Great article M.
When I came to believe so many years ago, I still remember what it was that opened my heart. It was the pastor saying that God accepts us just as we are, he just loves us too much to leave us that way. We don't have to clean ourselves up to come to God (which is humanly impossible anyway, only the Holy Spirit can do that), we come to God and then he himself, with the Holy Spirit working in us - bit by bit makes changes in our hearts where we allow him to. We bring our faith and trust God for the rest!
I think one of the great mistakes many Christians make is trying to convict others of their sin. That is the work of the Holy Spirit and not man. It is one thing for man to show people what the Word says about sin, but.... to convict others of sin is the work of the Holy Spirit. When we step into trying to play God - we are in very dangerous territory because it was Satan himself who said he was going to "be like the Most High".
Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So we are to present the word,
then........ love and let The Holy Spirit do the work of convicting and convincing. It is love that wins hearts, not judgement by condescending Christians.
I love the old hymns!!
They speak so much to the heart and of the Word and truth. This is one that was very close to my heart and is exactly what I am speaking of here:
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
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