Article: LOVEST THOU ME?

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 07:42 PM

LOVEST THOU ME?
By Patrick D. Andrews

Someone once asked me, "Why can't people just understand that we have only two choices? We can either accept God's will or reject it!"

I am equally frustrated and saddened by those who advocate a belief in Jesus as the Christ and choose to not believe and obey what Jesus taught! However, it does remind me of an incident that too place many years ago.

This story is about the well known atheist, Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll. It begins with a denominational preacher signing in at the guest register of a very reputable hotel in St. Louis. He took notice of an earlier guest--Robert G. Ingersoll--and posed a few questions to the desk clerk regarding the name and whether this guest was one and the same as the famous Colonel and renowned atheist.

This clerk not only answered the question but also provided the room number. The inquirer proceeded to the room of Ingersoll and hardly allowed the door to open completely until he was pressing Ingersoll for an answer to a previously presented written challenge--challenge to debate. Although the earlier letter was ignored, the face to face challenge was different.

When pressed with the question, "Why didn't you answer my challenge?" Ingersoll replied with astonishing words, "Because you do not believe the Bible any more than I do!"

If it wasn't a boorish insult it was at least a most poignant challenge of his faith. He questioned him further and Ingersoll retrieved a Bible from the night stand and read a simple passage. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Next came Ingersoll's difficult question, "Do you believe one must be baptized to be saved?" To which the preacher, stammered, stuttered, and trembled. There was a very lengthy pause and then his answer, "I do not." Ingersoll's triumphant tone was piercing, "You see, I knew that you did not believe the Bible--why should we debate?"

The point is made! Ingersoll or not, anyone that concludes that salvation can be attained without obedience is one who is in contradiction with Jesus Christ. He plainly taught the essentiality of man's obedience. Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Later, the Apostle Paul wrote, 2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Salvation is in Christ. Since salvation in Christ, to be out of Christ is to be absent from salvation--unsaved--lost. On Pentecost, Peter answered the relevant question. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Further, Paul explained, Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Peter explained that obedience to God's instruction put Noah and his family in the ark and the waters that destroyed sinful mankind simultaneously saved the righteous eight and compared it to baptism. 1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

All of these contained an example of obedience--faith without the works of obedience is not faith. James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Regardless of how easy sounding the "faith only" doctrine is, it is not biblical.

Those who advocate that sinners do not have to obedient to the Christ, who gave Himself as the sacrifice for their sins, but rather just believe in Him, find themselves on an equally unsure footing as was the case with the denominational preacher that met Ingersoll in the St. Louis hotel.

Christ is the author of salvation to all who obey Him. Therefore, we must conclude that any particular "faith" is not as good as any other "faith." There is only one faith. Ephesians 4:4-5 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, The one body is His church over which He is preeminent. Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Therefore, for one to be saved, he must be willing to accept Christ on His terms. Since Jesus died for the church. Ephesians 5:25b ....even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; He did not die for anyone outside of the church. To be in the church is to be in Christ and to be in Christ is to be saved. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

God's Word must be studied with a fervor that reflects its importance--salvation depends on it! Each believer is obligated to be obedient if the believer loves Jesus as the Christ. John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. If you believe in God, you will love Him, and if you love Him, you will obey Him--without reservation or exception. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.