Grace Bible Church



Do you Believe?

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am." John 13 vs 13.

Here is a certain fact that will cost you sorely should you miss it. Many profess to believe on Jesus Christ who have never bowed the knee to him. They have no intention of obeying Him as LORD, nor following his example as Master, and because of this neglect so many suffer, yet this is what is implied in believing,
three things to be exact:

 (1) Believing,  (2) Obeying, and (3) Following.

(1) To believe is to know, understand and trust Christ as Savior. It is to have a supernatural understanding of His atoning work at Calvary. That is to say, the salvation that Christ accomplished at Calvary must be known experimentally in ones heart. Taking nothing away from good and sound doctrine which is a necessary forerunner to this vital saving faith, it must however be more than a historical and objective faith. It must come to the sinner through a regenerated faith which knows that Christ has obtained eternal redemption for them.
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 tim 1vs12
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17vs3
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: " 1Peter 1vs18,19

(2) To obey him as LORD is to bow to His word and government. Lordship means possessor and owner. Christ Jesus the LORD owns the believer. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. " 1cor 6vs20. The believer has been bought with a price. It is the precious blood of Jesus Christ. This inestimable price therefore gives The LORD the right to do whatever he wills with us. "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?" Math 20vs15  The believer then lives their life seeking the will of GOD and earnestly asking for grace to do it. And do it from a heart shed abroad by the LOVE of GOD. This is how they make their calling and election sure, and thus will avoid the calamitous words, "I never knew you".

(3) To FOLLOW Him. Jesus Christ came to set an example for us. That's right, an example. I was told by someone "that to set up Christ as an example is to make him no better than Buddha". Well, who better to do it? We had none. We are not examples, not such as could be said is the way and example to glory. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14vs6. It is this great truth that our LORD will bring home to his disciples this day. He will burn it into their hearts after three years of evangelical perfection, of flawless sermons drawn from the well of divinity and truth, of miracles the world cannot attain, in order to deliver them from the corruption that comes with external ministry for fame, fortune and pride, which lay at the door of the apostle. He will give them the honorable garment of humility and true discipleship. John 13vs15 "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." This testimony, Peter was reluctant to accept, because he like us all are reluctant to do! "Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Jon13vs8

Child of GOD! What do you think it means to be a Christian? It is to be conformed to the image of His Son in order that we might glorify GOD in these bodies which are His.

John 13 Vs 17 "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

Pastor JesseGistand
Grace Bible Church
San Leandro, CA 94572

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