your hearts, to dwell there as your sole Lord and Master.
You have, received him as your life, for you live through him; and you receive him day by day as the Bread of life upon which your soul feeds,
and as the Water of life which quenches the thirst of your soul.
You have not merely received his offices, his gifts, his grace, his promises, but you have received him.
He is the center of your confidence, the target of your hopes!”
(To learn more about Jesus and the hope of heaven, click on the button in the sidebar at the top of the page that asks if you are a good person).
Comments (7)
Oh Georgene, this speaks so much of so many I know right now…especially my brother Ken and his wife Melissa..may I steal this from you (so to speak) and post this on my facebook and tag Melissa to read it, if that tis ok with you?
This IS good, but I do know people who worship the Lord on other days, especially since they can’t get out of bed to go to church. Only the Lord truly knows our hearts and when and how we worship him (I humbly say). Ten years ago when I nearly died in the hospital, I was able to worship him silently through my tears with a joyful song in my heart. And that was on a Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday, you get the picture, I’m sure. This Sunday, I will not be at church because I’m on Dr. ordered bed rest after a heart scare. This is Friday. I’ve already been worshipping Him and not another person has been around. Sometimes, it’s good to let go of old church ideals and rules and let the Holy Spirit come through when and how He wants to in all the varied situations that people are finding themselves in. I do understand where you’re coming from, though. God can be glorified in many different ways! ( 8
@Richgem - Thank you for what you wrote. I went back and reworded my intro because I realized it sounded like going to church was equal to salvation. And yes.. there is grace for those times in our lives when our circumstances might prevent our attending church. Yet, I’m sure you’ll agree that there is a longing to gather again with other believers once we’re able and worship Him corporately as the believers did in the book of Acts.
What I was referring to earlier when I posted were those who never seek to follow Christ in His example or command yet they fall under a broad description used freely these days called Christian.
@Kelly - I’m sure Mr. Spurgeon would love for you to share it!
Hugs to you!
Slaves to sin might not hear the call to freedom, freedom that becomes the person who heeds the call to Christ.
The step towards Christ beats depression, repression and expressions of greed.
@georgene - I absolutely understand and yes, there definately is a desire to gather with other believers for “corporate” worship. ( ; It’s been a long time since the “corporate” worship was what I yearned for, unfortunately! Someday.
@Richgem - I ran across this quote and thought it was very good and applicable to what we were chatting about…
J.I. Packer rightly points out, “The New Testament assumes that all
Christians will share in the life of a local church, meeting with it
for worship (Heb. 10:25), accepting its nurture and discipline (Matt.
18:15-20; Gal. 6:1), and sharing in its work of witness.”
You mentioned not yearning for corporate worship with other believers…. I believe it’s a matter of obedience during those times when we don’t feel like it. As we move forth in obedience (leaning on the grace from His Spirit) He works in us to will and do His good pleasure if we are truly His disciples. Phil. 2:13
I’m sorry you’ve been struggling with your health. Is there a chance you’ll be improving soon?