God’s Plan of Salvation by Trevor Bowen

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

God’s Plan of Salvation 

Fundamental Truths

• How can I know there is a God?
• How do I know that the Bible is God’s will for me?
• What must I do to be saved?
• I have become a Christian, but what should I do now?
• Which church should I attend?

Introduction

No greater question could be asked than, "What must I do to be saved?"  However, addressing this question assumes that someone already believes in God and the Bible as His word to us.  Without this foundation, appeals to God as the authority and the Bible for answers will be in vain.  This foundation must be laid first.  If you have questions concerning this foundation, please use the index of topics to the right and jump to the appropriate article. 

"Who Knows the Answer?"

This great question generates opinions from everybody.  But who knows the answer for sure?  Does it matter what I think?  What your pastor or preacher thinks?  Does it matter what your parents think?  Well, it depends on who you want to please.  It also depends on who will judge us on the last day, Judgment Day.  Since God will be our judge, we should then only consider His opinion and do our best to disregard human traditions.  However, it is much easier to say that we will block pressure from those around us than it is to actually do it.  Therefore, let us turn our attention to the pages of God’s Word to find an answer for our question.

Examples of Conversion

The book of Acts is found in the last half of the Bible, the New Testament, and in this book we find the most examples of people being converted, or saved.  Let's look through these examples of conversion, and see if we can establish a pattern of how people were saved.  If we can establish a pattern, then surely this will answer our question.  Along the way, we might also run across other scriptures that will be helpful.

The Pattern Established

If you read through the book Acts, you will find the following, significant examples of people becoming converted:

• Beginning of Church: multitudes converted on Pentecost (2:14-47)
• Samaritan Village (8:4-25)
• The Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40)
• Saul: later became the apostle Paul (9:1-19)
• Cornelius: first Gentile convert (10:1-8,24-48)
• Lydia and her household (16:14-15)
• A jailer where Paul was imprisoned in Phillipi (16:25-34)
• Multitudes in Thessalonica and Berea (17:1-13)
• Crispus and his family (18:5-8)
• Some at Ephesus previously baptized in John's baptism (19:1-7)
• Paul retells his conversion (22:1-21; 26:1-32)

Although the above readings may be lengthy, they establish a definitive pattern of requirements for one to receive forgiveness of sins, or to be saved.  These conditions have been summarized in the following table:

Summary Table of Conversion Examples in the book of Acts

Example	Hear	Believe	Repent	Confess	Baptized
Pentecost	X	X	X		X
Samaritans	X	X			X
Eunuch	X	X		X	X
Saul (Paul)	X				X
Cornelius	X	X			X
Lydia	X	X			X
Jailer	X	X			X
Thess.	X
Crispus	X	X			X
Ephesians	X				X

Observations

One observation that can be made is that the Bible often summarizes the conversion process with two, or sometimes, only one action.  A single action, such as belief, is used to stand for the process as a whole.  Notice the profound absence of statements regarding repentance and confession in the majority of the examples.  Moreover, in the account of the Thessalonians' conversion, even "belief" is not mentioned, but just that they were "persuaded" and "joined Paul" (Acts 17:4).  Yet, the necessity of these other steps is seen in the first example and the example of the Ethiopian Eunuch (see also Romans 10:9).   Therefore, the composite pattern establishes a definite plan of salvation - God’s plan of salvation: hear the gospel, believe, repent, confess our sins and Jesus as the Son of God, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.  There is no other pattern in the New Testament of one being saved any other way.

Related Questions

Some may wonder if baptism is really necessary.  Along this line, some may also wonder about the thief on the cross.  If you are interested in these questions, we invite to you examine more Bible passages to help answer these questions.  Also, this table only addresses the initial steps to being saved.  Living the proper life afterwards is just as important because the Bible teaches that one may fall from grace if he or she becomes apathetic.

Now What? Pressing On...

Author: Trevor Bowen

The Mighty Power of Jesus’ Name by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=1239

The Mighty Power of Jesus’ Name

The Mighty Power of Jesus’ Name                                                                         

True Story: Earlier this year a armed masked robber got more than he bargained for when he entered a woman’s home in Lake City, Florida intending to rob her and her friends at gun point.

“Lake City police say Derek Lee, 24, entered a house on Lakeview Avenue where the homeowner had 14 women over for a jewelry party. Police say Lee was wearing a dark ski cap on his head along with a bandana across his face. He allegedly showed a gun and ordered the women to hand over their money and phones.      One woman who though it was a party gag pushed his hand aside while laughing saying, “It’s only a water gun”.  Police said that Lee held the gun to the woman’s head and said, “I’m not joking, I’m going to shoot someone, give me your money.”

