REPENTANCE AND RESTITUTION

Repentance means a change of mind. It is a change of mind that results in a change in behavior. Repentance is the result of godly sorrow (II Corinthians 7:10). Godly sorrow is the quality being so grieved by the wrongs committed in the past that there is a determination to turn away from those kinds of actions combined with a determination to do only that which is right in the eyes of God. This sorrow (godly sorrow) is not the sorrow of being caught, but sorrow that is characterized by a broken, contrite heart. Jude tells us that such a one hates even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 23). Repentance was described by Jonah when it was said that the Ninevites “turned from their evil way” (Jonah 3:10). When Jesus spoke of the same situation, He stated that they “repented at the preaching of Jonah” (Matthew 12:39-41).

All sin is against God and must be forgiven by God. King David recognized that though his sins involved others those sins were against God. He exclaimed, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4). God is not obligated to forgive. Forgiveness is the result of God’s mercy and grace. Forgiveness is through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). Paul in that passage also referred to the “riches” of God’s grace. God’s grace is sufficient to forgive all of the sins of all of mankind. There is no inadequacy in the blood of Christ. No matter how awful our sin is, no matter how many those sins are we can be forgiven by God. If we are alien sinners (not Christians), we must do those things that God requires in order to receive the remission (forgiveness) of our sins. We must obey the Gospel to be saved from our sins. That Gospel stipulates that we must believe in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of man (John 8:24), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5), confess our faith in Christ before men (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized by the authority of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16). If we are already members of the church, we must follow God’s second plan of pardon to be forgiven. We must repent of our sins (Acts 8:22) and confess those sins to God in prayer (I John 1:9; Acts 8:22). The blood of Jesus can thus cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In either case (alien sinner, fallen child of God), the common act required for forgiveness is repentance. It is, therefore, imperative that we understand what is meant by repentance and all that is involved in this act.

Repentance involves restitution. Restitution is restoring to another that which we have unjustly taken in our sins. If we have deprived others of some material thing, then we must restore to that person the thing taken or the value of that thing. If that cannot be done then reasonable satisfaction must be given. If what is taken is intangible, then every effort must be made to remove the effects of the wrong. In simple terms this means that if we have stolen an automobile we must return it if we have repented. We cannot keep riding around in the car if we have genuinely repented. I believe we all have the ability to understand this. This illustration has been used effectively many times. It clearly illustrates the idea of restitution involved in repentance.

If emotions were not so heavily involved in other similar situations, I believe we could see the parallel and apply this idea of restitution consistently with success. But, when “marriage” is the sin, many do not see as clearly as they would otherwise. If a person is in an unscriptural marriage (a “marriage” not authorized by God), then many want to suggest that a person can repent without giving up that which is not rightfully his or hers. Repentance requires restitution where possible. Baptism, in the case of the alien sinner becoming a Christian, does not sanctify an unscriptural relationship. The sin of adultery can be forgiven, but only when repentance occurs which means turning away from the practice of adultery. A person cannot continue in the sinful practice and have God’s approval or forgiveness. A person must stop the practice of whatever sin in order to be forgiven.

Perhaps this additional illustration will help. Suppose a practicing homosexual learned the Truth and wanted forgiveness. It is impossible to have that forgiveness and have a right relationship with God while continuing to practice homosexuality. That sinful practice must stop if forgiveness is to obtained! Baptism will not sanctify such a relationship that is sinful no more than baptism will sanctify an adulterous relationship. If forgiveness is to be obtained, then the sinful practice must stop. That is part of what repentance requires!

Lester Kamp

REBUKING THE SINS OF FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS

If you are a Christian teacher of the Bible who labors to follow Jesus’ example and His New Testament’s instructions in your life and teaching of God’s Word, it is important to understand and prepare yourself for those family members who, whether related to you by blood or law, think they are exempt from being taught Biblical truths that expose and refute their sins and/or spiritual weaknesses. To some of them being related to you means that you do not teach the Bible to them as you do to those unrelated to you. The foregoing is the case with those family members outside of Christ as well as those in Christ who are guilty of sin.

