By John Larkins
The one most dangerous and inhumane falsehood being taught by religious influencers is that Jesus Christ performed all that is necessary for our salvation, so we need do nothing for ourselves. First, think about that idea. Even the most important first step, so important that Jesus publicly demonstrated it Himself. That, of course, is the initiation by baptism into The Way taught by Jesus Christ to and through His apostles, the soon-to-be bishops of His new Church.
Is that not a ‘work’ that Jesus did not for us? This act of submission to God’s will is an introductory step, even in many of the churches not founded by Jesus Christ. It is not so demanding as the first step in Judaism, which was circumcision. If you do not know the meaning of the word, I must wonder at your level of Christian education. Bibles are plentiful but so are false teachers, so be careful. Jesus teaches about baptism in John 3:5: “Jesus answered, Amen, amen, I say to you no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you “You must be born from above.”
Jesus teaches about other works we must do in our own bodies. Matt 19:16-21 reads, “Now someone approached Him and said, ‘Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?’ He answered, ‘Why do you ask me about the good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter life keep the commandments.’ He asked Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus replied, “You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said, ‘All these I have observed. What do still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you have to give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.’ When the young man had heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, and said, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’ Then Peter said to Him in reply, ‘We have given up everything and followed You. What will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, I say to you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on His throne of glory, will you yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers, or sisters or fathers or mothers or children or lands for the sake of My name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last and the last will be first’ (Jesus has placed great honor on His bishops’ thrones.).
Jesus emphasized the Ten Commandments, of which He stated, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Our entire lives are intended to be guided by God’s commandments, not to be confused with dietary laws and other customs rabbis may have added to the regulations for Jewish behavior. These commandments became the basis for United States constitutional law back before the Democratic Communist regime redlined them. They are quite comprehensive, and all of us are likely to break some during our lives. Remember, legal or not, sin is sin.
Now for the best news: in Jesus Christ’s Church, Jesus gave Catholic priests the power to forgive repentant sinners of their sins. John 20:23 says, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” The worst news is that this power was given only to His apostles and those legitimately in the line of apostolic succession, in His one and only Church.
Should you choose, Jesus is The Way to salvation!
For the past 15 years, John Larkins has evangelized on the street, door-to-door, in tent revivals and in church situations. Contact him at johnlarkins@bellsouth.net.