Are you a friend or an enemy of Jesus? A rather serious question, isn’t it? The answer cannot be given based on feelings, popularity, political correctness or any other standard that man may devise. Listen to the answer that Jesus gives, an answer by the way, by which we will be judged. Hear Him: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). Here Jesus makes use of the law of the excluded middle again. The “if” is significant. Language could not be plainer. Jesus did not say that you are His friend by doing what your pastor, preacher, priest or creed book says. Question: What if one neglects or refuses to do what Jesus commands? Is he a friend or an enemy? Listen to what Paul said in Philippians 3:18: “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” If one is a friend of Jesus because he obeys His commands, would it not also be true that he is an enemy who refuses to obey His commands? Again, there is no middle ground. As a friend of mankind, Jesus laid down His life. He gave this same mankind commands on how to be saved, and how to worship Him acceptably. Looking at your practice in the light of the Holy Scriptures, are you His friend or His enemy? Which do you truly want to be?

Sometime back I fell while walking, doing extensive damage to my left hand. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital where the doctor was more than an hour and a half in surgical procedures to save the hand, and the use of it. Upon leaving the hospital three days later, I was given specific instructions of the care that I must take concerning that hand.     Now a question: At what time do you think that I started obeying those instructions? Did I say to myself that I would get around to it “one of these days!” Or, did I say to myself that I really didn’t care what the doctor said, I would do things in my way, when I wanted to do them? Another question: If I should have said those things, what would be your thoughts of my sensibility? If I wanted to save the hand, I must follow immediately the doctor’s instructions.     What is my point? Just this: How long have you known what your Creator has said about what you must do, and how you must live in order to have the salvation of your soul? Why have you not followed those instructions (Mark 16:16)?

Do the Scriptures teach that once a person is saved he then cannot be lost? There are several religious organizations that teach this doctrine. It is known by several different designations: “Once saved, always saved”; “Once in grace, always in grace” or “The impossibility of apostasy.” Read what a preacher of a prominent denomination wrote several years ago: We take the position that a Christian’s sins do not damn his soul! The way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul. …All the prayers a man may pray, all the Bibles he may read, all the churches he may belong to, all the services he may attend, all the sermons he may practice, all the debts he may pay, all the ordinances he may observe, all the laws he may keep, all the benevolent acts he may perform will not make his soul one whit safer; and all the sins he may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any more danger. …The way a man lives has nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul. (Sam Morris)     Most folks that I know who hold to the doctrine under discussion will not go to the extreme that Mr. Sam Morris has gone. However, if one holds a position, he must be ready to accept the consequences of that position, and Mr. Morris’ statement is …

In Hebrews 11:7, it is stated: “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Then, in Genesis 6:22 it is written: “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” This last passage simply says that Noah did what God told him to do in the way God told him to do it. When we come to the action of baptism, we must have that same attitude. Some say that it doesn’t matter how one is baptized (according to their definition of that word). However, a question comes to mind. Who said it doesn’t matter? Has God said so? Did it matter the size, the instructions concerning the building of the ark? It must be remembered that the Scriptures say that Noah operated by faith, a faith that came by hearing God’s Word (cf. Romans 10:17).     If one wants to know the meaning of a Greek word, and baptizo is a Greek word, then he cannot go to an English dictionary to find the correct definition. For instance, if I should meet you on the street and say, “Kak Dalah,” could you know what I had said by looking it up in Webster’s dictionary? Obviously not, since the words are Russian, meaning, “How are you?” By the same logic, if we want to know the meaning of a Greek …

One of the requirements one must do to be saved and be added to the church/kingdom is that one must be baptized for the remission of sins. However, much of the religious world rejects this command of God as being essential to salvation. In this article, we shall “examine” the Scriptures to see what is actually said about the command. The first thing that we should make clear is that baptism is not a work of merit on man’s part. When man has obeyed this command of God, he has not earned the remission of sins. When man obeys any command of God, he has no reason to boast of such actions as though he now had merited something, or that he had indebted God in some way.     That baptism is a command to the alien sinner no one can rightly deny. Those on the day of Pentecost who asked Peter and the rest of the apostles, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37), were told to “repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). When Saul of Tarsus asked the Lord, “What would you have me do?”, he was told to go into Damascus and there it would be told him what he must do (Acts 9:6). In Acts 22, Paul recounts his conversion. He tells of Ananias who came to him, being sent by the Lord, and who told him to “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (verse 16). There are other accounts that can …

