Musick-al note # 109
It should not be a surprise to people that there are two sides to the salvation of our souls. God formed man in his own image with the freedom to act and choose. When men believed Satan’s lies, they disobeyed God and lost their fellowship with Him (Genesis 3). God loved mankind and initiated redemption but men continued to choose disobedience and sin. God continued His plan Histo save all who would recognize and love Him, finally sending His Son, Jesus into the world to save lost mankind. Jesus took upon Himself the sin-debt (Ezekiel 18:3, Romans 6:23) of every man and paid its price by dying on the cross for all men (Hebrews 2:9). We thank the Lord God for accepting His death in lieu of the death of all men. Jesus was raised from the dead and now sits at God’s own right hand offering eternal salvation to all who believe and obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).
Every gift must be received by a person or it has been offered in vain. God’s gift of eternal life is received by believing and obeying Jesus. That gift is offered to everyone, but it must be accepted by each or the offer is made in vain and man remains under the penalty of his sins. God is not willing that any should perish and be lost (2 Peter 3:9), but He does not force but only entreats one to accept. Every person accepts this great gift by believing that Jesus is the Christ (John 3:16), repenting (turning from) every sin (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30), confessing Christ Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32-33) and being buried with Him (Colossians 2:12) in baptism (submerged in water). It is in the act of baptism that God washes away each person’s sin (Acts 22:16). They are raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-10). In being baptized, we become children of God (Galatians 3:26-27) and we are added to His body (1 Corinthians 12:13) which is His church (Ephesians 1:22-23). This obedience to the Gospel of Christ is the beginning of our new life (Romans 6:4) in which we continue to pay attention to the Words of Jesus that we may do them (Matthew 7:21-27, Hebrews 2:1-3). Also in obeying the Gospel of Christ we place ourselves in Christ and in His ultimate safety from the wrath of God (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). It is therefore so very important that we do our part in saving our souls by obeying Him and living for Him. God has done His part. Will we do our part?
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 