FIVE "MUSTS" OF THE MESSAGE
by Ralph Sutera
Part 3
We live in an age where western-style culture has permeated our thinking of what is normal for a Christian. The philosophy of our age is in thinking "What is in it for me?" God's message is not that at all, and any ministry that projects such thinking is adding to the superficial type experience some professing Christians find themselves.
3. Selfish man would be satisfied to have a "fire-escape insurance policy" for heaven with the privilege of running his own life here and now. The call of Christ is one of acceptance of His Lordship over our lives. Too many see Christ and the message of salvation as a means to their own ends, a utilitarian Christ who can meet all their needs, a miracle-working Christ who can solve all their problems, a sin-forgiving Christ who can free their conscience, and certainly the One who can save them from hell itself.
Though all this may be true, they are inadequate reasons for coming to Christ. His call is for us to "eat of His flesh" and "drink of His blood" reflecting a personal intimacy with Christ that far supersedes a mental assent to the truth or even a casual acceptance in our lives. John 6:53-56. This certainly must have been what the Apostle Paul meant challenging the Romans 12:1-2 to present themselves a living sacrifice to God.
A statement made by the late Leonard Ravenhill, which by the way is on his very tombstone, is so significant for us today "THINK YE THAT WHAT MOST CHRISTIANS LIVE FOR IS WORTH CHRIST DYING FOR." Certainly His death was worth more than just mere acceptance of Bible truth, but rather a call to His Lordship in our lives. The "must" of this truth directly relates to Part 1 of this reading.
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