"GOD's Simple Plan of Salvation "

 

My Friend: I am asking you the most important question of life. Your joy or your sorrow for all eternity depends upon your answer. The question is: Are you saved ? It is not a question of how good you are, nor if you are a church member, but are you saved ? Are you sure you will go to Heaven when you die ?

     GOD says in order to go to Heaven, you must be born again. In John 3:7 (pictured above), JESUS said to Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again." 

     In the Bible GOD gives us the plan of how to be born again which means to be saved. HIS plan is simple ! You can be saved today. How ?

     First, my Friend, you must realize you are a sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23).

     Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death. "For the wages [payment] of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). This includes eternal separation from GOD in a Devil's Hell.

     ". . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

     But GOD loved you so much HE gave HIS only begotten SON, JESUS, to bear your sin and die in your place. ". . .HE hath made HIM [JESUS, WHO knew no sin] to be sin for us . . . that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM" (2nd.Corinthians 5:21).

     JESUS had to shed HIS blood and die. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11). ". . . without shedding of blood is no remission [pardon]" (Hebrews 9:22).

     ". . . GOD commendeth HIS love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us" (Romans 5:8). 

     Although we cannot understand how, GOD said my sins and your sins were laid upon JESUS and HE died in our place. HE became our substitute. It is true. GOD cannot lie.

     My Friend, "GOD . . . commendeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). This repentance is a change of mind that agrees with GOD that one is a sinner; and a turning to GOD from your sin. It also agrees with what JESUS did for us on the Cross.

     In Acts 16:30-31, the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved ?" And they said, Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved . . ."

     Simply believe on HIM as the ONE WHO bore your sin, died in your place, was buried, and WHOM GOD resurrected. HIS resurrection powerfully assures that the believer can claim everlasting life when JESUS is received as SAVIOR.

     "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4)

     "But as many as receive HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name" (John 1:12). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

     Whosoever includes you. Shall be saved means not maybe, nor can, but shall be saved. Surely, you realize you are a sinner. Right now, wherever you are, repent lift your heart to GOD in prayer. 

     In Luke 18:13, the sinner prayed: "GOD be merciful to me a sinner." If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer of salvation: 

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     Just take GOD at HIS WORD and claim HIS salvation by faith. Believe, and you will be saved. No church, no lodge, no good works, no water baptism, no being born into a Christian family can save you. Remember, GOD does all the saving. All of it !

     GOD's simple plan of salvation is: You are a sinner. Therefore, unless you believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO died in your place, you will spend all eternity in a Devil's Hell. If you believe on HIM as your crucified, buried, and risen SAVIOR, you receive forgiveness for all of your sins and HIS gift of eternal salvation by faith alone.

     You say, "Surely, it cannot be that simple." Yes, that simple ! It is Scriptural. It is GOD's plan. My Friend, believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and receive HIM as your personal LORD and SAVIOR today.

     If HIS plan is not perfectly clear, read this post over and over, without stopping until you understand it. Your soul is worth more than all the world.

     "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ?" (Mark 8:36).

     Be sure you are saved. If you lose your soul, you miss Heaven and lose all. Please ! Let GOD save you this very moment. 

     GOD's power will save you, keep you saved, and enable you to live a victorious Christian life. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but GOD is faithful, WHO will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1st.Corinthians 10:13).

     Do not trust your feelings. They change. Stand on GOD's promises. They never change. After you are saved, there are three things to practice daily for spiritual growth: Pray -- you talk to GOD. Read your Bible -- GOD talks to you. Witness -- you talk for GOD.

     You should be baptized in obedience to the LORD JESUS CHRIST's command as a public testimony of your salvation, and then unite with a Bible-believing church without delay. "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our LORD. . ." (2nd.Timothy 1:8). 

     "Whosoever therefore shall confess [testify of] ME before men, him will I confess also before MY FATHER which is in Heaven" (Matthew 10:32).   Ford Porter

GOD's Simple Plan of Salvation is a matter of life and death. Be saved today.

Your servant in CHRIST, 

Julie

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

" Frightful Lists and Enumerations ! "

Romans 1:25-32 "Who changed the truth of GOD into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the CREATOR, WHO is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause GOD gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

And even as they did not like to retain GOD in their knowledge, GOD gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of GOD, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who know the judgment of GOD, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

     Paul closes Romans chapter one by giving a terrible list of over twenty sins (vv.29-31). Any honest person reading this would see himself included in at least some of these evils. For example, who among us has never disobeyed a parent or never been covetous or envious ? Then comes the shocking conclusion that those who commit such sins (including every one of us !) is worthy of the death penalty (v.32). Paul skillfully builds his case that all men are condemned before a holy GOD.

