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Newspaper Articles

This page has the completed articles written in the newspaper.  Due to the nature of the published articles in the newspaper, being religious, various people view the content as controversial.  Rather than sowing discontent in the community, I use those articles to entice people to learn more about what God has said.  Here we have the rest of the article.

December 28th, 2015

12/23/2015

 
And The Bible Says...
Anything About Christmas?
    In the past few days, many of us enjoyed the holiday referred to as Christmas.  This day is on all the calendars as a national holiday.  Most enjoy the day off from work and the bustle of life.  We enjoy the time with our family and close friends.  It’s a day which kids of every age reflect on the concept of giving.  And in our day and age, we need to be mindful of giving, instead of receiving.  Many think of only themselves and not to others.  I grew up enjoying all the movies:  “A Wonderful Life,”  “Rudolph the Red-noised Reindeer”, and many others.  Even have some on while writing this article.  
    But over the last 15-20 years, I’ve heard many talk about putting Christ back into the day, to celebrate the birth of Christ.  I find it interesting that the history of the day and its celebration has been celebrated on various dates, besides the 25th of December.  In everyone’s lifetime today, it has always been on this date, December 25th.  The origin of the concept is based on the Bible’s teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, and His birth.  Hebrews 10 said God the Father prepared a body for His Son to be born as a man, to come to this world and live and teach man how to live and please Him, and then die as a sacrifice, offering forgiveness of sin to those who choose to hear His Word, believe it, repent in obedience to that teaching, and confess their faith in Christ as the Son of God, and then be baptized to accept that sacrificial blood of Christ’s death for that forgiveness to be applied to the person’s life.  So His birth is very significant in fulfilling Old Testament promises in scripture.  All Christians are very thankful for Christ’s birth, and the uniqueness of His birth, not being born of a man’s seed but of a woman who “knew” not man, and God’s Spirit.  He was therefore God in the flesh, and dwelt among men.  John 1: 1-3, 14   Even those who are not believers of these facts, can refer to secular historical data, of His birth and life.  BUT, what does the Bible say about Christmas?
    I’ve searched scripture, whether in the standard versions of the Bible, and the Greek texts, and there is absolutely “NOTHING” about men celebrating this birth by Him, His disciples, His family, or the 1st century church.  Nothing at all! What I’m saying is that the manuscripts that Bibles are translated from give no evidence of man celebrating this birth after the wisemen at the time of the birth.  BUT in contrast there is much evidence in scripture to celebrate His death.  Scripture teach, Acts 20:7, that disciples remembered His death upon the first day of the week, therefore, every 7 days.  They were taught how to celebrate it also, Matthew 26, following the Passover feast.  They were told to partake of unleaven  bread and “fruit of the vine”, the cup, remembering His death “until He come again”.  So we celebrate that weekly, as the Jews had kept the Sabbath weekly under the Old Law.  Yes, one might assume that to remember His death, we would realize He was born.  But there is no commandment, or reference made to do so.  So where did the concept of a “Holy Day” come from referring to His birth?
    Might I suggest that it was from the same source that is saying “Put Christ back into Christmas”.  If God didn’t’ suggest, request, or command such, and the disciples in that 1st Century church not do so, we must assume its origin came later, and was authorized by men.  God had some concern with these feast days, etc. man had established in the Old Law, Hosea 2:11, Amos 5:21, and Paul warned of binding these days upon men, especially those of the church, Colossians 2:16.  It was especially not a work of the Lord’s church as He guided the church through the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.  I must wonder why some see that Christ isn’t in it, for the reason, it wasn’t from the beginning.  But on the other hand, many don’t remember His death weekly on the first day, as Christ said for His church to do.  So, in effect, we bind the birth and have loosed the death of Christ in so-called “Christianity”.  And that which was originated by men, now has precedence of that which God originated, keeping His death in memory.   Just some things we might consider friends.  
    Yes, I am very happy and thankful for His birth, and might remember He was born on that day, as on any other day.  But I can’t say that was His birthday.  It isn’t recorded.  For those who are making judgment on this subject, please understand I’m not trying to offend you, but just give some consideration to what the Bible says on the subject.  Some have asked me about this recently, so I am replying.  

