Tag: Salvation

In This Issue:
Believe His Truths
He Speaks the Truth
The Devil’s Tactics
Separate

Volume: 989    January 13, 2025
Theme: Assorted

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Believe His Truths
D. L. Moody

Suppose I was dying from consumption that I inherited from my father or mother.  I did not get it by any fault of my own or by any neglect of my health.  I inherited it.

I went to my physician and other medical specialists, and they all gave me the same prognosis.  They say I am incurable and that I will die.  They also told me I had only thirty days to live.

A friend happens to come along and looks at me and says: “Moody, you have got the consumption.”

“I know it very well.  I don’t need anyone to tell me that.”

“But,” he says, “There is a remedy.  A remedy, I tell you.  Let me have your attention.”

“But, sir, I don’t believe it.  I have tried the leading physicians in this country and Europe, and they tell me there is no hope.”

“But, you know me, Moody.  You have known me for years.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you think I would tell you a falsehood?”

“No.”

“Well, ten years ago, I was far gone.  The physicians also gave me up to die, but I took this medicine, and it cured me.  I am perfectly well — look at me.”

“That is extraordinary!”

“Yes, it may be strange, but it is a fact.  That medicine cured me.  Take this medicine, and it will cure you.  Although it has cost me a great deal, it shall not cost you anything.”

“Well,” I say, “I would like to believe you, but this is contrary to what I have heard.”

Hearing this, my friend returned and brought another friend to me, who testified to the same thing.  He again went away when I would not believe it.  He brought back another, and another, and another, and they all testified to the same thing.  They said they were as bad as myself, but they took the same medicine that had been offered to me, and it cured them.  He then handed me the medicine.  I dashed it to the ground.  I did not believe in its saving power.  I died with the cure repeatedly offered to me.

This fictitious instance sounds ridiculous, yet similar versions have occurred thousands of times worldwide and in history.  People know of countless folks who have had their lives ruined by sin.  They clearly see it is harming their own lives.  

Most have heard enough Bible teaching and know there is an eternity after this life for all and an eternal wage for sins committed in this life if one is not saved.  They have learned they will not get away with their sin.

These same people have heard the Gospel many different ways, from preaching, articles, signs, and countless acquaintances.  Many testimonies have been heard about how the lives of folks, even more vile than themselves, have been transformed simply by being saved by Christ’s precious blood.  They have even seen the transformations for themselves.  

Still, they refuse to take the only cure to prevent eternal torment.  They reject the gift of salvation’s remedy.  It is against their reasoning to solve their “problem.” 

Sadly, there are many reading this who also may be “dashing” the only “medicine” that cures their sin-sick life and can give them eternal life.  They never trust Christ as their Saviour.

Do not throw away the only remedy that can cure one from the ravages of sin.  Jesus can save!

“Is life a puzzle?  Christianity has the missing peace!”  — Author Unknown

He Speaks the Truth
Moorehouse

Suppose you go to a street and meet a man whom you have known for the last ten years to be a beggar.  You notice a tremendous change in his appearance, and you say, “Hello, beggar, what’s happened to you?”

“I ain’t no beggar.  Don’t call me a beggar.”

“Why,” you say, “I saw you begging in the street the other day.”

“Ah, but a change has taken place since then,” he replies.

“Is that so?  How did it come about?” you inquire.

“Well,” he says, “I came out this morning and got down here intending to catch the businessmen and get money from them.  One person came up to me and said there was $10,000 deposited for me.”

“How do you know that was true?” you say.

“I went to the bank, and they put the money in my hand.”

“Are you sure of that?” you ask.

“I got the money, and that’s all the proof I needed.  Things are different now.”

After being saved by doing what the Bible says, some often question similarly.  “Did I really get born again?  Did I truly get saved?  Do I really have God’s  promise of eternity?”

They have only to accept His testimony, and they are saved.  John said, “He that hath received His testimony hath set his seal that God is true.” (John 3:33)  Is there a person reading this who will receive His testimony and gift for our salvation and trust God’s promise is true?  Proclaim that God speaks the truth.  Make God’s testimony true.  Take Him at His Word.  Anyone who believes and asks can be saved!

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

The Devil’s Tactics
J. Vernon McGee

When the Devil saw that persecution would not stop the church, he changed to a different tactic.  He joined the church.  He began to hurt the church from the inside. 

The enemy of God still does that today.  He attacks the validity of the Word of God, and he tries to discredit the Gospel.  If that doesn’t work, he tries to discredit the man who preaches the Gospel.  He has used these tactics on many Christians.

