It Was The Holy Spirit

"Your name is not in the Book," said God's scribe,
When I stood at the gate to Paradise.
"But I know the day I joined Jesus' tribe;
They said, Once saved, always saved, your whole life!
There must be one here who will vouch for me;
Check again; ask God if His Book's correct;
Surely, He remembers when I went free,
Walked down the aisle and joined His elect!"
"There is no mistake; you have to move on!
Many respond in vain emotional spell;
For such as they, the cross did not atone!"
Then I woke, thinking this dream was from hell;
Prayed "Dear Holy Spirit, it's not too late;
You sent me this dream to make my life straight!"

The chief reason every Christian has God's Holy Spirit indwelling is to help him change his old life style from one of sinful worldliness to a new life, called "born again", in which he lives as Jesus taught---to love others, hate the things of the world that induce him to sexual perversion, selfishness, love of money, seekig of power, etc. The Spirit though is only a guide; what is required is personal will power to refrain from lust, greed, worldly ambition, and to concentrate on giving, meekness, brotherly love, and love for all, even enemies. A high percentage of people who come forward in church, professing belief in Christ, do nothing on their own initiative to change their old habits. For them, it is very likely the Spirit would cause a dream such as the one in the poem as an incentive to motivate the dreamer to follow up his profession of faith with the repentance that is essential for salvation before he dies, when it will be forever too late.

It is difficult for some to accept the popular doctrine that is taught by some evangelical churches of "Once saved, always saved". Some well-established "orthodox" churches criticize the belief by calling it "cheap" grace. However, it is a true doctrine, provided that the candidate follows his profession of faith with repentance of his past sins, asking for forgiveness, and goes earnestly to work changing his life style. Unfortunately, those who do not follow up the confession may, in fact, go on with their lives as before, and therefore may not receive salvation. No preacher or any other human being can see what exists in the heart. Only God can do that.