Comments on: They All Aren’t Saved

By: Scott D

Scott D — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:55:02 +0000

Are you implying that ALL are not saved?

By: Avery

Avery — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:38:37 +0000

Rosemary said,

“Was I saved then, when I first had an intuitive insight into the love of God?”

I think you brought up an interesting point…

No one can really know who is saved or not, but..

Does a cognitive recognition of the truth equal salvation…?

Jesus didn’t seem to think so…

I think Jesus taught that the journey both ends and begins at salvation…

It means the self-willed journey, self lead, and self taught comes to an end in surrender to following Christ…

At that point a new journey begins, one which is Christ led, Christ taught, and Christ willed…

There is no “in between” being taught by Jesus anywhere… though there is in some seminaries and church cultures….

In fact what Jesus did teach was while many people had an intellectual surrender, or a verbal surrender, did not make them one of His followers…

In fact Jesus said plainly… “if anyone one wants to be my disciple, they must take up their cross daily and follow me…”

“Anyone who puts their hand to the plow and looks back isn’t fit for my kingdom…”

Jesus mandate was always surrender… nothing more, nothing less, however…

You can’t surrender to what you don’t trust, and you can’t trust what you don’t really believe…

There is no room with Jesus to call yourself his follower if you don’t surrender, because surrender implies trusting and believing in Him…

Though it may feel odd or inadequate to call someone “saved”… the apostle John didn’t have a problem using that label… and ensuring others that they have the hope of eternal life, and have escaped the wrath of God 1John5:12-14…

However when he wrote those things, he also meant much more than just a verbal, or intellectual ascent… he meant surrender through faith…

By: Rindy Walton

Rindy Walton — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:35:00 +0000

New attenders aren’t afraid to admit they don’t know and aren’t afraid to ask questions. It’s when they attend for a while that it stops–there’s an expectation that they know and understand…and are saved. You are right on–many are not. And many are simply too afraid to admit they’re not or to ask more…

By: Rosemary Hannah

Rosemary Hannah — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:02:42 +0000

sorry - typo - ‘was I unsaved then, just because it was not an adult understanding.

By: Rosemary Hannah

Rosemary Hannah — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:01:00 +0000

To me it is an odd and an inadequate idea that there is, for everybody, a sudden point labelled ’saved’. I am not alone, I know, in having followed a deepening path of faith since I was about three. Was I saved then, when I first had an intuitive insight into the love of God? Just because it was not an adult understanding? Surely not, for then all our Christains who are cognitively impaired would be far from Christ which we know is not so. This has not stopped my faith form being made deeper and wider over the course of time.

Saved is not an end point. Saved is a journey. Christ is, as he says, a way. It is unhelpful to thing of those we speak to as ’saved’ or ‘unsaved’ - we need to learn to think of how we can help them and what we can learn from them.

By: Cameyg

Cameyg — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:11:03 +0000

Craig,

I couldn’t agree with you more! As usual - spot on…

Praying dangerous prayers for churches all over the world and those who are given the opportunities to preach/teach and help others see Christ!

And, as always, you are appreciated beyond words. You/yours remain in my daily prayers.

Camey

By: Great Advice — Brad Cooper

Great Advice — Brad Cooper — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:21:43 +0000

[...] I like to tell young preachers, you don’t fail when you invite people to repent and follow Christ and no one responds. You fail when you don’t invite people to repent and follow Christ. -Craig Groeschel [...]

By: Henrik Steen

Henrik Steen — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:59:15 +0000

Craig, thanks for the encouragment to continue to invite people to follow Christ even if no one responds. This is an area in ministry where it is so easy to give up.

I also have to say that I’m reading your “Confessions” book, and I think you are crazy! In a very very good way, that is. Just the headline on the back “Is the real you getting lost because the fake you is just so annoyingly impressive” gave me courage and hope for another week. I annoy me but your book doesn’t. It challenges me deeply.

By: Edward

Edward — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:09:49 +0000

Hey Craig first of all I want to thank you for being a good example for me to strengthen my faith in Christ and keep pursuing my relationship and faith.

I just wanted to know is wrong to force somebody to believe in Christ?

By: Janne

Janne — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:55:28 +0000

Thanks Craig, your posts this week have been great! You and your team are being a good example of communicating the truth efficiently to the people of our generation, but you’ve also proved it can be done without compromising the truth itself!

By: Jared B

Jared B — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:09:45 +0000

Awesome stuff Craig and chejoo!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:27:23 +0000

Amen. I have quite a few relatives that religously go to church but unfortunately do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Pastors, please don’t assume everyone has made that decision.

By: Kendra Golden

Kendra Golden — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:30:44 +0000

The most haunting words in the whole Bible are, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” I’d either have to think Jesus was kidding or be a real jerk to not (like chejoo said above) challenge or dare people to know Him for real at every opportunity.

By: Kyle P.

Kyle P. — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:30:25 +0000

I love Keith Green’s take on this topic: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian in as much as going to McDonald’s makes you a cheeseburger.” Good stuff!

By: Pat Howard

Pat Howard — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:05:39 +0000

It’s about being real and honest. Let go deeper and challenge others!

By: A Caution to Pastors and Worship Leaders Alike « float with me

A Caution to Pastors and Worship Leaders Alike « float with me — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:29:11 +0000

[...] to Pastors and Worship Leaders Alike 2009 April 2 by Haemin From Craig Groeschel’s latest Swerve entry: Just because people attend your church, serve, and give, don’t assume they are [...]

By: Jeremiah

Jeremiah — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:04:07 +0000

Well said!

By: Matt Stallbaum

Matt Stallbaum — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:57:30 +0000

“I like to tell young preachers, you don’t fail when you invite people to repent and follow Christ and no one responds. You fail when you don’t invite people to repent and follow Christ”

This is an amazing quote!!! Thanks

By: Tim Chambers

Tim Chambers — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:31:42 +0000

I’ve heard people say, I share the Gospel when I feel the spirit lead. Isn’t one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit to point people to Christ? When would the Spirit not prompt me to share the Gospel? I hope you keep pounding this message home.

By: William Fingerhut

William Fingerhut — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:05:44 +0000

Craig
Who was Jesus concerned about and continually praying for, it was the anointed (elect or chosen, not the world)

John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.