"Raymond"

Christian Encouragement August 10, 2001

Hi everyone! Have you ever met someone and instantly felt a "bond" that you couldn't explain? Well, I'd like you to meet Raymond. A couple of nights ago, I was on the computer when I heard the doorbell ring. Sometimes, I answer....sometimes, I do not. That night, I kept typing. Then someone started knocking. A determined knock. They knocked again, so I got up and went to the door. To my surprise, standing on my doorstep was this handsome young man about 19 or so, comfortably but neatly dressed (his shirt was even tucked in!) and he had a beautiful smile. I apparently startled him because he let out a big laugh as he nervously fidgeted with his backpack. He startled me too. When the doorbell rings at our house, it's either little children selling big candy bars or someone wanting to talk to me about "World Peace". "(giggling) Hi, my name is Raymond and I'm selling some books in order to get a scholarship to go to a Christian college." He nervously handed me a leaflet. I accepted it and as I quickly glanced through it, I thought, "Okay, he's not Mormon because he has on a plaid shirt and no tie (no offense intended!). Must be a Jehovah's Witness...." "So...are you affiliated with any church?", I asked. "Yeah, well...um....It's through the Seventh Day Adventist Church", he replied. "So tell me what you believe about Jesus", I stated. "Um...(nervous chuckle) what do you mean"? "I mean do you believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the whole world? "Oh yes, I do believe Jesus is the only Savior", he answered with bright widened eyes. "Oh yeah? So have you accepted Christ as your Savior?", I wanted to know. "Yes, ma'am I have!", he said with this great big smile. I thought to myself, "Gee, I don't know that much about their beliefs. I sure wish Russ was home because he's studied  all the religions and he could better speak with this kid than I can." But, he wasn't home yet and I could sense the urging of the Holy Spirit to continue talking with my visitor. I decided to be bold and give it a whirl. "Do you believe He's the Son of God?", I quizzed. "Yes, I do", he said. "But do you believe Jesus IS God?", I asked. "Yes, Ma'am. Jesus is definitely God", he said, still smiling. "So you have a personal relationship with Him, right?", I wanted to know. "Oh yes, Ma'am. We don't believe you can get to heaven by works, only through the blood of Christ." He then recited a couple of scriptures to me and fidgeted again with his backpack. I said, "Hotdog, kiddo...We're on a roll here! Okay, now....do you believe we can lose our salvation? "Yes, I think sometimes we can", he said as his voice grew soft. My heart dropped. I was silent for a moment. "Sweetheart...what could I do to lose my salvation? I mean, if I got saved this morning, then I committed a sin this afternoon and died before I could ask God for forgiveness, would I then go to Hell"?, I inquired. "Well,  you probably wouldn't, but I think most people would.....", his voice tapered off. "How would you like for me to share with you in God's Word the proof that once you're saved, you're forever saved?", I offered. "Yes! Very much", he said as his young face lit up. In my heart, I was touched so deeply by this kid. As we spoke, he kept eye contact with me and I could hear the hunger for God's Word in his voice. I searched his eyes and intently watched his face as we both stood there at the front door having our conversation. He knew quite a few scriptures. I was pleased. As I started in to get my bible, my husband pulled up in the driveway. I thought, "Far out! The re-enforcements are here!" I stopped to introduce my husband to this delightful young man named Raymond. I said, "Raymond here is saved by grace through faith, but he thinks maybe he could lose his salvation. How about helping him out?" Now, I have found that in all these years of marriage to this man, no matter how tired or busy he is, he will always take the time to give biblical answers to anyone who is searching. Funny....Raymond came to our door not even knowing he was on a search. Before the Lord brought him to our doorstep, he thought he was just out to raise money for college.  Ain't God grand ? As they conversed together, I realized it was about 104 degrees outside, so I made Raymond a tall glass of ice water. He thanked me profusely and drank it all down. When he finished, I noticed he wasn't disputing with the scriptures my husband was sharing with him. He was listening and asking lots of questions. This brought such a delight to my heart! He wanted to learn and he truly seemed be very open to the "idea" that salvation could actually be  forever . When they were finished, I wrote out a check for one of the cookbooks. I reached out to shake his hand, and when our hands locked, they fit perfectly together. We held on to each others hand and I told him, "Raymond, don't just believe whatever you hear in the pulpit, or on the radio or from other people. Search God's Word for yourself. Then rely on the Holy Spirit to teach and guide you into all of God's Truth!" Without missing a beat or the blinking of an eye, he said, "Ma'am, I want to do just that! I really want to know what God says about EVERYTHING!" He handed me my new cookbook and we exchanged email addresses. He asked if I would send him the "encouragements" along with the list of scriptures on "Security of the Believer". He promised to study them. