Holding the Line on Baptism

December 20, 2022

There are certain topics and passages in the Bible that are difficult for us as the people of God to fully understand.  There are subjects that even sincere lovers of truth and followers of Christ might disagree on, and sometimes we have to agree to disagree while we continue to study and ask God for His insight.  But there are other topics and passages that the people of God must believe and agree upon.  These are topics that are so foundational to our faith that to hold a different opinion than the one clearly taught in scripture will put a person outside of the faith.  Yes, we should show the grace and kindness of Christ to those who hold other opinions, but on these foundational topics, we must be ready to hold the line.

I believe that baptism is one of these foundational topics.  It is crucial that we understand what the Lord has said about baptism and then hold firmly to the truth.  Why does baptism qualify as a foundational topic?  Because the scriptures teach that baptism is the point in time at which, by faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38, 22:16).  Baptism is the point in time at which, by faith, we die with Christ, are buried with Him, and are raised up to newness of life (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:11-12).  Baptism is the point in time at which, by faith, we are freed from the power of sin (Romans 6:6-7).  It is the point in time at which, by faith, we die to the law so that we can live to Christ (Romans 6:2-3, 7:6).  Baptism is the time at which, in reaching out to Christ in faith, we are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).  We could go on, but in short, it is the moment in time at which, by faith in Jesus, we are saved! (Mark 16:15-16).

Looking at the above list, it is clear that baptism is a moment of utmost importance.  It is the moment that one begins their walk with Christ.  Therefore, how important is it that we hold the line on this topic?  How important is it that we stand on this truth and share it with others who are seeking the Lord?  We would do our Lord and the lost world around us a grave disservice by failing to show them this great truth.  If we fail to hold to this truth, we could lead people to believe they are in a right relationship with God when in truth, they have never been united with Christ and have never received the free gift of salvation in the way that Christ has commanded.

May God help us hold to His truth in all humility and gentleness.   

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

It’s Time to Decide

December 13, 2022

At the end of Joshua’s life, when the people of Israel were receiving their inheritance in the promised land, Joshua assembled all the people together to urge them to be true to the Lord.  He said to them, “Now therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15 NAS95)

Joshua is urging the people of God to a full commitment to God.  This powerful message is one that we ourselves need to consider carefully.  Sometimes we waiver in our dedication.  Sometimes we live our lives straddling the fence—with one foot in the Lord and one foot out.  But God is calling us to full commitment.  Choose this day whom you will serve!  If you are halfway committed, it is time today to make a choice!  Is the Lord God, or not?  Is His way right, or not?  Will He bless those who seek Him, or not?  Is it disagreeable to you to serve Him?  Then choose whom you will serve.  Will you choose God, or the false gods of this world?  Will you choose God, or your own way?  Make the choice today: who you will serve, who you will lead your family to serve, and commit yourself fully to your choice.

What does full commitment to God look like?  It is not just words spoken or good intentions, but right actions.  It is being dedicated to studying His word and striving to walk by the Spirit.  It is being dedicated to prayer.  It is being dedicated to assembling with the church on the Lord’s Day and bringing your children along with you.  It is being dedicated to living a life unspotted by the world.  Are we striving for these things?  If not, why not?

And remember, that when we choose the Lord, when we dedicate ourselves to His way, He will take notice.  He will bless us and our families.  He will strengthen us.  He will be near to us if we will seek Him with a committed heart.

What about you?  Have you made your choice, or are you sitting on the fence missing out on the blessings of full commitment?  Choose this day whom you will serve!

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Posted by Scott Colvin

Small Changes, Meaningful Results

December 3, 2022

It is said that to modify our own behavior, three things are necessary: motivation, ability, and a prompt. Clearly motivation is important for changing behavior. No one will ever change if there is no desire to change. The second ingredient—ability—has to do with how easy a behavior is. The easier something is, the more likely we are to do it. The third ingredient—a prompt—is very helpful because we often need a nudge to do something even if we are highly motivated and capable. A prompt is a cue that reminds us to carry out a desired behavior. When these three ingredients are present, changing our habits for the better is much more likely.

