The Church of Christ with The Elijah Message
What Must I Do To Be Saved In The Kingdom Of God?
This is a very reasonable question, and perhaps the most important that could be asked by any human being.
But to whom shall we look for a truthful answer?
If we should ask this question today in a dozen different churches it is obvious that we would receive as many
different answers. And if we take our Bible and endeavor to fathom the mysteries of God by our own human
understanding, we may become even more confused. Perhaps there are many honest souls in the world today
who have had this very same experience. Some may have accepted a form of worship which has never quite
satisfied their hunger, and thirst for truth and righteousness. Blessed are they that hunger, and thirst, after
righteousness, for the promise is that “they shall be filled”.
Dear Reader — do you wish to know the truth? Do you desire a personal acquaintance with the Living God and
a knowledge revealed from Heaven that you are accepted of Him? This is not only your privilege but your duty to
God. Nowhere does He tell us to trust in any man nor follow any man’s teachings. The arm of flesh will fail us
and the human mind is not subject to the Laws of God. Unless we have Divine Guidance and Inspiration to
begin with, how are we to know if the Scriptures are being rightly interpreted to us, or if the one who teaches us
received his wisdom from Heaven. Yes, there is a saying that the Bible is like a fiddle, you can play any tune on
it. Some resent this, but I am sure that we have heard many different interpretations of God’s Word. Do we
believe in a God who answers prayers? Is there any thing of greater importance to us than our soul Salvation?
God gave His Son, and He, in turn gave His life to redeem us. So if we heed the instructions He has given us,
we might stop right now and look to God in earnest prayer, “Our Heavenly Father, wilt thou look into our hearts
at this time and see that we desire only Thy truth. Our minds may be confused without Thy wisdom. We do so
wish to choose a way in which we might please Thee, 0 God, and we only desire to learn of Thy truths that we
may walk in the Light. Reveal Thy truths and point out all error that we may not be deceived nor serve Thee in
vain. In Christ’s name. Amen.”
James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.” Now let us proceed to reason these things out with our hearts uplifted to God in faith
believing that He will not leave us in doubt or confusion. We must start seeking, and finally serving God in faith
because faith, or belief, is that which motivates our whole Christian life from the very first step until the end.
Paul said in Hebrews 11:6, “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.” Romans 10:14, “How then shall
they call on Him in whom they have not believed?” Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God.” Yes, faith starts as a small seed sown in our very soul and conscience, and
develops into a living knowledge of God, and the mysteries of His Kingdom. This knowledge is eternal like
itself, for Jesus said, John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only True God, and
Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent.” Belief alone was sufficient to cause those lowly fishermen to leave their
nets and follow Christ; but it required a knowledge of God and His Purpose in their life to face the persecution
and cruel death that befell them later. Not one of them chose the way he would go, but all sought God’s Way for
man’s redemption, and followed in it. All taught the same thing as we will see later on. What did they do, and
what must we do to develop this faith? I think the next step must be quit clear since Paul tells us in Galatians 3:
22, “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to
them that believe.” Verse 26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” James 2:19-20, “Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain
man, that faith without works is dead?” So our next step is very clearly seen as that of Repentance. How simple
and clear is God’s Plan. Each step is more beautiful than the one before.
REPENTANCE
But we cannot consider one step as of more importance than another. Each step must be taken in its turn. Our
most important step is always our next step, and each in their order. Jesus taught a rebirth and a new life. We
have considered our conception (which was faith). Therefore we must next consider our travail before we can
be born again. Have you any sin? I John 1:8-9, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. I John 2:3, “And hereby we do know Him, if we keep His commandments.” Verse 6, “He that
saith he abideth in Him ought himself to walk, even as He walked.” So if by faith we seek God, and draw near
to Him, He will draw near to us. We will be sorry because of the way we have treated our Lord and Savior. II
Corinthians 7:10, “For Godly sorrow worketh repentance ...” Acts 17:30, “And the times of this ignorance God
winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” James 4:7-8, “Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.” And verse 10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of
the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
Without God’s help we cannot repent. But if we through faith seek His Truth and Will, He will not only make it
known but help us to accomplish it. Some have asked, “What must I give up? Is it wrong to dance or go to
shows?” To this I reply, we must give up self and satan. And it is no more a sin for you to be at a show or dance
than for your heart to be there. “Wheresoever a man’s treasures are there will his heart be also.” If our heart is
in God’s service, then we are also in His service. We will never serve two masters. Our treasures will never be
in one place and our heart in another. Jesus said in Matthew 23:26, “Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” He also said, Matthew 16:24,
“... If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” So, as Peter said,
Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Continued
This is a very reasonable question, and perhaps the most important that could be asked by any human being.