December 21st, 2015

12/21/2015

 
And the Bible Says...
Stop Sinning
    Over the last few months, we’ve been talking about the problem of sin in our lives.  It is because of my sin and guilt that I listen to the Master, and obey His plan of salvation, that I may get rid of my sins of the past.  Over the past month, we discussed the God-given tools of 2 Peter 1:3-11, so that I would not fail in my service to God, obeying His Will.  
    I know some religious groups teach that man has no choice but to sin.  Some believe we are totally evil and corrupt.  IF that is true, then who is responsible?  God made us and said we were good! Genesis 1.  Sin  is what corrupts man.  Temptation in the point in which we must make a choice.  In Eve’s case she was good, then tempted, and made a choice which brought about sin and her corruption.  The fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, taught us about sin and its guilt.  God’s command established the consequence of a sin, DEATH!  So, after men knew sin, the problem was the guilt and consequence.  Man with guilt has the pain of death, and desires to overcome that guilt and pain of death.  So, with that burden, I desire to overcome temptation and sin, through Christ’s teaching and sacrifice.  I learn not to love being sinful, and to love God with All my heart.  
    The book of 1 John has a central theme:  Stop Sinning!  (1 John 2:1-2)  The book is addressed to Christians, chapter 1:1-3, and the apostle John it writing them telling them to “stop sinning”.  The book is given to instruct “How To...”, focusing on what to do if I sin, chapter 1:9, and carefully examining my life to make sure sin hasn’t ensnared me again. I must constantly survey my mind, and know where I am in my relationship with God, and my growth in God and our relationship.  1 John 5:13 says that I can KNOW that I have eternal life.  In truth, as we grow in Christ, we are learning how to live that eternal life.  Chapter 1:3 says our joy may be full.  This is a fulfilling life when we live according to Christ’s example, fulfilling the purpose of our life, serving God.
     Let’s briefly examine the book.  Chapter 1 teaches we must “walk in the light, as He is in the light” vs. 7.   Doing so, we are in fellowship with God and Christ.  Chapter 2:1-11—we are to Know God, not the world.  Verses 12-14 – Know how God sees me, the state I’m in.  Verses 15-17 – We must turn from the world and its appetites.  These make us enemies with God.  Verses 18-23 – Know the anti-Christs and that doctrine.  These may be Christians as well.  The doctrine was that Christ came in the flesh and succeeded in pleasing God.  So being of the flesh is not what condemns us.  Too many times that is used as an excuse for our sinfulness.  Verses 24-29 – Let truth abide in me, governing me, and be children of God.  We learn to adapt to His nature.  
    Chapter 3 teaches what it is to remain/be a child of God. (vs. 1-3) HOW? Be mindful of the seed, God’s Word, vss. 4-9, and we can’t sin.  His child loves, not hates, vss. 10-15.  We work that love, vss. 16-23, keeping His commandments.  
    Vss. 24-chapter 4:6—we know the spirit of truth verses the spirit of error.  Vss 7-19 – to know God is to love.  We perfect God’s love by abiding in Him, vss. 12-16.   Love replaces fear of God, vss. 17-19.
    Lastly, chapter 5 gives us the proof of who we are.  Do we have confirmation, vss. 6-13?  If so, we have confidence before God, vss. 14-17.