I must admit that I do not like thinking of Bible reading merely as a “habit.”
It is much more than typical habits we think of, like making the bed or exercising, etc. When we read the word of God in faith, we are truly having an encounter with God. It is a transformational experience for the soul. With that said, I do wonder if we could use the above principles of behavior modification to create a healthy habit of regular Bible reading.

Let’s start with the third component — a prompt. What if you decided that every morning when your feet hit the floor you will read just a few verses before starting the day? Or maybe the prompt could be when you turn on your computer at the office, or perhaps when you pour your first cup of coffee. Take some time to think of a prompt that will work for you.

Let’s think about the second component—ability. The easier something is, the more likely you are to do it. So, make your Bible easy to access. Place your bible on your nightstand to be easily reached. Place it on your desk at work; visible and ready to go. Also, make things easy by deciding that you will read for only, say, 5 minutes. You could always read more if you choose, but if you can read for just 5 minutes, consider it a win. If you keep just a few verses in your heart throughout the day, it will be a tremendous blessing to you.

Finally, let’s think about motivation. This should be an easy one. Think about the words of Jesus, “…the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63b NAS95) Or the words of the psalmist, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NAS95)

God’s word brings life, light, transformation, and renewal. If we will be diligent to spend time in His word on a regular basis, we will be richly blessed!

If you’re struggling to read the word regularly, perhaps these ideas will help you start down a lifelong path of blessings.

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Russell Holden

Faith Not Sight

November 28, 2022

I don’t like the fact that our bodies disappoint us with aging or disease or both. Somehow it just doesn’t seem fair that the best body we will ever have is at age 18 (at least in this life). We see the aging process in others, but eventually we have to admit to it in ourselves. What Paul called “the outer person wasting away” is observable in life (2 Corinthians 4:16).
 
Yet Paul placed beside this unwelcome fact another wondrous observation. In Christ, the inner person can continue to grow and become better. “Our inner person is being renewed day by day” (1 Corinthians 4:16). God is transforming us to become more and more like His Son. Our character, our kindness, and our love can grow and mature throughout our lifetime. The best our inner person can be in this life may be the day we breathe our last.
 
Paul compared this body that disappoints us to a tent (1 Corinthians 5:1). Tents are temporary. They are fragile and frail in comparison to a permanent structure. The disappointments of our bodies are reminders we are sojourners here. We are just passing through; this is not our enduring home. A tent may become frayed and worn until it wears out, or it may be suddenly pulled down, but it is never permanent.
 
The God who renews our inner person also builds us a permanent dwelling. As Paul wrote, “[W]e have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (1Corinthians 5:1b, ESV). In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul described our physical bodies with words like “perishable”, “dishonor”, “weakness”, and “natural”. While the resurrection body that we await at Christ’s return is described by words like “imperishable”, “glory”, “power”, and “spiritual”. The transient will be swallowed up by the eternal.
 
The processes of the outward wasting away and inward being renewed take place in the course of daily life. Daily life filled with its ups and downs, its trials and temptations, and its moments of doubt and faith. Paul used the word, “groaning”, to describe this present life. He spoke of “slight momentary affliction”, although slight affliction doesn’t seem to adequately describe Paul’s life (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). He could only call it that when weighed on the balance with eternal glory.  The eternal outweighs the transient and makes the walk of faith worth it all.
 
Paul had confidence that to be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord. The God who is doing a great work of renewing and transforming in our inner person is also preparing for us a permanent dwelling place. Eternal glory is worth it all “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV).

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Posted by Russell Holden

He Who Comes to God Must…

November 22, 2022

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NAS95)

We need to clearly understand the message that it is impossible to please God without faith.  No one will be accepted by God without it.  We can multiply good works, but without faith, God will not be pleased.  We can have a great knowledge of His word, but without faith, God will not be pleased.  We can be very “religious” people, but if we don’t truly have faith, God will not be pleased with us. But what is faith? This verse gives us two essential elements of faith that must be understood if we want to come to God.

First, the one who comes to God must believe that He is.  We must believe that the God of the Bible exists.  Many will say that they believe God exists, but they go about their lives as if He does not.  It is not merely saying the words “I believe in God” but ordering your life in such a way that reflects your belief that He is real, He is present, and that He is all-powerful. 

