Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian by Trevor Bowen

http://insearchoftruth.org/articles/top_10_reasons_not_to_be_a_christian.html

Top 10 Reasons Not to Be a Christian

Are you a Christian yet? If not, why not? Here are the top 10 reasons why some people delay in becoming a Christian, along with a brief response:
10. "A lot of Christians are hypocrites." - This is a true statement. Many Christians are hypocrites. This should not be too surprising, because there are bad apples in every basket. The standard to which God calls us should not be judged by a few bad apples. Besides, would you rather spend a few years, putting up with a few hypocrites in church, or spend eternity with all of them in hell? (Matthew 13:24-43)
9. "I am not good enough." - When one becomes a Christian, it is not because he, or she is good. In fact, we become Christians because we recognize that we are not good. We are sinners. The redemption of the Christian is based on grace and faith, not one's own righteousness (Romans 3:21-28). If it was based on righteousness, nobody would be a Christian, much less be saved (Romans 3:23; James 2:10-11).
8. "I do not know enough." - Do you believe there is a God? Do you believe that Jesus is His Son, who died on the cross to save us from our sins, and was resurrected to give us hope? Are you willing to accept Him as your Lord and Savior, to follow Him wherever He leads you? His commands are simple: After hearing the gospel, you must believe, repent from your sins, confess Him, and be immersed in water into His body (Romans 10:8-18; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27). The rest will come with time and diligence (I Peter 5:10; Hebrews 5:12-14). Trust Him.
7. "It is too hard." - Being a Christian is hard work. Before one becomes a Christian they should count the cost, and commit themselves to Christ, whatever the cost (Luke 9:57-62; 14:26-35). However, you should know that choosing not to be a Christian will produce a life that is even harder (Matthew 11:28-30). To help us, God has provided spiritual tools that enable us to grow as a Christian and overcome this life (II Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). These tools are only available to Christians (Ephesians 1:3). If we run away from the difficulties of being a Christian, we will run straight into a trapped life of ruin and misery, which will bring insurmountable and eternal difficulties.
6. "I am too wicked. God could not forgive me." - What have you done? Have you persecuted Christians? Forcing them to blaspheme their own Savior through slow and painful torture? Have you persecuted them to the point of death? If God can accept Saul, the persecutor of Jesus and Christians (I Timothy 1:13-16; Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-22), and if He can forgive those who crucified His own Son (Luke 23:33-34; Acts 2:36-47), then will He not readily accept you (Luke 15:1-32)? Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, including yours (I John 2:2; I Timothy 2:5-6).
5. "But, that means my family is going to hell!" - Once someone realizes the truth of his condemned state, it does not take long before he considers the fate of his loved ones. This realization often produces much worry and heartache. Such a person may allow this concern to overpower his desire to save himself. However, denying the truth will not change their true state before God (I Corinthians 4:1-5). The only real hope of saving your loved ones is to first become a Christian, and then you can reach out to them with the gospel. Ignoring the judgment to come does not make it go away. Turning a blind eye only makes condemnation inevitable (Romans 11:7-10).
4. "God is merciful. He would not condemn me." - God truly is merciful. He does not want any to be lost (II Peter 3:9). That is why He gave His Son to be sacrificed upon the cross, thereby giving us an opportunity to be saved (John 3:16). However, the Lord is also just, and He will one day return unexpectedly, as a "thief in the night" (I Thessalonians 5:1-3). Then the door of opportunity will be closed, and only those who are prepared will be saved (Matthew 25:1-13). At that time, He will be "revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thessalonians 1:7-8). This is God's promise and warning. Will you ignore the warning?
3. "I am a good, moral person. God would not condemn me." - On that last great day, there will be many surprised people, whom we might would consider good, moral people. Many might have even acknowledged Him as Lord (Matthew 7:21). Some might have gone so far as to have performed many great works in His name (Matthew 7:22). However, if they have not obeyed and performed according to the Lord's command, then Jesus will not recognize them, and they will be eternally condemned (Luke 13:23-27; Matthew 7:21-23). Are you obeying the Lord's command (Mark 16:15-16)?
2. "I'm not ready yet. Maybe tomorrow?" - Some people want to finish sowing their wild oats. Once they have had their full of sin and its pleasures, then they plan to offer their ragged life to God, just before they expire. Such people underestimate God. He will not be tricked, or mocked (Galatians 6:7-8). You will reap what you sow. In reality, the race is not to become a Christian before you die, but to repent before your heart becomes hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, unable to hear the word and repent (Hebrews 3:13; Luke 8:4-15).
1. Me, myself, and I - Few, if any, would readily admit this is the reason for delaying their conversion. However, at some point, all of the nine above reasons cease to be barriers, and they become excuses, masking their own selfish, stubborn rebellion as the true reason (Romans 1:18-32). However, such people will one day find themselves surrounded by all the selfish beings that ever lived, angels and people (Matthew 25:41-46). How effectively will you be able to serve yourself and find happiness in that realm of eternal evil, darkness, and suffering, where nothing good dwells?