“The devil doesn’t come to you with a red face and horns.  He comes to you disguised as everything you’ve ever wanted.” — Author Unknown

Separate
Smith Wigglesworth

The reason the world is not seeing Jesus is that Christian people are not filled with Him.  They are satisfied attending weekly meetings, reading the Bible occasionally, and praying from time to time.  It is an awful thing to see people who profess to be Christians but are are not living His way, powerless, and in a place where their lives are so parallel to unbelievers’ lives that it is difficult to tell if they really are children of God.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
 II Cor. 6:17-18

In This Issue:
Changed!
The Wrong Doctors
What Christ Did
Just As I Am
Need of a New Birth

Volume: 981 November 11, 2024
Theme: Changes

The Daily View is a free, daily devotion. Sign up (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M), and you will be e-mailed a link to read or HEAR a KJV chapter and a short commentary (200-700 words) of something taught in the day’s reading. The e-mail will also include a mini-sermon in pictures, a prayer list, Thought for The Day, and short articles reinforcing biblical principles.

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Changed!
Bill Brinkworth

When a person is saved, there will be changes in him. He will act, live, and think differently than he did before.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

After the Holy Spirit becomes the controlling conscience of a born-again individual, there will usually be at least one area that His convicting Spirit urges us to deal with. He often “speaks” to our hearts about our flesh’s desires.
“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” I Peter 4:2

Fulfilling the lusts for the things in this world never actually filled us in the past and did nothing to help us. After salvation, the Holy Spirit directs us to eliminate the sinful, damaging baggage we do not need.

In the past, indulgences of animal desires (“lasciviousness”), lusts, drunkenness, partying (“revellings”), and putting other things above the Lord (“idolatries”) ruled our lives (I Peter 4:3). Now, on the side of salvation, they are to be halted.

Another important area the indwelling Spirit of God will most likely address is the company one keeps. Those who were once part of our sinful lifestyles will either get saved or need to be separated from a saved individual. It is not uncommon that those who were “friends” in sin break off the relationship and even speak negatively of the saved person they used to sin with (I Peter 4:4).

The changes in the new believer are often emotionally painful. If they are not made, the person will certainly not lose their salvation. However, their testimony for Christ and their living for Him will not be what God desires for His child.

Many get saved, and immediately the Holy Spirit of God deals with their heart about an area of their lives that needs to be changed. Often, the child of God will try to obey the voice but may fail and fall back into sin. The Holy Spirit does not give up. Repeatedly, He deals with the person’s heart. He is undoubtedly a second, third, fourth, etc., chance God.

However, when the individual hardens his heart and purposely disobeys or ignores the convicting Spirit, God may cease dealing with the child of God until he repents. When he says “No” to God too many times, God’s “voice” stops speaking to him. It is in that place many Christians find themselves. God urged them to forsake a sin they had before their salvation or their association with the ungodly, but they refused to obey.

The key to having a victorious Christian life is to listen to the convicting “voice” of the Holy Spirit and to obey it. When He deals with past involvements, He attempts to remove us from what He knows will harm us.

When saved, we are new creatures in Christ. We have a second chance in life not to make the mistakes we made in the past. Listen and obey the Holy Spirit’s directions!

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6

The Wrong Doctors
Edited from an article by C. H. Spurgeon

Have you been to Doctor Ceremony? He is, at this time, a fashionable doctor. Has he told you that you must heed him and obey his rules? Has he prescribed you so many prayers and so many church services? Ah! Many go to him, and they persevere in a round of religious observances, but those yield no lasting ease to one’s conscience.

Perhaps you have tried Doctor Morality? He has an extensive practice and is a fine old Jewish physician. He suggests, “Be good in outward character, and it will work inwardly and cleanse your heart!” Many persons are supposed to have been cured by him and his assistant, Doctor Civility, who is nearly as clever as his master. I have it on good evidence that neither of them apart nor the two together could ever deal with inward sin’s disease.

Do what you may, but your doings will not heal the wounds of a bleeding heart. Doctor Mortification also has a select practice, but men are not saved by denying themselves until they first deny their self-righteousness.

Doctor Excitement also has many patients. However, his cures seldom outlive the setting of the sun.

Doctor Feeling is much sought after by tender spirits. These try to feel sorrow and remorse, but the way of cure does not lie in their efforts.