Many people stop with this first condition of faith.  Believing that God exists is a necessary part of faith, but this alone is not sufficient.  The second thing that we must believe is that God rewards those who seek Him.  To be pleasing to God, we cannot think of Him as a distant, uninvolved God.  We must believe that He is actively involved in our lives, that He actively rewards those who will listen to His word and respond to it, and that He blesses those who will come hard after Him.  How are you doing with this?  Sometimes we carry on like God doesn’t see what’s going on in our lives, or that He doesn’t care, or that He is not able to help us.  Brothers and sisters, we need to trust in the promises of God and not waver in our belief that He will reward us!  This is the second essential element of faith, and without it, we cannot be pleasing to Him.

As you read through the rest of Hebrews chapter 11, you will see these conditions of faith played out again and again.  Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, all of these found favor from God because they believed that God is and that He rewards those who seek Him.  We too will find acceptance, favor, and reward from God if we will do the same.       

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

Ransomed

November 15, 2022

Why did our Savior come to earth?  Jesus said, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NAS95) Jesus came to offer His life as a ransom.  This was the heart of His mission.  What does it mean?

A ransom is the price paid to emancipate a slave.  When this price was paid, a slave was said to be “redeemed.”  You and I were enslaved to sin.  As Jesus said, “…Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” (John 8:34 NAS95) In order for us to be set free from this bondage, a price had to be paid.  Because God is holy and just, He cannot and will not simply ignore sin.  Sin must be punished.  For us to escape the punishment due and to be set free, Jesus Christ had to pay our ransom.

And Jesus paid an awful price to purchase our freedom. He paid with His own life.  God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, lovingly gave His life to redeem us from sin.  As Peter writes, “If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:17-19 NAS95) Jesus, the precious, spotless lamb of God paid for our souls with His own blood.  He gave His life a ransom for many.

We were ransomed at unfathomable cost.  That Jesus, God in the flesh, would suffer and bleed and die for us is breathtaking.   What is your reaction to all of this? What does it stir up in you?  Thankfulness?  Yes.  Joy?  Certainly.  But according to the verse above, the ransom that was paid should stir up fear in us.  It should elicit great awe for God and for Christ.  That fear should cause us to stay away from sin, realizing the price paid.  It should cause us to carefully consider the words we say, the things we pursue, and the way we treat one another. 

Jesus paid it all!  And we owe our all to Him!  Let us thank God today for the precious blood of Jesus.   

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

Reaching Out to the Lost

November 8, 2022

I heard someone say recently that they used to teach that if you don’t baptize at least one other person, you “can’t go to heaven.”  I was appalled at the statement, and thankfully the one who made it had come to recognize his error.  We need to be careful about making pronouncements that the Lord Himself never made.  We need to be careful about binding things on people that the Lord never bound.  We can create feelings of unnecessary guilt in people about evangelistic outreach.  Some will think, “I am not a teacher,” or “I don’t know what to say or how to say it,” or “I am not good with words,” and therefore they feel guilty and inadequate.  The truth is we are not all teachers!  We are not all evangelists!  God gave some as evangelists and teachers (see Ephesians 4:11).  If you’re not sure exactly what to say to lead someone to Christ, that is okay!  You can still have a profound impact for the gospel.

Paul writes to the church at Colossae about reaching out to the lost and says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word…that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.  Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:2-6 NAS95) This is how we can all have a hand in reaching the lost.  Be devoted to prayer.  Pray for God to open up opportunities for the word.  Live a life of wisdom around those who are outside of Christ.  Look for opportunities to speak with grace to others.  These things have a powerful impact on leading people to Christ.

Of course, if anyone is going to be saved, the gospel of Jesus Christ must be taught and understood.  The gospel is the power of God for salvation, and it must be proclaimed.  We all have different, essential functions in the body of Christ, and God has given some the ability to teach and proclaim the gospel message.  If you know of someone who might be open to hearing, but you’re uncomfortable leading a study, reach out to another member of the body.  God can accomplish much in us if we will work together as a unit.  May we all continue to look for opportunities to reach people with the saving message about Jesus.

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

What Does the Bible Say About the Unborn?

October 21, 2022

While the debate rages in our nation about abortion, it is important that we remind ourselves what the Bible says about the unborn. Unborn babies are very precious to God. They are a blessing. They are a work of His hand. They are to be protected.

