ONCE LOST, BUT NOW FOUND

          How can un-holy sinners come to be welcomed into the presence of a wholly-righteous God?  The only fix to this very serious problem comes in the form of God’s only begotten Son (Jn.3:16).  On the cross, (God) made Him who knew no to sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2Cor.5:21).  Complete atonement demanded a sinless sacrifice (the just for the unjust / 1Pet.3:18).  Mankind’s re-demption required precious blood, as of a Lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ (1Pet.1:18-19).  When we come to end of our life on earth, the only thing that will really matter is that we be able to kneel before Almighty God and declare that we STAND IN CHRIST JESUS.  It is only through the atoning work of Christ that we can transition from being lost to found (Philp.3:9).  Since we are all sinners (Rom.3:9-10), and are conse-quently lost, all need to prayerfully ask, “How does one put on Christ?”  cf. Rom.13:14 and Col.2:12 & 3:10.  HOW CAN I GET INTO CHRIST JESUS? 

          It is the sacred writings which are able to give (us) the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2Tim.3:15).  The Word of God provides for us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him (2Pet.1:3).  This brings us to the subject of baptism.  Baptism is vital because it places us squarely in Christ Jesus (cf. Rom.6:3-4).  In his epistle to the churches of Galatia, Paul cogently states:  you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For ALL OF YOU WHO WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE CLOTHED YOURSELVES WITH CHRIST (Gal.3:26-27).  This text seems to depict Paul reflecting on his own conversion.  When Paul encountered Jesus (The Light) on the road to Damascus, he was directed by Jesus:  enter the city and it shall be told you what you must do (Acts 9:6).  Immediately he began fasting and praying (Acts 9:9f).  But it was not a sinner’s prayer that brought Paul the forgiveness of sins.  God deputized a reluctant messenger named Ananias who came to Paul and said unequivocally:  Now why do you delay?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).  In another conversion account in the book of Acts, a Philippian jailor asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30f).  After being told to believe, they spoke the word of the Lord to him…(then) he took them that very hour of the night and washed their stripes and immediately he was baptized.

          Although we are all sinners, we take heart in the revelation that Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross (1Pet.2:24).  Salvation comes only to those who are in Christ Jesus.  Baptism is the vehicle whereby we come to be clothed with Christ.  Whosover will may come!  The faith-filled act of baptism brings GREAT REJOICING (Acts 8:39).  This son of mine was dead, and is alive again; HE WAS LOST, AND IS FOUND (Lk.15:24). 

                                                                                        Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