MEASURING UP

Spiritually speaking, how do you measure up? Are you a Christian with membership in the church of the New
Testament--the church Jesus promised He would build and then did (Matt. 16:18)? That church was established in
Jerusalem the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus? It wasn’t a denomination then, and it isn’t a
denomination now. Simply calling yourself a member of the church of the New Testament will not make you one
--you must obey the commandments of Jesus. Jesus said, “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 who is in heaven. Many will say to me in
that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do
many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”
(Matt. 7:21-23). He also said, “...Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. Let them
alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit” (Matt. 15:13-14).
When a man by faith repents of his past sins, openly confesses his faith that Jesus is the Son of God, and is im-
mersed, baptized in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit for the remission of his sins
(Acts 2:38), for their washing away (Acts 22:16), a baptism which is said to save one (1 Pet. 3:21), he is for-
given of all past sins and is added by the Lord Himself to the church He built (Acts 2:41-47).
Measuring up properly in spiritual matters is very important. As a New Testament Christian we wear no name
but that of Christian. We glorify God in this name (1 Pet. 4:16). Isaiah had prophesied that God’s people would be
called by a new name (Isa 62:2). We know that “...the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:
26). Paul asked, “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto
Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:27-28).
Some men will tell you, “Believe on the Lord and you can be sure of heaven.” This sounds good; it is easy; it
is taught by the majority. But how does it measure up spiritually? What does the Bible say? Jesus is “...the author
of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:8-9). He will render “... vengeance to them that know
not God and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thess. 1:8). The dividing line between out of
or in Christ is expressed by Paul: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ” (Gal.
3:27).
Salvation does not come by human merit. No man earns his salvation! It results from doing what God says--
what Jesus says. Obedience does not hinder God’s grace. It is simply man’s correct response to grace. “Ye see that
by works a man is justified, and not only by faith” (Jas. 2:24).
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: A conscience in good working order is a topnotch guidance counselor.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse