Martin Luther, in his commentary in Galatians in which he writes on freedom from God’s law, spoke of a sect that rose up in his day with a satanic doctrine. He said, “Satan, the god of all dissention, stirs up new sects daily. And last of all, which I should never have foreseen or once suspected, he has raised up a sect such as teach that the Ten Commandments ought to be taken out of the church, and that men should not be terrified by the Law, but gently exhorted by preaching the grace of Christ.”
There are two reasons why the church is filled with people whose lives don’t live up to what they profess. Like we have seen, the modern gospel has degenerated into a means of happiness and pleasure rather than one of righteousness. Second, we have failed to show sinners that they are lawbreakers, that they have violated the Holy Law of God.
For those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and open up the spirituality of the Law by carefully teaching the meaning of the Ten Commandments, will see sinners “convinced of the Law as transgressors” (James 2:9). Once they understand their transgression, the good news will be neither offensive nor foolish, but the power of God to salvation.
The beauty of the Law is that it breaks proud hearts and shows people their guilt before God. Once they’ve been broken and their sin exposed before God, they can see their need for mercy and forgiveness. They are no longer proud and arrogant, but rather humbled and thirsty for the kindness and mercy that God offers in the cross.
If a sinner is ready for the Savior, it is because he has been drawn by the Holy Spirit (John 6:44). This is why we must be careful to allow the Holy Spirit to do his work and not rush in. Praying a sinner’s prayer with someone who isn’t genuinely repentant may leave you with a person dead in spirit. Instead of leading him in a prayer of repentance, it is better to encourage him to pray himself. He should go somewhere in private and pray to the Lord. This person must be genuinely repentant and sorrowful from their heart. The sinner should be told to repent—to confess and forsake his sins. To receive Jesus as your savior, please pray something like this:
Dear Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I need forgiveness. I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart for all the sins that I have committed in my life. I don’t want to sin against you any longer. I believe that you took my punishment when you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you rose from the dead and defeated death. Please forgive me Jesus, and cleanse me. Come into my heart and give me a new life. Thank you for loving me enough to shed your blood on the cross to save my soul. Today I repent and place my trust in you and for my salvation. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
If you have prayed this short prayer and truly mean it with all your heart, then you have made the most important decision you will ever make in this life. The Bible says, “Desire the sincere milk of the Word, if you’ve tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
A healthy lamb will have a healthy appetite. Someone who’s soundly saved will desire the sincere milk of the Word. They will discipline themselves. They will begin reading their bible every single day and can’t get enough of it. Start with the Gospel of John. Find a bible-believing church to attend and seek fellowship with other Christians. Remember to seek God and pray to him daily and you will fulfill your purpose in life.
Isaiah 53:5
5But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
