“God Said It; I Believe It; That Settles It.”

Jarrod Jacobs

            The above statement has been popular for some years, now. I am sure most of our dear readers have heard this from time to time. It has been on multitudes of bumper stickers, and in fact, one book I own has this phrase at the end of every chapter! It is a good thought, and I appreciate the sentiment expressed. This statement conveys the message that since God said it, then I believe it. It is then “settled” because I will not argue with my God about it, nor will I listen to anyone who may try to get me to question the word of God.

            There is an even more accurate way to state this truth, though, and it is: “God Said It; That Settles It; I Believe It.” Put simply, once God says something, that settles it, regardless of whether or not I believe it! When God speaks the truth, it is settled (Ps. 119:89). If one fights and argues against the will of God, a man’s “unsettled” mind has no effect upon God’s truth (Ex: II Kings 5:10-14). At the same time, when one accepts God’s word completely, the acceptance and obedience to His word had no effect on the truth, either (Acts 2:41, 47)! God said it, and that settles it! Therefore, I need to believe it.

            God’s word has been man’s standard from the beginning. So long as we live upon this earth, this standard will not change (Matt. 24:35; I Pet. 4:11).

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” When the Pharisees confronted Jesus with false charges, Jesus said they would die in their sins (Jn. 8:21). The reason why He said this was stated in verse 24. In like manner, if we do not believe, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Lacking faith means we will die in our sins like the Pharisees. Faith is not a guess or a wish. It is not a fairy tale. Faith is real and will overcome the world (I Jn. 5:4-5)! Do you have faith in Christ?

- Jarrod Jacobs

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This short verse defines what faith is. It is “substance” and “evidence.” In other words, faith is foundational and objective. Faith is not a guess or a wish. It is not a fairy tale. Faith is real and will overcome the world (I Jn. 5:4-5)! How strong is YOUR faith? Study Hebrews 11:1 this week. Act now and strengthen your faith.

- Jarrod Jacobs

Are You Free From Sin?

Jarrod Jacobs

            Salvation is something that is on people’s minds today. Certainly, the salvation of one’s own soul ought to be our concern (II Cor. 4:16; Ecc. 12:7). When Paul wrote the Romans, he told them that they were “set free from sin” (Rom. 6:18). When did this happen? Paul explains: “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin which leads to death, or of obedience which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (Rom. 6:16-18).

            Notice that the Romans WERE the servants of sin, but NOW have been made free from sin. What happened? They were “obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching.” What is this? The standard of teaching can be found in Romans 6:3-5. Here, Paul talks about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those who are Christians have been “united with him in a death like his” to be raised “in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:5). When is one “planted” and “raised”? This happens when one is baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 8:35-39; 16:30-34)!

            Therefore, when one is “obedient from the heart” to the “standard of teaching” (not merely an “outward sign”); and is baptized for the remission of sins, he is THEN made free from sin. Are you free from sin?

Can One Do Anything To Be Saved?

Jarrod Jacobs

            The above question can be difficult to answer if we do not first explain what we mean. What do we mean when we ask, “Can one do anything to be saved?”

            If we mean can one do something to be saved wherein that act alone saves him, then the answer is “no.” If we are asking whether or not one can be saved based upon somehow earning salvation, the answer is “no.” If one is asking whether or not one can be saved independently of the blood of Christ, the answer is “no.”

            However, if we are asking whether or not God has commanded man to obey something in order to be saved, then the answer is “yes.” God has told man that he needs to believe that Christ is the Son of God or die in his sins (Jn. 8:24). One must repent of his past sins (Lk. 13:3). One must also confess Christ before men (Rom. 10:10). Then, one must be baptized in order to have his sins remitted (Acts 2:38).

            Yet, when one obeys, he has not “earned” anything, but has simply done what God said to do (Lk. 17:10). Man is not justified by “faith only” (Jas. 2:24). It not only takes faith but also doing what God has said to do (Godly works, I Jn. 3:7). God has sent His Son (Jn. 3:16); Jesus Christ died for us (Matt. 20:28); and the Holy Spirit has revealed God’s will to us (II Pet. 1:20-21). God has done all He is going to do. It is now up to us to follow God’s revealed will so that we might be saved. Yes, we have something to do. Let’s get busy!