BiblicalInsights.net

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:22).  The heart (inward man) is at the center of all human life and activities.  “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).  “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34).  “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matt. 12:35).  A true heart is an aspect of true religion.  True hearts are purified by obedience to the truth, characterized by genuineness, and blessed by fellowship with God.
Purified By Obedience to the Truth
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (I Pet. 1:22).  There are two parts to our purification from sin.  The first part belongs to God.  The human heart is cleansed by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.  Sin is forgiven on account of the atoning power of the blood of Jesus which was shed on the cross.  His blood secures our redemption.  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).  God’s love, grace and mercy are all involved in our salvation.  God has done His part.  The second part belongs to each of us.  We must manifest an obedient faith in Jesus Christ.  Our bodies are washed with pure water. This is a reference to baptism (an immersion in water for the remission of sins).  “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us; not the putting away of the filth of flesh but the answer of a good conscience before God.”  Our sins are washed away in baptism. “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).  Paul’s conversion was a pattern to them that should believe unto everlasting life (I Tim. 1:13-14).  Paul was baptized into Christ (Acts 9:18).  Later, he taught others that they must be baptized into Christ and put on Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  The human heart is purified by obedience to the truth.  When we are baptized into Christ, our sins are washed away by the power of His blood.
Characterized By Genuineness
The word true means, “genuine, free from iniquity, hypocrisy, deceit and so sincere, unfeigned, true-hearted.”  A person must be sincere in one’s faith.  Faith is conviction of the precepts of God and confidence in the promises of God (Heb. 11:1).  Conviction produces assurance (nothing doubting).  A person must not vacillate between two different religions, i.e. Judaism and Christianity.  Paul is an example once again.  When Paul became a Christian, he left Judaism behind.  Immediately after becoming a Christian, Paul began to preach Jesus Christ (Acts 9:20) that He is the Son of God.  This spiritual fact affirms the deity of Jesus Christ which previously Paul had denied.  Paul changed from being a persecutor of the Lord’s church to becoming a proclaimer of the Lord and His kingdom.  A good heart produces good fruit (Matt. 12:35).  This will be manifested in word and in deed.  It will be seen in pure speech and pure religion (James 1:27).  Blasphemy does not come from a pure heart.  Hypocrisy does not come from a pure heart.  Truth comes from a pure heart.
Blessed By Fellowship With God
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to draw near to God.  First, no man can draw near to God apart from Jesus Christ.  John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”  Access to God is made possible by Jesus Christ who opens the door to heavenly realms.  We must be forgiven.  We must be redeemed.  God is holy.  In order to approach God, we must have pure hearts.  Authentic faith in God and genuine love for God secure relationship and fellowship with God.  We draw near to God when we worship Him.  Praise and prayer are avenues of worship whereby the human heart pursues God.  We have fellowship with God through the bond of love that is manifested in our adoration of God.  The pathway to God involves a true heart.  True hearts make true religion.  “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

Have you ever heard someone say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere?”  This expression affirms self-righteousness.  It rejects God’s righteousness (Rom. 1:16-17).  God’s righteousness is the way God makes men righteous through the gospel of Christ.  If we reject God’s way of making men righteous, then, we are left with some form of self-righteousness.  Self-righteousness cannot save.
Self-Righteousness Fails to Obtain the Goal of Salvation
Consider Romans 10:1-3.  Paul addresses the brethren at Rome.  New Testament Christians constitute the true spiritual Israel.  Paul addresses, “Israel” which refers to physical Israel or Paul’s own countrymen (Paul was a Jew, but He had become a Christian (Acts 9).  Paul’s desire or his heartfelt longing was for them to be saved.  Paul’s prayer was also for their salvation.  The greatest expression of love for another person is to desire, work and pray for his/her salvation.  This indicates that Paul did not believe that many of his own countrymen were saved.  They were “under the Law of Moses” but, they were not saved.  The law (covenant) had changed when Jesus died on the cross (Col. 2:14, Rom. 7:1-4).  Salvation is in Christ and results when one follows Jesus not Moses.
They were zealous and sincere, but, they were not saved.  When Paul persecuted the Lord’s church, he was zealous for the Law of Moses and sincere (lived in all good conscience, Acts 23:1).  Later, he admits that he was in ignorance and unbelief when he persecuted the Lord’s church and was injurious and blasphemed (I Tim. 1:13-14).  Ignorance, unbelief, and disobedience to God adds up to being eternally lost rather than saved.  Paul was acting self-righteously when he rejected God’s righteousness.  The phrase, “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere” is a false concept and must be rejected.
The Righteousness of God
Jesus Christ is the end (aim) of the law of Moses.  Jesus fulfills the law (Matt. 5:17).  When the law changed from the Mosaical law to the Law of Christ, the details of how God makes men righteous also changed.  Under the Law of Moses, thousands upon thousands of animal sacrifices were made and none of them provided for absolute atonement for sin (Heb. 10:4).  The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin.  Under the law of Christ, we have absolute atonement (forgiveness of sin) through the power of the blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7; I Pet. 1:18-19).  Through the blood of Jesus was have justification.  To be justified is to be pronounced not guilty and so we stand before God as if we have never sinned.  We are justified by faith in Christ Jesus (Rom. 5:1) when we obey the commands the Lord has given to us in the gospel (Rom. 10:16).  God’s word was nigh unto Paul’s countrymen.  It was in their ears and hearts through the preaching of the gospel.  But, it was not mixed with faith in those who heard it (Rom. 10:6-8; 16-17).  If they would confess the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God had raised Him from the dead, they could be saved (Rom. 10:9-10).  This confession is a verbal statement of the faith that is in the heart.  When faith is absent, no confession is made and the result is a lost condition.  Faith, confession and baptism (Rom. 6:3-4) are involved in the salvation of the human soul under the law of Christ.  The gospel was and is a universal message that all people must hear and obey (Rom. 10:13).  Calling on the name of the Lord is illustrated in Paul’s own obedience.  Paul’s sins were washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16).  “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”  Paul’s desire for his countrymen was that they would obey the gospel just as he had done and be saved from past sins.  This is God’s righteousness as it is revealed in the law of Christ.
All people are saved in the same way.  They are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  They are saved by loving God supremely (Mark 12:29-31).  They are saved by repenting of all sin and making the great confession that Jesus is God’s Son.  Finally, they are saved by being baptized into Christ.  When they undergo the New Birth (John 3:3-5), they become the children of God.  The New Testament redefines what constitutes a child of God (Gal. 3:26-29).  The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel of Christ.  By following Jesus and His teaching, we can be saved.  If we reject God’s righteousness, we are left with some form of self-righteousness which cannot save.

May 24, 2022 a male, 18 years old, shoots his grandmother and then proceeds to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX and kills 19 children and two school teachers.  He is shot and killed by a boarder patrol officer. The community and nation are stunned and shocked.  This tragedy will be scrutinized in many ways over the next few days.  The nagging question is why? What was the motive of the shooter?  The specific details of this question remain unanswered at this time.  However, the evil represented in the actions of this person is not unfamiliar.  He is not alone in being in the grip of Satan.  Jesus states, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34).
The Lost
Those who give themselves over to sin become corrupted by that sin.  They are capable of horrendous acts of violence against themselves and others.  Those outside of Christ are empty souls.  Five words characterize them.  The first word is deceived.  They are not guided by the truth revealed by God.  They are guided by strong delusions.  When we reject God’s truth, we enter into darkness.  Darkness is the second word.  Those in darkness are ignorant of the truth.  In darkness, the understanding is compromised and these individuals are guided by perverted thinking.  Paul states, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Eph. 4:17-19).  The third word is destruction.  Sin always destroys.  Sin always corrupts.  Sin always brings condemnation from God which results in damnation.  Corrupt minds produce corrupt works.  The fourth word is despair.  Despair captures the essence of life without God.  It brings meaninglessness and hopelessness.  This defines even further those who manifest empty souls.  The last word is death.  But, this is not physical death, it is spiritual death.  The spiritually dead are separated from God due to sin.  The corruption and destruction caused by sin ruins the mind and heart of man.  These people are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1).  Paul further characterizes those who are spiritually lost, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others (Eph. 2:2-3).
