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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Good and Bad (05/07/09)
From Good to B.A.D.

I am glad to know with absolute certainty today that my salvation (because of grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone) is not secure based upon how spiritually I handle situations throughout my day, nor is it eradicated by the situations that I completely ruin in a given day. My heart-felt faith in Jesus and belief in His death, burial and resurrection as complete atonement for my sin has lifted the burden of feeling redeemed one day and feeling condemned the next day.

For many years of my adult life, I thought that doing or being good would warrant me a home in Heaven. I remember very vividly one day asking my former Pastor how I can be certain that I will live eternally with Christ. He gave me an answer that left me feeling far from secure. He told me not to worry that I was indeed going to Heaven. To me, his answer sounded more like an opinion rather than a fact. I walked away without any biblical doctrine or principles to assure me (a believer for many years-living carnally) that my salvation was secure; that my good works should arise out of my relationship and love for Christ and not as merit to earn a home with Christ for an eternity.

Many Christians walk around just as I did-already having the power to live righteously, however they live carnally because they are not taught biblical doctrine on how Christians ought to live. The Word of God declares, “because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed” (1 Corinthians 8:11 NLT). Although my former Pastor knew that I had accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, he also knew that (at that time) I was not knowledgeable in the Word. A true teaching moment missed!

Today, however, I consider myself to be B.A.D. That is to say BOUND AND DETERMINED....to live like Christ! Through studying the Word and being under great foundational and expository teaching, I have learned that I am still His child-even when I make a mess of things. Romans 8:16 (KJV) declares, “The Spirit bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” His Spirit on the inside gives me that assurance that I belong to Him- even in my failure and whenever I fall short.

Jesus didn’t leave us here to wonder about our salvation or our relationship with Him whenever we miss the mark. In the Word, He clearly proclaims, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV). Confession and repentance restores the broken fellowship between the Father and me. Now, I do not worry about being good or doing well; for if I continue to be B.A.D. in my walk, good works and a life pleasing to Christ will be imminent.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Sara Harricharan
05/14/09
Good testimony here! It could be a devotional or a short bible study. I liked the way you did the B.A.D. That was certainly a good twist here and I liked the meaning. Good job.
Glynis Becker
05/17/09
I agree that it's a great twist to make BAD an acronym. Wonderful words..it's just too bad that many of us as believers (pastors included) don't take those teaching moments and use them as we should!