December 14th, 2015

12/14/2015

 
And the Bible Says...
Salvation Requires Growth #4
    Today we wrap up our study on 2 Peter 1:3-11.  To recap, we’ve learned that to please God we must serve Him in obedience and produce fruit favorable by God.  He’s given us certain attributes of character He expects us to acquire and to add them to our faith.  Again, “without faith we cannot please God” (Hebrews 11:6), but evidently this text says faith itself is not enough to win the battle we fight against sin, and God expresses there is more we can do to ensure our home in heaven, as He’s promised.  So we are told to “Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge temperance, to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.”
     Verse 8 says that if these abound in us, we will not be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ.  So these things being a part of my character will help me be more like Christ.  We will live like Christ and adapt our life to be like Him.  As we have looked at these traits, we’ve discussed how these frame our life, and if we look at all now as an overview, and look at the life of Christ, we can see and understand how they prompt our life as being His.  The concept of bearing fruit is symbolic of having offspring for Christ.  Have we helped others participate in the “new birth”?  (John 3; Romans 6)  In Luke 13:9 and John 15:4< Jesus warns that without our bearing fruit for God in Christ, we are not fit, but should be cut down and burned.  To bear fruit, the right kind of fruit, I must abide in Christ’s teachings and example.  Abiding in Christ is discussed in John 17, and also 2 John 9 and implies that we follow and keep His commandments, the doctrine of Christ.  We abide in He, the Father, and each other as we abide in His vine.  We feed off His nutrition.  
    If NOT, verse 9 says we are blind and can’t see afar off, or see ahead.  We are focusing on the present needs, which would be of the flesh, because the list above focuses our minds on spiritual matters and these are absent, and we are now barren and unfruitful.  We lost the focus on our life, to live without sin.  We have forgotten that we had our sins remitted through His blood in baptism through our faith, and now are back where we were beforehand, now in sin again.  What a terrible state for one who had hope in Christ, and now has lost that hope, living in sin.  We need to wake up! And see where we are, again lost in sin. 
    Verse 10 says that IF we have these traits and are focused verses 8-10, that we shall never fall!  I’ve heard people refer to the yo-yo concept of salvation.  The text warns us that we can return to the lost state again, having had the promise of salvation, but this verse tells us IF, a condition of choice, I do these, there isn’t this yo-yo concept of salvation.  It’s up to me, just like my faith is up to me.  Some have faith one day, and not the next, because faith is a choice also. 
    Verse 11, when these are accomplished in my life, I am like Christ, and I can trust that I have an entrance to my heavenly home.  God views me as His child and a brother/sister to His Son.  So Peters continues that he is reminding up these things, so that I am committed to my mission of serving God, by His commands.

December 07th, 2015

12/7/2015

 
And the Bible Says...
Salvation Requires Growth #3
    Friends welcome back to our discussion and study of 2 Peter 1: 3-11.  We are discussing God’s expectation of us to turn our backs on the life we lived in the worldly lusts of sins.  God has given us tools, traits that will ensure our lives to be different in character.  A life that copies that of Christ’s life.  As we have looked, this doesn’t happen overnight, but can and should be achieved.
    We are told to add to our faith, virtue, then knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, as we have discussed so far.  Verse 7 then says “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”  The term “brotherly” denotes a near kinsmen.  It concerns a close relationship causing a close concern for each other. We are people with a common interest, having a common calling. Revelation 22:9.  “Kindness” relates to having goodness, love.  So the two together means we have a close relationship working for the good toward another as brethren.  It is directed to another because of the common interest in spiritual matters in serving God.  We are brethren to Christ, our common calling.  Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us to walk circumspectly, meaning we are watchful for each other’s souls.  Brotherly kindness is the motive behind our watchfulness.  We understand each of us are on the same mission, to obey God and serve our God.  We are all given the same instructions by which we live our lives.  While I might think it isn’t so bad to do something that would at best border on a sin, I have a brother watching, and encouraging me not to give in to the possibility.  So that person warns me not to get close to sin, much less to enjoy sin.  
    Also, Peter says to add to that “brotherly kindness” “charity”.  Charity simply means “love”.  There are many types of love.  This one comes from the greek word “Agape”, which was used to describe the attitude that God had toward His Son, Christ.  The love expresses the essential nature of God. It has God as its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John 14:15, 21.  1 Corinthians 13 gives the character of this love.  It doesn’t seek its own desire and needs, but that of others. Ie. Galatians 6:10 says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”  We as individuals have a love toward all men, but especially toward our brethren, having that common calling and interest.  
    Next week, we will look at verses 8-11, because we have a goal in our life, to serve God, being like Christ, and receive our home in heaven.  We want to look at our fruitfulness and then see where I am on being fruitful.
 

