The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Salvation

A Personal Testimony
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6

There was a very religious man, a Pharisee, named Saul. He witnessed an amazing defense of the Gospel Message of Jesus by Stephen that ended in Stephen’s death. When Saul heard of this new “way,” he actively sought to stop it. Although this may have sounded commendable, he was wrong in his thinking. Saul set out to persecute this new way, putting people in prison (see Acts 8:3). However, in reality, see what this caused: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

Saul received special permission to go to Damascus to bring any of “this way,” bound to Jerusalem. As he went, he saw a great light and heard Someone call out his name. When Saul asked who it was, he found out it was Jesus, the one whom Saul was persecuting. When he heard from Jesus, Himself, Saul had much to consider. Jesus told him, to go to the city and wait (see Acts 9:6b). Saul went to the city and waited. “And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink” (Acts 9:9).

The Lord sent a certain disciple named Ananias to see Saul. Saul received his sight, and more importantly, he received Jesus into his heart and life. Soon, he was no longer called Saul, but Paul. He became a voice preaching the truth of Jesus. He recorded much of the New Testament for us to read today.

Later, when he was given the opportunity to share just what had happened to him before a great crowd of people (who wanted to kill him), see how he did this.
- Paul briefly reminded them of the sinner he was,
- He spent time explaining the specific call Jesus made to him,
- He told of his personal response,
- Then, he told of the particular job Jesus gave to Paul to accomplish with his life.
- Paul briefly reminded them of the sinner he was:
“1. Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you … 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5. … and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished” (Acts 22:1-5). Gamaliel was a doctor of the Law of Moses, and he had at one time been Paul’s teacher. Remember Paul was one of the religious leaders that had hated the Christians. Before Jesus called Paul, Paul persecuted any who believed or taught of “this way.” “This way” in verse 4 refers to what Jesus had said in John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is The Way.
- He spent time explaining the specific call Jesus made to him & he told of his personal response:
“6. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8. And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12. And one Ananias, a devout man … 13. Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.” (Acts 22:6-15).
- And then the particular job Jesus gave to Paul to accomplish with his life:
Paul (Saul) was saved when Jesus called him, and he responded to that call. However, God had a job for him to do. “18. And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. … 21. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles” (Acts 22:17-21). Jesus called Paul, he believed and was saved, and then God sent him to preach Jesus – primarily to the Gentiles.

This is a good basis for anyone to use who will give their testimony of the time they gave their heart and life to Jesus. Spend time understanding how to simply share. A personal testimony of when Jesus called upon one’s heart is pivotal in witnessing to someone else.

Have you ever shared your personal salvation experience with anyone else?

How to be Saved
December 5, 2021
The Wedding Garment

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14

Jesus told many parables. It is important to know that a parable is a “heavenly story with an earthly meaning.” Because our earthly minds cannot understand heaven or the things of God, Jesus often told parables to the people, particularly to help his disciples understand what He was trying to teach them.

One such parable was about a marriage and a wedding feast. “2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6. And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them” (Matthew 22:2-6). First, understand that the King is God and His Son is Jesus. The marriage (the wedding) was for the King’s Son, Jesus, to the Christians (all those who belong to Jesus through His Salvation). When salvation through Jesus was offered to the Israelite people, the Israelites overwhelmingly rejected Jesus. This is pictured when those were “bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.” When the King sent other servants, they made light of it a first, but they eventually treated the King’s servants “spitefully, and slew them.” What did the King do? “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city” (Matthew 22:7).

When they rejected the King’s Son, Jesus, salvation was then made available to the Gentile people. This is pictured when the King spoke again to His servants. “8. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage” (Matthew 22:8-9). The servants went out to tell any and all to come to the marriage supper with the King’s Son, Jesus. “So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests” (Matthew 22:10). Any who received the invitation came.

Read what happens next: “11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). No one can join the wedding without a wedding garment. Any not clothed with the righteousness given by Jesus will be cast “into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

We can understand: “If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked” (2 Corinthians 5:3). Remember how to be clothed? “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). Salvation by faith in Jesus is the only way to be clothed in righteousness. Read how Peter described himself and others who obtained this righteousness. “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1).

