Pre-Marital Counseling
Have you ever given pre-marital advice? Have you ever sat down with a young couple, stars in their eyes, and tried to break them up? No? Then maybe you don’t know what real marriage counseling is all about.
OK, no, I don’t go into a counselling session with the intent on making them run out of the room crying and screaming at each other. But what I do try to do is bring to the surface issues that might cause problems down the road which will ultimately lead to major problems, even divorce.
Believe me, a lot of people could have been spared a lot pain and heartache had they been asked some serious questions before they tied the knot.
Salvation Counseling
But much like the syrupy-sweet lovers who want to jump into marriage without even considering what comes after the honeymoon, many are led into believing that becoming a Christian is the answer to all their problems.
Because of many one-stop Vegas-like “wedding chapels” we call “worship centers,” scores of people have been drawn into a relationship with Jesus – but without the “pre-marital” counseling.
Reality check: Following Jesus will not be easy. As a matter of fact, it might even result in a life of pain and suffering, of hunger and want. This relationship may even cost you your life.
And when [Jesus] had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Oh, make no mistake about it, entering into an eternity-long relationship with Jesus is totally worth it!
Just make sure you know what you’re getting into.
The Recovering Legalist 
I don’t think this is logical.
Someone is supposed to re-consider the eternal salvation of their soul maybe not worth it because they “might” have a rough life?
Let me assure anyone reading this who hasn’t had it happened yet: life in general is rough and it’s going to be hard. With or without becoming a Christian.
Understand that there’s a little tongue-in-cheek mixed in with this. However, the main point that I tried to make was that salvation is more than a free ticket; it’s a committed relationship. The parallels are all over the place.
Remember, I’m not the first to say something akin to this. It was Jesus who asked about counting the cost. It was Jesus who talked about taking up a cross. He was the one who talked about the camel and the eye of the needle and told a rich young ruler to sell all his stuff. And how much do I need to say about Ephesians chapter 5? Love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself as a sacrifice?
No, the post was more of a tongue-in-cheek hypothetical – I would probably never tell a seeking sinner to consider he might be persecuted should he accept Christ. But if I did, and he still cried out to Jesus to save his soul, how much more reassuring that would be!
I’m not doubting one bit that persecution will follow.
But that’s not a good reason to burn in Hell forever!
And as far as commitment goes, if I was counting on myself to have a constant and approved level of commitment to the Lord, I’d be in a world of hurt.
2nd Timothy 2:13
I really like this post. There is such an easy believism these days. The church, it seems is more interested in “decisions made” than in discipling the few who REALLY desire to be committed to Christ! Just imagine if even HALF of those who have been to Franklin or Billy Graham crusades had really committed their lives to Christ! Imagine if someone “went forward” and were told, as Ananias told Saul, “all the things he must suffer for Jesus name”. How many would stay??
The great Lutheran pastor Dietrich Boenhoeffer, who was martyred under Adolph Hitler for refusing to promote Nazi propaganda in the church said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him, come die”. I do, however think this is mainly a problem in the American church though. We have largely dummed down salvation as a “heads bowed, eyes closed, hands raised” nod to Jesus and a mental “yes” to a couple passages of scripture. Face it. Christianity costs us nothing in this country.. We are made fun of in some instances at times, but with no REAL consequences. But in a place like China, Iran, or Saudi Arabia, it can mean at minimum a complete rejection of basic needs and family, to a prison or death sentence at most!!! Those who come to Christ KNOW what it involves!!! And the church continues to spread like wildfire in the persecuted world!!!
Ty. Good.
AMEN!!!