Thought For The Day

Obey Does Not Equal Sacrifice

There is a belief that sometimes you we have to sacrifice something in order to obey commands that have been given to us. Well, that may be true in a physical sense, but it is certainly not true in a spiritual sense. Using the scripture, Samuel said in 1 Samuel 15:22 that "to obey is better than sacrifice." We should note here that the sacrifice mentioned in the old testament, the old covenant, the old law that sacrifices were made through specifically designed burnt offerings and sacrifice. Thus, physical sacrifices were made to God. The new testament, new covenant, new law has no such physical sacrifices for Jesus Christ has sacrificed Himself for us, a one time perfect sacrifice made by a perrfect fleshly body.

But I submit to you that obedience does in no way mean we are sacrificing anything. Why? Because if we already know what is right to do, which Christians do, then we plan around what we must do. And in planning around what we should do, there is no sacrifice because we are putting God where He is to be, first. We may sacrifice cleaning in and the around the house instead of going to the lake or beach. We may sacrifice vacations for work. We may not, we should not sacrifice anything to obey the Lord. We are to obey the Lord, bottom line. Put God first in everything you do and let Him be seen in you. "Do all in the name of the Lord."

The Steps of Salvation

1. Hearing the Word of God

Please note what Romans 3:23 says about our condition
"for ALL have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God"

Without hearing God's word we would never know about our sinful condition and the need for salvation to avoid spiritual death. We can see this by reading Romans 6:23

"for the wages of sin is DEATH"

So now we know we are in trouble. We have sinned and the penalty is spiritual death or in other words separation from God. Without hearing we wouldn't know that Jesus sacrificed his life for OUR sins and that we need Him. Again Paul writes of this in Romans 10:17

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Hearing God's word is the first step to salvation. Just hearing God's word is not enough, we must be ready to take the next step.

2. Believing the word of God

The second step is believing what we read in the bible. Merely hearing God's word does not save us. If we do not believe what we hear then we will most likely not obey God's commands. This is what Jesus had to say in John 8:24

"...if ye BELIEVE NOT that I am He, ye shall die in your sins."

But belief is not enough, here is what Jesus had to say in John 1:12

"But as many as received (believed) him, to them gave he power
to BECOME the sons of God...."

Belief allows to become sons of God but does not by itself finish the task. In Matthew 7:21 we find that declaring our belief is not enough we must DO what God requires of us.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in heaven."

So believing is only the second step to salvation. Just believing God's word is not enough, we must be ready to take the next step.

3. Repent

People may find sin attractive but it is what separates us from God. Isaiah 59:2

"...your iniquities (sins) have separated between you and your God."

Repent means to turn away from. So we must turn away from sin and make an effort to sin no more. Jesus tells us this in Luke 13:3

"...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Are you willing to repent of your sins and turn your life toward Jesus. You are now on your way to salvation and must take the next step.

4. Confess

Persons who wish to be saved must confess their belief in Jesus. Jesus said this in Matthew 10:32

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

Paul tells in Romans 10:10 the importance of confessing your belief.

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

The Ethiopian eunuch made his confession when Phillip asks him if he believed. Acts 8:37

"I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Now we are ready to go on to Step Five on our road to salvation

5. Baptism

Baptism washes away our sins

Here are three things that the Bible says about baptism.

1. It shows our good conscience to God.

"...baptism doth also now save us - not the putting away of the filth of the flesh - but the answer of a good conscience toward God." I peter 3:21

2. Our sins are washed away in baptism according to Acts 22:16

"...arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins...."

3. We enter Christ through baptism Galatians 3:27

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

There is much confusion about baptism in the religious world. Some say we are saved before baptism, some think baptism isn't necessary but as the above verse states we put Christ on in baptism which means before baptism we must have been outside Christ and therefore lost.

Let freedom ring!

The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.

Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words.

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

I

me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge

dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance

my love and my devotion.

To the flag

our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever
she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given
her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

United

that means that we have all come together.

States

individual communities that have united into 48 great states.
Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose;

all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose,

and that's love for country.

And to the republic

a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the
people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the

people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands, one nation

one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"

Indivisible

incapable of being divided.

With liberty

which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's
own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice

the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all

which means, boys and girls, it's as much your
country as it is mine.

***~~**~~***

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country
and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer
and that would be eliminated from schools too?
God Bless America!

Listen to Red Skelton's reading, click link below.
http://www.spiritisup.com/pledgeofallegiance

Orlinda Church of Christ

"A small church with a big heart"