The Bible Says . . .











STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

by Charlie Grier
Western Itasca Review
August 8, 2002



      God’s people dare to live for Christ. They do not do some of the things others do, or go to the places others go; so the world looks down their nose at them and can’t understand them (I Cor. 4:9). Christians identify with Christ; in at least three specific ways.

  1. He bases his Salvation on Christ alone.

         "For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Every truly born-again Christian wants to be identified with Jesus Christ.

  2. By Water Baptism



         Because some have gone over-board on baptism and substituted it for salvation, there is a tendency on the part of some to deny the importance of water baptism. True it is not in itself salvation, but baptism is essential. The Bible says, "Repent and be baptized." In Acts two we read, "Then they that gladly received his word were BAPTIZED: and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). Some may wonder how 3000 people could be baptized on the spur of the moment, but we must remember 120 waited with the Apostles for the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:15). These no doubt aided the Apostles in baptizing the new converts. They were not, however, added to the Church until they were baptized.

    Every new convert should be challenged with the privilege of water baptism at the time he or she accepts Christ. It is God’s manner of permitting that new Christian to identify with Christ and His Church.

  3. We Identify With Christ Through Our Daily Lives

    After making a public profession of Salvation through Christ, we either exalt Christ, or we put Him to open shame by our lives.

    Hebrews 6:4-6

    "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."

    I think this is one of the saddest descriptions in the Bible of one who has permitted the powers of Satan to defeat him in his desire to live for God!

    Here is someone who has had five spiritual experiences, all of them absolutely wonderful! causing that one for a while TO LIVE ON CLOUD NINE! Now he is discouraged and defeated, how terrible! Let us summarize:



  • He has been"enlightened" (The way of Salvation has been made clear to them).
  • He has tasted "The heavenly gift" (The gift of Salvation).
  • He has become "Partakers of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 8:9).
  • He has "tasted the good word of God ( Have eagerly read and enjoyed the Bible).
  • He has experienced, to some extent, "The powers of the age to come" (God’s power).


"IF THEY FALL AWAY"





Can a born-again Christian back-slide and go to Hell? I’m not going to answer that question. All I can say is we have known some who claimed to be born-again who by their sinful daily practices, brought shame and contempt upon the precious Name of Christ.

The temptations of this present world are strong (Matt. 4:1) The way of Salvation seems attractive until people discover that serious choices are involved. We must choose between:

The narrow way
The way of the Cross
God's way
Between pleasing God
Between clinging to our pet sins
Permitting God to rule our life

Eternal Life
Heaven
 And the broad way
And the way of sin
And the popular way of the world
or Pleasing our self
or Giving them up for God
or Yielding to Satan and the powers of darkness
or Eternal Death
or Hell


The Parable Of The Sower

"Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he that receiveth seed by the way side. But he that receiveth seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet he hath not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word , by and by he is offended. He also that receiveth seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." ( Matt. 13:18-22).



When a Christian turns away from God, he puts Christ to open shame and in a sense identifies with those who cried, "Away with Him! Let him be crucified!" (Heb. 6:4- 6). Stop and consider, whose side am I on?



EITHER I IDENTIFY WITH CHRIST . . . OR I PUT HIM TO OPEN SHAME!


Jesus said, "He that is not for me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matt. 12:30).

   
My Choice

I'll live for Him who died for me
How happy then my life shall be.
I'll live for Him who died for me
My Savior and my God.