Weekly Devotional 9-22-14
Believing Facts About Jesus Christ Does Not Necessarily Lead to Salvation
From the Book of Acts, we read of a man named Simon who came to believe a lot of facts about Jesus Christ, but did not come to saving faith in Him. His story should be an alert to all who profess to have trusted Jesus for their salvation, but do not exhibit perceptible changes in their life.
As we read of this man, we find Philip being led by the Holy Spirit down to Samaria to bring the word of God to the Samaritans. From chapter 8 verses 5-24 in the NKJV we read “5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city. 9But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’ 11And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
12But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.’ 24Then Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.’”
Simon believed Philips testimony about God’s provision, Jesus Christ (vs. 13). He believed that Jesus had been crucified, had been buried and had resurrected to newness of life; that He was God’s provision for one’s redemption, but these facts did not produce in Simon a newness of spiritual life. He was still in his sins. Had he been born again (had he been regenerated to newness of spiritual life) he would have truly repented of his sins. He would have turned from his former way of life (sorcery). Instead he sought to purchase the authority (the power) that Peter and John possessed. His heart was not right in the sight of God (vs.21).
There are many today who, because they have believed many facts about Jesus Christ and have identified with Him by baptism in His death, burial and resurrection, believe in themselves that they have been born again, been made alive in Christ. But, does that make them Christians?
The Apostle John wrote, A person who is born again will readily recognize sin in his (or her) life, will agree with God about it, will turn from it, and will seek God’s forgiveness for it (see 1st John 1:9). Everyone who lives righteously and does not practice sin is born of God (see 1st John 2:29; 3:9). A person who is born again will keep His commandments (see 1st John 2:3). The love of God exists in the person who does not continue to love the things of the unregenerate world (see 1st John 2:15). A person who loves his fellow believers with Godly love has passed from spiritual death to spiritual life (see 1st John 4:7-8; 3:14).
The Apostle Paul asks, “How shall a person who is dead to sin live any longer therein” and then answers, “5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of ‘His’ righteousness.” (Romans 6:2; 8:5-10)
Paul, by the authority of God, exhorted the Corinthians (2nd Corinthians 13:5) to examine themselves whether or not they were in the faith. This exhortation was not meant by God for them alone, but for all who name the name of Christ as their Savior. We should, we must, examine ourselves by John’s criteria above whether or not we are truly followers of Christ or just have merely believed a lot of facts about Him.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
www.gbchurch.us