But to whom shall we look for a truthful answer?
If we should ask this question today in a dozen different churches it is obvious that we would receive as many
different answers. And if we take our Bible and endeavor to fathom the mysteries of God by our own human
understanding, we may become even more confused. Perhaps there are many honest souls in the world today
who have had this very same experience. Some may have accepted a form of worship which has never quite
satisfied their hunger, and thirst for truth and righteousness. Blessed are they that hunger, and thirst, after
righteousness, for the promise is that “they shall be filled”.
Dear Reader — do you wish to know the truth? Do you desire a personal acquaintance with the Living God and
a knowledge revealed from Heaven that you are accepted of Him? This is not only your privilege but your duty to
God. Nowhere does He tell us to trust in any man nor follow any man’s teachings. The arm of flesh will fail us
and the human mind is not subject to the Laws of God. Unless we have Divine Guidance and Inspiration to
begin with, how are we to know if the Scriptures are being rightly interpreted to us, or if the one who teaches us
received his wisdom from Heaven. Yes, there is a saying that the Bible is like a fiddle, you can play any tune on
it. Some resent this, but I am sure that we have heard many different interpretations of God’s Word. Do we
believe in a God who answers prayers? Is there any thing of greater importance to us than our soul Salvation?
God gave His Son, and He, in turn gave His life to redeem us. So if we heed the instructions He has given us,
we might stop right now and look to God in earnest prayer, “Our Heavenly Father, wilt thou look into our hearts
at this time and see that we desire only Thy truth. Our minds may be confused without Thy wisdom. We do so
wish to choose a way in which we might please Thee, 0 God, and we only desire to learn of Thy truths that we
may walk in the Light. Reveal Thy truths and point out all error that we may not be deceived nor serve Thee in
vain. In Christ’s name. Amen.”
James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.” Now let us proceed to reason these things out with our hearts uplifted to God in faith
believing that He will not leave us in doubt or confusion. We must start seeking, and finally serving God in faith
because faith, or belief, is that which motivates our whole Christian life from the very first step until the end.
Paul said in Hebrews 11:6, “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.” Romans 10:14, “How then shall
they call on Him in whom they have not believed?” Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God.” Yes, faith starts as a small seed sown in our very soul and conscience, and
develops into a living knowledge of God, and the mysteries of His Kingdom. This knowledge is eternal like
itself, for Jesus said, John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only True God, and
Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent.” Belief alone was sufficient to cause those lowly fishermen to leave their
nets and follow Christ; but it required a knowledge of God and His Purpose in their life to face the persecution
and cruel death that befell them later. Not one of them chose the way he would go, but all sought God’s Way for
man’s redemption, and followed in it. All taught the same thing as we will see later on. What did they do, and
what must we do to develop this faith? I think the next step must be quit clear since Paul tells us in Galatians 3:
22, “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to
them that believe.” Verse 26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” James 2:19-20, “Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain
man, that faith without works is dead?” So our next step is very clearly seen as that of Repentance. How simple
and clear is God’s Plan. Each step is more beautiful than the one before.
REPENTANCE
But we cannot consider one step as of more importance than another. Each step must be taken in its turn. Our
most important step is always our next step, and each in their order. Jesus taught a rebirth and a new life. We
have considered our conception (which was faith). Therefore we must next consider our travail before we can
be born again. Have you any sin? I John 1:8-9, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. I John 2:3, “And hereby we do know Him, if we keep His commandments.” Verse 6, “He that
saith he abideth in Him ought himself to walk, even as He walked.” So if by faith we seek God, and draw near
to Him, He will draw near to us. We will be sorry because of the way we have treated our Lord and Savior. II
Corinthians 7:10, “For Godly sorrow worketh repentance ...” Acts 17:30, “And the times of this ignorance God
winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” James 4:7-8, “Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.” And verse 10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of
the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
Without God’s help we cannot repent. But if we through faith seek His Truth and Will, He will not only make it
known but help us to accomplish it. Some have asked, “What must I give up? Is it wrong to dance or go to
shows?” To this I reply, we must give up self and satan. And it is no more a sin for you to be at a show or dance
than for your heart to be there. “Wheresoever a man’s treasures are there will his heart be also.” If our heart is
in God’s service, then we are also in His service. We will never serve two masters. Our treasures will never be
in one place and our heart in another. Jesus said in Matthew 23:26, “Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” He also said, Matthew 16:24,
“... If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” So, as Peter said,
Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Continued
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