Weekend Quote

God would not rub so hard if it were not to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our natures. God loves purity so well He had rather see a hole than a spot in His child’s garments. ~William Gurnall

CHRISTmas Day

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."… Isaiah 7:14
Let us to-day go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see Him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in Him, and can sing, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire. Let us notice at the very first glance His miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first promise ran thus, "The seed of the woman," not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way in the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise. Our Saviour, although truly man, was as to His human nature the Holy One of God. Let us reverently bow before the holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that He may be formed in us, the hope of glory. Fail not to note His humble parentage. His mother has been described simply as "a virgin," not a princess, or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; but yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she stood affianced, and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King!Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendour.

Having Fun

I was Blessed tonight to share the word with an awesome bunch of folks at Thunder Road Church in Rancho Cordova…Luke 1:39 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed. Mary began with “child” like faith, humbly submitted, and acknowledged His Lordship in her life…Recognized His will was greater than hers could ever be! When was the last time you said, “Let it be according to your word? Maybe it’s time?

Daily Word

When the angels went from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 1:15. The lesson to be learned from the shepherds is to seize the moment and reap God’s blessings.

Daily Word

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child born will be called Holy – the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35. Mary trusted God for the impossible…No signs, No wonders, and No doubts in her God…simply child like faith!

Daily Word

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30…Among so many who claim Christianity today…How hard would it be for God to find one who would stand in the breach before Him, in your neighborhood, on your job, in your community?

Daily Word

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through Him and by Him Col. 1:15-16…We know Him as Jesus The Christ!

Daily Word

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:36…How many little things throughout our day do we allow fear in to erode our faith. Stand strong and BELIEVE!

Weekend Quote

We have learned to live with unholiness and have come to look upon it as the unnatural and expected thing. ~ A.W. Tozer

Weekend Quote

Power is God’s hand or arm, omniscience His eye, mercy His bowels, eternity His duration, but holiness is His beauty. ~ Stephen Chanock

Daily Word

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth…1 John 3:18…You have heard it said, “Actions speak louder than words”. Act LOUDLY today!

Weekend Quote

God’s holiness and His nature are not two things, they are but one. God’s holiness is His nature, and God’s nature is His holiness. ~ Thomas Brooks

Just a Thought?

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord ways the heart. Proverbs 21:2...I wonder how heavy a heart filled with selfish motives and intentions way?

What is Upon You?

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lords favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2.Tell me, what is upon YOU today?

Weekend Quote

Being able to distinguish between sound doctrine and error should be one of the highest priorities for EVERY Christian---as should defending the truth against false teaching. ~ John MacArthur

His word is Complete!

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence. 1 Peter 1:3 Every Christian has received ALL he/she needs at the moment of salvation. There is no need to search for something more outside of the Word of God!

Weekend Quote

The form that sanctification takes is conflict with the indwelling sin that constantly assaults us. The conflict, which is life long, involves both resistance to sin’s assaults and the counterattack of mortification, whereby we seek to drain the life out of this troublesome enemy. ~ J.I. Packer

Weekend Quote

Spiritual death is exactly that. Unregenerate sinners have no life by which they can respond to spiritual stimuli. No amount of love, beseeching, or spiritual truth can summons a response. ~ John MacArthur

How Imporatant is your opinion.Really?

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7. And how often do you stress that you’re opinion is so much more important to everyday situations?

2 steps through the storm!

And they went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves and they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:24 1st you must recognize Him as Master, 2nd you must have mustard seed faith that He can and will restore calm in the midst of your storm.

weekend Quote

There are only two choices. If our lives are characterized by sin, then we are sin’s slaves. If we are characterized by obedience, then we are slaves to righteousness. Either way we are not our own masters. ~ John MacArthur

weekend Quote

That is the reason we have so many “Mushroom converts”, because their stony ground is not plowed up, they have not got the conviction of the Law; they are stony-ground hears. ~ George Whitefield

Overcome!

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the Lord of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19…An overcoming mentality!

Follower of Christ

Let love be genuine, abhor what is evil; hold fast what s good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:9-13…The Marks of a TRUE Christian, called a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST!

Listen to His Voice

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness…Hebrews 3:7-8…listen intently for His voice in the midst of whatever it is you’re walking through today and end a 40yr like wilderness journey before it ever begins!

Monday's Prayer!

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. Psalm 67:1…Now that is the prayer to begin your Monday morning on!

Weekend Quote

Obedience does not produce or maintain salvation, but it is the inevitable characteristic of those who are saved. ~ John MacArthur

Weekend Quote

We need to know and believe that we are not what we used to be. We must see that we are not remodeled sinners but reborn saints. ~ John MacArthur

Sunday's on the way

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm32:11. Not because it’s Friday, but because no matter what this week has brought…good, bad, or indifferent…Sunday’s on its way!

