“Just Say a Prayer?”
“Just say a little prayer,” one of Dionne Warwick’s popular songs, is not something you’ll find in the Bible. Yet countless people have been promised “If you say a little prayer, you are saved.” Billy Graham once said he thought only a fourth of those who said the sinner’s prayer at his crusades were really born again. In 2011, a George Barna survey seemed to confirm that; the survey showed that nearly half of all adults in America have prayed a little prayer and believe they are going to heaven, even though, afterward, they never attended a church or read the Bible.
In the parable of the sower, the seed that fell on rocky or thorny ground couldn’t take root and it died. Paul described true believers as those who are firmly rooted and then built up in Christ (Col. 2:7). A seed that doesn’t take root doesn’t grow. But why do some seeds take root while others don't?
The answer is simple. The Bible says “with your heart you believe” (Ro 10:9). Only God can open the heart. And if the heart is not genuinely open to receive the seed of Christ, it will never be rooted. So, the little prayer is not the issue. As A.W. Tozer said, “It isn’t the wording that’s important; it’s the state of the heart of the one saying it.” Paul says you will always reap what you sow (Gal. 6:7). But you cannot reap from a seed that never got planted in the first place.
Good morning Dr. Greg,
ReplyDeleteGood post. One of the things that has happened in the last century is the separation of "Lord" with "Savior." This is wanting to have a relationship with God on my terms, not on God's terms (there is a note about that in respone to your universalism post). As "savior," I get the fire insurance. But people who believe that fire insurance is all they want are short-changed. I remember a Christian friend telling me before I got saved that he would still be a believer even if there were no heaven or hell. The Christian life had that much value. That was one of the motivators for me to investigate the Christian life more, because it was that experientially real to him.
When does (abundant) eternal life begin? Not after we die, but when we say yes to Jesus, as both Lord and Savior. And it is that long obedience in the same direction that demonstrates the perseverance of the saints.
Godspeed! Larry Q
Greg,
ReplyDeleteI love the truth of your post that prayer is the key...and the emphasis on roots. When I see the tall oaks around us dancing in the wind, I know that their deep roots are keeping them from falling over. Nobody waters them in the hot, dry summer yet they flourish because their deep roots have a hidden source of nourishment. Being rooted and grounded and established is so important for our growth and continued life.
I have never commented on your posts, but want you know that I read them almost every day--please keep writing--you are encouraging and challenging.
Blessings! roxane