Acts 16:31b Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved

I was thinking on this again these weekend as discussions flowed about believing God and taking a stand for our beliefs. This issue was in the lies of false religions. A good conversation but one that lacked one singularly important aspect.

I believe in God does not equal saving faith. Nor does I believe in Jesus Christ equal salvation. It is so easy to stand on those words and quote scripture but the whole truth is hidden from many this weekend that said these words. They neglected to confess Jesus as Lord.

So many have passed over the enmity between man and God.

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

That was us before we ended the rebellion by surrendering to His Lordship. No surrender, no salvation.

It is a tough sell to walk someone back thru their belief system to check that point of entry into salvation. They believe that they are saved, and maybe they are, but do they honestly remember that moment when they repented of sin and surrendered to Christ’s Lordship?

The offer is free, yes absolutely, but you have to take the offer of salvation from He who is Lord and at the demands of servitude. He is Lord, we are His servants and as such have not right to deny Him. Now for many that singular point does not set well because, “I’ve been set free.” Yes but only to the bondage to sin. Now you are indebted to my Lord.

Luke 4:8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Do you remember your surrender moment?

1 John

1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.

2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

2:11 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Ever get confused as to who this letter is addressed and why the letter is written? All throughout this letter John is addressing various identities and concerns. Where can I find myself in this and how does it apply to me?

He finally got around to addressing you. That you is you and me, it is an all-inclusive you. The concerns are over being seduced away from the truth by the father of lies. Between 2:26 and 5:13 are some really powerful truths. In some ways I see all these passages about who John is writing is like gathering all the sheep into the pen so that he could speak to all of them collectively in those truths. Finally.