As an Arrow

How sure is genuine salvation? Is conversion reversible? Can we lose it?

Salvation is sure when our hope is firmly rooted in Christ. There is no way to undo what Christ has done and no way to dismiss it. No metaphor is perfect but here is an entry in from a book I have at home:

"Could an arrow, once released from the bow, return unto it? Once Christ has shown Himself to be saviour and the scriptures as true there can be no other way. Through divine revelation of Christ, a knowledge and conviction of sin, true repentance, belief in God by trust and faith in Christ Jesus - God pulls back the strings and sends the arrow toward Christ.

The wind may gust and contend with it but the power of The Almighty Archer will sustain it and keep it true in flight.

How could it return by it's own will to the Great Fletcher who wrought it, carefully chose it, and placed it within His quiver. How could it fly back to the Great Archer, who, when the time was right, placed it between His fingers and slid it into into the bow.

No, no. It could not turn back and deny the direction in which it was sent! Only when the arrow has flown its course and falls to the ground, spent, when the mortal energy given it is gone, then will the Archer and Fletcher (being the same) run to the place and raise up the spent arrow and take it home."

As I sit here, having just returned from church, my mind is lead to a recent entry in my journal. Many think that I am a bit mad and gone too far and that I have my head in my bible too much (you must be joking). I care not! (Psalm 56:11) Christ can be my judge.

A TV advert which I have despised has made me think. "I AM A PC!" Those words always evoke the response from me "No, I am not a PC!" But, having said that (and my hatred of the advert still remains) there are aspects that provide good lessons.

When it comes to hearing The Word and responding to the message, we can be very much like a PC. Take the Gospel, for example: We can hear it, we can know it, we can appreciate its depth, its meaning, we may be able to recite texts to explain it and possibly even believe what we have heard and yet something is missing.

Our modern terminology is not helping. The current phrases used for 'conversion' are now 'made a commitment', 'made a decision for Christ', 'accepted Jesus into his life'. It was not much different when I came to Christ in the late 70's. You just prayed this prayer and you were in. I have no recollection of the prayer that I was lead through but I did get a handout that was called the 'ABC of Salvation' and I was left in no doubt what Christ had done and what I had prayed. Acknowledgment of sin and a true repentance, Belief and trust in Jesus Christ, Confession of my previous life of sin and a promise to follow Christ.

Our new terms do not measure. I understand the term 'accepted Christ' but honestly, it is so misleading to put the whole contract into such a trite phrase. Surely, it is Christ who accepts us and not the reverse! Again, it is not whether or not 'I know Christ' but whether 'Christ knows me'. On the judgement day, to those who are banished, God will say 'Depart from me'... "I never knew you!" (Matthew 7:23) . If I go to Buckingham Palace and ask to be allowed in, I will not be allowed in because I know The Queen. Everyone knows her. The key would be, that The Queen knows me!

We need our thinking straightened out. A mere decision to follow Christ is not evidence of any conversion or salvation because that decision begins and ends with me. When Lazarus was called from the tomb, did he sit in there in the stink and death thinking "shall I go or shall I just stay here?" He arose and left the tomb. If a drowning man is thrown a life-belt in a raging sea, does he make a decision to reach for it? If a woman is surrounded by fire and the firefighter enters the room with breathing apparatus, an axe and flameproof blanket, does she take time to think about it? To all these, the answer is no. In modern terms 'it's a No-Brainer'.

Once it has been revealed to us our state in sin, our destiny, our utter hopelessness and depth of depravity, why would we need to make a decision. "Mmmmm.. well I know I am a sinner and bound for God's judgement without Christ and it all makes sense but no thanks, it's not for me." This does not happen! What does happen is that a person does not believe that God even exists, that Christ died for them, that they are sinful and in need of Christ - In fact, most unbelievers believe that they are good and in no need of saving. It has little, if anything to do with a decision. No one comes to Christ unless God draws him (John 6:44)

Anyway, with all this considered, thinking about our PC (getting back to my original point) nothing will make any difference to my life unless I 'hit the button'. I can get all sorts of warning messages on my PC, updates, changes to how a page is set up, global templates and all sorts. I can jump through lots of hoops, tick lots of boxes, agree to licence agreements etc. etc. And yet, unless I click the 'APPLY' box, nothing changes! I can have spent a long time altering, editing, learning and if that box is not clicked then it is meaningless and worthless.

The same is true for us. All we hear needs to be applied and if there is no fruit in our lives then, in all honesty, no changes have been made. Let us also remember that once significant changes are made to your PC, it requests that you restart your computer in order that the changes take effect. RESTART NOW! On my PC I am invited to postpone restart but scripture says 'today' (Hebrews 4:7)

As Christians, we believe that God is the maker of the universe and all within it. Am I then to make you believe that I could possibly have an encounter with Him and remain unchanged? This, as Paul Washer said, is no more likely than me being run over (having an encounter) with a logging truck and coming out unscathed.

Christian, have we left church today, having heard something that should change us? So let us apply what we have received. I hope this opens up some thought. Be challenged and encouraged.

By the way. Don't ever think that I am lecturing from a place anywhere else than alongside. At times I do not apply, I ignore, I delay.. I have rebelled as much as anyone. It took time for some changes to take place and God calls us onwards. But even when struggling with overcoming particular sin, the change is that the nature and desire is not to sin. There is a heart change that takes place, even though we still live in this body of flesh. Read Paul. (Romans 7:17 onwards), which I am sure you know well.

The Mouth Tells All

What is happening in our everyday conversation, as Christians?

I ask that question, simply because of the increasing amount of foul bad language I hear, coming out of the mouths of professing Christians and I ask myself, 'What is going on!'

It appears to be ever more prevalent and even more sad is that has become acceptable. Acceptable to the point that it is not even through a moment of great stress or an outburst of frustration that these words flow from the mouth - It is woven into everyday talk. Foul language, including taking God's name and using it as a curse is somehow seen as a new colour on a verbal palette to help portray a picture, when it is nothing of the sort. Christian, we ought to be ashamed that such would come out of our mouths. And on the occasion that they do, turn from them and repent 'immediately'.

'But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth'. Colossians 3:8

Some think it unimportant and after all, it's only words. To these, let me ask - What have you at your disposal to show Christ in your life to others? Scripture is plain:

'Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers'. Ephesians 4:29


We might believe, we might think, we might pray, we might read our bible. But there are only two ways to communicate to others what lies within our hearts: What we do and What we say. That's it!

'A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks'. Luke 6:45

If what comes out of our exhaust is not right (and I speak to my own heart also) then we need to lift the bonnet and check the engine. It is no use trying to stop swearing, God is not interested in 'behaviour modification' he desires a consecration of heart and a love for Christ. Out of that comes a different will to live and desire for holiness.

'Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure' 2 Peter 1:10

Others may curse and swear, it is crystal clear from scripture that the Christian ought not to. Let us support, challenge and rebuke where necessary in order that we are kept in the way.

'Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.' 2Tim 2:19

'preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching'. 2 Timothy 4:2

For those who do not swear and believe themselves to be above such, hear the words of Pastor James Smith in The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, just yesterday evening.
"...We are never so liable to wander, as when we fancy there is no fear of it; nor so likely to fall as when we think it impossible. Beloved, if you are not daily seeking divine protection, you are in danger of being overcome. Examine. Watch. Pray."

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