Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.
Though there may be a moment of conscious commitment, salvation is not an event such as this:
“I’m saved!”
“What do you mean?”
“I went forward at the pastor's invitation in church, and I prayed the sinner’s prayer and asked Jesus into my heart.”
"Did you leave your heart open long enough for Him to come in? Are you letting Him establish Himself as the Lord of your life? Are you living a crucified lifestyle?
What must disciple-making churches do to overcome this problem?
1. Teach that salvation is about being justified by faith in the Son of God, and justification involves obedience.
2. Teach the Bible from cover to cover and encourage daily Bible reading and memorization. The disciple is to be formed and informed by the Bible.
3. Connect new believers to mature believers with whom they can fellowship and grow in the Faith.
4. Remind new believers that repentance is an on-going attitude of the heart. For "godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation..." (2 Cor. 7:10)
5. Do not place legalistic burdens upon the new believer. Instead, emphasize that the life of the disciple is characterized by purity, humility, generosity, steadfastness, patience, and service.
6. Teach a crucified lifestyle. The crucified lifestyle is not another legalistic work, but the exchange of the corrupting ways of the old life for the life of the Spirit that dwells within.
7. Teach that the disciple's life is grounded in prayer.
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