Are you right with God? This may be the most critical question in your life. We had a speaker at our church a few years ago who testified how the Lord intervened in his life, both spiritually and physically. Our speaker said he was close to death after being stung by a poisonous box jellyfish. As he lay dying in the hospital, his biggest problem was not his health but not being right with God. In God’s mercy, he would supernaturally intervene to lead him to faith and heal him physically.
Like the prodigal son, with God’s help, he came to his senses through a difficult time and returned to his father. Luke 15:23 We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.[1] Like this man, the Lord knows your heart and what He needs to do.
The Lord Looks at the Heart
As we read God’s word, we soon discover that the Lord looks at things differently than we do and that our heart is the key. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” [2]
Getting right with God begins by placing our faith in Jesus as our Savior. Then we must let the Lord transform us along our spiritual journey. Romans 10:10For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. [3] We have all fallen short of God’s standard, as Paul writes in Romans 3:23. It is only because of God’s mercy that He reaches out and works in our hearts to draw us to faith.
Staying Right with God is Ongoing
Once we became believers in Jesus, it would be nice if our spiritual battles were over, but that is not the reality. Once we become believers, we must maintain our relationship with God like any other. As we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will guide, encourage, and convict us of sin. The Lord cleans our hearts when we confess our sins and turn away from them. Just like a house needs to be cleaned regularly so it doesn’t get dirty, our hearts are similar. 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. [4] We will never receive a more fantastic gift than the gift of faith, which allows our sins to be forgiven and to begin a new life in Christ.
Are you right with God? To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/believe-speak-it
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.