by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | The Bible
Being a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ is not easy. It requires that we die to self and die to sin. It requires doing what’s right when all around us are giving no regard to God or giving Him only lip-service. Our lives are not to mirror the world.
The Book of Daniel records that King Nebuchadnezzer had a pride problem. He had a 90 foot gold statue made of himself and then told all the people of his kingdom that they must bow down and worship the idol. In his kingdom, however, were three young men who loved God and were forbidden by His commandment to worship anyone or anything other than the One True God.
In due time, the order was given, “When you hear the sound of the music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.” The disobedience of this order had dire consequences. “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” The faithful young men could have come up with many good excuses and seemingly worthy justifications for following the king’s order. Shouldn’t they honor their earthly ruler? Perhaps they could fall to their knees, but not REALLY worship this image, just LOOK like they were complying. Who would know? Perhaps, then they would live more days to tell others about the One True God. After all, how would all these unbelievers ever have hope of eternal salvation unless they lived to tell them?
So the stage was set. But, when the music sounded and all the people fell with their faces to the ground before the image, three young men yet stood. King Nebuchadnezzer was furious but gave them one more chance saying, “…if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” The three young men, bold in belief and full of faith in God, replied this way, “We do not need to defend ourselves in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, o king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, o king, that we still will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Did you catch that? They knew that even if their understanding of the circumstances was faulty, their God was still perfect and worthy of their devotion and the sacrifice of their very lives, if required. They would not compromise truth for anything! They did not try to find “wiggle-room” in God’s Word. They gave their lives and futures entirely to the Lord. They trusted fully. They obeyed fully. You, too, must decide whether or not you will serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Commit your life to Him today. Trust in Him with all your heart and soul! The cost is high, but Jesus is worth it all!
by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
Jesus said; “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him. But you know Him for He lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14: 16, 17)
It is the special privilege of the born again Christian to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He is the third Person of the Trinity and He is to be known, not just talked about or heard of. He is much more than just a name mentioned in a creed, in a hymnal or during a baptism service. Non-Christians do not know Him and sadly many church attendees only know about Him. That is why the sins of the flesh, the world and the devil so easily overtake them. The Bible says, “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8: 13, 14) Therefore, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13: 5)
The litmus test for seeing if you are living a life led of the Holy Spirit is the Word of God. It tells us in Galatians chapter five of the fruit of the Holy Spirit which will be evident in an obedient Christian’s life. These are: Love: A genuine self-sacrifice for the good of others. Joy: Great pleasure and delight in who God is and what He has provided. Peace: A sense of well-being, rest, tranquility not dependent on circumstances. Gentleness: Kindness toward others, reasonableness and flexibility. Patience: Stability under pressure, self-controlled under provocation from others. Faithfulness: Reliability and perseverance. Meekness: Willingness to be governed. A submissive attitude toward authority and circumstances. Self-control: Especially of one’s passions.
True Christians “…are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the [Holy] Spirit… And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Rom. 8: 9) Friend, if you don’t have Christ, you are not saved. Invite Christ into your heart today! Be empowered to overcome the flesh, the world and the devil. You can then enjoy the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life, instead of being destroyed by the wages of sin, which is eternal death.
by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” (Romans 1: 16)
Christians, like the apostle Paul, are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has chosen to offer a loving way to save man from the destruction of his own sins. In the New Testament the word “gospel” never means a book (one of the four gospels) instead it always refers to the good tidings that Christ and the apostles announced. It is called “the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1); “the gospel about Jesus Christ” (Mark 1:1); “the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15) and “the gospel of your salvation.” (Ephesians 1: 13)
Salvation is a good word. It denotes the purpose of God by which He justifies His people, first by pardoning their offenses and accepting them as righteous in His sight. Then He progressively transforms Christians, little by little, through the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God, into the image of Christ. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” (Titus 2: 11, 12)
The truths relating to the application of God’s great salvation are grouped under three headings: 1.) Justification; 2.) Regeneration and 3.) Sanctification. The truths relating to man’s acceptance of God’s great salvation are reflected through repentance, faith and obedience. Many in the U.S.A. claim belief in Christ and call themselves Christians, yet they bring question to God’s Word and to true Christianity by the way they live. It is a duty to all who call themselves Christians to examine themselves concerning their spiritual state. The Bible says to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course you fail the test?” (1 Corinthians 13:5)
The first step in examining ourselves is to understand the three aspects of salvation found in Christ Jesus. First is justification. Romans 5:1 says; “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Greek word for justified is a legal term taken from the courts. It pictures man on trial before an all knowing holy God. Man is seen as having committed the most heinous of crimes. He has rebelled against God and broken his relationship with God. The evidence is so overwhelming and true that the man, realizing that truth, confesses his sin to God. God then brings in our “Advocate,” Jesus Christ, who’s atoning sacrificial blood paid the price for the sins of the world. (1 John 2: 1,2) For everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, God in His mercy and grace gives them a “pardon,” setting born again Christians free from the punishment of eternal death.
