“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Heb. 1:3)
If you meet someone who believes that baptism is an essential part of salvation, that if one is not dunked in the water they are not truly saved, then there is a strong possibility that person also believes they can lose their salvation , that certain areas of the Law must be adhered to, that certain works on their part must not only be accomplished but maintained throughout the entirety of their life. And if you ask them the question that you have heard me pose here so often, “Who do you say Jesus Christ is,” they will in all likelihood say, “He is my Lord and Savior.”
The response my friend will sound correct, but if you know the one you are speaking to believes what this poorly written letter opened with, would you consider their answer to be truth in their life?
“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) This statement from the Lord Jesus Christ enraged the people of that day, for if you understand it in the language of that day, what our Lord said was, “I am God.”
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10)
Baptism, works towards salvation, maintaining works, the loss of salvation, none of these speak of one who understands grace, none of these speak of a person who believes that the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ was sufficient in and of itself for the salvation of a man’s soul, that His death as a propitiation satisfied fully the Living God as an atonement for all of every man’s sins. They do not understand grace and it is because of pride and vanity.
It is why works-based religious organizations maintain the largest continuation of congregations, some form of work, no matter how seemingly insignificant in one’s eyes will lift that person up, perhaps not on the cross, but close enough to embolden them to believe that the Lord’s sacrifice needed something added to it for them to be acceptable to the Most High.
Playing on the most foundational sins of mankind is always Satan’s greatest advantage.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25) In many, if not most Evangelical churches these days, the subtle deception has been instilled as well, show up on time, perform the well know and well-worn routine, and the work has been accomplished, the work of seeming to be accepted in the eyes of the Almighty, for the obligation has been accomplished.
In a way, if one can understand this my friends, attending church on a regular basis has become a part of the Law.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)
Now, you must ask yourself this question, why do you attend church? If you are there to lift up the name of the Almighty above the heavens, do you do so on Tuesday to those you meet?
If it is to praise the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sing His praises, do you do that on Thursday evening with your family?
If it is to pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you every moment of your life, did you speak of Him to anyone yesterday, last week? This year?
What is deceiving many people today is not the world, or even Satan, it is themselves.