I Admit…
I am human, imperfect and carnal as anyone reading this document. Without the redeeming blood of Jesus I am as hopeless as all you wretched, helpless creatures reading. With the redeeming blood I am no better – only forgiven. The blood is my only hope. Faith, however slight, is the only tool at my disposal making it even remotely possible to receive even a drop of that blood. I am powerless and hopeless without the gift of forgiveness from the anointed one, Jesus Christ.

Moses and later Jesus say the greatest commandments are to love God and love one another. When our hearts are right, when we put our faith in our Lord, we will be unable to do otherwise. Love is a verb, and to show our love one thing we do (one of the first things) is follow Lev 26:40-42 and confess our iniquities and make amends.

I have broken every commandment:

1. I have put myself at the head of my temple, idolizing my own greatness. I rather enjoy being called “professor.” It is merely a nickname. I am not a professional theologian and not even a lay-leader. I have no authority of my own with which to speak. I have no knowledge but what I’m given, so who am I to take credit for it? I enjoy the words of praise my readers and personal friends provide as if I’d blessed them of my own power. It is all the property of God. Lance has nothing to offer. I am but a pot. Anything of value is placed in the pot by the Master.

2. I take photographs. I possess trophies. There are pictures of dead U.S. Presidents in my pockets.

3. I have cursed others, damning them in God’s holy name. Though I have not done this recently, I have done this.

4. As I write this it is the Sabbath Day and I am working for money. Not only am I not resting from work, but working extra.

5. I not only disobeyed my parents, dishonoring them in my disobedience, but also by other actions against God and other people which would reflect badly on them and their hard work raising me. My parents passed away years ago, but whether they live or not my actions past and present reflect on their good names.

6. In my heart and mind I’ve wished another human dead. It doesn't matter who, and in spite of what I was thinking at the time, murder certainly wasn't justified. To wish it in the heart is equal to taking the action. Though I don’t think I’m capable of the physical act, because of my thoughts I am still a murderer.

7. Any time I put something or someone ahead of my own dear wife I commit adultery. When I put my job first or my own hobbies, that’s as much adultery as if I’d slept with another woman. The fact I’m married for a second time while my first wife lives makes me a biblical adulterer. I have experienced sex while unmarried – another sexual impurity I think God would place in the same category. My mind has its dark corners, corners which are ugly when exposed to the light, but they exist. I need not be explicit for you to understand I’m a sinner.

8. While I’m not a kleptomaniac by civil standards, I’m not off the hook for theft. Just this week I brought a pad of sticky notes home from the office without permission. That’s pretty lame, you might think, but it’s only the most recent of my pilfering.

9. I lie. Sometimes I don’t mean to, other times I do. When I make mistakes I don’t admit them and like a fool I will resort to fibbing or silence rather than being fully truthful. This is a personal struggle for me and one of the hardest, most painful, and most frequent of my failings.

10. I want to say I don’t covet, but to do so would be a lie (see #9). For example, when I see others with cell phones, I want one. When I see a hot sports car, I wish it were mine. I don’t need to be bombarded with TV ads and prime time sleaze to find plenty to covet.

I have no hope without the free gift of salvation, a gift I can never earn. I can never make up for my sin. I cannot atone. Only Jesus’ blood can do that. He did what I cannot do. I believe him when he said he did it for me. He calls me to change, to belong to him and submit and confess his name. Jesus, You are Lord. You are the Messiah, Anointed by God for the purpose of the Salvation of our souls. To believe you, to trust you, means to act in love in all facets of life. It means not only serving you in obedience with the right heart attitude, it means serving others as though serving you, as you yourself served others when you were among man as man. Forgive me, Lord. Lead me according to your righteousness and not my own. Wake me, take me, forgive me, cleanse me, and lead me according to the path you alone have set for me. Amen.

I first realized who Jesus was when I was 11. I knew I wanted to have the hope expressed by another boy my age when he stood up and explained what Jesus meant to him, how he was different, and how he had hope. I didn’t understand it, but I felt the pull. I knew in my own childlike way that God was God and I was not, that I had no hope in my own power, and so I decided then to put my trust in the Lord. I’ve made many mistakes, made efforts to walk away from him since. It is beyond my understand He would pursue me, welcoming me back when I returned in humility, and that He still seeks me when I flagrantly disobey him even today. To face this reality – to be seen by the perfect light of Love and to even imagine I’m forgiven: I am thrown to the floor, face down, in abject humility.

Your Admission…
Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? Do you trust Him with your eternal soul, or do you think you can lay hold of eternity by your own power? Confession is the first step. It is the first step in the right direction. If you are reading this and you don’t know what I mean, if you have questions or want direction, I don’t have the answers. But I know who does. I know how to put you in contact. I can show you how to begin.

