"The Joy Of Certainty"

 “The Joy Of Certainty”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

Recently, while listening to the radio, I heard an ad that made me laugh. It was an ad for the “California Psychics” group. Their tagline is “The joy of certainty.” Since that time, every time I hear this radio spot, I laugh because if psychics actually had such powers, they could predict natural disasters with “certainty” and warn people well in advance. They could predict when the economy will once again turn and tell people when to start investing and make a profit. I have not looked into this, but I wonder what the divorce rate is for psychics. I wonder if they see it coming? If these people were truly psychic, why do they need to advertise? Don’t they know who is interested in their services already? Why not call those people and have a guaranteed profit? If they do not know, then how “psychic” are they?

Uncertainty In This World

                   Beyond this, their tagline, “the joy of certainty” rings hollow because nothing is truly “certain” on this earth. The apostle Paul told Timothy, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches…” (I Tim. 6:17). Solomon observed uncertainty “under the sun” when he said, “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them” (Ecc. 9:11-12).

                   The apostle Paul expected that the Ephesians be “no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness” (Eph. 4:14). Was there not much uncertainty in them since they were admonished not to act childish? Timothy was told that in the “last days” (II Tim. 3:1), there would be those who were “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (II Tim. 3:7)! Uncertainty abounds in this world!

                   Solomon wrote, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1). Yet more uncertainty! It is not hard then for us to read passages like James 4:14 (“ye know not what shall be on the morrow”) or read the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 and again see the reality that life is uncertain and there is nothing we can do to change this. Listening to the words of a psychic, or anyone else, will not make uncertain things certain!

Certainty With God

                   However, if there is anyone who can provide certainty, it is God and not man! Go back to I Timothy 6:17. We did not finish the verse. After Paul told Timothy not to trust in “uncertain riches,” he is then told to trust “in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” Hebrews 6:13-20 speaks of things that are “immutable” (i.e., unchangeable) and our hope that we have “as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.” Friends, there is a certainty with God not found in the world or with psychics! This contrast between the uncertainty of the world and the certainty found in God should reassure us and fill us with hope.

                   In contrast with the uncertainty of the world, Timothy was told, “the foundation of God standeth sure, (other versions use terms like, “firm.” “is unchanging,” “solid,” “never moves,” and “stands unshaken”) having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (II Tim. 2:19)!

                   God’s words are “true from beginning to end” (Ps. 119:160). His promises are settled, strong, and solid. We can trust in the words of God and can rest in the fact that whatever God has said will come to pass, just as has happened in the past.

Conclusion

                   The “joy of certainty” is not found in men, in so-called “psychics,” horoscopes, or any other man-made invention designed to separate a man from his money! Certainty, peace, rest, and the like are found with God and in Christ. Let us stop looking in the wrong place for the answers and turn to the One who has had the answers all along (Heb. 3:7-8)!

Longing For God's Word

 “Longing For God’s Word”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

                 Psalm 119:20 and 40 state exciting thoughts that I think are worth studying. In verse 20, we read, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” Verse 40 says, “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.”

                   Go back and reread these verses, for they reveal much. Notice that David did not merely say he longed for God’s word. He longed for it “at all times” (v. 20). This verse is similar to Psalm 1:2, which tells us that the wise man meditates upon God’s word “day and night”! Verse 40 says he recognizes that God’s word has life-giving (“quickening”) power. On seven other occasions in Psalm 119 alone, David repeats his praise for the life-giving power of God’s word.

                   As I read those statements, I thought about myself. Can I say that I truly long for God’s word? Can I say that my soul breaks for longing for His word and that I want to hear it “at all times”? Friends, do we see what a high priority David placed upon God’s word? What priority do we give it? Within the Bible, we find the instructions for salvation from sin (i.e., new life). We also find sustaining power within the Scripture, for the Bible is our soul’s sustenance (I Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:14).

                   In our society, we recognize our dependence upon food. We know that eating a proper diet has life-sustaining power for our bodies. Are we ready to accept the truth that the Bible has life-giving and sustaining power for our souls? David, the king of Israel, recognized it! Though a mighty king, a great warrior, and though he had power over a nation, he readily confessed his dependence upon the word of God. Jesus stated this as well when He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). How much more ought we confess this when we understand that we need that life-sustaining power today?