Conclusion

If you are delaying becoming a Christian, then please answer the question, "Why?" What stands in your way between you and the Lord? Why will you not do what you know to be right? How do you know this is not your last chance before you either die or your conscience becomes so hardened that it can no longer be pricked by the truth? If something still stands in your way, please talk to me, or any Christian, about it. There is nothing worth losing your one and only eternal soul (Mark 8:34-38)!

Please feel free to send the author of this article any questions, concerns, or feedback that you may have.
Author: Trevor Bowen

"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS" Work Out Your Own Salvation (2:12-18) by Mark Copeland

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                  Work Out Your Own Salvation (2:12-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. One of the things that interests me about Paul's writings is that he
   is intensely practical

2. He always relates...
   a. Doctrine and duty
   b. Creed and character
   c. Faith and life
   ...to him, these are inseparable!

3. So it is now, that having described the example of Christ, he bases
   upon that example his exhortation to earnest endeavor towards
   spiritual progress (Php 2:12-18)

4. In this passage, Paul exhorts Christians to "Work Out Your Own
   Salvation"; in this lesson, there are several observations I would
   like to make concerning what this involves

[First, consider that as you "Work Out Your Own Salvation" that...]

I. THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF OBEDIENCE (12a)

   A. THAT DONE ONLY IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS...
      1. This is a very common form of obedience
         a. Done only when others are around
         b. Because we fear what others might think if we don't behave a
            certain way
      2. Yet Paul did not want the Philippians' obedience to be of this
         sort
         a. For then it would only be what he calls elsewhere
            "eye-service" - cf. Col 3:22
         b. Their faith would then be an "environmental faith" (a faith
            which is active only if the environment is conducive to it)

   B. THAT DONE IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHERS...
      1. This is the proper form of obedience
         a. Done to please God, conscience, and no one else!
         b. This type of obedience remains faithful no matter what
            others do or think
      2. It is this type of obedience...
         a. That Paul hoped for in the lives of his beloved friends
         b. That we should render in our service to the Lord and His
            cause

[Secondly, we should also bear in mind that as you "Work Out Your Own
Salvation"...]

II. IT INVOLVES THE WORKING OF BOTH MAN AND GOD (12b-13)

   A. MAN HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN HIS SALVATION...
      1. He must "work out" his salvation
         a. As Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost - Ac 2:40
         b. And also wrote later to Christians - 2Pe 1:10
         -- Therefore man is not totally passive (or helpless) when it
            comes to his salvation!
      2. He must also have "fear and trembling" in working out his
         salvation
         a. There is a place for the right kind of fear in the life of a
            Christian
            1) The "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of knowledge
               - Pr 1:7
            2) The "fear of the Lord" will cause one to hate evil
               - Pr 8:13
            3) The "fear of the Lord" will prolong life - Pr 10:27
            4) The "fear of the Lord" provides strong confidence and is
               a fountain of life - Pr 14:26-27
            5) The "fear of the Lord" prompts one to depart from evil
               - Pr 16:6
            6) The "fear of the Lord" leads to a satisfying life, and
               spares one from much evil - Pr 19:23
            7) The "fear of the Lord" is the way to riches, honor, and
               life! - Pr 22:4
         b. Prompted by the "fear of the Lord" to hate evil, depart from
            it, and turn to God where they will find wisdom, life and
            honor, they will also come to find that love which dispels
            any improper kind of "fear" - cf. 1Jn 4:17-18
         c. But many never experienced such love from God because they
            have not had the "fear and trembling" in the first place!

   B. BUT GOD IS ALSO VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN OUR SALVATION!
      1. Notice that Paul writes "for it is God who works in you"
         a. We are not alone in our efforts to serve God
         b. God is always there to help us along
      2. In what way does God "work" in us?  Paul identifies two ways:
         a. "to will" - God helps us in our desire and motivation to do
            His will
         b. "to do" - He works right along together with us!
      3. This does not deny that man is a free moral agent...
         a. Paul has already said to "work out your own salvation"
         b. But when we offer ourselves in service to God, He becomes
            our partner, our "co-pilot" - cf. He 13:20-21
            1) At our conversion, He begins a new work in us, and
               intends to complete it - cf. Php 1:6
            2) Through His indwelling Spirit and Son, He gives us
               whatever strength we need - Ep 3:16; Php 4:13
            3) So that, whatever we may become in the Lord, it is by His
               grace! - 1Co 15:10
         c. Unfortunately, many Christians hinder God's work in them by
            their lukewarm attitude (or is it their lack of faith in
            God?)!
         d. God can work (and is willing!), but only if we let Him!
      4. Knowing that God is at work IN us, this ought to provide
         further motivation to work OUT our salvation!

[As we read on, we learn that one is to "Work Out Your Own Salvation"...]

III. DOING SO WITHOUT MURMURING AND DISPUTING (14)

   A. MURMURING WAS THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL...
      1. Notice 1Co 10:10-12
      2. This can also be a problem among many Christians today whenever
         they face hardships
      3. But we are told that God is ever ready to help us (1Co 10:13),

          and that He is in us both to "will" and to "work"
         (Php 2:13), so why complain?
      4. Rather, rejoice for the opportunity such "tribulations" give us
         to develop spiritually! - Ro 5:3-5; Jm 1:2-4

   B. DISPUTING OFTEN FOLLOWS MURMURING...
      1. Those who murmur are likely to be the same ones who begin
         disputing with others
      2. All it accomplishes is ill will, and in many cases, unnecessary
         division
      3. Shall we dare destroy the unity for which Christ died on the
         cross to attain?