It starts with realizing who you are in relation to who God is, admitting your inability to save yourself, but accepting that Jesus can wash away all that sin and restore your hope, renewing your soul by giving birth to a new spiritual hope and new life under management of the Holy Spirit.

Submit

When you submit you willingly place yourself under the authority of another. It doesn’t take a scholar to understand that once you admit God is God and you aren’t, you should submit to the authority of God in your life. This is not a one-time event. It is a way of life. We must willingly and indeed joyfully become bond-servants of the Lord.

Ex 20:3 You shall have no other gods before me. I’ve heard the first commandment spoken of as a mere statement of fact about God rather than an instruction to be carried out by humans. That’s a lie! God wants, expects, and fully deserves to be revered as the sole God of our lives and the universe at large. To understand the simple statement: God is God, is to understand his position is one of authority. Pop-Christian evangelism tends to gloss over this critical truth. Without it, however, what kind of gospel message is there? The good news is more than redemption, it’s includes the message we have a good shepherd. He is one who will lead us (Ps 23). He gives us only that which is good (Mt 7:11). His holiness (Rev 4:8) is unchanging (Jas 1:17). Stripped of all emotion, broken down to its most essential and basic components, reason dictates in the absence of our ability to lay hold of eternal life we should willingly submit to the authority of one who will provide not only life, but He will provide for every need (Lk 12:22-34).

Mt 10:24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. The Holy Spirit is called a deposit (2 Tim 1:14) and a helper sent by the Father (Jn 14:16) who will teach us (Jn 14:26). How can we learn if we do not submit ourselves to the instruction of the Helper, our Teacher? Jesus is called teacher many times in scripture as well, as in Jn 13:13. Regardless of your understanding of the triune nature of God, clearly Jesus exists in perfect unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit is likewise in perfect unity with the Father, so they all are in agreement and all are teachers speaking with the authority granted by the Father. As authorities and gifts of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit speak with the full authority of God and should be served with equal willing and loving obedience.

Mt 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Ultimately Jesus has the authority whether we acknowledge it or not. One day every knee will bow (Ro 14:11), but I would rather have the hope associated with submitting to His authority now (2 Cor 6:2).

My Submission
It took years for me to understand – I’m still learning – the necessity to submit to the authority of the highest power, my Lord Jesus Christ. When I learned what a relationship with God meant, however slight my 11 year old understanding was, I would have done anything asked of me to serve such a God. He gave a rudder to my ship, provided a star to steer by, and has always had control of the proverbial seas on which I float toward Him. Using the sea analogy, if I don’t submit to His commands, obeying without question, the rocks I cannot sea waiting to wreck me would have me. If I sail my own course there are heavy seas and storms which I could have avoided. The storms I would encounter anyway He will guide me through when I obey. The Lord will, even after I’ve driven of my own will into the heart of the hurricane, still calm the sea and bring me through it in spite of my stubborn stupidity. The difference? I can learn and be blessed or suffer. The port remains at the end of the journey, but which journey is better? In the midst of the trip I make many mistakes. Submitting to an authority unseen by carnal eyes can be hard, particularly when I live carnally. When we are genuine in our submission, when we allow the indwelling Spirit to help and guide and obey that voice, we will see however dimly our God and our faith will be multiplied. Faith results in action, and obedient action is like the city on the hill which cannot be hidden. Glory to God in the highest!

Your Submission
People argue about election, predestination, free will, and so forth. These all become wasteful musings when we willingly submit to the authority of our Lord. Let God be God, let Him be Lord and Master. When you do, you’ll submit to Him freely and joyfully. You will act in obedience when your will aligns to His. When your will matches that of God you walk in unity and all those other arguments no longer matter as much. When your faith is genuine (Mt 21:22) and your will is aligned, your prayers will be most effective (Jas 5:16) and powerful (Mt 16:19) because you’ll be asking God what He wants you to ask.

As a part of the good news of salvation through the atoning blood of Jesus, accepting His substitution sacrifice means accepting His authority to do so. To accept His authority requires submission to that authority. Put yourself at his feet, at his very mercy, and allow yourself to serve him. He has good things in store for you. You cannot loose. The work He has for you will not only benefit you, but in obedience to the greatest commands it will benefit others. Everyone wins when you submit to the authority of Christ.

Commit

When you admit God is God and you do the only logical thing – submit to His authority – it only stands to reason you will live what you believe.

Ac 5:1-3 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? You can say the right words. You can take an action meant for good and which may even do some good. If your heart isn’t sincere, you cannot hide it from God. If you are really sincere, your commitment will be complete. God allows us to question Him. Jesus forgives sin. But, if your faith isn’t genuine your commitment won’t be either. Either God is God or He isn’t. If you don’t commit you’re saying He isn’t.

