[Biblemat] A) CONCERNING SALVATION

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Wednesday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article from my files:

CONCERNING SALVATION

     God wants you to be saved.  "For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jno. 3:16;
1:29).  Unto that end He revealed through the apostles and
prophets the way of salvation that leads to heaven.  "Enter ye
in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that 
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go
in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow the way, which leadeth 
unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:
13,14).  Are you walking in that way?

     In order to enter that way, you must believe on the Christ
as God's Son.  Ample evidence is provided in the New Testa-
ment to produce faith.  "And many other signs trule did Jesus
in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this
book; but these are written, that ye might have life through
His name" (Jno. 20:30,31).  The faith that pleases God and 
leads people to do whatever else God has for them to do com-
es about as a result of the study of the Word of God.  "So then faith cometh 
by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17; Acts 15:7).  The 
books of men, nor the
creeds of men, can beget that kind of faith.  It is extremely im-
portant for faith to be in Christ, begotten by the Word, so that
the individual might also be willing to submit his will to the Will of 
Christ.  "Casting down imaginations, and every high
thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and 
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 
10:5).

     When the right kind of faith has been formed, then the per-
son will desire, even as he is commanded, to repent.  Repent-
ance is  required of all men everywhere (Acts 17:30).  It is pro-
mpted by godly sorrow, sorrow that God's Will has been viol-
ated (2 Cor. 7:10).  With this kind of motivation, you should
have little difficulty in turning your back on sin and bringing
forth fruits worthy of repentance (Acts 26:20).

     True repentance is essential to both conversion and the 
holiness of life needed to please God.  It involves a change of
mind (will) so that sinful practices are put away (lying, forni-
cation, adultery, profanity, indecent attire, envy, hate, etc.).
The cessation of these practices is demanded by the meaning
of the word "repent," encouraged by the  goodness of God
(Rom. 2:4), and proved by the fruits of repentance.  The unwil-
lingness to end such practices indicates that  oen has not been crucified 
with Christ; thus Christ does not live in that
one (Gal. 2:20).

     A penitent person will then be baptized in the name of Christ for the 
remission of sins, as he also commanded to do
(Acts 2:38; 10:47).  Salvation is promised to all who fear God
and work righteousness by complying with these terms of par-
don (Mk. 16:16; Acts 10:34,35).  ----- Bobby L. Graham in Gospel Guide, May 
1995.   </HTML>
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