Living To God

 

      "For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God." (Galatians 2:19.) Paul's goal was to "live to God." That should also be the goal of every person living in the world today and of every one who will ever live. A greater challenge than space travel or any other scientific challenge is that of living to God.

 

      A man living to God is redeemed. "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (I Peter 1:18-19.) A man living to God is redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.

 

      A man living to God is restored. Sin has separated man from God. (Isaiah 59:1-2.) But through Christ man is restored to God. When a penitent believer is baptized into Christ that person is restored to God. (Galatians 3:26-27.) A man living to God is restored.

 

      A man living to God is reliable. He will not steal. His speech will not be corrupted. He will work to edify. He will do that which is good. He will give to those in need. His word will mean everything. (Ephesians 4:27-32.) A man living to God is reliable.

 

      A man living to God is righteous.  This righteous man will bear the image of the heavenly. (I Corinthians 15:48-49.) His life will be governed by the desire to be like Jesus Christ. Righteousness is pictured and described in the life of our Lord. A man living to God is righteous.

 

      A man living to God is ready. He is ready unto every work that is good. (Titus 3:1.) He is ready for opportunities that come to do good. (Galatians 6:10.) He is ready to meet his maker in judgment. (II Timothy 4:6-8.) Are you living to God? If not, you are missing the most beautiful life that you could be living.

 

      A man living to God must be a saved man. The Bible tells us how to be saved. Salvation comes only to those that BELIEVE. If you are to be saved you must BELIEVE in Jesus. Jesus claims to be the Son of God; the only religious authority of God on earth. (Matthew 28:18) He said, "I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6) Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

 

      Salvation comes only to those that REPENT of all sins. The scriptures teach that repentance is nec­essary for all people. (Acts 17:30) Repentance is a change of mind which leads to a change of action. One who would follow Jesus must get out of the sinning business. It will be clear to all those who know him, that he is now different. (Matthew 3: 8)

 

      Salvation comes only to those that CONFESS the name of Christ. People, who believe in Jesus and have repented of their sins, will be asked to confess publicly the name of Christ. (Romans 10:9-10) Then, with this accomplished, a person is ready to be baptized into Christ.

 

      Salvation comes only to those that are BAPTIZED. In Bible examples of conversion, the New Testament plainly states that people were baptized. Paul was told to be baptized and wash away his sins. (Acts 22:16) This proves that baptism is the action by which Jesus takes away sins. When a person be­comes convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, he must repent of his sins, confess the name of Jesus, and be baptized immediately. People have only a short time to live on earth and they should not delay their obedience to God. (James 4:17).

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551 Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA

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