Ac 7:55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. In Acts 6 and 7 Stephen stands in stark contrast to Ananias and Sapphira. Stephen was committed. He obeyed to the point of death. Even facing death, Stephen was confident in his eternal salvation and in spite of the grueling and painful physical torture unto death, he was comforted. He saw into heaven and knew something greater than this life.

My Commitment
Would I be able to do what Stephen did if called upon? Would I doubt, keeping what belongs to God like Ananias? I have little confidence in myself. My flesh is weak. If God called on me tonight, the gravity of the importance of commitment makes my knees weak. It isn’t my fear of death from this life, but my fear of my own sinful nature while living this life. God is faithful to keep the promises he makes. What about all my broken promises? Pray for me. I go down to my knees and beg forgiveness, recommitting now and each day moving forward.

Your Commitment
The commitment isn’t found in words, not even in death, but in living. Stephen’s example was his life, not his death. Death happens to us all. It was his attitude while living which is the example to follow. Commit yourself to that life and you will one day see what Stephen saw (1 Thess 5:24). Do it daily (Lk 9:23).

Transmit

We looked at the path leading ultimately to the eternally redeemed life. This path starts with realizing the need to get on the path and that Jesus is the one to lead us. We then give him permission to direct us. The seed of the good news takes firm root in good soil when we commit to a life lived in submission to our Lord. But, what exactly are we committing ourselves to do? The answer to this, I think, is to transmit.

Mt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” One of the most widely known passages in scripture is the one where Jesus is telling his disciples to go forth and carry His instructions to the world. Not every individual believer is required to physically travel abroad to carry out this mission, but this is obviously a very important task to be carried out. With this command comes the promise of the power to accomplish it (Mt 28:18) and the promise the power will remain with the believer and all believers until time runs out (Mt 28:20). Clearly it wasn’t just a message for first century believers. It also wasn’t an instruction to just go tell people the good news and hustle from town to town with assembly line theology. Making disciples isn’t something done with a single church service, no matter how sincere a “sinner’s prayer” is said nor by the number of conversions accomplished.

Jn 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” If we love Jesus, we will obey him (Jn 15:10). Since Peter loved Jesus, he promised to obey Him. The thing Jesus asked of Peter was to feed His sheep. By feed, Jesus meant for Peter to provide believers in Jesus with the Word of God (Mt 4:4). It was Peter’s job to teach believers. All believers and especially new believers need to be spiritually nourished (1 Pe 2:2) by hearing the Word of God. This command is a component of the great commission.

1 Cor 12:4-7 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. All believers are empowered by the Spirit to do certain thing. It is what we were created for (Eph 2:10). The Spirit makes it possible. Not everyone must leave home and travel to other nations. Not everyone is a teacher or preacher or healer. But every believer has certain things they were created to do. No matter what we do, believers filled with the Spirit have certain characteristics and bare fruit of common nature (Gal 5:22-24). Whether we use words or we are only seen from a distance, we testify to what we have seen and believe. The more clearly we see God and know Him, His commands, and the Good News, the more clearly we will transmit His message to the lost. Near or far, this is our highest purpose.

Mt 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. If we bare good fruit and we obey in our faith, we will be like the city Jesus spoke of here. Adam was unable to hide his sin (Gen 3:8-10). If sin is hidden in the dark and cannot be hidden (Jn 3:20), how can (why would) a source of light be hidden (Mt 5:15-16)?

My Transmission
They say actions speak louder than words. I talk a good game, or so I like to think. In the end it will be my actions demonstrating what lies inside my heart. Deeds and the heart behind the deeds cannot be separated. I am largely blind to my deeds. I often try in my foolishness to hide from God for I know my deeds aren’t according to His perfect will. I fall short. The more I realize it, the more I ask him to expose my dark corners to his cleansing light. As I do this I grow in faith and Spirit. Far from worthy of the promised salvation, I humbly submit to you who reads this testimony of one who is worthy. The Lord is good, regardless of me. Any good in me is Him and not me. May any good I do be a testament to Him and not to me.

Your Transmission
What is the good news we are to share? Ask God in your prayers to give you the words to answer with when asked (Mt 10:19). These are some of Peter’s words…

1 Pe 1:3-12 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (emphasis added)

Personally, I’m of the opinion God can use His word – any portion of it He deems suitable for the occasion – to speak to the innermost heart and save souls. All of scripture is useful (2 Tim 3:16-17). Know what you believe and be ready and willing to speak it (1 Pe 3:15). Don’t sit idle in the meantime (Lk 10:2): write the word on your heart so the Spirit will have something to work with (Ps 119:105).