 Jacquie Hagler, who owns the house, says she then put her faith into action; she said. “When I realized what was going on, I stood up and said, ‘In the name of Jesus, get out of my house now.’   And he said, ‘I’m going to shoot someone.’ And I said it again, real boldly,” Hagler said. “Everybody started chanting, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,’ and he did a quick scan of the room, and ran out the door as fast as he could go.”

Can you imagine the unbelievable fear that surged through this career criminals mind? As I am sure he was used to dealing with violence because he is a previous offender, he apparently had never seen or felt the power of Jesus Name like he did this day. Lee was later picked out of a lineup by several of the ladies from the party, police say. He is also being investigated for attempted robbery at a nearby ATM, which happened just prior to the home invasion.He was held on $200,000 bond in the Columbia County Detention Center

Today I’m here to tell you that the name, because of WHO the Father  named Jesus is like no other name given to men. In Philippians 2:9-11 Paul wrote, “God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that   at   the   name of Jesus   every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father..” NASB

I would like you think about that statement for a moment which Paul made here.    At the name of Jesus every knee of every man of every woman every angel of every being born will one day bow at the name of Jesus, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the Glory of God. What majesty, what preeminence God has bestowed on that name and the one He named Jesus!

 As a matter of fact Mary and Joseph did not even name their son Jesus, God the Father chose that name for Him. In Matthew’s account, in chapter 1 we read, “18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save His people from their sins.”    22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

In that body of flesh, into that baby boy the eternal, divine God, God the creator of all things (all the stars, all the galaxies, all the planets, all that is seen and all that is unseen), God the sustainer, God the source of all life, was born into a body of flesh, into this little baby God the Father named Jesus.  For a short time He lived amongst us, to help us understand God, and then saved us from our sin by dying on the cross of Calvary as the ultimate sacrifice.  And because of that Paul wrote that “God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name”,

Jesus is the part of God which took on flesh. Yet He Is Lord of all, of all the universe, of everything that was ever created, of everything that has ever moved or lived, and at some point in time, at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus is truly Lord,  whether they have chose to follow Him in their lifetime or not.

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow because of WHO HE IS! And I believe that is why we read of how and why amazing things happened in the Bible when people called upon the name of Jesus.

In Acts 3:1-10 we read  “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer– at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful,

where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. (NIV)

Jesus Himself promised to answer prayer which was directed to God the Father in His name.

In John 16:23, He said “Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” (of course our prayers an’t going to over-ride God’s own will)

Paul wrote and instructed the early Christians by writing,“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Col. 3:17.

Jesus told the early disciples in Mark 16:17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues” (NKJ)

There is great power in the name of Jesus. Scripture shows us over and over again the power in His Name. And as a Christian Jesus Himself, has given us authority to use His name.

Those who called upon the name of Jesus were healed, prayers we answered,  some were freed from evil spirits or demons coming out with shrieks.  In Acts when they were in Philippi,  Luke wrote this “16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.”

Jesus’ name is also so very important to our eternal future. In Acts 4:12 we read, “ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no  other    name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

On the day of Pentecost, when Jews learned about Jesus and sought to be saved from their sin in Acts 2 we read that Peter told the people  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in   the    name   of   Jesus    Christ  for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

As Philip preached to the Samaritans in Acts 8 we read that “when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” 8:12

I believe that there is power released in the spiritual and physical realms when a believer proclaims or declares the name of Jesus. I believe angels sit up and  take notice and begin to take action when a believer speaks the name of Jesus in faith.

I believe that this is a special privilege given to Christians to call upon the name of our Lord. But this privilege is not  for everyone.  Those who do not belong to Jesus cannot use His name with the same power. As Christian we have been given permission to use His name, but that is not true of everyone.  In Acts 19:13f we read:  “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.  One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”  Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.  17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.”

In this day and age many see Jesus’ name as nothing more than a curse word. Shame on us if we use such a great name, the name of the creator, the sustainer, savior and the final judge as a swear word.

One of the Ten Commandments says not to use the name of our Lord God in vain… if you have used the name of Jesus in this manner you have sinned and insulted the name.

One day every tongue, will call Him Lord.

What I want to do today is encourage you recognize how important and how powerful the name of Jesus is. It has Power because of WHO HE IS!

If you are Christian I encourage you to call upon His name with faith when you pray,                                  

Call upon His name when you are afraid. Call upon His name when you feel tempted, even when you feel weak.