Listen to the words of this Psalm. “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:13-14 NAS95) The unborn are woven together by God Himself in the womb. God forms their inward parts. This phrase is not only speaking of the flesh, bones, and organs of the child, but it is a reference to the spiritual heart and mind of the child. Though a baby is still in the womb, God has already formed their innermost being. They are a living soul! The work that God does in the womb—that He did for each one of us—is fearful and wonderful!

The truth that unborn babies are living, sentient souls is seen in the account of the unborn John the Baptist in Luke chapter 1. When Mary, the mother of Jesus, visits Elizabeth, the mother of John, we read, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.” John, before he was born, reacted to the voice of Mary, and leaped with joy! Unborn children have awareness. They have emotions. I am reminded of my own children. My wife tells me that they used to jump and kick in the womb when they heard my voice. I’m sure many of you have had similar experiences.

Unborn children are the most precious, the most innocent, and the most vulnerable among us. What will God do with a society that refuses to protect them?

What will God do with a society that allows for the slaughter of the innocent in the name of convenience? God cares deeply for innocent children and has risen up in times past to protect them (take a look at 2 Kings 21:10-18)! May God continue to open eyes and hearts. May He strengthen our resolve to help protect the unborn.

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Posted by Russell Holden

A Spiritual Church

October 15, 2022

The church began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) with the outpouring of the Spirit and the preaching of the gospel. The miraculous manifestations of the Spirit were to confirm the new revelation given by the Apostles (Hebrews 2:4). Although I do not think we should expect to see in our lifetime the things that were marks of the Apostles (2 Corinthians 12:12), I believe we are to be a spiritual church.

We are to be a spiritual church because our faith is based on the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus told the Apostles: “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into al the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come” (John 16:12-13, NASB). Scripture comes to us because of “men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21).

We are to be a spiritual church because Christians have received the indwelling Spirit when they were baptized (Acts 2:38-39, Acts 5:32). The Spirit is a motive for holiness (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit aids us in our struggle with sin (Romans 8:13). The Spirit is said to produce in us the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

We are to be a spiritual church because of prayer. One of the hallmarks of the church in Acts is prayer (Acts 2:42, 3:1, 4:24, 6:4, 12:12, 13:3, 14:23, 20:36, 21:5).

What we should be and could be is not always what we are. Paul in addressing the problems in Corinth says that he ought to be speaking to spiritual people, but in reality they were carnal (fleshly), still babes in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1). May the word of Christ dwell in us richly, may we not grieve the Spirit but mature producing the fruit of the Spirit, and may we learn to pray without ceasing. These are the things that characterize a spiritual church.

Leave a Comment » | Christian living, church, Holy Spirit, spiritual life | Permalink
Posted by Russell Holden

Joining In Praise

October 11, 2022

On this Lord’s Day, we join together in praise of our awesome God.  But it is not us who begin this worship.  No, we will enter the throne room of God, in the spirit, to join with worship that is ongoing—that never ceases—in heaven. 

“And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.’ And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne saying, ‘Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created.’” (Revelation 4:8-11 NAS95)

Our God is worthy of praise!  He is the creator! He is Holy!  He is the Almighty!  Let us join with these heavenly beings in falling down before the throne to worship Him in reverence and in awe. 

And let us, throughout the week ahead, take time to praise God individually.  His praise should be in our hearts, and also on our lips.  Not only should we praise God in our minds, but we should express our praise to him with our mouths; in prayer, in song, in reminding another of His goodness and glory.  We should do this when life is good and also when life gets hard.  Our God is intrinsically worthy of our praise, no matter what is going on in our lives, and we do not worship Him merely to get something in return.  Yet, God is gracious.  He gives so much in return as we praise Him. In times of turmoil and heartache, if we would praise Him with our hearts and our lips, we will find help.  We will find strength.  We will find a renewed perspective on life.  Praising God will help us to stop wallowing in our own troubles and to fix our eyes on Him.  As we praise Him, we are reminded that He deeply cares for us and that He can handle any problem we may be facing.  What renewed vigor and hope worship brings.  Let us be people of praise in our daily lives and as we gather together as His redeemed people this Lord’s Day.

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

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