GET RIGHT WITH GOD! - Part One
The wise man Solomon summarized the meaning of life by saying,"let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil" (Eccl. 12:13-14). There is no greater responsibility that a man has than to prepare in this life to face God in Judgment. After all is said and done, the only thing that will count on the last great day will be whether you are right with God or not. Let us look at some Bible truths that each person must face to be acceptable to the God of Heaven.
THE FACT OF SIN
Sin is what separates man from God. If you have sinned, you are a sinner and separated from God. Paul wrote,"all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). Every person who has reached an accountable age before God is a sinner and is in need of salvation. Isaiah wrote, "Behold the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (I Sam. 59:1-2).
SIN DEFINED
John defined sin when he wrote, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4). James wrote, "Therefore to him who knoweth to do good, and doeth it not to him is sin" (James 4:17). Sin is violating the laws of God or failing to do what is right.
THE WAGES OF SIN
"For the wages of sin is death...." (Rom.6:23). Sin has its pay. "But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15). Sin leads to separation from God and eventually to eternal death. Every accountable person needs to be convicted of their sins, realize their lost condition, and have the will to do something about their sins.
THE GOOD NEWS
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Paul wrote, "But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). God's great love for sinners is good news! The love God has had for us ought to make us want to make our lives right in His sight.
THE DEATH OF JESUS
The basic facts of the Gospel teach us that "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:1-3). Luke tells us, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Jesus died for all sinners, not just a few. The Hebrew writer tells us, "That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Heb. 2:9).
THE REVELATION OF THE TRUTH
The Bible is an inspired book from God. The word of God was revealed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works in the conversion of sinners by revealing the Word by which the sinner can act and be saved. Paul wrote, "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Tim 3:16-17). God's word not only reveals the state of the sinner, God's love for the sinner, but the words by which a sinner can be saved. Continues Next Week.
WHAT YOU MUST DO !!!
Deity has provided everything that will enable the sinner to be saved. However, salvation involves the sinner acting in his own behalf. The Bible reveals that there are some things that YOU MUST DO if you are to ever be right with God and forgiven of your sins:
(1). HEAR THE GOSPEL - The Bible says, "so faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Faith is not a matter of a miracle, it comes by reading, studying and hearing the truth of God.
(2). FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS - It is impossible to please God without faith...(Heb. 11:6). Jesus warned, "I said therefore unto you that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I Am He, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).
(3). REPENTANCE - Repentance involves a change of mind followed by a change of life. When a sinner repents, he changes his mind about sin and turns to walk after the commandments of God. Jesus said, "I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). If you are going to be saved, you must repent of your sins.
(4). CONFESS CHRIST - Confession is a profession of one's faith in Jesus Christ. The Ethiopian confessed, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37). Jesus taught, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 10:32).
(5). BAPTISM - Bible baptism is immersion in water for the remission of sins. Without this act of baptism, the sinner will not be forgiven of sins nor ever be in the right relationship with Christ. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk.16:16). When Peter preached the first gospel sermon, he demanded that the sinners, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Many scoff at the idea of "baptism for the remission of sin." However, this just goes to show the sinner has not truly repented nor wants to be right with God.
LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Baptism is the act that puts a sinner into Christ where he receives forgiveness of sins. However, this is not the end but only the beginning of following Christ. The new creature in Christ must "Walk in the newness of life" (Rom. 5:4). A child of God must live a godly, righteous life in this world" (See Titus 2:11-12). Worship is required of the child of God. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Christians, "continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). Worship involves: (1) FAITHFUL ATTENDANCE to assemblies...(Heb. 10:24-25) ; (2) GIVING as we have been prospered on the first day of the week; (3) PARTAKING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER on the first day of every week...(Acts 20:7); (4) SINGING and teaching in spiritual songs...(Col. 3:16 ; Eph. 5:19). God also expects his people to be involved in the Lord's work. Paul wrote, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forsomuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (I Cor. 15:58). God has outlined both the work the church and the individual are to be engaged in. Making your life right with God, involves one in the work God has provided for His people to do. Are you a sinner, doomed before God? Why not do what must be done to be acceptable with God. Paul warned, "behold now is the acceptance time, behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:2). How sad it will be for so many on the day of Judgment, facing God unprepared and doomed to all eternity. Remember when all of life is summed up, these things will matter:
DID I OBEY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST ? DID I LIVE THE KIND OF LIFE GOD EXPECTS HIS PEOPLE TO LIVE? Friend, do you need to GET RIGHT WITH GOD?by Glen Seaton
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