by Pennee Struckman

Created on: February 17, 2009   Last Updated: February 18, 2009

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 9-13)

It doesn't get any easier than this. Most "religions" add, "thou shalt not" to this. But the truth is, or at least it was for me, when the truth hits your heart, it breaks the heart. This is not a trite confession spoken in the heat of emotion. Really believing is humbling, scary and exciting, all at once.

"..Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mark 10 26-27)

When I first met the Lord, I was a little pot-smoking hippie. I was sitting on a bench in my kitchen, reading John.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John1:1-4)

I sat and stared at the words. Understanding flooded my soul. I would like to tell you that all vices fell from me immediately, but that was not so. The Lord spoke to me one evening at a concert, and said it was time to leave the pot behind. I said "okay" and that was that.

It can be that simple when you believe. God understands each individual. He knows what we need and don't need. And He is totally capable of reshaping our lives when we believe and follow Him.

In the word, it reads, "You believe in God, you do well. Even the demons believe and tremble". It is believing that Jesus is Lord and acting on that belief that brings us to heavens gates. It is God's kindness that leads us to repentance. And it is God that knows what that repentance entails.

I have no room for discourse or excess theology. I have been the recipient of God's great grace. I have experienced His kindness and discipline. And I believe He will continue to work in me until it is time for me to meet Him at the gate.

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