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that  whosoever believeth in Him,  shall not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE ."--John 3:16 Strong's definition in the Greek:  not perish means "absolute denial---in no way be utterly destroyed--God forbid such a thing". Everlasting life means "perpetual and eternal". Forever  ! "For the wages of sin is death, but the  gift of God is  eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord ."--Romans 6:23 Strong's definition in the Greek:   the gift is a "deliverance from danger" and eternal life is the same Greek word and meaning as everlasting in John 3:16, "perpetual and eternal". "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, BECAUSE through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."--Romans 8:1,2 Strong's definition in the Greek:  No condemnation means "no adverse sentence". Set free means "to liberate from moral or mortal liability". Now this next verse, I want to share with you the way it was actually written. It's marvelous!! "  And I life eternal give them. And in no way will they perish forever, and not will snatch anyone them out of the hand of Me. The Father of me who has given to me, greater than all is, and no one is able to pluck out of the hand of the Father of Me ."--John 10:28,29 Strong's definition of the Greek:  "life eternal" is the same word again as in John 3:16 and Romans 6:23. "In no way" means "a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all"! "Perish" here is also the same Greek word used in John 3:16. "Snatch" means "to seize". "Hand" means literally hand and figuratively power. "No one" literally means "not even ONE" is able to seize us from God's powerful hand. Romans 8:31-39 tells us that no one and no thing can  separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Well, if anyone thinks that after you're saved and you sin, that you could die and go to hell.....then I believe that would certainly be a  separation ! So is God a liar? Absolutely not! If according to Ephesians 2:4-9 we cannot gain salvation through our  good works , then through our  bad works we cannot lose it! From the very beginning, my salvation has depended on God through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:13,14 reads "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of His glory." Strong's definition of the Greek:  seal means "stamped for security or preservation". Like a rancher brands his own, we are God's own. A guarantee means "a pledge, part of the purchase---something given in advance as security for the rest." Inheritance means "heirship". Once we are saved, God "stamps" us with the Holy Spirit to secure and preserve us for Himself. We are guaranteed eternal life. Our flesh will sin daily, but our Spirit cannot sin, it's been sealed with the Holy Spirit and God's seed is in us (I John 3:9) In I Corinthians 3:11-15 tells us to be careful what we build on the foundation of Christ. If, when tested, our works survive, then there will be rewards. But, if they don't survive the test and are burned up, there will be a loss of rewards...."he himself will be  saved , but only as one escaping through the flames." I looked up "saved" in the Strong's definitions. Listen to what I found. EVERY time the word "saved" is used in regards to our salvation through Christ, the word "  sozo " comes up. This word means "deliver or protect" in the Greek/Roman. Well, the meaning of the word "saved" in the scripture above is also "sozo". Salvation cannot end. It cannot be lost or taken away. It cannot be "sinned" away either. When we sin, what are we to do? According to I John 2:1,2--"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. but if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." I John 1:8-10--"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." Yes, we will sin in this flesh, but the "cleansing" is not salvation all over again. It's a  continual cleansing. It's US keeping the lines of communication open with God by admitting to Him when we sin against Him, just as He tells us to to go and talk to a brother when we or they are offended. Sin is an offense. It's the blood of Christ that constantly cleanses once we're saved. It's definitely the "gift that keeps on giving"! I truly believe this young man is saved! Thank you Father for sending Raymond to my door. Thank you for the opportunity to share your Word. Thank you for Your promises of eternal life. If you hear the doorbell ring today....followed by a determined knock, answer it. It just may be the Holy Spirit sending YOU a Raymond! Love in Christ, Debbie Reed-Parman

"Raymond"

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