Father God in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your only begotten Son, I pray this prayer today.

            May Your hand be upon each person who reads this. I ask a blessing for each one and I ask Your guidance for them to fully understand the content of this entry and the courage to act on my suggestion for their family, friends, and church family. I ask this, Father, in the name of Your Son and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May everyone who reads this say “Amen.”

As a Christian, I’ve noticed certain things that happen when I’m in a crowd or even mingling with other self-proclaiming Christians. Even at family gatherings.

Here is an example of what happens to me. I walk into a room at a family gathering and suddenly the room clears out. When it happens, I feel a pressing need to check my hygiene. You know, blow into a hand or sniff under an arm, that type of thing. Just to be sure my deodorant still works.

I now understand why it happens, although it took me awhile, and it doesn’t have anything to do with personal cleanliness.

This action from others prompts the question, “Are they running from the Lord?”

This surfaced in my mind again one day last week, as cool air blew over lush grass and sweet smelling floral, and found its way through my open window. It was accompanied by the sound of birds singing as they flitted from fence to tree to feeder, as they socialized in our bird-friendly and sheltered backyard. They seem to feel safe – like humans do when they have salvation.

I decided to explore why the question periodically comes to mind and the circumstances that bring it.

These people who flee the room when I enter are running from their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (who resides in every Christian)—not from me.

Many people sit in churches and other religious facilities believing they are saved because they pray to God. But the truth is, if He’s the only one they acknowledge, then they aren’t. They are not saved unless they have accepted the full pardon of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

            The Bible, the Word of God, tells us plainly that we must come through His Son Jesus Christ if God is to hear us. If we don’t accept Jesus’ pardon for our life, yet we want to know His Father, we are trying to enter the back door into heaven and it will definitely be closed to everyone who rattles the door knob. (1John 2:23, John 10:38, Ephesians 5:20, Matthew 11:26)

            I would ask this of people who run from Jesus:

“Don’t want anything to do with grace, or goodness, or eternal life with a loving God?”

“A God who won’t throw you away, won’t destroy you for all eternity?”

Are you, or do you know, someone who sits in the pew each worship day and looks around feeling confident they are saved in the Lord—just because they have been raised in a good church family?

These people just know that their salvation must be secure. They followed the church rules and participated in all the programs and Wednesday night worships.

They may have even joined the choir or sang special music, playing an instrument their parents started them on at birth…well, maybe made a choice which one they would play at that time.

I can testify personally that He, God Almighty, will extend every opportunity to bring you into His glorious family, to bring you life and not death. Through the saving Grace of His son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The most loving and wonderful thing you can do for these people, whether church friends or your family, is tell them the truth.

One day in the future, maybe today, it will be their last day on earth. Once they are dead their destiny is set. If they have not accepted Jesus Christ’s Salvation, a pardon purchased  for them through His death on the cross, then they are destined for hell.

Yes there is a real hell and that is the destination for anyone not saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.

If you know this truth, tell it to anyone you suspect does not know it.

If they don’t act on securing their place for all eternity, in Heaven, it is not your fault and you will have done what the Lord our God expects of you.

This ball is in your hands. What are you going to do with it?

I pray the Lord’s guidance for you in this important decision.