Day 17 – Salvation
(Psa 119:155) Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. We have previously discussed how the devil seeks to devour. Any way he can successfully get a soul, he will do it. Whether it be the pleasures of this world or trying to destroy the Word of God, he will do whatever it takes to keep man away from salvation. That is why he is feverishly trying to pervert God’s Word so that man won’t find salvation. As we look at the Word of God today, look at how David worded this verse. Those who do not seek God’s statues will not be saved. Noah Webster defines statutes as:
STATUTE, [L., to set.]
1. An act of the legislature of a state that extends its binding force to all the citizens or subjects of that state, as distinguished from an act which extends only to an individual or company; an act of the legislature commanding or prohibiting something; a positive law. Statutes are distinguished from common law. The latter owes its binding force to the principles of justice, to long use and the consent of a nation. The former owe their binding force to a positive command or declaration of the supreme power. Statute is commonly applied to the acts of a legislative body consisting of representatives. In monarchies, the laws of the sovereign are called edicts, decrees, ordinances, rescripts, etc.
2. A special act of the supreme power, of a private nature, or intended to operate only on an individual or company.
3. The act of a corporation or of its founder, intended as a permanent rule or law; as the statutes of a university.
Those who try to defend their position that God’s Word is not preserved have not studied the matter out – that is obvious! Statutes are not just a word here and there. These are defined guidelines – notice, in the first definition, Mr. Webster states “a positive law.” He states further that “Statutes are distinguished from ‘common law.’ and ‘The former owe their binding force to a positive command or declaration of the supreme power’” The definition is clear that God’s statutes are not something that will fall apart through time. They are there for eternity. God never changes – what He hated in the Garden of Eden is hated today and will be hated 1,000 years from now. He is not man that He should change His opinion or stand. Who are you to think otherwise? Who are you to change His Word or think that He cannot keep His Word from Satan’s corruption? Satan did not succeed with he tempted Jesus in the wilderness – he even used the Word of God in his efforts to tempt Christ. You’ve had this happen in your own life, haven’t you – someone used your own words to accuse you or try to make you stumble? But you knew what you had said – you knew what you meant and you were able to straighten that person out. It’s the same with God’s Word. Satan was not successful when he tried to tempt Christ using His own words because he twisted the Word of God and the Master put ole slew foot in his place.
So as we pick apart today’s verse, we see that it is through God’s words that salvation can be found. Is it any wonder that the devil has tried so vehemently to corrupt it and to destroy it? Is it any wonder that there are over 100 versions of the Bible on the book shelves today? If you were to poll just those Christians in your life to see if they believe they have the preserved Word of God contained in their Bible, what would be their response? I was amazed to learn that although many in my own church had a King James Bible, they only had it because they thought it was the “best” version or the “closest” version. They did not have the assurance that God preserved His words! The devil has succeeded to convince the world that God must have limitations because He is not able to preserve His own words! If this is the case, then God cannot keep our salvation! Exactly … Now you’re getting it! Now you understand full well how Satan is successfully undermining God’s plan of salvation – he is causing man to doubt God’s Word and as a result everything relating to salvation is doubtful as well! You know what? It’s working! However, we are told that God’s Word will last forever! (Psa 119:160) Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
David knew how to overcome the devil’s ploys. He was “in the Word” and had it imprinted upon his heart! He turned to God’s words over and over to encourage himself. He did not allow the devil to keep him from it. He knew that in the Bible’s pages were the way to salvation. The Christian ought to arm himself with God’s Word. He ought to study it so he can be prepared to fight the devil. He ought to be convinced, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God is able to keep His Words from being destroyed. Do not think lightly of this.
The Words of God draw mankind to Himself – to salvation – whether it was in the Old Testament when God was present in a cloud or through the pages of our Holy Bible. God has not left us defenseless. He is not a cruel and uncaring God – He desires that we have fellowship with Him. Please take time to read these verses and let them speak to your heart. God is not temporal – He is eternal – He speaks in terms of eternity – forever:
(Exo 19:9) And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.
(Deu 12:28 ) Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
(Deu 29:29) The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
(Isa 59:21) As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
Forever means just that … without end … nothing negates God’s Words. You can believe your catechism all you want. You can believe your church leaders all you want. You can believe that televangelist all you want. But God will hold you accountable for what you have done with His Word. (Mat 12:36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Mat 12:37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
My friend, if you think you are on the right path with your belief system, please verify it. You would not board just any plane would you? You wouldn’t board that plane just because “someone” told you that it was the right plane, would you? You would make sure that this plane matched what was on your ticket, right? Why would you assume that you are on the right road to Heaven? Just because your minister, your priest or Rabbi says you are, is that good enough for you? Do you handle your everyday life’s situations like this? If someone told you to put all your savings in Enron shares because they had a good tip, would you have done it? Look what happened to those who did! If you are cautious with your savings, why are you not as cautious with where you will send your soul for all eternity? It is your decision – strictly yours! Do you have that perfect peace that is promised to the one who is actually saved from the pits of hell? The unbeliever will always have a twinge of doubt in his heart! He will never have the full assurance of salvation.
If you are saved, then what are you doing with God’s Word? Are you allowing someone else to glean and digest the spiritual meat from the Bible that God intended just for you? The day that you were depressed and needed encouragement, He was waiting to bless you with His perfect words of encouragement but you did not stop to read them. Remember, you are responsible for your own spiritual growth according 2 Tim. 2:15.
(Ecc 12:13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Do you fear God and keep His Word? Noah Webster defines duty as:
1. That which a person owes to another; that which a person is bound, by any natural, moral or legal obligation, to pay, do or perform. Obedience to princes, magistrates and the laws is the duty of every citizen and subject; obedience, respect and kindness to parents are duties of children; fidelity to friends is a duty; reverence, obedience and prayer to God are indispensable duties; the government and religious instruction of children are duties of parents which they cannot neglect without guilt.
My friend, it is your DUTY to fear God and keep His Word. This has not changed and will not change. Just as the rainbow is still remembered today as God’s covenant with mankind and will be so for all eternity, so is His precious word found in the pages of the Holy Bible. What will you do with it? Remember who God is! (Jer 10:10) But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Do you really want to take a chance with your eternal soul?
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