November 30th, 2015

11/30/2015

 
And the Bible Says...
Salvation Requires Growth #2
    Welcome back readers to this discussion.  We are reading of the growth God requires for the Christian to receive His promises, 2 Peter 1:3-11.  Last week, we noted it takes for than “just faith” to have the hope of salvation and home in heaven.  “To be sure” this text says we must “add to your faith” other things, and we looked at “virtue” and “knowledge”, from verse 5.  Let’s continue to examine the text starting with verse 6.
    Verse 6 says, “And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;” Having now faith in our life, and then virtue- the moral quality of God in me, as seen by others, and the knowledge- knowing all that God reveals about Himself and what is expected of man to be, we must add these traits:  Temperance, Patience, and Godliness!  Temperance is not your typical, everyday word.  Temperance, according to Vines Bible Dictionary, means “self-control”.  “The various powers bestowed by God upon man re capable of abuse; the right use demands the controlling power of the will under the operation of the Spirit of God.”  Simply put, the knowledge of God’s word in my life, now controls my life and actions.  The Spirit reveals God’s mind in the Bible.  Many passages relate to our spirit must rule over our flesh.  Thus it controls the flesh.  With the knowledge of God instructing my spirit through His Word, I have the ability to control my desires, my actions, my life.  
    PATIENCE is to be added to this self-control. Patience is strengthened by trials, James 1:3,12.  Sometimes the word is translated as “longsuffering”.  It is the ability to abide under hard times, conflicts, temptations.  Personally I liken this to when I was learning to ride a bike.  I was determined to do so, so I jumped onto the bycicle, ready to ride of into the sunset.  But I was upset, to fall right on over and off the bike!  My mother said “get up and try again”, and I did.  That time,  knowing what to expect, I pushed the pedal and working the handle bars, I traversed several feet before falling over again.  I repeated this action many times, until I finally realized I was able to ride the bike successfully.  It is frustrating at best as you start out, but eventually the burden is behind and we go forward without much effort and with ease.  Overcoming sin in our life is much the same.  We know we must do so, but often are falling off, to sin again.  I get up, with the idea, I will beat this temptation to sin, and with determination and God’s word and instruction in righteousness, the joy of the sin, is replaced with the joy of righteousness.  And I conquer the sin.  Then it is on to the next temptation to overcome. 
    Next we must add GODLINESS!  This term means of sound doctrine and its effects on my life.  Thus it depicts a life of righteousness, like God, and our conduct being like God’s.  This is exactly the opposite of what we see in the lives of those who are worldly.  It is somewhat the pivotal point, where I and others see in my life Christ’s life.  I don’t want to be like “everybody else”, but like Christ and the Father.  With temperance and patience, I have yielded control of my life and body to God’s Spirit and the Word’s direction over my life.  When I fail, I get up and go at that sin that has beset me, and go after that temptation until it is conquered.  “I AM COMMITED TO GOD!”