When a person is saved, he is added by the Lord to the body of Christ—the church. What must one do to be saved, so that the Lord will add him to the church? The first thing that we should notice is that there is no one thing alone by which we are saved. We hear much today about being saved by “faith only” or “alone” and about being saved by “grace only.” Common sense would tell us that if we are saved by faith only, then the grace of God could not be involved in our salvation. Do this, if you will. If your preacher has a standard biblical concordance, or if you have one of your own, then look up the words save, saved and salvation. Jot down everything that you find in the passages listed in that concordance to which salvation is attributed, and you will be amazed at how many things are involved in one’s salvation. The most impressive thing that you will notice is that there is nothing “alone” to which it is attributed. This writer used Young’s concordance and has found at least twenty-three things, with a possibility of three other things. In the following list, please read each reference in its entirety. After you have done so, honestly ask yourself if there is any one of those things that can be eliminated as one seeks the salvation that God so freely gives. The list is divided into two parts, and begins with the …

The 119th Psalm is a treasure trove to those who love God and want to do His will. In verses 9 and 11, there is timely advice to both young and old alike. Verse 9 reads, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” Verse 11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!”     What great teaching! When it seems that so many of our nation’s young people are giving themselves to sin and sensuality, these words are like a breath of fresh air, telling them how to really have a life worth living. What better advice can a parent give than to tell young people to truly respect God’s Word, and take heed to it?     When one has his heart full of God’s Word, he can resist the daily temptations that come. When Jesus was tempted, He responded to each temptation with “It is written.”     Do your young people know more about sensuality than salvation? Do they know more about the so-called rap and rock stars than they know about the “Star of Bethlehem?” If so, what a terrible, terrible shame.

Recently, someone sent me the following: Have you ever felt stupid? I’ve caught myself saying, after having done something stupid, “Man, that was stupid.” Forest Gump stated, “Stupid is as stupid does.” What makes a man stupid, or what makes a not-so-stupid person do stupid things. Solomon told us: “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1 NKJV).     Sometimes, we do stupid things because we have not heeded proper instructions. You fellows know what I’m talking about. We open the box of some gadget that we think we can’t live without, lay the instructions aside and dive into connecting wires, putting this here and that there until we realize something is wrong; its not going to work.     A lot of people treat faith that way. They jump right into it, doing this or that, whatever seems reasonable to them, having taken the “instruction booklet”—the Bible and laid it aside somewhere out of the way so it will not get in the way.     The end result of such actions is that one has a faith built upon the opinions and feelings of men, and not on what God has commanded or authorized. However, faith that saves comes when one hears and heeds the Word of God. When one hates correction and instruction, the Book itself says that such a person is stupid. Do you love biblical knowledge, or are you stupid?

Sometimes people take for granted as true things that have no truth in them. Remember Jacob and Joseph. In some rather recent scandals in the Roman Catholic Church about priests molesting young boys, the media has taken for granted that the pope is the successor of the apostle Peter, and that the bishops and other members of that hierarchy are men appointed by God to direct His people. Nothing could be farther from the truth. History shows us that all of them, from the pope to all his underlings, are the result of the great apostasy that had its beginning in the second century A.D., being brought to full fruition by the seventh century. The Word of God knows nothing of this apostate religion.     Others take for granted that a man with a quivering voice who claims to be “Spirit filled” is actually being guided by the Holy Spirit. Again, a study of the Scriptures will show the falsity of such claims.     In earthly things, it may not matter too much about taking things for granted, but in spiritual matters, it can be the difference between eternal life and eternal damnation. Are you taking for granted things for which you should be demanding scriptural evidence?