                   When we appreciate God’s word the way David did, we will not want to hear the experiences, philosophies, and creeds of men. We will only want to listen to the pure, unadulterated, complete, and simple word of God (Acts 10:33).  We will readily say as Paul did, “Preach the word” (II Tim. 4:2)! When we humble ourselves as David, we will understand the words of Job who said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). Let us read the Bible again “for the first time” and glean the blessings!

Fear In Preaching

 Fear In Preaching

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

            A young Christian called me recently and asked about “fear” in preaching. The gist of the question was: “Is there a place for fear in our preaching?” The following is my answer as best as I remember it. I pray my answer might benefit others contemplating this question:

            Please understand that “fear” is used in two basic senses in Scripture. First, fear is used to mean awe, respect, or reverence. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us, “Fear God and keep his commands, for this is the whole duty of man.” The term “fear” comes from the word meaning respect or reverence toward God. I need to respect God and obey Him. This ought to be in all of our preaching, for men ought to always respect and honor God. Peter would say a similar thing at Cornelius’ house in Acts 10:35.

            Of course, “fear” has another definition, more commonly used in our language. In this case, “fear” involves being afraid of something. Yes, this needs to be in our preaching as well. Just as our parents warn us of dangers when we are young, so ought we have preaching that warns us of spiritual dangers. Just as the signs that say “beware of the dog” warn us and cause us to be on our guard, we need that type of preaching today. It is noted that Jesus warned us about Hell more than any other preacher in the Bible. The purpose is not for us to be frozen in fear and afraid to act but to be aware (beware) of the spiritual dangers around us and avoid them while we draw closer to God (Jas. 4:8).

Things Baptism Does

 “Things Baptism Does”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 Last week, we spent time studying various things that baptism does not do (It does not: Make a minor an adult; Make an unscriptural marriage scriptural; Eliminate all problems; Guarantee earthly riches; Add you to a denominational body; or Take temptation away). In this article, I’d like us to study some things baptism does.

Baptism Remits Sins

             One point that is clear in the New Testament is that baptism remits (forgives) men of sins. Upon obeying the Lord’s plan of salvation, which includes baptism, one’s sins are blotted out and his soul is clean! When Jesus told His apostles to go preach the gospel to all nations, He also told them, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16). After hearing the Lord’s command, the apostle Peter preached “repentance and remission of sins” in Jerusalem (Lk. 24:47) on the day of Pentecost. Peter told the Jews: “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” (Acts 2:38). This same apostle later wrote a letter to Christians where he stated, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Pet. 3:21). Yes, baptism saves us from our sins. To deny this point is to deny plain Bible teaching.

 

Through Baptism, One Is Added To The Church.

            Simultaneous with the forgiveness of sins, we also find that those who are baptized are added to the Lord’s church. This fact is stated in Acts 2:47. It reads, “praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.” This is why I began the article by proving that baptism saves us. Those who were baptized were saved, and those saved were added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47)!

            Understanding this truth is crucial because many today have completely separated salvation from the Lord’s church. They claim they can be saved one day and added to a church on another day. Some claim to have been “church members” for years but only “saved” in recent times. This view of the church and salvation is foreign to the Scriptures!

            The church is composed of saved people, not unsaved people! It is the church (saved people) who are called the body of Christ (Rom. 12:5; I Cor. 12:12-14). This group of saved people (the church) will one day be gathered and delivered up to God (I Cor. 15:24).

            Understanding this simple truth should help us appreciate what it means to be a part of the Lord’s church. May we also thank God for allowing us to be in this great fellowship. Truly, we would have none of this if it were not for God and the sacrifice of His Son (Jn. 3:16).

 

Baptism Makes You A Christian.

            The name “Christian” is special. It is not a mere label. It is a badge of honor. It fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 56:5, 62:2, 65:15). In Acts 11:26, we read, “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

            Note the end of this verse, which says, “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” The phrase “were called” in English comes from a single Greek word, “chrematizo,” meaning they were divinely called. In other words, God called the disciples “Christians” first in Antioch! Who are the “disciples”? They are called “the church” earlier in the verse. They are the followers of Christ. Now we ask, “How did they become disciples, or how did they become a part of the church?” When they submitted to the Lord’s plan for salvation, which means they were baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 47)! In so doing, these people (disciples) were called Christians by God, thus fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy.

