Don't Worry

by Donie V. Rader
www.cvillechurch.com

In writing to the Christians at Philippi, Paul urged them to "Be careful for nothing" (Phil. 4:6, KJV). Other versions render that phrase as follows: "In nothing be anxious" (American Standard Version); "Have no anxiety about anything" (Revised Standard Version). Today's English Version translates it, "Don't worry about anything"; and Phillips Modern Version, "Don't worry about anything whatever." The New International Version says, "Do not be anxious about anything."

The word translated "be careful" (Merimanao) means "to be anxious; to be troubled with cares . . ." (Thayer p. 400). It is also translated "take thought" in Matt. 6:25-34. So Paul is talking about worrying, not forethought, but anxious thought.

The apostle here is not forbidding a thought-out life. Rather, in other passages he emphasized this (Gal. 6:7-9; 2 Cor. 6:2). Neither is Paul urging us to be a happy-go-lucky people. He was far from being one that made a joke of life. The seriousness with which he looked on life is seen in his statement to Timothy, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). Furthermore, we are not being told to be unconcerned about ourselves and others. Paul told the Ephesians that they would naturally be concerned about themselves (Eph. 5:28-29). Also, Jesus set forth the principle of being concerned for others in the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37; cf. Phil. 2:4). And neither are these words of inspiration prohibiting one being upset at times. Christ Himself wept when He beheld the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Paul also said, "Be ye angry, and sin not . . ." (Eph. 4:26).

But what is Paul saying? He is warning Christians against a fretful and feverish attitude toward life. Do not engage in anxious thought; do not worry is simply what the apostle is saying.
Jesus also taught on this important subject in Matt. 6:25-34. Here He emphasized that we ought to "Take no thought for your life." Other versions (which are not always acceptable translations on many other texts) say, "be not anxious for your life" (ASV), and "do not worry about your life" (NIV). One example of the things we should not worry about is food (vs. 25-26). It is pointed out that fowls, which neither sow, or reap, nor gather, are fed by the heavenly Father. So why should we constantly worry about our eatables since we are obviously better than the fowls? Yet another example that Jesus gives is our raiment (vs. 28-30). We are urged to consider the lilies of the field, which neither toil nor spin, yet even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. So why should we be anxious and worry about our clothing since we are much better than the grass of the field?

The Need For This

An exhortation of this nature is needed by all. Worry is so common to man. The young and old, the rich and poor, the learned and unlearned, the saints and sinners, and the faithful and unfaithful all have worries. And it seems that we worry about everything beneath the shining stars of heaven. We worry about our money, how we are going to get it, keep it, and spend it. We worry about other's troubles as well as our own. The thought of some calamity is constantly plaguing our mind, with 75% to 90% of these calamities never taking place. It makes us wonder if some are not setting up at night to plan out their worries for the next day.

The Folly Of Worrying

(1) It is useless. This is the very point that Jesus was making in Matt. 6:27, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" Jesus is saying that if a man does not like his height, his worrying about it will not help. Worrying is not going to make him grow. Then in the parallel account Jesus said, "If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?" (Luke 12:26). So if our worrying will not accomplish an increase in our stature, why should we think our worrying will do any good elsewhere? Worrying never lifted a single burden; it never dried a single tear; it never solved a single problem. There are two classes of things we should never worry about: the things we can help, and the things we cannot help.

If there is a problem or situation that we can do something about, let us do what we can and quit worrying. For example, if one were to wake up at night just freezing to death, it would be silly just to lay there and worry about it. The only sensible thing to do would be to do something about it -- get more cover. And so it is with many of life's problems. Worry does not help but action does.

Neither should we worry with the things which we can do nothing about. What good would our worrying do? We cannot do anything about growing older, the weather, death, and many other things which must simply take their course. Our worrying about our age will not make us younger. Neither will worrying change the weather, nor keep us from dying. Therefore, seeing that we cannot do anything to help and that our worrying will not relieve any burden, we ought to forget such matters and not worry about them.

Many times we find ourselves worrying about close friends, relatives or neighbors as they travel from place to place. But again this is silly. Can we do anything to help in the matter to make their travels safer? If so let us do it and quit worrying. However if we cannot assist or do anything to better their safety, what will our worrying do? Obviously nothing, so it is just plain useless whatever the occasion may be.