The Book of Esther is an interesting account of the Jews under Persian rule. Through the evil influence of Haman, the king had signed a decree that all Jews were to die. The queen, who was herself a Jew, was encouraged to go before the king to plead their cause. When she hesitated, she was asked, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”     Sometimes there are things that need doing, and we may be the only one at the time to do them. This has to do with responsibility.     We have responsibilities to our families; parents to teach their children the Word of God; to our nation to uphold and defend it; to ourselves to live in such a way that we will receive the crown—“I have fought the good fight.”     Are you fulfilling God’s purpose in life for you? Have you obeyed His will?

There are folks who like to “dicker.” In Mexico and other countries, when the tourist sees something he wishes to purchase, the seller expects to dicker the price. It can be fun as long as neither one is unfairly treated in the transaction.     It is my firm conviction that there are those even in our locality who have an idea in the back of their mind that they will be able to negotiate with God on the Day of Judgment. After all, in this life they can bribe politicians, judges and make “back street” deals to get what they want. “Why not with God?” seems to be the attitude. Let’s notice a couple of verses in the Bible that lets us know that there will be no negotiation with God.     “God in His divine mercy has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). God in His love and goodness has given us all that we need. In Matthew 7:22-23 some tried to plead their case. Their plea was rejected on the basis that they knew their responsibility but chose their own way instead. Then, this final verse says it all: “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). The word is settled, no negotiation or dickering. Don’t be deceived, God will not be mocked.

There are many verses of Scripture that deal with man’s necessity to be a good steward of his possessions, recognizing that all actually belongs to God. Paul stated, “Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Solomon said, “Honor the Lord with your possessions” (Proverbs 3:9). The master in the parable of the talents condemned the man who was given one talent because he failed to be a good steward of what had been entrusted to him. God said to the rich farmer of Luke 12 who had hoarded what he had, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”     Let us be honest with ourselves. Are we being good stewards of the bountiful blessings God has given to each of us. What about your time? How much of it do you use in studying God’s Word, in worship to Him and in everyday service to Him? What talents have you dedicated to His service? How terrible on that day of accounting to hear the Master say, “…cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).     What kind of steward are you?

It seems of late that about every week or so the news media reports about an earthquake, a flood, a violent storm (cyclone, tornado, hurricane, etc.), droughts, pestilence of some kind and a variety of other types of natural calamities. Add to this the different political and military skirmishes and wars, and one has the makings for those of the premillennial persuasion to get all gushy and excited and start proclaiming loud and long, “The Second Coming of the Lord is just around the corner.” They love this stuff. They delight in going to the Old Testament prophets and finding everything from fast sport cars to space shuttles, and a whole lot of other such stuff. Their special delight, though, is to find passages that refer to the first coming of the Messiah, the Christ, and then applying them to the Second Coming. They even invent a third coming.     However, didn’t Jesus warn in Matthew 24: 6-7, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” The premillennial “pastor” or “reverend” will, in mighty and forceful tones, with all of the sincerity that he or she can muster, proclaim that these verses apply to today and these passages teach that the Lord’s Second Coming is imminent. Completely ignoring the …

There is in the study of logic something known as “the law of the excluded middle.” It describes an either/or situation. For instance, everything in your house is either human or nonhuman. Now, wives, although he may not act like it at times, your husband is human. However, your dog, your kitchen table and your couch are all nonhuman. The law of the excluded middle does not tell you what the “non” may be, but it does give you the either/or position. The point is that something is either/or, with no middle or neutral ground.     Jesus made use of this vehicle of logic on many occasions. For instance, in Matthew 12:30 He said, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” Notice, one is either for Him, or against Him. There is no room here for “Well, he is not a Christian, but I believe the Lord will save him anyway” type of thinking. There is no middle ground, no neutrality allowed. It becomes our own individual responsibility to determine by a proper use of the Scriptures where we stand. Taking the totality of Jesus’ teaching on our relationship to Him, are you for Him, or are you against Him. Remember, the Bible is the only standard by which this can be determined.

