Hallelujah Bread #3 
Salvation, A Before and After Scenario

Anyone who has had a powerful salvation experience will tell about it as an unforgettable event that marked a dramatic new beginning in their life. To be born from above describes a heart that has been changed in indescribable ways.

The hymn writer of 'Amazing Grace' penned in powerful, poetic words, an account of salvation that is sung by thousands. John Newton experienced what millions who had gone before had also experienced; a transcendent new beginning as a child of God. In Newton's words, 'I once was lost, but now I'm found, Was blind but now I see!' Such songs are a testament to God's Grace and the power of God to make foulest clean. This hymn is full of incredible evidence of a life changed by the Power of Salvation:

Another Hymn 'O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing' is also full of praises for the redemption of a lost soul. vs. 5: ' He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me.'
If we examine the Gospels we find many stories of lives that were totally turned around by the Lord Jesus. There are many but just to mention a few: the demon-possessed man of Gadera; the man born blind; the woman of Samaria; Zachias the publican; the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda and many more. Jesus' ministry of restoring lives continues with the disciples who bring to the world, the power of Jesus name through the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel promises transformed lives! But transformed from what? The reality is that every human soul is flawed by virtue of being born with a fallen nature. Yes, there are many fine men and women who possess sterling virtues and qualities of character. Many excel in leadership and achievement, yet at the core of their being they are among the unredeemed, sinners in need of a Savior. One older gentleman that I spoke to said, "I was never much into sinning." So, in his own estimation he was not a candidate for redemption. We tend to think that we are good enough.

My case was somewhat different. I actually thought I was 'spiritual.' In my mind, the story of salvation was essentially based on an ignorant tradition. After all, I thought, the Bible was full of errors and was mostly silly fables. Like other 'New-Agers,' I reconned that 'Christ' was not a person but a state of sublime, spiritual enlightenment. I was blind to my own fallen nature, my inherent spiritual darkness and my moral depravity. These facts were revealed to me starkly by the Holy Spirit after I awakened to a new life.

It is clear that those who God calls experience a change that is as clear and night and day. It seems so simple but yet millions don't open the door to salvation. In Romans 10:9,10 we are told to believe in our hearts and then confess with our lips (9) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This is often referred to as the “sinner's prayer,” but merely mouthing the words is not guaranteed to produce a dramatic result. This is because God must in some way prepare your heart for the redemptive seed that springs forth unto Eternal Life. Some times this takes a good while other times life circumstances cause some to call out in desperation as a drowning man catching a life ring. You should know that you have fallen short in your spiritual credentials. You need saving from a fallen life of sin. Then you should have an awareness that Jesus died and shed his blood for you. Offerings and sacrifices God does not require, but a broken and contrite heart. (Psalm 51) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.”

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