Points to Ponder...

The Bible is about God’s grace and man’s obedience.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the New Testament.  Here, we read of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  This is the essence of God’s grace and one of the keys to man’s salvation.  Jesus Himself said, “This is my blood…which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

We also read in the New Testament about man’s need for obedience. The key to this may be summarized in the principle of discipleship.  Jesus gave three requirements for those who would be His disciples…

1. “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26).  The word “hate” here means to “love less”.  Hence, God expects that all of our relationships, including our relationship with our self, must take a back seat to God.

2. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27). Whatever happens in the life of a disciple, nothing will deter him or her from continuing to follow Jesus.

3. “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33).  This verse is easy to understand, but admittedly, difficult to apply.

These verses and many others teach us that man’s obedience is the other key to man’s salvation. Are you ready to be a disciple of Jesus?

-Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?  Jesus said, “unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

-Are you willing to confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?  The Bible says, “With the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:10).

-Are you willing to repent of your sins?  Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

-Are you willing to be baptized into Christ?  The Bible says, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).

"The Lord bless you and keep you." -Numbers 6:24-