Our Citizenship Is In Heaven

By David R. Ferguson
    In his Epistle to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul stated in chapter 3 verses 20-21 [ESV], 20 But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 Who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. This is yet another wonderful passage from God’s word that gives us a brief glimpse into seeing what awaits those of us who have been immersed into Christ and donned with His glorious apparel (Galatians 3:27). When we are clothed in Christ by submitting to being baptized for the remission of our sins, we rise up from the water to be clothed in His holy garments, a new creature whose citizenship and home now lies in Heaven.     Paul also told the church on Corinth, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 2:17 [ESV]). Paul explains this passing away of our old carnal nature in his letter to the congregation at Rome, saying, 3. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4. We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. 6. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7. For he who has died is freed from sin. 8. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. (Romans 6:3-8 [ESV]) When we undergo baptism, we declare and proclaim visually to the world this wondrous gospel plan of salvation message of Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). When we are baptized into Christ, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), and as citizens of Heaven we are children of God and siblings of our elder Brother, Jesus.    Paul writes, 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by Whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:14-17 [ESV]) But our suffering in this life will be worth it as our reward in Heaven will be great beyond measure: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18 [ESV]) When Jesus returns to gather us with Him and carry us home to live in Heaven forever: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2 [ESV]).     May God bless you!

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

The Fallacy of Inherited Sin

By David R. Ferguson
    There’s nothing in the Bible which teaches that men inherit the sin of Adam, or that men are born in a state of sin. A person becomes a sinner when he commits sin, and he commits sin when he transgresses Gods' law. "Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). A baby cannot be a sinner because he or she hasn’t transgressed God's law. The Prophet Ezekiel said, "The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself" (Ezekiel 18:20). Hence, sin isn’t transferred from one generation or person to another. All men are sinners, not because they have inherited sin, but because "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23). And since we stand or fall based upon our own actions, we’re not responsible for what others do. As Paul said, "each of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).    An infant is completely innocent. God says in Psalm 127:3, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." Something that was sinful would never be called “a heritage from the Lord.” So, we see that an infant is born perfect and without sin until he becomes of an accountable age and then begins to sin.    The doctrine that teaches that infants are born sinners and must be baptized to be saved is a perversion of God’s word because it contradicts God’s word. In Ezekiel 18:4 the word of God says, "Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins shall die." So, we see from this passage that God is telling us that children don’t inherit sin from their parents, their grandparents, or any of their forefathers, all the way back to Adam. God’s word says, "The son shall not bear the guilt of the father." Each person is responsible for his or her own sins. According to this verse, it’s "The soul who sins shall die." Does it say that the soul that inherits sin, it shall die? No. It says the soul who sins.    So, what is sin? 1 John 3:4 says, "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness: and sin is lawlessness." We don’t inherit sin; we commit sin; and we commit sin when we commit lawlessness. An infant hasn’t broken any law of God, and thus hasn’t committed any sin. One who hasn’t committed sin isn’t separated from God, for it’s our sins that cause us to be separated from the Father in the first place, not our birth: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you so that He does not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2). Because our God loves us, He desires that we become a child of His by allowing Him to adopt us into His very own family and become a joint heir with His Son Jesus for eternity. Will you give your life to Him today?

David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

Our Oppression and God's Deliverance'

By David R. Ferguson     Mankind’s oppressor is Satan, the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), and "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). Just as pharaoh wouldn’t acknowledge Joseph as Egypt’s benefactor, Satan wouldn’t acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ, and he sought to displace Jesus and set himself up as lord of all.     Satan despises those who are made in the image of God, and we are told by Jesus that Satan was "a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44). How was he a murderer? He was a murderer because in the Garden of Eden it was through the lies of Satan that sin was brought forth sin and death followed to all of mankind.     As Israel was in bondage to Egypt, we, too, are in bondage to sin. We are slaves to sin until we are freed by Christ. Paul wrote, "But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were servants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were delivered; and being made free from sin, you became servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:17-18). The Hebrews writer wrote, "Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, He also Himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death He might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:14-15). So we see that sin is a bondage that brings death. And since "all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), we are all subject to death.     It wasn’t in God’s plan for mankind to remain outside His fold, for "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love: having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Ephesians 1:4-5). Because of our Savior’s great love for us, Jesus suffered death and carried our sins with Him to the Cross of Calvary, defeating Satan and death in the process and securing for us the hope of reconciliation back to the Father: "For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in Him should all the fullness dwell; and through Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, having made peace through the blood of His Cross" (Colossians 1:19-20).     It’s only through Jesus Christ that one can proclaim victory over death: "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).     Only in Christ is salvation given. “There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