Say it out loud if you need to. Say over and over, “Jesus you are my Lord, Jesus you are my God, Jesus you are my savior, Jesus help me, Jesus You are the Christ, Jesus, my savior; help me.”

I truly believe that such a prayer, declaring Jesus name in faith is SO powerful.

It gives me strength and I believe it will give you strength when you need it.

It will help you resist when you are tempted, will comfort you when you are afraid and much more.

If you are not a Christian yet, if you have not personally accepted Jesus as you Lord and your God, If you have not allowed Him to remove all you sin in the waters of baptism, I encourage you to call upon His name, ask Him to be your Lord and Savior, ask Him to take away you sin, and with Love He will help you become one of His own.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

Save A Soul From Death by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/06/page/2/

Save A Soul From Death

It is more blessed to give than to receive. So, give the gift of life, eternal life, and spread the Good News to whomsoever will hear it. Give them someone worth believing in, who died for our sins, who prepared a way that we might have eternal life. Give them Jesus Christ, the son of the living God. Save a soul from death by preaching the gospel of Christ, because a soul is a terrible thing to waste.

Acts 20:35; Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15; 2 Tim 4:2-5; Mk 4:23; Prov 11:30; Acts 20:28; Jn 14:6; Jam 5:20; Job 27:8; Rev 20:13-15; 2 Cor 4:3

The church of Christ is one body: unique, indivisible, exclusive and real by Roy Davison

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

The church of Christ
is one body:
unique, indivisible, exclusive and real

By 'church of Christ' we mean the church that Jesus built (Matthew 16:18), also called 'the body of Christ' (Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24). 
Christ's church is unique, one of a kind, incomparable.
The foundation of the church is unique: "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Christ is "the only begotten Son of God" (John 1:14,18; 3:16,18; Hebrews 1:5; 1 John 4:9). He is one Shepherd of one flock (John 10:16). "He is the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 1:22,23). "Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body" (Ephesians 5:23).
"There is one body" (Ephesians 4:4). "We, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (Romans 12:5). We are reconciled to God "in one body through the cross" (Ephesians 2:16). "For we, being many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:17). "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13). The one body has "one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:5,6).
The church of Christ has a unique identity with unchangeable distinguishing marks.
A diamond can be identified on the basis of unique characteristics. Diamond is the hardest known material. It consists of pure carbon, but not all carbon is diamond. The carbon atoms in diamond form a crystal lattice with each atom connected to four other atoms. Diamond is hard because these bonds are short and strong. Diamond is a good electrical insulator, has the lowest coefficient of expansion, and is the best thermal conductor at room temperature. Diamond is transparent in the whole spectrum from ultraviolet to infrared and has a refractive index of 2.42 for yellow light with a wavelength of 589 nanometers. Diamonds repel water, but attract grease. They are not harmed by acids and bases, but are attacked by some salts such as melted potassium nitrate.
The average person cannot recognize diamond with certainty because he lacks knowledge. Someone who has the required knowledge, can recognize diamond beyond any doubt.
The church of Christ can also be identified on the basis of unique characteristics described in the holy Scriptures. The average person cannot tell the difference between the church of Christ and an imitation because he lacks knowledge. Someone who has the required knowledge, who knows the revealed characteristics, can identify the church of Christ with certainty.
The church is unique, one of a kind.
Christ's church is indivisible, not susceptible to subdivision.
Jesus said: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand" (Matthew 12:25).
When Jesus prayed for His apostles, He said: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me" (John 17:20-23).
The church is indivisible. Paul asked "Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians 1:13). "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10). Like the atoms of diamond, members of Christ's body are solidly joined together.
Followers of Christ may have nothing to do with 'subdivisions' in Christendom, groups that sail under the flag of some human founder, doctrine or institution. When a religious group claims to be a 'subdivision' among Christians, by definition they cannot possibly be the church of Christ. Whoever establishes, maintains or participates in such a denomination, is in rebellion against Christ who prayed for unity. We must shun people who cause division through departures from the original doctrine: "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17,18). "These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit" (Judas 19).
The church of Christ is indivisible. Christians must take their stand only as the church of Christ.
Christ's church is exclusive, set apart, sanctified.
The church of Christ is by definition the church that is of Christ, in contrast with all denominations, groups and associations that are not of Christ.
The church of God has been purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). Jesus "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14). "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
God's people must separate and sanctify themselves: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
'I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.'
Therefore
'Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.
I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty'" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
God's people do not remain in 'Babylon', a representation of false religion. "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4).
The church is exclusive in the good sense of the word. This exclusiveness is based on God's word, not on human judgment. Salvation by grace is offered to all people (Mark 16:15,16; Matthew 28:19; Revelation 22:17), but there are conditions: "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).
A person is added to the church by God Himself. We read about the establishment of the church: "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them" (Acts 2:41). Peter had commanded: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Only those who believe, repent and are baptized for the forgiveness of sins, are added to the church. "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). The church consists of those who are saved, who have been added by God Himself.
This is not simply 'joining a group'. It involves a spiritual cleansing, a rebirth, a new creation, a new citizenship. "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:22,23). "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). "For our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20).
Those who have not fulfilled the revealed conditions, are not added to the church and are not accepted into the fellowship. "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). Only those who have been sanctified by the blood of Christ, belong to the church.
About the church at Jerusalem we read further: "And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women" (Acts 5:12-14).
The church is exclusive. One cannot simply 'join'. One must be added by the Lord.
Christians who walk disorderly, are excluded from the fellowship. "But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6). "But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner -- not even to eat with such a person" (1 Corinthians 5:11). "Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person'" (1 Corinthians 5:13).
Someone who teaches false doctrine is also avoided: "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds" (2 John 9-11).
John writes about some who had gone astray: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us" (1 John 2:19).
The church is exclusive on the basis of revealed conditions. Paul explained to the Corinthians: "For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you" (1 Corinthians 11:19). When people turn away from God's word in their lives or doctrine, they are not approved, they separate themselves from the fellowship.
The church of Christ is unique, indivisible and exclusive on the basis of God's word.
Christ's church is real, substantial, visible.
The church has an observable presence and identity. Paul wrote letters to the church of God at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1). He sent greetings from churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). Were these churches invisible?
Some claim that the church of Christ is only an ideal that can never be accomplished in reality. They speak about an "invisible church of Christ" that supposedly consists of the true believers in the various denominations, and about a "visible church" that according to them can never be more than a human, historical and cultural phenomenon.
This false proposition is used as an excuse for the perpetuation of denominations -- based on human traditions and teachings -- that are not equivalent to the church of Christ.
Stones are sold for loaves with the claim that real bread is invisible! Hungry souls must break their teeth on stones because real loaves do not exist. Paste is palmed off with the claim that real diamonds do not exist, that diamond is only an 'ideal'.
The church is precisely Christ's visible presence on earth! Christians are living, functioning, performing, active members of the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 3:30).
The church also shares in the suffering of Christ. Paul persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13). Did he persecute an invisible church?
Paul said to Timothy: "These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:14,15). Through what is written we can known how we must conduct ourselves substantially and observably in the church. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth because we have God's word in our heart and mouth. "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach)" (Romans 10:8).
We may not be impious like Esau "who for one morsel of food sold his birthright" (Hebrews 12:16). The church of Christ is one body: unique, indivisible, exclusive and real. Let us be thankful for this matchless church, and like Paul, continue to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ "to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:10,11).
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)

