You want to know where is God right now? You want to know God personally?
You want to be saved? You find yourself in a rough spot and you wound up here
through a link or a search engine? Maybe you’re part of the religious group but
you just have some questions? I don’t know your story but you’re here.
Take a look around at this world we’re in and right away you know that
although there's a lot of pluses, it’s not a good place at all. People might
say it’s getting better but you and I both know it’s not. There are wars
happening on different corners of the globe, people dying from hunger all over
the world, oppression by tyrants in other locales and massive destruction from
natural events. Even if people pretend that it’s getting better, the world
itself knows that it’s not. While the things we do are getting better, the
stuff going on all around isn't. (Rom 8:22)
All of this has its root in sin. Sin isn’t some mythical notion made up by
religion—your own conscience tells you that (Rom 2:14-15). Thing is, sin isn’t
just the bad things that happen.
The fact is that we, and everything around us, was made by God. He’s the
Master of Everything. He is in Charge. Yet, we don’t want him in charge. We
don’t want Him as the Master of Everything. We would rather be in that position
(Genesis 3, Romans 1)
The Bible’s definition of sin isn’t simply people being naughty or something
to laugh at; it tells us that it is the direct opposition to God.
He’s perfect—we’re not. He’s good, we repeatedly do wrong. He’s in Charge we
refuse His Kingship. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and come short of
the glory of God (Rom 3:23). And it’s not that we’re not perfect, not at
all—it’s that we go completely the other way constantly. Sin isn’t only
imperfection—it’s everything bad that we think, that we say and that we do…and
we know it (Rom 3:19)! Sin isn’t only being bad, it’s thinking that we’re the
Ultimate End of Our Lives: it’s the removing of God’s authority, it’s the
making Ourselves Kings.
But we’re not God. We can’t even reach to His level.
Some people think that if they just keep a rule in their life, God must save
them. Let’s take the 10 Commandments…the Bible says that if you break one
commandment you’re worthy of death (Psa 89:31-32) . So let’s see, You shall not
steal (Exo 20:15). Ever lie on your taxes? Honor your father and mother (Exo 20:12). Have you ever spoken back to them? Made fun of them? You shall not take
the name of the Lord in vain (Exo 20:7)? Makes it worse when Jesus said that
it’s not just keeping the law in your actions but in our thinking…ever get
angry at someone (Matt 5:21-22)? God doesn’t want you to be okay…He wants you
to be perfect (Matt 5:48) just like Him.
But, once again, we’re not God. We
can’t be perfect. And the fact is if we want to be responsible for Ourselves as
if we were God, then the only one who is God has the complete right to judge us
on that scale.
The wages of sin is death and that leaves all of us in a bad spot ({Rom
6:23}}). Death isn’t just turning out the lights but its being put completely
separate from God (Matt 13:42-43).
Our biggest problem isn’t the catastrophe’s in the world, or the evil
tyrants, or the wars—it’s God who is ready to judge.
But God, who alone has a right to do this, has a way for people like you and
me, sinners, to be near to Him. In His mercy, he doesn’t make us follow
impossible rules but offers salvation as a complete gift. God, sent His Son,
down to Earth to die in our place (Rom 5:15). He walked among men and showed
men that He was the light or hope of the world and what men (like you and I)
did was take Him and hang Him to a cross, killing Him (John 3:19-20). We didn’t
believe Him and we killed Him as a liar and a criminal but God overruled that
decision and resurrected Jesus from the grave and right now He’s in heaven
sitting next to God the Father (Heb 8:1)
We didn’t trust God and we currently don’t trust God to do what He says. God
said that whoever believes on His Son will live…they will not be judged (John 3:36).
What is it to believe? The Bible tells us that even the demons believe so
it’s not just thinking in your head that “I believe” or saying a prayer (James 2:19). It is taking a hard look at the sin in yourself and the fact that you
don’t currently trust Him, turn (Mark 1:15) and now put your trust and hope on
Him and what He has done on the cross. What He did on the Cross was satisfy
God’s rightful anger against unbelieving sinners (Rom 3:25) so that He could
save unbelieving sinners when they believe. He thought up this plan and
implemented it when we were dead in our sins, when we couldn’t possibly
conceive of something like this, when we had no power to even implement it (Rom 5:6; Eph 2:8, 9)
If we don’t believe, we’re doing the same thing that those people did who
saw Him and rejected Him. You can’t get away with the repeated rejection of God
and What He Plans. This rejection of God, encapsulated in rejecting Jesus, is
ultimately the reason that unbelieving sinners are going to hell (Rev 20:15).