[We need to heed Paul's exhortation to "Work Out Your Own Salvation"...]

IV. SO YOU CAN SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD (15-16)

   A. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE CHILDREN OF GOD WITHOUT FAULT...
      1. Which is possible only if we "become blameless and harmless"
      2. Which requires doing all things "without murmuring and
         disputing"
      3. Which can only happen if we allow God to "work in" us as we
         "work out" our own salvation; in other words...
         a. Allow God go forgive us in obedience to the gospel
         b. Allow God to strengthen us through His Word and prayer
         c. Allow God to change us in conformity to His Will

   B. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST BE "IN THE MIDST" OF CROOKED AND
      PERVERSE GENERATION...
      1. Lights are valuable only if they are used to dispel darkness
         - cf. Mt 5:14-15
      2. Though we are to "be separate" from the world (2Co 6:14-18),
         we must "not isolate" ourselves from it - cf. Jn 17:15,18; 1Co 5:9-11
      3. We must associate with those in the world in order to be a
         positive influence

   C. TO SHINE AS LIGHTS, WE MUST "HOLD FAST" THE WORD OF LIFE...
      1. Some translations read "hold forth"
      2. Certainly we should do both...
         a. "hold fast" the Word of life (by our study and obedience to
            it) - 2Ti 2:15
         b. "hold forth" the Word of life (by offering it to those in
            the world) - Mk 16:15
      3. In both ways, we are to be like "The Statue Of Liberty"
         a. Showing the way
         b. Offering hope to those in need

[Acting as "lights in the world", we bring great joy to those who taught
us the Word of God (16).

Finally, Paul writes that as you "Work Out Your Own Salvation", it
should include...]

V. REJOICING IN YOUR SACRIFICES (17-18)

   A. WE MAY BE CALLED UPON TO SACRIFICE OURSELVES...
      1. It may be in service to our own faith, or in the service of the
         faith of others
      2. It may be a sacrifice of time, energy, money, or even life
         itself
      3. But it is for a good cause, and this is how Paul viewed his
         possible execution for the cause of Christ

   B. SUCH SACRIFICES CAN BE AN OCCASION FOR GLADNESS AND REJOICING!
      1. This is how Paul viewed it
      2. For he knew his sacrifices were in the cause of saving others
      3. And he knew that their salvation would ultimately bring him
         greater joy at Christ's coming - cf. 1Th 2:19-20
      4. Does not the prospect of seeing each other in the presence of
         the Lord at His coming...
         a. Make any sacrifice for one another worthwhile?
         b. Constitute good reason to be glad and rejoice in sacrificial
            service?

CONCLUSION

1. Such are some of the things involved in the salvation God offers

2. Are they included in YOUR efforts to "Work Out Your Own Salvation"?

3. As someone has suggested:  "Work as though it all depended upon you,
   but pray as though it all depended upon God"

4. Indeed we should, for as we work out our salvation, it is God who is
   working in us!

Are you doing YOUR part?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

“Christianity Could Not Possibly Be True” by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=3518

“Christianity Could Not Possibly Be True”

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

What did atheistic author Mike Davis allege was the “smoking gun” that proved to him once and for all that “Christianity could not possibly be true”? What “sealed the issue” and led him to believe “Jesus was wrong...and no more deserving of our belief than any other guy”? When did the case against the Bible and Christianity become “closed”? In chapter one of his book, The Atheist’s Introduction to the New Testament: How the Bible Undermines the Basic Teachings of Christianity, Davis explained that Matthew 24:34 was the deciding factor.
In Matthew 24:34, Jesus stated: “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” According to Davis, since “Jesus tells his listeners that the judgment day will come before the generation he’s speaking to passes away,” and since that generation passed away 1,900 years ago, Jesus “could not have been divine” and the Bible is “untrustworthy” (2008, pp. 1-2). In actuality, what Davis confesses ultimately “proved” to him that the Bible and Jesus are unreliable is nothing more than a misinterpretation of Scripture. Jesus was not mistaken in His comments in Matthew 24:34—Jesus’ generation did not pass away prior to witnessing the things Jesus foretold in Matthew 24:4-34. But, Jesus did not foretell in those verses what Davis assumes He foretold. Davis and many others believe that, prior to verse 34, Jesus was describing events that would take place shortly before Judgment Day at the end of time. The fact of the matter is, however, Jesus was prophesying about the coming destruction upon Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and not the final Judgment.
When the disciples went to show Jesus the temple buildings (Matthew 24:1), Jesus said, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (24:2). Later, when Jesus was on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked Him three questions, beginning with “when will these things be?” (24:3). In verses 4-34, Jesus revealed several signs that would indicate Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem, including the temple, was near. [NOTE: “The fall of the Hebrew system is set forth in the sort of apocalyptic nomenclature that is characteristic of Old Testament literature, e.g., when the prophets pictorially portray the overthrow of Jehovah’s enemies (cf. Isaiah 13:10-11; 34:2ff; Ezekiel 32:7-8)” (Jackson, n.d.); cf. Matthew 24:29-31; see Miller, 2003.] In verses 35-51 (and all of chapter 25), Jesus answered the disciples’ last two questions: “what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). To summarize, in Matthew 24:4-34 Jesus foretold of the coming destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, while in 24:35-25:46 He commented on His future return and final Judgment of the world.
How sad it is that so many atheists and skeptics believe they have disproven the Bible and Christianity, when, in reality, they have simply twisted the biblical text to mean something God never intended (cf. 2 Peter 3:16). The fact that Mike Davis highlights Matthew 24:34 as the verse that once and for all proved to him the Bible is unreliable should tell us something about the extreme weakness of the skeptic’s case against Christianity.

