I heard a great lesson on hope the other day. This is a subject that brings a great deal of comfort to God’s children. When it comes to Biblical hope, we can also use the word assurance. Our hope of going to heaven is based upon evidence. This is why our expectation of heaven more than just wishful thinking.

Peter spoke on this subject: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time,” (I Pet. 1:3-5).

What a wonderful message! Knowing that Jesus resurrected from the dead, there is power through which we can obtain salvation by faith. This is clearly not a dead faith (Jas. 2:24-26) but rather a faith that obeys from the heart that form of doctrine (Rom. 6:17). Knowing that Christ did rise from the dead, we can be baptized into His death and bury our old man of sin and rise up in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-7). Having entered this new life, we can then walk in the light by striving to living faithfully until death (Rev. 2:10). We truly have a living hope.

In contrast to all of this, many “hope” to go to heaven like they hope they do not get cancer or hope they do not get into a car accident or face some other calamity. That is not the kind of hope we are talking about, yet many religious people have just that kind of hopelessness. They do not have a living hope based upon a strong feeling or desire. Jesus Himself said that this sort of faith would not make it to heaven (Matt. 7:21-23).

Having this assurance creates a confidence that Paul expressed in his final days where he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” (II Tim. 4:7). Like the many examples we can find in the Bible, let’s make sure that our hope is a living hope.

Chuck

There is no question that the reason Jesus Christ came to this sin-infested world, was to save people from their sins (Matt. 1: 21). Christ stated that He was going to shed His blood for the remissions of sins (Matt. 26:28). John put it this way in Revelation 1:5, “…To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

To help us know how our sins are remitted, let’s pinpoint when it all started. For this we go to a time just after Christ’s resurrection. Prior to our Lord ascending back to heaven, He spoke to the eleven apostles and those that were with them, saying, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, ‘and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:46-47).  

This bring us to the book of Acts. We read in chapter one that Jesus again told the apostles that they needed to go to Jerusalem, which is where they will receive the Holy Spirit that will give them the ability to witness to people about Jesus beginning at Jerusalem (1:8). After the Holy Spirit came upon them (verses 1-4), they began to preach (verses 5-36). The audience heard about Jesus and that they were in need of salvation.

In Acts 2:37, a number of people asked what they needed to do? It was then they were told to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (vr. 38). Here we see that those who wanted to take care of their sinful state, needed to have their sins remitted.  I want people to know about Jesus, but at the same time, everyone needs to understand that their sins need to be removed.

Many are puzzled that there is a direct connection between Christ’s shed blood, water baptism, and the remission of sins. So many people are being told that they are saved from their sins prior to being baptized. Is there any truth to this? I mean, could it possibly be that baptism is like church attendance, singing, giving our contribution? By that I mean, baptism is something you must do, like other things for God, but it doesn’t have anything to do with removing one’s sins. Is this correct?

This question can be cleared up by understanding that baptism alone cannot possibly remove any sin. Baptism alone puts it on par with swimming and someone goes completely under water. Being immersed in water alone doesn’t remove any sin. Just like just believing in Jesus doesn’t help either (Jas. 2:26). It’s like debating which step in a flight of stairs is the most important, this first, the last, those in the middle? The truth is, they all are.

When it comes to the remission of sins, there is Christ’s part and then there is man’s part. However, it is essential that we see all of Christ’s part and all of our part. It was vital that Christ come to this earth (Phil. 2:5-7). Yet, Jesus also needed to live a perfect life in order to be the lamb without blemish as a sacrifice for mankind (I Pet. 1:19). Then our Lord needed to resurrect in order to conquer death and rule and reign over His kingdom (Acts 2:30). Now, which one of the things Jesus did is more important than the other?  The answer is, none, they are equal and all essential to help mankind have the remission of sins.

What about man’s part? We are told that for anyone to take care of their sins, to be saved, they must hear the word of God (Acts 11:14). Those that hear are then required to understand and believe the gospel message (Jn. 8:24,32). Knowing that people often hear and do not do (Jas. 1:22), they are also told to repent (Acts 3:19). By turning to Jesus, everyone must be willing to confess their faith in Him (Rom. 10:9-10). The final step would be to be baptized into Christ’s death for the remission of sins (Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3-7). Now, which one is most important? The answer is none, they are all equal.

Problems come when individuals want to create their own combinations. They will take some of what Jesus did, and some of what man is responsible for, and conclude it is acceptable to God. That will not work for many reasons. The obvious one is that it will leave people in their sins, even though they think they are removed. People need to realize that Christ didn’t provide remission of sins so that people didn’t have to do anything. If that were the case, everyone would be saved. But they are not (Matt. 7:13-14).

Again people struggle with their part because they don’t want to put what they are to do on par with what Christ had to do. The fact is, we can’t. All that we are to do, and I mean all, doesn’t accomplish anything without the blood of Christ (Rev. 1:5). One might think if Christ's part is the first step and our part is the second step, then like the stair step illustration, both are equally important. Actually, if we want to use the stair step illustration, it would be Christ built the stair steps so man could take them. This means that no matter what steps man takes, none of them were possible without the stairs being constructed in the first place!

Jesus was basically making this same point in Luke 17:5-10. In verse 10, our Lord makes the statement, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.” As we can see, there is no room for boasting, or even thinking we can earn our salvation (the remission of our sins). Yes, we can get our sins removed, but without Christ doing His part, there is no opportunity or hope. However, since Jesus did do His part, it gives man the opportunity to do what he is told to have the remission of sins.

Now we shall close this article with this important question: Were you baptized for the remission of your sins by first meeting the prerequisites? It matters not what you feel, it matters what you know to be true based upon the word of God. If you do, you are walking by faith, because it is faith that makes it possible to please God (Heb. 11:6).

Chuck

We recently had the privilege to hear Gary Kerr preach a series of lessons about the authenticity of the Bible (you can watch on our YouTube channel if interested). After considering the evidence, we can be 100% certain that the Bible is the inspired word of God (II Tim. 3:16). However, opponents are 100% sure that the Bible is a fake, that it is full of lies and myths.

Obviously, both positions cannot be right. Let us consider the ramifications of believing that the Bible is not the truth but is rather based upon lies and legends. I am arguing from the hypothetical premise that all the evidences that Gary presented in his lessons are false. Not only that, but they are 100% false. If we can prove that the Bible is not God’s word, then the following points must also be true.

Every religion is false

If all the evidences supporting the authenticity of the Bible could be rejected, then logically the religions that use any part of the Bible to validate their religion would also be wrong. The same would be true of any religion that attempts to prove they have the truth with evidences weaker than those found in the Bible. The truth is, if the proofs of Biblical inspiration are rejected, which are plentiful, how could any other religion stand?

Man become law maker

If it could be proven that God nor a supposed lesser “god” ever spoke to man, then mankind would be responsible for defining right and wrong. Though the Bible teaches that it is not within mankind to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23), this is exactly what man is left to do if every religion is rejected. Again, if true religion (James 1:27) does not exist, then every religion is categorically rejected. This is not a shock to many people because so many believe that man knows what is best for man.

Those with the most power make the laws

If man becomes his own moral authority as described above, many implications need to be considered. For example, many of the nations of the world are not democratic. Even those that live in democracies do not generally make laws directly – they often elect representatives to wield that power. Even if man became his own moral authority, others would still be making laws for him to live under whether he liked those laws or not. Global affairs be settled by those with the strongest army. Lesser nations could be captured and forced to live under a new set of laws whether those laws were “good” or not.

The problem with man-made laws is that they are constantly changing. Sometimes this is due to popular opinion. Sometimes this is due to corrupt government. All kinds of prejudices and immoral acts can become law: taking from the poor to make the rich richer, legalizing biases and racism, allowing immoral, carnal acts, etc. Man’s laws could entirely fall under descriptions of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and an unwillingness to have compassion by being full of pride, yet they could not be proven wrong if man is the moral authority. The Bible reveals this rather directly (I John 2:15-17).

Manmade laws always have a major flaw

When man becomes law-maker, people must accept the idea that other men know what is best for them. This is not true equality but instead requires blind followers. I get why an active gay person might disagree with my Bible-based criticism of homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27). What is the basis for a nonreligious person to be opposed to homosexuality if mankind is equal though? Without God, major problems arise. Please consider the importance of – God spoke!

Chuck

The book of Jude contains a description of the behavior of those who have fallen away but are determined to influence the faithful.  If we look at how they are described, we can clearly see how those who walk in righteousness stand out. Here is what Jude wrote:

“These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit,” (Jude 16-19).

It is naïve for children of God to think that those who depart from the Lord will do so quietly. The fact is, those who leave believe they are in the right. Thus, it becomes their mission to convince others to follow them. This is why they may use flattering speech. This is why they appear to have your best interests in mind. The wicked do not actually care about your relationship with God though – they are ultimately more concerned with how they are viewed (3 John 9-10).

How can Christians counter the evil influences of such people? Jude provides the answer: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life," (verses 20-21).

It is the love of God that dwells in us and causes us to value how our Creator wants us to act rather than merely seeking to fit in with the world. By always listening to our God, we will walk by faith. Listening to people who claim to speak about God is not the same as listening to God directly via His scriptures. Yes, God’s faithful will stand out for this. Are you willing to stand out as one of them? Do not trade the acceptance of God for the acceptance of those around you.

Chuck

As Paul’s epistle to the church at Colossae was coming to a close, the apostle made sure that he sent greetings from fellow laborers such as Luke and Demas (4:14). However, in a span of approximately a couple of years, at the close of the letter Paul wrote to Timothy, he brought up that Demas had forsaken him (II Tim. 4:10).  So what happened in that period of time that caused Demas to stop being faithful?

The answer to the above question was given in the Timothy letter: Paul stated that Demas loved this present world (II Tim. 4:10). My question is this: what is there to love that was in the world back then that would cause someone to leave the Lord? It would be the exact same things that exist today. We shall consider some of the lures that entice people to love the world.

Loving the world removes the spiritual battles

Sometimes Christians get tired of standing against opposition all the time. Their love for the truth, when it is lost, becomes a love for compromise, just to get along, avoiding controversy at all cost. This is why brethren are told not to grow weary in doing good (Gal. 6:9). There is no question that saints face battles on a daily basis against the course of this world. As good soldiers we must fight the good fight (I Tim. 6:12). When a child of God has an appetite for loving the world, the love of God will not be in them and they will forsake the Father and in turn, faithful brethren like Paul (I Jn. 2:15).

Loving the world removes many duties

Let’s face it, unlike the first point, many conflicts God’s people face come from within. By that I mean, every person faces temptation with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of like (I Jn. 2:16).  When Christians find sinful behavior attractive and desire to engage in it, the dislike for sin soon wanes. The faithful can hate every false way (Psa. 119:104), but if steps are not put in place, you can depart from a place that was once pleasing to God, to a place where God has turned away from you (I Pet. 3:12; II Pet. 2:20-22). When you no longer want to be a worker for the Lord, there is going to be a love for the world.

Loving the world eventually removes associations that make you feel guilty

We read how that Demas had forsaken Paul. Now, we know Paul felt bad about that, but did Demas? This we know for sure, when someone makes you feel uncomfortable, you usually don’t like to hang around them. In Luke 15, we read where the prodigal wanted to go far away from his family.  Perhaps what applies here is the idea of out of sight, out of mind. With this comes the Biblical text describing people who have their conscience seared with a hot iron (I Tim. 4:2).  In truth, if I were Demas and I loved this present world, hanging around Paul would have been unsettling to say the least.

Loving the world removes the focus from heaven

The passions of this word are pleasurable, but we are told they are temporary (Heb. 11:25). Even though non-lasting, those caught up in sin are not keeping their eye on the mark (Heb. 12:1-2). It would be proper to say concerning the fallen that they are not thinking about what lies beyond the grave because they only see the world. However, God’s people know this world and everything in it will one day be consumed (II Pet. 3:10). Not only that, even before that happens, our lives are like a vapor that appears for a short time then vanishes away (Jas. 4:14). So, obviously, to forsake the Lord is to not think about eternity.

Demas was once faithful to the Lord. He was a companion to Paul, whom he appreciated greatly. As to what happened to Demas, it can happen to us, so let us beware.

Chuck