Plain Talk Vol.1, No.11, Pg.3 - Cedar Park Church of Christ

Plain Talk Logo

Vol. 1, No. 11
November, 1964

We Must "Take" The Remedy . . .

"This fellow was on the way to be baptized, see! And this limb fell on him, and killed him. Now, what about that fellow?"

Repeatedly, this ancient question is asked --- often by people who seem to think they have originated the Gordian knot --- as if every commandment of the Lord relative to baptism must now be cast aside.

Suppose we have that same man on his way to hear about Christ, for the very first time? A crocodile jumps up out of the bar-ditch and gobbles him down. Now, what about that fellow?? In both cases the untimeliness of his death, or what he may have done had he lived, have nothing to do with his spiritual fate. This is determined by what he did do -- the "things done in his body" while he lived. (2 Cor.5:lO Rom. 2:6)

Was he a sinner? If so, the wages of sin are death. (Rom. 6:23) But we are reminded that "the gift of God is eternal life." To which we reply that this is "through Jesus Christ our Lord." Christ's death on the cross is the REMEDY--it made possible the salvation of sinners; but the remedy must be taken, or appropriated, before its benefits are realized.

Citizens of the proverbial "far-away" island who have "never heard of Christ" are just as lost as those in Suberbia, U.S.A., who know of Christ, but ignore Him. Those islanders die of physical disease, in the absence of modern medicine, just as we do who have the medicine but refuse to take it. The same principle is true with reference to spiritual sickness. Spiritual death is due to sin -- here, or there, or anywhere.
One of the plainest of Bible doctrines is the Remedial aspect of the gospel of Christ. The laws of God's revelation do not impose a burden upon mankind; but are a part of God's gracious remedy, to correct and deliver us from the consequences of a spiritual condition we brought upon ourselves.

Man was already a sinner when our Lord died for us. (Rom. 5:8) In Matt. 26:28 Jesus said, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." "FOR REMISSION OF SINS" means, in order that sins may be removed. lie did not die because sins were removed, but so that they may be removed. That is clear to all Bible readers.

Then Peter uses the same expression in his instructions to the believing portion of the Pentecostial multitude. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you--- for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38) The obvious facts are: these people were sinners, they believed Peter's statements re. Jesus Christ, and they must now repent, and be baptized, (by Christ's authority) SO THAT THEIR SINS WOULD BE REMOVED. God's instructions were a part of the remedy for sins --- the means by which God saw fit to test their faith, and the conditions upon which he saw fit to offer salvation through Christ.

Recognizing your sinful condition, have you faith enough to obey God??

[Previous Article] [Next Article]

Created on 20-Jan-99

Page last updated

"This fellow was on the way to be baptized, see! And this limb fell on him, and killed him. Now, what about that fellow?" Repeatedly, this ancient question is asked --- often by people who seem to think they have originated the Gordian knot --- as if every commandment of the Lord relative to baptism must now be cast aside. Suppose we have that same man on his way to hear about Christ, for the very first time? A crocodile jumps up out of the bar-ditch and gobbles him down. Now, what about that fellow?? In both cases the untimeliness of his death, or what he may have done had he lived, have nothing to do with his spiritual fate. This is determined by what he did do -- the "things done in his body" while he lived. (2 Cor.5:lO Rom. 2:6) Was he a sinner? If so, the wages of sin are death. (Rom. 6:23) But we are reminded that "the gift of God is eternal life." To which we reply that this is "through Jesus Christ our Lord." Christ's death on the cross is the REMEDY--it made possible the salvation of sinners; but the remedy must be taken, or appropriated, before its benefits are realized. Citizens of the proverbial "far-away" island who have "never heard of Christ" are just as lost as those in Suberbia, U.S.A., who know of Christ, but ignore Him. Those islanders die of physical disease, in the absence of modern medicine, just as we do who have the medicine but refuse to take it. The same principle is true with reference to spiritual sickness. Spiritual death is due to sin -- here, or there, or anywhere.		One of the plainest of Bible doctrines is the Remedial aspect of the gospel of Christ. The laws of God's revelation do not impose a burden upon mankind; but are a part of God's gracious remedy, to correct and deliver us from the consequences of a spiritual condition we brought upon ourselves. Man was already a sinner when our Lord died for us. (Rom. 5:8) In Matt. 26:28 Jesus said, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." "FOR REMISSION OF SINS" means, in order that sins may be removed. lie did not die because sins were removed, but so that they may be removed. That is clear to all Bible readers. Then Peter uses the same expression in his instructions to the believing portion of the Pentecostial multitude. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you--- for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38) The obvious facts are: these people were sinners, they believed Peter's statements re. Jesus Christ, and they must now repent, and be baptized, (by Christ's authority) SO THAT THEIR SINS WOULD BE REMOVED. God's instructions were a part of the remedy for sins --- the means by which God saw fit to test their faith, and the conditions upon which he saw fit to offer salvation through Christ. Recognizing your sinful condition, have you faith enough to obey God?? [Previous Article] [Next Article]