     It would be a helpful exercise for the reader of this post to take some time to examine the following "Frightful Lists:"

Eight sins against love in 2nd.Corinthians 12:20 (pictured above)

Eight descriptions of those going to a Devil's Hell in Revelation 21:8

Seventeen works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21

Fourteen kinds of sinners in 1st.Timothy 1:9-10

Nineteen wicked characteristics of men in the last days in 2nd.Timothy 3:1-5 (pictured above)

GOD wants us to know, in great detail, what displeases HIM and what HE hates (Proverbs 6:16-19, pictured at top of post). How we need to learn to hate what GOD hates ! How we need to love our SAVIOR more and more for all that HE has saved us from ! GOD never whitewashes or sugarcoats sin. HE describes it with vivid detail and lays it out before us in all its ugliness. How sobering it is to realize that, though redeemed, we still possess a depraved nature and are capable of committing any of these wicked acts. Noah got drunk; Abraham lied; David committed adultery and saw to it that the husband died; Peter denied his LORD, etc. "But for the grace of GOD, there go I !" How greatly we need the fear of the LORD, which is to eschew (avoid, shun) and depart from evil (Job 1:1; 28:28) ! May we learn to exult in the cross of our LORD where sin was ultimately defeated. GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

"Turn to GOD !"

Hosea 12:1-14 "Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will HE recompense him. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with GOD: yea, he had power over the ANGEL and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto HIM: he found HIM in Bethel, and there HE spake with us; even the LORD GOD of hosts; the LORD is his memorial. Therefore turn thou to thy GOD: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy GOD continually. He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labors they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin. And I that am the LORD thy GOD from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast. I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. Is there iniquity in Gilead ? surely they are vanity; they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, there altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields. And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. Ephraim provoked HIM to anger most bitterly; therefore shall HE leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his LORD return unto him."

     Ephraim (or Israel) spurned the lovingkindness of the LORD and, as a result, fed on the wind (vanities) and looked to the enemies of the LORD for security and provision (v.1 pictured above). It is heartbreaking to see that GOD's people turned away from their LORD, and yet we often do the very same thing. GOD promises to meet our every need, and HE enables us to lay up treasure in Heaven that will stand for eternity if we'll trust and obey HIM alone. It is extremely tempting to profess, "I rely upon the LORD for all things" while at the same time seeking to build temporal hedges about us in an effort to counter the uncertainties of the future. Ephraim came to the point of arrogantly declaring, "I am rich" (v.8), but those riches were of no help whatsoever in the day of judgment. We must make sure that GOD is our confidence, that the WORD is our counsel, and that we are continuing along the path of uprightness.

     Jacob (or Judah) had a history of having power with GOD through holy resolve and determined faith (vv.2-8). In general, Judah walked much closer to the LORD than Israel ever did. However, it was not long before Judah was guilty of the same waywardness that had alienated the northern kingdom of Israel from the LORD. Sin is sin, and backsliding is backsliding, no matter what the degree or who the offender may be. The prophet Hosea counseled Judah, "Turn thou to thy GOD: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy GOD continually" (v.6 pictured above). What priceless counsel this was for GOD's people of old and continues to be for the believer today ! The key word in verse six is "continually." If necessary, get right with the LORD and then stay that way. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

 

"How to Get on Target"

 

WOOSH ! "I can't believe it ! How could I have missed ?" Imagine the disappointment that you would feel if you lost an Archery competition, because you missed the final shot. You would wish that you had done something differently. Perhaps your sight was slightly off the mark, or perhaps you were distracted by outside circumstances beyond your control. It really wouldn't matter, because the winner had a perfect score under the same conditions. You might wish that you could take your shot again, but no one gets a second chance in competition. The judge will not accept any excuses. You would have lost the competition and the reward that goes with it. Friend, there is a close similarity between this scenario and losing at life.

NO SECOND CHANCES

According to the Bible, you only have one life to live, and GOD, your JUDGE, will not allow excuses or give you a second chance. "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27). "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36).

MISSING THE MARK

As an archer, you might find it interesting to know that the meaning of the word "sin" is missing the mark. According to the Bible, everyone has missed the mark of living a perfect, sinless life. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23). Because of your sin, you will not be allowed to enter into Heaven when you die. "And there shall in no wise enter into it (Heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie..." (Revelation 21:27). Instead, you will be cast into the Lake of Fire where you will experience everlasting torment and separation from GOD.

AIMING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION

If you are like most people, you desire to go to Heaven; however, you are aiming in the wrong direction. The Bible states, "...wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:" (Matthew 7:13). You may try to be worthy of Heaven by living a good life. This is simply an attempt to establish your own righteousness, but the Bible says, "NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS mercy HE saved us..." (Titus 3:5).

HOW TO GET ON TARGET

Would you get on target if you knew how ? The Bible teaches that you must stop looking at what you can do to earn salvation. Instead, you must by faith look at what GOD has done to give you salvation. "Look unto ME, and be ye saved, all the ends of the Earth: for I AM GOD, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:22). JESUS CHRIST, WHO is GOD in the form of man, lived the perfect sinless life, and died a bloody death on the cross as a substitute to pay for your sins. HE is the only way to Heaven. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12).

THE GOSPEL TARGET

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4) GOD has promised you, "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 . . . For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13).

