My way or God's way?

Piedmont church of Christ

“Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder” James 2:19. Believing in God is not enough; a person must believe God and obey Him in order to be right with Him.

Many people daily tell God how it is that He is going to save them. However, we cannot determine how God will save us. God has already determined this, and we must conform to his will in order to receive salvation. We know that Jesus is the only way of salvation. Jesus taught explicitly, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” Mark 16:16. Yet people say “He that believes shall be saved and then baptized”. Do you believe God or man?

Jesus stated, “Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also” John 15:20. Jesus gave his Apostles authority to teach the whole world everything that he had taught them (Matt. 28.18-20). Jesus said that if we believe and accept his word, we would believe and accept their word also. Peter stated, “Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:38. Yet people say, “Believe for the remission of your sins, and then be baptized”. Do you believe God or man? Peter also stated, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us” 1 Peter 3:21a. Yet people say, “Even faith doth also now save us, then you should be baptized”. Do you believe God or man?

Paul was told, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” Acts 22:16. Yet people say, “Have faith, and wash away thy sins, then be baptized”. Do you believe God, or man? There is much for us to do in order to be saved. We must have faith, Romans 10.17. We must believe God and confess the name of Jesus, Romans 10.9-10. We must repent of sins, Luke 13.3. We must live faithful, work filled lives until we die, Rev. 2.10, James 2.14, 17, 20, 24. James stated, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” James 2:24. Yet people say, “Ye see then how by faith only a man is justified”. Do you believe God or man?

We must follow God’s instructions for salvation. Baptism is a necessary part of our salvation, just like believing, repenting, confessing, and faithful living. Without baptism, a person cannot be saved. Baptism puts us in Christ, Rom. 6.3-4, clothes us with Christ, Gal. 3.27, and puts us in His body, 1 Cor. 12.13. Without baptism, none of this is possible. Baptism occurs before salvation and is one part of many that is required to be obedient to God. Do you believe God or man?

Join us at the Piedmont church of Christ, 118 Madison Ave., in study of God’s word, and only God’s word. In Christ, Josh Haley, Evangelist.