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Bible Will I Find: What People Out Of Christ Are Missing? By: Gary Colley
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Bible Will I Find: What People Out Of Christ Are Missing? By: Gary Colley
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To be in Christ is to be in His church where Jesus says all spiritual blessings are found (Eph.1:3). Jesus said, “..upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt.16:18). All authority in true religion is given to Jesus by God, and He is the one to whom all Christians give their allegiance (Matt.28:18-20). Paul to the Ephesians said, “And (God GC) hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph.1:22-23). Jesus loved His church, “and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water (baptism GC) by (in obedience to GC) the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, and any such things; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph.5:25-27). All of these verses show the importance of being “in Christ” or His church for our salvation. But for those who refuse to hear the Gospel, believe it, repent of their sins, confess Him before men, and be baptized into Christ, there are many things missing in their lives. 1. Outside of Christ or His church, we are not children of God and therefore we are missing the inheritance promised of eternal life (Gal.3:26-29). 2. Outside of Christ or His body, we are missing the redemption of Christ from the slavery of sin (Eph.1:7). 3. Outside of the Lord Jesus, no one can rightly claim the forgiveness of sins (Col.1:13-14). 4. Outside of the Lord, there can be no hope of eternal life (Matt.7:13-14; I Jn.5:11-13). 5. Outside of Christ, there is no acceptable bearing of fruit which is done in Christ (Jn.15:1-6). 6. Outside of Christ body, we are missing the grace from God (II Tim.2:1). 7. Outside of Christ we cannot live for Him who died for us (Gal.2:20). 8. Outside of Jesus the Christ, we are missing the needed blessings of the new life (Col.2:12; II Cor.5:17). If the Lord said directly to you today, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” would you do it? (Mk.16:15-16). If the Lord said directly to you today, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” would you “put on Christ? (Gal.3:26-27). If Jesus took you by the hand today and said, “If ye love me ye will keep my commandments” would you love and obey Him? (Jn.15:14; 14:15). If you could have the Lord’s clear promise of salvation being by baptism today, would you listen and obey? (I Pet.3:21). Since we are assured that the Lord, if with us personally, would say no more or less than what He has said in His Word, we urge all to listen today to the voice of the Son of God and obey His Word! (Jn.16:13; Mk.10:16).
--Gary Colley