We can also remember the picture of Joshua when Satan accused him before the Lord. Jesus (his Advocate) defended Joshua. “3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment” (Zechariah 3:3-4). Jesus took away Joshua’s iniquity (his sin) and clothed him with the righteousness only found in Jesus Christ.

Will you be found without a wedding garment,

or

Will you be clothed by Christ’s righteousness?

How to be Saved

November 7, 2021
Faithful Stewards

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
1 Corinthians 4:2

There are many people in our lives with whom we become acquainted. However, one must be cautious that those we spend the most time with have a true knowledge of Jesus and a love for God’s Word. We are to understand that words alone do not make one a child of God. A very dangerous position in which to be is to be one who does not hold the truth of salvation. What is the condition of those who do not have a true knowledge of Jesus? “12. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13. Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever” (Jude 1:12-13). When one does not hold the truth of salvation, they might just look and sound like a Christian, yet they have never known the truth of the Gospel message. What a sad place to be! Remember the warning Jesus gave: “21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Remember an event in the New Testament to help one understand this better.

Paul had met a couple, Aquila and Priscilla, while on his second missionary journey in the city of Corinth. Paul taught in the synagogue every Sabbath, teaching the people that Jesus was the Christ (the Messiah that had come to take away the sin of anyone who would believe). Eventually, the chief ruler of the synagogue “believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed” (see Acts 18:8). Paul stayed there for a time, teaching the Word of God to the people. When he left Corinth, Priscilla and Aquila went with him until he reached Ephesus where they stayed while Paul continued on his journey.

While Priscilla and Aquila were there, a man came. “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus” (Acts 18:24). See what else God’s Word says of Apollos. “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). One has to stop for a minute to remember what it means by the “baptism of John.” John (also known as John the Baptist) was preaching repentance, calling for people to be baptized, preparing them to receive Jesus when He came. John the Baptist’s job was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (see Luke 1:17b). This meant that he was to introduce Jesus to the people as the Messiah (the Christ) for whom they had been waiting. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Somehow, Apollos missed that part of the message. He only knew of the baptism to repentance, but missed that Jesus was the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. He had knowledge of much of the Scripture, but he was missing the key part – Jesus. Repentance of sin was important, but it was meaningless unless one understood that Jesus was the One who took the sin from the individual, giving salvation.

What was Apollos doing with the information of the baptism to repentance that was taught by John the Baptist? “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly” (Acts 18:26). When Aquila and Priscilla heard that what Apollos was teaching was missing the most important part (Jesus), they went to him and “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” What does that mean? They explained to Apollos that Jesus was the Christ. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). They had to tell Apollos about Jesus. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). That was the key part of the message that Apollos had not yet heard. However, when Apollos heard, he believed in Jesus. How do we know that he received the message and believed in Jesus? “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:28). Because Aquila and Priscilla were faithful stewards of God’s Word, not only did Apollos believe, but he proceeded to tell others that Jesus was the Christ, too.

Have you told others that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing they can have life through His name?

How to be Saved

August 16, 2021
The Mediator
“5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time”
1 Timothy 2:5-6

God’s people were in bondage in Egypt (they were slaves). However, God heard them cry out and rose up a mighty deliverer, Moses. Moses appeared before Pharaoh and told him. “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go …” (Exodus 5:1). Pharaoh’s response? “… I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2).

God then revealed Himself with the Ten Plagues. What had God thought of Pharaoh’s rejection of and defiance of Him? “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD” (Exodus 12:12). Not only would God reveal Himself mightily to Pharaoh, but also to His people.

The tenth, and final, plague was an institution of the Passover, the death of the firstborn. It showed the mighty deliverance of God. The Israelites were to kill a lamb for each house and sprinkle the blood on the doorposts. The death angel would then “pass over” each house whose doorpost was covered with the blood. “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you” (Exodus 12:23). Moses told the people to prepare.

Read what happened on that night. “29. And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead” (Exodus 12:29-30). The death angel went through the land killing each firstborn. The angel only passed over the houses with the blood of the lamb on the doorposts. After this, Pharaoh finally agreed to let God’s people go.

