Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 April 10

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:1-6).

Today’s Morsel:  I have heard many people say that all you must do be saved is just believe in Jesus.  Salvation is more than just believing.  The Bible tells us, in James 2:19, that the devil believes, and he trembles.  And we know that he’s not saved nor can he be saved.  Even Nicodemus was a believer in Jesus (See John 3:3-5); and Jesus told him that he must be born again of the water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God, so simply believing was not enough.  According to Luke’s writings, Cornelius was a stronger believer in Christ.  He states, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” With this type of resume, one would think he would be saved.  But the angel told him to send for Peter and he would tell him what he ought to do.  Cornelius did not delay but sent for him.  Cornelius needed to be born again the same as Jesus told Nicodemus in John3:3-5 of the water and the Spirit, as we see in Acts chapter 10, verses 44-48, after Peter told Him what He ought to do. Salvation is more than just believing. On the day of Pentecost, they asked Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:37-42).  Don’t settle for the easy believism.  You must be born-again of the water and the Spirit.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.  (Mark 16:16)

Sing:  I know I’m saved, and I’m so glad about it, I found the joy my spirit craves.  It is so real that I could never doubt it, O’ praise the Lord I know I’m saved.

Thought For Today:  Salvation is more than just believing.

No comments:

Post a Comment