The Truth In Print, June 2006 Vol. 12 Issue 5
Just Good Advice Versus The Gospel That Saves
Solomon said, “The tongue of the
wise is health...” (Prov.. 12:18). Obvious to the meaning of the word health is
“a remedy or cure.” Consider the
difference between just giving another advice on a particular problem and
dealing with the real issues of repentance, obedience to the gospel, and their
obtaining the remission of sins with the blessings that follow.
The World’s Remedy
Question: When a
worldly individual advises another worldly individual to not worry just go out
and have fun then what always comes back? Hear Solomon, “Even in laughter the
heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness” (Prov. 14:13).
Answer: grief, pain, depression — all of the anxiety that was there before!
Example: “You need to limit your consumption of alcohol but you can keep on
drinking, partying, etc.”
God’s Remedy
Concerned reader, God’s remedy begins by identifying the sin and stating
the penalty. Take drunkenness, revelry and such like — the penalty is eternal
death (Cf. Rom. 6:23; Gal. 5:19-21). Additionally a Christian would tell
another what they must do to be free from being enslaved to sin? They must be told that being set free from sin will enable them
to be a slave of righteousness (Cf. Rom. 6:16-18). Therein lies the
cure!
In order for them to be set free from sin
God’s remedy requires that they be baptized into Christ in order to put on Christ (Cf. Rom. 6:3-6).
On Pentecost Peter commanded them to “be baptized” (imperative mood) for
the remission of their sins. One is not saved then baptized, for Jesus said
baptism is a prerequisite to salvation (Cf. Mark 16:15-16). Moreover Peter
taught that baptism saves us (Cf. I Pet. 3:21). The word baptize (baptize)
means to “immerse, submerge”). One of the violations of scriptural authority is
to identify specific authority — baptize means to immerse — and then for one to
say that their personal situation can change the specific to something that suits
them, something else they like. Yet
people who will admit that the word “baptize” means a burial will then turn and
say that sprinkling and pouring are ok too. Not so!
God’s remedies deal with the soul, the need
of instruction, the penalty for having sinned,
and what is necessary for one to receive the remission of their sins
(Matt. 11:28-29; Matt. 16:26; John 6:44-45; Mk. 16:15-16). Friend, the best advice given to another
concerning their problems that does not begin to deal with the real issues of
repentance, obedience to the Gospel, and what they must do to have forgiveness
falls far short of a lasting remedy for Sin (Cf. Lk. 12:13-21). While there may be nothing wrong
with us involving ourselves in the disputes and problems among family and friends
in the world, the primary thing is the Gospel and one’s eternal salvation (Cf.
Acts 2:38-41; Acts 8:34-39; Acts
16:28-34; Acts 24:25-26).
God’s remedies are found in the church (Cf.
Eph. 3:21). Jesus said, “And I say
also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). After
having promised to build His church we read, “And Jesus came and spake unto
them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the
end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:18-20). Baptism that saves is not separated
from the church Christ built. Jesus has only “one” body or church, and He is the Savior of the
body (Cf. Eph. 4:4-5; 5:23). The “one” baptism mentioned in Eph. 4:4-5 is that
of Mk. 16:15-16 which is for all men
every where in order that they might be saved (Cf. Acts 2:38, 22:16). This
“one” baptism puts one into Christ just as stated earlier (Cf. Rom. 6:3). Also
the “one” baptism puts one into the “one” body (Cf. I Cor. 12:13). The “one”
body, the church, is not any denomination made by man! Most want solutions to problems but without God’s remedy for
their sin and without being in the one body which is the saved! These
are looking for remedies but they do not want to be free from being a slave of
sin having become a slave of righteousness. The truth is that without
conviction for what the New Testament teaches these individuals will fight you
tooth and nail on the necessity of repentance and baptism into Christ, into the
one body His church, in order to put on Christ, and for the remission of their
sin to be free from sin’s penalty!
Some Sins And Their Remedy
I once identified a man’s sin by reading Prov. 23:29-35 to him. He was
an Alcoholic. I easily showed him in the context that he should avoid alcohol
altogether. The graphic description of the alcoholic’s plight in Proverbs
23:29-35 certainly shows “the end” result of alcoholism, but such need to hear
more, much more! He considered himself to be a Christian but he needed to be
told to repent and obey the Gospel!
Sinners need to believe the Word spoken by
Jesus and understand the penalty of eternal death and punishment! (Cf.
Jo. 12:48; Rev. 20:13-14) Hear Jesus, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any
time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of
this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. [35] For as a snare shall it
come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] Watch ye
therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these
things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke
21:34-36). They must understand the spiritual “end”
of having done what they are doing. Hear Paul, “Now the works of the
flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”
(Gal. 5:19-21).
Concerned reader, in Ephesus obedience to the Gospel was the recorded
cure for drug use and sorcery (Cf. Acts 19:5, 18-19). Can you begin to see this
is the solution? I hope so. What is the solution?
Believe the Gospel, understand the penalties for your sins, obey the Gospel and
“become a slave of righteousness” (Rom. 6:16-18, 1-7).
Over time sin takes its toll and Anxiety causes depression (Cf. Prov. 12:25). No doubt anxiety is
killing a lot of people today. The bible says that
these individuals need guidance in God’s word not money as a cure all. The
words of life are the solution to their sin (Cf. Prov. 12:25-26). Here is the
solution: They need to understand the penalty of not being prepared when the
Lord comes (Cf. LK. 21:34; 2 Th. 1:8-10). These
need to hear the Gospel, believe in the deity of Christ, repent of their
sins, confess Christ, and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Cf.
Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38-41; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 22:16; Acts
8:26-39; Acts 18:8, etc.). Having obeyed the Gospel they need to believe
Christ’s word that those who put His kingdom first will be provided for (Cf.
Matt. 6:24-34). As they study the New Testament, Christ’s law, they will find
strength (Cf. I Pet. 5:7; Heb. 7:25, 13:5; Rom. 15:30; Col. 4:2). Continued
diligence following obedience will enable them
to guard against letting the “cares” of this world choke the word and
thus cause them to become unfruitful, thus lost again (Cf. Lk. 8:14; Lk.
13:6-9; 2 Pet. 2:2; John 15:1-6). They will learn that work is a command to be
obeyed (Eph. 4:28), yet “rest” is a benefit to be realized by God’s children
(Cf. Ps. 127:2; Ps. 3:5; Ps. 4:8; Pr. 34:24-26). In times of transition they
won’t be frightened above measure (Cf. Pr. 6:20-22).
When money is their “god” they need to hear that their sin is
Covetousness (Cf. Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:5). These are obsessed with getting more and
more while denying it is the Lords; they will go to hell (Cf. Rev. 21:8,
22:15). By reading Matt. 6:24-34 one
will understand there is no reason for their covetous life. Having obeyed the Gospel
(see above) they will guard their hearts (Cf. Lk. 12:15; 16:34-35). It is good mental health to be content (Cf. Eccles. 6:9).
Godliness is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment, Paul
said (Cf. I Tim. 6:6-10).
Friend, why not desire God’s remedy?
By Bob W. Lovelace, evangelist