Waiting on the Lord

By David R. Ferguson     One of the most difficult and challenging aspects of being a Christian and maintaining one’s faith is having to face the troubles and trials of this life. But the true child of God will persevere, not by relying on his or her own strength, but by finding encouragement from the Lord and His holy word (Philippians 4:7). James, the Lord’s brother, writes in James 1:2-5, "My brothers, you should be very happy when you experience many kinds of troubles, because you know that the testing of your faith will develop more endurance. Endure, so that your actions will be truly complete. Then you will be mature. You will have everything; you will need nothing. But if any one of you does need wisdom, just ask God. It will be given to you. God is the One who gives freely to all people, and He does this without complaining." Enduring, which is another way of saying our times of waiting, will undoubtedly be extremely difficult. But it’s during these times that our assurance that our belief isn’t in vain can grow and forge an even deeper faith in God as circumstances force us to fully trust in Him as we cling ever tighter to His unchanging hand.     I read or heard somebody once say, "I have prayed hundreds, if not thousands, of times for the Lord to heal me – and He finally healed me of the need to be healed." Bearing patiently all the things that God allows to challenge our lives in this fleshly coil may be the greatest aspect of self-denial and cross-bearing we have to confront. But true love for our Lord will allow no less, for Paul said, "Love...bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4, 6) By enduring and waiting on the Lord, then, we shall find ourselves guided, furnished, safeguarded, disciplined, and rewarded.     Had Jesus grown up in China we may very well have heard Him tell a parable of the bamboo tree to teach us a lesson about patience and endurance. The Chinese bamboo tree seemingly does absolutely nothing for the first four years of its existence. But then a truly amazing thing happens. Suddenly, at some point during the fifth year, the bamboo plant shoots up an astonishing nine feet in a mere sixty days! So, the question becomes, did that bamboo plant grow in six weeks, or did it grow in five years?     It's my belief that our lives and the Chinese bamboo tree are very much akin to one another. Sometimes we put forth our best effort time and time again, with apparently no fruition for our labors, and no perceptible reaping for our sowing seeming to occur. But if we endure, as James says, and if we do so out of love, as Paul says, and if we do so unto death, as John says (Revelation 2:10), we will receive the rewards for all our efforts, as Jesus says (Matthew 25:21).     May God bless you as you learn to wait patiently on Him! By doing so, you will receive a great reward from Him as you live with Him forevermore throughout eternity!

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

Jesus the Divider

By David R. Ferguson "Do not think that I came to bring peace on Earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to `set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' And `a man's foes will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10:34-38)     Jesus was no trumpeter for politically correct thought or speech. He didn’t hesitate to draw a line in the sand, so to speak, and stated resolutely, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." (Matthew 12:30). It’s only through our acceptance of Him as our Savior that we have any chance of coming to the Father. And if we aren’t with the Father, then come Judgment Day we will be cast into outer darkness where "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out" (Luke 13:28).     Jesus also had no problem saying, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). Additionally, He said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).     With Jesus we know that we can find the way (the way: a well-worn path) through the narrow gate unto eternal life, for it is found in Christ Himself: "I am THE WAY, (emphasis mine) the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6b). Jesus didn’t say He was one of the ways, or one of many ways. Neither did He say, "Let's just agree to disagree." On the contrary, He was very exclusive in His statement. Once again, Jesus was no poster child for political correctness! And when it comes to matters of doctrine involving lost souls, we must do no less than Jesus and hold fast to "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3b). For in doing so we will be able to hear the following words on that great day, “Well done, good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:31).     May we have the courage to divide from the world and become united with Christ!     May the Lord bless you!

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

"There Will Be No Visitation or Service"

By Bill Brandstatter     I have read in some obituaries the following statement: “There will be no visitation or service.”  I wondered why that was the case.  I know that sometimes there is no service because of cost factors.  Others prohibit visitation because of the wishes of the deceased or the family.  I then thought about my life.  Would there be any visitation or services when I die?  Certainly, my wife and family will have a say in that matter; but there are some things I might want to look at.  The Psalmist tells us that “We spend our years as a tale that is told.”  (Psa. 90:10 KJV) What kind of tale are we telling?  It is true that we are writing our own obituary every day we live.  Will that obituary read “no visitation or funeral?”     I want my life tale to include some of the following:   How much did I love the Lord?  Was it just a love that would fit my own specific needs?  Did I love only those I wanted to and when it was convenient?  Was my love from the heart or just a “show” of love?  How much did I love the church?  Was I willing to do whatever I could to see it grow, or did I not want to get out of my comfort zone?  Did my attendance and my giving indicate my love?  How much did I love my brethren in Christ?  (Rom. 12:10) This would include people in the congregation I attend as well as those in other congregations.  This would also include those I don’t like or can’t get along with.  They have souls.  I need to love them for their soul’s sake.  What were my priorities in life?  Did I put family and friends ahead of church and the church family?  Did I obey God as He directed so that I can live on eternally?  Heb. 5:8, 9; Mark 16:16

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

It is Finished

By Bill Brandstatter
    The statement “It is finished” is considered by many to be one of final statements of Jesus as He hung on Calvary’s cross. What did Jesus mean when he referred to “it?” No doubt he was referring to the work the Father gave Him to do. (John 9:4) Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Obviously, all the lost were not yet saved when Jesus died. The process for saving them, however, was finished. Jesus put in motion the preaching of the gospel. He gave the Great Commission to His disciples so men could know what to do to be saved (Mark 16:15, 16). He shed His blood to open the door to heaven for Jew and Gentile alike.    Jesus also came that all men might have life (John 10:10). John tells us that “in Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4) Jesus opened the door of life for all those who obey Him (Heb.5:9).     Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). He most definitely did that when he drove out demons from men (Mark. 5:1-20).    Jesus came to set up His church. He laid the foundation (Eph. 2:20). He gave his apostles the entrance requirements and sent them out to preach. All this was done in order to finish the work the Father gave Him to do. (John 17:4)    “It is finished” shows authority.  To say “it is finished” is to say no additions are necessary. When man attempts to add, change, or modify the work of Jesus, he is denying the authority of that statement. God’s work of redemption is done, it is completed.    Peter noted that we have all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Therefore, nothing more is needed. The plan of salvation is complete. Many today have yet to obey (Rom. 10:16). The old song we sometimes sing says, “Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.” Does that song apply to you? Is your salvation complete? What more must you do?     

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