This is one of many pictures throughout the Old Testament to reveal that Jesus would give His life for our salvation. See the fulfillment declared in the following Scriptures:
- “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
- “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
- “14. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:14-17).
- “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
- “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
- “5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
- “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Especially note “who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Jesus gave Himself a ransom to become the mediator between a perfect God and a sinful people. In these verses, one should understand that because of the one time shedding of blood by Jesus, anyone has the opportunity to be redeemed (saved) – if only one would believe.

Do you believe Jesus is the Redeemer, your mediator between you, a sinful person, and God?

How to be Saved
July 4, 2021
Do you Seek the Lord?

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Amos 3:3

God sent a man named Amos to deliver an important message to the people of Israel. The people were living contrary to the Word of God, worshiping idols, and were practicing an empty religion. Amos asked them an important question: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). He proceeded to remind them of the sin in which they were walking that was contrary to God and His Word. He wanted the people to understand that they would not live in peace or prosperity when they chose to reject God’s Word and live in sin. Judgment that was coming was the result of the sin of the people. God told Amos what would happen, and Amos was faithful to warn the people. The condition of the people was getting worse and worse. The problem was the sin in the heart of man. That is the same problem in the world today.

The people of Israel had been dealt with before because of sin. Nevertheless, they had returned to that sin. God wanted them to understand that there was a limit to His patience with them. Amos had a message for them. “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken” (Amos 5:14). Sure, they had a religious practice, but they were not serving the one true God in that religious practice. Remember what Jesus called the religious rulers seven times in Matthew chapter 23. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). Jesus called them hypocrites! They looked like they belonged to God on the outside, yet their hearts were contrary to the teachings of God’s Word. Jesus saw their hearts – they were dead and unclean.

How often do people today claim to be a Christian, yet their lifestyle is contrary to the Christian life recorded in the Bible? What is even worse, how often do people think they are a Christian, but God knows their heart is “full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” God has left an invitation to any who would turn from evil and seek after Him. However, many have not. They hear the truth from the Bible, yet they do not receive the Gospel message of salvation. Moreover, many who say they receive that salvation continue to live in the same manner as before – contrary to the teachings found in the Bible. God sent Amos with a message for the people to “seek good, and not evil, that they may live.” It is to be the mission of the church, and all Christians, to make that invitation known. It is then left for them to choose to believe.

Faith in Jesus must be real. See what Paul wrote: “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Romans 6:19). Faith is to be appropriated in the life of the one who claims to be a Christian. All who see one called a Christian must be able to see Christ in that life. Remember what James wrote. “19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20). It isn’t enough just to believe, one must live out that faith, showing that Jesus is there. One may be able to put up good front or show here on earth, but understand that God can see the true heart. Remember that Jesus knew that the Pharisees appeared beautiful on the outside, but within they were full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

Remember what David told his son, Solomon, before Solomon became king: “… for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever” (1 Chronicles 28:9b).

Do you seek Jesus?

Can others see Jesus in your life every day?

How to be Saved

February 14, 2021
God’s Promise

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16

One of the most famous verses in the world is: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). But has anyone actually stopped to understand what this verse really means?

God sent His Son, Jesus into the world. He gave His Beloved Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for each individual person’s sin. The penalty for sin is death. However, because God is a loving and gracious God, He made provision for Jesus to pay for a person’s sin with His life. All one has to do is believe upon Jesus, receiving this great gift. Can you better understand this verse now? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Read the next verse in that passage to understand even more so as to why Jesus came: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).

After reading both of those verses, understand that the gift of the pardon for sin is offered – all one has to do is receive it. God wanted each person in the world to be saved from the penalty of sin. This pardon from sin is understood as a promise from God – but only for those who accept that gift.

What if one chooses to continue in sin, rejecting the gift God offered? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). This, too, is a promise.

No one knows what tomorrow may hold. Life is fleeting and short. It is up to each individual to decide. Choose life (with Jesus), or receive the penalty for sin – the wrath of God abiding on him.

Have you chosen to receive the gift of salvation (life) by believing in Jesus?