Apart from accepting our blessed Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, everything that is done will not better the sin-sick soul. You may try human remedies for a lifetime, but sin will remain in power, guilt will cling to the conscience, and the heart will be as sinful as ever.

A young woman turned aside a friend’s appeal for salvation immediately by saying, “I only want time enough when I die to say two words to the Lord, ‘Save me’”

Having neglected her soul’s salvation, she was soon called away by death, but the only two words she could utter were the wails of despair, “Too late! Too late!” — Author Unknown

What Christ Did
Edited from an article by Clarence Larkin

Those who are saved, the Bride of the Lamb, are from a disowned and outcast race made so by the disobedience of the head of that race in the Garden of Eden. However, Jesus, the Bridegroom, saw her and loved her.

To redeem her, He came from His own lovely home in Heaven to her sin-cursed home on Earth. It was there He was rejected by members of her family, seized and subjected to a mock trial, and nailed to a cross as a malefactor. He voluntarily laid down His life for her, though, thus demonstrating His love and opening up the way for her redemption from the Law that held her in bondage.

Jesus then left her to return to His Father’s House to prepare a home for her. During her betrothal, He has left her with her own family. He sent the Holy Spirit to teach, protect, and fit her for the day of her marriage. One day, He will descend midair to meet her on her way to the bridal halls of Heaven.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:16-17

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Romans 10:9

Just As I Am
Edited from an article by Pentecost

A London artist had hired a dirty, wretched beggar to come to his studio so that he might paint the man’s want and woe. The painter was disappointed to have the man appear with his face washed, hair combed, and store clothes put on.

“I don’t want you that way. I want that beggar I saw in filth and squalor.”

Many a sinner falsely feels that, before he comes to Jesus, he must fix up a little, improve his condition, and borrow the second-hand garments of empty righteousness instead of coming just as he is, waiting not to cleanse away a single blot.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Need of a New Birth
Edited from an article by C. H. Spurgeon

I was staying at an inn in one of the valleys of Northern Italy, where the floor was dreadfully dirty. I had it in my mind to advise the landlady to scrub it, but when I perceived it was made of mud, I reflected that the more she scrubbed the worse it would be.

The man who knows his own heart soon perceives that his corrupt nature admits to no improvement. Outward “cleaning” will not change its nature. A new nature must be implanted, or the man will be only washed like that mud floor.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:6-7

Ours is not a case for mending but for making new. No outward actions can make you clean. Your sin-leprosy lies deep within, and only accepting the sacrificial death of God’s only Son, Jesus, can change one’s heart and make one born into the family of God.

In This Issue:
B. C. — Before Christ
A Man Drank Up a Farm
A Notable Conversion

Volume: 944    February 12, 2024
Theme: Conversion

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B. C. — Before Christ
Bill Brinkworth

When Christ saves a soul, God does tremendous work in that person we do not always see.  A new spiritual life will begin, and the old ways should be behind that person.

The old ways were before Christ.  The new life results in much freedom and joy!
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

Before people were saved, no matter who they were, they were enslaved.  They may not have mindfully planned to be servants, but they were enslaved.  They were:

Slaves to self.
People did whatever felt good to them.  “Gimme, gimme, gimme,” was their selfish attitude.  “Me first,” they lived.  “Who cares what happens to others, just as long as I make out okay,” they believed.

Because of our selfishness, we are commanded: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: … 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.  8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Colossians 3:5-10)  

“Die” (“mortify”,  quit) your self-gratification and other acts of selfishness.  Let the new creature in you live a life of freedom in Christ without self-centeredness!

Slaves to sin.
Before the Holy Spirit controlled one’s life, it was common to think:

• “Can’t live without that cigarette.”
• “I need a drink to think.”
• “I need to lie to cover up past lies…”

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34

See in the following verses what the lost did and what he is expected to do now that he is on the Heaven-side of Calvary:
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24  With God’s help, we can put off our old ways and let the new person in us give us new freedom.

Slaves to sin’s fruits.
Do not be deceived; there is a price tag on all sins.  AIDS and other diseases are often the wages of the sin of fornication, homosexuality, and adultery.  Cirrhosis of the liver comes many times as a consequence of drinking.  Lung cancer can come from defiling the temple with smoking.  The sins of lying and dishonesty reap loneliness, being cut off from others, mental illness, and guilt.  Consequences may be slow in coming, but there are often visual wages from iniquity.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7  Also: Romans 6:23.