(2) It is hurtful. Though this is not generally recognized by Christians, anxiety is hurtful in many ways. There is no disease that worry does not aggravate. Dr. Charles Mayo, of the famed Mayo Clinic, once said, "Worry affects the circulation -- the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system. I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many who died from doubt." Worry wears one out mentally and physically. Worry is the grime and grit that once inside the "wheel bearings" of our minds puts our steering out of control and sends us off at the next curve.

It is not only hurtful to ourselves but to others about us. Worry makes one hard to live with because they have always got a worry to share with you. Thinking of only the worst that could happen, the worry-wart will nag one half crazy.

(3) It is faithless. Worry indicates a weakness in our faith. Jesus describes one that worries by saying, "O ye of little faith" (Matt. 6:30). Do we not have faith that God will be with us and those whom we worry about? We need not become of doubtful mind and worry about what may happen, for whatever did happen it may be for our good. The apostle Paul said, "All things work together for good to them that love God" (Rom. 8:28). Could it be, brethren, that we really do not have true faith in God?

The Cure

Anxiety is not cured by laughing it off, drinking away our problems, or finding some ideal situation. However Paul suggested in the same context the answer.

The apostle commanded that we should (1) pray. "But in everything by prayer...let your request be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). If we are worried about ourselves or someone else, we should pray for God's help in the situation. Another command given is that we should (2) redirect our thinking. We might illustrate this with a house that has only two windows. One window has an unbelievably beautiful view of a lawn with flowers and trees. The other has the most awful sight of garbage and trash you have ever seen. Now which window would you look out of the most? Obviously, the one with the beautiful view. So it should be in the house of life. We should spend our time thinking on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report (Phil. 4:8). We also should (3) put our faith in God. We ought to trust him, that he will be with us. The apostle Peter tells us to put our cares upon God (1 Peter 5:7).

Conclusion

The results of our prayers, redirection of thought, and faith in God will be obvious. The peace of God will keep our hearts (Phil. 4:7). We will be better both mentally and physically, being better able to get along with others. Let us not be a Martha in Luke 10:40-41 who was troubled with cares. But we need to strive to be as Mary who chose Jesus.

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Are You Living the New Life?

by Mark Larson
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Being a Christian is supposed to be about living a new life, a better life, even the best life there is. Yet, some brethren have unwittingly returned to the old one! How can this be? Just like the Christians at Rome in the first century, there are many today that have forgotten the kind of life they were meant to live after their baptism. “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4, NASB).


“Do you not know”? The brethren at Rome should have known, but evidently they had forgotten and needed a strong reminder. The fact is every Christian needs to be reminded of the great spiritual significance of their baptism. Baptism means so much more than having our sins forgiven (Acts 2:38; 22:16), it is also the beginning of something very special and wonderful - a new life in Christ! Every person would do well to review their baptism, examine their life, and then ask the question: Am I living the new life?

The New Life” Begins at Baptism!

There is most definitely a spiritual connection to Christ at baptism (Rom. 6:4). No Christian should ever forget just how special their baptism was. Baptism is a real spiritual connection to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ! (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12) Just as a real burial involves a real death, so does baptism (which is also a burial or an immersion in water; BAPTIZO = immersion), result in a real death to sin. And just as a genuine resurrection results in an actual resurrected life, so does the spiritual resurrection out of the “watery grave” of baptism result in a real new life!


The teaching of Romans 6 demonstrates that baptism is a serious act for people who can and will take it seriously. Baptism is not for infants or small children or for people who treat baptism as a mere ritual or just a way to show the church that they are already saved (which is a falsehood). Baptism is for penitent believers only (Acts 2:38; 8:36-38).The person who chooses to be baptized has decided to repent of his sins (or crucify the “old man”) and, as a person “dead in sin,” be buried with Jesus through baptism. Clearly, Romans 6 shows that baptism represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, baptism is for people who understand that this is the only way to enter into a union with Christ and receive the blessings found in Him. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal 3:27; cf. Eph. 1:3).


Again, baptism is not just about being saved (1 Pet. 3:21), but about the start of a “new life”! Our baptism into Christ is not an event merely to be affectionately remembered for our salvation, but an event that is meant to alter our future for life! It is God’s desire that once we are raised from our baptism, we would live a new life in service to Him.

“The New Life” Means a Changed Life!

A Discontinuation of Sin: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2) Baptism into His death is a death to sin. Thus, the new life is not about practicing sin. Grace in Christ is not a “license to sin” (Jude 4), but a powerful source of motivation to live a new and better life for the Lord! (Titus 2:11-12). To continue to practice sin would be a sharp contradiction to our “death to sin” that took place at our baptism.


Following the Footsteps of Jesus: “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection” (Rom. 6:5). We who have been raised with Christ (after being baptized) are to imitate His resurrected life in the life we now live. It makes no sense to take part in Christ’s death and then live life in the same way. We are to live a new life that will reflect His (1 Pet. 2:21).


Freedom from the Slavery of Sin: “Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (Rom. 6:6-7). Jesus, by offering His blood for our forgiveness, gives us freedom from the bondage of sin (Jn. 8:31-36; Eph. 1:7). This freedom calls us to live a new life not as slaves of sin, but of righteousness (Rom 6:17-18).

How Have You Changed Since You Began the New Life?

What is the Difference between Your Former Life and the New Life You Now Live? (Eph. 4:21-24) Are you the same person you were before? Have you changed? Are you still changing and for the better? What do you see when you look into the “mirror” of God’s word? (Jas. 1:22-25). Do you see Christ in you? (2 Cor. 13:5). Each Christian is either growing in Christ or he is digressing and getting weaker spiritually. There is no middle ground! (2 Pet. 1:8-9).


What “New Things” Have Come into Your Life? “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). “The new life” involves real spiritual change in every person who lives the life of a Christian. By faith we believe that old things have indeed passed away! With the help of Christ, the sins, bad habits, selfishness, affection for sin, etc. can all be put behind us.


Many new things should come for the Christian: A new way of thinking (Rom. 12:2); New values and priorities (Mat. 6:19-21, 33); A new purpose in life (Eph. 2:10; Eccl. 12:13); A new lifestyle (1 Cor. 6:9-11); A new perspective on marriage and family (Mat. 19:1-12; Eph. 5:22-33; 6:4); New friends (2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Cor. 15:33); And a new heavenly goal (Col. 3:1-4). The new life we have been given is meant to change our whole perspective in which we recognize that this world is not our home (Heb. 11:13-16), that we are just passing through as we journey on toward Heaven to be with God.

Have You Yet to Begin the New Life?

Remember, baptism into Christ is necessary “in order that” we may live a new life (Rom. 6:4). Without exception, no one can begin the new life in Christ until he has been baptized into Christ as a penitent believer. Begin your new life and be baptized today!

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Islam and the Deity of Christ

by Wayne Jackson
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Moslems insist that Jesus Christ was merely a “messenger” of God, in the same sense that others (e.g., Moses) were but prophets. They deny that he possessed the nature of deity, or that he even claimed to be the “Son of God.” But what does the actual evidence reveal?

A Moslem recently made the following comment. “There are no Jewish writings that prophesied the appearing of ‘God’ on earth in the form of a man.” He said this in a denial of the Christian claim that Jesus of Nazareth possessed the nature of “God” in the flesh. He further asserted that Christ never even claimed that he was the “Son of God.” We are compelled to comment upon these fallacious allegations.

The gentleman has correctly portrayed the Moslem view of Jesus Christ. One apologist for Islam has argued that “Jesus never claimed to be a god or the Son of God.” He contended that Christ “was only the servant and apostle of the Lord” in the very same sense that others (like Moses) were messengers of God before him (Hammudah Abdala, Islam in Focus, Indianapolis: American Trust Publications, 1975, p. 158). Another Islamic writer claims that there is no authentic biblical evidence that Jesus ever affirmed that he was the “Son of God” (Sulaiman Shahid Mufassir, Jesus, A Prophet of Islam (Indianapolis, American Trust Publications, 1980, p. 22).

