What if it Were You? part 2

Last week we looked at some of the amazing things God asked men to do in the past. We saw their faithfulness. We saw even some reluctance but a redirection of that focus to do what is right. The focus of the article last week was to make you think about what if it were you that was asked to build an ark, or to offer your son as a sacrifice, or to prepare the way for the Lord. We aren’t asked to do those things these days. However, we have been asked to do several things for God. My question still stands: What if it were you? Are you ready to do what God asks of you?

Jesus said that if we love Him we will keep His commandments (John 14:15; 15:14). The amazing thing is that those commands by God are not too difficult for us to follow (1 John 5:3). Jesus is the author of eternal salvation for those who will obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Will you obey Him?

What if you were asked to:

· Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24). And just so you know, belief is a work. “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29). Most people in the U.S.A. claim to believe but do you honestly believe with such faith to follow His instructions?

· Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30). Would you really be willing to change your life from worldliness and sin toward Christian living? Would you have godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9,10)?

· Make the good confession before men of your faith and your desire to live for Christ (Romans 10:9,10; Acts 8:37;  1 Timothy 6:12)? After having made that good confession and becoming a Christian, have you continued to make the confession of your faith in Christ before men as you live daily (Matthew 10:32,33)?

· Be baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38), put on Christ in Baptism (Galatians 3:27), be added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:47), which will save your soul (1 Peter 3:21), and give you a new life in Christ (Romans 6:3,4).

· If you were asked to do these things, would you do it? I am sure that most of you would and have.

However, there is more to faithful living than obedience of the plan of salvation. We must be obedient in all aspects of our lives:

· Parents who teach their children the will of God

· Husbands who love their wives

· Wives who love their husbands

· Marriages devoted to God and to one another

· Children who obey their parents

· Members of society who are obedient to government, who work hard, who help our fellow man

· Christians who are faithful to the Lord by attending Bible classes and worship at every opportunity

· Christians who tell their family and friends about Jesus

· Christians who give generously

· Christians who keep themselves pure and holy as they keep themselves separate from the sinful ways of the world.

When we look at it, there really isn’t much that God asks of us for all that He has done for us. He gave us life, breath, and all things. It is in Him that we live, move and have our being. He sent His Son, Jesus the Christ, to die on the cross for our sins paying a debt that we owe and can never earn. In return, He asks that we follow His plan for living.

Too often in life, man chooses to do things His own way. In worship, man has created his own devices. In marriage, man has decided that divorce is acceptable regardless of the words of Jesus stating there to be only one accepted reason for divorce and subsequent remarriage. In living, man has determined that we can live like the world 6.5 days a week, but if we somehow show up for one hour of worship on Sunday morning then we are pleasing God. I wonder how well that kind of thinking would have worked for Abraham, Noah, or John.

The question is not “what if it were you?” but will you obey the commands of God? He has given us instruction. He has given us His word to guide us. He has given us forgiveness of sins and an eternal home in heaven, but you must obey!!! There is no other way but His way.