Slaves to Satan’s whims.
Because an unsaved person is not a child of God, like many would have us believe, they obey their father, Satan.
“Ye do the deeds of your father.  Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: …Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do .…” John 8:41-44   Also: Ezekiel 11:19-21.  When we become born-again, we are born into the family of God, and we can obey our new Heavenly Father and have more freedom.

Slaves without hope of an eternity in Heaven.
There is a price tag on our “slavery” without Christ as one’s Saviour.  That cost is one’s eternal life in the Lake of Fire.
“For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?  for the end of those things is death.  22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23 Also: Ephesians 2:1-6.

There can be freedom from the “slavery of sin” which ruins so many.  By acknowledging one’s sinnership and accepting God’s only Son’s death on the cross as payment for our sin, we can have God’s promise of Heaven and freedom from sin’s hold.

Even after being saved, the hard part is listening to the new Master and not the flesh.  When we do let our new Master have control, we can be free in a way the unsaved world cannot even imagine.  We can have a new life better than the one we had before Christ saved and changed us.

“Walk by new rules towards new ends from new principles.  Make a new choice of the way.  Choose new paths to walk in, new leaders to walk after and new companions to walk with.  Old things should pass away, and all things become new.  The man is what he was not and does what he did not.”  — Henry

A Man Drank Up a Farm
Excerpts from D. L. Moody

Years ago, I was going away to preach one Sunday morning when a young man drove up in front of us.  He had an aged woman with him.

“Do you see that beautiful meadow?” said the young man, pointing to a nearby property, “and that land there with the house upon it?”

“Yes.”

“My father drank that all up,” said he.  Then he went on to tell me all about himself.  His father was a great drunkard, squandered his property, died, and left his wife in the poor house.

That young man is one of the finest young men I ever knew.  He toiled hard, earned money, and bought back the land.  He had taken his mother out of the poorhouse and was now taking her to church.

That is a wonderful illustration.  The first Adam in Eden sold us for naught, but the Messiah, the second Adam, came and repurchased us.  The first Adam brought us to the poorhouse, as it were; the second Adam makes us kings and priests unto God.  That is redemption.  

In Christ, we get all that Adam lost and more.  Men look on the blood of Christ with scorn and contempt, but the time is coming when the blood of Christ will be worth more than all the kingdoms of the world.

“Conversion is separating ourselves from the course and custom of this world, and devoting ourselves to the conduct according to the word of God.”  
— Henry

A Notable Conversion
Excerpts from a D. L. Moody Article

A jail chaplain once told me a surprising case of conversion in which the covenant of grace was the chief instrument of the Holy Spirit.  My friend had under his charge a man most cunning and brutal.  He was repulsive, even in comparison with other convicts.  He had been renowned for his daring and the utter absence of all feeling when committing acts of violence.

Several times, the chaplain had spoken to him but had not succeeded even in getting an answer.  The man was sullenly set against all instruction.  At last, he desired a particular book, but it was not in the library.

The chaplain pointed to the Bible, which was placed in his cell, and said, “Did you ever read that Book?”

He did not answer but looked at the good man as if he would kill him.  The question was kindly repeated, with the assurance that he would find it well worth reading.

“Sir,” said the convict, “you would not ask me such a question if you knew who I was.  What have I to do with a book of that sort?  It would do me no good,” he snapped.  “I am past all feeling.” Doubling up his fist, he struck the cell’s iron door and said, “My heart is as hard as that iron.  There is nothing in any book that will ever touch me.”

“Well,” said the chaplain, “do you want a new heart?  Did you ever read the covenant of grace?” The man answered sullenly by inquiring what he meant by such talk.

The preacher replied, “Listen to these words, ‘A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.’” (Ezekiel 36:26)

The words struck the man with amazement.  He asked to have the passage found for him in the Bible.  He read the words again and again.  

When the chaplain came back to him the next day, the wild beast was tamed.  “Oh, sir,” he said, “I never dreamed of such a promise!  I never believed it possible that God would speak to men in such a way as that.  If He gives me a new heart, it will be a miracle of mercy.  Yet, I think He will work that miracle upon me, for the hope of a new nature is beginning to touch me as I never was touched before.”

That man became gentle in manner, obedient to authority, and childlike in spirit from then on.  He was a new creature.

When a preacher heard a convert bragging about his wicked past, he remarked, “Never mind what you did while you were asleep.  Let us hear what you did when you were awake!”  — Author Unknown

In This Issue:
“She’s Going Down!”
“The Walking Dead,”
“How Does the Bible Tell One to Be Sved?”

