05.07. WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Every normal man desires to make a success in life, regardless of what his ideals may be. For failure to stare one in the face continually, will enervate his activities. The trite saying: "Nothing succeeds so well as success," is seen in the energetic efforts of the man who is achieving that which he desires; whereas the man who is daily meeting failure becomes discouraged, and often quits trying and drifts aimlessly.

Success means different things to different people. What does it take to make a successful man?

One may be a "successful" gambler, a "successful" thief; a "successful" politician, or a "successful" financier, but does either of these make him a successful "man?" The success of a man’s life depends on the sum total at the end of the course. Have we lost the sense of values? Is it not true that often when a man has achieved material "success" in some special line, he is regarded as a great man. His word touching even subjects he has given no special thought to is regarded as the "last word," for he is considered a successful man.

How often we hear, when a man of wealth, rich in the material things of this life, dies, the question is oft repeated: "How much did he leave?" The correct reply is: He left every dollar, every thing he had acquired, he took with him not one precious stone! Dives, the rich glutton, with all his wealth, after death found conditions very un­satisfying. He was unable to procure water with which to slake his thirst. The wealth he had acquired was not legal tender in the state where he found himself, nor could it procure for him comfort, nor even temporary alleviation from his discomforts. His life was a failure. The "threescore and ten years" were not even on integral part of the eternity stretching before him. Lazarus, a poor beggar, a "financial failure," was after death crowned with the joys of the society of the blessed, and approval of Jehovah. Which of the two was the successful man? He who spends his life seeking the things of this life only, will find in the end that his life has been a failure, ashes will be found in his mouth, rather than songs of praise. Do not turn a deaf ear to the admonition of the greatest of all teachers: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20). A wealthy young man became anxious about his life beyond this lapsed state, and inquired of Jesus: "What good things shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" He affirmed that he had done many things which tho law required. Jesus declared to him that he must sell his pos­sessions and give to the poor, and follow Christ. The young man turned away filled with sorrow. (Matthew 19:16-20). Simony exists today in many forms and separates many from spiritual blessings.

There is no sin in being rich in material things. Every man should strive to possess more than the means to supply his material needs. In Old Testament times there were men of wealth who were righteous, and approved by Jehovah. You should earn every dollar you can, brother; but from honest endeavors. But for men who have more than the needs for their material wants, there would be no money to support the missionary in the foreign field as preachers of the gospel; nor to build comfortable meeting houses. If every Christian had only that which is needed for his temporal needs, there would be nothing to give to the poor. There is no sin in possessing wealth; the problem is the proper distribution of the wealth you have acquired. "Covetousness is idolatry." The young man loved his money more than he loved the Lord.

Brother, when there comes the final adjudication, when the story is told at the end, will your life have been a successful one?

"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31).

God did not intend that man was to learn by experience that which was best for him, hence he gave a law for him to observe. But man sinned. He refused to abide by the law of Jehovah. Law, of course, has its penalty, and justice demands that he who disregards the law suffers penalty for his course of life. Having sinned man was unable to forgive himself and thereby stand free—he could not save himself from the punishment due for his sins. Sin separated man from Jehovah. "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God." (Isaiah 59:2). In the wisdom, and through the grace of God, Christ came to earth to be­come a ransom for all. (Hebrews 2:11). THE GREAT COMMISSION After the resurrection of Christ he said to his disciples:

"All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto die end of the world." (Matthew 28:18-20).

"Go ye unto all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16).

"And he said unto them, Thus it is written and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, be­ginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem, until ye be endowed with power from on high," (Luke 24:46-49). This is called the "Great Commission" because it is to be preached to all men, it is a command to all people. What is meant by the term "saved" in the passage, and the term "remission of sins?" The term "saved" cannot mean that one is saved from disappointment, troubles, trials, and pain in this life; for those who became Christians did suffer and die. The term "saved," "remission of sins" can have no other meaning than remitting the penalty for the sins which one has committed—it is to "blot out the sins," (Acts 3:19).

Let it be well noted that the "great salvation" was FIRST spoken by the Lord. It was not spoken by John the Immerser, not by prophets in Old Testament times. Read:

"For, if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." (Hebrews 2:2-3).

It was FIRST spoken by whom? By the Lord. It was not "first spoken" by David or other prophets. When was it spoken by the Lord?

While the old economy was in force, so long as the old tabernacle, the demand of the law of Old Testament times was in force, the way into heaven was not made known. The Holy Spirit thus signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect (Hebrews 9:8-9). That the law of Moses was operative, binding, during the days of Christ on earth, is evidenced by the fact that not only did he observe the law with its rights and ceremonies, but he taught others to observe the law. (Matthew 23:1-3). On the cross Christ became the sacrifice for sin, following which, when he entered heaven he made the atonement for the sins of the world. (Hebrews 9:1-28). The way into heaven was not made known during the Mosaic dispensation, and it did not close till the death of Christ.

