Some Things God Will Not Do

Jarrod Jacobs

            Did you know that there are some things that an all-powerful God refuses to do today? It is true. What are some things God will not do today?

            1) God will not flood the earth. After the flood of Genesis 7, God promised never to destroy the earth by water again (Gen. 9:8-16). He has kept that promise since then.

            2) God will not accept just any worship! The things we do must be according to His will (Col. 3:17). We must do it God’s way, or God will not accept it (Matt. 15:9). God expects worship to Him to consist of: singing (Eph. 5:19); prayer (Acts 2:42); preaching (Acts 20:7); taking the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7); and giving (I Cor.16:1-2) on the first day of the week.

            3) God will not lie to us. In fact, it is impossible for God to lie to man (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2). We can trust what the Lord says in the Bible. God’s word is truth (Jn. 17:17).

            4) God will not save us if we have not been baptized. This is not the only step, but this is the step that has been debated for centuries. We know God will not lie. Therefore, let us accept what the Lord has said about baptism being necessary for salvation (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Rom. 6:17-18; Col. 2:12; I Pet. 3:21) God will not save you if you have not obeyed His plan!

Which Church Do I Choose?

Jarrod Jacobs

            Have you noticed the “church listings” in newspapers? It is pretty confusing, isn’t it? The groups listed claim that what they are doing is approved of God. In considering the listings, one might ask such questions as, “Are all these churches right?” or, “Are all these churches wrong?” or, “Can anyone ever know the truth?”

            Since these groups wear different names and teach conflicting doctrines many times, we know they all cannot be right. All of them cannot be right any more than 2+2 can equal anything other than 4! 2+2 = 4 and can only equal 4. If we took a poll and asked people their “feelings” about what 2+2 equals, it would not change the fact that it equals 4! Therefore, which church is right? This is not determined by what I like. Nor is it determined by which church is “popular” or “big”. It is not determined by which church has been in the area the longest. The way we can know which church is right is revealed in the Bible.

            The church approved of God is the one that adheres to Bible doctrine, not merely in word, but in practice (I Pet. 4:11; I Thess. 1:3). It is the one that wears Christ’s name (Rom. 16:16) and worships God “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24; Acts 2:42, 20:7; I Cor. 16:1-2). It is the one that promotes Christ and His word above everything (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-9; II Tim. 4:2; Col. 3:17). It preaches the Bible plan for salvation (Acts 2:36-38). With these things in mind, let me encourage our dear readers to put down the “church listings” and pick up a Bible and choose the church of God’s choice (Acts 20:28; Matt. 16:18)!

How Will God Feel When You Die?

Jarrod Jacobs

            God is not oblivious to the goings-on of men. He knows who we are, and what we are doing (Prov. 15:3). Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31). We know that God is aware of us, and knows when we leave this earth. How will God feel when YOU die? Will He be...

            SAD? “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezek. 33:11). “Have I any pleasure in death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” (Ezek. 18:23)

            GLAD? “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15). “He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood be in his sight” (Ps. 72:13-14).

            The difference in God’s response to a man’s death is seen in what that man’s relationship was with God in life. Which are you, a sinner or a saint? Become a saint by believing in Christ as God’s Son (Jn. 8:24), repenting of your sins (Lk. 13:3), confessing Christ as the Son of God (Matt. 10:32), and being baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16). Have you done this?

“God Is Just”

Jarrod Jacobs

            Thomas Jefferson once said, “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” The Hebrew writer said, “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). Considering the fact that God is just, and that He will judge righteously, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

            The justice of God ought to be a great comfort to all those who are His children (Acts 2:38, 11:26). While men may be bribed, threatened, and otherwise coerced to make judgments in favor of certain ones, God is not like this. Regardless of social status, God is just. “Who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’ who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands?” (Job 34:18-19). Peter said, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35). David rightly said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage” (Ps. 33:12).

            Seeing that God is just, life is short (Jas. 4:14), and the judgment is certain (II Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27), what have you done to make your life right with God (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38)? Mr. Jefferson got it right when he considered the just nature of God and trembled. What are you doing? Are you trembling or ignoring? Think about it! Our “second chance” is right now (II Cor. 6:2)!