Don't Minimize Someone's Conversion

 

By Adam Faughn     From the outset, let me say that I have been as guilty as anyone for saying what I am going to write about. I used to say it quite regularly. After some time and thought, I would still say it, but I’d feel like I had to qualify it. Now, I do my best to avoid it.     And it’s because I spent some serious time thinking about Cornelius.     So, what is the saying? It is when we are talking about someone who has lived a pretty good life, but has never been baptized, and we say something like this: “He wouldn’t have to change much.”     Now, having been someone who used to say that quite often, I totally get it. Especially if we have known the person for some time, we are simply meaning that we see good qualities in that person. The individual probably does not have any overriding addictions to fight. He is a good husband. She is a loving mother. He reads his Bible.     He’s a good person. So he doesn’t have to change much.     Well….     Cornelius has a litany of great qualities listed about him in Acts 10. It is rare in Scripture to find such a glowing introduction to anyone. Scripture even goes so far as to say that this man “feared God with all his household” (10:2). That is a remarkable statement.     So, he didn’t have to change much, right?     In Acts 11, Peter is reporting about this to Christians in the region of Judea. Part of that report makes it clear that what Peter was to say to Cornelius was “a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household” (11:14). Wait…this wonderful man had to be saved? What does that imply? He was lost.     Was he good in many ways? Remarkably so! But did he have to change? Remarkably so!     He had to go from lost to saved. He had to go from outside of Christ to in Christ. He had to start following the way of Jesus.     I don’t doubt that Cornelius might have had fewer things to change than some others (Saul the persecutor, for example). But if we say, “He didn’t have to change much,” we are minimizing what it means to go from lost and on one’s way to hell to saved and on one’s way to heaven!     No matter what we might think of someone’s life before he or she becomes a Christian, that person is lost and headed for eternal destruction if he or she does not change course and obey Jesus. If and when that occurs, let’s not minimize their conversion. Let’s be supremely grateful for anyone’s decision to follow Christ and the salvation that only He can bring to one’s life.

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

Are You Hungry

By Ron Bartanen     Have you thought of hunger as a blessing? We are privileged in America to be blessed with food and consider hunger for any length of time to be unbearable.  We usually think of hunger in terms of food, but there is another hunger that is even more needful—a spiritual hunger.  Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for shall be filled” (Luke 6:21).      Following are some things the Bible teaches that we should hunger for—     Hunger for God, our Creator.  Proverbs 42:1 reads, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”   There is within all a need and hunger for our Creator which often goes unrecognized.  We fill our lives with other things to try to satisfy that hunger and find ourselves empty.     Hunger for truth.  We are admonished, “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:233).  No commodity should be valued as highly as truth.  Jesus taught that truth has the power to free man from the bondage of sin, saying to his disciples, ‘Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free’ (John 8:32).  Truth is not found in human dogmas, but Jesus prayed in behalf of the disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).  Do you feed upon Bible-truth?     Hunger for Heaven.  None will live in this world forever.  The apostle Paul spoke of believers who “by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and eternal life” ( Romans 2:7).  Earthly gain pales into insignificance to that of God’s heavenly promise to the faithful in Christ Jesus.     For what do you hunger the most?  Heed Jesus’ promise: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com

Three Cheers for Jesus!

By Edd Sterchi     We often give a hearty “Hip, Hip, Hooray” to one we wish to celebrate or honor. I think we don’t celebrate Jesus enough in our memories, words, and lives. Jesus came to make our lives blessed, joyous, and fruitful (cf. John 10:10). There are several instances in the Scriptures where Jesus said “Be of good cheer.” These are well worthy of our study. So let’s look at three cheers from Jesus and give three cheers for Jesus!     The Cheer of Pardon - In the city of Capernaum, Jesus healed a paralytic. As a bonus to the physical healing, Jesus gave him a spiritual healing saying, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you” (Matt. 9:2). How happy he must have been. How happy are you that Jesus has cleansed your sins? Do you thank Him for it, praise Him for it, love Him for it? Without Him, we are lost in our sins. With Him, we are forgiven, pardoned, and cleansed. Be of good cheer, our sins are forgiven! Hip, Hip, Hooray for Jesus!     The Cheer of Comfort - Once, the apostles were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee trying to cross to the other side. But the waves were rough, and the wind was contrary. All of the sudden, they saw a figure walking on the water toward them. They cried out in fear. But it was Jesus, and He said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Matt. 14:27). How comforting it must have been for them, knowing that Jesus was now near. Does the knowledge of Jesus in your life bring you comfort? We should live in peace knowing that we can go to Him with any trouble, trial, or turmoil of life, and He will give us aid. Be of good cheer, Jesus will never leave us. Hip, Hip, Hooray for Jesus!     The Cheer of Victory - Shortly before His trial and crucifixion, Jesus had gathered His disciples together and was giving them instructions. Part of His words to them were, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus then went on to overcome death, and in doing so gives us the victory, as well. How ought we to live knowing that death will not have its power over us? We ought to live our lives in confidence, in hope, in praise, in joy! We ought to serve Him with gladness, worship Him exuberantly, and tell the world how He saves. Be of good cheer, Jesus has given eternal life. Hip, Hip, Hooray for Jesus!

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

Building A Solid Life

By Glen Elliott     Genuine prosperity is measured not by money but by what is in the heart. Without material possessions, one can still be rich in faith toward God and that is the greatest prosperity of all (James 2:5).     Jesus tells us how to build a foundation toward spiritual prosperity, saying, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24–27).     The key to building a successful life is found in listening to and obeying the words of Jesus. It is not enough simply to hear the words of Jesus, we must act upon them. It is as foolish to ignore the teachings of Christ as it is to build a house on the shifting sand. While the two houses may have mirrored one another in appearance, only the house built on the rock could withstand the storms of life.     When adversity comes, will your house remain? Is your life firmly grounded on the solid foundation of acting on the words of Jesus? Without obedience to the words of Christ, what assurance do you have of spiritual prosperity? Commit yourself to reading His word every day. Apply His teachings to your life and you will be building a solid life on the only eternal foundation.

- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/

Once Saved Always Saved

By Dan Bailey     Recently, one of the members of our local congregation was discussing the Bible with another individual. The person maintained that once you were saved that you could not then be lost or fall away from the grace of God. The doctrine is usually expressed as, "once saved, always saved." It seems rather amazing that anyone claiming to be a Christian, could take such a position. It seems obvious that many simply do not study the Bible carefully. Consider what the scripture says about this very important subject. 1) It is possible to "fail of the grace of God." Hebrews 12:15 -- "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." 2) It is possible to harden one's heart in sin. Hebrews 3:8 -- "Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness." Hebrews 3:13 -- "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:15 -- "While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." 3) It is possible to depart from the living God. Hebrews 3:12 -- "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." 4) It is possible to let the things that we have heard "slip." Hebrews 2:1 -- "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." 5) It is possible to neglect our salvation. Hebrews 2:3 -- "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." 6) It is possible to come short of God's promise. Hebrews 4:1 -- "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." 7) It is possible to fall because of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11 -- "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." 1 Corinthians 10:12 - "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 8) It is possible to fall away and not be able to be renewed again unto repentance. Hebrews 6:4-6 -- "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." 9) It is possible to be sanctified and then despise the blood of the covenant. Hebrews 10:28-29 -- "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" 10) It is possible to sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, and to find oneself without a sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:26 -- "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." 11) It is possible to cast away one's confidence in Christ and in His word. Hebrews 10:35 -- "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." 12) It is possible to be made free from sin, and then go back to the law of Moses and fall from grace. Galatians 5:1-4 -- "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."     My dear friend if you can read these scriptures and still maintain that "once saved, always saved" is a true doctrine, there must be a problem with either not knowing the scriptures or with denying the scriptures, because the Bible is very clear on this subject!

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

Putting Pieces of the Puzzle Together

By Bill Brandstatter     I used to like putting together jigsaw puzzles. I haven’t done any in recent years. I need to get back to doing them. Now I do a lot of crossword puzzles. Both the crossword and jigsaw puzzles can be solved by putting together pieces. With a crossword puzzle the down clues help with the across clues. With jigsaw puzzles I start with the border and work from there. Then I look for shape and color connections. I have to find the right connection to get the solution or the shape I am wanting. Bible subjects are connected. There is an expression that holds true in solving some “puzzles” in our lives. The expression is: “Two things connected to the same thing are connected to each other.” For example, if I were to tell you that all cars in the parking lot are blue. Then I told you that my car is in the parking lot. You would know without me specifically telling you that my car is blue. The Bible works in much the same way.     The Bible tells us that baptism saves us (1 Pet. 3:21). Yet, many will go to passages like John 3:16 and state that all you have to do is believe. Others might look at Eph. 2:5 and say we are saved by grace alone. Yet, when pieces are connected a clearer picture is seen and the puzzle is put together. God’s grace was seen when Jesus died on the cross for our sins (2 Cor. 8:9; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 2:11, 12). Without the grace of God no one could be saved. We are saved by grace. Now let us connect some other pieces.     Jesus said His blood was shed for the remission of sins (Mt. 26:28). Yet Peter said on Pentecost that those believing Jews who had listened needed to “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.”(Acts 2:38) The wording of “remission of sins” is identical in both the statement of Jesus and that of Peter. Who is correct? Does the blood of Christ forgive our sins or does baptism? They are connected. The way I come in contact with the blood of Christ is by being baptized in water. We can further connect two more puzzle pieces. We are washed from our sins in the blood of Christ ( Rev. 1:5). Saul of Tarsus, while praying, was told by Ananias to “Arise and be baptize and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”(Acts 22:16) So again, if we connect these two statements which are similar with the term “wash away sins”, we learn that baptism puts us into the blood of Christ which washes away our sins. When a person comes in contact with the blood of Christ, God’s grace is accepted and received. That happens when a person is baptized to have his or her sins forgiven which puts that person into contact with the saving blood of Christ.     Let us make sure we always put the pieces together correctly. Then the puzzle will be revealed, and all can see it plainly (2 Tim. 2:15). Belief is the first step toward salvation, but it is not the last. I must believe in God (Heb. 11:6). I must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (John 8:24; Acts 8:37). I must repent of sins (Acts 17:30). I also must confess Christ (Rom. 10:9, 10). Then, I need to be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Salvation is a puzzle that must be put together properly. If the pieces are out of place, salvation will not happen as God intends. If the pieces are in their proper place and all together, a beautiful picture results: God’s plan to save man.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/

Keep Moving Forward

By Edd Sterchi       The nation of Israel had escaped slavery from Egypt. But now they found themselves being pursued by their former captors. At the shore of the Red Sea they felt that they were trapped. Many of them thought about going back to Egypt into slavery. Others were bemoaning their current dilemma. The LORD then said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward” (Exodus 14:15). Other Bible versions have God saying for them to “move on.” God has always wanted His people to trust in Him and keep moving forward.     This got me to thinking about God’s people today. Many seem to have the same mindset as the Israelites. Some desire to go back to their life they had before Christ (of living in the bondage of sin). Others do not look to the future with hope and bewail their current problems. But we need to be people who trust in God and keep moving forward. Don’t look back – keep moving forward in faith, trust, hope, service, spiritual growth, love, forgiveness. “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” (1 Timothy 4:15)

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/