Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone.

I have one desire in this life: to see my dad and brother enter into saving relationships with Christ. 

I know I write on this often. But, it's always, constantly, on my mind. And, since I haven't posted in a few months, it is even more worthy of me writing.

I, recently, have read several books that have caused me to dwell on this more than usual: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer, Letters From a Skeptic by Dr. Gregory A. Boyd and Edward K. Boyd, and, currently, The Plight of Man and the Power of God by Dr. martin Lloyd - Jones.. All of these books make clear the urgency of salvation and the devastation of the passing of a non-believer. 

One of my favorites quotes by Packer is found in this book: 

"Thus the sovereignty of God in grace gave Paul hope of success as he preached in deaf ears, and held up Christ before blind eyes, and sought to move stony hearts. His confidence was that where Christ sends the gospel, there Christ has His people -fast bound at present in the chains of sin, but due for release at the appointed moment through a mighty renewing of their hearts as the light of the gospel shines in to their darkness, and the Saviour draws them to Himself." (pp.116-117)

This says so much. First, a believer is called to be Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5 calls us ambassadors; "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."). Wherever we go, so will Christ be. Second, believers are also sinners. We are not made perfect in Christ; only forgiven and called to be holy. Third, goes with the first, wherever we go Christ will shine and thus those in darkness will see the light. 

This is humbling, a calling, and encouraging all at once. Humbling in that I am a sinner, just like those who are not saved. A calling to be Christ, to be a witness for Him at all times. And, encouraging because since Christ is shining through me, lives can be saved; including those of my family.

Pages more can be said about this book but, I must move on. 

Letters From a Skeptic is the most encouraging of the trio. I happened to find it while browsing through the evangelism section of a Christian bookstore. I started reading. I couldn't be moved from it (I read the first 80 pages in the store) so, my boyfriend bought it for me. It did not take me long to finish. 

The basic premise of the book is that a professor at a theological school has an unsaved atheistic, 70-year-old dad. He decides to give his father the opportunity to ask questions about his faith. And, thus begins a 3 -year, 30 -letter correspondence that ends with the dad becoming saved. You can see why I was so transfixed with it.

One of the quotes that stood out to me ( I, unfortunately, do not have the book near me so this will be a poor paraphrase) was this:

the urgency of the situation (the lostness of the unsaved) required a drastic remedy (God sending His Son to die on the cross).  

Knowing this shows, even more, the urgency we need to have in sharing Christ, praying for the lost, and having them enter into salvation.

This is shown by the author. Dr. Boyd saw saw this urgency and took time out of busy schedule to answer his father's questions - most of which were no easy questions to answer. 

As I mentioned before, this book is incredibly encouraging. First, the author's father was in his 70's. My own father still has a few years yet before he reaches that age. There is still hope. You are never to old to believe in Christ. Second, it took 3 years of persistence, assurance, and true faith in God that He can save anyone - even the most hardened of hearts. Third, the Gospel alone has the power to save. You don't need anything extra. Dr. Boyd gives the straight Gospel in each letter. 

The last several letters had me in tears. tears of rejoicing that Dr. Boyd's father chose Christ and tears of hope that my own father, and brother, still can. His father has passed away but, he has the assurance of knowing where he is: in heaven rejoicing and praising our Almighty Savior. I yearn for the same assurance of my father is to pass away.  I urge anyone to read this book. 

The Plight of Man and the Power of God continues the urgency of salvation. I am about halfway but, it thus far has been convicting.

As I have requested many times before, I call you to pray for my dad and brother as well as the many, many, many others who are not saved. If you know someone who is not, I am praying for them. And, there is still hope.

I will end with a favorite verse from one of my favorite hymns:

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.