Blinded by Gary Rose

Those who practice sin are blind to what they are doing. Further, they adopt an attitude that there is nothing wrong with sin and somehow become completely blind to the effects of their attitude and actions. Even worse, they encourage others to participate in what they are doing! This camaraderie only seeks to enforce their stance about sin and harden their hearts to the point that they become unreachable!

Why is this possible? How can a normal human being become so adamant against the will of the creator of all the universe and willfully sin?

I think the following passage from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians provides the answer.

2 Corinthians 4 (World English Bible)

  ¹ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.  ² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.  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) 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 “god of this world” is Satan (The Devil, The Dragon, The Serpent, The wicked one, The Evil one, Beelzebub, The Anti-Christ, The Tempter, The Father of lies, Apollyon, Belial) or whatever other descriptive name you wish to chose. Personally, I like the term adversary, because that is what he is to me. My adversary will do anything and everything to separate me from God and blind me from God’s truth.

Combating him is difficult and it is a fight that seemingly never ends, for the adversary never gives up, always looks for your weakest moment and makes sin seem so wonderful.

The Good News is that we have the Word of God to fight him with and Jesus to intercede for our shortcomings and that is nothing less than very GOOD NEWS!!!

I especially like verse six (above) because somehow it mimics the first creation, in that God creates a new light within us via the revelation of who and what Jesus is all about.

If you don’t know what I am talking about, then I urge you open one of the Gospel accounts (try the book of Mark because it is more succinct and straightforward than the other accounts) and as you read, I think you might just understand the greatness of the life that Jesus offers and the folly of doing anything less with what time we have been given on this earth.

Do yourself a favor, take another look at the graphic and just think about it and ask yourself: Am I blind or do I really see the Truth!