Two Roads

Jarrod Jacobs

                   On one occasion, Jesus encouraged folks to, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:13-14). Each day on earth, we must make the choice to walk one of the two roads described by Christ. Which one will we choose to walk?

                   Perhaps seeing the destinations of each road will help us decide. Jesus said one road leads to destruction, while the other road leads to life. Does this help us choose the road? Don’t we want to walk the road that leads to life instead of destruction? I do!

                   Yet, how do we get on these roads? Friend, we’re already walking on them! The question is whether we’re walking the “narrow” or the “wide” way! Walking the narrow road demands our faith and obedience to God on a daily basis. Walking the wide road requires nothing of us! Unlike the “narrow” road, we can be walking on the “wide” road and not even know it! This is the danger of this road.

                   Thanks be to God that those on the “wide” road can switch and get on the “narrow” by following the Lord’s plan of salvation (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38) and living faithfully (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10). Will you do this? Which road will you walk in this life? Choose wisely, your eternity rests on this decision!

“Truth: Its Necessity”

Jarrod Jacobs

                   When we think about truth, I wonder if we realize just how deeply woven truth is into the very fabric of our lives. There are “truth in advertising” laws in our country so that the consuming public is able to trust what is advertised in the media. Even deeper than this, we expect the truth to be told to us daily. For example, if we go to a restaurant and order a meal, we expect that meal to be cooked for us and that we will be charged the price listed on the menu. When we see a city sign, we believe that this sign has the truth written on it! When we read road signs, we take it for granted that those sign have truth printed on them as well.

                   The attribute of honesty is something that is still taught in families. In fact, a lot of people still expect politicians to be honest, especially if they are people we know and grew up with! Yes, “truth” is very much in the fabric of our society!

                   When we consider God’s word, we see that it, in fact, is truth. Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). The Bible can be trusted, for it instructs us in God’s will (II Tim. 3:15). It is inspired, and tells us what is necessary to get from earth to Heaven! Have you read your Bible today (Eph. 3:4)? Why not spend time today reading the truth from God? Let it change you for the better!

“Predestination”

Jarrod Jacobs

                   Predestination is a popular doctrine. This doctrine basically states that God has predetermined who will be saved or lost eternally before the world was created. Therefore, one has no control or choice in his eternal destiny. “What saith the Scripture?” Yes, the Bible teaches predestination (Eph. 1:3-10), but it is not what men are teaching today. God has not predetermined those who will be saved or lost eternally without their knowledge or choice (Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17). Man is a free moral agent. Rather, God predestined the way by which man can be saved.

                   The word “predestinate” means to set boundaries or limits beforehand. God’s predestination is seen in that He had already established the way by which people can be saved from eternity (Eph. 3:11). Paul said the predestinated people are the called people (Rom. 8:30). How are men called? They are called through the gospel (II Thess. 2:14)! Hearing the gospel produces faith (Rom. 10:17). Faith leads to repentance and then baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:36-38).

                   The Bible teaches that Christ died for all people, not a select, predestined few. Jesus came, “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). In Hebrews, we read that Christ would, “taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9). Peter told Cornelius, “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). God predestinated the plan by which man can be saved. Salvation is not forced upon anyone without their knowledge or consent!

“The Beginning And End Of A False Doctrine”

Jarrod Jacobs

                   One popular false doctrine taught today is the false doctrine wherein Mary is prayed to as a “Mediatrix” on our behalf. In other words, folks are encouraged to pray to God through Mary as mediator.

                   Sadly, people throughout history have made more of Mary than God ever intended. In fact, some tried this while Christ was on earth. One time, a woman cried out to Jesus and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed.” Jesus responded to her by saying: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Lk. 11:27-28). Mary was not and is not deserving of worship in any way. She is not deity. She was a humble servant of God (Lk. 1:38), like so many others in the Bible. Only God is deserving of worship (Acts 10:25-26; Rev. 19:10, 22:9)! Neither is she our mediator. Only Christ serves in this role (I Tim. 2:5-6).

                   While on earth, she served a very important role. Yet, to give her undue fame or power is not right. It is just as wrong to give her undue glory as it is to place upon her scorn and ridicule as if she were guilty of sexual relations before marriage! (Many have said this through the years.) Both positions are wrong.

                   In Luke 11:27, we see the beginning of a false doctrine concerning Mary, and Christ ending it in verse 28. Let respect what the Lord said.

“Do A Man’s Sins Affect His Soul?”

Jarrod Jacobs

                   Those who believe in the impossibility of apostasy argue that sins of the flesh do not affect the condition of the soul. In other words, the things the “outer man” might do has no effect on the “inner man”. Thus, the soul, cannot be lost because of the deeds or sins performed by the flesh. Does this sound like something you have heard before? It pains me to say this, but such teaching is false. In fact, there are several passages in the New Testament that shows this type of thinking is false (Matt. 15:18-19; II Cor. 7:1; Col. 3:5-6; Eph. 5:3-6; Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 5:19-21, 6:7-8).

                   However, in studying the Bible, I have found two passages that are especially easy to understand on this subject. The first is, “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11). Peter’s statement here shows that the sins of the flesh affect the soul. In fact, they “war against the soul.” Further, in II Corinthians 5:10, we read, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Could language be plainer? We will be judged by Christ according to what our flesh has done! How then can anyone argue that sins of the flesh do not jeopardize the destiny of the soul?