You can’t be in the presence of the Father and the Son if you rejected the
Son…and you’re currently doing that if you’re relying on your own morals or
rule of life to get by.
You know the Jewish leaders during Jesus’ day thought they were believers of
God but they proved otherwise. They proved that they were seeking God after
their own works and righteousness and not God’s own righteousness (Rom 10:3).
Problem is that all our goodness and good works in light of God’s goodness are
like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). There’s a bunch of people going to church today
who say they believe God but they’re just doing their good works and giving
money in the hopes that they get some points from God.
It doesn’t matter to God. What matters is that you yield to what He’s been
saying, take this hard look at yourself, see your sin for what it is—disgusting
and worthy of death, look that God has sent His Son to die in your place and
ask yourself: “Do I really trust Jesus, the Son of God as my only way to
salvation?”
If you’re honest this moment you’ll realize that you don’t really trust Him
and never have. He’s God: He’s the only one who can settle the account against
Him and He promises to do this. He has promised that those who put their faith
in Him, He will save—from future judgment, yes, but right this very moment you
will be saved from the power of sin that’s holding you (John 3:16) and have immediate
peace with God (Rom 5:1)—end of hostilities: He will no longer be against you
in rightful judgment!
I offered you a lot of links that you could choose to click on and I quoted
a lot of verses, but this is what God is outright saying to you right now:
"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is,
the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the
Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you
will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever
believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction
between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon
Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:8-13
If you believe right now, really trust that Jesus is the Son of God and that
He has died in your place, then He is faithful and just to save you now and
forever. You will never be lost…you are then a child of God. The very words are
on your lips now...what will you do? Choose today who you will serve. Are you
truly a believer in the Son of God and if not what are you going to do about
it?
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Questions
Written by Name: James on 2005-02-22 18:34:47What about Jesus' specific instructions;
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Or what about this one;
Mark 16:16
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
It appears that there is more to salvation than mere believing.
James 2:26
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Can you please reply to this? My email is hayhurst777@hotmail.com
Thanks for your time, James
Written by biblerey on 2005-02-22 21:34:23Hello James,
I hope you can find some direction in these words that I prayerfully offer to you. If you find the words a help let me know.
Jesus does say that a person must be born again to see the Kingdom of God because unless one born of water and Spirit can not enter the Kingdom of God. The flesh isn’t the access into this Kingdom but the access is by the Holy Spirit. You can only be born again by what God does to your Spirit—but how do you get this? Jesus gives a picture to help Nicodemus understand (John 3:14). He says that “As Moses lifted up the serpent so the Son of Man would be lifted up”. The picture is not one of physics but referring to the event that happened in the Old Testament where the people were dying from poison in their veins. God had Moses set up a golden serpent and lift it up that whenever the dying people looked away from their situation and looked at what God had provided, they would be saved from death…and would live. In that same way the Son of Man is lifted up that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. Believing isn’t merely mental assent but a repentant trust on the one who can and does save.
When we read about water as part of this belief it is not speaking about physical water. We must also read John 3:22-36 where John the Baptist has a discussion about baptizing with water. John was baptizing people but so were Jesus’ disciples…who was right? John gives a clear answer that He had to do His work of baptism (which was Repent for the Kingdom of God is at Hand look at Mark 1:14-15) and Jesus’ work of baptism also had to be done (Believe and have everlasting life). Note John the Baptist’s words in John 3:36 6 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
The equation is a repentant belief, which consists of a turning away from our sin and trusting Christ Jesus. Mark 16:15 offers us the responsibility of all believers making sure to preach the gospel and make disciples—the person who believes and is subsequently baptized is proving to be a disciple but the person who doesn’t even believe—that person won’t enter the Kingdom of God. Notice that it doesn’t matter if this person is baptized or not—they haven’t believed. This is the reason for their condemnation.
A person who has believed and trusted the Lord is saved this very instant—but now that person must follow Jesus and live as Jesus lived…not because our Salvation is at stake but because we show our Love back to Jesus when we do this. John 15:14 tells us that we are His friends if we do what He says—but it tells us nothing about Him being our friends. Why? Because He calls us His friends (John 15:14). If we’re going to say we believe and not keep His commandments and not do good works our faith is practically dead. What good is it? We’re saying we believe but we don’t show it. We’re not saved by works—but we’re saved unto good works. (Eph 2:10)
Salvation is a gracious gift and He offers it today—this very moment. Today is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:10).
