"Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator." (1 Peter 4:19)¹   

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¹Some people suffer in this life more than others. For those who do, it may be more difficult to commit themselves to Christ. The problems and troubles of this world can certainly distract us and interfere with our being Christians. Sometimes things may become so difficult and we are so involved in our struggles that we don't want to think about Jesus. We don't want the help that is offered by our brothers and sisters. But we choose to suffer alone. God wants to hear your problems through prayer. Jesus wants to help you through His Word. And your family in Christ loves you and wants to help. If you will let them. 

If you're interested in learning more about God's word please e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

Today's blog is from one of our members, Bill Brittenham.

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16.16, ESV)¹

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¹There are at least five different views of Mark 16.16. Let us examine them all.

View #1: “He who believes and is baptized will not be saved.”

• Those who believe this view: Atheists, Muslims, Jews, etc.
• Why? Because they do not believe in God or the Bible.
• Problem with this view: There is a God and His majesty and existence is seen in the creation of this world (Psalm 19.1; Rom. 1.19-20).

View #2: “He who does not believe and is not baptized will be saved.”

• Those who believe this view: Universalist [one that claims all will be saved].
• Why? Ultimately, because they cannot believe in a God that would send anyone to hell.
• Problem with this view: God says some will be saved and others will be lost: Matt. 7.13-14, 21-23; Rom. 6.23, etc.

View #3: “He who does not believe and is baptized will be saved.”

• Those who believe this view: Catholics, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc.
• Why? This view means infant baptism. They believe babies are born in sin and therefore they must be baptized to be saved (where’s the Scripture?).
• Problem with this view: The Bible says one must hear (Rom. 10.17), believe (John 8.24), repent of sins (Acts 2.38), and confess Jesus (Rom. 10.9-10) before one may be baptized. Can a baby do any of that?

View #4: “He who believes and is not baptized will be saved.”

• Those who believe this view: Baptist, Methodist, Lutherans, etc.
• Why? They do not believe baptism is necessary for salvation. However, they believe salvation is by “faith alone”.
• Problem with this view: Jesus said baptism is essential in Matt. 28.18-20. James said we are not saved by “faith only” (James 2.24). Since Jesus requires faith (John 3.16), repentance (Luke 13.3), and confession (Matt. 10.32-33), then one cannot be saved by “faith alone”.

View #5: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

• Those who believe this view: Those who believe Jesus, the Son of the living God.
• Why? Because they want to listen to Jesus (Matt. 17.5), obey Jesus (Luke 6.46), and be saved by Jesus (John 14.6).
• Problem with this view: None. This is the only view that quotes Jesus. The truth is, salvation and forgiveness of sins is found in baptism in the name of Jesus (Acts 2.38; 22.16; Gal. 3.27, etc.).

If we our honest with God’s word, we can see that Jesus’ words are truth and are in opposition to the views of the religious world. This raises the questions, "Which view is a lie?" and "Have you believed a lie?"

What is your view of Mark 16.16? Let me know. If you’re interested in learning more about the different views of Mark 16.16 e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

"Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you." (Deuteronomy 4.23, ESV)¹

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¹As time goes by we often tend to forget the past. This includes important details, events, conversations, people, instructions, etc. No wonder our Creator deemed it necessary to remind us of His instructions. In our text, God's people were to remember the covenant they made with their Lord. One of the ways God helped His people was by instituting memorials (Exo. 12, etc.); just as we have the Lord's Supper today, as a memorial of our Lord's death (1 Cor. 11.23-26). 

Interestingly, one of the purposes of the Holy Scriptures is to remind us of everything God has revealed (See Deut. 6.12; Rom. 15.15; 1 Cor. 4.17; 15.1; 2 Tim. 2.14; Titus 3.1; 2 Peter 1.12-13; Jude 5, etc.). This is not only understood in the fact that the inspired writers constantly made mention of stirring their readers' minds up by way of reminder, but that the Scriptures are to be read, studied, meditated upon, and read again; especially by us today.

If we do not continue steadfastly in God's word we can be sure we will forget His will for our lives. Moses recorded for the Israelites' memory, “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today..." (Deut. 8.11).

God has done His part by preserving His word for us today. Will we do our part by remembering it (James 1.21-25)? If you want to learn more about God's word e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4.7, ESV)¹

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¹Want to hear the secret to defeating Satan? The Lord's brother, James, wrote that if we resist him, he will flee from us. Peter wrote concerning Satan, "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5.8b, ESV). We all know when lions attack; when their prey is weak or is not paying attention. Hence, Peter calls us to remain sober-minded and vigilant against the lion's attacks (1 Peter 5.8a). This involves us being spiritually alert at all times because spiritual carelessness breeds all kinds of opportunities for the devil. Furthermore, when we understand that God has always provided us with a way of escape from temptation (1 Cor. 10.13), resisting the devil is not only possible, it is expected. Therefore, when we stand firm in our faith (1 Peter 5.9), the seeking-someone-to-devour lion loses his prowling and devouring abilities. In other words, when we fully surrender to God by humbly submitting to Him, we take away any opportunity for the devil to catch us off-guard (cf. Eph. 4.27).

This leads us to an interesting thought: If we do not give him an opportunity, what power does he have over us? In fact, James says that if we resist him that he will flee from us. If a lion is fleeing from us it is because we are stronger than he is! Therefore, Satan only has the power we choose to give him (See Romans 6 for additional study)! And if no power, no control! If you’re interested in learning more about God’s word and how you can have power over Satan instead of the other way around, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5.10, ESV)¹

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¹Contextually, Peter wrote about the suffering that his readers were experiencing and would continue to experience. Though these saints were being grieved by various fiery trials, their genuineness of faith was being tested (1 Peter 1.6-9; 4.12, etc.). In other words, remaining faithful in a dark world will involve hardship, and even more so, remaining faithful through suffering proves our commitment to God. In reality, it separates those who love the Lord and those who give Him lip service.

However, to help these suffering saints endure these trials Peter instructs them how to conduct themselves throughout their life here on earth and builds them up by reminding them of the promises of God to deliver them in the end (please read both 1 and 2 Peter for these instructions and promises). This helps explain our text at hand. Simply put, Peter's point is after we have been tested and found to be genuine that the God of all grace will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. In other words, we will receive the end of our faith - the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1.9). What great promises! We may have many hardships that we must endure, but our Father who calls us to His eternal glory in Christ says this is just for a little while, and does not compare to the eternity that awaits us (see 1 Peter 1.6; 2 Cor. 4.17; Rom. 8.18).

Are you in Christ (Gal. 3.26-27)? If we suffer, Peter instructs us not to suffer as a sinner, but as a Christian who has entrusted himself to a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4.12-19). If you want be comforted with the peace that only Christ can give you, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.