A GREAT QUESTION - Pastor J. C. O’Hair

A GREAT QUESTION 

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

In this message we are to consider one of the most important questions ever asked by any individual, the question of Judge Pilate in Matthew 27:22: “What shall I do then with Jesus Which is called Christ?” Pilate washed his hands and was determined to release the Prince of Life (Acts 3:13 to 15), but he did not. (Matthew 27:24 to 26).
 
Judge Felix trembled when Paul preached the wrath of God to him and deliverance by faith in Christ; but his response was, “when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.’’ (Acts 24:25). We sincerely trust that he did.
 
Then his friend, Agrippa—more than a judge—acknowledged that he was almost persuaded to be a Christian, after hearing Paul preach concerning the Christ Who was delivered by Pilate to be crucified, but Whom God raised from the dead.
 
In John 3:16 we learn what God did with Christ; and that meant all the disgrace and agony of Calvary. The little word “so” in John 3:16, is explained at the place called Calvary. God loved us. How much? “So” loved the world that He gave Christ to die.
 
You know what the lad said when he heard John 3:16, he said “God said it” - “Christ did it” - “ I believe it” - “that settles it.” He believed Titus 1:2; that God, Which cannot lie, promised us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He believed Romans 6:23; “the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” He believed John 3:18, “He that believeth on Him (Christ) is not condemned.” He believed John 3:17: “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
 
Christ said no unkind words to sinners who were willing to acknowledge their guilt and receive His forgiveness.
 
In John 6:29 we learn that the sinner’s first work is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is in harmony with Romans 4:4 and 5.
 
We learn in John 16:7 to 9 what the Holy Spirit does for sinners. He convicts them of sin; because they believe not on Christ.
 
Christ suffered for sins once, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. (I Peter 3:18). When Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, He cried “finished”; and then and there put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Hebrews 9:26 - Titus 2:14).
 
We have ten thousand spiritual problems to solve, including human weaknesses, immoral habits, and our responsibility to the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and our fellowmen.
 
But it is worse than foolish to try and solve any of these problems and questions of immoral habits until we have become new creatures by doing our first all-important duty in answer to the question, “What shall I do with Jesus Which is Christ?” The wise thing for any and every person to say is, “I will and do hereby accept Christ and His perfect redemptive work.” Then “I can do all things through Christ Who strengtheneth me,” “Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Philippians 4:13 - Galatians 2:20).
 
Then God says, “Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (II Timothy 2:19).
 
With the question of Pilate, remember the question of Christ to them who rejected Him, “how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:33). “The damnation of hell” is not a pleasant future to contemplate. Note two other questions: “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”; “if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (Hebrew 2:2 and 3 - I Peter 4:18). Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

Read:

Seven Times a Failure - C. R. Stam

Posted By – Cecil Spivey  Cspivey1953@gmail.com

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