REFERENCES

Davis, Mike (2008), The Atheist’s Introduction to the New Testament (Outskirts Press: Denver, CO).
Jackson, Wayne (no date), “A Study of Matthew 24,” http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/19-a-study-of-matthew-24.
Miller, Dave (2003), “There Will Be No Signs!” http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1838.

“The Man Upstairs” by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1611

“The Man Upstairs”

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Maybe you have been in a conversation when a person used the phrase “the Man upstairs.” In fact, it might be the case that you have used it yourself. Most people understand that this phrase is supposed to refer to God. The famous country singer Garth Brooks performed a song, titled “Unanswered Prayers,” in which he referred to God as “the Man upstairs.” Let’s consider some possible implications that this idea may contain.
There seems to be a human tendency to view God as “the Big Man,” or “the Man upstairs,” and attribute to Him human qualities. Most of the time, when a person uses such phrases, that person attributes to God more power than other men, and places God higher (upstairs) than other men, but still views God as some kind of giant, powerful Man. In fact, the Greek and Roman religions took the “Man upstairs” idea to its logical conclusion and attributed to their gods personalities and character flaws that were seen in mere men. The pagan deities lied, cheated, stole, consorted, and murdered like “little” humans, only their dastardly deeds were perceived to be on a cosmic scale.
In truth, the Bible paints a very different picture of God than is contained in the thought of “the Man upstairs.” The Bible repeatedly insists that God is not a man. In Numbers 23:19, in an inspired oracle, Balak stated: “God is not a man, that He should lie.” The prophet Isaiah wrote: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (55:8-9). The true God of heaven is nothing like the ancient pagan deities with their lies and hypocrisy. The God of heaven “cannot lie” (Titus 1: 2), nor can He even be tempted with evil (James 1:13). In fact, God is perfect in every way, “a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4).
While it is true that the Bible sometimes describes God with human traits (called anthropomorphisms), like having hands or eyes, it is not true that God is just a bigger, higher Man. He is altogether perfect, “Whose judgments are unsearchable and Whose ways are past finding out” (Romans 11:33). Let us always bear in mind as we approach our God in worship and prayer, that we are approaching the Perfect God of Heaven “to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).
[NOTE: Of course we understand that Jesus was called the Son of Man, and became a Man. Unlike other men, however, Jesus lived a perfect life and never sinned. This brief article is solely intended to encourage us not to view God as having the same character flaws, failings, and limitations as men and to refer to him in an accurate, reverent way.]

A Proclamation by Benjamin F. Prescott—A Day of Thanksgiving and Praise by AP Staff

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=5486

A Proclamation by Benjamin F. Prescott—A Day of Thanksgiving and Praise

by

AP Staff

Nov 29. 1877

THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.

Our devout, courageous and self-sacrificing ancestors, more than two centuries and a half ago, acknowledging their dependence upon God, and wishing in some public manner to express their faith in His guidance and protection, set apart three days for a general thanksgiving to the Supreme Being who had safely brought them over an almost untried ocean, and protected them during a year of extreme trial and hardship. It has been the practice since that time to set apart one day in the Autumn of each year, to commemorate that pious custom established by the fathers. Revering their memory, and anxious to preserve and perpetuate their noble example which illustrated their faith and trust in God, I do, with the advice of the Executive Council, appoint Thursday, the 29th day of November, instant, as a day of public Thanksgiving and Praise throughout the State.

On this festal day, in this second year of the second century as a State and Nation, I earnestly recommend that the people refrain from the ordinary work of the week, and meet in their customary places of worship to render thanks to Him who has mercifully guided and guarded us through the year. The husbandman has been abundantly rewarded with bountiful crops, our people have not been visited with plague or pestilence; outbreaks and disastrous disturbance between workmen and their employers have been unknown, and peace and prosperity have reigned within our borders.

Let friends and families meet on this day to renew and strengthen their friendship, and let all of us render thanks to God who has guarded and protected us through the year, and to whom we must look for every blessing we enjoy, whether as a Nation, State or individual.

Given at the Council Chamber in Concord, this first day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and second.

