My husband had his first back surgery in February of 2019. He had suffered with back pain for years prior to that. Unfortunately for him, the surgery didn’t help. In fact, it made his pain worse.
After more scans and tests, it was uncovered that the piece they put in his back was sitting on a nerve. So, he ended up going to a “Specialist” and having another surgery to fix what happened with the other one.
Again, it didn’t help. That surgery also worsened his pain levels. So badly that he now walks with a cane and lives in constant pain.
I remember telling him recently that I wish he had never even gotten the first surgery. He agreed and said, “The surgeon said he could relieve my pain by 50% or more. I had my reservations, but I believed him.”
The Consequences
Mark had opening prayer this morning at service and I watched him walking on his cane and thought to myself “if only he hadn’t believed him”. I thought about the consequences he now has all because he believed a man.
A little later my mind started working and thinking about Mark's pain and how he had it because he listened to a man. All because he really wanted to have a better quality of life and was happy to hear that there was an easy (somewhat) way to do it. Then I thought about the multitudes of people who believe men when it comes to the gospel. People who want to go to Heaven and are happy to hear things that make them feel secure. Like Mark has consequences to his physical body for believing the surgeon, men today will face spiritual consequences for believing lies.
Now I am not saying all men are liars or that there are those trying to lead you to Hell. Of course not. What I am saying is be careful who you believe. God or man?
Remember the account of the prophet who was told one thing by God then a man lied to him and he believed the man instead of God? Read 1 Kings chapter 13 carefully to find out what happened. There is a danger in believing a lie!
Your eternal salvation (are you going to Heaven or Hell) is in your hands. You stand today in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14).
Never leave your eternal destiny in the hands of any man. Make your calling and election sure, (2 Peter 1:10). YOU study it out. YOU look up and research the examples set by the early Christians. Your eternity lies in your hands.
How does one become a Christian? Please take the time to study the verse references I have listed here. Then study more verses. Tie them together. Study as to learn. Don’t take my word for it. Study it out for yourself.
1. Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, John 8:32)
2. Believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31)
3. Repent of past sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30)
4. Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32)
5. Be Baptized (Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
6. Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)
As always, I am here to study any time. Day or night!
In Christian Love,
Leah Brewer
