Come to The Savior Now
HEIDELBERG CATECHISM, LORD’S DAY 33
What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion?
Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the coming-to-life of the new.
What is the dying-away of the old self?
It is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it.
What is the coming-to-life of the new self?
It is wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to.
What do we do that is good?
Only that which arises out of true faith, conforms to God’s law, and is done for his glory; and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.
Come to The Savior Now
Saturday, July 22: 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2
The New Testament Book of Acts states: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (3:19). The gospel invitation – to repent or perish – is at the heart of all gospel proclamation and is given so we will begin to delight in Christ above all (Mark 1:5, 6:12, Revelation 3:10-9-22). It is well captured in the hymn, Come to the Savior Now:
Come to the Savior now, he gently calls to you; in true repentance bow, let him your heart renew.
Christ came that you may know salvation, peace and love, true joy on earth below, a home in heaven above.
Come to the Savior now, all who have wandered far; renew your solemn vow, for his by right you are;
come like poor, wandering sheep returning to his fold; his arm will safely keep, his love will ne’er grow cold.
Come to the Savior now, he offers all to you, and on his merits you can plead for life anew.
No vain excuses frame, respond to Christ today! None who to Jesus came were ever sent away.
Come to the Savior, all, what e’er your burdens be; hear now his loving call, ‘Cast all your care on me.”
Come, and for every grief, in Jesus you will find a sure and safe relief, a loving friend and kind.
Billy Graham once stated: “By far the greatest joy of my life has been my fellowship with Jesus. Hearing him speak to me, having him guide me, sensing his presence with me, and his power through me. This has been the highest pleasure of my life” (Source: Joseph Stowell). I pray we all may share that daily conversion joy.
Pastor Calvin Hoogendoorn