last classic Saturday

Fifteen months ago, I determined to go through the book Devotional Classics, edited by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith. The book contains 52 excerpts from writings of men and women who have had a great deal of spiritual authority through the years. As you can see, it took me a bit longer than my original 1 per week plan, but that's okay. Slow and steady disciplines have just been so key for my spiritual walk, and I am blessed so much if I just stick with them..even if the discipline (and the growth) take longer than I anticipate.

Today's last devotional classic is an excerpt from Watchman Nee (1903-1972) From his writing What Shall This Man Do?, Nee addresses what is necessary for a person to be saved.

"God has made from His side, a threefold provision for every person in that person's hour of crisis: Firstly, Jesus has come as the Friend of sinners; secondly it is He personally (and no intermediary) whom we are called to meet; and thirdly, the Holy Spirit has been poured out on all flesh, to bring to pass in us the initial work of conviction of sin, repentance, and faith, and of course, all that follows."

"From the side of the sinner, one condition and one only is demanded. We are not required-in the first place- to believe, or to repent, or to be conscious of sin, or even to know that Christ died. We are required only to approach the Lord with an honest heart."

"..the main question is whether or not we have the Son, and not, first of all, whether or not we understand the whole plan of salvation. The first condition of salvation is not knowledge, but meeting Christ. I have come to see that all that is needed for the initial step is that there should be a personal touch with God, and when that is so the rest will surely follow."