I hear a lot of great stuff where I go to church, and the idea of sharing it thrills me.
Then I get nervous.
Maybe you wouldn’t like it as I do. Maybe you would resent it. Maybe you would click off. Maybe you would unsubscribe.
But then I back away and realize some of it really is excellent and who knows but that you might just love it as I do.
So here goes: something I heard a year ago, posted once, but just wanted to share again. Enjoy.
The Arkansas Gospel
Let me make this clear.
You don’t go to Heaven because God loves you, nor because you love Him.
You don’t go to Heaven because you amend your sinful ways or clean up your act.
Turning over a new leaf is rehabilitation, but it is not salvation.
Education is not the answer.
Reformation is not the answer.
Legislation is not the answer.
Jesus is the answer.
We go to Heaven because Jesus saves us through His work on the Cross.
Don’t be separated from God any longer.
Give your sinful life to Jesus at the Cross, bury it in baptism, and be born again of the Spirit of God.
That is how you enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
That reminded me of a story I heard once:
“He IS Out to Get You!”
A woman was driving alone, one night, on a long trip. Having just left a convenience store and taken the on ramp back to the Interstate, she felt not so lonely because some guy had held the door for her as he’d left the store. She noticed he also on-ramped when she did—a friendly face for the journey.
As she traveled, though, she thought she noticed his car following her too close. When she increased her speed a bit to make some distance, his car also increased its speed.
Tensing, and persuading herself it was coincidence, she began weaving through traffic, checking her rear view mirror.
That car followed her every move.
She upped her speed to 80, which she usually never did, and the car was still right behind her.
She could think of nothing to do but exit again, where there was civilization, and force that driver to change plans.
It was a long five miles to the exit.
Carefully, she scooted through traffic into the right lane at the last minute, without signaling, almost missed the exit, and looked up to realize that car loomed closer than ever.
There was no choice, now, but to tear into a gas station parking area, laying on the horn, screech to a stop, throw open the door, and, in desperation, flee into the building, sobbing.
Simultaneously, the driver of the other car also slammed on his brakes, and threw open his door with an angry grimace, running directly to her car, tore open the back door, and grabbed a ski-masked man from the floorboard, beating him until he collapsed.
And you don’t know it, but you’ve got trouble in your back seat.
And God is following you.
And He will never give up, so you might as well.
Home's Cool! 
Thanks for the Arkansas Gospel! It was preached here in Maryland yesterday this way: “Sin is you and me substituting ourselves for God, putting ourselves where only God should be, which is in charge of your life. Salvation is God substituting Himself for us, putting Himself where only we should be, on the cross.”
Whoa! That is amazingly good! Thanks so much for this, Ruth! Will share this with my preacher! 🙂
I liked this very much. Almost anything that comes out of Arkansas is good. 🙂
God is so good to me. He has saved me and forgiven me. Like your story, he’s always watching over us.
Me and my kids sang a song at church yesterday, “Til the Storm Passes By.” He keeps us safe until the storms of life pass by. He is IN the boat with us. I am so thankful for that.
Karen
Hey, Karen!
So glad you enjoyed this post! We sing that song in our churches on anniversaries of 9/11 and Katrina, and during tornado weather. Funny I used to not like it, but now it is one of my favorite. Could be because my son learned to play it right! 😉
Yes, God is watching, and so many fear that. When He chases us down, we think of Him as the enemy, but we find out in the end! 🙂 Whether He is in the boat with us, or else walking over the storm toward us and terrifying us, He still is good. Some times we get danger and safety mixed up, but He is still God and still has His way.
Which is very good! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment here! 🙂
Terrifying us? Jesus is not terrifying to me. He is a gentle Shepard who leads and loves me. Sometimes He leads in ways that may be contrary to our own way of thinking.
Have a blessed day.
Ha, I guess we are both confused!!! I get it now. Yo KNOW how slow I am to understand things.
I am thankful that God is letting me experience doing what He says for me to do. Our family is going through some major trials but I know God is with us all. Even in the midst of the turmoil I have perfect peace. I am so thankful for brothers AND sisters in Christ who spur me on to follow the Lord in this trial.
Extra note here: Looks like we may be getting a son-in-law in 3 months. Brings tears of joy to my eyes.
I am sure congratulations are in order! How good it must feel! 🙂
Sounds like the gospel truth to me! Great post!
Thanks so much, Cristina for your kind words! I had fun with it, and was hoping others would, too. 🙂
I do, indeed, like it. How can I NOT like the Gospel?
Thanks! I would never expect you not to like it! 🙂
🙂
Love your post. Usually when I feel scared, I realize I’m scared for no reason because God has a plan. And that’s all that matters.
Absolutely right, Kellee! Thanks for this comment and WELCOME to Home’s Cool! I’m so glad you came by! I used to drive right through your area when we visited our grandkids. Could not stand much of that and moved back to near them as fast as we could. 🙂
Stop by again, y’hear!
Great story and powerful analogy.
Thanks so much, Vickie! I wish I knew who started it. I love reading it from time to time, myself.
Wow! that’s a good one! 🙂
Love telling this story! And it makes me feel safe, in the end. ❤
Yes, and I think we are!
🙂