Objections To The Gospel
#9 "You keep on saying that we are to trust in Christ alone and what He did on the cross for salvation, what's wrong with trusting in both Christ and ourselves and what we could do or trusting in Christ plus someone else for salvation?"
Answer:
Just as "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other" (see Matthew 6:24) so no one can trust in two Saviors equally without trusting one more than the other.
Plus, to trust in two Saviors, when there is only one Savior appointed by God, is giving glory to one whom glory should not be attributed. It is idolatry.
Moreover, trusting in two Saviors, when there is only one Savior appointed by God, is dishonoring and failing to recognize the full glory of the Lord Jesus as Savior.
In order to be saved, God commands all sinners to trust the Savior alone, the Lord Jesus Christ. Not the Savior plus what self is and what self did, not the Savior plus someone else, no He commands "Believe/trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31).
Monday, September 9, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET # 276
Cornelius: A Truly Pious Man Who Still Needed To Be Saved
In the book of Acts, chapter 10, we can read of a man, Cornelius by name, who towered in piety, and yet, he still was a man who needed to be saved.
He is described as a "devout man", "one who feared God", "who gave alms generously", who "prayed to God always" and one who had even seen "a vision of an angel of God" coming to him.
And yet with all these sterling credentials, he was a man who was not saved. He was instructed by the angel to "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved" (See Acts 11:13-14)
This means that his piety did not at all save him. His alms-giving, his prayers, his vision of an angel from God could not guarantee him a place in heaven where he could be with God and enjoy Him forever.
He needed to hear words by which he will be saved. When the apostle Peter came, he told him about the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior. Where else could anyone find salvation except in the Savior, right? Not in your piety, not in your alms-giving or prayers but in the Savior. Peter then told him a promise from God:
"To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes (or trusts) in Him will receive remission of sins." (Ac 10:43)
In the book of Acts, chapter 10, we can read of a man, Cornelius by name, who towered in piety, and yet, he still was a man who needed to be saved.
He is described as a "devout man", "one who feared God", "who gave alms generously", who "prayed to God always" and one who had even seen "a vision of an angel of God" coming to him.
And yet with all these sterling credentials, he was a man who was not saved. He was instructed by the angel to "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved" (See Acts 11:13-14)
This means that his piety did not at all save him. His alms-giving, his prayers, his vision of an angel from God could not guarantee him a place in heaven where he could be with God and enjoy Him forever.
He needed to hear words by which he will be saved. When the apostle Peter came, he told him about the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior. Where else could anyone find salvation except in the Savior, right? Not in your piety, not in your alms-giving or prayers but in the Savior. Peter then told him a promise from God:
"To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes (or trusts) in Him will receive remission of sins." (Ac 10:43)
And Cornelius believed, trusted, relied, depended in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for salvation. And there, right that very moment, he found forgiveness of sins and salvation.
A man should be devout, he should fear God, he should give alms to the needy and should pray to God always and a vision of an angel is fine and good, but his salvation does not find its foundation on these things.
He can only find salvation in trusting in the Savior and what He did on the cross for salvation. Trust in Him now!
A man should be devout, he should fear God, he should give alms to the needy and should pray to God always and a vision of an angel is fine and good, but his salvation does not find its foundation on these things.
He can only find salvation in trusting in the Savior and what He did on the cross for salvation. Trust in Him now!
Monday, September 2, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET # 275
Are You Too Good For Jesus?
For whom did the Lord Jesus Christ come to die and save?
* 1Ti 1:15 ...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...
* Lu 5:32 "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
* Ro 3:10 ..."There is none righteous, no, not one;"
* Ro 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
* Lu 19:10 "...the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
* Ro 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly...
The Lord Jesus came to save sinners. He came for unrighteousness people and not for righteous people since there are none righteous in God's sight. All have sinned. All are spiritually lost. It is the "ungodly" whom God justifies and saves.
If you want to be saved and want to be with God and enjoy Him forever, then you must take the lowly place and admit and realize who and what you really are in God's sight---a sinner in need of the Savior.
If not, if you take the proud place of self-righteousness in believing that you are good enough in yourself for God to save you, then I am just so sorry for you. You are too good for Jesus. He saves sinners only.
For whom did the Lord Jesus Christ come to die and save?
* 1Ti 1:15 ...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...
* Lu 5:32 "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
* Ro 3:10 ..."There is none righteous, no, not one;"
* Ro 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
* Lu 19:10 "...the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
* Ro 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly...
The Lord Jesus came to save sinners. He came for unrighteousness people and not for righteous people since there are none righteous in God's sight. All have sinned. All are spiritually lost. It is the "ungodly" whom God justifies and saves.
If you want to be saved and want to be with God and enjoy Him forever, then you must take the lowly place and admit and realize who and what you really are in God's sight---a sinner in need of the Savior.
If not, if you take the proud place of self-righteousness in believing that you are good enough in yourself for God to save you, then I am just so sorry for you. You are too good for Jesus. He saves sinners only.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET # 274
The Shame Of The Pork Barrel Scam And Judgment Day
What has happened is a preview and a foretaste of what will take place in the Judgment Day. God will bring to light the hidden works of darkness of all unrepentant people for all to see.
Can you imagine, all the things that you would rather keep to yourself, being exposed for all to see? Things that you would not even tell your husband or wife or a best friend. Things that would make you squirm upon remembrance.
It will surely be a day of shame. A day when you are completely and totally naked in all aspects of your life. Yes, every nook and cranny of it! And forever, your name will be etched in hell's Hall of Shame.