In Isaiah 1:18 God states, “Come now, and let us reason together.” Here is an invitation to come and gain knowledge, resulting in salvation. Surely, such an invitation is open to all today.     Come, let us reason together about Christ. We will learn that He is Prophet, Priest and King. He is the builder and purchaser of the church.     Come, let us reason together about the church. It is the “called out,” and that by the Gospel. It is the house of God into which all nations can come. It is the kingdom into which those who have been forgiven of sin are translated.     Come, let us reason together about Calvary. It was here the blood of the Lamb was offered. It is here that we see the awfulness of sin. It is here that we see the dying of the just for the unjust.    Come, let us reason together about conversion. The world offers many plans, but God offers only one. The New Testament commands: Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess Jesus as Christ and be Baptized. Have you done more? Have you done less?     Come, let us reason together about heaven. It is the wonderful city of God to which all who have obeyed the Gospel and have lived faithfully will go. Don’t you want to go there? Then, obey that you may.

Did you ever notice how in His Word God does not do anything on what we might call a scale of 1 to 10? With Him it is either/or. Jesus taught that one is either for Him or against Him. He stated that one is either on the road that leads to life, or the road that leads to destruction. One is either building on the Rock or he is building on the sand. To God, a thing is either good or evil, and He warns about calling evil good. In each of these, we notice that there is no neutral or middle ground.     There is yet another example. One is either in Christ or dead in his sins. Either he is in the place where God adds the saved or he is on the outside. In Revelation 22:14-15 it is written, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”     Where are you? Can you go the Scriptures and show by them that you are where they tell you that you should be?

The apostle Paul stated in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” A question: Are you ashamed of the Gospel or of any part of it. For instance, are you ashamed: Of the Christ whom the Gospel proclaims? Of His claims to be the Son of God? Of His virgin birth? Of any of His commands? Of the Gospel message? It is God’s power to save, yet many are ashamed to preach it, choosing rather to preach feelings, men’s doctrines, and some would rather tell deathbed stories than to preach the Gospel. Of the plan of salvation outlined in the Gospel? In that plan, God has ordained that if one desired to be saved from past sins with the hope of heaven, he must believe, repent of past sins, confess Christ as Lord and be baptized for the remissions of sins. Many are ashamed to preach and follow this simple plan. Of the hope which the Gospel offers. It nothing short of amazement that some people are actually ashamed to admit that they want to go to heaven when life is over.     Are you ashamed of ANY of these things? If so, shame on you!

If you went out to eat and ordered pancakes, how would you react if they were done on one side, but were uncooked on the other side? Doesn’t sound too tasty, does it? This is how God described Israel in the days of Hosea the prophet. In Hosea 7:8 the prophet says, “Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned.” The nation of Israel thought it could give lip service to God, while participating in all the things of the world. The Israelites offered sacrifice, but their hearts were not in it.     Jesus told His disciples that they were in the world, but were not to be of the world. Paul warned that those who practiced the works of the flesh would not inherit the kingdom of God.     If you are trying to hold on to the world while being a “little religious,” you need to make some changes. Today would be a good time to begin.     Are you a half-baked cake?

The apostle Paul noted in Athens that the people had erected a god to the “unknown god.” Let’s talk about some “well-known” gods.     There is the “BUT” god. Jesus talked about him. The supper was ready and the guests were invited, and they all began to make excuse. “I would come BUT I have bought a piece of land…I would come BUT I have some new oxen to be proven…I would come, BUT I have married a wife.    There is the “LATER ON” god. Felix worshiped him. “At a more convenient season…” Some say, “One of these days…”; others say, “Later on, when I have time…when the kids are gone…when I can find a church that suits me, where I can be made to feel good…”    Some worship at the altar of “IT SEEMS TO ME…” Naaman of old was his disciple. “I thought the prophet would do thus and so…” Today, there are those who say,” It seems to me that one church is as good as another…” among other things.    There is the god “CHEAP SERVICE.” Ananias and Sapphira, along with the Jews who didn’t want to be cast out of the synagogue, were his followers.     Last of all, there is the “LET ME THINK ABOUT IT” god. What is there to think about? One is lost in sin and can only be saved by obedience to Christ.     What god are you worshiping?