14 marca, 2010

The Last Saved Generation in Slovakia

After watching people in Slovakia, various generations and their relationship with God, I came to a conclusion that right now there’s the “last saved generation”. What I mean by that is this:

The last generation is the oldest people in my culture. People that are really old and are about to die quite soon. People, that are 70 and above. Yes, I know there is no entire generation that was ever saved, but what I mean by that is that the last generation that consists of saved people, is about to die out. They are too old and there’s no other generation that would succeed them in their faith. Now, the fact is that about 99% of those people are Roman Catholics, but in spite of that I believe, that there are many (can’t even compare to any other living generation) that are going meet the Lord in heaven (and that very soon). Are you asking how can they be saved if they’re from the Roman Catholic Church (RCC)? The answer is simple – by God’s grace and through Christ’s blood! In spite all of the wrong doctrines and teachings that the RCC holds and teaches (which make the RCC practically a false church), they are saved even through the confusion of their hearts that came on them in the RCC. I believe, that when God will look upon them when they stand before Him the day they die, He will justify them because Jesus died for them. He will look into their hearts and He will find an honest, true and real desire to find Him and surrender their lives to Him. Unfortunately, under the influence of the RCC their view of God and Christianity has been distorted. But their hearts were not – they remained honestly seeking God.

Now don’t get me wrong – this cannot happen without God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Also, I don’t mean to imply that all those 70+ yrs old people are going to heaven. What I mean by that is that there are many that will go. Many, that we could say of: Oh well, if they would have just heard the real Gospel that man is justified by faith alone through grace apart from the works, they could have been saved. But the reality is that many of them have not heard that! And that’s, I believe, where God steps in with His grace and justifies them on the basis of His unconditional grace.

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I want to tell you my story, because just now I realize how this hits close to home:

For a long time I have thought I’m the only believing Christian in my entire family. Knowing that I felt alone and alienated from all those people. Of course they are my family, but none of them was a part of God’s family. But I forgot about my great grandma. She’s 86 and she’ll soon die. About a month ago she was taken to a hospital in the town and some people thought she wouldn’t make it. For over 30 years she was taking medicine and her body is now weak and old. That made me ask this question: where is she going to go after she breathes her last? As I recalled old memories and heard people talking about her I was pleased to find out that I will get to see her in heaven.

She got better and after three weeks spent in hospital they sent her back home. She is still weak and has pains but is alive. My family went to see her today. The last time I saw her was about 6 years ago. I feel really bad for not seeing her for such a long time. But on one hand I was afraid. After I became a Christian she heard I joined this Protestant church and I heard she was scared. She said she was afraid for me and that she’s praying for me. That’s why I was afraid. I didn’t want this thing to come up cause she was feeling bad already and there’s no point in talking to 86 yrs old woman that it’s not a sect.

So we went there today. My mom, sister and I were all in her small room. I could have seen she was glad to see me. When I looked around I saw these pictures of Jesus hanging on the wall. Beside her bad was a book called “Prayers for seriously sick”. I let my mom and sister leave the room and I was left there alone with her. I was on my knees right beside her bed looking into her old eyes. She said how much I’ve grown up and that she’s always thinking about me. One thing she told me and that was: THE MAIN THING - BELIEVE IN JESUS. To witch I replied: I do believe! Suddenly I saw tears in her eyes and I felt some arising in mine. Then it hit me: I am not alone; I’m not the only one! I am not the only Christian in the family! I felt this close and deep connection between us - I felt Christ uniting us. I can't really describe what I felt. It was this new feeling of somebody who is God's child and your family. Something I'm longing for ever since I believed...

Then we moved into kitchen and sometimes I saw her eyes filled with tears. As our eyes met across the room I saw her lips moving and quietly whispering: I love you. You know, she’s going to die soon. It hurts to imagine, but that’s how the things are. God showed us tremendous grace that He still keeps her here. But eventually, He will call her back home to Himself. And when I’ll go to the funeral – in weeks, months, or if God wills even years – I will probably be the only one, who will mourn with hope knowing that it’s just a matter of time till I’ll see her again.

But I am more than happy to know, that when she’ll be gone, believers won’t vanish from the family line. And I am also happy to know, that even though I thought I was the only one, I wasn’t.

Marek

6 komentárov:

Ande Truman povedal(a)...

I like the way you word your opinion about Roman Catholics, Marek. It's something I struggle with understanding. Thanks for sharing :)

John Lesondak povedal(a)...

Amazing Grace!

Bo Lancaster povedal(a)...

Marek, this is great! Isn't it wonderful when we make a connection to someone that we didn't expect based on Christ's love for each other?

I wish I had had the same experiences when my grandfather passed away. I'm pretty sure he was a believer, but never had the chance to talk to him about it.

brynne povedal(a)...

Thank you for sharing this, Marek. So many amazing truths to praise God for. And what an amazing story to tell your covenant children and grandchildren one day!!! :)

Lenka povedal(a)...

wow...i can imagine how happy you must have been.i wish i could say something similar to my children one day.

Anonymný povedal(a)...

"THE MAIN THING-BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST", said your Great Grandma. "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Rom.10:9.
God is raising up the Next Saved Generation. Rich stuff. Rich grace.