Second Friend Day - Elmer Towns

when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 24:25). His emotions were stirred,
just as some who come to the altar and weep but never get saved. You cannot judge the sincerity
of a person by the outward display of emotions. The country preacher said it eloquently: "The
toot of the car's horn doesn't tell you how much gas is in the tank."
On the other side of the coin, just because a person doesn't cry or show joy, doesn't mean
he lacks sincerity. Many people keep their emotions to themselves, yet they feel deeply.
Repentance is necessary for salvation, yet repentance never got anyone saved. Like the
bus ticket to Detroit, the first half says, "This half good for passage, not good if detached."
Salvation is good for passage to heaven, not good if detached from repentance. The second half
of the bus ticket reads, "Not good for passage, keep in your possession until arriving at
destination." This ticket stub represents repentance, "Not good for passage for heaven ' keep
doing good works until you get to your destination. "
Repentance is usually tied to emotions. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to
salvation" (II Cor. 7:10). In the book of Acts, Peter and Paul both preached repentance.
Your salvation does not begin with repentance, for these are dead works that cannot give
you merit before God. Your salvation begins with the preaching of the gospel. It is God's Word
that stirs the heart.
Conviction which stirs the spirit to respond to God, begins from the Scriptures. "For the
Word of God is quick, and powerful . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart" (Heb. 4:12). The Word of God lays bare the sin that is hidden in the thoughts of man.
Your sin is never hidden from God, but the Bible convicts by illuminating the mind, showing an
individual his sinfulness.
Conviction begins in the mind and moves to the surface. A man becomes aware that he
has offended God. The effect is that he cries, trembles or becomes reflective. Sad stories or
persuasive arguments will not bring conviction. It comes from the Word of God by the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicted you of sin (Jn. 16:8). This is because you have not believed in
Jesus Christ (Jn. 16:9). He also performed the same work in your heart concerning righteousness
and judgment (John 16:8-10).
Tears will not convince God of your sincerity, nor will your smile convince others that
you have an inner peace. The stirring of emotions is a necessary concomitant of- salvation, but
not salvation itself. You must respond.
Your mind knows the facts of the gospel and your emotions motivate you, but your will
must respond. Paul describes this, "Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine" (Rom.
6:17). Other descriptions are used to show a man's response: Receiving Christ, accepting the
Lord, asking Christ into your heart, placing your trust in Christ, or taking Christ by faith. Each of
these statements means a person has made a volitional act of his will in turning his life over to
Jesus Christ.