For the past two decades or so it has been easy to become a Christian.....for really all one had to do was go to church and espouse conservative political beliefs. We are no longer drafted into service by the effective call of the Holy Spirit....but we are all volunteers.....patriotically joining to defend our country. One could not be liberal in their politics....for along with anti-gun issues and pro-immigration issues automatically comes pro-choice and gay lifestyles. Megachurches made it particularly easy to be a Christian because one is surrounded by hundreds if not thousands of other equally mislead conservative people who only want to continue on the path of prosperity of which they were accustomed. If there were any pangs of doubt....all one had to do was listen to Franklin Graham for a little bit....and he would bolster the political born again aspect of the Christian faith.
The 700 Club....John MacArthur....and countless other 'successful' ministers cloud the picture of salvation just enough to make entry into heaven a much wider gate. Oh....with MacArthur.....that's not the case when one listens to his Grace To You ministry program....(gty.org)....and in his entire ministry....and I still point people to it....for he is and always will be a defender of the gospel of Jesus Christ.....'by grace alone....through faith alone....in Christ alone'....but 99% of evangelicals hear him when he makes the news....not from his broadcasts....and those news reports are all....'keep the church doors open'....and....'we are losing our freedoms'.....type of reports. Graham puts Bible verses in his Tweets literally all the time....but when you actually hear the thoughts that come from his mind....it's also all freedom and liberty.
I was brought into the Christian faith in the midst of a great 'born again' fervor'...this in the early 1980s. I had a 700 Club pin on my hat....and 'witnessed'.....as I do today.....quite often. Over a period of just a few years....I 'led'....eight men in the 'sinner's prayer.' I didn't know what I was doing. There may be more than one of those men who today are redeemed children of God.....I have lost track of them....but if there is it is in no way do to my efforts. One of those men is indeed genuinely born again....and that man.....whom I did not really even know that well....although we are brothers in the Lord friends today.....came to me....in a time of desperation....and asked me to pray with him. In short....I fell far short in my efforts to inform people with whom I talked to about the gospel....that there is a cost to discipleship....that difficult times would follow conversion....so difficult that one might want to give up. Of course Christ is with us through all of these difficult times.
This may all be about to change....I believe and hope that it will change anyway. If that first seal from Revelation chapter six has not already been broken....it possibly being the pandemic.....(of which we in evangelicalism denied as a judgment from God).....that seal will surely be broken soon.....(Webster's definition of 'soon'.) It will be....harder.....to so easily.....become a Christian....for a great winnowing may also be ahead. Yes the great majority may call themselves Christian....but we in the faith will more easily recognize one another.....all of us being set apart at the least....not trusting in our own powers....but in our Savior and coming King!
In 1982 it was not that obvious that becoming a Christian would eventually bring along with it persecution....and alienation from family and friends....and very difficult choices....the right choice not so easily discerned with the whole world seemingly against you....but it may become that very soon. So come to Christ dear reader.....today is the day of your salvation....and in a way you are fortunate.....for although difficult times are directly ahead....you today.....as opposed to those of us forty years ago.....will know what is going on in advance....and therefore most likely be more vigilant from the start....more prepared....more prayerful....and more humble....than we who had to travel many years of trial and error to learn these things!
Note: A post from this past April 2....titled....The Rider On The White Horse....might explain my comments on the first seal of Revelation six....if you are interested.