Volume: 927     October 9, 2023
Theme: Salvation

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“She’s Going Down!”
Bill Brinkworth

Unbeknown to the S. S. Human Race, she was sailing her last voyage.  In the misty darkness, at around 12 bells, the mighty ship struck a partially sunken shipping container that had previously strayed off a cargo ship.

The mighty vessel had been struck mid-ship, and there was a gashing, gushing hole on her bottom.  The incoming seawater could not be stopped, nor could the tear in the ship’s metal belly be covered.  Sea water was pouring in faster than all the bilge pumps could handle.  She was riding deeper in the water and was slowly sinking.

Those in the low-rate berths were the first to experience the danger.  Their cabins filled up with water quickly.  Some drowned without even waking from their slumber.  Many who did escape found that the passageways were blocked with floating debris and could not get out.  They, too, drowned.

On the more luxurious upperlevels, a different situation occurred.  They heard the warning alarms.  They listened to the screams and heard of the disasters in the lower-class levels, but most were unalarmed, as most assumed they would be rescued.

“Why, we are important people in our society.  Some of us are leaders in our country and are essential to our nation’s well-being.  Others are wealthy and mean so much to the companies and foundations they run and support.  We are all well-educated and have far more degrees and honors than most.  Many are the elite and have done nothing but good to all around them.  We are nothing like those poor, ignorant folks below deck.  When the danger we are in is heard of, all effort will be made to keep us from the tragedy those other poor brutes below deck have faced,” was the thinking of those in the upper decks.

However, help never came in time.  The vessel expelled its last breath of air and succumbed to the water’s pull.  She went down with no survivors.  The liner went down with all aboard: the poor, the rich, the ignorant, the intellectuals.  All perished on the sinking ship.

Humankind is also on a similar “ship.”  It has always gone down morally, spiritually, and socially since the first sin in the Garden of Eden.  It is destined to perish.  Finances, knowledge, good works, kindness, man-made religion, or goodness can never plug its leaking hull.  Although it is still above water, it is riding lower in the sea of sin and shame daily.  One day, it will be too late for anyone to be rescued from the doomed vessel.

However, right now, there is an opportunity for any to be rescued from her sinking demise if they do what God requires.  God hates all of the sins we are guilty of, but He does not wish any to perish.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9

Many years ago, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be a sacrifice for all of man’s sins if individuals would accept what Jesus had done for them.  All that is needed to escape the sinking, Hell-bound “ship” is to acknowledge and confess to the Father the truth that we are sinners and are headed for a hot, lonely, eternal torment.  After recognizing our sinful situation, the only life raft available can be boarded by trusting that Jesus’ death was the only payment God will accept for our sins.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Rom. 3:23

No good works, kindness, good living, religion, or anything we can do can rescue us from our doom.  Only calling upon Jesus to save us will get us off the sinking “vessel.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9

A “savior” rescues a person from harm, but no person can save anyone from eternal destruction.  Only a “Saviour,” who is God, can do that. 

The only real Saviour is Jesus Christ, and He can save anyone from eternal damnation.  Trust Christ alone as your Saviour to keep you from the Hell many on the S.S. Human Race will one day experience.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

“I am not a Christian because I am strong and have it all figured out.
I am a Christian because I am weak and admit I needed a Saviour.”  
— Author Unknown

The Walking Dead
Bill Brinkworth

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:1-3

Is it possible to be dead, still walking, and appear alive?  Could scenes from the old horror movies where the dead staggered through the villages be close to reality?

Of course not!  When a person is dead, they either go to Heaven or Hell.  However, it is possible to walk, talk, see, hear, smell, touch, and be spiritually dead.

When sin first entered humanity through Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience, something terrible happened to them.  God commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  He told them (Genesis 2:17) that if they did eat of the fruit, “… thou shalt surely die.”

They disobeyed God and ate the fruit, but it is clear that they did not die right away.  They talked, walked, hid, and had children.  Was God not telling the truth?  No, God cannot lie.  Eventually, their bodies died.  They are definitely not walking the streets today.  However, something more important in them did “die” long before their bodies gave their last breath.

When God made Adam, he became a living soul (Genesis 2:7).  When sin was committed, that part of him “died.”  He still walked, talked, and lived life, but not to the fullest because the most important part of him, his soul, became separated from God – a type of death.  From then on, every person born was born separated from God.  They laugh, cry, talk, and sometimes live long lives, but spiritually, they are far from God and are “dead”!

