Weekly Bulletin For:

October 23, 2020

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The Gospel...By Which You Are Saved

     The saving gospel needs no revisions, additions or alternations. The gospel, as it is, will save man as he is. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:1-2) Salvation can be a reality only when the saving gospel is proclaimed, accepted and obeyed.

      The gospel by which you are saved is of Divine origin. The saving gospel did not and cannot come from men. "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12) A gospel which is not the "certified" gospel cannot save. When God's message is perverted with human opinions it has been robbed of all saving power. (Galatians 1:6-9)

      The gospel by which you are saved must be obeyed. Only those who obey the gospel will be saved. (1) The gospel must be preached, (2) The gospel must be received, (3) We must take a stand with the gospel, and (4) The gospel must be held fast. If this is done you are then saved by the gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) The gospel is the power to cut the heart (convict sinners) and to save. (Acts 2:36-41)

      The gospel by which you are saved centers in the truth that "Christ died for our sins." Atonement by Jesus' blood is the heart of gospel preaching.  "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testi­fied in due time." (1 Timothy 2:6) Jesus gave Himself for our sins. "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." (Galatians 1:4) Man's problem is sin and without the shedding of Christ's blood there is no remission or forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 10:19-22) Sinners are washed from their sins by His blood. (Revelation 1:5)  Those who, in faith and baptism, obey Him are trusting Jesus' blood to save. (Hebrews 5:9)

      Obeying from the heart the gospel of Christ by believing, repenting, confessing and being baptized identifies one with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6:3-5, Romans 6:17-18.)  The needed message in our day or in any day is the simple, powerful, saving gospel message.  Obey the gospel today and enjoy new life in Christ.

 By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA

A Deeper Look at Christianity

      It is easy to talk Christianity, but God ex­pects more. God expects action; Christian living. Christians must take a deeper look at Christianity and come to understand the things involved in godly living. Observe the following:

            Take a deeper look at the works of darkness: Christians are to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light." (Ephesians 5:11-13) Christians must not practice, condone or defend works of darkness. They must actively oppose those evil things. This is done through reproof of those things, avoiding involvement in them, refusing to consider their practice and taking no pleasure in the doing of them.  Christians must cause God's light to shine because the light makes manifest (known) works of darkness.

            Take a deeper look at spiritual sleep: We must be careful not to sleep spiritually. "Therefore He says: Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." (Ephesians 5:14)  Those who sleep spiritually need to awaken. Those that are spiritually dead need to arise to real life. Every Christian must receive the light of Christ. God's purpose is to awaken man from spiritual death caused by sin to eternal life brought through Jesus Christ. Those that turn sinners from their ways are imitating God. Let us go forth to awaken those who are spiritually sleeping and dead.

            Take a deeper look at the wise walk. The challenge for Christians is, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." (Ephesians 5:15) Some foolishly walk in sin. Others walk wisely. The life of those who would turn others to the light must be a godly life. It does no good and, in fact, does much harm for the unfaithful member of the church to try to defend Christ or His kingdom. To "walk circumspectly" is to walk in the right way; God's way.

            Take a deeper look at time and your use of it: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16) One preventative for sin and wrong doing is to fill your time with good things.  Brethren, do good while it is in your hands to be able to do so. The time of opportunity passes quickly.  Let us double our efforts to make wise use of our time in serving others and in evangelism. Their days were evil because of great persecution. Our days are evil because of much sin. What are you doing with your time?

            Take a deeper look at the will of the Lord:  "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17) Christians should allow noth­ing, not even hard times, to make them ignorant of their duty to God. Nothing should cause us to neglect our souls. Knowing God's will and doing it under every circumstance of life is true wisdom.

            It is our duty to do more than just talk. We must LIVE the Christian life.  To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (Mark 16:16) A deeper look at the matter shows us that Christians must be wise enough to do the will of God!

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA