I guess you could call this a little heart to heart.  Over the years of my studying God's Word and feeling compelled by Him to continue the developing of what is now to be found on this website, I have often wondered what His real purpose has been for having led me as I feel that He has.  Of course, we all know that sound doctrine is of the highest interest to God.  And, when I would think of this, I would experience some degree of satisfaction that this is what it has all been about.  But, I consistently had lingering thoughts that there was something more, something of even greater interest to God.  More recently, I have felt that I know.  I am now deeply convicted that it connects with an effort of the Lord's to convince those who have put off being saved to be saved before it is too late---to not be counting on a supposed option that may not in reality exist.  This effort, as it connects with this website, might best be understood by what I have written in PROPOSITION 5, especially what I have there highlighted in blue, just beyond the midpoint of the page.  (click here)

     Whether I am correctly understanding some of the Bible's prophecies concerning the last days remains to be seen.  Of much greater importance is whether we are saved, whatever may come.  If you have never been saved or are unsure, and you have felt that God may be trying to get your attention about this, be mindful that salvation is a matter of eternal concern.  My first encouragement would be to not allow your heart to become hardened toward God.  He loves us more than we know, and He made an unquestionable demonstration of this by what He did for us through Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary.  In consideration of this, I would urge you to keep your mind open and your heart soft toward Him.

     The matter of salvation and how to be saved has been explained a lot of different ways by a lot of different people.  I have tried to explain it a lot of different ways myself.  Hopefully, what I am feeling led to share at this time will resonate with all who read it.

     The night I began writing this (12-18-20), it happened to be seven days until Christmas.  What a season!  What a day!  With all the exchanging of gifts that happens at this time, I have often thought that what God really wants more than anything else is to make an exchange with us.  Can you imagine that?  He started it all on that first Christmas by giving to humanity the greatest gift that is conceivable to give---Himself---in the person of Jesus Christ.  It fails me to adequately describe all that is so special about God's gift to us, but it springs from His love.  Call it eternal life, salvation, forgiveness of sins, or peace.  Call it satisfaction, purpose, hope, or joy.  Call it security, vision, abundance, or happiness.  Call it whatever else that may be thought of that is in the category of priceless---it all springs from His love.  Interestingly, the Bible tells us that "God is love" (I Jn. 4:16).  Moreover, His gift of love was found that first Christmas, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  God came in this manner, in the likeness of fallen humanity, for the purpose of becoming the supreme sacrifice and ransom for our corrupted condition.  He who knew no sin became sin for us.  Moreover, the sufficiency of what He did for us was confirmed for us by Christ's resurrection on the first Easter morning.  This is the message of the Gospel.  With Him having done what He did for us, what is it that He would like for us to do?  Very simply, the same thing anyone else would like---for us to receive His gift.

     But, what about that exchange I mentioned?  Christmas is so characterized by the exchange of gifts.  Is there anything that God would like to have in exchange?  Yes.  Our love.  Our heart.  Said another way, God gave to us His love, His heart, Himself.  And, what He would most like from us is our love, our heart, our self.  When this exchange takes place, the result is a love story that will never, ever, end.  This is just the way that true love goes, especially with God.

     How does this exchange of which I am speaking take place?  I think of a painting that I have long been familiar with that shows a depiction of Jesus Christ knocking on a door.  Can you remember having ever seen this picture?  You can find it on the Internet.  Just Google "Jesus knocking on the door" and it will come right up.  I have been surprised at the number of people that can relate to having seen this picture, but have never noticed what is unusual about it.  Have you noticed what is unusual about it?  The peculiarity is that there is no knob to be seen on the door.  Did the artist make a mistake?  No.  The picture is depicting the great truth that Christ wants to come into our life and that He even knocks on the door of our heart, but He can't let Himself in.  There is a knob to the door, but it is on the inside.  This is the way that God made us, and it all has to do with the nature of love.  I'm kinda hoping that maybe it won't be necessary for me to elaborate any further on this picture, except to say that receiving Christ into our life is as simple as opening the door of our heart to Him when He is knocking.  If you sense that He is knocking on the door of your life at this time, you can open your heart to Him even now.

     If there has ever been a "prime time,"  it is when Jesus Christ is knocking on the door of one's heart.  As an unsaved person, it is at this time that God is making His personal offer of Himself (and salvation) to us.  By the very nature of His wisdom and timing, if we open our heart to Him at this time, we are realizing our need, and our response will be what He is seeking---a repentant heart with faith towards Him in our willingness to receive Him as our Savior.  Do you realize your need?  The Bible says that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).  Further, it says that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).  Do you realize what God has done for you concerning this?  The Bible says, "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).  The very night before He was crucified, Jesus said, "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (Jn. 14:6).  In tune with what I have been sharing, at another time, He said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man (or person!) hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20).  While it is understood that this invitation given by Jesus is being gleaned from a letter addressed to a church (Rev. 3:14-21), His invitation is to "any man" (or person) and is quite reflective of His manner.  What remains to be done resides in the decision of one's will.  We can receive Christ, or we can turn Him away.

     So, how do we receive Christ?  An example would be that when He is dealing with you, to acknowledge to Him your realization that you are a corrupted fallen creature (i.e., a sinner) and your acceptance of what He has done for you through Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary.  Then, simply let Him know that you want Him to come into your heart and life and save you.  What happens when we receive Him?  I can think of no comment that quite captures the specialness of Jesus entering one's heart, as did the remark a young boy is said to have made when asked if he knew what Jesus did when He comes in.  "Yeah, He just comes in, closes the door behind Him, and stays!"

     If you have invited Christ into your heart, you may wonder, "Where to from here?"  Well, first of all, let someone know!  And, a great help for me has been what has long been my life Scripture.  It reads, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;  and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" (Pro. 3:5-6).  Feel free to make this your life Scripture as well, if you would like.

     Beyond this, as with any relationship, it is of the utmost importance to communicate with God.  Basically, this happens when we read and study the Bible (God's Word to us) and when we pray (our words to God).  Further, it is important to find a good church home where we can feel God's presence and have the support of other brothers and sisters in Christ.  And further still, know that God has a very special purpose for all of His children (you included!) and that we experience the most fulfillment in our lives when we seek to accomplish this in our walk with Him as followers, or disciples, of His.

     For me, it has always been hard to find satisfaction that I have said enough.  I sometimes feel that I will never be finished with this website or with all that I would like to say.  In bringing my thoughts to a close for now, the importance of understanding truth, or sound doctrine, would be hard to overemphasize.  While I would certainly encourage you to consider my listing of  WHAT I BELIEVE, my greater encouragement would be that you seek Christ's Spirit concerning truth, being ever mindful of His promise (Jn. 16:13).

     Finally, if this website has been a help to you in coming to Christ, or in any other way, it would surely be a blessing for me if you would let me know.  I assure you, there will never be any strings attached or solicitations made in connection with me or this website.  Hope to see you in glory!