All are the “walking dead” until that dead part of them is made “alive.” When people realize they are guilty of breaking God’s heart and commandments with their sin and trust that Christ’s death on the cross is the only payment God will accept to cover their sins, they can be saved from Hell.

John 3:3 calls salvation being “born again.” When one is born again, he is a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).  The new person should see, think, talk, and live differently.  

The famous hymn, “Amazing Grace,” touts this revived difference in the changed person when it says, “… I once was blind, but now I see.” A born-again person has a new, spiritual birth, and many things in his life change.  He sees and experiences life quite differently.

It is possible to be alive but missing one of the most important facets of life: a soul in fellowship with God.  Without that living part, there may be laughter but no joy, and sight but no understanding of the danger to which one is headed.  There may be hearing, but only heeding the voice of the world and the wicked, and thinking only of themselves and certainly not what God desires of them.  

Just as the deaf or blind are certainly alive but missing some of what life has to offer, so are the “walking dead.” Those that are not born-again are the walking dead.  Are you born-again or one of the spiritually unborn?

“The most important question concerning any man living is this: Is he a saved soul or not?  Is he a child of God or an heir of wrath?” — Spurgeon

How Does the Bible Tell One to Be Saved?

1. Know that you are a sinner:
   “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23  Also: Romans 5:12, I John 1:10.
2. Know that Hell is the payment for all that have sinned.
   “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23
   “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12
3. BUT, there is good news!  Jesus’ death on the cross is the payment for the sins of all that call upon Him for salvation!
   “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9
   “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

“There are only two classes of people in this world: the saints and the ain’ts.”
— Vernon McGee

In This Issue:
No Higher Than the Coffin Lid
Born Again
A Changed New Life

Volume: 917     July 31, 2023
Theme: Salvation

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No Higher Than the Coffin Lid
Bill Brinkworth

A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting he committed the same mistake that most would not dare confess.  He confessed to having the same philosophy that sends most lost people to Hell.  The man’s misunderstanding is also where most churches and religions err.  His false belief was in his question, “… what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life” (Matthew 19:16).

That ruler (Luke 18:18) tried to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn himself a place there.  He and most religions believe that if you do enough good things, good will outweigh the bad, and God will let you into Heaven.

False religions teach that obeying and following traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings will get them to Heaven.  Wrong!  Unbiblical!  That thinking distinguishes man-made religions from real Christianity!

True Christianity is the only “religion” that teaches one does not have to do anything to get to Heaven except believe what Jesus did for them and ask for salvation from Hell.  One does not have to “pay” for salvation by doing good works because it already has been paid for them by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial deed.

After receiving salvation, one will want to do all one can to please and obey God and His commandments out of love and gratitude.  However, those good acts have nothing to do with getting saved.

All have sinned.  All do not only commit iniquity but were born sinners.  Because of sin, no one can get higher than the coffin lid after death.  That is the bad news.

However, there is good news.  There is a person who never sinned.  His undeserved death on the Cross is the sole payment God will accept to cover anyone’s sin.  It is Jesus alone, God’s only son, that was worthy enough to pay for our transgressions.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Trying to do good “works” to earn Heaven is not accepting Christ’s finished work on the Cross.  That rejection shows disbelief that Christ’s sacrificial payment was insufficient to cover a person’s iniquities.

Like the rich ruler learned, doing good deeds and living the way one thinks is right is not enough to earn eternity into Heaven.  That man had done “right” his whole life, yet he was still looking for one more thing to do to guarantee eternal life.

Good deeds never satisfy God because they are not enough.  Trusting that one loves us so much that He gave his life so that we can live eternally is the only way God will accept.

Are you 100% certain that you would go to Heaven if you were to die today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now?  You can be sure because the “ticket” has been paid for.  All you must do is believe and accept God’s wonderful gift!

The most important question concerning any man living is this: Is he a saved soul or not?  Is he a child of God or an heir of wrath? – Spurgeon
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

Born Again
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most popular stories told to explain what it means to be saved from Hell is found in John 3. It is the story of Nicodemus.

Nicodemus was a very influential, scripturally educated leader of the Jews (John 3:1).  Perhaps this ruler was afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed to be seen with Jesus, who was causing much confusion among the Jews. For whatever reason, Nicodemus visited Jesus at night.

