INSIGHT SEQUENCE OF SALVATION.
Today we talk about the sequence of events that leads to salvation for your
soul. Let us see what a difference a sequence of events can make.
Firstly, there is a recognition of need. The need is the key. Without a need
and its recognition there is no seeking of a remedy. When you look at all
the healings and miracles of Jesus, you will see that each and everyone was
in response to a need that was recognised, not only by Jesus, but by the
people concerned. No one will visit a doctor unless he/she accepts the fact
that he/she is ill. The need and its recognition comes first, before any steps
can be taken to remedy or meet the need. Thus the first step towards
salvation is RECOGNITION OF NEED. If you are to win souls for the
Kingdom you must respond to the RECOGNISED NEED. It is no use
whatsoever to try another routs.
Secondly, there has to be a recognition of the remedy to that need both by
the needy and the one who would assist in its solution. You see, the
recognition of the remedy is the key to its acceptance and usage. It is no
good leaving the remedy unused or trying a remedy suitable for a different
complaint. What is the use of an unopened medicine bottle or one that will
not remedy a particular illness that you may have? So the second step is
the RECOGNITION OF REMEDY. This opens the way for action.
So, the third step is the RECOGNITION OF THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
To enact the remedy on behalf of the soul’s well-being is the third step.
Thus the blind man washes in the pool, the crippled beggar stands, the
disciples bless and share what they have among the hungry. You see,
ACTION via the REMEDY is essential to its fulfilment. So, we repeat
ACTION VIA THE REMEDY is the third stage in the sequence of salvation.
All this requires the APPLICATION OF FAITH, - faith on the part of the
one who ministers and faith on the part of the one in need. The one who
ministers must demonstrate his own trust in God and show himself to be a
vehicle of the love that flows from the Father to heal and restore. The
testimony of the witness to the things of heaven must be real and true and
carry conviction. A form of words do not necessarily convey a conviction
in the heart. The form of words may express the longing in the soul, but it
is no guarantee that the love flows from the heart. You see, strategies are no
substitute for the reality of love. If you love someone the strategy, and the
need for one, fades into insignificance. A demonstration of the love that is
within you is all the strategy that you need. You are recognised through
your actions, not only through your words. If your actions do not match
your words, then you are seen as an empty and hollow vessel for love. To
profess love without being loving is a hollow declaration and will carry no
strength to succour or heal, or draw close to you and the love that is in your
heart. So the fourth stage in the sequence of salvation is the
APPLICATION OF FAITH. The testimony of faith is a powerful tool in the
winning of souls.
Now, when the people gathered around Jesus, it was because of the
testimony of His heart. His words carried a strength of reality that
conveyed the truth of His words to the people. “What is this teaching? It’s
like we have never heard before.” You see, it was because the FAITH OF
JESUS was real and true and He knew in His heart the REALITY of all that
He said, and that is why the people listened to Him. Subsequently, the
Reality of the Word produced the Fruit of miracles and healings and,
consequently, the testimony of the people that the Reality of God had
touched their own soul began to multiply the seeds of faith in the midst of
the people. You see, it is the Reality of the TESTIMONY OF FAITH that
produces the fruit. Discussion around a subject will not produce fruit for
the kingdom. A proclamation of the TRUTH will! Proclaim what you
know and seeds are sown,- seeds that produce fruit for the kingdom. Do not
worry so much about HOW to win souls, instead put your energy into living
out your faith and sharing that TRUTH with those you meet. A
proclamation of joy will reap a blessing of joy. A proclamation of love will
reap a blessing of love. But, whatever you PROCLAIM MUST be a reality
in your own heart if you are to have any hope of reaching another soul with
the love of God.
Now, once you have done all this there remains the fifth and final stage of
the strategy and that is ACCEPTANCE. The one in need has to be
ACCEPTED by the one who ministers in his heart as one who receives the
love of God, and the one in need has to ACCEPT that he/she has received
from God. The recipient of God’s love must know that it is for him/her, and
this is where the reality of the love flow is tested to the full. If the love
from you is not real, then the flow of love will not reach the heart, and that is
where the decision to believe is made. If the heart is touched, then the soul
is saved. If the heart is not touched, the soul is not reached. You see, cold
strategy does not further the kingdom. The warmth of love brings about a
transformation beyond ordinary measure, and so, do not be afraid. Only
believe. Accept the love of God for yourself, and accept the love that God
has for your fellow man. Be believing, be receiving and give that which is
in your heart and soul.