Some Things Written for our Intruction

Rom. 15:4
    
    “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). Our blessed assurance, “hope,” comes from the promises made and kept throughout biblical history. Heb. 5:9 tells us that Jesus “became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.” Obeying all that Jesus commands is a necessity (John 8:31-32; 14:15; 15:14). When I think about obeying all that the Lord commands, I think of Noah. Go read all of Gen. 6. Now look specifically at 6:22, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did.” God has always expected exact obedience. Read 2 Kings 5:1-14. Naaman wanted to be healed his own way. He expected Elisha to cure him his way, but Elisha didn’t. Elisha gave Naaman a simple command and yet, Naaman was furious because it wasn’t what he was expecting. Would Naaman had been cured if he did go wash in the Abanah and Pharpar? Certainly not! God expected exact obedience. In the same way, when the Lord commands us what to do to be saved in the New Testament, He expects exact obedience (Matt. 7:21-23; Luke 6:46). We must indeed hear God’s word (Luke 11:28; Rom. 10:17), believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24; Acts 8:36-37), repent, or turn away, of our sins (Luke 13:3&5; Acts 17:30), confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Matt. 10:32-33; Acts 8:37), be baptized in order to be saved (Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21), and continue to live faithfully to the Lord (John 8:31-32; 1 John 1:5-10). Every single bit of that is required in order to 1) be in a right relationship with God & 2) stay in a right relationship with God (James 1:22-23). Just like Noah did all that God commanded him. Just as Naaman had to obey specifically what the Lord commanded him. Just like Jesus put the Father’s will be His own (Luke 22:42). We must indeed do all that the Lord commands of us (Mark 10:21). I love you all!

In His service,
Steven Hugley