FROM THE RADIO PROGRAM

CALL TO WORSHIP

As preached by Pastor Bernard (Bernie) Timmerman

 

In Romans 5:1 we find these blessed words, "therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Certainly it is in this verse, or the truth of it, that we stand or fall! There are but two religions in the world, one of works of man the other the works of God. We will trust in one or another; in what we have done or what God gives us. The only true way of salvation is God's way so plainly described in this verse, "Therefore being justified by faith." For us to be justified by faith as Paul was, we must know one in whom we can have faith. God's holy word tells us of that one, the Lord Jesus Christ. God told Adam of Him as we can read in Genesis 3:15. There He is described as the seed of the woman. Many times after that, God spoke of Christ to his saints. God told Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 12, "In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." This did not mean in Abraham as a person, but in the one who would be born of his seed. God promised to Abraham that Christ would be born from his descendants. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. Then the promise of such righteousness would be given to us also if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.

 

When Jesus was on earth, he said these words, "and this is eternal life that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." Eternal life is knowing the true God, the God who created this world for His glory!

 

He also tells us, "thou shalt have no other gods before me." We are not to dishonor this one and only true God by making gods of wood or stone or worshiping anything on this earth, but to come before this holy god believing that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6. We must believe that this God also calls us to love and obey Him, and because we do not, he will punish us. When we know this, and not only fear such punishment but agree that we deserve it, we are ready to hear the message of deliverance.

 

Yes, there is a way of deliverance from sin and death and hell. It is to know of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son. He died on the cross for such sinners as you and me. He died that we might live. In the old testament, we read of how the people of Israel offered animal sacrifices which were a type of Christ Jesus the Saviour. They believed he was coming to die for their sin. Many did not believe on him, but those that did could say with Paul, "therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Oh what a peace it is if we know our sins to be forgiven. If this is true, we also know why they were forgiven through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Have you ever stood before the Lord God of heaven, knowing your sin in His sight, knowing that even your best works were like filthy rags.? Do you know that it is true as John the Baptist said, "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire"? You cannot have fruit of lies or of anything contrary to God; the one and only God. He is in the heavens. He gives us His word to follow and to believe. Have you given heed to that word in its beginning? If you have, you will also come to that place of knowing your sin and the need of Jesus Christ. You will want not only to be forgiven, but to be changed. Only then will you be forgiven by God and given faith. Yes, God must give you the faith by which he makes it known that you are saved.

 

We are called to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but God will only give peace through Him when there is true repentance, not only from our outward sins, but those within as well.

 

Have you confessed all your sin before God and been forgiven? If you haven't, don't forget to confess and ask forgiveness for your pride as well. When God gives you an answer by his word, given in power by His Spirit, you will be able to say, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"!