The little word "m-u-s-t" always involves a requirement, a necessity, an obligation. And there are many "must's" in the
Bible. In relation to man's salvation, think of some BIBLE MUST'S:
1. MAN MUST KNOW SOMETHING.
What man must know is the truth, for it alone can make free from sin (John 8:32). Ignorance of god's truth is neither excuse
nor justification for failing to comply with it (Acts 17:30-31). Rather, we have an obligation to know what God says.
2 MAN MUST BELIEVE SOMETHING.
It is not sufficient to believe just anything, but there are some specific things that must be believed: man must believe
in God ( Hebrews 11:6); man must believe in Jesus Christ (John 8:24); man must believe the gospel (Mark 16:15-16). If a man
believes what he likes and tosses out what he doesn't, it's not the Gospel he's believes, but only himself. That is insufficient
faith.
3. MAN MUST FEEL SOMETHING.
That which man must feel is genuine, godly sorrow for sin (2 Corinthians 7:10). When one comes face to face with the enormity
of sin, and how sin hurts the heart of God, then that one is in a position to obtain relief from sin's domination. It is dangerous
to become "past feeling" (Ephesians 4:19).
4. MAN MUST CONFESS SOMETHING.
When the Bible tells us that "confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10), it is not confessing our feelings, sins,
emotions, or experiences, but rather confessing faith that Jesus is God's Son (Matthew 10 :32-33; 16:16; Acts 8:37).
5. MAN MUST DO SOMETHING.
There are in fact two sides to the matter of salvation: God's part and man's part (see Ephesians 2:8-9 - "grace", God's
part & "faith" man's part). Everything necessary on God's part to secure our salvation has already been done by the giving
of his Son on the cross. Now it is up to us to do our part. Recognizing that Jesus is the Author of salvation to those who
obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9), we must believe (John 3:16), repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19), confess Christ (Matthew 10:32) and be baptized
( Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21).
6. MAN MUST ENDURE SOMETHING.
We are exhorted in Scripture to "endure hardness" (2 Timothy 2:3), "endure afflictions" (2 Timothy 4:5), "endure temptation"
(James 1:12), and "endure chastening" (Hebrews 12:7). In short, we must be faithful (Revelation 2:10). What if one fails to
endure? He is likened to seed which fell on stony ground - enduring for a little while, but not holding on always (see Mark
4:16-17).
When you read the "must's" of the Bible, are you doing what God says?
