What Must I Do After I am Saved?

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.” Mark 13:13

Obedient Faith is Ongoing

The final step of God's plan for saving man is ongoing throughout the rest of our natural lives. We must remain faithful unto death (cf. Rev. 2:10). The Word of God instructs the first-century church, as it does all New Testament Christians, that we must be faithful whether or not it is a good, spiritual-high moment or if it is safe. We must remain faithful even when it might cost us our lives. This was a very real circumstance for the church under the Roman Empire and in many nations today. There are brethren today in countries who face certain death for wearing the name Christian. This is clearly in agreement to what is written above when Jesus made it clear there were expectations of His people. We will be hated because of Jesus’ name; we will face opposition from all sorts of people and religions. Family members, friends, neighbors, and strangers will oppose the Lord’s people. To the Christian, the command does not change. Remain faithful, endure, and abide in Him.

Ongoing Obedient Faith is Taught in Scripture

The Bible clearly teaches that a man must live in obedient faith because faith without obedience is not really faith at all. John the Baptizer taught his disciples,

"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him “ Jn 3:36.

Obedient faith is directly opposite of the false doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints, otherwise known as Once Saved Always Saved. Paul informed those who would accept circumcision that they had become severed from Christ.“Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace” Gal 5:4. Moreover, we find that Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:19-24 was found in “the bond of iniquity” because he had attempted to buy Apostolic ability although he had previously obeyed the Gospel.

Ongoing Obedient Faith is Characteristic of the Called Out

This is part of the salvation that is so easy to miss if we lose sight of what God has called us from and what He has called us to. As Christians, we are the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the church of Christ. We must not forget that we have been bought with a price and given a purpose. If you are a Christian, I pray as your brother that you will arise each day with the same resilience to walk faithfully all of your days. If you have not obeyed the Gospel, why not do it today? I would love to study with you. Let’s go to heaven.

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers

Don't Raise an Ahaz

Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree . 2 Kings 16:2-4 When was the first time you drove a car? What about the first time you jumped off a diving board or gave a speech? After that first time, it certainly became easier. What about the first lie you told? Did it become easier? King Ahaz of Judah was evil and far from the example of David. Ahaz was the first to offer child sacrifices to t...

Abijah and Totality

Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam (also Abijah) over Judah.Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 15:1-3 Do you ever wonder how someone who gets things mostly right can still be so wrong? It is mind-boggling if we do not consider that God judges man in totality. From our text above, it is hard to see anything good that can be said about Abijam (Abijah) son of Rehoboam. After all, it is evident that he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. So where do we learn the details? 2 Chronicles 13:1-22 gives us further evidence of Abijah’s issues. We know he i...

Can a Christian Celebrate a Secular Christmas?

Can a Christian celebrate a secular Christmas? This is a good question and one that deserves an honest answer. This week I read the following, “If you don’t talk about Jesus at Christmas time, you miss Jesus. If you do not sing those scriptural songs focusing on Jesus, you miss Jesus. You might have grown up in a church where “Christmas” was a “Jesus-free” day.” These were some accusations leveled against some brethren by a well-known preacher in our brotherhood. In this article, I wish to set the record straight on how it is rather simple to celebrate a secular Christmas and it not be a “Jesus-free” day. I contend that no day is “Jesus free” for a New Testament Christian. First, this brother accuses the church “of not knowing what to do with Christmas. They celebrate it in their homes, but avoid it at all costs in church.” I contend that the preachers who preach the whole counsel of God know what to do with...

Ironworks

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