The first aspect of salvation is justification. You can be completely forgiven of every sin you have committed. God sent the gospel of Christ to you today so you can be saved. Repent and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and invite Him into your life and heart. Receive God’s pardon found in Christ.
by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
W. Tozer wrote, “Fortunately only a few things are matters of life and death, such as a compass for a sea voyage or a guide for a journey across the desert. To ignore these things is not to gamble or take a chance; it is to commit suicide. Here it is either be right or be dead.”
A person’s relationship with Christ is a matter of eternal life or spiritual death. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. You are saved by faith in Christ alone altogether apart from good deeds or religious works of merit. Many have convinced themselves that just believing in God and believing that Jesus died and was resurrected automatically saves you. James tells us that even the demons believe that there is one God and shudder. (James 2:19) Demons believe, but they will not be in heaven. How does the individual man come into a saving relationship with Christ? That was the anxious question presented to Paul and Silas by their jailer, “…Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
There are at least three ways to describe the only answer for the eternal salvation of any person: 1.) Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ( Acts 16:31); 2.) Receive Christ as personal Savior (John 1:12); and 3.) Accept Christ. Acts 11:21 tells us that a great number “…believed and turned to the Lord.” To believe in the Greek means to put trust in, to be convinced of, or have no doubt and be certain of. The important grammatical form of the word “believe” is continuous action. In other words, you must believe and keep on believing.
Minds believe doctrines; hearts trust persons. A child will run to his father for help, direction, and provision when he truly believes in his father’s loving care. A patient will go to his physician when there is belief in his doctor’s abilities to help. What good will your so-called belief do you if it has not resulted in your turning wholeheartedly to the Lord? Many profess to believe, but they continue in their sins. Jesus said there are those hypocrites who will “…honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” (Matt. 15: 8) The person who truly believes in Christ becomes a new creation; his old nature leaves and a new nature, surrendered to Christ, comes. (2 Cor. 5:17) Paul didn’t say, “Believe and be saved,” but “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)
A true believer in Christ orbits his life around Jesus like the earth orbits around the sun. Just as the earth needs the sun, believers need the Son of God to perfect holiness within them. “…Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14) True believers accept God’s friends as their friends, they reject what He rejects and they adopt the Lord’s lifestyle as their own. Jesus said “Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness…” (John 8:12) meaning not purposely living in sin.
So… you say you believe. Does your belief in Him affect the way you live? To ignore what the Bible says about true belief is not to gamble or take a chance, it is to commit spiritual suicide. The Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus…”
by Terry Laughlin | May 1, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
The truths relating to the application of God’s great salvation are grouped under three headings: 1.) Justification 2.) Regeneration and 3.) Sanctification. The Bible tells us that, “It is God’s will that you be sanctified.” (1 Thessalonians 3:4) The apostle Paul gives a commandment, “Be sanctified.” Sanctification is the process of being made holy. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ writes: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1: 15 – 16) God’s commandment written to us through Paul cannot be more clear and there is no higher calling than to be in the center of God’s will. It is important to understand that sanctification, holiness and consecration are synonymous terms.
The word holy conveys the following ideas: 1.) The word holy conveys separation: Holy is a word descriptive of God’s nature and its root meaning is separation. This does not mean that Christians are to lock themselves up somewhere away from the world; rather they are to be in the world, yet not governed by this world’s system. Obedient Christians do avoid places, things and all influences that would cause them to sin and stray from God’s perfect will for them. People of this world use their God-given talents, gifts and enabling to satisfy themselves. Holy Spirit-led Christians take their endowments and consecrate them to whatever will glorify Christ. Christian musicians and singers play and sing for the glory of the Lord. Christian artists and writers draw and write for the Lord. Christian athletes get involved in sports in hopes of witnessing to fellow teammates and fans. Concerned Christians get involved in community services to make a stand for Christ and not for their own self-esteem or image. 2.) The word holy conveys dedication: Sanctified Christians dedicate their property, finances and time to the Lord’s service. They know that everything they own has been given to them by God. (Genesis 24: 35,36) The gods of this world don’t get all their extra money, time and adoration. Their focus is on the cause of Christ. 3.) The word holy conveys purification: 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
God can and will do more than forgive our sins, He will cleanse obedient Christians from the sins that would destroy or keep them from enjoying fellowship with God. The Greek word for purification pictures an act of cleansing from the pollution of sin so that a new life of holiness may begin. God immediately forgives repentant sinners and by the Holy Spirit’s cleansing power Christians are delivered from the dominion of sin. God wants His best for you. It begins by accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.
Allow the Holy Spirit to regenerate you and sanctify you. “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”
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