B. F. PRESCOTT.
By His Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Council:
A. B. THOMPSON, Secretary of State.
95/12

Crazy In Love With God by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=409

Crazy In Love With God

Cornelius: The God-Fearing Gentile  (Part 1)
Acts 10
One of my favorite conversion stories in the Book of Acts is that of Cornelius.
But most of the time when we study Acts chapter 10 we seem to focused more on
Peter than on Cornelius. I thought it is quite interesting how God chose to use
Peter to be the first one to take the Gospel to the gentiles. But before he
could do that God had to help him overcome his ethnic and spiritual prejudices
so that he would accept Cornelius’ family and friends into the fellowship of
the Church.
Over the next couple of weeks
I would like to bring you a few lessons centered around this man. I would like to
talk more about Cornelius because he is truly an extraordinary man. He is a man
that is worthy of our admiration, and should be imitated in so many ways.
Read: Acts 10   (Click on the link to read)
So what is so special about Cornelius?
Even though he is a Roman and a gentile, we see that he is a Courageous man of Faith.
At first glance, one may not recognize this or even the many details that are provided here about Cornelius and his background. But in all reality, we can glean quite a bit of information from the facts presented in the very first few verses of Chapter 10.
First of all, his name – Cornelius – it tells us that he was Italian. This was a very common Italian name.  Secondly, we are told that he was a Roman soldier. Not only was Cornelius a soldier, he was a fairly high-ranking officer. He was a Centurion. #3 According to Roman custom, this tells us that he was over thirty years old because it took 12 to 16 years of military service to be eligible for promotion to such a rank. Furthermore, being a Centurion we know that Cornelius must have been somewhat intelligent ; a man who had to have shown administrative skills along with combat leadership.
Even with the rank of centurion, scholars tell us that there were many grades or levels.  Most centurions commanded about 100 men, but senior centurions commanded cohorts, or took senior staff roles in their legion.  (just like we have 1-5 star generals)
Many scholars believe that Cornelius was on the higher end of the ranking system of Centurions. I believe that the Scriptures lend support to that being the case in two ways: First, Cornelius had the authority, as we shall see in this passage, to dispatch a soldier on an obvious personal errand. A low ranking Centurion would never have had such authority. Secondly, Cornelius also enjoyed the presence of his family, in what appeared to be a really big house, a privilege granted only to those of the upper ranks.
Another thing we learn is that Cornelius was stationed at Caesarea, a coastal city about 60 miles Northwest of Jerusalem. Caesarea was the seat of Roman government in Palestine and Syria- a very important place. This is where the Roman governor was head-quartered. Some theorize that Cornelius’ Regiment – being entirely Italian – was responsible in part for the Roman governor’s security. At this time, Marcellus – Pontius Pilate’s successor – was governor.
We need to remember that Rome conquered the territories the New Testament calls Judea, Galilee and Samaria 60 years before the birth of Christ. The Jews therefore had a very negative opinion of the Romans.  Likewise their Roman masters, the Roman troops, did not particularly love their captives either, the Jews . So it is obvious that there is some real bad feeling between the Jews and the Romans; something the Peter and the early church had to overcome.
Because they were the conquerors, many Romans thought they were the superior civilization. They believed that they ruled the world because they alone were wise and powerful. They viewed most other people and their cultures as being inferior.
Many Roman soldiers and their officers shared that contempt for the peoples they conquered. Though officially prohibited, it was not uncommon for Roman troops to oppress the people they conquered and ruled over. There were cases where Roman soldiers were guilty of assaults and robberies. And in many cases, their officers, if they were not doing the same, would just turn a blind eye to such misdeeds.
But, what an amazing contrast we see here in Cornelius.
Cornelius seems devoid of this prejudice. It is evident that he did not look-down on the Jewish people. Rather than having ill feelings toward the Jewish race and their customs, he showed them courtesy and respect. As we shall see, he demonstrated this in many ways. However, his lack of arrogance and prejudice is most clearly apparent in him adopting the God of the conquered Jews.
We read that Cornelius was a believer and worshipper of the God of the Jews. He not only believe in Him, the text says he and his whole family were devout believers. He had obviously abandoned the gods of Rome and turned to the Lord, as the one true God.  I believe it is hard for us to totally appreciate Cornelius’ decision here.
