SOME THINGS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER - 8
Simon Of Cyrenian. What Must I Do To Be Saved? Six Warning Signs Of The Dangerous.
SIMON OF CYRENIAN
“And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus” (Luke 23:26, KJV).
Loved ones, Simon of Cyrenian bore the cross of Jesus – Nothing more. His name is never heard again, nor honored by historic pen; nor on the pedestal of fame his image courts the loud acclaim.
Simon of Cyrenian bore the cross of Jesus – Nothing more. And yet when all our work on earth is done, and golden beams the western sun upon a life of wealth and fame, a thousand echoes ring our name… perhaps our hearts will humbly pray, “Good Master, let my record say upon the page divine, ‘He bore the cross of Jesus' – Nothing more.’"
------------------------------
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
“29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:29-30, KJV).
Loved ones, please study with us as we give some clarification on the question, "What must I do to be saved?" This question can never grow old because "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23) and are in need of salvation. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). The perfect life and example of Jesus in the flesh condemned the sins of all men as being without excuse. His perfect death and sacrifice provided the basis for the forgiveness of our sins. But how do men receive and accept this wonderful gift of God's grace?
1. Hear The Gospel.
"How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? ...So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:14, 17). That is why Jesus gave his Apostles the Great Commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Those who obeyed the preaching of the Apostles were also taught to teach others (Matthew 28:19-20). Even when persecuted and driven from their homes, the early Christians "went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:3-4). The wisdom and the power of God unto salvation are extended to all men through "the preaching of the cross” of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:18; 2:2).
2. Believe The Gospel.
The design of gospel preaching is to convince people that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31). Jesus said, "For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24) and, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
God made the evidence for the deity of Jesus so abundant and so clear that men are without excuse for not believing in Him. Every good and honest heart, every heart searching for God and the truth of God is compelled by the strength of the evidence to acknowledge His Son as the Savior of the world. "…He that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son" (1 John 5:10).
3. Confess Christ.
Some people hear the gospel and believe it to be true, but they will not openly acknowledge and confess Christ as God's Son. “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43).
Jesus is said to be God or deity in the flesh (John 1:1-2, 14). He said, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). Like the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ shares the divine nature. He is from everlasting to everlasting. Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8, 11, 17-18). Thomas confessed Jesus, "My Lord and my God," and so must everyone who wants to be saved (John 20:28; Romans 10:9-10).
4. Repent Of My Sins.
Faith is essential to salvation but faith “alone” will not save. Hearing is essential, but hearing without believing cannot save. Believing without repenting of one's sins will not save. Jesus commanded that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). Beginning at Jerusalem, Peter preached, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…" (Acts 2:38).
In ancient times the Gentile world rejected God from their minds and their lives, so much so that God gave them up to the sorrows and futility of their sins (Romans 1:18ff). But through the gospel of Christ, "God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18), and "now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). Repentance is a firm decision to turn from the love and practice of sin in order to submit one's heart and life to God.
5. Be Baptized.
Jesus said concerning "every creature" who hears the gospel, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…" (Mark 16:15-16). The Holy Spirit guided Peter to preach, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…" (Acts 2:38). Ananias told Saul, "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (22:16). Since our immersion in water is the means of calling on the name of the Lord for salvation through the blood of Christ, it may be said that "baptism doth also now save us" (1 Peter 3:21). We cannot earn or merit our way to heaven because we have sinned, but we can be saved by God's grace through faith by accepting and obeying the gospel of Christ.
----------------------------------------------
SIX WARNING SIGNS OF THE DANGEROUS
“9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (3 John 1:9-10, KJV).
Loved ones, the most dangerous person in the church may not be the openly immoral person outside it, but the professing Christian who appears godly, gains influence, speaks religiously, yet remains unconverted, unrepentant, and fruitless. Jesus warned: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). They may have a title, a pulpit, a platform, theological vocabulary, and the respect of others—yet possess no saving union with Christ.
Six Warnings
1. They Love The Praise Of Men More Than The Glory Of God.
They crave recognition, influence, applause, and prominence rather than Christ’s honor. “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43). Matthew 6:1 warns against practicing righteousness merely to be seen by others. True godliness seeks God’s glory, not personal fame.
2. They Teach The Truth But Refuse To Live Under It.
They can explain doctrine, correct others, and quote Scripture, yet their own lives contradict what they teach. In condemning them Jesus said, “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:3). Many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, “Profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:10, 16). Paul wrote, “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” (Romans 2:21). The Christian faith is not merely possessing correct doctrine with our lips. Saving faith produces obedience and holiness.
3. They Are Quick To Expose Others But Slow To Examine Themselves.
They enjoy finding faults, winning arguments, and exposing weaknesses, but they do not lovingly restore sinners or carry the burdens of others. Jesus said: “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). Biblical correction is not driven by pride or superiority. It seeks restoration, holiness, and the glory of God (Galatians 6:1–2).
4. They Create Division Where Christ Commands Unity.
They form factions, cultivate personal followings, stir up controversies, and turn believers against one another. Paul wrote, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). The Holy Spirit warns, “Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). A person can be doctrinally loud while being spiritually destructive. Sound doctrine should produce godly character, humility, love, and unity—not pride, quarrels, and factions.
5. They Have An Outward Form Of Godliness But No Spiritual Fruit.
They may look impressive externally—religious language, ministry activity, public prayers, theological knowledge, and spiritual appearance—yet there is little evidence of genuine regeneration. Men who love only themselves will have, “A form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5). Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). The evidence of genuine faith is not merely what a person claims, but what God produces in that person’s life. Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit. True conversion produces a changed life—not perfection, but repentance, faith, holiness, love, humility, and perseverance.
6. They Are Dangerous Because They Deceive Others While Claiming To Speak For God.
This is where the danger becomes greatest. False teachers do not always look false. Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). They may use biblical language while corrupting biblical truth. They may speak of Jesus while proclaiming another gospel. Paul pronounced a terrifying warning: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). Jude warned about those men who “crept in unawares” (Jude 4). Their greatest danger is not simply that they are personally deceived, but they deceive others. They distort the gospel, undermine biblical authority, confuse the church, and lead people away from Christ.
The Ultimate Test
The question is NOT:
“Does this person look religious?” The question is: “Does this person truly belong to Christ?”
“Does he have a platform?” But: “Does he bear fruit?”
“Does he speak confidently?” But: “Does he faithfully proclaim the true gospel?”
“Does he call Jesus Lord’?” But: “Has he truly repented and believed in Christ?”
Jesus Himself gives the sobering warning to all those with a bad heart: “I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).
The answer to false religion is not merely better behavior. We need regeneration. We need the sovereign grace of God to give us a new heart, genuine faith in Christ, repentance from sin, and a life increasingly conformed to Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Examine yourselves, test yourselves. Hold fast to the true gospel. Test every teacher by Scripture. Look for the fruit of genuine conversion. And above all, look to Christ—not men (2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 1:6–9; Matthew 7:15–23; Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:5–9).
Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35) – 2 September 2026