ARE
YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SOUL?
Acts 24:25
When Paul preached to Felix “concerning the faith in Christ…Felix
trembled.” Would to God he might cause you not only to tremble before him,
but also to bow to him in faith, for Christ’s sake. Blessed is that soul which
trembles with guilt before God, convinced of his sin by the Holy Spirit.
I am always thankful to see
people concerned for their souls. It is a hopeful sign. Most people care more
about their dogs and cats than they do their immortal souls, the glory of God,
and eternity. So it is a very great mercy to be made to think and be concerned
about such matters. I am always hopeful that God may be dealing with a sinner
who is troubled about his lost condition. We do not, by nature, like the
uneasiness which such matters cause. We are most naturally prone to shake them
off, or find the easiest and quickest relief possible so that we can sleep
again.
That is exactly what Felix
did. He trembled under the Word of God. His conscience was pricked. His heart
was troubled. But Felix made the woeful mistake of waiting, of postponing what
he knew he must do. He convinced himself that he would, at a more convenient
time, call for God’s messenger and seek his grace. He never did! What a fool he
is who trifles with death so near and judgment so sure! If you are truly
concerned for your soul, you will be wise to pray that God will not allow that
concern to die and will not allow you to find rest until you rest in the arms
of Christ.
Yet, you must never imagine
that concern for your soul is salvation. Conviction is necessary. No sinner was
ever saved who did not experience the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John
16:8-11). But conviction is not conversion. Many are awakened, like Felix, to
see that they are lost, who quickly silence their fears and go on to hell. Many
who are thoughtful about their souls for a time yet die in their sins. Just
this morning, I read of a man who said to a friend, “I’m having a lot of pain
in my chest. I seem to have an unusual heartbeat.” He knew something was wrong.
His friend said, “You better go to the hospital.” He agreed that he needed to
do just that. But there was some other pressing business that needed to be
taken care of first. While he was taking care of the other important business
(Umpiring a baseball game!), he fell dead with a heart attack! It will do you
no good to know that you are a sinner, to know that you need the Savior, to
know that you must be washed in his blood and robed in his righteousness,
unless you actually come to Christ, trusting his blood and his righteousness
alone to give you acceptance with the holy Lord God. One of Satan’s most clever
tricks, by which he deceives the souls of men, is to convince a sinner that he
cannot come to Christ until he has first experienced a certain measure of
despair. He would have you go to hell questioning whether you are really aware
of your sinfulness.
Do not be so foolish.
Salvation is at hand (Rom. 10:8-13). “Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). It really
is that simple. It is not what you feel that saves, but what Christ felt. It is
not what you endure hat saves, but what he endured. Salvation is not knowing
that you are lost. It is knowing Christ (John 17:3). If you believe on the Son
of God salvation is yours!
AMEN.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For Today Radio Message #598
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net