November 23rd, 2015

11/23/2015

 
And the Bible Says...
Salvation Requires Growth
    Welcome back readers.  As we mentioned last week, Faith, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism, grants the promise of salvation and our home in heaven.  To secure that promise, we must grow!  Over the next few issues we will point out what the Lord, and His Father, expects of us.  
    I know many teach that faith is all you need, but why does God ask for more?  I know that some teach that works are not necessary, but why does God ask that we do certain things, and in fact “faith” itself is a work, according to scripture.  So, let’s get into what God said for us to do.
    Look at 2 Peter 1:3-11.  The apostle Peter is speaking to Christians, who have believed, repented, confessed, and been baptized for the remission of their sins.  They have put the world desires behind them, and are striving to walk the new life in Christ.  Verses 8 and 10 are the goals we are wanting, “to make our calling/election sure” and to “not be barren and unfruitful” in our service to our Lord.  Please follow along with me :  Vs. 3 – “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”.  God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness through the grace of Titus 2:11-14. The “knowledge of Him” calls us to glory and virtue.  Verse 4 – “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  That knowledge gives the promises, but teaches us how to live like His divine nature, which requires that I escape the corruption of the past life, Romans 6:1-5, and those worldly lusts that I was a slave to.  Now for the surety in securing those promises: Vs. 5 – “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;”.  This text says to be diligent!  It will take some interest and determination.  Faith is not enough!  Peter said, add to your faith, VIRTUE.  Virtue means “whatever procures intrinsic eminence, moral goodness, of God”.  Virtue is the essential quality of the exercise of our faith!  So we must live the faith!  Then to the Virtue we add KNOWLEDGE.  We must KNOW God!  To learn of God’s knowledge, 1 Corinthians 12:8, which is revealed in scripture.  We must be inquirers in God’s Word.  
    Some have called this list, the “Christian graces”, or characteristics of a “true Christian”.  The list continues through verse 7, and we will continue our discussion of this list next week.  But understand, “if these things be in you and abound”, we reach our goals and receive the promises of God.  We don’t want to fall short and fail before God.  Faith is important, but it isn’t the totality of salvation.  It is the beginning!  We can’t please God without it, Hebrews 11:6.  

November 16th, 2015

11/16/2015

 
And the Bible Says ...
Progress Toward Salvation:  Transform Your Life
Every day we make choices in our life, just like Moses did in Hebrews 11:25, mentioned in last week’s issue.  Romans 6 told us to put to death our life of sin, then to live as servants of righteousness.  Titus 2:11-12 said that Christ’s “grace” taught us to deny ungodliness and worldliness (those things which tempt man to sin), and then how to live:  soberly, righteously, and godly “in THIS present world”.  So these passages teach the transformation anyone who wants to go to heaven must make.  Also consider 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  How are you doing with your change?  If there isn’t any change in your life, then one must consider if they are in Christ.   While faith is a necessity for salvation, it is baptism with that faith, which puts one into Christ, Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 3:26-27.
    The terms “ungodliness and worldly lusts” refer to the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-20, just as the fruits of the spirits in vs. 21-22 refer to that “soberly, righteously, and godly” living.  We walk by the spirit, not the flesh, Galatians 5:16, 17. In Galatians 2:20, Paul explains his change in life, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
    So you might ask, “So how does one stop sinning?”  One thing is certain, that if I don’t do some things differently, there will be no change!  Forget this false idea that man is totally evil and has no good in him.  That will lead you to give up trying to overcome sin.  Just the opposite of what these scriptures are saying.  Please indulge me a bit here.  IF baptism is the new birth of John 3, and it is, then as a baby I must grow!  But do the scriptures teach this?  Absolutely!  1Peter 2:2,  “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”.  Also read Hebrews 5:12-14.  These brethren should have grown and didn’t.  They didn’t apply themselves to studying God’s word, in order to grow.  Instead of progressing in Christ they had digressed.  Verse 11 said these were “dull of hearing”, thus the problem.  Don’t misunderstand, a baby doesn’t walk the first day of its life, and a Christian doesn’t stop sinning the day of the birth.  It is a growing process, and the scriptures explains the growth process.  Next week, we will see what God’s Word says about this.  

