Entry

From John Alley:

I have been preaching earnestly for the salvation of our own people in recent times. I am convinced that probably half the people in the world who think they are born-again Christians have actually not been regenerated i.e. have not been born-again.

I always have warned congregations I have spoken to over the years. The apostle Paul said to his hearers "test yourselves to see if you are in the faith". This indicates of course that the spiritual state of the Christian cannot be determined by outward appearance, nor the behaviour or even the verbal confession alone, of any believer. ...

The parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew chapter 25 is very clear, I think. Here we have five wise and five foolish virgins. They all had a lamp, which means they were all in the business of shining a light for Christ. But five had additional supplies, i.e. a fruitful abundance of oil, the biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit. Five only had the immediate small supply of oil that was in their lamp at the time. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and consequently those who had only a small supply of oil ran out. This is an obvious reference to them not having the endurance of faith and love, and the looking to God for His life and presence, that is required by, and is the hallmark of, every true believer. Then, when the bridegroom finally comes, the five foolish virgins have rushed off to buy oil, and are not present, and not included in the number taken into the wedding feast.

There can only be one meaning to this parable, and that is: half the people in the professing church do not have the life they think they have. I am sure that many of the people who sit amongst us on Sunday mornings -- I am speaking here about congregations in general -- and who think they are Christians, and who have heard a soft gospel that says simply believe that Jesus died for your sins and then all your sins are forgiven, are not saved at all.

It is very easy to live a careless life, basically self-centered, and sit Sunday by Sunday hearing the repeated message that Jesus died for you and your sins are forgiven, and believe the message carelessly. People who believe carelessly are those who simply accept what they hear as if it is true of them, but without really living for Christ. They have done no soul searching, no deep repentance, no casting themselves upon the Lord for salvation, no allowing the probing of the Holy Spirit and the deep work of the cross to take effect. Their soul has not cried out to God so that the light dawns.

It is not as if salvation is by works. Do not misunderstand me here. Neither repentance nor faith saves us. It is only God who saves. At the same time, God seeks to put this repentance and faith into us, so that the heart turns to God, and so that the Holy Spirit can do this great work of regeneration. Then, in that moment, God takes hold of the human soul, and it is no longer the old creature, but a new one. It is such a mystery; such an amazing miracle.

But this miracle has not occurred in the life of many people who sit in Church and carelessly believe. And so I warn people, because I do not want anyone living out of a false hope. And I think there are too many who have such a false hope. They really have not done business with God.

Peace Apotolic Ministries[/color/]