Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts Back

Romans 10:8-9, "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

This morning, there are many that follow after this verse for the wrong reason. It is imperative for one to know why they do something to do it properly. If a soldier goes to battle, he must know why he is there,
or his service will not be very profitable. A disgruntled soldier does not make for a good defender. Likewise, our service to God must have the right guidance and motivation. Is a hired servant or volunteer servant more fruitful? Is a cheerful giver more charitable or a tither? Is a confession of Christ borne from guilt or greed profitable or one out of gratitude? These are the proper questions for why someone believes or serves the Lord.

One of the biggest and most slanderous reports of Primitive Baptists are those that think we do not believe in confession, baptism, or some other means that they use for eternal life. Primitive Baptists have always believed in these concepts, but the motivation and purpose behind them is different than what is found in the religious world. Paul here says that confession of the Lord Jesus Christ and a belief in the resurrection from the dead brings salvation. Indeed, this salvation is truly a blessing from God. Confession of Christ and belief in His resurrection brings an assurance to the child of grace here in his race on earth. Without these assurances, the race would get long and wearisome. However, these assurances speak peace to our hearts and tell us that this is "but for a moment" and "not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." (II Corinthians 4 and Romans 8)

Likewise, the gospel, baptism, and other commandments for us to observe and do also give assurance (baptism is the answer of a good conscience and the gospel reveals life and immortality to us). These things are good and profitable unto men. Let us consider for a moment the thief on the cross. He had a change of heart in regeneration that made him cease from railing on Christ and condemn the other thief being crucified. After his change, he did not have to call upon Jesus to go to heaven. Upon his death, his spirit and soul would still go to the Lord in Paradise. However, by asking the Lord to remember him, the Lord gave him some assurance to that effect. This confession brought peace in his dying hour.

One of the most depressing things in a religious conversation is to hear someone say, "I don't believe in election or predestination at all." One who claims to be a follower of the Bible must believe something about them since the exact words are in the Holy Writ. Then, they respond, "Well, you don't believe in confession, etc." We do believe in them, but unless we think them necessary for eternal life, they dismiss our argument.

So, this morning, let us ever hold fast to the belief in His resurrection and confess Him in our daily walk so that He might be magnified in our bodies. While He gives us assurance in return for our service, that is still not our motivation. Our motivation for these things is that He has done all for us. He did what we could not do, nor would we have done it even with the opportunity. In return, we should be the volunteer servant who gives cheerfully of their time, energy, and money. It is not difficult to encourage one who is engaged in this manner. But, it is difficult to encourage one who is doing these things grudgingly and for some gain that they desire from the Lord. He paid the price, He bore our burdens, and we should be ever ready to give an answer to every man that asketh us of the hope that is within us. For, we will one day behold His face in righteousness and be satisfied.

In Hope,

Bro Philip