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The Authority Of God's Word 
The Bible is the authoritative word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For
the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword." When God says
something it is going to happen. Nothing can
stop it. Not only is the word of God living and powerful, but
it will last
forever.
The Bible is God's instruction to us on what we must do so we can go
to heaven. Jesus
says , "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free." John 8:32
1 Peter 1:23 says, "the word of God lives and abides forever."
The word of God will follow us into eternity.
The
Bible is God's instruction to us on what we must do so we can go to
heaven. Jesus says in John 8:32, "And you shall know the
truth, and the truth shall make you free." Only by knowing and
following God's word can anyone be saved and go to heaven. If
one doesn't know and obey God'word, he will spend eternity in the
burning fires of hell. This will be a horrible place to be.
God's word is the authority or standard by which all people will be
judged on Judgment Day. Jesus says in John 12:48, "He who
rejects Me, and
does not receive My words, has that which judges him, the word that
I have spoken will judge him in the last day." People may
ignore God's word now, but on Judgment Day they will not be able to
ignore it.
God does not intend for His authoritative word to be changed by man. We read in Revelation 22:18-19, "If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book, and if anyone takes from the word of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life." Either way he will be lost. People are not taking God seriously.
Even though the world may neglect it, we must not neglect to follow
God's authoritative word if we want to go to heaven. Hebrews
2:3 says, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation,
which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to
us by those who heard Him. There is no escape if one neglects
to obey God's authoritative word.
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Plan of Salvation
Hear, Roman 10:17
Before a message can be conceived and believed, a person must first
hear the gospel. The bible states, "faith comes by hearing and hearing
by the word of God." A person must therefore be careful to what he/she
hears. The gospel of Christ is the vehicle that we are required to
hear. According to this scripture, our faith is predicated upon the
word of God and not the words of men. Therefore, denominational and
man made creeds are not condone by God as the basis of our faith.
Belief, Hebrews 11:6
Belief in the gospel is the very next step toward gaining salvation.
It is mere acceptance of the gospel which we heard. It leads a man to
trust and obey God. The type of faith that God is concerned with is
the kind that obeys. James stated that "Even so faith without works is
dead being alone (James 2:24)."
Repent, Acts 17:30
Repentance denotes a change of mind which leads to a change of
behavior. A man must be willing to give up bad habits, Satan, sin
and the world in order to gain Christ.
Confession, Acts 8:36-37
This act is an open acknowledgement before witnesses that Jesus is the
Son of God. This confession cost Him his life at Calvary. If a man
demonstrates enough bravery in confessing Christ before men, The Lord
will be willing to confess him before the Father. If he denies him
then Christ will also deny him in the last day. Therefore, confession
with the mouth leads to salvation (Matt 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10).
Plan of Salvation:
We Must:
HEAR
the word
of truth.(
Romans 10:13-17
)
Which Pathway Are You On?
We've all heard someone say,
"We're all going to the same place (heaven), we're just on different
roads.
"
But Jesus said there are only two roads. "Enter ye in at the strait
gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is
the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Consider three components of
Jesus� statement: the strait gate, the narrow way, and the desired
destination (eternal life).
First, consider the strait gate. The word strait as used here means: "hemmed in like a narrow gorge between rocks, pinched." The strait gate is entered as a result of diligent effort (Luke 13:24). The strait gate is not easily seen because of its lack of popularity. It is important to understand the gate is not the way to eternal life. The gate, representing a person�s conversion, is that which provides access to the way that leads to eternal life. After entering the gate, we are to, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word.
(I Peter 2:1-2).
We are to grow in the Christian virtues
(II Peter 1:5-11).
Second, consider the narrow way.
The word narrow indicates the way that leads to eternal life is
confined, limited in scope. Whereas the strait gate represents a
person's conversion, the narrow way is representative of the Christian
life. In order to travel the narrow way, certain baggage must be left
behind
(Matthew 16:24; Colossians 3:1-10).
Care must be taken to avoid obstacles and distractions along the way
(Ephesians 5:15).
This way is not necessarily "made narrow," but it is narrow by its
very nature. This way, being "hedged in" by the law of Christ, is
narrow because of the demands placed upon Christians.
Next, consider the desired destination (eternal life).
Just as death always involves a separation, life involves a union.
When we receive eternal life we are united with God throughout all
eternity. We are able to enjoy fellowship with God, Jesus, and fellow
citizens of Christ�s heavenly kingdom. In contrast, those persons who
travel that broad way will one day find it leads to destruction. The
word destruction does not indicate annihilation, but rather a loss.
Those persons who travel the broad way will not experience fellowship
with God,
"...strait is the gate,
and narrow
is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few
there be that find it"
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