            Therefore, when folks today do the same thing that these folks did, we know that God also considers them Christians. The question we must ask is, “Would God consider you a Christian?” Have you been baptized for the remission of sins? This is not a ritual; it is the first step in your journey of faith.

 

Baptism Makes You A Child Of God.

            The Bible teaches that if one wishes to belong to God, he must be “born again.” Peter said we are “born again … by the word of God” (I Pet. 1:23). In other words, through the teaching and obedience to the word taught, we are born again, or we become God’s children. Jesus stated that unless we are “born again” or are “born of water and the spirit,” we cannot “see the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3, 5). Therefore, to be “born again” means to be “born of water and the spirit” and vice versa. Jesus is not describing a baby being born initially of his mother but an adult being born again spiritually. Jesus said such action results in him entering the kingdom of Heaven. Such obedience results in a soul becoming a child of God!

            In this context, we read of the Romans, who, having been baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3-6, 16-18), were called “the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:16-17). Yes, baptism makes us children of God.

            When we heed the word of God (I Pet. 1:23; Rom. 1:16) and are “born of water and the spirit” (Jn. 3:5), we can be Christians. We can be children of God, looking forward to that blessed inheritance awaiting the faithful when this life ends (I Pet. 1:3-4).

 

Conclusion

            May we thank God for His simple and beautiful plan of salvation. May we rejoice at what this does for us when we lovingly accept God’s gracious plan and follow it by faith. Spiritual blessings can be ours, and Heaven can be our eternity if we do as He says!

Things Baptism Does Not Do

 “Things Baptism Does Not Do”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 Baptism is critical to pleasing God in this life. The Bible says that one must be baptized in order to be saved from past sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). We need to instruct people in this truth if we are going to save a population who is dying in sin daily (Mk. 16:15; II Tim. 2:2). As we study about baptism and its necessity for saving lost people, let us also understand that there are some things that baptism does not do.

 

Baptism Does Not …

 

Make A Minor An Adult

            In other words, if a young boy is convicted by the Scripture, based on what he has heard, he then believes on Christ, repents of his sin, confesses Christ, and is baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:10; I Pet. 3:21). He is forgiven of His sin, and becomes a Christian (Acts 22:16, 11:26). Baptism, however, does not make him a man! Nor does a girl following the Lord’s plan of salvation become a woman just because she is baptized.

            We rejoice with the angels when someone comes to Christ, recognizing his/her soul’s lost condition and wants to be right with God. However, this does not mean that this 9, 10, 12, 13, etc. year-old is now a grown man or woman!

            I think this is necessary to study because, at times, when young boys become Christians, some become concerned that a woman can no longer teach them without violating I Timothy 2:11-12. This cannot be the case, for when we define the word “man” as I Timothy 2:11-12 uses it, we find this term means, “with reference to sex, and so to distinguish a man from a woman … with reference to age as to distinguish an adult man from a boy” (Thayer’s, p. 45). In other words, the “man” of I Timothy 2 was an adult male, not a boy! Again, the definition for man “stands in distinction from a woman … as distinct from a boy or infant.” (Vine’s). Therefore, if we know the difference between an infant, a child, and a man, then we can understand Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) was forbidding a woman from usurping authority “over the man” (not a boy) in I Timothy 2:11-12.

            For further study, note that Jesus was called a “child” (Lk. 2:42-43)! In this passage, Jesus was twelve years old. If we say we “call Bible things by Bible names,” then let us be consistent and call 12-year-old boys and girls children, as the Bible does!

            Yes, baptism forgives us from sin (Acts 2:38), puts us in a right relationship with God, and gives us life (Rom. 6:3-4). However, baptism does not change anyone’s age or maturity level. Baptism does not turn boys and girls into men and women.

