God is Waiting - By Dennis Huebshman -
There are instances in the Bible that show us that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are patiently waiting for each of us to call out to be saved. One of the more popular parables from Jesus is the one about the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. (any emphasis is mine)
To summarize: A father had two sons, and the younger one asked for his inheritance in advance. The father gave him what he asked, and the son left his father's house and traveled to a place far away. There, he indulged in a lavish lifestyle and soon had squandered his entire inheritance. After this, his new "friends" would have nothing to do with him, so he had to hire himself out to a pig farmer just to survive. For a Jewish person, this would be the ultimate lowest point to which they could sink.
After a time, the young man realized it would be best to become a servant in his earthly father's house, as the servants there were far better off than he was. He swallowed his pride and started on the journey back home.
Even though the father had every right to totally disown his son, he watched the road every day in hopes of possibly seeing him again. We're told that while the youth was still a long way off, the father recognized him and ran all the way to greet him. Instead of chastising the boy, the father welcomed him with open arms. He threw a huge party for the son and declared that his son, who had been "lost," was again found.
We're told in Luke 15:10, "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God, over one sinner who repents." We know the "Father" that Jesus was referring to in this parable is His own Heavenly Father, the Lord God Jehovah. The son/daughter would be us when we stray from His will. At times, we indulge in a "lavish" lifestyle, and turn away from the grace and mercy we have received; and some have even fallen into very deep, sinful ways. Even so, our Heavenly Father continues to watch for us, and stands ready to accept our plea for forgiveness. He knows who truly has accepted Jesus as their Savior, and who has not.
Peter explained this in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish; but that all should reach repentance." No one has sinned so bad that they cannot be forgiven, if they truly repent and ask Jesus to be their Savior. This means to turn away from our "habitual" sinful lifestyle, and live for the Lord. Any who refuse to accept Jesus will not be forgiven. To expect the Father to forgive sins, but to reject Jesus, is a futile request.
If anyone truly repents: knows they are a sinner and are lost without Jesus, asks Him to forgive their sins and calls out to Him to be their Savior, they will be saved. This is given in the post-Calvary covenant in Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13. Romans 10:9-12 gives the elements of what is needed to truly call out to the Savior. There are no magic formulas, no secret rituals, no special works that must be done, and no earthly price we can pay to receive this forgiveness and have eternal life with Jesus. It's a "heart condition" that makes it all possible.
Believe that Jesus is our one and only Savior; He died on the Cross for our sins - My sins. Confess that we have sinned, as everyone on this earth is a sinner as given in Romans 3:23. Have faith and believe He was raised from the dead to conquer sin and death for us. As Romans 10:10 says, "For with the heart one believes and is justified; and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
This is something we absolutely do not deserve. So that no one can boast of their "godliness," Romans 6:23 sums it up; "For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
What we "deserve" is the punishment that our Jesus endured for us. Also, remember there was only one person who ever lived on this earth that was completely sinless, and that is our Savior. All others that have ever lived from the time of Adam and Eve, and that will ever live to the end of the Millennium, are sinners in need of the perfect sacrifice that was given for us.
This applies to everyone who will call out to be saved. There are reports today of a turning to Jesus in the Middle East, especially among Iranian women where the dominant religion is Islam. This is something absolutely marvelous, because anyone there who calls on Jesus is putting their very lives on the line. There is no tolerance for Christianity in Islam.
This is one reason that our President wants to put restrictions on the open immigration of Muslims into our country. We have places in our country today where Islam is dominant, and Christians are not welcome in their communities. For now, we are still free to worship as we are led, but the day is coming where the anti-Christian attitude will be overwhelming. This is not something surprising to our Father, as Jesus and others talked about a "falling away" at the end of this age.
When the tribulation/wrath starts, to profess a belief in Jesus as the Christ (Messiah/Savior) will be a death sentence. The antichrist, false prophet and their followers will seek out anyone who will not take the mark of the beast, and the outcome will be martyrdom for those who refuse to accept the evil one as their leader.
For now, no matter what our status is, God is waiting to receive all who call on the name of Jesus to be saved.
In Acts 10:34-35, it says, "So Peter opened his mouth and said; truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him." Romans 2:11 repeats this, "For God shows no partiality."
For believers who have accepted Jesus, and have slipped into sin, we have 1 John 1:8-10 as our guide. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [Remember Romans 3:23.] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [We still are subject to discipline for our actions.] If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." [Implies we were never truly saved.]
First and foremost, having Jesus in our lives is an absolute necessity.
John 14:6, "Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me." John 10:30, "The Father and I are One." Also 1 John 5:12, "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
It's that simple, and there are no loopholes.
God is waiting right now, but soon the true believers' wait will be over. As given in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, we will hear the Trumpet of God, and a shout from the Arch Angel, and in a Twinkling of an eye, we will be taken up (Harpazo or Raptured) to meet Jesus in the air, and forever be with Him. This is a promise from the Father, and He does not lie (Titus 1:2).
It will still be possible to call out to the Lord after the Rapture, but why allow yourself all the grief that will most likely follow. All who have received Jesus prior to the Rapture have no fear of the 7-year Tribulation/Wrath. We simply won't be here.
The key is to call now, open your heart, and invite Jesus in. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are waiting, and watching. Their answer will be immediate - call out now!
B'Shem Yeshua (In the name of Jesus) Amen!
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