November 09th, 2015

11/9/2015

 
And the Bible Says...
Progress Towards Salvation:  The Transformation
    Welcome back to our study on “salvation”.  Over the last few weeks we’ve been looking into God’s Word on the salvation of man.  We’ve discussed how Faith, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism are all part of our responsibility for salvation.  Last week, we started the final requirement to be saved in the Judgment Day, our Faithfulness/Obedience.  Philippians 2:12 mentions our responsibility as a Christian.  Speaking to Christians, they were “to work out their salvation in fear and trembling”. Those works are according to His Word, and accomplished as we have faith in God’s Word.  James 2:14ff says that we are saved by those works with the faith, as God commanded.  As we do so, there is a transformation in the person.  Let’s examine Romans 6.
    Paul speaking to Christians here, states that we CANNOT continue in sin!  We are dead to the former man of sin, because that man died through the baptism into Christ’s death, vs. 1-3.    The objective as we rise from the waters of baptism, which through faith involves the blood of Christ, is to have a “newness of life”, vs. 4-7.  This takes place, when we crucify the old man that lived in sin, and wash those sins away in baptism, then rise, in a figure, like Christ to live unto God in obedience, that new life of vs. 4.  Being dead with Christ, we know we will live with Christ, being dead to the life of sin.  We live like Christ, who lived for God.  Our faith is complete in knowing and keeping God’s Word.  Sin is gone and we now have our direction in life, vs. 8-11.  
    Verses 12-15 gives command, that we don’t let sin control our lives, but we conform to God’s Word and live our life unto God, as a servant of righteousness.  We are aware of the lusts of sin, but we are told not to obey those lusts.  We are not subject to the Law of Moses, vs. 14, but under Christ’s grace.  (refer again to Titus 2:11-14)  That grace teaches us who we are to be, sober, righteous, and godly, in this present world.  No longer are we to be ungodly and seeking those worldly lusts which led us to sin.  We overcame sin’s dominion over us.  SO, we don’t continue the life of sin, because we know to be sober, righteous, and godly instead.  Vs. 16-22, man has a choice to make.  We will either serve God or serve the world of sin.  We yield our will to do so.  We develop our desires according to the choice we make.  To yield our body in service to God, we are rewarded life eternal, but to serve Satan and the world, we receive death eternal.  IF we yield to God, we will desire to obey Him, and desire the spiritual qualities to do so, 2 Peter 1:1-15.  Moses made that choice for himself, Hebrews 11: 25.  Each choice of path has its fruit, God’s path grants holiness and eternal life, vs. 21, and this is seen by others in your life.  By the same token, a servant of sin, is granted calamity, shame, and eternal death- separated from God.  We were ashamed of the life we lived prior and thus sought forgiveness, knowing we were lost in sin. That was our choice.  But, a Christian follows Christ’s pathway for salvation through forgiveness, so why would one return to a life of sin?  God forbid!  Vs. 23, The wages of sin is DEATH!  But to serve God in righteousness, we have the gift of eternal life, a home in heaven.    We the fruits will determine who we serve!  Thus we are to overcome sin in our life.  