All but the most educated Romans believed in many gods and goddesses. Serving and appeasing their multiple deities was a major element of Roman life. However, this was a bit of an obsession within the Roman military. Not honoring the gods, especially their god Mars, who was their god of war, was tantamount to treason. If they did not pay homage to Mars and if the other gods were not honored, they thought it would mean a defeat in battle.
Anywhere and everywhere the Roman Army went, they carried with them portable pagan shrines for worship and sacrifice. The Army’s religious rituals were extensive. And who do you suppose was responsible for ensuring that the troops were observing the necessary rites and ritual? The centurion.
Cornelius obviously rejected his cultural background. He courageously bucked the system by renouncing paganism and accepting the true Faith of the true God. That is impressive to me! Some of us have in a way done the same thing when we turned to the truth of the Gospel and away from traditional family religious beliefs. Sometimes it can cause some real problems.
Legend has it that a wealthy merchant traveling through the Mediterranean world was looking for the Pharisee and Apostle, Paul. He eventually met up with Timothy, who arranged a visit. Paul was, at the time, a prisoner in Rome. Entering the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically frail, but whose serenity and magnetism challenged the visitor. They talked for hours. Finally the merchant left with Paul’s blessing. Outside the prison, the concerned man inquired, “What is the secret of this man’s power? I have never seen anything like it before.” “Did you not guess?” replied Timothy. “Paul is in love.” The merchant looked bewildered. “In love?” “Yes,” the merchant answered, “Paul is in love with Jesus Christ.” The merchant looked even more bewildered. “Is that all?” Smiling, Timothy replied, “Sir, that is everything!”
What man wouldn’t rush to his lover’s side if she were surrounded by thugs? What parent wouldn’t try to protect their children whom they love.  Our Love is a powerful ally, giving us strength when nothing else can. I believe Paul’s love for Jesus is what gave him the strength to do all that he did.
And I also believe that even though he was a gentile, Cornelius had somehow learned about our God and fell in love with Him. I am sure it changed his life in ways he never expected. The man that was trained to kill and conquer and protect the concerns of the Roman Empire in the name of his deified Caesar, and in the name of the Roman Gods was now acting more like a Christian than a Roman.
Did Cornelius understand the potential consequence of his actions, his change of loyalty? Of giving up his pagan Roman gods?   I cannot help but believe so.  Even though the great persecution of the church  by the Romans hadn’t begun yet, his change of loyalties I’m sure would have not set well with Rome.
So what lesson from all this can we take from this today?  It is simple yet powerful one: The more you love Jesus, the more you love God, and the closer the relationship you have with Him, and the more you commune with Him, the more He will change your life. And the more strength you will have. When it comes to doing things for God, you will be more courageous, more assertive, more accepting, less prejudice, even more generous.
Our increasing love for God will prompt us to do things we never thought possible. That’s what happened in this man, and God took notice of it and sends an angel to him with a message letting him know that God was pleased with him.
If you really, really love God, you will love….. the things of God; His people, His word, His way, His will, and He will begin to shine and work through you.
I don’t know how many times I’ve said it before, but Christianity is not just being religious; about going to church, and following a bunch of rules of what you can do and what you can’t do. I believe the very heart  of Christianity is having that close and intimate relationship with God,
with Jesus.
Maybe this all seems dull and uninteresting to you… going to church every week, doing the same things week after week, feeling obligated to pray and read the Bible…
Let me ask you this, do you think you have a relationship with God like Cornelius had?  It said that he was devoted, he prayed regularity, he went out of his was to show mercy and generosity even to his enemy.  And he wasn’t even a Christian…yet.  I believe he didn’t feel obligated, rather he was in love with our Lord!
My encouragement is this, first and foremost, do whatever it takes to fall in love with our Lord. Maybe you never did. Maybe you became a Christian because you wanted to go to heaven and not hell. Maybe you just felt obligated because you knew it was the right thing to do. I don’t think that’s enough.  And I think that’s why so many of us are weak, insecure, half committed, and sometimes afraid to step out on faith. It is because we are doing it for the wrong reason. Rather than doing something because we are crazy in love with God, we do it for a hundred other reasons.
You just may need to spend more time alone with Him, and talk to Him, or read from His word and about the things He did with other people. Realize that He wants to have that close relationship with you.  Listen to music and lessons on the radio or on your computer that moves your heart closer to Him. And it just may surprise you what will happen in your life.    

