Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel–that will stand.
Richard Craig, Author at GraceAndWorks - Page 31 of 59
If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
While sitting in Bible class this morning (Sunday), there was a statement made about some who think that Baptism is a “Peculiar” story. I thought to myself, why is that? Is it because it isn’t needed? Is it because it is just a dunk in the water for for no reason? Is it because I don’t want to do “That”? Just why would it be a Peculiar story? So I got to thinking about a few other “Peculiar” stories that are in the Bible.
The story of Naaman, who had leprosy. God told him to go to the river Jordan and dip seven times. Naaman did what God said and was cured of his leprosy. What if he only dipped six times? Would he have been cured? We don’t know for sure, but I doubt he would have. A “Peculiar” story? Maybe, but God told Naaman what to do, he did it, and it worked.
The story of Moses when God told him to speak to the rock and there would be water. Moses struck the rock instead. Water still occurred, however, it cost Moses his place in the promised land. He hadn’t done what God told him. A “Peculiar” story? Maybe, but God told Moses what to do and he didn’t do it. Costly mistake on Moses’s part.
The story of Lot and his wife after God had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for immorality (Homosexuality). He told them to leave and not look back. Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. She hadn’t done what God said to do. A “Peculiar” story? Maybe, but God told them what to do and she didn’t obey Him. Costly mistake on her part.
The story of Noah and the building of the Ark. God gave him specific plans on what to use as materials and the exact size of it. Noah built it exactly as God had told him. By doing what God said, Noah saved his family and all the animals. Others were told about the flood that was coming, but didn’t do what God had said. A “Peculiar” story? Maybe, but Noah did what God said and was saved. The others–a costly mistake.
Now back to baptism. God says to repent and be baptized every one of you for the forgiveness of sins. God also says to obey my commands and I will prepare for you a place. We can see by the other stories that those who did what God says were taken care of. Those who didn’t do what God said made costly mistakes. Baptism–A “Peculiar” story? Maybe, but it appears to me that those who do what God says will be taken care and those who don’t do what God says will be making a costly mistake.
“When they set their threshold by My threshold, and their doorpost by My doorpost, with a wall between them and Me, they defiled My holy name by the abominations which they committed; therefore I have consumed them in My anger.”
“I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
Therefore since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.
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