Glass Street church of Christ

site last modified
February 26, 2008

FOLLOWING THE PLAN

by Randy Meyer

Consider for a moment a situation where you have decided to build your perfect dream home. You deliver the perfect plans to a qualified builder with the instructions to build it according to the plans. While constructing your home, the contractor decides you should have 1 bathroom rather than 2 ½ , 2 huge bedrooms rather than 4, and a two story “doll house” with no basement rather than a one level “ranch” with a basement. You would find such a blatant disregard for your plans and instructions completely unacceptable.

However, many today do the exact same thing with respect to God’s plan of salvation. It is nothing short of a complete arrogance on the part of the creature (man) to think they can alter the creator’s (God’s) divine plan and still be acceptable to Him. Before the world was formed, God determined His plan of salvation and it is up to us to “build” our spiritual lives accordingly.

It is understood that for one to follow a plan one must first hear such. This is also the case in God’s plan. One begins by Hearing His word. In Acts 18:8, we find “…and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” John also states that Christ performed many other signs “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; that that believing ye might have life through His name.” (John 20:30-31). In Romans 10:17, Paul emphasizes the need for hearing in that “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We can also view the 1st century examples of such hearing in Acts 2:22, 37, 8:30-31, and 15:7.

When one hears God’s word with a sincere heart, they begin the second step in God pan of salvation by Believing. “I (Christ) 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 8:24). Christ further stated the all familiar passage in “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Without belief, we can expect no greater than damnation on the final judgment day. (Also see Mark 16:16 and Acts 8:36-37)

The belief that we begin to form in following God’s plan of salvation will lead us to the understanding that we have sinned and separated ourselves from God (Rom. 3:23, I John 3:4, 5:17, James 1:13-15). This will cause a remorse within our hearts and a desire to turn away from sinning against Him. We will desire to be pleasing in His sight and therefore we will Repent. Those on the day of Pentecost were convicted by hearing the words spoken by the apostles and desired to know “…what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized…” (Acts 2:37-38). When Simon sinned in Acts 8, Peter told him “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness…” (Acts 8:22). Our turning away for sin is not an option. The scriptures state that God “ now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30) (Also see Luke 15:21, Acts 2:38)

Once we have heard, believed and repented of our sins, we find that God’s plan of salvation further includes Confession. As has been stated in an earlier issue, this confession is not that one is a sinner, but rather the confession stated by Peter in Matt. 16:16 in that “…Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Christ stated that we must confess Him before men (Matt. 10:32, Luke 12:8) This is exactly what the Ethiopian eunuch did as recorded in Acts 8. “And Phillip 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.” (Acts 8:37) Paul admonishes us that “ “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10) It is impossible to leave this step out of Gods plan of salvation and yet be acceptable.

Although many would like to stop the plan at this point, a common requirement running through God’s steps in His plan of salvation is the fifth step of Baptism. Although many may deny, the Bible reveals the fact that baptism is a vital part of salvation. Peter instructed those on the day of Pentecost “…Repent, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 2:38) It is through a watery burial and “resurrection” (baptism) that we crucify our old sinful self. (Rom. 6:3-18, Col. 2:12). The necessity of baptism in God’s plan of salvation is made very clear in that “…whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…” (I Peter 3:21) (Also see examples found in Acts 2:41, 8:12, 8:38, 9:18, 16:15 & 33)

For one to attempt to alter ANY part of God’s plan of salvation will find no more pleasure with Him than our example of the contractors alteration of the dream house plans. Have you completely followed God’s plan. You have now heard His message “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30) The Lord is not wishing that any perish but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). Won’t you accept His call by following His complete plan today. Please contact us at any time to assist you in beginning life anew by adhering to all His commands.