IF YOU KNOW AND BELIEVE

THE WORD OF GOD

 

Many tragic mistakes are made in our world by people who do not know and believe the word of God. The Sadducees of Jesus’ day said there was no resurrection. They tried to trap Jesus by asking, “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her." (Matthew 22:24-28) Jesus answered their question by saying, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:29-32) Their senseless questions would never have been asked if they had known and believed the word of God. Those who have a close relationship with God are the ones who read, believe and obey His word.

 If you know and believe the word of God you will accept God as Creator. Not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God has led many to accept the false theory of evolution as true. The Bible says, "For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4)  Houses are the result of planning and design. Houses do not happen by accident. God is the designer, planner, and creator of the world. The only true way that we can show our love toward God is to obey His word. 

If we know and believe the word of God we will do our best to stop sinning. God’s desire is that we repent and stop sinning. John chapter eight records the story of a woman that was taken in the very act of adultery. Jesus said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." (John 8:7) Most people who quote this verse do so in order to try to justify some personal wrong. The scribes and Pharisees were told this because they were deliberately breaking God's Law in condemning this woman in the way they did. They had no respect for the Law. Jesus told this woman to "go, and sin no more." (John 8:11) It is vital that Christians stop sinning. Let us observe our weakness and by relying on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus get out of the business of sin.

 

     If we know and believe the word of God we will live transformed lives. The result of a living and saving faith is the transformation of life. Faith only or a dead faith is worthless and vain. Saving faith can only be shown in a changed life. Sadly many in the church of Christ seem to think that they have saving faith and that they are on their way to heaven when there has been no evident change of heart and no reformation of life. Hebrews 10:39 says that we must be of them that "believe to the saving of the soul." There is a belief that results in the salvation of the soul. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warned, "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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23) What does the character of your life demonstrate about your faith?

    

          There is no greater privilege on earth than that of being a Christian.  A true Christian is Christ-like in, word, deed, and thought. One major step in being just a Christian is that of knowing the scriptures and the power of God. Will you be baptized into Christ to put on Christ so that your sins can be forgiven by His blood? "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) Believers contact Christ's saving blood by being baptized into His death. John said, "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12) We join with Paul in saying, "To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:21) Are you a faithful member of the church of Christ?

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,

Greenville, Alabama 36037