The foregoing is also true for some who are your close friends. Their understanding of being close friends means that they are exempt from your rebukes for any sins they have committed. Although in their thoughts or words they have never explicitly (in just so many words) said as much, they assume you have the same view of what it means to be their close friend as they do to be yours―close friends do not deal with each other’s sins as they do with other people’s sins. They expect preferential treatment. It is best described as the sinful “respecter of persons” mentality. When one must deal with the sins and/or spiritual weaknesses of family members and/or close friends in seeking to bring them to repentance, it will not take long to see which of them will thank you for loving them enough to say things to them that they need to hear, which things are painful for them to hear as well as for you to say.

It must have been a painful thing for the apostles Paul and Peter, along with their brethren, when Paul’s love for Jesus, His truth, His church, and Peter’s soul to withstand his fellow apostle, Peter, “to the face” because of the latter’s sin of hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11, 13). But not only had Peter sinned himself, but his sinful conduct caused other brethren to follow in his hypocritical footsteps. Paul’s public rebuke of Peter must have been at the very least a great embarrassment to Peter. However, on more than one occasion during our Lord’s personal ministry Jesus had rebuked Peter, and sometimes sharply, for his sins and spiritual weakness (Matthew 16:33; 13:31; Mark 14:29, 30). But to Peter’s great credit we see how humble, teachable, and correctable the apostle was (Proverbs 9:8; 13:1; 27:6; Ecclesiastes 7:5).

The episode of Paul rebuking Peter because of the latter’s sin did not result in the two apostles being estranged from one another as many times it is the case. There is no indication in the sacred writings that Peter was upset and angry with Paul because the latter publicly rebuked him for his sin. Peter did not cease to speak to or avoid Paul because the former was rebuked by the apostle to the Gentiles. In fact, many years later Peter referred to Paul “as our beloved brother” (II Peter 3:15). All too often when some brethren are publicly or privately rebuked for their sins, especially if the rebuke comes from brethren in the Lord who are family members or close friends, those receiving the rebuke forever hold a grudge against the one who delivered the rebuke.

Peter bore the marks of Christian character traits that all too few exercise when their sins are exposed by one who loves them enough to rebuke them for their sins. However, we who would be faithful in all things must be willing to lose the closeness that exists between family members as well as the closeness of our best friends in demonstrating our love for God, His Word, the church, and the sinner in need of rebuking. All too often those family members and close friends turn out to be only “fair weather friends” and “sunshine patriots.” They are simply not all they would have you to believe they are when it comes to their Christianity.

On the other hand, we who may be on the receiving end of a justified rebuke ought to look to Peter for an example of how to receive a deserved rebuke in being willing to cast down whatever pride we may have hindering us from making whatever corrections we need to make in order to be faithful to God. Moreover, we should be thankful for the child of God who loved us enough to point out our spiritual weaknesses and sins. Surely, if we understand that we have an obligation to God to rebuke the sins of our brethren, then we should also understand that we are to welcome being shown our sins by someone else, especially when we are rebuked by family members and friends, close or otherwise.

In closing this brief message we must realize that none of us who rightfully wear the name of Christ ought to allow pride, emotions, or relationships to cause us to fail in what needs to be said to or done with people in our efforts to get them to repent of their sins. The unforgiven sins in our lives are the only things that can separate us from God. Thus, those sins must be dealt with according to the scriptures. In order to do that, sinners must know and come to grips with the fact that certain actions in their lives are sinful and if heaven is to be their home they must repent of those sinful actions. Of course, if they do not repent, then at their death, or if the Lord returns first, they will be sentenced to eternal torment in a devils hell. No one wants that to happen to anyone―especially one’s dearly beloved family members and close friends. And to them and all others with Paul we ask, “Am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth” (Galatians.4:16).

David P. Brown

SALVATION FROM SINS

Some people believe and teach we are all God’s children, but that is not true. We are all God's creation. However, all who are accountable to God for their actions have sinned and are thus separated from God―they are lost in their sins and in need of God's salvation (Romans 3:23; 6:23). All who are in need of salvation are children of the devil. In this world, all people who are accountable to God for their actions are either children of the devil or they are children of God. Jesus said to some Jews of His day that they were children of their father the devil, and they loved to do the evil things that the devil does. Jesus told them that the devil was a murderer from the beginning and always hated the truth. Jesus said that was the case because there is no truth in him. Furthermore, Jesus said that when the devil lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice, and He knows them, and they follow Him (John 10:27). And, Paul tells us that the children of the devil become the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians3:26) We learn from the next verse when one is by faith made a child of God―“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (ASV, 1901). Jesus said, “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). He also asked, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Ephesians 1:3 tells us that Christians are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Paul also wrote of Christians, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). A child of the devil must take each step in God’s great plan of salvation. This is the conversion process of one ceasing to be a child of the devil and becoming a child of God in God’s great family, the church of His Son. This is the process of being born again (John 3:1-21).

The steps in God’s singular plan of salvation leading to eternal life in Heaven are:

Hear and understand the gospel, for that is how faith is formed in one and then strengthened and sustained.

• Romans 10:17―“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
• John 20:30-31―“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
• Romans 1:16―“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
• I Corinthians 15:1-4―“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ.

• John 8:24―“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
• John 3:18―“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
• Hebrews 11:1, 6―“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen … But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a re-warder of them that diligently seek him.”

Repent of one’s sins.

• Luke 13:5―“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
• Acts 17:30―“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”

Confess one’s faith in Christ.

• Romans 10:9-10―“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
• Acts 8:36-38―“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”

Be baptized (immersed) by the authority of Christ in water for the remission of sins.

• Mark 16:16―“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
• Acts 2:38―“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
• Acts 22:16―“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
• Romans 6:3-4―“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
• Galatians 3:26-27―“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.”
• I Peter 3:21―“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Having been added to the church by the Lord Himself (Acts. 2:42, 47), one must continue to be faithful to Christ in the church of our Lord, for salvation can be lost.

• I Corinthians 15:58―“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
• Hebrews 10:36-39―“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
• Revelation 2:10―“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
• II Peter 2:20-22―“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
• Galatians 5:4―“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

More than the foregoing God does not require of the child of the devil to become a child of God. Less than obedience thereto and one will remain a child of the devil, losing one’s soul when life on earth is finished. Don’t turn a deaf ear to God’s great plan to make a child of God out of a child of the devil, so one can live with him in glory when this life is over. Jesus saves only those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).

David P. Brown

MARKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

The world in general and religious people in particular ought to recognize that teachers and preachers have no more right to handle the Word of God deceitfully than the teller in your local bank has to juggle his books and misappropriate the funds of others. The thieving bank clerk if brought into court would land in jail, and the false teacher after judgment will dwell in torment. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9)

MODERN CHURCHES

Many churches have become famous because of the grandeur and splendor of their church buildings, the high educational attainments, or the gifted oratory of the minister. Others have gained favor among the people because of their social and recreational activities. They build a stage, sound the trumpets, and put on a show for the benefit of the world. The playroom displaces the prayer room. Lectures and book reviews take the place of Bible teaching and an ounce of Bible preaching against popular sins would cause as much consternation as a “block-buster” on Broadway. Such places are not churches; they are social clubs and recreational centers. There is a vast difference between the modern churches of today when they are contrasted with a model congregation of the New Testament period. Some one has written a poem on “The Modern Church” which will illustrate what I mean. It is too lengthy to quote in full but here are a few selections from the poem:

         “Well, wife I’ve found the modern church and worshipped there today;

It made me think the good old times had surely passed away.

The meeting house was finer built than they were years ago,

But I found when I went in ‘twas mostly built for show.

An usher led me down that stylish aisle (he knew that I was poor)

And found a plain uncushioned seat away back by the door;

I saw the people coming in―their silks a rustling made;

They did not come to worship God―it was a dress parade.

I wish you'd heard the music, wife, it had the opera ring,

The preacher did not rise and say, “Let everybody sing,”

No, no, dear wife, that’ out of date, they’ve got way up higher,

They don’t make music in their souls, but praise God with a choir.

There was an organ and a horn, a banjo and a flute,

And almost every kind of thing that’s used to squeak or toot.

It made me think of younger days when I attended balls,

They didn’t sound the Savior's name, of Crown him Lord of all.

I wish you’d heard the sermon, wife, ‘twas not the old time truth;

It did not suit old men like me, nor help the giddy youth.