The assertions are striking examples of the fact that those so inclined can fabricate religious theories of their liking – thrusting aside all evidence relevant to the issue. Let us briefly examine each of these claims.

Old Testament Prophecy

Is there any evidence within the body of Old Testament literature that a divine Being would come to earth in human form? There is unequivocal demonstration of such.

The prophet Isaiah declared that “the virgin” would conceive and bear a son. The child would be designated as “Immanuel,” which signifies “God is with us” (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:22-23). Though this Personage would be adorned with a human body, he would possess the “God-nature” as well. “Immanuel” was not intended to be the personal name of the Son of God (cf. Mt. 1:21); rather, the appellation was indicative of his intrinsic essence; Deity had come to earth in a human form (cf. Jn. 1:1, 14). For further study of this passage, see Edward Hinson’s, Isaiah’s Immanuel (Nutley, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1978, pp. 46ff).

Isaiah further announced: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). The humanity of the Messiah is indicated by the terms “child” and “son,” and the Savior’s deity is reflected in the phrases “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father.” Professor Barry Webb has noted that “the language of verse 6 can apply only to one who is God incarnate” (The Message of Isaiah, Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity, 1996, p. 69).


The prophet Micah wrote: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of you shall one come forth unto me who is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2). That this was fulfilled by Christ admits of no doubt (see Mt. 2:6). The human side of Jesus is suggested by his birth in Bethlehem; his divine nature is indicated by his relationship to Jehovah, i.e., he is one who is to come forth to Jehovah and rule over Israel. Further, the Messiah’s “goings forth” are said to “reach back into eternity.” As C.F. Keil noted, this characterization “unquestionably presupposes His divine nature” (The Minor Prophets, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978, Vol. I, p. 481).

On the night before his death, at the conclusion of that meeting with the disciples at the Passover supper, Christ quoted from the book of Zechariah, making application to himself. The prophet had written these words. “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is my fellow, says Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones” (Zech. 13:7; cf. Mt. 26:31; Mk. 14:27). Two points are of special interest in view of our present study. First, Jehovah’s shepherd is identified as a “man” who was to be put to death. Second, this victim is called “my shepherd” and “my fellow,” revealing an intimacy of labor. The latter term (fellow) is used commonly in the book of Leviticus for a companion, one who is on an “equal” standing with another (6:2; 18:20; etc.). “There is no stronger statement in the OT regarding the unimpeachable deity of Israel’s Messiah, the Son of God” (Charles Feinberg, “Zechariah,” The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Charles Pfeiffer, Everett Harrison, Eds., Chicago: Moody, 1962, p. 910).

Jesus—the Son of God

Let us now give momentary consideration to the misguided charge that Jesus never said that he was the Son of God – an irresponsible affirmation that defies rational explanation. There is ample evidence – in all four Gospel Accounts – to the contrary.

Matthew records that Christ referred to God as “my Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 7:21; cf. 10:32; 16:17). The parable of the marriage feast casts Jesus in the role of the King’s [God’s] Son (Mt. 22:1ff). It is important to note that when the Lord alluded to God as “my” Father, he always made a distinction between the relationship that he possessed with the Father, and that which obtained with reference to ordinary human beings (cf. Jn. 5:17-18; 20:17).


Christ depicts himself as the “beloved Son” in the parable of the wicked husbandmen, as recorded by Mark (12:6). Further, under oath before the high priest, Jesus confessed that he was the “Son of the Blessed [One]” (Mk. 14:61-62).


Luke notes that Christ acknowledged God as his Father – in a unique way – when he was but twelve years old. “I must be about my Father’s business” (Lk. 2:49). And further observe this from the record of the “beloved physician.” Christ said: “All things have been delivered unto me by my Father: and no one knows who the Son is, except the Father; and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son chooses to reveal him” (10:22).


Nowhere is the Father/Son relationship more pronounced than in the Gospel of John. The Lord refers to himself as “the Son of God” repeatedly (5:25; 9:35; 10:36; 11:4), claiming even, “I and my Father are one” (Jn. 10:30). The Greek term rendered “one” is a neuter form, suggesting that the Son shared the divine nature with his Father.

