Friday, February 15, 2019

Enemies Are Reconciled

"And you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled."  Colossians 1:21.  Wicked works will make us the enemy of God.  The very character of God is such that is opposed to evil.  When one chooses to walk in the way of wickedness, that one becomes alienated from God.  To be alienated from God means to be cut off from God.  All such are the enemies of God because evil opposes God and fights against God.  God commissioned Jesus Christ to reconcile that condition.  In Christ, we become the friends of God.  Jesus through His power enables us to overcome evil.  When one is reconciled unto God, that one chooses to walk in the way of God and always do that which is pleasing to God.  Reconciliation means that we are redeemed of God, and all wickedness committed by us in the past has been forgiven.  Reconciliation means that we seek after God, and to possess His character in our lives.  The reconciled walk in the way of God, and oppose evil even as God does.  No longer alienated, but reconciled.  No longer an enemy, but a friend.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Save Yourself From Iniquity

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."  Acts 2:40.  The gospel has been preached by the apostle Peter.  He has spoken of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is now decision time.  Many people want to blame others for their relationship with Jesus Christ.  But, each person is responsible for their own destiny in life.  The gospel is a message that must be heard and obeyed by each one.  If one is going to be saved, he must save himself.  Christ has made the sacrifice so that all can be saved.  God's salvation comes to us in a word.  Each one must hear and obey for themselves.  The generation was an evil one.  Each generation is an evil generation.  The devil walks to and fro upon the earth.  But, the gospel will save those who choose to be saved.  The word which is preached by God's faithful messengers must be received into the heart and lived in outward life.  The believer will be baptized as the word is gladly received.  Hear the exhortation of truth, Save Yourselves.