"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make himself of the twain one new man, so making peace." (Ephesians 2:15).

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." (Colossians 2:14).

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:4).

Also readGalatians 3:1-29, and2 Corinthians 3:1-18. When Christ gave the Great Commission, after his resurrection, and before his ascension, he forbade them preaching till they had received power from on high, and bade them to go to Jerusalem and wait there till they received power from on high. (Luke 24:49). They waited in Jerusalem till the power promised came, and on that day, Pentecost, they began to operate under the Great Commission, and in Acts 2:1-47 we have Peter’s sermon recorded. By making quotations from the Old Testament which they believed, he convinced many that they had killed the promised Messiah. In addition he made known the fact that Jesus had been made Lord and Christ, and was seated on David’s throne at the right hand of God. He pressed on them the facts stated, saying: "Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that" Jesus had been made Lord and Christ. They were convinced by the words of the Holy Spirit, spoken by Peter, and cried, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Do for what? Certainly to have remission of their sins, to escape the penalty for sins they had committed. To them the answer was given:

"Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins."

(Acts 2:38).

They were preaching under the Great Commission. Did that commission say anything about the "remission of sins?" Certainly, it reads: That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, beginning from Jerusalem." (Luke 24:47). Does the Great Com­mission say anything about the necessity of people "repenting?" Yes. Though it is not stated in Matthew, nor Mark, it is in Luke 24:1-53.

Taking the total of what is commanded in the Great Commission from the three records it is learned that the following items are mentioned There is complete agreement that all these acts must be performed:

Under the Great Commission the Apostles began work on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. In all things they were guided by the Holy Spirit. For a complete history of their (teaching) preaching and the results which followed read the book of Acts. In reading the entire book you can readily see the order in which the items came,

(1) Preaching,

(2) Believing,

(3) Repentance,

(4) Baptism, (5) Salvation, or remission of sins.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, andbe baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinsand ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38). The results of this sentence can perhaps best be shown by the following diagram and then grammatically telling the parts of speech and their relations. It is noted that the phrases, "unto remission of sins," and "in the name of Jesus Christ" modify the verbs, "repent" and "Be baptized." So also the phrase "in the name of Jesus Christ" modifies both verbs "repent" and "be baptized."

SAVED PEOPLE ARE IN CHRIST

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7).

"Therefore I endure all things for the elects’ sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (2 Timothy 2:10).

Salvation is in Christ; remission of sins is in Christ.

BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST

"Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3).

"For ye are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27). The reading is "baptized into Christ." In Christ is salvation, remission of sins.

Though in becoming a child of God, one is commanded to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, it is, and can be, only for the sins committed before becoming a child of God, for he is guilty of no other sins before that time. When one sins after becoming a child of God, to secure forgiveness is it not necessary to be baptized again, as is clearly shown in Acts 8. Simon believed and was baptized. (Acts 8:13). Afterwards he was directed to repent and pray for forgiveness. (Acts 8:22).

After his baptism he was attracted by the miracles of Peter and John who came north to Samaria to minister to those who had heard the word of God. "Then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost." When Simon saw this, he offered them money saying, "Give me also this power. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:15-16).

"Simon believed and was baptized." (Acts 8:13).

It must follow then that Simon was saved in every sense in which salvation was offered in the Great Commission, which was the forgiveness for sins committed before becoming a child of God. That a child of God can sin today, is declared:

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9).

"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).

WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE

(Romans 6:4). Raised to walk in "newness of life." If "any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17). If a new Creature, surely he should walk in newness of life, and the record says one is buried in baptism, baptized into Christ, and raised from that burial to "walk in newness of life."

Though one enjoys the salvation promised in the Great Commission, even the forgiveness of sins; there is the "eternal salvation" (Hebrews 5:8-9) the entrance into the final state of the righteous, which comes at the end. Are you living in such a way that your life, when you come to the end of the way will be approved as a "successful life?" Will you be a truly successful man?

TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION

• The Paramount question in every life.

• Experience vs. Law; Failure vs. Success.

• David’s Throne—Christ’s Throne.

• Man’s redemption.

QUESTIONS

Pain and toil, disease and death are the results of sin.

How many think some sins are "little" sins? Every sin is an indication of ignorance and rebellion vs. the Infinite, and its influence grows with years; a little "grain" of sand throws out of commission the costliest watch. A paradoxical atmosphere is a battleground between good and evil. Love gives promise of its own eternity, Love never fails.