It did not speak of dying love, nor yet of rising, power,

Nor of the Father’s watchful care, extended every hour.

He did not speak of church or creeds, the gospel’s power to save,

Or whether we should pour or cross, or dip beneath the wave.

He did not say, Confess your sins, be-lieve, repent or pray,

You could not tell there was a soul that needed aught that day.”

            These few verses from the pen of T. R. Burnett serve as an indictment of modernism in religion. Is it for social entertainment? Do you go to hear lectures on social, political, or economic issues? Do you go to church to hear a book review of some current, best-seller in the field of literature? Or do you go to church to hear God’s word pro-claimed, the Bible taught in its purity, and engage with other kindred souls in the most devout and sincere worship of God the Father? Jesus said to the woman at Jacob’s well: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:22, 24).

VAIN WORSHIP

Jesus further informs us that it is possible for us to worship God in vain. To the Pharisees, the strictest sect of that day, Jesus said: “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9).

The religious world today needs to realize that a “thus said the Lord” is vital in all worship and teaching. God’s revelation of the acts of worship, and the conditions of pardon, stands complete and final. He has given unto us all that pertains to life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). We have a “perfect law of liberty” in Christ (James 1:25), so we should be careful to continue therein. That which is perfect never needs amendment, substitution, or sub-traction. In this connection let’s read (Revelation 22:18, 29): “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man shall take away the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

LOYALTY TO THE TRUTH

The church of Christ in your community believes in calling Bible things by Bible names, teaching the truth in its primitive simplicity, and worshipping the Father as the Bible directs. The power of plain gospel preaching, and the beauty and simplicity of a scriptural worship service are the only attractions we have to offer the world. We have no plea but the gospel and no creed except the New Testament. If you are interested in becoming better acquainted with a group of people who profess to be Christians only, here are a few considerations that will help you to understand:

1. Who We Really Are

The church of the Lord, in your community, is composed of those believers in Christ, who have become obedient from the heart to that form of doctrine delivered unto men. (Romans 6:17) being thereby made free from all past sins, and having become children of God and heirs with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). As heirs with Christ and followers of his teaching, the members of the church, wear the name Christian signifying their relation to Christ (Acts 11:26).

We believe that the whole heart of man composed of the intellect, emotions, and will power, must be completely turned from a love of sin and unrighteousness to an abiding love for God and right. This complete change of heart is accomplished by the Holy Spirit through the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

The Spirit testifies through the gospel of Christ and we having heard this testimony, became believers in Christ (Romans 10:17). The gospel is the instrument that the Spirit used to produce spiritual life in our hearts (I Corinthians 4:15).

Realizing that faith must work by love to avail anything (Galatians 5:6), we became obedient to the faith (Romans 1:5) and at this point Christ became the author of our salvation (Hebrews 5:9). Our souls were purified by obedience to the truth (I Peter 1:22), and in our submission we acknowledged Christ as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

Faith in the Spirit's testimony led us in godly sorrow to repent of all past sins (II Corinthians 7:10). Then, realizing that salvation was possible only in Christ, we desired to enter into Christ where such spiritual blessings as redemption and the hope of Life eternal might be received. From the Spirit’s teaching we learned that the believing, penitent person should be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3) and that such a baptism is unto the remission of past sins (Acts 2:38), we were then “buried with Christ” in baptism, and then raised to walk in newness of life.

All those baptized, who were baptized in accord with the Spirit’s instructions, were added to the church by the Lord Himself (Acts 2:47), so we also, by the same Lord, were in the same manner added to the same church. If not, why not? Has the law of reproduction failed? Has the Lord disregarded His divine plan of adding to the church daily, such as should be saved? No, the Lord has not failed, neither has the plan been altered. Com-ply with the conditions of pardon specified in God’s Word today, and the Lord will still add you to His church now just like He has added thou-sands of others in ages past.

2. As To The Worship Service

We assemble on the first day of the week “to break bread" or observe the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7) and by this solemn service we keep alive in our hearts the memory of our Lord’s suffering and death until some glad day we shall see Him coming on the clouds of heaven (I Corinthians 11: 17).

