Baptism And A Public Confession.

      The nature of saving faith, and the sincerity of our submission to Christ, are such that a public confession of Jesus is a natural outflow of our salvation.
     Likewise Jesus commands that we all follow Him in water baptism, the sign of the inward transformation that has occurred within us.
     Paul says if we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved (Romans 10:9-10). See, the inward work of the Holy Spirit within us, will compel us to publicly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives. We are giving up all to follow Him. Someone who has been convicted of sin, and brought to true repentance and faith will express this.
     In the same way one who has truly repented of their sin and professed faith in Christ will submit to water baptism. Mark says "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16). Peter instructed the crowd in Acts 2:38 to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sin.
     The act of water baptism is a symbolic way of professing our death to sin and self, and our being raised to a new life in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-7). The act itself does not save anybody (1Peter 3:21). It is the inward appeal to God in repentance and faith that He looks at. This is expressed in the act of baptism.
     Many individuals look to the thief on the cross for an example that baptism does not matter. They say he was not baptized yet he went to paradise with Christ (Luke 23:40-43). Well, he had no chance to be baptized! He was a dying man on a cross. Had he been shown favor by the Romans however, and freed from the cross, no doubt as soon as he had the strength to, he would have been baptized. It would have been inherent in his saving faith.
     I understand that many today are not baptized upon their confession of faith out of ignorance. They just don't know that Jesus commands this. I don't doubt their salvation one bit. Someone might get into an accident and be killed on the way to the river before they are baptized, and I believe God sees the intention of their heart and honors their faith.
     It is only pride that will keep someone from publicly acknowledging Christ. Jesus will be ashamed of one who is ashamed of Him (Luke 12:8-9). Someone who looks at baptism and thinks it does not matter because it is not an issue of salvation only shows the shallowness of their commitment to Christ. They are not real! There is something lacking in their faith. As I said earlier, an individual who has truly repented and exercised saving faith will be more than willing to obey Christ in this matter. It is not a matter of getting by, picking and choosing what to obey and what to disregard. The child of God desires to do the whole will of God. He delights in it!
     Friend, have you repented of your sin? Have you placed your faith in Christ for the forgiveness of your sin? Have you made a commitment to follow Jesus as Lord? If so, profess it! Be baptized in obedience to Christ, as the sign of your new birth.
    
    

Saving Faith.

        Repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
                                   Acts 20:21

       In the last post we discussed repentance, and how it is indispensable to our reconciliation with God. Without it there can be no new birth.
     The other side of the coin is faith. Like repentance, faith is also an indispensable condition of our salvation through Jesus Christ.
     It is God's grace that saves us, through our faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Saving faith is a faith that continues firm until the end (Col 1:22-23, Hebrews 3:6, 12-14, 10:23, 35).
     Our faith is placed in the Lord Jesus Christ. See what Jesus says about belief in the gospel of John (John 3:14-16, 5:22-24, 6:29, 40, 47, 7:37-38, 12:44).
     It is through faith that we are united to Jesus Christ and receive His life, cleansing us and setting us free from bondage to sin.
     It was through His sacrificial death on the cross that we can be forgiven and reconciled to God. His resurrection from the dead was God's seal of approval on the sacrifice of His son, and the guarantee of our resurrection from the dead also (Romans 8:11, 1 Cor 15:13-20). We have victory over death and the grave through Jesus Christ.
     We also are resurrected to a new life here and now.  Just as Jesus died, we also die to sin. As He was raised, so we also now are alive to God (Romans 6:4-12, Col 3:1-5). This is a glorious life of freedom in Christ. Freedom not to live as we please, but a freedom to walk in the power and victory provided us in Christ.
     Many people take faith to mean knowing the right things, to believe right things about Jesus. It is important to know right doctrine, to believe what is true. However, a mere belief or head knowledge falls far short of saving faith. Even demons believe correct things about Jesus (James 2:19-20).
     A true biblical faith attaches itself to Christ. An individual who believes in Jesus will forsake all and follow Him. Such an individual renounces all other attempts of self justification, attempts at making oneself right with God, and relies solely upon the mercy of God found in Christ.
     To believe in Christ, to become a follower of Him is to take on His cause. It involves renunciation of all we have and are, totally denying ourselves for His sake (Luke 14:25-32).
     There is an acrostic that states this well. "Forsaking All I Take Him." See how the letters spell faith?
     This seems hard for many, but this is what we  were created for! To belong wholly to Christ alone, living in His service.
     This is faith, to cast ourselves upon Him, based on what He accomplished for us on the cross, and to attach ourselves to Him. To now live for Him and for His cause as disciples.
     Any man in Christ is now a new creation. The old life of sin and self is gone, and a new life has now come (2 Cor 5:17)!

Repentance toward God.

     Solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
                                            Acts 20:21NASB

     Up to this point we have seen that we have an issue of the heart called sin, or rebellion against God. This has estranged us from fellowship with Him, and carries the penalty of eternal torment away from His presence.
     We have seen that without a radical change, we are hopelessly lost. There is nothing that we can do in and of ourselves to remedy this situation.
     We have also seen that God has provided a remedy for us; a heart transplant. We can have our sinful hearts changed into soft obedient hearts that desire to live in submission to God, and for His glory.
     God offers us eternal life through Jesus Christ. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
     Repentance is foundational to saving faith. Without repentance one cannot expect to come to the knowledge of  saving truth (2 Timothy 2:25). A willing heart is essential to understanding the teachings of Christ (John 7:16-17). It does not work both ways. We cannot have the life of Jesus flowing through us, while clinging to our old life of sin.
     Remember, we need new hearts. We
have to let go of the old heart to receive a new one!
     Repentance can be defined as a change of direction. We were living a life of sin leading to destruction. Our lives were filled with self, not caring how we offended God, or others. Now we have been convicted by the law of God as lawbreakers. We see the error of our ways. We understand we have offended God, and sorrow fills our heart.
     There are two kinds of sorrow mentioned in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. The sorrow of the world that leads to death, and godly sorrow that produces repentance unto salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10).
     The sorrow of the world deals with being caught, not desiring to face the consequences of our actions. People with this kind of sorrow desire to change to avoid the consequences. They are still selfish at heart. They do not care that they have grieved the heart of a loving God. This sorrow leads to death.
     True godly sorrow leads one to see that they have offended God and deserve His judgment. They desire to return to Him in humble submission, not for what He can do for them, but because they see that they have been evil in their rebellion against Him. Like the prodigal they have seen the error of their ways, and desire to return to their father (Luke 15:17-19).
     David said "Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight" (Psalm 51:4). He was not looking to avoid punishment, he was broken over his sin, and how it offended God (Psalm 51:17). Notice how David desired a clean heart (Psalm 51:10).
     Repentance is our first step in restoration to God. Turning from our present course of sin, and submitting ourselves to God, must precede the exercise of faith, as both are a gift from God (2 Timothy 2:25, Ephesians 2:8). It is impossible to put our faith in Christ, while we are unwilling to submit to Him.
    

Better Promises.

     As mentioned in a previous post, the law cannot save anyone (Romans 3:20). This is not to say that there is a problem with the law. The law is good (Romans 7:12). Remember, it is a reflection of the very nature of God? The problem is not with the law, it is with us (Heb 8:7-8). The truth is mankind does not want to submit to God or His law, in fact he will not (Romans 8:7).
     The law can show us what God expects of us, but it is powerless to make us conform to it. Ancient Israel struggled under the law. They failed over and over to keep it. Likewise, countless thousands can relate to the Apostle Paul's Romans 7 experience of failing to do that which they know is right to do (Romans 7:18-20). Like Paul many have cried out for deliverance from sin and death (Romans 7:24).
     Knowing that in and of himself, man is powerless to fulfill the law, God promised to enact a new covenant based on better promises.
      The whole issue is that of the heart of man. It is wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). We need a heart transplant! We see the law of God, and for selfish reasons we try to walk in it, but we only set ourselves up for failure. The harder we try, the worse it gets. Our hearts are not in it for the right reason. We only discover how wicked we really are on the inside. 
     Look what God has promised in His word! Right in the midst of Israel's rebellion, when He was about to send them off into captivity for their sin, He promises hope. He speaks of a new covenant; one that will provide the ability to live right. He speaks of a new heart with the law written upon it (Jeremiah 31:33). This is a promised "heart transplant" , the removal of a hard disobedient heart, replaced with a soft heart (Ezekiel 36:26). He promises to put His Spirit within to enable us to walk in His laws (Ezekiel 36:27). In this same passage (Ezekiel 36:25) God promises to cleanse from filthiness, or sin. Read what Paul says to the Corinthian Church about what they once were (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). He says that they were now cleansed from these things (1 Corinthians 6:11). This goes beyond forgiveness, to mean an actual change of life where these people were no longer participating in these sinful lifestyles.
     This is what is described by Paul in Titus 3:4-7. He calls it the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit poured out by Jesus Christ. This is the fulfillment of what we read in Ezekiel 36:25-27.
     Praise God! We have hope through Jesus Christ! There is a promise of a new heart to replace the sinful heart that is leading us to ruin! We can be made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have a chance to start over with a clean slate before God!
    

The Fear of the Lord.