The Saved
God offers us a better life.  Christ was manifested to give us life and more–the abundant life (John 10:10-the spiritually optimal life).  This better life begins with enlightenment.  We must know the truth.  We must know God and His Will.  God has revealed Himself in two great books:  His created world and His Word.  The ultimate quest of the human heart is to know God!  To know God, we must seek Him diligently (Acts 17:27).  He is not far from every one of us.  Second, we must follow the Light.  Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12).  Jesus said, “he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”  Being a disciple of Jesus is wholly transformative.  “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4-6).  This transformation begins with our spiritual conversion.  When we obey the gospel we put our trust in the Lord and set our affections upon Him and obey Him.  We repent of our sins.  We confess Christ that He is the Son of God.  Then, we are baptized (immersed) into the name of Christ for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38).  Undergoing this new birth (John 3:3-5), we become new creatures (II Cor. 5:17) to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).  The old man is crucified.  The new man is adorned (Eph. 4:20-32).  Now, we have hope in Christ.  We have new meaning and purpose.  We are defined as God’s children (Gal. 3:26-27).  We are productive, perfected, and promised everlasting life.  We are alive in Christ Jesus!  Empty souls give way to enriched and empowered souls. Once again, Paul declares, “But if our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost.  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (II Cor. 4:4-5).
Too many follow the god of this world to their own destruction.  Too many company in the darkness.  When our hearts are shocked by the darkness, it is the time to run to the Light.

The Sermon on the Mount includes the prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples (Matthew 6:9-13).  The prayer contains sixty-six words (KJV).  But, it includes all of the essential elements of a prayer:  address, body, and closing.  We now pray through Jesus’ name because He is our mediator and intercessor (John 16:26; I Tim. 2:5; Rom. 8:34).
The prayer includes the phrase, “Deliver us from evil.”  The petition involves satan exposed, countered and defeated.
Satan Exposed
The word of God exposes satan as the enemy of every human being.  I Pet. 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  Satan is a destroyer (Rev. 9:11).  He is a deceiver.  John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”  Satan is a tempter.  He tempts us to bring us to condemnation before God.  “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.  And when the tempter came to him, he said If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matt. 4:1-3).  Paul declares that we are not ignorant of his devices (II Cor. 2:11).  Through the truth of God’s word, we are informed about our enemy and so can prepare to overcome him.
Satan Countered
Jesus is our example in overcoming temptation (Matt. 4:1-11).  Jesus met each of the temptations presented to Him by satan with the word of God.  Knowledge of God’s word is indispensable in refuting the lies (temptations) of satan.  A firm commitment to the truth is also necessary.  Jesus was determined to maintain virtue of heart and soul.  Jesus also exercised spiritual discernment (righteous judgment) in order to differentiate between truth and error.  Jesus resisted satan and satan fled from Him.  Paul states that with every temptation there is a way of escape (I Cor. 10:13).  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.”  In I Tim. 6:11-12, Paul gives three was to escape any temptation.  First, we may flee.  Joseph did this to escape from Potipher’s wife (Gen. 39:7-12).  Second, we my follow after Jesus.  Pursuit of righteousness is a sure way to defeat temptation.  Third, we may fight (contend earnestly for the faith).  This may involve reproof (Eph. 5:11), defense of truth (Phil. 1:17), instruction in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16-17). Through following God’s Word and the example of Jesus we can be delivered from evil.
Satan Defeated
The ultimate defeat of satan occurred when Jesus died on the cross. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).  “He that committed sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:8). Satan’s work involves bringing  people to condemnation before God by tempting them to transgress God’s precepts.  When they sin against God, they die spiritually.  Sin and death are conquered by Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection.  He makes reconciliation to God possible by the atoning power of His blood.  When we are forgiven by God, we are delivered from evil.  Through the Lord Jesus Christ, we can overcome satan and live victoriously!  Forgiveness of sins is contingent upon our willingness to obey the commands of Christ given in the gospel (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38).  These commands are to repent of our sins and be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins.  Obedience must be from the heart (Rom. 6:16-17) and so must be executed in faith and love for the Lord.  “Being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).  Yes, delivered from evil.

