GOD’S WORD FOR SEPTEMBER 30

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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TWO PATHS, TWO ETERNAL DESTINATIONS

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13–14

D.L. MOODY

Many a man would be willing to enter into the kingdom of God if he could do it without giving up sin. A man may become a disciple of Muhammad and continue to live in the foulest, blackest, deepest sin; but a man cannot be a disciple of Christ without giving up sin.

ERWIN LUTZER

What Moody said about Islam is true and also applies to other religions. How? All religions, except Christianity, are based on self-effort. Even religions claiming to seek God’s help teach that we must make ourselves worthy of such grace and forgiveness. In other words: All other religions insist we must wash our hearts with the dirty, sin-infested water already existing within the human heart. But the sins remain.

One reason that the message of the cross is offensive is that it teaches our complete inability to save ourselves. All we can do is to receive what has already been provided for us in Christ. As I like to remind people, the issue is never the wickedness of our hearts, but the wonder of the gospel that changes our desires and gives us the righteousness of Christ.

This might explain why Jesus said that the way to hell is broad but the way to heaven is narrow. The gospel is a free gift, but it’s a difficult gift to receive because it requires us to admit to our inability to save or cleanse ourselves; it is the final admission that self salvation cannot actually save. And, yes, in turning to Christ, we are turning our backs on sin.

Islam requires its followers to be slaves to Muhammad’s teaching; Christianity teaches we must become slaves of Christ, a joyful slavery, no longer dominated by our sinful, evil hearts.

    PRAYER

    Father, keep me from the temptation to envy those on the broad way with their acceptance of sin and worldly pleasures. I choose the narrow way of your kingdom.

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Acts 3:19

    “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

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Proverbs 28:13

 “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

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Isaiah 59:2

    “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

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Romans 3:23

    “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

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James 4:17

    “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” –

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1 John 1:8

    “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

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Ezekiel 18:30

    “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses so sin will not be your downfall.”

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Galatians 6:7

    “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

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Romans 6:23

    “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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Proverbs 14:12

    “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.”

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