Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Sin No More

"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more lest a worse thing befall thee."  John 5:14.  Jesus has healed a man of an infirmity that he had for thirty-eight years.  During the ministry of Jesus, He healed many of various infirmities.  But, Jesus came to heal an infirmity that was far worse than any body ailment.  That ailment was sin.  After the healing, Jesus encounters this man once more.  Jesus tells him to "sin no more."  The healing of sin means that we are to cease from sin.  The scriptures refer to this as "dying to sin."  This was the mission of Jesus.  He came to heal and forgive sin.  But, Jesus warns the man of something worse that might befall him if he does not cease from sin.  That which is worse than any bodily infirmity is eternal death.  This is the final outcome of sin.  Unless we cease from sin, we will be lost eternally.  This happens when the soul is cast into the lake of fire at the final judgment.  This is far worse than any disease or infirmity.  The infirmity of the body can only harm the body.  Sin harms the soul.  Let us go forth, and "sin no more."

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Salvation In Christ

"Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."  II Timothy 2:10.  Salvation must be obtained.  Jesus Christ is the Savior and salvation is in Him.  Those who are outside of Jesus Christ are not saved.  What must be done to obtain this salvation?  There is an action that must take place by the one who desires the salvation that Christ offers.  Faith in Christ as the Son of God is the first step toward salvation.  One must believe in Christ.  The believer must repent of sins.  All have committed sins.  We must repent with Godly sorrow, and change the manner of life.  The believer must confess Jesus as the Son of God.  This confession is made by mouth, and then, lived in the life.  The believer must be immersed in water.  This act is called baptism.  Baptism is a burial, not sprinkling or pouring.  In baptism, one puts on Christ as the Savior, and dies to sin.  With these acts, salvation is obtained.  And, for salvation to be unto eternal glory, the believer must be faithful to Jesus Christ until death.

Stand In Christ

"Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."  Philippians 4:1.  No Christian should want anyone to be lost, especially those who are already saved.  Paul wishes for the continual commitment of these brethren whom he loves.  The urging of Paul is for these Philippians to stand fast in Christ.  One who is in Christ can fall out of Christ.  One who is saved can become unsaved.  Such a condition can take place in an instant.  The devil seeks those who are in Christ that he might lure them away from Christ.  The devil is one of many snares.  Different temptations are used on different individuals.  Not all of us are tempted in the same manner.  We must seek to stand fast in the Lord and not be moved away from our salvation that Christ has brought to us.  We must continually guard ourselves against the devil and his devices.  We must continue to love God and to honor the Lord.  By our obedience to the gospel we have put on Christ.  We must keep Him near to us.  We must be found in Christ when He comes again.