Our loss, his gain…

Late last night the news came that Pastor John MacArthur had graduated and is now with Jesus. Actually, he has been with Jesus most of his life. Here he will be missed. 

We were members of his church for a short time. My hubby was saved at another church in 1980, and realized it was not the right place for us. I and our three children were listening to John on the radio before they went to school each day and the youngest (grade 4) piped up and suggested we go to Grace Community Church. It was a bit of a drive for us, but I’ll not forget the first time we attended and heard John speak.

I’d read of how to live as a Christian but not experienced examples until we heard the preaching and met the people at Grace. People saved seats in the front rows by putting their Bibles on them, unheard of in most churches. I was so mesmerized by John’s messages that it took me a month to remember what he looked like. He was a humble man, studied the Word many hours a day, and an incredible ‘preaching machine’ when up front. My husband and all we met there were thoroughly grounded in their faith because of John’s teaching, and very involved in obeying the Lord. I’m certain the Internet is already full of stories that tell how this man glorified God and changed their lives. 

My verse for today reminds me of John’s firm defense of the gospel and is a truth firmly embedded in my heart:

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44)

Salvation is not something we do. It is not a matter of ‘choosing’ to following Christ, but of being chosen. So many claim “when I decided to become a Christian” yet the Bible does not make this a human choice. John pointed that out and repeated what Jesus said:

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:15–17)

MacArthur stood firmly on that truth. When the choice is ours, many think that we can also choose to stop believing. However, when God’s calling is spoken of like this, and the rest of the NT is carefully read, true believers experience a changed life, a new life, a life in which Jesus is Lord and we are His forever children. We do not control our salvation; Jesus does. John focused on our Savior’s lordship.

One summer we moved from California and Grace church. During that move, we attended two other churches that were growing in size and filled with people who were like the folks at Grace. These three were different denominations yet all very fruitful and alive in Christ. I noted the one thing they had in common: all three had pastors that focused on God and God's glory, not so much on what we should be doing. No finger-shaking, thou shalt’s or thou shalt not’s — instead, all pointed to the wonder of God and the Gospel. 

One of the reasons I write “Practical Faith” is because of the reality that God loves me and wants my life to honor Him, not just on Sunday or in ‘spiritual’ matters, but in everything. I watched a man and his church do that and am thankful to God for giving us a short time with them, but long enough to permanently bless our lives.

PRAY: Jesus, I am glad John is at rest with You. He is missed already, but because of Your blessing in His life, countless others have also been blessed. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.