President’s Post – Pray and listen to the Lord
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I have often said and firmly believe that the greatest thing about Liberty University is our students. And this weekend, our student-athletes have made headlines around the nation. The Liberty family shared one of the most significant milestones in our school’s 51-year history. An early vision of my friend, Dr. Jerry Falwell, finally came to pass. Liberty hosted Brigham Young University at the Williams Stadium for the first time and defeated BYU 41-14 in front of a sold-out crowd.
So many have asked me through the years, “If Dr. Falwell were around to see this, do you think he would ever believe this was possible?” And to that question, I have no doubt Dr. Falwell dreamed of this and even greater things for Liberty University. He saw this in his mind. We are just catching up to the God-sized vision my friend had so long ago. We are seeing it today.
It was an honor to address the student body in Convocation just last week and to encourage our students on how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ by letting go of old things in their lives.
The Apostle Paul reminds us “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,” and “to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Only by surrendering to the Lord and following the Holy Spirit’s guidance can we have a true and living relationship with Jesus Christ. Barriers in our life will often get in the way of our complete and total surrender. These can often be habits we cultivate in our daily lives, and poor habits can consume our time and shift our attention away from living the life God intended for us.
Our ability to listen can be one of our biggest barriers. James tells us to “be quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19). Likewise, the book of Hebrews tells us that spiritual teaching is “hard to explain since you have become dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11). When teaching parables, Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).
If we are going to have a relationship with God through Christ, we are going to have to learn to listen to the Lord. But how can we hear the Lord?
First, we must listen to God’s Word. Paul says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). The Bible also says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We must hear God first by his Word, and second, we must hear from him by seeking him through prayer.
Another barrier that gets in the way is bad faith. So often, we hear today that all you need is faith, that faith alone is the answer. But many people have faith only in themselves. They have faith in their ability to perform good works and good deeds of righteousness. This is bad faith.
Our faith is only as good as the object of our faith. Who or what are you putting your faith in? The Bible warns us that all our deeds of righteousness are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). If we have faith in our works of righteousness, then we will never be justified before a holy and righteous God.
So, who should be the object of our faith? We must trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation. He alone is our righteousness. Our faith is only as good as who we put our faith in. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
The only way to get to heaven and spend eternity with God is to believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, that he was buried and that he rose again on the third day. Our salvation is not a result of anything we have done but only because of what Christ has done.
If we have put our faith in Jesus Christ, then we are promised that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39).
Are you a true “Champion for Christ?” Have you put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation? Your eternity can start today if you ask Jesus into your heart to become the Lord of your life.
Have you placed your faith in Christ already? Then please join me in praying for all of our Liberty students that they would all know Jesus Christ personally.
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Prevo is the Interim President of Liberty University. Follow him on Twitter @JerryPrevoLU