GOD HAD A LAW -- Part II

     How pleased we are to have you in our listening audience this
morning. We continue to be encouraged by the remarks of those who
are tuning in each Sunday. Again, we remind you, tell someone else
about the program. If you hear something that you do not agree with,
please tell us. It is my sincere desire and the hope of the
congregation of God's people who brings this message to you each
week, to teach the truth of God's word. If you detect something that
is not truth, you will be our friend by pointing it out. It is my
sincere desire to go to heaven when this life in the flesh is over.
And the only way that I can do this is to harmonize my life, my
thinking, my actions, my very being, with the revealed Word of God
as we have it in the New Testament of Christ Jesus our Lord.
     If you have a question or comment concerning this program,
please contact us at Route 1, Box 502, Anahuac, TX 77514. If you
would like a copy of any of the manuscripts used in these
broadcasts, or a cassette of any of the programs, please let us
know. There are no strings attached to this. There is no cost
involved in this. The White Park church of Christ finances this
program, as well any expense with reference to the manuscripts or
cassettes. We again remind you, do not send any money. We are not in
the profit making business. I realize that this is so different from
so much of what the religious world hears today. The usual trend is
"Send us your money, and God will bless you." My friends, God's
blessings are not dependent upon your supporting some radio or
Television program. God's blessings are dependent upon your doing
the will of the Father. This is not to say that a Christian does not
have obligations as to how we use our material blessings. But, what
we are saying is that so often we hear religious programs and
immediately we hear a plea for your money to be sent to them. Again,
I say, if it is a worthy work, those who are engaged in it should
pay the bill. That is what the White Park church of Christ is doing.
     Now to our lesson for the morning. Last week we spoke upon the
subject, "God had a law." In that lesson we discussed the example of
Naaman, as found in 2 Kings, chapter 5. We pointed out how the
prophet of God, Elisha, told Naaman to go and "wash (dip) in the
river Jordan seven times and he would be clean." We noted also that
Naaman was healed of his leprosy when he obeyed the command of the
prophet and "dipped in the Jordan seven times." We saw how that it
was Jehovah who healed him, but the healing took place only when
Naaman did what the prophet commanded him to do. We stated, "God had
a law." And, if we are to receive the blessings of the Lord we must
obey the law as given to us.
     I wish to examine another example to illustrate that God's laws
must be obeyed if blessings are to be received.
     In John the 9th chapter is the story of the man "born blind."
Jesus "anointed his eyes with clay" (verse 6) and told him to "Go
and wash in the pool of Siloam." The book says, "He went his way
therefore, and WASHED, and came away SEEING." Now the enemies of
Christ sought to discredit this miracle, just as many attempt to do
today. They called Christ a sinner. The blind man said, "Whether he
is a sinner or not, I know not; ONE THING I DO KNOW, that, whereas I
was blind, now I see." Ladies and gentlemen, here is another plain,
easy to be understood example, with reference to God's dealings with
man: "Whereas I was blind, now I see." What was God's law here? A
very simple command, "Go wash in the pool of Siloam." Isn't that
simple?  The man went, washed, and received his sight. Why? Because
God had a law. Here, the grace of God was bestowed upon this man who
was born blind. There was something done for this blind man that he
could not do for himself. Sight was restored, by the grace of God.
Someone might say, "Could not Christ have just healed him, maybe
touched his eyes, or just said, 'receive thy sight'."  Who would
deny that the Son of God could have done it that way if He had so
decided. But, the fact remains, that is not the way the Lord healed
him. "God had a law." "Go and wash, and you shall see."  Who would
deny that it was the Lord who healed him? It was grace bestowed upon
the blind man, yet, it was bestowed upon him when he met the
conditions stated by the Lord. What made him go to the pool and to
wash? It was his faith, his trust, his reliance upon the one who so
commanded him to go. Suppose the blind man would have said, "That's
silly, why the washing, why the pool of Siloam?" "Just do it this
way." You see, that is the way mankind reasons today with reference
to the commands of the Lord. So often today, man wants to do the
will of God, but they want to do it in their own ways, and only that
which they want to do. Unless we are willing to do all things
commanded of the Lord we will not be saved.