     And to man He said, behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil, that is understanding. Job 28:28 NASB

     Imagine that you have been to a doctor, and he has given you bad news. You have suspected something was wrong with your health, but have ignored it for a long time. He ran some tests and discovered you have only one chance. It involves a dangerous operation, and extensive treatment. 
     You are shaken by this news. You suddenly realize that you can no longer ignore your health. As frightening as it seems, you agree that you must take the chance and have the operation.
     There was a young man who took his inheritance early, then ran off and squandered it in riotous living. He ran out of money and found himself sunk to a level that he never thought he would sink to. He had hit rock bottom. As he thought about his life, where he had been, and where he was now, he came to his senses (Luke 15:17-19), and decided to return to his father.
     In His mercy, God reveals to us our true condition. He shows us what sin is, and what it will do to our lives. He reveals to us His holy nature, and His displeasure against sin. He shows us that He must, in His righteous judgment, punish sin. 
     The beginning of wisdom is to fear God (Proverbs 1:7). This is where it begins for us. We must take a look at who God is, and who we are, and how we are to live before Him. As the prodigal did, we too must come to our senses, as we see that in our present condition we are utterly ruined.
     I trust that the previous posts have stirred many of you, made you think, and hopefully the Holy Spirit has used them to convict some of you of sin, and your lost condition. Many of you might see that you have indeed hit the absolute bottom.
     We must get rid of the wickedness that lies within our hearts, and depart from evil. We need to be changed from the inside out. We need the new birth. 
     For those of you with a true fear of God now forming itself within you, this is the beginning of something new, and wonderful. 

     

It's a Heart Problem.

       As Jesus states in His sermon on the mount, it is the pure in heart who will see God (Matthew 5:8). This brings us to ask these questions. What is a pure heart, and is mine pure?  
      The heart represents the inner person, the seat of the will, the place where desires give birth to choices. According to Jeremiah 17:9 the heart is deceitful, and desperately sick. In other words, fallen man is evil at heart. We tend to fool ourselves about the choices we make and the things we do. We rationalize and do a pretty good job of convincing ourselves that we are not bad people. We can even fool ourselves into believing that God is pleased with us in spite of our sinful behavior.
     Our behavior is a good indicator of what is truly in our hearts. Clean hands and pure hearts go together (Psalm 24:3-4). Jesus said A tree is known by its fruit. In other words what is inside the heart of man is what comes out in his speech and actions (Matthew 12:33-35). A good man brings good out of his good treasure, while an evil man brings out evil.
     Jesus states this in another way when He said that it is the things that come out of a man that are what defiles him (Mark 7:20-23).
     From this it becomes evident that in and of ourselves we have no hope. We have a heart issue that we cannot fix. Our problem is selfishness. Watch an infant as it grows and fusses. Soon it becomes demanding, throwing tantrums if it does not get it's way. We think of this as normal behavior, and it is because we have all been born with this tendency to selfishness. As one grows older it manifests itself in rebellion to parents, lying, perhaps stealing, cheating in school etc. Get the picture?
     This is sin. It was passed down to us from Adam, and each and everyone of us eventually yields to it with a deliberate choice (Romans 5:12).
     We need new hearts! Our old hearts are incurably sick. The new birth is our only hope!
    

The Wages of Sin.

     When sin entered the world through Adam, death also came with it (Genesis 2:17, Romans 5:12). It was never God's intention for man to face death, but now as a result of sin Physical death comes to us all (Genesis 3:19). 
     Sin also brought with it spiritual death. God told Adam that on the day he ate of the forbidden tree he would die, but we see in Genesis that he along  with his wife, lived on for years. 
     What happened that day is this; they died spiritually. They once enjoyed fellowship in God's presence. Now they were driven from the garden that God created for them (Genesis 3:22-24). The relationship that they enjoyed with God was gone. Their hearts were no longer clean, but were defiled instead. the innocence that they once had was replaced with guilt and shame (Genesis 3:7-11). 
     Likewise, Paul says that we too, apart from Christ, are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-2). We are separated from God, with no hope in this world (Ephesians 2:12). This is our state. It is one of depravity, filled with all manner of wickedness. Paul gives a good description of what it is like to be left to oneself, growing more and more evil, in Romans 1:18-32. Take the time to read this portion of scripture, and let it sink in.
     God's wrath will be revealed against such evil! The following scriptures show that God is filled with wrath toward the wicked (Romans 1:18, Ephesians 2:3, Col 3:5-6, 2 Thess 1:8-9, 2 Peter 3:7, Rev 19:15). He will not always put up with sin. A day is coming when the wages will be paid.
     The scriptures plainly declare that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Nothing immoral or impure will be allowed to enter in. There will be no liars, sexually immoral, idolaters, murderers, thieves, covetous individuals, drunkards, heretics, divisive and quarrelsome people allowed entrance into God's kingdom (1 Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 5:5-6, Rev 21:7-8, 27, 22:14-15). This is not my idea, this is the plain teaching of scripture. Paul says do not let anyone deceive you with empty words (Eph 5:6)!
     Jesus spoke often of hell and torment. He warned people to take care that they did not end up there. He was not speaking here of physical death and the grave, as some people would like to believe. Just read these passages and you will see that He is speaking of something beyond physical death. He is speaking of everlasting torment, of being physically dead, but the soul being alive for eternity in anguish (Matthew 5:29-30, 10:28, 13:41-42, 18:8-10, Mark 9:43-48, Luke 12:4-5, 16:22-31). Once again, carefully read these passages and let the words of Christ sink in. This is real.
     Ultimately those who live a wicked life here on this earth will face the second death, the lake of fire (Rev 20:14). This will be a fate too horrible to imagine. The wages of sin are indeed death. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).