Take Your Choice: "Truth Or Consequences"
Thousands have laughed at the radio and television program with the above name. It seems that the emphasis on the radio show is on the "consequences" but in this brief article I would like to equally emphasize TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES. Perhaps there are many subscribers or readers of this journal who know the truth with regard to your duty to God, but for some reason have not as yet become Christians. If we could say something to get you to realize the CONSEQUENCES, and the certainty of the consequences, then perhaps some would obey the TRUTH.
John records in John 8:31-32, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." If mankind is to be freed from sin, it is to be done by the TRUTH of Jesus Christ. The truth of Christ is revealed unto man by means of the Gospel. Paul says that the gospel is the power of God to save, but will only have power to save the believer. (Rom. 1:16-17) Be it impressed upon the mind of all that there is no other alternative. This idea of being saved a dozen or a hundred ways is just as wrong as wrong can be. If one is not willing to accept the gospel of Christ, the TRUTH of the Lord, then he will suffer the CONSEQUENCES. There is no middle ground; there is no other way. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6) He is not one of the ways. He is THE WAY; the TRUTH, and if we don't accept him, then we accept the CONSEQUENCES. Christ is not divided. (1 Cor. 1:13)
The Word Of God Is Truth
Jesus in praying to God said, "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." (John 17:17) Anything which is contrary and contradictory to God's word is not truth. Why men think that they have a right to their own plan in religion I do not know. Let us illustrate. In our city, there is an ordinance that forbids one from turning right at a red light after stopping at said light. It is my personal belief that such a law should not exist. In many cases, at least, I see no danger at all in turning to the right after one has stopped and has seen his way clear to proceed onto the street. I personally believe it would be better to have markers forbidding turning right on red in case of narrow streets or busy intersections, etc. Now suppose (since I believe that) that I make a right turn on red; the policeman stops me, and proceeds to give me a ticket. I reason that I have a right to my own belief. Will I not be made to suffer the CONSEQUENCES simply because it is my belief that my theory is right? Regardless of what I think the law should be, I will still be fined for violating the law. We can see that such an attitude toward civil authority would lead to confusion. But that is the way some reason (?) in matters of religion. Friends, we must learn this simple lesson from God's truth. God has a law. He has spoken. His law is not going to be changed regardless of what MAN thinks. WE MUST ACCEPT HIS TRUTH OR TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16) Regardless of how loving, and merciful God is, (and no believer of the Bible denies he loves us) He will not change His law for the feeble ideas of men, In fact I would be afraid to serve a God who changed his mind, and his plan to suit the notions of mankind.
Believe Or Be Damned
God's truth says that to be saved, man must believe on Jesus Christ. It is just that way and no matter how much we would like our unbelieving friend to be saved, God's law is written. It will not be changed. "He that believeth NOT shall be damned," said the Christ. "...for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24) Mighty plain words, these. Paul said to the jailor "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31) Salvation is promised the believer, but not to the unbeliever. God has spoken. One must BELIEVE OR BE DAMNED.
Repent Or Perish
The TRUTH says that the believer must also repent. Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) Even if someone "thinks" that it should be otherwise, will God change the law? No one should mistake the meaning of this simple statement. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a reformation of life. To be a fit subject of the kingdom of heaven, one must resolve to conform his will to the will of God. When Jesus told Peter to "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught," Peter replied, "Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net." (Mark 5:4-5) To be a Christian, this must be your attitude — "Nevertheless at thy word." Repentance must be manifest before you can become a Christian. Truly you must REPENT OR PERISH.
Be Baptized Or Be Denied
The requirement of baptism is as plain as that of repentance. Baptism is a part of the truth — a part of the gospel. Since it is a part of the truth, then you must obey this command in order to be pleasing. You must accept the TRUTH OR PAY THE CONSEQUENCES. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16) That is a plain statement. Entirely too plain to be misunderstood. In preaching Jesus, the preacher preached baptism. (Acts 8:35-39) Philip preached unto him Jesus. (vs. 35) The eunuch demanded baptism. (vs. 36) In the great commission, Jesus commanded the apostles to preach faith (Mark 16:16), repentance (Luke 24:47), and baptism (Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:19). On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached faith (Acts 2:36), repentance (Acts 2:38), and baptism (Acts 2:38). These are the commands of Jesus. If we want to be saved, there is no other way. We must accept the truths of Jesus Christ or take the consequences. God does not want any to perish, but he cannot and will not conform His will to your will. You must conform your will to fit the will of God. It is not "let God be reconciled to you" but "be ye reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:20) We are reconciled to God in the one body, the church. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:15-16, "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. The three requirements which we have mentioned in the article (faith, repentance and baptism), are necessary in getting into Christ. Paul says "as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal. 3:27) There is no other way. If one would put on Christ, then he must do as the inspired writer declares. That is the truth, for we find it in the word of God, and we must accept the TRUTH OR TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES. It is not a matter of whether or not I like it; or whether you think it ought to be that way or this. It is the truth of God's word, and there is nothing we can do to change it. All we can do is to accept it and thereby be assured of His promises.
One Church As Good As Another
You have the idea of this article, and whatever the Bible says is the truth and we must remember that "thy word is truth." But just one other point in conclusion, then you can apply the idea to any statement of God's word. The religious world, with but few exceptions, says today, "One church is as good as another. Actually you do not need to be a member of any church to go to heaven." Is this the truth? Does the word of God teach such? If so, we must accept it. If not, then we need to know it.
Christ says "I will build my church." (Matt. 16:18) Paul says there is one body (Eph. 4:14), and the same .writer in the same book says that the church is the body. (Eph. 1:23) That leads to the simple TRUTH that there is one church. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:20, "But now they are many members, yet but one body." The TRUTH with reference to the one body, which is the church, is very plain. Why people cannot see it, I don't know. In fact I would not insult the intelligence of the reader to really doubt your realizing the truthfulness of the statement which Paul makes. But do you realize that you must ACCEPT THE TRUTH OR PAY THE CONSEQUENCES? The Bible says there is one body. That is the truth, and our prayer is that you will believe and obey the truth before it is too late. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thess. 1:7-8) Remember that Adam sinned; he paid the consequences. Cain sinned, and he had to pay the consequences. Lot's wife disobeyed God, and paid the consequences. Friend will you do likewise, or will you obey Him, and receive the blessings as a child of God here, and promise of eternal life hereafter? We pray you will do the latter.