Jesus told that man a spiritual truth that has troubled many people since.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Immediately, this strict follower of the Jewish law admitted he did not understand what Jesus was saying.  Nicodemus questioned if Jesus meant that his physical body had to be re-birthed (John 3:4).  That man had much scriptural learning, but he was missing something fundamental. He was missing an understanding of spiritual things.

Jesus explained to the man how all could know if they were Heaven-bound when they died. The way of salvation involves believing and trusting on Jesus’ sacrifice for all our sins.  Salvation hinges on that belief.

People must rely on Jesus’ gift to us and trust His death on the Cross as the ONLY payment for the forgiveness of sins that God will accept.  Salvation cannot be earned by anything that is done or said. Jesus has done it all for us by His sacrifice.
“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.” John 3:16

Read more about the second birth at www.devotionsfromthebible.com/john/born-of-water/.

“Born once, die twice.  Born twice (includes being spiritually born into the family of God); die once.”  — Author Unknown

A Changed New Life
Bill Brinkworth

No one is perfect, or they would not need to be saved.  All are sinners and bound for Hell unless something prevents that from happening.

Accepting Christ as Saviour is the only thing that can keep one from an eternity in torment.  When one is saved, they are a new creature in Christ.  A person is changed when they are genuinely saved.  Paul was certainly proof of this.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

Before His salvation, Paul did all he could to serve God his way.  In doing so, he unknowingly became an enemy of God and Christians.  The man was responsible for killing many believers and did much to slow the spreading of the Gospel. 

After Paul was saved, his enthusiasm for opposing Christianity was rechanneled to tell many others how they could be saved.  He became a sincere servant of Christ.

No matter what he did after salvation, Paul still had a past.  There was no way to undo what he had done.  All the preacher could do was go forward in doing the right things after being forgiven and do all he could for the cause of Christ.  Paul did that with all his heart.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” I Corinthians 15:1

Many are plagued with a guilty conscience for their past, even after they are saved.  Years ago, I remember listening to a Christian radio program where the host answered questions.  One caller, choked with guilt, called and told the host, “I am saved; I know I am forgiven, and my sins are forgotten, but I just cannot forgive myself, and that is why I am going to take my life.”

Immediately, the program was changed over to music.  I imagine the radio preacher dealt with the man’s guilt and desire to take his own life.  Sadly, many cannot forgive themselves and live defeated lives even after salvation.

We all have pasts.  No saved person should have any joy in the wrong they have done.  If we could do it over, most of us would choose never to have committed the sins we have done.

No remorse or guilt is going to change our past.  When we trust Christ for salvation, our sins are not only forgiven by God, but they are forgotten (Psalm 103:12) and covered by His shed blood.

Since God, knowing all we did, still offered us a way to His Heaven, we must also forget our past.  We can show our gratefulness for His extraordinary grace, as Paul did, by loving and serving the Lord with all our heart, soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:5).

‘“Worry not who you are, but whose you are.” — Author Unknown

In This Issue:
Unacceptable Payment
His Part and God’s
Whosoever and Whatsoever
Necessary and Enough
“Just Ask for Them!”
God Does the Saving

Volume: 902    March 27, 2023
Theme: Salvation

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Unacceptable Payment
Bill Brinkworth

Christopher eyed the video game one more time.  The young, potential customer glanced at the counter salesman before he dug into his jean pockets.  He was determined to buy that game.  Imaginative visions of flying through space on his video game’s starship encouraged him to search his pockets even deeper.

He wrestled out of its denim prison one wiggling frog, which he pridefully placed on the store’s counter top.  “Will you take this frog, and,” he then dug his dirty hand into another pocket and extruded three, long red licorice twists, and placed them next to the ribbeting amphibian, “and these three pieces of candy?”

“Young man,” the grimacing clerk answered, “We cannot take your frog or your candy.  The price of that game is $29.95.  You need that amount to walk out of here with the game.”

A persistent hand dove into a jacket pocket and produced a baseball mitt.  “Well, this glove is one of the best you can buy.  It is worth far more than $29.95.  Won’t you take the glove for that game?”

The clerk shook his head.

“How’s about the glove, candy, the frog, and,” and out of his seemingly endless supply of pockets produced one more item and banged it on the countertop, “this packet of baseball cards?  It’s got to be worth something.”

“Young man, I appreciate your effort; but the only payment acceptable is $29.95 in American currency.  That is the only payment we recognize here.”

The boy wandered away, returning all his valuables to their denim storage facility.  “It just ain’t right,” the boy muttered as he left the store, “It seems to me that my stuff is worth more than that lousy $29.95.”