Conclusion

The assertions (cited above), as set forth by our Moslem friends, are not correct. They thrust aside the testimony of an indisputable historical record.

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Rumors: How They Fly!

by Dee Bowman
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Reporting is hard business. It takes a disciplined mind. It's hard to be objective. A good reporter must divorce himself from all his pre-suppositions, prejudices, pre-conceived notions. He has the responsibility to his readers or viewers to report facts as best as he can determine them. He has no business reporting hearsay, opinion, or other part-truths unless he identifies them as such. It takes concentration and a high regard for truth.

Distributing any truth requires the same integrity as that which is necessary for the good journalist. It, too, calls for intense concentration, an unbiased mind, a desire not only to know the truth, but to use it for good whenever and wherever possible. No person has the right to distribute untruth, hearsay, gossip.

The Scriptures assign an attitude for those who would dare speak of things to others publicly. For instance, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God'' (1 Pet. 4:11), addresses the tendencies to report opinions and is God's warning against such. "There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak'' (Eccles. 3:7) speaks to the tendency to want to speak more than the occasion calls for, a constant problem for all of us it seems. "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine'' (Titus 2:1) calls to mind the necessity of adorning the doctrine of Christ with a disposition toward correctness, making sure that you do not speak opinion or promote your own surmisings.

The Scriptures also warns about speaking things to others privately as well. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt'' (Titus 2:8) reminds us to make sure that our speech has just the right flavor, that we make sure we do our best to say palatable things in every situation. "A fool is full of words,'' says the wise man (Eccles. 10:14), indicating that you become suspicious when you say too much about a thing. ``A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger'' (Prov. 15:1) tells us about how to handle controversial matters and is a passage everyone would do well to commit to memory.

Then there are those private reporters, those who speak in hushed tones and report in secret, those who seemingly take great delight in spreading rumors and other hurtful information. A Gossip is a newsmonger, one who carries about information that is mostly undocumented in nature and unproductive in effect. It is speech which is seldom intended to edify and will usually include such things as idle talk, tattling, rumors. Sadly, most everyone has participated in it at one time or the other. And even more sadly, many have done so with full knowledge of what they were doing.

"Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!'' (Jas. 3:5). It takes only a small amount of kindling to start a huge conflagration and the skilled gossip knows just how to do it. He may just lift an eyebrow or crook his mouth. He may offer some innuendo or half-truth. He may start some rumor in a place where he knows it will spread like wildfire. He may write something without confirming the source or examining all the facts just because the rumor he is reporting fits what he wants to report.

Gossip is ugly. Gossip is sinful. But gossip is effective, too. ``Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor; so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor'' (Eccles. 10:1). A man's reputation, which may have taken years to build, can be destroyed by one little, well-placed rumor, just as the ointment which may have taken months to prepare can be destroyed when one little stink-fly lands in the potion. It is a serious thing to report information which is not true or pass along what has never been proven. But people do it all the time. And get away with it.

Two things would help.

Don't repeat anything you don't know for sure. The world of gossip operates on a chain reaction. When the chain is broken, the gossip stops.

Remember you are responsible for what you tell. No matter where you got it, it's still your responsibility. Just don't re-tell and you won't have to worry about it. Make sure it needs to be told before you tell it.

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Jesus Cares About You!

by W. Frank Walton
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Jesus Christ, the Son of God, deeply cares about you. The Bible tell us He had “compassion” for the downcast and was a “friend” to everyone (Mk 6:34, Lk 7:34). As a person made in God’s spiritual image, you are of great importance to Jesus. He even knows your name.

As a Christian, I too care about you. I’ve given you this tract because I’m interested in your life and your eternal destiny. So please, carefully read what the Savior says about the needs of our soul. Your life depends upon it.

Listen to who Jesus says He is: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Without “the way,” there is no going. Without “the truth,” there is no knowing right from wrong. Without “the life,” there’s no real living. How startling! He says He is the only way back home to God. Either He is Lord of all and is telling the truth, or He is a blatant liar or a deluded lunatic. These are the only choices. There can be no neutrality with Jesus: “He who is not with Me is against Me” (Matt 12:30).

So, He is the key to your eternal welfare. “He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life” (1 Jn 5:12). The critical issue is: Do you care about Him?