Will the Rich Get to Heaven?

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2010/04/

Will the Rich Get to Heaven?

An interesting title for a very eye opening subject. Will the rich actually get to heaven or are they destined for hell. The rich dominate everything this world has to offer. They get the best health care. They get the best houses. They get the best automobiles. They get the best food. They have the world’s power in their hands. They even have the best seats in every church. They have whatever their souls desire. So, do they also get heaven as well?
There are quite a few scriptures that deal with wealth which do not give credence that the rich will ever enter in through heaven’s gates easily. Let us take a look at them, and let the bible tell us what riches will do for and to you. Solomon wrote about riches by saying this: Work not to be rich. (Prov. 23:4). Solomon was verily rich, but he didn’t work to get rich or did he ask to be rich. Abraham was rich, but he did not work to be rich. Riches were a gift to both these men. (Eccl. 5:19) Solomon later wrote that he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. (Prov. 28:20). Consider these warnings about riches. (Prov. 1:19; Prov. 20:21; Prov. 28:11). Solomon prayed that he would not be rich or poor, but somewhere in between. He said feed me with food that is convenient for me. If I am poor I will steal, and if I am rich I will deny God. (Prov. 30:7-9).
The psalmist David wrote the the little a righteous man had was better than the riches of many wicked. (Ps 37:16)  In fact, the word rich and righteous have little in common. The rich man seeks only to gain more riches while a righteous man seeks only the righteousness of God. Later the same writer spoke on this vain when he said for us not to trust in riches if riches should come upon us. (Ps. 62:10) How often do people judge themselves so much better than the poor all because of their wealth. It is hard to resist such a thought or act.
In the new covenant Jesus comes warning very strongly about riches. Jesus said, how hardly will the rich enter into heaven. Camels will go through a needle’s eye before a rich man enters into heaven. (Mt. 19:24) The rich have their consolation right here on earth (Lk. 6:24) In the parable of the sower, Jesus explaining his parable to his disciples said that riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (Mt. 13:21). Jesus told the rich ruler to give all his riches to the poor, and to take up his burden (cross) and follow him. That would be hard to do for any man, but Jesus required it of this rich man.  (Lk 18:20-22).
Jesus said quite a lot about rich people, but none more clearer and frightening was his story about the rich man and Lazarus. (luke 16:19-31) The rich man had only good things happen to him, and the righteous man was poor, sickly and of all things was a beggar. The rich man was sent directly to hell and the righteous man was sent to Abraham’s bosom (a waiting place for the righteous). The rich man begged for one drop of water, and  that Lazarus would be sent back to teach his brethren because they were destined to follow the rich man into hell. Abraham gave him neither water or messengers but a stern reprimand when he said, they have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. That even a risen dead man would not convince them otherwise. If this was not a wake-up call for the rich men and women of the world then nothing would be. Today, false messengers of God scoff at this as only a fable with not an ounce of truth to verify it. In other words, they are calling the Son of God, Jesus Christ an unmitigated liar.
The apostle Paul warned a young preacher named Timothy about riches affecting preachers. (1 timothy 6:3-9) How prophetic was this message for this day in time. How many preachers preach just for money. They seek the fortunes of this world, and not the world to come. Paul tells Timothy that preachers who preach for money will strive over words, and using misleading arguments to get lots of money in their own pockets. These preachers think that riches are godliness, and for true Christians to withdraw themselves from them. He tells Timothy that preachers having food and raiment should be contented because the rich fall into temptations and lusts that lead to their destruction. That the love of money is the root of all evil that causes a preacher to error from the faith, and not only preachers, but all men.
It was a lesson in preaching that Paul wrote to the Corinthians when he was speaking of the paying of preachers. Paul stated that though a preacher was worthy of hire, that he found it to be a hindrance to the preaching of the gospel. He stated that he preached the gospel without any charge of money. (1 Cor. 9:18)  A statement that most preachers will dare not utter from the pulpit or even in private. It was not that Paul condemned money being payed to preachers (1 Cor. 9:14), but rather that money can get in the way in the preaching of the gospel. A lesson that he also stated to the Thessalonians when he said that he worked night and day that he would not be an expense to any of them. (2 Thess. 3:8).
Such was the message that Jeremiah the prophet warned against when he said that the priests were ruling with their money and prophesying falsely. (Jer. 5:30-31). Such warning was even clearer, if that is possible, by Micah the prophet when he said their leaders, priests and prophets were using their abilities for money. (Mic. 3:11)
Greed and teaching God’s word do not go hand in hand. Jesus said of John the Baptist, what came you out to see? A man in expensive clothes? You see this in kings houses. (Lk 7:24-25) Elders were prohibited from leading if they were greedy for money. (1 Tim. 3:3) Peter warned that there would be false teachers out of greed who would exploit you and mislead you. (2 Pet 2:2-3)
James gave one of the most damning observations of riches when he told them to weep and howl for the miseries that were soon to come upon them. Riches that were gained by giving little to their workers. Wages that were due to the worker, but never given so that the rich would get even richer. A practice that led the poor to an early grave though the poor man does not resist them. (james 5:1-5). Do not rich men oppress you James wrote, yet you give them places in high regard in your worship services and poor men lowly places. (james 2:3-7).
The book of Revelations speaks of the kind of rich that doesn’t even know how poor they truly are. Not only poor are they, but wretched and blind and naked. (Rev. 3:17). The bible compared the word of God to gold and silver that is tried with fire seven times. (Ps 12:6) It compared a righteous man in the same manner. (Ps 66:10; Isa. 48:10; 1 Peter 1:7) ) There is a land of promise that was given to all the blessed saints of God that is rich in gold and silver and precious stones. A city of Gold where God is the light and one lives and abides forever. My hope is, and my desire to God would be, that you seek for that heavenly place that only comes by losing your life in this world and winning everlasting life with God Almighty. (Matt. 16:24-26) In the words of the Lord Jesus, you can not serve God and wealth. (Matt. 6:24)

What must we do to be saved? by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/whatmustido.html

 

What must we do to be saved?

People at Capernaum asked Jesus: “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” (John 6:28). A lawyer asked Him: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). A rich young ruler asked Him: “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). On Pentecost the people asked: “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). The Philippian jailor asked: “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

What answers did these people receive from Jesus and His apostles?

A popular answer today, given by evangelicals, is: You do not have to do anything! I found the following quotations on the Internet: (1) “Salvation does not depend on what you do or don’t do”; (2) “Your salvation does not depend on what you do.”

Did Jesus teach that one does not have to do anything to be saved?

Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).

Thus, to enter God’s kingdom we must do the will of the Father. We must do what Jesus says.

Evangelicals contradict Jesus when they claim that salvation is not dependent on what one does.

What answers were receive when people asked: “What must I do?”

At Capernaum people asked: “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” (John 6:28). Jesus replied: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29).

