By: Phil Hopkins
The Bible and God’s plan for the salvation of mankind is one of the most simplest and easy to understand messages for all of mankind. The scriptures that tell a person how to become a Christian are plain and understandable. What is truly flabbergasting is how difficult we make it. What can be simpler? The Bible clearly teaches that we must first hear the message: Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Which answers the question how is one to believe? Then what? Acts 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Notice that as is commonly taught, this scripture does not say will not perish but it says should not perish, since contrary to what many folks believe, we have more to do to become a Christian. We must confess Jesus Christ as our savior: Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” and repent of our sins: Acts 17:30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” We are not done yet, we must be baptized: Acts 2:38 “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” and 1 Pet 3:20 “who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Each of the above verses are very straightforward and almost impossible to misunderstand. Remember: John 14:15 “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.” Those who truly love God are easy to identify – They are completely obeying God. Unfortunately throughout the ages many, even most people, have been willing to follow those who would twist the scriptures and try to eliminate some or all of the steps to salvation. In modern times, in the first half of the 1800’s, Walter Scott recognized and taught from the scripture the five steps to salvation. He used the five fingers on one hand as a mnemonic to help one know and remember how to become a Christian. However, there are many that would twist and pervert the plain and simple teaching of the Bible, God’s word, God’s teaching to mankind. This should never have happened: 2 Pet. 1:19 “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” It is quite amazing how people will follow others in place of reading and obeying God. Who would be more trustworthy? God or man? Individuals, no matter how we may feel them, can allow themselves to become deceived. As Paul wrote the church in Corinth: 2 Cor. 2:12 “But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” Satan is deceitful, he will, and does deceive man. Unfortunately, we can be easily deceived, when we take our eyes off from the scriptures. We may use the wrong materials. We so often follow the teachings of others, instead of turning to God to find out what he wants of us. We forget that Satan will use every possible means to deceive us, he will lie to us: John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” How often do we read the Bible? Do we use an accurate, faithful translation? Do we study the Bible regularly? 2 Tim. 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” We should, actually, we must. The only way we can understand what God wants of us is through Bible study. We can have all sorts of excuses. We are too tired, too busy, do not enough time, are not willing work to understand God’s word, and so forth. In the end these are only excuses, they are not reasons. We MUST spend time reading and studying the Bible? We only have responsibility for our souls. If one does mot preach the whole Bible, from 2 Corinthians 11:12 – 15, then they have become as one of Satan’s angels. One final point, in Rev. 2:10, we find that we must be faithful until death. In other words, being baptized is to no avail if we will not follow God for the remainder of our lives. This is perhaps the hardest part, because Christianity is not a sprint but a marathon. We must be willing and committed to serve God for the rest of our lives. Study, faith, and obedience are critical in a Christian’s life. We must recognize, contrary to popular teachings, that we can lose our salvation. If we turn to any other source other than God’s word, we will fall from grace: Gal. 6:4 “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” No one of us wants to face God on the judgment day and be found to come up short.