Jesus Offers You the Best

The Son of God helped create the universe (Jn 1:3). So, He knows exactly how we tick and what we truly need. He cares enough about you to offer a personal invitation to a life changing relationship. “I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:20). He alone offers the greatest quality of life known to man.

BEST LIFE: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).

REST: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt 11:28-29).

SATISFACTION: “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life" (Jn 4:14).

STRENGTH: "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger” (Jn 6:35).

PEACE: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful…. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (Jn 14:27, 16:33).

ENLIGHTENMENT: "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life" (Jn 8:12).

REDEMPTION: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45).

SALVATION: “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. He that does not believe shall be condemned” (Mk 16:16).

FREEDOM: “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, `If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (Jn 8:31-32).

HOPE: “Jesus said to her, `I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?’" (Jn 11:25-26).

Jesus Cares Enough to Confront Us

There’re many popular religious ideas about being right with God and going to heaven that simply don’t square with Jesus’ teaching. Jesus cares enough to challenge the mistakes in our preconceived ideas.

1. Jesus never said just being a nice person is sufficient to go to heaven. If this is true, then we wouldn’t need Him as our Savior. If sinful human beings could be right with the holy God of the universe by our own efforts, then His agonizing death on the cross would have been a needless waste (Gal 2:21). Jesus once turned away a good moral, religious man. He trusted in his own good works and also refused to repent of materialism (Matt 19:16-26).

God says, “All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). All of us have failed to perfectly comply to God’s law. Divine justice demands the guilty be punished. Hence, we’re separated from God, and we need a Savior (Rom 3:23-26).

2. Jesus never said merely professing faith is sufficient. A Gallup poll found 74% of Americans believe in Jesus as God’s Son. Yet, Jesus warns those deceived by “cheap grace” and “easy believism”: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt 7:21). A true believer renders life-service, not lip-service, to Jesus. He pointedly asks, “Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,’ and do not the things that I say?” (Lk 6:46).

3. Jesus never said being an active religious person is sufficient. In fact, Jesus says the opposite: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” (Matt 7:22-23). Many active but deceived religionists will be shocked on Judgment Day. Their service wasn’t authorized by Christ’s law.

There is a “rock solid” way to be sure of salvation. We must care enough about Jesus to do exactly what He says in His word (Matt 7:24-25). “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15). Respect for His authority means we must “not exceed what is written” (1 Cor 4:6). Faith that pleases God only “comes by hearing…the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17). The doctrines and teachings of men cannot save and do not please God (Mk 7:5-13).

4. Jesus never said that a loving God would never condemn anyone to hell. Although God is perfect love (1 Jn 4:8), He is also perfectly just and holy (Psa 89:13). “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 3:23). “Death” means eternal separation from God. His holy justice makes it impossible for Him to allow sin’s rebellion to go unpunished. Jesus died as a substitute for sinners to satisfy God’s justice, that is accepted by obedient faith. “Everything is wrong until God makes it right” (A.W. Tozer).

Yet, those who refuse this grace must suffer the consequences of God’s judicial wrath. "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (Jn 3:36). Jesus tells us pointedly to fear Him who can cast us into hell (Matt 10:28).

Do You Care About Jesus?

Jesus has the key to our life and eternal destiny. I’m care about you because God cared enough about me to send His Son to die in my place. This love has drawn me to the Savior and has changed my life for the better. The transforming truth of Jesus is important enough to me to risk a negative response from you on this very personal subject.

I hope you agree that in religion it is not who is right but what is right that ultimately matters. You can render to Jesus the “obedience of faith” (Rom 1:5). The “steps of faith” (Rom 4:12) to be right with the Lord, are:

Believe wholeheartedly in Jesus Christ as the divine Savior (Jn 3:16, 8:24). Repent of all your past sins (Acts 2:38). Confess Jesus as your Lord (Rom 10:9-10) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16, Rom 6:3-6).

I look forward to talking to you about soul-saving power of the gospel. I hope we can study the transforming word of Christ together. Also, please come visit us at church. You will find a warm welcome.

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E-Mail: larryrouse@cvillechurch.com