Proverbs 2:5 KJV
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
The fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God do not come to a man who simply says a quick prayer. They are the result of much
Searching
Crying and
Applying our hearts toward them
Too little is made of real soul work these days. We tend to tell people that a simple "repeat after me" prayer brings them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. But the Bible teaches, and the old saints confirmed, that the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom must be striven for.
Luke 13:24 KJV
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Charles Spurgeon labored a long time under the burden of his sin until one night, during a snow storm; he entered into a small Methodist church house. The pastor was not able to make it, due to the storm, so one of the deacons came to the pulpit and gave a simple message from Isaiah 45:22 KJV
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Under that preaching Spurgeon realized after all his laboring, all he really needed to do was to look and be saved. He looked to Christ and found the freedom from sin he longed for. But Spurgeon did not become a Methodist preacher. Rather, he was baptized a Baptist and preached a more Calvinistic doctrine.
This is what I think; I believe that while Spurgeon was saved by simply looking to Christ, that look was fashioned through the long period of bearing his burden. Had there been no burden of guilt there would likely have been no effective looking to Christ. I believe Spurgeon realized this and it influenced him to preach a gospel message that was more meaty than simply "Say a prayer and you're all right."
To fear the Lord and to know God involves much more than a moment's prayer.
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
The fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God do not come to a man who simply says a quick prayer. They are the result of much
Searching
Crying and
Applying our hearts toward them
Too little is made of real soul work these days. We tend to tell people that a simple "repeat after me" prayer brings them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. But the Bible teaches, and the old saints confirmed, that the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom must be striven for.
Luke 13:24 KJV
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Charles Spurgeon labored a long time under the burden of his sin until one night, during a snow storm; he entered into a small Methodist church house. The pastor was not able to make it, due to the storm, so one of the deacons came to the pulpit and gave a simple message from Isaiah 45:22 KJV
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Under that preaching Spurgeon realized after all his laboring, all he really needed to do was to look and be saved. He looked to Christ and found the freedom from sin he longed for. But Spurgeon did not become a Methodist preacher. Rather, he was baptized a Baptist and preached a more Calvinistic doctrine.
This is what I think; I believe that while Spurgeon was saved by simply looking to Christ, that look was fashioned through the long period of bearing his burden. Had there been no burden of guilt there would likely have been no effective looking to Christ. I believe Spurgeon realized this and it influenced him to preach a gospel message that was more meaty than simply "Say a prayer and you're all right."
To fear the Lord and to know God involves much more than a moment's prayer.
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