This need not be the case for you. For Someone already took all your shame. He was put to shame for you.
Isa 50:6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.
If you only trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He went through for you, God's promise is that you will never be put to shame.
Ro 10:11 "Whoever believes/trusts on Him will not be put to shame." (NKJV)
Are you willing right now to let Him carry all your shame? Are you willing to trust in Him alone and what He did on the cross for your salvation?
What has happened is a preview and a foretaste of what will take place in the Judgment Day. God will bring to light the hidden works of darkness of all unrepentant people for all to see.
Can you imagine, all the things that you would rather keep to yourself, being exposed for all to see? Things that you would not even tell your husband or wife or a best friend. Things that would make you squirm upon remembrance.
It will surely be a day of shame. A day when you are completely and totally naked in all aspects of your life. Yes, every nook and cranny of it! And forever, your name will be etched in hell's Hall of Shame.
This need not be the case for you. For Someone already took all your shame. He was put to shame for you.
Isa 50:6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.
If you only trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He went through for you, God's promise is that you will never be put to shame.
Ro 10:11 "Whoever believes/trusts on Him will not be put to shame." (NKJV)
Are you willing right now to let Him carry all your shame? Are you willing to trust in Him alone and what He did on the cross for your salvation?
Thursday, August 22, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET #273
Ec 3:15 ....God requires an account of what is past.
Let's apply the principle to salvation. There are many people today who are banking on their reformed life for God to accept them.
They believe that turning over a new leaf or turning a new chapter in one's life is the way to salvation. That God can just let the past slide and close His eyes on the sinful things they have done.
What do you think would happen if all those who loaned money from a bank would go by this principle? Let's say you loaned millions of dollars from a bank. Foolishly, instead of spending it wisely, you wasted it away by a corrupt and debauched lifestyle.
Then after living wildly, you go to the bank and say to the manager: "I know that I have been living like an animal the past few months. I spent all the money like there is no tomorrow. But you know what? I decided to turn a new chapter in my life. I decided to forget the past and now I am living a reformed life. Can we forget the past? Can we forget about the money I owe you?"
Reformation has only to do with bettering the present and the future. It can never alter what we did in the past. And God requires an account of what is past. The sins we did in the past must be paid.
My friend, don't put your trust or hope in your reformed life for salvation. Besides, our reformed life is never perfect. It is blotched with inconsistencies. Repent, yes, but realize that your only hope of salvation is in the Savior and what He did on the cross. The payment He provided on the cross reached the past.
Trust in Him and what He did, not in your reformed life.
Let's apply the principle to salvation. There are many people today who are banking on their reformed life for God to accept them.
They believe that turning over a new leaf or turning a new chapter in one's life is the way to salvation. That God can just let the past slide and close His eyes on the sinful things they have done.
What do you think would happen if all those who loaned money from a bank would go by this principle? Let's say you loaned millions of dollars from a bank. Foolishly, instead of spending it wisely, you wasted it away by a corrupt and debauched lifestyle.
Then after living wildly, you go to the bank and say to the manager: "I know that I have been living like an animal the past few months. I spent all the money like there is no tomorrow. But you know what? I decided to turn a new chapter in my life. I decided to forget the past and now I am living a reformed life. Can we forget the past? Can we forget about the money I owe you?"
Reformation has only to do with bettering the present and the future. It can never alter what we did in the past. And God requires an account of what is past. The sins we did in the past must be paid.
My friend, don't put your trust or hope in your reformed life for salvation. Besides, our reformed life is never perfect. It is blotched with inconsistencies. Repent, yes, but realize that your only hope of salvation is in the Savior and what He did on the cross. The payment He provided on the cross reached the past.
Trust in Him and what He did, not in your reformed life.
Friday, August 9, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET # 272
The Truck Hit Jesus 2000 Years Ago (A True Story)
A little girl was frightened by the shadow of a truck. The sun was low so that the shadow appeared so much bigger than the truck. She called out to her dad in fear.
Her dad came along side her and asked: "Darling would you rather be hit by the shadow of the truck or the truck itself?"
The young girl answered: "I would rather be hit by the shadow."
And daddy took opportunity to teach her about her mother's death, a woman who trusted in Christ alone for salvation: "You know darling, when your mama died, it was only the shadow of the truck that hit her. The truck hit Jesus 2000 years ago."
To a sinner who has taken refuge by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross, death is no longer a penalty, rather it has now become an entrance into the very presence of the Lord who died for him.
It is only the shadow of the truck but not the truck itself. The truck of God's wrath went straight into the Savior, leaving the trusting sinner safe and secure.
You don't have to be hit by the truck, you can hide behind the Lord Jesus and what He did on the cross for your sins.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
GOSPEL NUGGET #271
The Disabled Man, The Elevator And Salvation
A disabled man on a wheelchair found himself staring at a 15-story building complex. He was going to meet somebody on the eleventh floor.
How is he going to possibly do that? The strength in his legs was taken away by a car accident years ago. Undaunted, he confidently rolled his way into the entrance as if he has been doing this for years.
He then proceeded straight into the elevator section and casually greeted the operator as he rode in: "Mornin' Mike. As usual." The elevator closed and then off he went to where he was going.
This is a picture of salvation! We are sinners, unable to save ourselves, helpless and hopeless in bringing ourselves up to heaven. But God provided us with the "Elevator", who alone can save us and bring us to heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The only thing we are to do is to entrust ourselves to Him, relying and depending on what He did on the cross of Calvary for our salvation.
Come on in!
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