There is no melody sweeter than the heartfelt melody of human voices rising in praise and devotion, in “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16). And since the Lord commanded that we make melody WITH our hearts unto Him in song, we do not presume to use a mechanical instrument which is wholly unauthorized in the New Testament.

We fully recognize the need and obligation of teaching and giving much time to the study of God’s Word. We also, as did the brethren in Jerusalem, desire to continue in the “apostle’s doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers” (Acts 2:42). We are taught to give our means as we are prospered (I Corinthians 16:1-2), out of which funds we support all the work of the church. The contribution on the first day of every week is assessed by Jehovah according to our ability, but there is no assessment by man, nor do we ever raise money by entertainment to support the Lord’s work. “As a man purposeth in his heart, so let him give” (II Corinthians 9:8) Do you know friends, that the most desirable and happy life on earth is the Christian Life? And the way the Lord reveals in His word is clearly de-fined and will safely lead us home to heaven. Why not walk that way today?

J. A. McNutt

“Your Problem Is That You Are Just Unloving…”

Has anyone ever told you that? I have heard that a few times through the years, and things similar to it: “You are too negative,” “You need to be more concerned with the spirit of the law and less concerned with the letter of the law,” and more. Prior to finishing any article (this one included) I ask myself several questions about what I have written—Is it correct? Is it needed? Is it balanced? Are there two or more ways of seeing the issue considered? Have I proven my point clearly? Am I speaking the truth in love?

I love the Lord—first and foremost. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I love the lost—alien sinners and erring brethren. I love the liberals—they are lost, mistaken, misguided (sometimes), ignorant (sometimes), and even hypocritical, but I love them anyway. I hope to call to their attention the error of their way that they might repent before Jesus comes or they die; for, lacking such repentance, He will spew them out of His Mouth. Every line of this article, like them all, is written with love.

Is it unloving to point out the error of one’s way to him? Jesus did it. Paul did it. Peter did it. In fact, if you took out every book of the Bible that says something to us about the importance of living right and not living wrong, what would you have left? Not much. While it might be unpleasant to read of your sin, please stop accusing me (and others) of being unloving because we earnestly contend for the faith. If we did not love, we would not try to correct.

If what you read on these pages is wrong, prove it, and let me know; I do not wish to go to hell for teaching false doctrine. If what you read on these pages is right and proves that you are doing something that is wrong, repent—for judgment surely comes. If you are proven wrong and you still refuse to repent then you are the unloving one for Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

I remember an old saying about throwing a rock into a pack of dogs—which one barks first? Make sure that what you are doing is proper—it would be a shame to come so close to the truth only to miss heaven because of liberalism in whatever form. I do love Jesus. I do love you and long for your salvation. That is why I try to reach you with the truth.

Tim Smith

Use the Tide

An old gentleman states that when he was a small boy, he lived on the coast. One morning after a great storm he saw an old ship stranded. The storm had blown her in, and she was badly damaged and deserted by her crew. He said that sometimes, when the tide would come in strongly and surround the old ship, she would almost be loosed from her moorings and go out. He stated that often he would go and stand by her and hope she would go out. He would say, “Go out, old ship; go out with the tide.” But she never did. Finally, one morning after a severe storm he went down to look at the old ship, but the storm had blown her to pieces. Only the floating pieces of the old wreck were to be seen. She had many an opportunity, but she never went out.

How like many a backslider! The tide of opportunity to repent has risen for many and it was hoped they would go out from their sinful ways, but they settled back and never went out. If we are not living as we should, we had better take advantage of the opportunity to repent while the “tide is in.” Jesus said: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Remember: “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2). Now is the only time we are guaranteed—for the “tide may soon be out.”

Author Unknown

The Gospel Plan of Salvation

HEAR the word of God; the Bible (Romans 10:17)

BELIEVE the word of God and that Jesus is Lord (John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6)

REPENT of sin (Acts 17:30)

CONFESS that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33)

BE BAPTIZED in order to receive remission of sins (Acts 2:38); in order to have past sins washed away (Acts 22:16); in order to get into the body of Christ, the church (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:47); in order to be saved (Mark16:15-16; I Peter 3:21)

LIVE FAITHFULLY in accordance with God’s word (I John 1:6-9; Revelation 2:10)