God's Scalpel

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. — Hebrews 4:12 There's a story about a man who finally convinced his unbelieving neighbor to attend church with him. But when the preacher announced that his text for that day was on the "Descendants of Adam" (Genesis 5:1-32), he was disappointed. Who in the world could ever get saved by hearing a sermon on Old Testament genealogy? However, at the altar call, much to his surprise, his friend ran down to the front and gave his heart to Jesus. "What did the preacher say that convinced you to ask Jesus into your heart?" he asked the man. "Well," his friend replied, "as he was reading the text it said, 'Adam lived 930 years and then he died; and Seth lived 912 years and he died; and Enosh lived 905 years and he died; and Kenan lived 910 years and he died;' etc. I noticed that everyone who lived for so many years ended up dying. It was then I realized that I was also going to die some day, so I better get right with God. The preacher said I could do that today by believing in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and I did!" You see, that man found out that there is "Power In the Name of Jesus" for everyone who believes. Our God is an equal opportunity God. No one is exempt from His grace, no matter how bad they've been in this life. Yes, there comes a time when everyone realizes they're going to die someday because death has a one-to-one ratio — one death for every person who has ever lived. But no one has to die without hope for a future life, and the familiar promise from God is not complicated: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." — John 3:16-17 Friends, I realize that for the most part this weekly message "preaches to the choir." But I also know that all of you know some one who needs Jesus today. Perhaps these thoughts will be that spiritual surgery that God's "two-edged sword" can be in their life at just the right time. Why not forward this to them today?