Many think similarly about salvation.  God says the only payment acceptable for anyone’s sins is the blood of His only Son, Jesus.  Man still tries to pay his way to Heaven with his “currency.” 

Many try to pay for entrance into Heaven with their good works, performing “religious” rites, and following church rules.  “Surely,” they think, “if my good deeds outweigh the bad things I have done, God will like what I have done and let me in.”
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6

Our charitable donations, helping others, religious acts, sacrificial efforts, and good works may be good, but they will earn no one a ticket to Heaven.  Those deeds are the frogs, candy, and baseball cards God will not accept as payment into Heaven.  The only way anyone will get to Heaven is by receiving the price that Christ paid with His blood for our iniquities.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

His Part and God’s
Dr. Harry Ironside

A man rose in a meeting to testify to God’s saving grace.  He told how the Lord had won his heart and given deliverance from the guilt and power of sin.  The man spoke of Christ and His work but said nothing of his efforts.

The leader of the meeting was of a legalistic mindset.  When the man’s testimony was ended, he added, “Our brother has only told us of the Lord’s part in his salvation.  When I was converted, there was a whole lot I had to do myself before I could expect the Lord to do anything for me.  Brother, didn’t you do your part first before God did His?”

The other man was on his feet instantly and replied, “Yes, sir.  I clear done forgot.  I didn’t tell you ‘bout my part, did I?  Well, I did my part for over thirty years, runnin’ away from God as fast as my sins could carry me.  That was my part.  An’ God took aftah me till He run me down.  That was His part.”

“There are either of two things we must do.  One is to send back the message to Heaven that we don’t want the blood of Christ to cleanse us of our sin, or else accept it.” — D. L. Moody

Whosoever and Whatsoever
Author Unknown

Two precious words are often used in the mouth of Christ: whosoever and whatsoever.
“… And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

“Whosoever” is outside the gate and lets in all who choose.  “Whatsoever” is on the inside and gives those who enter the free range of all the region and treasury of grace.  “Whosoever” makes salvation free.  “Whatsoever” makes it full.

“What we mean by salvation is this: deliverance from the love of sin, rescue from the habit of sin, and to be set free from the desire to sin.”  — Spurgeon

Necessary and Enough
Dr. Harry Ironside

In a hospital ward, a lady missionary found an undersized and undeveloped little Irish boy whose pale, wizened face and emaciated form burdened her heart for the child.  She spoke of his soul’s need, and he was made aware of his lost condition, insomuch that he seriously considered how he might be saved. 

Brought up a Catholic, he thought and spoke of penance, confessionals, sacraments, and the church, yet never mentioned Christ Jesus and His atoning work.  The two talked about what the Scriptures said, but he made no decision at the time for salvation.

The following day the lady called upon him again and found his face aglow with a new found joy.  Inquiring the reason, he replied with an assurance born of faith in the revealed Word of God, “O miss, I always knew that Jesus was necessary, but I never knew till yesterday that He was enough!”

“Human nature’s way of salvation is, ‘Do, do, do.’ God’s way of salvation is, ‘Done, done, it is all done.’  You have but to rely by faith on the atonement that Christ accomplished on the cross.”  — Spurgeon

“Just Ask for Them!”
Walter Knight

Colonel Teddy Roosevelt commanded a rough-rider regiment in Cuba during the Spanish War.  He became much attached to his men and was concerned when several got sick.

Hearing that Miss Clara Barton (the lady who devoted herself to nursing the wounded soldiers) had received a shipment of medicines and food for the invalids under her care,  Colonel Roosevelt requested her to sell a portion of them to him for the sick men of his regiment.

His request was refused.  The Colonel was very troubled.  He cared for his men and was willing to pay for the supplies out of his pocket.

“How can I get these things?” he asked.  “I must have proper food for my sick men.”

“Just ask for them, Colonel.”

“Oh,” said Roosevelt, his face breaking into a smile, “that’s the way, is it?  Then I ask for them.”  He got the supplies at once.

Have you asked the Lord Jesus to save you from the wages of your sins?
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23

God Does the Saving
D. L. Moody

Men will never find salvation until they give up all efforts to save themselves.  Someone asked a man how he got converted.  To answer the question, he built a fire in a circle around a worm.  After the worm had crawled around in every direction, it lay down to die.  The man then reached over the flames, took the worm out, and put it in a safe place.  “That is how we all get saved,” replied the man.  “God does the saving.”

“Exposure to the Son prevents burning.”