The first thing one must do to be saved is to believe in Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Jesus then explains that believing or not-believing is related to what one does: “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:19-21).

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Only through Christ can sinful man be saved: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Christ “died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:15). He “gave Himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6). “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

Through the sacrifice of his Son, God has made salvation available to everyone. Whether one is saved or not depends on how one responds to God’s offer of salvation.

The first reply to “What must we do” is “Believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29).

This faith must be confessed. Jesus said: “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32, 33).

And the lawyer then, what answer did he get when he asked Jesus: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). When Jesus asked him to answer his own question, he said: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself’” (Luke 10:27). Jesus then said: “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live” (Luke 10:28). When the lawyer tried to excuse himself by asking, “And who is my neighbor?”, Jesus gave the example of the Good Samaritan and said, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:29-37).

What must we do to inherit eternal life? Faith is the first requirement, but faith without love is worthless: “Though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

What did Jesus reply to the rich young ruler when he asked, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17).

First He said: “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). To be saved, we must keep God’s commandments. This was true under the Old Covenant, and this is true under the New Covenant.

Jesus said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21). “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10).

But keeping commandments is not enough. When the rich young ruler told Jesus he had kept the commandments, Jesus replied: “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22).

Although he kept the ten commandments, he lacked something. He had to repent and follow Jesus. Without repentance, no one can be saved.

Referring to people who had died because of their sins, Jesus said: “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2, 3). And referring to others who had died in an accident, He said: “Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4, 5).

To be saved we must discard everything that separates us from God, and follow Christ. Jesus says: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

Is there something else that one must do? After Jesus died and rose, He told His followers: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15, 16).

In addition to faith, confession and repentance, one must also be baptized to be saved. That is what Jesus says.

Paul clarifies that baptism itself is a gift of God’s grace through which He gives us salvation. “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7). Through what does God save us? “Through the washing of regeneration.”

There is something wrong with the faith of those who teach: “Your salvation does not depend on what you do or don’t do.” They reject God’s gift of saving grace in baptism. They are unbelievers in the sense that they do not believe what Jesus says about salvation. They claim one can be saved by faith only, whereas Jesus says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Nor do they believe the Holy Spirit speaking through James: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20); “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). People who believe in salvation by faith only do not have a saving faith.

The apostles preached the same gospel Jesus preached.

When the Philippian jailor asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30), he was told: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household” (Acts 15:31-34).

Paul wrote: “With the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).

And what was Peter’s reply on the Day of Pentecost when the people asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

When the apostles were asked: “What must we do to be saved?” their reply was the same as that of Jesus. To be saved people must believe in Jesus, confess their faith, repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. To follow Christ they must deny themselves and learn to observe all things that He has commanded them (Matthew 28:20).

God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross to suffer the penalty for your sins. He offers you salvation as a free gift of His grace. Whether you are saved or not depends on your response. You can be saved if you believe in Christ, confess His name, repent of your sins and are baptized. This is the good news preached by Jesus and His apostles.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

How near is God? by Gary Rose

The man who baptized me, Max T. Neel, used to say that: "God is closer than hands or feet and nearer than breathing." For a long time, I wondered where he got this from, then I finally realized that it was embedded in Paul's sermon on Mars hill...

Acts, Chapter 17 (World English Bible)

  ²²  Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things.  ²³ For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you.  ²⁴ The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands,  ²⁵ neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.  ²⁶ He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings,  ²⁷ that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  ²⁸ ‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ (emphasis added, vss. 27f.)   ²⁹ Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. ³⁰ The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,  ³¹ because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.” 

  ³²  Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.” 

  ³³  Thus Paul went out from among them.  ³⁴ But certain men joined with him, and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.  

From the above passage and the picture a question naturally occurs to me: 

How does one move from God?

2 Corinthians, Chapter 4 (WEB)
 ³ Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;  ⁴ in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.   (emphasis added vs. 4)  ⁵ For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake;  ⁶ seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The answer is.. 

the god of this world (a.k.a. Satan) has blinded their minds.

The result is...

While everyone is "not far" from God, Christians are very close to HIM. So close in fact, that they are described as being "in Christ".....

 Ephesians, Chapter 1 (WEB)

 ³  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love;  ⁵ having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,  ⁶ to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved,  ⁷ in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  ⁸ which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,  ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him  ¹⁰ to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;  ¹¹ in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; ¹² to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:  ¹³ in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,  ¹⁴ who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. 

 

So, how do we get "into Christ"?

Galatians, Chapter 3 (WEB)

²¹ Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.  ²² But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  ²³ But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  ²⁴ So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  ²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  ²⁶ For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.  ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  (Emphasis added 27f.) ²⁹ If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise. 

and

Romans, Chapter 6 (WEB)

 ³ Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  ⁴ We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.  ⁵ For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;  ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.  ⁷ For he who has died has been freed from sin.  ⁸ But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him;  ⁹ knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him!  ¹⁰ For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God.  ¹¹ Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I like how the apostle James puts it...

James, Chapter 4 (WEB)

 ⁶ But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  ⁷ Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  ⁹ Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.  ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Be humble, submit to God in baptism, get into Christ- and stay very, very close to God!! And whatever you do- don't move!!!