God searches our hearts and tests our minds, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
[Jeremiah 17:10]
HOW does God do this "searching"? It is by giving us instructions as to how to live and how to worship Him. God says to do things in a certain way, will we respect His right to tell us HOW to live our lives?
This verse says God "searches"..."tests"...our minds. How else would the mind be tested?
We recognize this in the raising of our own children. We give them instructions, expecting an obedient response. We "test"...we "search" their minds in this manner. We then do as God does to us...depending upon their reaction, we give to them..."according to their ways...according to the fruit of their deeds". This is how we deal with one another, because we were taught it from God. God's word is the means by which we are "tested". Our response to His instructions...His commands...either in obedience or in disobedience will be dealt with justly by God.
God wants to bless us, and purposed to do so thru His Son by giving Him up for our sins. The thing that stands between man and these spiritual blessings (i.e., forgiveness) is our obedience to the commands of His Son; particularly in HOW to be saved thru Him. What did His Son command?
"Accept Him personally"? "Receive Him into your heart"? "Call upon His name"? Yes, but these are all generic in content. Exactly HOW do you "accept"? HOW do you "receive"? HOW do you 'call"?
The answer lies in what the Savior told the apostles to preach on these matters. Their preaching answers the "HOW" with specifics. These "specifics" explain how to "accept"; "receive" and "call upon". The book of Acts contains their preaching. The first time that salvation was preached "in Jesus' name" was in chapter 2. When they asked "what shall we do"? What answer was given? It is in verse 38. Did Peter say "pray"? If PRAYING is how you "accept"; "receive", and "call upon" the Lord, why didn't Peter tell them to "pray the sinner's prayer"? Have you ever wondered why? Look at each and every example in the book of Acts and you will never find that "praying a sinner's prayer" was preached as the manner in which a sinner "accepts"; "receives" and "calls upon the name of the Lord".
If you were told to "pray" to "accept him personally"; if you were told to "pray" to "receive him into your heart"; if you were told to "pray" to "call upon the name of the Lord"...you need to consider whether you were preached the truth on HOW to "ACCEPT", "RECEIVE", & "CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD".
Is it possible to be preached error on this matter of how to "ACCEPT", "RECEIVE", & "CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD"?
If not, why are there warnings in EVERY epistle in the New Testament warning against FALSE TEACHING? Why warn, if there is no danger?
- There is THE gospel, and there are "OTHER" gospels - Galatians 1:6-9.
- The "way of truth" can be "evil spoken of" - 2 Peter 2:2.
- The gospel can be "perverted" - Galatians 1:7.
- There are evil men who are deceived and who deceive others - 2 Timothy 3:13.
- There is "sound doctrine" or "fables" - 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
- People fall away from the truth by being preached lies - 1 Timothy 4:1-2.
- There are warnings for those who preach to NOT teach a different doctrine, yet some did - 1 Timothy 1:3-7.
- There is the "prophetic word" or "cleverly devised fables" - 2 Peter 1:16, 19.
- There is truth and there is a lie - 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.
What is the TRUTH about PRAYER, and what is the LIE about PRAYER? Prayer is a most important and needed resource, yet it can be cleverly used to mislead, in preaching about how to "ACCEPT", "RECEIVE", & "CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD". The reality, is that people with good intentions; people who are under conviction of their guilt; people who don't know WHAT to do, or HOW to respond, CAN be told the WRONG response. Such is done when people are preached that a PRAYER is how you you "ACCEPT", "RECEIVE", & "CALL".
Prayer is NOT a resource for a sinner to use; but rather for one who IS in a covenant relationship with God thru Christ. HOW does a sinner enter into that covenant relationship? This is what the book of Acts shows. Remember from John 9, in the story of a sinner who was healed by Jesus, that this sinner recognized that a prayer was not heard by one who did not first obey. In verse 31, this sinner says, "“We know that God DOES NOT HEAR SINNERS; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him."
Prayer is said to be an abomination by one who refuses to obey. (Proverbs 28:9) Prayer is not the means by which you are 'born again', but a privilege and blessing for those who have obeyed the gospel. A prayer for forgiveness is in order for one who, transgresses the covenant by sin. The sin must first be confessed, THEN the prayer, asking for forgiveness is in order. But such is NOT the case for one who has NEVER been in relationship (1 John 1:6-9). This passage is not describing an alien sinner, but a child of God who walks in darkness, while claiming to have fellowship with God. Prayer is wrongfully preached by many who preach as the means by which a sinner "accepts", "receives", and/or "calls upon the name of the Lord". Then when the truth of how accepting, receiving, and/or calling is heard, the person is confused and often becomes angry, and is prejudiced against the bearer of truth. This is the danger of false doctrine. Satan is shrewd, cleverly working his will in the hearts of men. The truth is evil spoken of by those with "smooth words and fair speeches" deceive the hearts of the simple. - Romans 16:17-18.
If you are one who was told to "PRAY" to "accept Jesus as your personal Savior"; to "receive Him into your heart", or to "call upon the name of the Lord"; I ask you only one thing. Look at the examples of those from the book of Acts and ask yourself why none of them were ever told to to this by any of the apostles of the Savior? Could you have been told a lie? Re-examine and compare what you were told, with what the Lord's apostles' preached. Do what THEY said, and you can be certain of your salvation. Be a worshiper of God, and do His will. Then your prayers will avail.
5/7/2020
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