Healing Through Christ

For in Him the fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Colossians 2:9-10. Healing of any kind, comes through Christ alone…anyone who would encourage you need submission to anything else is teaching and leading falsely. Other things may apply (meds etc…) but Christ is first

Sin

And He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of hearts, and said to the man, “stretch out your hand.” Mark 3:5…Make no mistake regarding the heart of God. His heart holds both anger and grief towards sin and those who walk there in.

Thoughts on Isaiah 6:1-3...

In Isaiah 6:1-3 it is written: In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Do we in the church today understand or even begin to grasp the majesty of God? “Sitting upon his throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple…” Have you ever imagined the train of his robe filling the sanctuary of your place of worship? How would your worship change on that day? What would be an appropriate heart response to this supreme majesty of God? What effect would this have on the way you approached God, or His Word spoken in service by way of sermon?
I often wonder what the church today as a whole has gained with this great desire to come so casually into the presence of God. Perhaps it is our lack of understanding in His written Word, or the lack of obedience lived out in our lives that drives us to that place of casual comfort. Attempting to down play His majesty our casualness allows us to feel less guilt in His temple. If this be true then how can we come confidently into the presence of God without falling into the sin of irreverence?

The seraphim said that the whole earth is full of God’s glory. Does this correspond to your perspective of the world? When you look around your world today, are you inclined to sing the same song? Tough questions…and in transparency I must admit I to have gotten caught up, side tracked, and a bit to routine. Much to repent of, much to pray on, and much to recognize to be thankful for…

Weekend Quote

“Before God uses a man, God will break the man.” ~ A.W. Tozer

Weekend Quote

If persecution should arise, you should be willing to part with all that you posses – with your liberty, with your life itself, for Christ- or you cannot be His disciple. ~ Charles Spurgeon

Who Do You Say He is?

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”…Luke 9:20…When was the last time you heard someone reference Jesus with such power and authority? Someone who’s authority is far greater than the supplier of fire insurance!

More of What???

Why is it that you can find a church on every corner, a conference of some type every weekend and yet folks don’t appear to stand any better today than they did this time last year? I continue to meet and talk with people who want more. They bounce from church to church looking for more. What is the “More” they are looking for? Is it more of God, more out of Worship, more power within their lives?
It seems to me that what is lacking…is a true biblical understanding and or belief in the scriptures, and the discipline to apply it in their daily lives. People attend church like it’s a fix all to the problems they faced over the past week and desperately looking for the “magic” that will get them through the next week. It’s this mentality that has folks so interested in chasing signs and wonders. I would love just once to have someone…ANYONE who walks around boasting of how prophetic their church/pastor is to have enough understanding of what they are talking about; to have the ability to give a clear scriptural and biblically sound reference to support that which they are speaking of. How do you justify a modern day Prophet? When was the last time someone was called out on a false prophesy? People run around talking about revival...Pastors are calling for greater commitment of prayer, commitment to serving within the church…”we need revival in the land”…etc. Are we to understand that revival is that which is going to bring the “more” everyone seems to be looking for?
How about REPENTANCE! How about taking a stand and calling out one another to live in holiness and Godliness…setting an example to the unbeliever. Revival will never occur in a selfishly stained church.
Did it ever occur to anyone that revival must begin with repentance from within? That all these folks that fail to live out their lives separated from the world can pray until carpets are warn, and serve in every ministry the church has to offer; but without Holiness and Godliness their prayers for revival go unheard. The time is long overdue to throw away the spotlights, and uncover the cross.
You want drama…follow me into the streets and witness to the addicts, drunks, and spiritually dead. Send the band back into the pews and let’s learn to WORSHIP God by glorifying Him in song and praise rather than mimic the top ten of what God can do for us as heard on the local radio station. You have an alcohol problem...REPENT and apply God’s Word in life. You have a drug problem REPENT and apply God’s Word in your life…Is your marriage falling apart… REPENT and apply God’s Word in your life. Finance’s a mess… REPENT and apply God’s Word in your life.
The only way anyone is going to find more is to seek less of anything outside God’s written and Holy Scripture. REPENT…Submit to Christ as both Lord and Savior…only then will one find the “More” they are so desperately seeking.

Repent!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. Repentance should come almost as easy as breathing…Both are life sustaining!