     Cornelius had the right attitude. When the apostle Peter came
into his house, Cornelius said, "Forthwith therefore I sent to thee;
and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all
here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been
commanded thee of the Lord." (Acts 10:33). And that, my friends,
must be my attitude and your attitude if we would please Jehovah.
     But back to the example of the blind man in John 9. Blindness
is a type of our being lost. In Acts 26:18, we have the words of the
apostle Paul as he gives an account of his conversion. He states
that the Lord appeared unto him, and sent him to the Gentiles, "to
open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from
the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins
and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me."
Hence, the receiving of the blind man's sight would be a type of our
receiving our salvation. But, between his "blindness" and his
"sight" there was "water." Question: Did the water heal him? On, no,
my friends. It was Jesus that healed him. Did he trust in the water?
Oh, no, his confidence was in this man called Jesus. But, the fact
remains, the man could not see until he went to the pool of Siloam
and washed therein. You see, God had a law. That law said, "Go and
wash." The man went and washed and Christ healed him. That is how
grace works. When man obeys the laws of God, the Lord keeps His
promises.
     Suppose someone had come along and saw this blind man grouping
his way toward the pool of Siloam, with mud in his eyes. He might
ask, where are you going and why?  Upon receiving an explanation,
the comment might have been made, "Don't you know there is no power
in the water;" or, "You don't have to do anything, just believe and
your sight will be given." And then, suppose this blind man would
have accepted this advice. Do you think he would have been healed?
To ask the question is to answer it. You well know, the blindness
would have remained. When did the man see?  When he washed, not
before. Surely, it took faith and confidence on his part. But, it
also to obedience. God had a law and he had to obey it. Man has to
have help to misunderstand this important lesson.
     In Acts 22:16, as Paul was relating his conversion, he said
that the preacher Ananias, came to him and said, "And now why
tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on his name." Is there any connection to baptism and the
washing away of sins?  This inspired man seemed to think that there
was. Paul, at that time called Saul, was a believer; he had seen the
risen Lord who had appeared to him on the road that led from
Jerusalem to Damascus. He had spent three days praying. So here we
have a man that had seen the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ; who had
followed his advice to go into the city and there it would be told
him what to do; had been praying for three days; hearing a preacher
to tell him to arise and be baptized to wash away his sins. Here was
a penitent, praying, believer, who was yet in his sins. You see,
Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." And
that is exactly what Saul desired. Yes, God had a law for Saul. Saul
had to obey that law. And when he did, the Lord forgave him as he
has promised. That is salvation by grace.
     Earlier in this lesson I mentioned Cornelius as having the
proper attitude. He desired to hear all things commanded of the
Lord. (Acts 10:33). Peter concluded his lesson to Cornelius and his
kinsmen and near friends by Commanding them to be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48). Why do you think that Peter
commanded Cornelius to be baptized? Could it possibly be because He
remembered the words of Christ, "He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved."
     It is rather interesting that in every example in the book of
Acts of those who became children of God, they were baptized in
water for the remission of their sins. No doubt the reason for this
is that "baptism for the remission of sins" is included in the Law
of God. Truly, God has a law. And each person who reaches the age of
responsibility must obey that law if they would please the Lord.
     Do you believe that Christ Jesus is the Son of God? Have you
repented of the sins which you have committed? Have you confessed
your faith in Christ? Have you been baptized for the remission of
sins? If you have not done these things, we urge you to look into
the Word of God and determine what the Lord has commanded of you to
become His child.
     We remind you that there is an eight lesson Bible
correspondence course that we offer to each who would request it. It
will be sent free of charge. You can work the lessons in the privacy
of your own home and return each lesson in a self-addressed, stamped
envelope. Again, the address is: White Park church of Christ, Route
1, Box 502, Anahuac, TX 77514. We would be more than happy to hear
from you.

Return to Index 
Home