Vol. 17 No. 24 June 17, 2001

The commands the Lord gives in order for one to become a saint-saved-a Christian-we call the "plan of salvation." That is, God has made a plan whereby men can be saved from their sins. Men must obey, that is, conform to God's plan in order to go to heaven when he dies. God's plan has these basic steps.

One must HEAR the word of God. Jesus said, "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me" (John 6:44-45). Faith comes by hearing God's word (Romans 1:17).

One must BELIEVE the word of God. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6).

One must BELIEVE in Jesus the Christ, God's only begotten Son. "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).

One must REPENT of his sins. "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). God "...commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30). Jesus said, "repent or perish" (Luke 13:3,5).

One must BE BAPTIZED in water for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16). Saul was told to "...be baptized, and wash away thy sins..." (Acts 22:16). Water baptism puts one into Christ where we become a new man, made free from sin (Rom. 6:3-6, 17-18). Baptism saves us (1 Peter 3:21).

One must CONTINUAL FAITHFUL unto the Lord. Only the faithful will be saved (Rev. 2:10; 1 Cor. 15:58).

If you have not sincerely, honestly, done these things, you are not saved. Don't delay, obey today!

--Garland M. Robinson

"There is room, there's a place, in the kingdom of God for you. There is room, there's a place, there is work that we all can do." So goes the chorus of the song "There Is Room In The Kingdom" (Sacred Selections, #80). Let's notice a few ways in which it is true that there really is "room in the kingdom."

There is room in the kingdom of Christ for more citizens. God translates men out of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom there is redemption (Col. 1:13,14). Jesus' kingdom, the church, will never face the threat of being overcrowded. There is no such thing as too many people in the church. Of first century congregations it is written, "And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily" (Acts 16:5).

There may be restrictions on the number of persons allowed in some businesses, schools, and clubs, or on athletic teams, but there are no such restrictions in God's kingdom. Jehovah wants all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), and since salvation is in the body or kingdom of Christ (Eph. 5:23; 2 Tim. 2:10), then it follows that God wants all men to enter His kingdom via the new birth (John 3:3,5).

Second, there is room in the kingdom of Christ for people from all backgrounds. The Lord Jesus bought the church with His blood (Acts 20:28). What He established is not a kingdom for only those people that are considered as white, middle-class Americans. The Bible never describes the church as being made up of white people, middle-classed people, or Americans. Such a limited concept is just not in God's word.

What we do read in God's word is this: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). God's kingdom is open to all that are willing to obey the gospel (2 Thess. 1:8). It is for men and women of all races, all nationalities, and all educational levels. God forbid that we should have the distorted concept that the kingdom is exclusively for those lucky people that look, think, and act just like we do!

Jesus charges us to be perfect in love as our Heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:45-48). That certainly would include the idea of doing our best to help people of all backgrounds have the chance to hear, believe, and obey Jesus' saving gospel (Rom. 1:16,17). It would also mean sincerely accepting each person that obeys from the heart that saving doctrine (Rom. 6:17,18), regardless of their background.

Third, there is room in Christ's kingdom for any task you can do, small or great, for the benefit of the kingdom. Do you look at yourself as someone that is not capable of doing something wonderful and "out of this world" in the work of the Lord? Don't despair. Every child of God has God-given talents. What each of us needs to do is use them for our Lord's glory. Regardless of whether we count ourselves as a five-talent, two-talent or one-talent person, we need to use whatever has been given into our hands for the sake of the Master (cf. the parable of the talents, Matt. 25:14-30).

Jesus once said, "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matt. 10:42). Jesus takes notice when His disciples give a cup of water to others! Jesus takes notice when we use His word to comfort one another in times of sorrow (1 Thess. 4:18). Jesus takes notice when we edify others (1 Thess. 5:11), are hospitable to others (Heb. 13:2), or do a number of things that others may consider to be little affairs. Remember, "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Heb. 6:10).

Yes, there is room in the kingdom-- room for more citizens, room for people from all backgrounds, and room for your work and mine. Let us all determine to give our greatest effort to bear fruit for the glory of the Lord (John 15:8).

--Roger D. Campbell

Those who have absolutely no respect for law often accuse those of us who insist upon Bible authority of not believing in the grace of God. It is a false charge! Those who have no desire to "crucify self" because they wish to continue to "live in sin" are always quick to proclaim a "grace only" type of salvation. Does God's grace negate obedience? Absolutely not! Does Gospel obedience negate God's grace. No, and the Bible does not even hint that such is true.

To those who loudly proclaim we are under no law today, I suggest they look at the Scriptures instead of whatever they are looking at to arrive at their conclusions. The Scriptures teach that sin is transgressing or going beyond God's laws (1 John 3:4). Paul clearly states in Romans 4:15 that "where there is no law, neither is there transgression." Since all have sinned (Rom. 3:23) it follows that those who claim to have committed no sins are liars (1 John 1:10). But in order to be guilty of sin, one must transgress law. Thus, there are God-given laws that man must submit to and abide by so he can please the Creator.

God's grace makes it possible for people to obey the Gospel plan of salvation and receive forgiveness from their sins. The great grace and love of God resulted in the giving of His Son (John 3:16). Christ loved us so that He died for us while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8). Without these great acts of grace we would stand condemned as sinners and have no hope.

Paul states in Ephesians 2:8-9, "for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory." The grace of God has indeed made salvation available but such does not mean man will receive God's grace by doing nothing. God is the bearer of salvation but it is conditional. "For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12). Salvation has been made available or brought to all men. But what if one will not give up ungodliness and worldly lusts? Such an attitude rejects the grace of God!

May all Bible students see that grace does not exclude law and law does not exclude grace. Paul, in Romans, noted that retreating to the law of Moses would not save one. James, in chapter two of his book, stresses that by works a man is justified. Both are correct. Works of obedience have always been required if one is to please God.

--Marvin L. Weir

Rowlett, TX

S.T.O.P. LECTURESHIP: July 22-26, Tradition of Men - Vain Religion.

KID'S DAY OUT: Sat., June 23^rd, at Booneville Park. Everyone come and enjoy the fun!

FOOD ITEM: Detergent

r SHUT-INS: Pauline Irvin, Nellie Wallace, Annie Nauman, Faye Jackson, Clydie Morrow, Frances Massengill, Doug Kimbrough, Sula Perry, Lucille Leatherwood, Dorothy Johnson, Harry Prater.

FREE VIDEO TAPES of sermons by Garland Robinson. Send for a complete listing of the 77 tapes available.

I complained about no one visiting me until I realized I had done no visiting.

I complained about the teacher of my child's class until I tried to teach.

I complained about the poor judgment of our leaders until I had experiences that proved my judgment wasn't always sound.

I complained about many mistakes and faults of others, until I realized I had many faults also.

All the time others kept their mouths closed...I complained.