Weekend Quote

Instead of exhorting sinners to repent, evangelicalism in our society asks the unsaved to “accept Christ.” That makes sinners sovereign and puts Christ at their disposal. ~ John MacArthur

Weekend Quote

Sanctification, unlike Justification, is not a one-time, legal declaration. It is an experiential separation from sin that begins at salvation and continues in increasing degrees of practical holiness in one’s life and behavior. ~ John MacArthur

Forgiveness

But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses…Matthew 6:15…Take in every opportunity to practice forgiveness today. Letting go of those things of yesterday is a good place to start.

It's Just that simple!

And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and said to him, “Follow me”. And he rose and followed Him…Mark 2:14…Yes…it’s just that easy...simply surrender to Savior and Lordship!

Weekend Quote

As a sinful, unregenerate person cannot help manifesting his or her true character, neither can the regenerate person. So it is impossible to be alive in Christ and still be alive to sin.~ John MacArthur

Weekend Quote

Human effort cannot bring salvation. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. When we relinquish all hope except faith in Christ and His finished work on our behalf, we are acting by the faith that God in His grase supplies. ~ John MacArthur

Victory is Yours!

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith…1 John 5:4…Daily we face worldly battles. Win, lose or draw in your battle never forget that your faith; even as small as a mustard seed has the power to overcome the world. VICTORY IS YOURS!

Once Saved Always Saved ~ Part 2

Continuing with “Once saved always saved.” Christians are not supposed to live like unsaved people. Sin that was unheard of in the church a generation ago is now common place today. Churches claiming to be Evangelical have no moral conviction offering the right hand of fellowship to unmarried couples openly living together, practicing homosexuals, simply because they affirm their faith in Jesus.

3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear" (Matt. 13:3-9).

In the parable of the sower the problem is not with the sower, the seed or the composition of the soil. The problem lies within the condition of the soil.

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart (Matt. 13:19).

Think of the heart of the hearer as the spiritual equivalent of the soil receiving a farmer’s seed. Four conditions of the heart:
1) Unresponsive Heart
This heart knows no repentance, no sorrow over sin, no guilt, and no concerns for the things of God. It is unresponsive, unconcerned, inattentive, indifferent, negligent, and often hostile towards the gospel.
2) Superficial Heart
This heart is enthusiastic but shallow. It responds positively but not with saving faith. There is no thought involved, no COUNTING THE COST. It is quick, emotional, euphoric, instant excitement without any understanding of the actual significance of discipleship. That is NOT genuine faith.
3) Worldly Heart
For a while they look just like the rest of the church. They come to church, identify with the people of God, even show signs of growth. But they never bear spiritual fruit. They are uncommitted and preoccupied with the world’s pleasures, money career, fame, fortune, or the lusts of the flesh. They claim to be Christian, but care nothing about a pure life.
4) Receptive Heart
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty" (Matt. 13:23).

Fruit bearing is the ultimate test of salvation (Matt.7:17-20). If soil doesn’t produce a crop, it is worthless ground, symbolic of an unredeemed heart.
Good soil = Believer.
Weedy & Shallow soil = Pretenders.
Soil by the wayside = Rejecters.
Fruit, not foliage, is the mark of TRUE salvation.

You will recognize them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16)

Once Saved Always Saved? Part 1

I am chewing on a statement implied that one can “accept Christ” thus becoming a Christian and then live a life style separated from God in sin, and that sometime later in life can “come back” to Christ as a Christian. I disagree with that logic inherently as that would ultimately place Salvation on man’s terms or merit.
Faith is wholly leaning on Christ-for redemption, for righteousness, for counsel, for fellowship, for sustenance, for direction, for His Lordship, and for all in life that can truly satisfy. It is impossible to live a life in sin and have faith in God.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:
Cheap Grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjacks’ wares…Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness that frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, and incarnate.
Paul Writes, “You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest” (Eph.2:2-3)
Because we were born in sin we were born to death. People do not become spiritually dead because they sin; they are sinners by nature, and therefore born without spiritual life. Because we were born dead to God, we are dead to truth, righteousness, peace, happiness, and every other good thing, no more able to respond to God than a cadaver. “Trespasses and sins” and “transgressions” that Paul speaks of are not specific acts. They describe the sphere of existence of the person apart from God, the realm in which sinners live called Total Depravity.
Total depravity does not mean that every person’s life style is equally corrupt and wicked, or that sinners are always as bad as they can be. It simply means that man is corrupt in every regard. They are depraved in their minds, their hearts, their wills, their emotions, and their physical beings, and are utterly incapable of anything but sin. It doesn’t matter if they perform humanitarian, philanthropic, or religious deeds; they do them for their own glory not God’s. People are not “all God’s children,” Those who have not received salvation through Jesus Christ are God’s enemies (Rom. 5:10; James 4:4). At one time we were once like that, but by God’s grace we are no longer like that. Because of His saving work in us, we are presently and eternally redeemed. Therefore, one cannot “accept Christ” then return living a life style in sin and spiritually dead.

Sunday's AM Quote

Those with true faith will fail – and in some cases, frequently – but a genuine believer will, as a pattern of life, confess his sin and come to the Father for forgiveness. ~ John MacArthur

Saturday's Am Quote

The gospel demands surrender, not only for authority’s sake, but also because surrender is the believer’s highest joy. Such surrender is an extraneous adjunct to faith; it is the very essence of believing. ~ John MacArthur

Repentance...

For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose…Psalm 25:11…Repentance reminds us who we are before a Holy God. It brings about His Grace and allows us to follow in his Direction.

Are You Bound By Lack?

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…Ephesians 3:20…Often times we miss out on the greater things of God, the “abundant” that God has to offer because of the lack that binds within us.
What is the lack that binds us? Some may think it’s a lack of faith. Others may think that circumstances of their past, or the way they were raised growing up that has brought wounds, and dysfunction within their lives is the lack that binds. But the truth is God is able; able to overcome anything lacking or binding in your life. The truth will set you free (Jn 8:32). The reality is the lack that is binding you is the lack in Truth of God’s Word stored up and written upon your heart. That is where the power comes from that will eliminate ANYTHING binding in your life. Stand upon His promises, and walk in His strength, and live your life in the power of knowing He is able.

Discipline or Just Life?

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life…Proverbs 6:23…Often times we are quick to blame the circumstances in our lives on life rather than recognizing it as a Fathers correction; failing the lesson in learning maturing and growing in our Faith.

Are you Training?

For while bodily training is of some value, Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for present life and also the life to come.1 Timothy 4:8 While phyiscal fitness is important; how much more healthier would you be applying the same or greater effort into Godliness? Most lack the discipline for either!

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The Making of Christian

Christians never make themselves Christians… but are made Christians by God.

It is complete and total obedience in a life lived through Christ that makes one Christian. This is not of our own doing by works of achievement in some sort of “Christian” service. Rather, through works of obedience in the sense of obeying God’s Word living your life separated from the flesh and the world. The fruits of your life and your labor always reflect your obedience to God’s Word , submission to His Lordship, and reflect His promises manifested in your life. Thus demonstrating the on going work of Christ likeness proving His work of you being made a Christian.

My Stand

Who I Am

I am a follower of Jesus the Christ, Son of the living God. I believe in total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, , irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the Saints…also known as The Doctrines of Grace. My walk with Christ didn’t start out in these beliefs but diligent study of His Word has lead me to the truth therein. I cannot call myself a Calvinist simply because there are matters I do not agree with. This present day Christianity of easy-believism, cheap grace, and a self pleasing need to chase after signs and wonders, or the newest up and coming Pastor/church only solidifies to me those truths found in the Doctrines of Grace.
I am a husband to Stacy, A father to Josh, Zack, and Elijah. I strive to live my life in obedience to Christ, preaching His Truth, and giving God the Glory daily…. and through Christ For Life Motorcycle Ministries.

Counting The Cost

COUNT THE COST
Statistics reveal that 1.6 billion people worldwide are considered Christians. A recent opinion poll indicated nearly a third of all Americans claim to be born again. Yet there is overwhelming proof that these statistics represent millions who are tragically deceived in a damning false assurance. A gospel presented of easy-believism and cheap grace.
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-33
Salvation is by God’s grace and Grace alone. Nothing a lost, degenerate, spiritually dead sinner can do will in anyway contribute to salvation. It is saving faith, repentance, commitment, and obedience which are all divine works of the Holy Spirit in the heart of everyone who is saved…Period.
When was the last time you heard a pastor or visiting evangelist demand those before them to “Count the Cost”? Saving faith holds no privileges and makes no demands. It protects no coveted sins, or allows any possession or secret indulgence in your life to be greater than Christ. Salvation is both free and costly. Eternal life requires immediate death to self.
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6
We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Rom 6:9-11
This is what Jesus meant when he spoke of taking up one’s own cross to follow Him. He was calling for you and I to give up all that we are for all that He is. His demand is implicit obedience which is an unconditional surrender to His Lordship.
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
This is what distinguishes true faith from easy-believism profession: true faith produces a heart that is humble, submissive, and obedient. As maturity increases that obedience grows deeper and a genuine believer displays an eagerness to please Christ. Absolutely everything in his life is abandoned over to His Lordship.
Have you truly counted the cost? The only response that will open the gates into the kingdom of God is one of unconditional surrender, and desire for Christ at any cost.