Dr. Rick Mandl - October 22, 2020
Where's The Evidence?
Devotional Manuscript: Where's The Evidence?
Message By Dr. Rick Mandl, October 22, 2020.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family. I’ve got a question for you and my question is... If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? By "evidence," I don't mean how many Bibles you own, or how many bumper stickers you might have on your car with Christian sayings on them. I mean hard evidence. If your family members, neighbors, and coworkers were interviewed and asked the question, "Is Bill/Suzy, in your opinion, a real Christian?" how would they respond? The only way others can tell whether you are a Christian is by your works.
The Bible makes it clear that all the good works in the world won't save a person. Titus 3:5 tells us “God saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” This is what differentiates Christianity from all of the other great religions of the world, all the other religions apart from Christianity, say, "Do." "Do this and you might go to heaven," "Do that and you might find nirvana," and so on.
Christianity, in contrast, says, "Done." In other words, God has taken care of your salvation through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" He purchased your ticket to heaven at the cross. But having received that ticket, your life should reflect your commitment to Christ. Works won't save you, but if you really are saved, then works will follow.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Has that happened to you? Has there been a change in your life? In Acts 26:18 the Apostle Paul said that God told him to preach the gospel, which was comprised of a person hearing it, realizing it was given. . . 'to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness of sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in [Christ]' " (Acts 26:18).
So FIRST, you must have your eyes opened. A spiritual blindness afflicts those who have not yet turned their lives over to Jesus Christ, because once again, the Bible tells us that . . . "Satan...has blinded the minds of those who don't believe..." (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT).
SECOND, you must turn from darkness to light. Satan loves darkness. Hell is referred to as outer darkness. If you want to really believe, then you need to come out of the darkness and into the light.
THIRD, you must turn from the power of Satan to God. A lot of people today want to live in two worlds. They want to be a Christian on Sunday, but want to live in a very different way the rest of the week. It won't work.
So let me ask you . . . Have your spiritual eyes been opened? Have you turned from darkness to light? Have you turned from the power of Satan to God? If you've taken these steps, then God has forgiven your sins and has a place for you among God's people in heaven. And you’ll have an answer to the question . . . . If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
From Series: "Daily Devotional Videos"
Find daily inspiration and motivation with our video devotionals!
Signup for our e-newsletter if you would like to receive these in your personal email account. Or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter to be notified when we post a new devotional on any of our social media accounts.