I have also posted these words on the web site in case you have a problem with email and not the web.
r
susanlharris@hotmail.com
Written by Name:susan on 2005-03-31 17:19:19thank you so much for your article,I really enjoyed it!
Praise the Lord
Written by biblerey on 2005-04-01 15:55:06praise the Lord indeed!
Baptism
Written by Rory D on 2005-05-10 16:22:29Yes, i think this is a great article, but fatally deficient.
To be saved, according to my interpretation of the Bible, of which I have deep convictions on, you must:
1. Hear the word of God. Rom 10:17
2. Beleive the word of God. Heb 11:6, Rom 3:22
3. Repent of your sins. Romans 3:23, Luke 13:1-5, Acts 3:19, 2Co 7:10
4. Be baptised in the name of Jesus: Mt 28:18-20, Acts 2:38, 1Pt 3:21, Rom 6:1-4, Col 2:12
while Confessing Jesus is Lord of your life: Acts 22:16 Rom 10:9, 1Tim6:12, 2Tim 2:19
God gave us this free gift of salvation, let us not cherry-pick our way to an easy Christian life. The path is narrow, do not be deceived. By Gods amazing word we may understand his plan, john 12:48
Written by biblerey on 2005-05-10 17:36:56You are correct brother that the Bible does not speak of an unbaptized believer...but my point in this article was to have a person believe and be saved and then subsequently I would hope to train up in a Christian life. This site is mostly geared to that second aspect of it all anyway. This is why I made it abundantly clear that salvation is free...baptism is the public confession of the Spritual truth. Thanks for commenting.
Baptism
Written by Rory D on 2005-05-10 18:18:35Thank you for your kind comment, I appreciate it.
I think I wasn't clear in my last post, let me try and clarify.
Baptism is for the forgivness of Sins (other things are needed also). Salvation occurs at baptism. Romans 6:1-4 says you are dead until raised to life in baptism.
This "baptism as a public confession" is not talked about in the Bible.
There is one Baptism Eph 4:4-5. And that is for the forgivness of sins, Acts 2:38.
1 Pt 3:21 "and [Noah's flood] water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also"
Notice, noahs flood symbolises baptism, not the other way round.
Love in Christ,
Rory
Baptism
Written by biblerey on 2005-05-15 23:58:36Brother,
I’m sorry that I have not replied to this comment but Brother, you are in error. Baptism does as much for your salvation as Circumcision and the Law. The work of salvation is done completely by God (Eph 2) and appropriated through faith alone (Romans 4). No amount of water can ever add to the cleansing process. For an example of salvation and the giving of the Holy Spirit being done completely without water you might read Acts 11. Salvation > Holy Spirit > Quick Get some water!
I will have to write a series on this. Thank you for your input.
God bless you,
r
Written by Rod Ulin on 2005-06-11 20:57:00For starters, get a real Holy Bible, believe it, study it, and use it. And get rid of that Satanic Roman Catholic perverted piece of garbage that you use Rey. Then you will be able to give a better answer to knot-heads like James and Rory. James makes a classic fatal stumbling into the book of James. How do deaf persons figure into Rory's "convictions"? Notice the "according to MY INTERPRETATION", in the scriptures the inerpretation belongs to the author of the scriptures, yeah, BIG boo-boo. The baptism in Ephesians 4:5 does not have to do with water, the baptism in Acts 2:38 does, and the people in Acts 2:38 aren't getting baptized for salvation anyway. And, what about the theif on the cross next to Jesus, did they let him get down and get baptized? or did that old boy not really make it?
rod.ulin@gmail.com
Written by biblerey on 2005-06-11 21:35:39Brother Rod,
I don't know why you reference my Bible as "Satanic Roman Catholic" and find your hostility a bit disturbing. Be that as it may, I have been working on a series (now about 7 parts) on the topic of Baptism. There was no reason to focus on merely the short answer of it in this post when I wanted to seal the topic of baptismal justification, baptismal regeneration, and infant baptism all at one time.
If you see my series you will note that I am addressing each and every baptismal event and reflecting what the Scriptures say instead of something driven by Satan.
God bless you,
r