My photograph above was taken a few years ago, showing a typical scene from Waikiki, with many tourists. But, as the title of this post hints, these are not exactly "wayfaring strangers". Or, ARE they? Meaning, in a spiritual way, perhaps some of them may be wayfaring strangers. Many of you might be familiar with that old hymn (or rather, folk song) by that title - "Wayfaring Stranger". Following is a beautiful version of it by Selah:
The above song expresses a longing to go to heaven and to be with the Lord. In today's troubled world, there are many who have that same longing: to be in heaven with the good Lord. You have to admit, "things ain't like what they used to be." Many changes have been implemented lately that prove that we are ever closer to what will occur on a larger scale during the 7 year Tribulation.
Good News! True believers in Jesus Christ as the Savior will be "outta here" before then : before that horrendous judgment period upon ungodly men, meaning the Tribulation with all of its plagues, destruction, and suffering ! Read the Bible book of Revelation - it is all there.
True followers of Jesus should feel as the apostle Paul felt when he wrote : "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21; and, at Philippians 1:23 Paul said: "For I am in a strait betwixt the two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: "
"And to wait for His Son from heaven whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." - 1 Thessalonians 1:10
"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9
But the focus of this article will be on the salvation of souls and what that entails.
Some time ago, the old hymn "This World Is Not My Home" was posted on this blog. It is sung by Jim Reeves (to you old-timers like myself... remember him?) and was written by Reeve's wife. Here is that hymn again for you:
The message of the hymn here by Jim Reeves is similar to the message in the folk song "I'm Just a Wayfaring Stranger". I posted it again now because it is mentioned in the following 39 minute audio sermon by Pastor Adrian Rogers, which follows:
There are many, many gems of gospel truth and encouragement in the above excellent sermon by Pastor Rogers! One echoes what the two song videos above tell us: "We (believers) are strangers and pilgrims and do NOT belong to this world." - based on 1 Peter 2:11 which tells us:
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;"
Another thing Pastor Rogers emphasizes :" Salvation is NOT rooted in the merit of man, but in the mercy of God." You cannot "work" your way into heaven!
Speaking of his personal testimony, Pastor Rogers tells us: "Before I was saved I was running to sin, but now I am running from sin." He tells us, "You don't need anything! If you have Jesus you have everything!"
Just a warning from Pastor Rogers: "If the only thing that keeps you from sinning is the fear of losing your salvation, I doubt that you've ever been saved."
"Lukewarmness is the Christian's Achilles heel. We cannot lead anyone to Christ who is more committed to the world than we are to Jesus." - Joe McKeever
"Don't put a question mark where God puts a period." - unknown
"Jesus did not come to make God's love possible, but to make God's love visible." - unknown
"It is Christ's will that [man] should be thus isolated, and that he should fix his eyes solely on HIM." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"If the LORD be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayers - His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable." - John Newton
Following is a short article by A.W. Tozer titled :"Spiritual Readiness":
"When the Bible says that God is calling a special people out of the nations to bear the name of His eternal Son, I believe it, and His name is Jesus! Our pious forefathers believed in spiritual preparation, and they said so! They saw themselves as a Bride being prepared to meet the Bridegroom. They regarded this earth as the "dressing room" to outfit themselves for heaven. The evangelical church has come through a period when nearly everyone has believed that there is just ONE pre-requisite to readiness: being born again. We have made being born again a special event - when Jesus returns we will whip out the pass to prove our readiness. Frankly, I do not think it will be like that. I do not believe that all professed believers are automatically ready to meet the LORD. Our Savior Himself was joined by Peter and John and Paul in warning and pleading that we should LIVE, and WATCH and PRAY, so to be ready for Jesus' coming." - (end of quote).
Food for thought!
The above quote by Tozer brings home the fact that we need to develop a relationship with the good Lord. That means to be often in prayer and in His Holy Word the Bible. To fellowship with Him. You will never come to know a person or develop a relationship with Him if you never talk to them or spend time with them. That is obvious, but so many today neglect to do that very thing with God. He loves us and wants to fellowship with us! If you do draw close to God, He will draw close to you. Something wonderful will happen in your heart and soul when your focus and delight is on the good Lord and you spend quality time with Him. He will transform your mind and heart.
"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." - James 4:8
Time is short before Jesus returns!
Turn to Him now in true faith and total surrender!
Jesus is waiting for you with love and with outstretched arms full of forgiveness and of tender compassion to hold you close and tight in His embrace and in the safety and salvation found in Him.
Following are Salvation Scriptures to act upon NOW if you are not saved by the cleansing power of Jesus' blood when you put your faith and belief in Him as the Savior.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth upon him." - John 3:36
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me:" - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son , that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !!
