Simple As Can Be 
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
Have you ever heard some preacher say: “There are many things in the Bible which are hard to understand but, thank God, the plan of salvation is as simple as can be.”
Well the plan of salvation is simple IF we obey II Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing the Word of truth.” Otherwise it is far from simple.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom.3:28). Yet James wrote: “By works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).
Again, at Sinai God said to Israel through Moses: “If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people …” (Ex. 19:5). But our Lord said, as He sent His apostles to witness for Him that, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved… and these signs shall follow them that believe: in My name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues…” etc. (Mark 16:16-18). Thus, according to their “great commission” water baptism was required for salvation and miraculous signs were the evidences of salvation.
Confusing? Contradictory? Not if we “rightly divide the Word of truth.” It was after “the law was given by Moses,” after our Lord’s earthly ministry, after the commission to the twelve, that God raised up another apostle, Paul, and sent him forth with “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
It was Paul who was sent to declare: “But NOW, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested…” (Rom. 3:21). “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5). “Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."
To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.
Great post....many religions believe you only get to Heaven by Works...that, is not true...great post, Sparky. Have a lovely Sunday, my friend. Blessings
ReplyDeleteWe need to understand and study the Bible, great post.
ReplyDeleteWe did live in the country in Texas and loved it, now we live
in Arkansas on the city line. Our front yard is in the city and out
back yard fence if you step across it we are in the county. With a
hay field to look at and sometime deer.
I also watch the shows on PBS, they took my very best show off Keeping Up Appearance's.
I have pondered on this very subject a great deal. We are saved by grace and known by our works--is the conclusion I finally settled upon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post!
Sabbath Blessings, Friend!
Gosh! Your "rural Georgia" photos in the post below really do look like they could be right up the road from my white church image at my place! Nice!
ReplyDeleteI love this post...look forward to reading them. Today, it dovetails exactly my pastor's excellent sermon!
Patsy! I have ALL the KEEPING UP APPEARANCES and only two days ago started watching them again after a few years of not watching them; they took them off PBS here in L.A. about five years ago. Sadly.
I love it, too! Wish I could send you the DVD boxed set!
As Lulu said: "We are saved by grace and known by our works--is the conclusion I finally settled upon."
ReplyDeleteAs Matthew said (quoting Jesus): "Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do what my Father in Heaven wants them to do." Matthew 7:21.
Great post, Sparky.
God bless.
"Rightly dividing the word of truth..." Thank you, Holy Spirit that you are our teacher. I've had to do what it says at times, "Work out your salvation with much fear and trembling." I think that means not being saved by works of course but by putting on the armour and fighting the enemy, letting him know that Greater is HE that is in ME that he that is in the world. At the same time, seeking until you get Truth! Love you. Thanks for posting. I didn't make to church today. I had a sugar peak. I'm washed out now.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to be late getting here. I enjoyed this post and the comments very much.
ReplyDeleteBeen on the road most of the day. It was so very hot today.
Hope you both had a good day and that you rest well tonight.