 

Make An Unscriptural Marriage Scriptural

            For several years, there have been people teaching that one who is not a Christian is “not amenable” (subject to) the law of Christ in reference to His law on marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Source: The Divorced and Remarried Who Would Come To God, p. 49-50). Yet, when Jesus spoke, about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, He spoke to “whosoever …” (Matt. 5:32, 19:9). He did not speak only to those already in His kingdom. The things Christ spoke were words to which all would be “amenable” else, the sinner is not subject to anything Christ said! Think for a moment: “Who” is it that must hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized? Is it not those who are not Christians? Are not all people (Christians and non-Christians) going to be judged by Christ one day? Yes (II Thess. 1:6-9; Jn. 12:48)! If so, then all are subject to what Christ said, including what Christ said in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9! If a couple is living in an adulterous relationship before baptism, then they would still be in an adulterous relationship after baptism if they do not repent (Acts 2:38; Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30)!

            Being married to someone you have no right to is a sin. We cannot teach that someone who is baptized “washes away” past wives! Baptism will not make an unscriptural marriage scriptural.

 

Eliminate All Problems

            Sometimes, folks treat baptism as if it is the “magic” cure to problems. Yes, baptism forgives us of sins and puts us in a right relationship with God. Yet, baptism will not eliminate problems in our lives. In fact, at times, one’s baptism creates some problems he did not have before (Read II Cor. 11:23-28 and see what Paul suffered because he was a Christian.)! This is because by deciding to follow Christ, we are also choosing to reject and shun the things of this world. When we do this, the world will hate us! Jesus stated this fact to the disciples in John 15:18-20. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said we are “blessed” when persecuted (Matt. 5:10-12). Later, James wrote, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4). When one becomes a Christian, he does not eliminate all problems from his life!

 

Guarantee Earthly Riches

            Unlike what the so-called preachers of the “health and wealth” gospel say, one is not guaranteed earthly riches when becoming a Christian! One needs only remember that “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Lk. 9:58) and that “The servant is not greater than his lord” (Jn. 15:20), to understand that becoming a Christian does nothing to guarantee earthly riches. Our Lord said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). Yes, God promises to take care of His own (Matt. 6:33; Ps. 37:25), but this does not mean that when one is a Christian, he receives a million dollars! A Christian’s reward and riches await him in eternity, not now (Matt. 6:19; II Tim. 4:8-10; I Pet. 1:4; etc.)!

 

Add You To A Denominational Body

            Please read this point carefully. I write this because sometimes folks who are raised in denominations will say they were baptized (immersed) and are, therefore, saved. What does the Bible say? The Bible says baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), not an outward sign of an inward grace. Once baptized, God adds one to the church (Acts 2:47). Many denominational folks say we can be “saved” one day and added to the church on another day. Which way is the Bible way?

            Furthermore, we see folks who say they were baptized to be saved but are in a church unknown to the Scriptures. In such cases, may we be reminded that there is only “one body” (Eph. 4:4), and we can only be baptized “into one body” (I Cor. 12:13). Therefore, Bible baptism cannot add you to a denominational body any more than baptism can be said to be an “outward sign of an inward grace.” Error taught, error heard, and error believed is error obeyed. Truth taught, truth heard, and truth believed is truth obeyed! One cannot be taught wrong and baptized right! Anyone involved with denominational error must be taught the truth, repent, and be baptized if they are going to be right with God. (Just as those religiously zealous Jews did in New Testament days, Acts 2:22, 41; 4:4; 6:7; etc.) I recognize this is not what “everyone” says, but this is what the Bible says!

 

Take Temptation Away

            Baptism does not grant immunity toward temptations and sin (Jas. 1:14-15). However, upon baptism, one has the right to pray and to know, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1:9). Numerous times in the Scripture, Christians are reminded to be steadfast, faithful, not to be weary in well-doing, etc., so that we will not give up while on earth (I Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9). 22 of the 27 books of the New Testament were written to Christians, telling them what to do to stay saved! Our Lord knew we would be tempted after becoming Christians.

            Baptism does not grant us immunity from temptation, but we now have an advocate in Jesus (I Jn. 2:1). We have a way to escape provided for us (I Cor. 10:13). Let us all be thankful for such blessings, and be even more ready to wear the armor of God and fight the onslaught of Satan (Eph. 6:13-18) so that one day we can see Heaven!