November 02nd, 2015

11/2/2015

 
And the Bible Says...
Progress Toward Salvation:  Be Faithful Unto Death!
    Revelation 2:10. “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”  The book of Revelation is very interesting as it uses symbols to teach during a time of heavy persecution. This text actually refers to this persecution.  It was specifically written to seven churches of Asia, literal congregations of the Lord’s people, the church, concerning things that would shortly come to past, Chapter 1:1, thus these 7 represented the various issues within their congregations, of which some were so apostate, they were about to lose their identity/candlestick as the Lord’s church.  Of the seven only two were spoken of favorably, showing the others had digressed from the truth.  Those were told to repent and come back to the truth or basically be lost.  These were their warnings from God, through the angels sent to John, and John to these churches.  
    Understand that God knew what each congregation were going through and their hardships, but He doesn’t allow that as excuse for their failure to be faithful.  I hear people all the time make excuse for their disobedience to God, and like these, God isn’t interested in excuse, but obedience.  God expects us to overcome our temptations and overcome sin in our life.  This word overcome is common in the book of Revelation.  Please note these texts:  2: 7, 11, 17, 26; 3:12, 21; 21:7.  Each of these texts speak of the benefit of overcoming sin in our life.  We want to have a home/mansion in Heaven with God for an eternity, but we must overcome to achieve it.  How bad do you want it?  
    God has not left us without hope or without help.  He gave us the tools to accomplish our task.  #1. We have His Word and know what we are to be as His man/woman.  The roles He set for us are different, but obedience within the roles are expected by God, 2 Timothy 2:15.  #2. He teaches us of the character we must become to be successful, so He lists what character traits we must build, 2 Peter 1:1-15.  #3. We are expected to stop sinning, 1 John 2:1-2.  This one seems to be a problem for most because we’ve all been taught that we are inherently evil, totally corrupt, and cannot change.  But according to this text we are to change. All three of these texts are being written to true Christians, not “wanna be” Christians.  A true Christian wants to be like Christ by living like He lived, Romans 6.  They are forgiven of their past sinful life, and rise to walk according to the pattern of Christ’s life.  1 John 3:9 said that if the seed (God’s Word) remains in me, I cannot sin.  While my mind is focused on God’s Word, with the intent to know and follow it, I cannot commit sin.  Every sin we commit it because God is not on my mind, which is the mind of Christ while He was here.  The four gospels spoke of the mind of Christ always being about God, His Father, and doing what He wanted, saying what He wanted stated.  

October 25th, 2015

10/26/2015

 
And the Bible Says...
1 Peter 3:20-21
    Last week, I closed the article stating I would illustrate baptism in water’s part in salvation.  I will start here with Peter’s own illustration, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”.  The text states that 8 souls were saved by water “in like figure”.  Genesis 6-9 is the narrative referred to with Noah and the flood.  But, I thought it was the water that destroyed those not on the ark.  The truth is the water was the same water.  But did the water save separate and apart from the ark?  And would the ark have saved if God had not told Noah how to build it and what the materials were to be?  Did faith of Noah in God not have any bearing on those 8 souls?  But their baptism was water according to the text!  I believe we all know it wasn’t just water.  It was all the above.  
    Let me illustrate another way.  A mother has a daughter that will have a birthday, so the mother bakes a birthday cake.  What makes it a birthday cake? (salvation).  Was it the flour? egg? Water? flavor? The mixer perhaps? The bowl? The pan? The oven?  Perhaps mother’s loving hands?  What ONE thing made the cake?  All were involved was it not?  But these were not all.  These simply make a cake!  The daughter’s birthday made it a birthday cake. 
    In like figure, Baptism is just the point where salvation is culminated as “should be saved”, Acts 2:38.  But that salvation included many other ingredients to complete.  It included “Faith” which without it, a person was condemned Mark 16:16, and “Repentence” Luke 13:3,5, and “Confession” Acts 8:37 and Romans 10:9-10, then “Baptism for the remission of sins”, Acts 2:38, and “Faithfullness- to live overcoming sin by confession of that sin”, 1 John 1:9.  To face God in judgment having done all of these, I am without sin and prepared to give account of my life in the day of judgment.  But not any ONE of these grants salvation alone. Ie. Repentence is just that, a change in my life, but I’m still with all my sin, guilty before God.  Faith is just that, knowing what God wants me to be and that I am a failure in doing so.  There is no change in my life of sinning.   I hope you seen the picture.  
    It takes my doing all that God commands I do to be faithful to Him and please Him. Then no matter how bad my life was, it is history and removed from my record through Christ’s blood, that by faith I apply in my baptism of water.  I rise up to walk a newness of life.  2 Corinthians 5:17.  
    I hope this clarifies that H20 does not save, but faith in water baptism, applying the blood of Christ, and guidance of the Spirit’s word, grants salvation.  My spirit is regenerated being cleansed of my sin, and I now have a relationship with God, being without sin.  Water alone is just a bath of the flesh friends.  

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    I am Steven Saunders.  You can email me with questions at: 
    stevensaunders@histruth.net , Or you can write me at:  Steven Saunders, 4677 Hwy. 151, Clarence, Mo. 63437

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