     If it is your desire to be saved, please pray this simple prayer in repentance (a turning to GOD from your sin) and faith:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

Have you hit life's target ? Have you believed GOD's WORD ? "He that believeth on the SON hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abideth on him." (John 3:36) Life is very short. We only have a few chances at hitting life's mark at being saved. "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b) Tomorrow may be too late !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Simplicity Series: Simplicity in Satisfaction"

 

1st.Timothy 6:1-8 "Let as many as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of GOD and HIS doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the WORD's of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife's of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising's, perverse disputing's of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain."

     Many today fall short of the LORD's will concerning the area of contentment. They find themselves in company with those described in verse five -- "supposing that gain is godliness" rather than joining the faithful few who recognize the truth of verse six: "But godliness with contentment is great gain." This "great gain" is a value that GOD, not man, places upon SPIRIT-wrought godliness. The false charismatic teaching that health, wealth, and prosperity are always GOD's will for the believer has crept into even some fundamental churches. They fail to realize that the earthly, temporal blessings promised to Israel, under the Law, must be distinguished from the spiritual blessings GOD promises to all who are in CHRIST in the present dispensation.

     No person without CHRIST can ever find true satisfaction, and no Christian who is more interested in his own comfort than in perfect submission to the will of GOD can experience the genuine contentment the LORD provides for all who walk by faith, not by sight. Believers must realize that favorable circumstances alone do not yield peace of mind and that every child of GOD can experience perfect serenity even in the most difficult circumstances and in the deepest trials. Why ? It is because our contentedness depends upon simple faith in the many great and precious promises of GOD. Authentic satisfaction hinges upon our complete confidence in the truth of Romans 8:28 (pictured above) -- that GOD will work out HIS purpose in us. It is a mistake to follow the ways of the world, which seeks gratification in all the wrong places. Let us remember that contentment is guaranteed to the believer who yields to the HOLY SPIRIT rather than to the flesh. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Simplicity Series: Simplicity in Separation"

 

2nd.Corinthians 6:14-18 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness ? And what concord hath CHRIST with Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ? And what agreement hath the temple of GOD with idols ? for ye are the temple of the living GOD; as GOD hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be MY people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a FATHER unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD ALMIGHTY."

     The Bible teaches that every believer is to separate from false teachers (v.17; Ephesians 5:6-7 pictured above), from disobedient brethren (2nd.Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15 pictured below), and from the world (1st.John 2:15-17 pictured below). These are specific, simple, plainly-stated commands given by GOD for the spiritual welfare of HIS children (v.18). Sadly, it would be difficult to find another doctrine of Scripture that is more universally detested and disobeyed by the majority of professing Christians today. Failure to practice biblical separation has opened up the floodgates of compromise and apostasy to an unprecedented degree.

     Many in the church today offer excuses as to why they refuse to obey GOD in this important matter. Some say, "Well, the fundamentalists tried separation, but it didn't work. Now, we realize they were mistaken. They should have emphasized unity rather than separation." The result is that many disobedient believers are now practicing unscriptural unity rather than biblical separation but guess what -- it "works" from a human, pragmatic standpoint ! Of course, we know that disobedience to GOD's WORD always brings ultimate disaster; however, the concept of unity -- any kind of unity -- is quite popular today, so those who still teach biblical separation are in great reproach.

     Some excuse their disobedience to GOD's command to separate by claiming that they do not know how far to separate. However, the Bible says, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11). The LORD always knows what is best for HIS OWN. The doctrine of separation is often not easy to obey, yet it is clearly stated in Scripture. What GOD says, we must simply do. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Simplicity Series: Simplicity in Service"

 

Colossians 3:16-24 "Let the WORD of CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the LORD. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD and the FATHER by HIM. 

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the LORD. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the LORD. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as manpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing GOD:

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men; knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD CHRIST. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."

     Our text sets forth a very simple yet extremely important principle that every believer should remember every moment of every day: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD and the FATHER by HIM . . . And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men; knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD CHRIST" (vv.17 pictured above and 23-24). Not every child of GOD can or is expected to perform the same amount or types of service, but all who faithfully serve the LORD, even in the simplest, most menial and least-noticed tasks, have the assurance of a full reward if their motives and actions are scripturally correct.

     Today, the simplicity and humility in service that GOD desires are too often subverted by jealousy in the local church with regard to preaching, teaching, music, leadership, etc. This is a sad state of affairs in CHRIST's body, and we must take care that we are not coveting someone else's position, prominence, or praise. Such envy not only causes trouble in the church but also prevents the jealous Christian from receiving a full reward.

     In recent years, the teaching that every Christian has been given at least one gift and should focus on discovering what that gift is has gained wide acceptance. Yes, an element of truth is in this teaching; however, those who become obsessed with trying to determine "their gift" dangerously subject themselves to flawed human judgment and open themselves up to a spirit of pride in the use of their gift. GOD will bless our simplicity and our passion in service when whatever we do is for HIS glory alone. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation