All The Counsel of God

Objection is often raised, even by some sound in the faith, regarding the exposure of error as being entirely negative and of no real edification. Of late, the hue and cry has been against any and all negative teaching.

The brethren who assume this attitude forget that a large part of the New Testament, both of the teaching of our blessed Lord Himself and the writings of the apostles, is made up of this very character of ministry – namely, showing the Satanic origin and, therefore, the unsettling results of the propagation of erroneous systems which Peter so definitely refers to as ” … damnable heresies … ” (2 Peter 2:1).

Our Lord prophesied, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). Within our own day, how many false prophets have risen; and, oh, how many are the deceived!

Paul predicted, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to drawaway disciples after them. Therefore watch … ” (Acts 20:29-31).

My own observation is that these ” … grievous wolves … “, alone and in packs, are not sparing even the most favoured flocks. Undershepherds in these ” ••• perilous times … ” (2 Timothy 3:1) will do well to note the apostle’s warning, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers …. ” (Acts 20:28). It is as important in these days, as in Paul’s -in fact, it is increasingly important – to expose the many types of false teaching that, on every hand, abound more and more.

We are called upon to ” … earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3), while we hold the truth in love. The faith means the whole body of revealed truth, and to contend for all of God’s truth necessitates some negative teaching. The choice is not left with us. Jude said he preferred a different, a pleasanter theme, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:3-4).

Paul likewise admonishes us to ” … have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). This does not imply harsh treatment of those entrapped by error quite the opposite. If it be objected that exposure to error necessitates unkind reflection upon others who do not see as we do, our answer is, it has always been the duty of every loyal servant of Christ to warn against any teaching that would make Him less precious, or cast reflection upon His finished redemptive work and the all sufficiency of His present service as our great High Priest and Advocate.

Every system of teaching can be judged by what it sets forth as to these fundamental truths of the faith. ” … What think ye of Christ? … ” (Matthew 22:42) is still the true test of every creed. The Christ of the Bible is certainly not the Christ of any false “ism.” Each of the cults has its hideous caricature of our lovely Lord.

Let us who have been redeemed at the cost of His precious blood be” … a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). As the battle against the forces of evil waxes ever more hot, we have need for God-given valour. There is constant temptation to compromise, but “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (Hebrews 13:13). It is always right to stand firmly for what God has revealed concerning His blessed Son’s person and work. The “father of lies” deals in half-truths, and specializes in most subtle fallacies concerning the Lord Jesus, our sole and sufficient Saviour.

Error is like leaven, of which we read, ” … a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6). Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking, and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word, and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Christ died.

Exposing error is most unpopular work, but from every true standpoint, it is worthwhile work. To our Saviour, it means that He receives from us, His blood-bought ones, the loyalty that is His due. To ourselves, if we consider ” … the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt … ” (Hebrews 11 :26), it ensures future reward, a thousand-fold; and to souls caught in ” … the snare of the fowler. .. ” (Psalm 91:3)-how many of them God only knows it may mean light and life, abundant and everlasting.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

This is a great eternal security passage. It can also be used to expose the fallacy that “God loves everybody.” God’s love is not universal; it is “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He so loved (past tense) the world (at Calvary) that he gave his Son. Those who reject His Son also reject his love and receive his wrath instead (John 3:36). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3

That’s what people are doing: seeking to establish their own righteousness instead of submitting to God’s righteousness.

“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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

Here’s another couple verses from the Roman’s Road group.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

The Lord really has a way of simplifying salvation. How can anything be more simple than calling on someone? No good works, no baptism, no church membership—just asking.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

Faith isn’t blind. Faith is based on God’s word. So, since it takes faith to be saved (Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”), it takes God’s word to be saved (1 Pet. 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”). The proper order is fact, faith, then feeling.

” … I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

It should be enough that God ” … hath said … “, even if ten thousand other voices, both within and without the soul, should speak the contrary. His love is everlasting, ” … I have loved thee with an everlasting love … ” (Jeremiah 31 :3). His covenant is everlasting (Isaiah 61:8; Hebrews 13:20) and unchangeable. “Thus saith theLORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant … ” (Jeremiah 33:20-21). Think of it! Just as much as it is impossible for man to change the seasons or the day and the night, so is it impossible for God to break His covenant of mercy to one of His servants. Though ” … we believe not, yet he abideth faithful…” (2 Timothy 2: 13).

All healthy, thriving, stalwart Christians become so by appropriating the promises. David said, “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart” (Psalm 119:111 ). “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage” (Psalm 119:54). All who believe the promises ” … rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1 :8), even in seasons of great heaviness through manifold temptations, knowing that ” … all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The sincere milk of the Word of God is food for babes in Christ by which they grow (1 Peter 2:2). It is through the Scriptures that they became “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith … ” (Colossians 2:7). Jesus has left His own with many comforting promises of His abiding presence and help in time of need.

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise;

Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord. “

It takes little persuasion to get us on the move when we are faced with a bee or two, a snake, or a mouse. The dictionary defines the word persuasion as a strong belief or conviction. With this in mind, let us consider a few of the involvements in a persuasion or call.

Perhaps no single thing “bugs” more young people regarding the Lord’s service, particularly abroad, than this persuasion or call. To some it is comparatively easy and crystal clear. To others it is like floundering in heavy seas for many days and nights. For Paul, it was a once-for-all “knock-out-blow” on the Damascus Road from which he never recovered- to doubt. This assurance characterized his life’s testimony to Timothy in salvation, saying,  “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). In his dedication there was not a cloud in the sky, not a moment’s hesitation. Thus he could testify unflinchingly later in life, “…I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26: 19). The spiritual need of men loomed before him larger than any local horizon, and he was off.

Strange isn’t it? It takes no persuasion, no special call to plunge into work at the mine head when fellow-workers and loved ones are trapped hundreds of feet below. “My buddy is down there.” “My daddy is down there.” “My sweetheart is down there.” How true! Can’t you just feel the tug and throb of compassion. Can’t you sense the urgency of life and death. Years ago, when Henry Throne and Dave Fellin, Hazelton, PA, were trapped 365 feet below the surface in a mine disaster, workmen drilled the clock around for days to make the breakthrough. I can fairly hear the shouts of joy and almost see the tears of relief as those rescued men rose to view.

What then is involved in this missionary persuasion? Let us consider four things:

First, Paul was persuaded of his own salvation. From that moment he was no longer his own. He could say on his initial encounter with Jesus, “Lord.” The first step in missions is the Lordship of Christ. It is simple but essential.

Second, Paul was persuaded of infinite protection as he declares in Romans 8:38-39,  “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He could unreservedly say, “… none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself … “ (Acts 20:24). This assurance, like Daniel’s, took him through all things, and in all places, under all circumstances triumphantly. He didn’t quit after the first year or term of service! ” … Arise … ” said Jesus, ” … and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). ” … I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9: 16). Paul arose; he went; he learned; he suffered; he endured.

Third, Paul never flinched from his first flush of love and devotion for his Lord. Thus, he could say in testimony before the great king, “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). One thing that hinders many from accepting and following through with the Lord’s call is the fear of the cost in separation, sacrifice, the ever foreboding uncertainties, and insecurities. “I just   the price. I just can’t do it. I can’t! I can’t!”

Paul’s similar problem was solved in Acts 26:17, when the Lord said, “Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee.” His persuasive call rested with the Lord on the word delivering. Is not this all anyone requires? ” … but God is … my portion for ever” (Psalm 73 :26), said David.

Fourth, Paul’s vision became vocal. Profession became practice. Passion became possessive. Persecuting feet became preaching feet. Loud anathemas gave way to vibrant maranathas. “And straightway he preached Christ … that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20).

Millions of people live without sufficient food, shelter, clothing, and health facilities. Many, many live in extreme poverty and go to bed hungry every night. Our problem is dieting; their problem is living. Their problem is not only living, but dying too. Theirs is not only a problem of wandering through this world lean, but the tragedy of drifting into eternity lost.

Yes, someone is down there, way down there, in that mineshaft of sin – really millions of them. Will you be persuaded to rescue some of them? David Livingstone was. He said, “I place no value on anything I have or possess except in relation to the kingdom of God.”

I challenge each of you to ask this question, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16).

Due to the tremendous amount of high-pressure advertising and salesmanship that exists today there is a tendency to be suspicious and treat lightly anything that is offered to us free! We will always look for a gimmick or catch of some kind. We are prone to doubt anything can be of value that is offered to us free. Because of this condition we are apt to think of anything that is free as being cheap. This attitude is carried into religion and salvation.

Because of the doubt and suspicion that we have concerning anything “free,” efforts are made to put a “purchase price” on salvation. Men rebel at accepting a free salvation and will put forth every kind of effort to “buy” salvation. They will try to buy salvation with their good morals, with their good works, with their baptism, with their rites, rituals, and ordinances, with their church membership, and their church activities. It seems as though we want to put a price on salvation, a price that we can pay so that we can be able to say how much our salvation cost us. Probably this is one of the main reasons why the truth concerning the salvation of God has been so twisted and distorted. A tremendous percentage of organized Christianity is nothing more than the efforts of man to buy salvation.

Any salvation that would be so low in value as to be purchased by our puny, sinful efforts wouldn’t amount to much. How ridiculous to think that any of our works of righteousness would be valuable enough to be able to purchase salvation. It seems as though one of the hardest things to realize is that we are completely unable to adequately pay for our own salvation.

Because of man’s efforts to purchase salvation, salvation has been cheapened. Anything that could be purchased by our efforts could not amount to much. Thus man gets a low opinion of salvation.

Another thing that seems to cheapen our salvation is the association of the Gospel with the cheap theatrical appeal, emotional orgies, and third-rate entertainment that exists in the name of religion.

Man needs to learn that salvation is free but not cheap! It is free, not because it is worthless but because the price has already been paid. When Jesus Christ died upon the cross, He paid it all. The terrific price for our sins was the death of Jesus Christ. In His death He paid the price for every sin that you and I had committed and purchased salvation, thus enabling Christ, and Christ alone, to be able to offer unto us the free gift of salvation. We cannot buy it, we cannot earn it, we cannot merit it. It is ours to receive as a free gift. It would be impossible to place a value upon salvation. It goes beyond our minds to understand the infinite work of redemption from Hell and salvation to Heaven.

Maybe as you read this, you are one who has put forth efforts to purchase salvation. Surely now you can see the futility of this effort, and you will turn in repentance and by faith look to Jesus Christ and accept that which He has purchased for you – free salvation.

1. The Old Testament foretold the resurrection.

Such evidence is most clearly seen in some of the Messianic Psalms. Compare Psalm 2 with Acts 12:33; Psalm 16 with Acts 2:22-36. See also John 20:9.

2. Jesus Christ Himself foretold His resurrection.

In all three synoptic Gospels, our Lord declared several times that He would be crucified and then in three days would rise from the dead. For examples, see Matthew 12:38-40; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 8:31; Mark 9:30-32; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 9:22; Luke 18:31-34.

3. On the third day the tomb was empty.

Scholars agree that the tomb was empty. The women found it empty (Luke 24:3); Peter found it empty (John 20: 1-10); the angel said it was empty (Matthew 28:5-7); and even the Jewish Sanhedrin admitted it was empty, because they had bribed the guards to lie about what had happened (Matthew 28:11-13 ).

4. No answer but an actual resurrection can explain why the tomb was empty.

Space here does not allow detailed replies to the shopworn theories designed to explain away the resurrection (the swoon theory, the fraud theory, the hallucination theory), but convincing refutations abound. Our faith does not rest on myths or philosophical speculations, but on a historical event. Jesus died and rose from the dead in an actual place and at an actual time.

5. Many saw Jesus and spoke with Him after He arose.

Jesus did not just come out of the tomb and then disappear. That morning He appeared to Mary Magdalene alone (John 20:14-18), then to the two 2 Marys (Matthew 28:8-10), to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5), to two disciples on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-31). He appeared that night in the upper room to ten of His disciples (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23). A week later, He appeared to eleven disciples early one morning at the Sea of Galilee (John 21: 1-23). Once He appeared to five hundred brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6).

6. Witnesses not only saw Jesus, but talked with Him and examined His wounds.

When Thomas thrust his hand in Jesus’ side, he exclaimed, ” … My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). On another occasion, Jesus said, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39). This should answer once and for all the charge of cults who argue that Jesus’ resurrection was a spiritual one and not a bodily one.

7. The ascension testified to the fact that He had risen.

Without the resurrection, of course, there could not even have been an ascension, an event clearly recorded in Acts 1:10-11. This took place forty days after He arose. Jesus had ” … shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs … ” (Acts 1 :3).

8. The Apostle Paul saw the risen Lord and preached it as central to his message.

An encounter with the risen Lord (Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8) converted Paul from a fanatic persecutor of the early church to its foremost missionary. Paul preached the resurrection throughout his epistles. See such passages as Romans 6:4-11; 1 Corinthians 15; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 1:18. The account of the resurrection occurs so many times, in fact, that one authority writes, “Paul, more than anyone, is the apostle of the risen Lord; he is supremely the ‘witness of the resurrection.”‘

9. Stephen and John saw the risen Lord

Stephen saw Him as the angry crowd, with Paul in the midst, was about to stone him to death (Acts 7:54-60). John saw him on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1: 10-18).

10. The church through the centuries in itself has been a witness to the resurrection.

Since the days of Pentecost, when Peter made the resurrection the very heart of his message, Christians have exemplified in one degree or another the victory and power of the resurrection released on that morning when Jesus Christ arose from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central event in world history; but of course, it’s much more than that. It’s also the best news in all the world.

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42).

WATCH against the leaven of false doctrine. Remember that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light. Remember that bad money is never marked bad, or else it would never pass. Be jealous for the whole truth as it is in Jesus. Do not put up with a grain of error merely for the sake of a pound of truth. Do not tolerate a little false doctrine one bit more than you would tolerate a little sin.

WATCH against slothfulness about Bible study and private prayer. There is nothing so spiritual, but we may at last do it formally. Most backslidings begin in the closet. When a tree is snapped in two by a high wind, we generally find there had been some hidden decay.

WATCH against bitterness and charitableness towards others. A little love is more valuable than many gifts. Be eagle-eyed in seeing the good that is in your brethren and dim-sighted as the mole of evil. Let your memory be a strong box for their graces, but a sieve for their faults.

WATCH against pride and self-conceit. Peter said at first, ” … Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee … ” (Matthew 26:35). Presently he fell. Pride is the high road to falling.

WATCH against the sins of the churches of Galatia, Ephesus, and Laodicea. Believers may run well for a season, then lose their first love, and then become lukewarm.

WATCH not least against the sin of Jehu. A man may have great zeal to all appearance, and yet have very bad motives. It is quite another thing to love the truth.

Let us watch for the world’s sake. We are the books they chiefly read. They mark our ways far more than we think. Let us aim to be living epistles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us watch for our own sakes. As our walk is, so will be our peace.

Above all, let us watch for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake. Let us live as though His glory was concerned in our behavior. Let us live as though every slip and fall was a reflection on the honor of our Lord. Let us live as though every allowed sin was once more thorn in His head -one more nail in His feet.

Oh, let us exercise godly jealousy over thoughts, words, and actions: over motives, manners, and walk! Never, never let us think we can watch too much. “None of us are more than half awake!”

WATCH AND PRAY!

Author: J.C. Ryle

Colossians 3:5-14

If you are a soldier, you must dress the part; if you are a cricketer, you must dress the part; if you are a bus driver, you must dress the part; if you are a Christian, you must dress the part. The resurrection life demands a complete change of costume.

What a practical person is this inspired correspondent. He deals in his letters with the highest of themes; but it is never long before he brings them down to the level of the workaday life, and shews how the heavenly doctrine is intimately related to the homely details of everyday living.

Think, for instance, of that great teaching on full surrender, in Romans 12:1-2, and mark how at once, from verse 3 onward, he applies it all to the common round. See, too, in the Epistle to the Ephesians, how in the first part he is in the heavenlies, and in the closing chapters he is in the homelies, speaking of the mutual obligations of wives and husbands, of children and parents, of servants and masters. Like the apostle John, he regards the truth, not merely as something to be held, or to be admired, or to be taught, but as something we are to “do” (1 John 1:6).

Doctrine, is always linked with doing. Paul pursues this same habit here in Colossians. Habit – why, the French use that word to describe clothes – a habit may refer to a coat, a skirt, a suit. It is interesting to observe how often Paul speaks of our personal habits and characteristics under the illustration of clothes. He does so in our present passage.

THE WARDROBE OF THE SOUL

The “old clothes” first claim our attention. What they are – truly a lot of junk, and worse. Look at the moth-eaten garments in verse 5, and that other list of disreputable pieces of apparel in verses 8 and 9. Do you notice that, in the latter list, so many iniquities are those of the mouth? What a power speech is for good will-a bit for control, a helm for guidance, in the one case; in the other, a fire, a beast, a poison (James 3 :2-8). In the first list, it is interesting to note the phrase. ” … covetousness, which is idolatry.” But do Christians worship idols? Yes, alas. The covetous man in the phrase has made an idol of some possession, some position, which he covets, and which, perchance, he will seek to secure by hook or by crook.

What God thinks of such clothes –“For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” All too often we play with sin, and trifle with God -we speak of our foibles, our weaknesses, our failures -when God calls them sins. We trade on His mercy, and forget the awful reality of His wrath. Our disobedience incurs His displeasure-and that is gravely serious.

What we all wore once –“In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” Walking about in rags; for even if we were respectable citizens, in our own and in others’ eyes, we were not so in God’s eyes. He says concerning humanly-well-thought-of people. ” … all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags … ” (Isaiah 64:6). However well-dressed we were in a material sense, we were wholly unattractive in spiritual vesture.

What had we best do with these old clothes? – “… put off all these … ” Discard, and destroy them –“Mortify … ” They are fit for nothing but the rubbish bin and the furnace.

The “new clothes” now come under inspection. What they are-a lovely list, as is to be seen in verses 12-14.

Why should they be worn – ” … as the elect of God … ” The elect should always be select. As we said earlier, if we are Christians, we should dress the part. A believer who is spiritually down-at-heel,and out-at-elbows is a disgrace to his profession; and he could be so well-turned-out. W hen, in our Lord’s parable, the king punished the

” … man which had not on a wedding garment” (Matthew 22:11), it was the fellow’s own fault, for the festive robe was offered at the entrance. Perhaps he said he could not afford one -but they were free to all the guests; perhaps he thought his own clothes were good enough – but that did not satisfy the king; perhaps he was late, and rushed in at the last moment -but he should have allowed nothing to hinder his coming to so important a function. Why I am quoting the incident here is because the right dress was available, and he could have it for the receiving. So we will remember that all these wonderful qualities of Christian demeanour and behaviour can be ours.

What to do with them –“Put on … ” It is not enough to admire them or to covet them. Paul says, in Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of God … ” So, then, as you seek to match the new life which you have in Christ, two immensely important things await you “…. put off … ” and “… put on …

But don’t you like that overcoat -” … above all these things put on charity … ” As we go out to face life, cold winds of opposition may come about us, to blow at our allegiance to Christ; dark clouds of disapproval may frown on our Christian stand for Him – don’t let us go out without our overcoat. The love of God will warm our hearts and spirits. What matter the cold looks of men? The saintly Horatius Bonar says, “Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not; The Master praises, what are men?” We remind ourselves, too, that this very overcoating of the love of God – His for us, and ours for Him -will also kindle within our hearts a love for others, even for those who oppose themselves. So may people admire our overcoat, and seek to enquire where they can get one like it.

Will it glorify God?

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”(l Corinthians 10:31).

Can it be done for the Lord?

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).

Can it be done in Jesus’ name?

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus … ” (Colossians 3: 17).

How about its appearance?

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5 :22).

Would it hinder another Christian?

“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak (Romans 14:21).

Does it involve the wrong company?

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6: 14).

Is it what I want to reap in my children?

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Am I willing to face it in the judgment?

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5: 10).

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 5:1

This verse gives the theme of the book of Romans. It was justification by faith that grabbed Martin Luther by the heart and launched the Reformation.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:8-10

A great memory passage. Verse eight is commonly used as a Roman’s Road verse, but why not also use verses nine and ten, especially since verse nine includes the blood?

“(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Romans 5:13

This verse goes well with Romans 4: 15, “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” Young children don’t have to worry about going to hell because “sin is not imputed when there is no law.”

^“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:19

This verse is the most logical verse in the Bible. It’s perfectly logical that if Adam’s sin can condemn everyone, then Christ’s righteousness can save everyone.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Here’s another good Romans Road verse.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9

The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Christ, and every Christian has this Spirit (Eph. 4:30), “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” The Charismatics who teach that one needs to receive the “Holy Ghost” after being saved are false teachers.