A very blessed pastor in Houston ends each sermon asking souls to come to faith. He asks those who've been away from knowing Jesus is our Savior to pray a prayer like this:
"Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. ... ."
He says, "If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in a good Bible-based church, and keep God first place."
And I say to myself, amen.
But what is a good Bible-based church?
For me, it's where is home. It's safe pasture for those who call it home. It's where the redeemed, the saved, know they've broken with a life of being lost or of being without Jesus in heart and without Him in knowledge.
It's where we each can give an account for the past, as well as for day to day problems, without being counted as sheep for slaughter.
It's where no one has permission to destroy us in soul, because Jesus is the shepherd who stands in the way, who serves as the "door" to the sheep fold.
It's where we are cured of sins simply through right believing.
It's where it's our "reasonable service" to sit comfortably, restfully, at the feet of the shepherds who feed us knowledge and correction in God's word, "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up" of every body in the church (Ephesians 4:12).
It's where sinful pasts are overcome and we're known anew, where no one is perfect but we become more and more blameless, where we grow to have fewer and fewer faults. It's where we find a supportive friend or circle of of friends to speak openly with, with discretion and only at God's leading, so there is always accountability and healing.
It's where we have communion. It's where a pastor is blameless, indeed.
It's where deliverance from the world's pitfalls is a given. It's where you know someone will be there with you if ever you are troubled.
It's where there sometimes is personal fellowship and food, and peace for our souls. ... It's where God won't let us fall.
Amen.