How to be Saved

September 13, 2020
Faith Comes by Hearing

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11

God called many prophets in the Old Testament to go forth and declare His Word to people. They mostly went, no matter what happened to them. We all remember one particular prophet who chose to disobey God. He chose to go the opposite direction God wanted him to go. The way he wanted to go. Remember him? Jonah, forever known as the prophet who was swallowed by a whale. Why did that happen to him? Because he chose to do what he wanted, instead of obeying God. But only after he was in the belly of that great fish for three days and three nights, praying, was he willing to go deliver the Word of the Lord to the people of Nineveh. Even with his begrudgingly behavior, thousands of people repented before God, and God spared the people and the city.

Have you ever considered any of the other prophets God sent forth? Remember Isaiah. God asked who He could send, who would go tell the people. Isaiah said, “Here am I; send me.” God told him to go and tell the people, but Isaiah was warned that the people would hear him, but would not listen to him. They would not understand what he was telling them. They would not take any of the counsel of God’s Word that he gave to them. It might sound good for somebody else, but not them. They would not get it. Isaiah had God’s Word, yet the people would not receive it. When Isaiah asked God how long he would have to tell this people who wouldn’t really listen to anything he said, God told him to continue to tell the people until there was no one left to tell.

Do you think that would have been a hard thing to do? Isaiah was given more prophecies concerning Jesus, the Messiah that was to come, than any other prophet. He was instrumental in helping the people understand that salvation is of the Lord – not of anything man can do. Isaiah’s name even signifies this, for his name means “Salvation is of the Lord.” Nevertheless, tradition declares that King Manasseh had him sawn in two.

Many other people declared the truths of God’s Word. One cannot help but think of Peter as he told of Jesus, and many thousands of people give their hearts and lives to Jesus. Paul gave his life telling people about Jesus, and establishing churches to teach the apostles doctrine. He also spent much time in prison. Stephen preached the Gospel message of Jesus, and he was stoned to death. However, these men were faithful to the end.

Today should be no different. Each Christian is called to go and tell the Gospel message of Jesus. To tell the difference that God’s Word has made in that Christian’s life. No one may hear. No one may understand. They might believe that it is good for someone else, not for them. They might not receive it. Nevertheless, we are called to go and tell – even when people don’t want to hear about Jesus. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). People must hear before they can believe. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). The word preacher here means “to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the Gospel); preach, proclaim, publish.” This means anyone can declare or “cry out” the Gospel message. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). We are just required to declare God’s Word to people. God will take care of the rest.

However, no one will know the Gospel message of Jesus if we do not tell it. Have you told anyone about what Jesus has done for you?

March 1, 2020
Good Work

The only good work one can do in and of themselves is explained simply by Jesus, Himself, when He was asked by the people. “28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29). So the only good work anyone can do is to believe on Jesus. And when someone believes on Jesus, their life is forever changed. A new life in Christ begins. One begins to learn what the Bible teaches and applies those things to their life. Titus chapters two and three are a great place to read to understand some of the ways a Christian is to live. And as we choose to life a life pleasing to Jesus, we are to watch for His coming. “11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14). Notice that not only did Jesus come to redeem us, but we are to be zealous of good works. Remember what the only good work is that we can do? Believe upon Jesus, God’s Son. Any other good we do is because we have done that – for it is an outflow of appropriating our faith in Jesus into every aspect of our lives.

God sent Jesus into the world to “seek and to save that which is lost” (see Luke 19:10). Who is lost? Anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God come in the flesh to pay the penalty for man’s sin with His death on the cross. Why is this so hard for people to believe? “3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

The grace of God that brings salvation is available to anyone.

The invitation is simple. But it must be received.

Are you ready to do the work of God?

October 20, 2019
The Only Way
Each Christian needs to know, and even memorize, these scriptures in order to tell someone else how to be saved. Tell someone today!
1. Lostness: Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
2. Penalty: Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
3. Price: Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
4. Response: Romans 10:9-10: “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
5. Security: Romans 8:38-39: “38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
6. New Life: Romans 12:1-2: “1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
September 26, 2019