" Truth Converts "

1st.Peter 1:18-23  "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: WHO verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by HIM do believe in GOD, that raised HIM up from the dead, and gave HIM glory; that your faith and hope might be in GOD. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the SPIRIT unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the WORD of GOD, which lives and abides forever."

     Just as it is true that genuine conviction of sin is impossible without the WORD of GOD and the ministry of the SPIRIT of GOD, so it is also true that genuine conversion, the spiritual new birth, is impossible apart from the ministry of the SPIRIT (v.22). The HOLY SPIRIT uses the "incorruptible seed," the WORD of GOD that endures forever (vs.23-25), to open the eyes of the unregenerate sinner so he might see CHRIST, the LIGHT. Those who preach the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST know that this Gospel, and it alone, is "the power of GOD unto Salvation to every one that believes" (Romans 1:16). This Gospel was true in the early church, and it remains true for today.

     A special word of warning is necessary, however: Some false teachers within the church today claim that the simple preaching of the Gospel of Salvation is no longer sufficient to win unbelievers to JESUS CHRIST. They assert that the Gospel must be "geared" to the culture, or it will not be accepted. Others maintain that the preaching of the Gospel must be accompanied by miracles, signs, wonders, and healings. These ideas are simply untrue and are the result of twisting and reinterpreting GOD's WORD.

     Many Christians are confused by what they see and hear from those who twist Scripture. Yes, every child of GOD should have a great burden for world evangelization, but believers must not succumb to the temptation to try each new "soul-winning technique" that comes along without first taking the time to test it by the WORD of GOD. Dear Believer, remember that the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST has lost none of its saving power, and it never will. All who teach otherwise are presenting a false gospel. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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