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"Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder"
(James 2:19 ASV). Believing in God is not enough. One must believe God and
obey Him in order to be right with Him.
The wise man said, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12). Jeremiah stated, "O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23 ASV). God teaches us through these scriptures that what feels right and what seems good is determined by what He says, not how I feel and think about something. God directs our steps, showing us what is right and what is wrong. Many people daily tell God how it is that He is going to save them. However, we cannot determine how God will save us. God has already determined this, and we must conform to his will in order to receive salvation. We know that Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6) and He taught explicitly, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned" (Mark 16:16 ASV). Yet people say "He that believes shall be saved and then baptized." Do you believe God or man? Jesus stated, "Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also" (John 15:20 ASV). Jesus gave his apostles authority to teach the whole world everything that he had taught them (Matthew 28.18-20). Jesus said that if we believe and accept his word, we would believe and accept their word also. Consider what Christ's apostles taught about baptism. Peter stated, "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38 ASV). Yet people say, "Believe for the remission of your sins, and then be baptized". Do you believe God or man? Peter also stated, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us" (1 Peter 3:21). Yet people say, "Even faith alone doth also now save us, then you should be baptized". Do you believe God or man? Paul was told, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Yet people say, "Have faith, and wash away thy sins, then be baptized". Do you believe God, or man? There is much for us to do in order to be saved. We must have faith, (Romans 10:17). We must believe God and confess the name of Jesus, (Romans 10:9-10). We must repent of sins (Luke 13:3). We must live faithful lives until we die (Revelation 2:10; James 2:14, 17, 20, 24). James said, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). Yet people say, "Ye see then how by faith only a man is justified". Do you believe God or man? We must follow God's instructions for salvation. Baptism is a necessary part of our salvation, just like believing, repenting, confessing, and faithful living. Without baptism, a person cannot be saved. Baptism puts us into Christ (Romans 6:3-4), yet people say that we invite Christ into our hearts through the "sinners prayer." Do we believe God or man? Baptism clothes us with Christ, (Galatians 3:27) and puts us into His body (1 Corinthians 12:13). Yet people say, "We must receive Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, then be baptized to show the world our faith". Do we believe God or man? Without baptism friends, none of these blessings are possible. Baptism comes before salvation and is just one of the things required in order to be saved. These other means and sayings are the inventions of men. Do you believe God or man? Jesus once asked a powerful question to a group of Pharisees. "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?" (Luke 20:4 ASV). His point was to prove that anything authorized from heaven must be obeyed by those living on earth. The Bible has authorized the way of salvation. It is from heaven. Are these other sayings from heaven, or from men? Do you believe Jesus, or the words of men? We must believe the words of Jesus and his apostles and reject the false ideas invented by men. Jesus, quoting Isaiah, said, "But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men" (Matthew 15:9 ASV). Any and every time we teach and believe the invented doctrines of men, our worship to God becomes vain. We must believe God rather than men. Do you believe God? I know you do. Follow his word and teaching only, and reject the false teachings of men. |