The Violence of Salvation

I am having trouble sleeping this morning because this message is on my mind. I cannot help but think about how misunderstood the message of salvation through Jesus Christ is in our culture today. We have watered down, put in a box, and customized the Gospel message for the convenience of whoever we are speaking to about it, when in reality it is a potent, uncontainable, and black and white message. It's terms are not negotiable, and they are not different for each person. The act of salvation results in peace, but leading up to and during salvation is an amazing amount of violence. I was flipping through the radio stations yesterday in the car and I came across a preacher who was talking about evangelism and why it is so offensive to people. He says "In reality what we are doing to people when we share the Gospel is threatening their lives". What he says is true! It is a threat. It is threat to the sinful life they are currently living. The Bible says we are to die to sin. 1Peter2:24 "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." Our sinful nature sees that as a threat! The battle over the hearts of people is violent and vicious. No part of a battle is more intense than the point when either side could win, and both sides are trying to tip the momentum scale in their favor. It is the moment when both sides are going to figure out who will win. So it is leading up to and at the point of salvation. At that point of accepting Christ the power of our sinful nature in our lives is destroyed. As our sinful nature dies, the righteousness of Christ begins to live in us. And even though sin is annihilated and we die, we (by the power of the cross) are wonderfully alive! I know it sounds crazy. (1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.) Their is no easing into salvation. You either have it or you don't. So do you? A war wages for your soul today, and fortunately we are living in an age of grace and mercy. An age when we can be forgiven. If you approach Christ he will not reject you! However, this time of grace and mercy will not last forever, and soon it will be to late. Trust Jesus today. Begin to live with him in your heart here on Earth, and you will live with him in all eternity in Heaven. The way the battle for your heart ends is up to you!
consider the following verses:

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."


Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Revelation3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

God bless - be victorious today!