In James 4:6, the Word of the God declares, “God resists the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.”  Several insights can be gained from this succinct statement of Scripture.
First, the word “resists” is from the Greek word antitasso which is a military term that depicts the orderly arrangement of troops to successfully wage combat against the enemy (non-compliant person).  It depicts an arrangement of military forces to crush the enemy.  God’s face is against them.  God has become an adversary to them.  The proud person is the arrogant person who refuses to submit to God’s Will.  This personal obstinacy against God is met with God’s response of “resistance.”  This means that God has become their foe.  Consider this important fact.  Satan is also an adversary to them.  Peter depicts Satan as a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour (I Pet. 5:8).  Satan is an adversary and a destroyer (Rev. 9:11).  When the proud person, even if he or she is a Christian, sets himself against God, he has doubled his trouble!  Not only is Satan against him, but, now, God is against him.  James has already addressed this spiritual dilemma.  “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).  The height of human arrogance is manifested in disobedience to God.  The “world” is characterized by the works of the flesh.  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).  It is one thing to have Satan as your enemy.  It is quite another to have God as your enemy.  When both Satan and God are against you, you have no hope of victory.
Second, the transition from a haughty spirit to a humble heart is an act of personal will.  God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  The humble (tapeinos) person is contrite, exhibits lowliness of mind and heart, and has succeeded in slaying pride.  Pride is slain through repentance which affects a change of heart toward God.  “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (I Pet. 5:6).  Humility is accomplished by self-denial (Matt. 16:24).  Our personal will must become one with the will of God.
Third, submission to God’s authority is essential to obtaining the grace of God.  The command is to “submit yourselves” (James 4:7, hupotasso) or willingly place ourselves under the authority of God.  This removes conflict between ourselves and God.  It avoids the chastening of God for Christians who disobey Him and it invites God’s grace.  God’s grace is conditional.  It is conditioned upon humble obedience to His commands.  God’s grace is appropriated through obedience which is accompanied by faith and love.  God’s grace involves the fullness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 15:29).  It involves our: forgiveness, sonship, heirship, fellowship with deity and with the saints, oneness with the triune God, and hope of everlasting life.
When we transgress God’s law, we exhibit a pride that God opposes.  We have doubled our trouble.  The only escape from this spiritual dilemma is humble obedience spurred by repentance.

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Ps. 85:6). This is a plea for God to restore the joy through spiritual renewal and revival.
Ps. 85 has no attribution.  The main idea of restoration of God’s people due to the mercies of the LORD is captivating.  Renewal comes through the mercies of the LORD.  The whole Psalm heralds a greater revival under the reign of the Messiah.
Keep your eye on God.  God acts in behalf of His people and so is able to renew them in spiritual ways with His mercy, truth, righteousness and peace.  When God’s people are undone, estranged by their sins, only He can revive them.
See What God Hath Done
God has been favourable unto their land.  He has brought back the captivity of Judah.  He has forgiven the iniquity of the people.  He has covered all their sin.  He has taken away all His wrath.  He has turned from the fierceness of His anger (Ps. 85:1-3).   Revival is dependent upon the mercies of the LORD.  Where God is, there is hope.  God is everywhere at all times and so His people are never without hope.  The hopeless are Godless (destitute of God, Eph. 2:12).
The Ernest Plea of God’s People
The plea for mercy is recorded in Ps. 85:4-7.  Turn us, O God of our salvation.  God’s chastisement turns the people back to Him.  If they turn to God, God will turn away from His wrath.  Our trials frequently arise out of our own sins.  These sins are self-inflicted wounds.  However, we can change course or direction and end up at a different destination.  Movement in God’s direction brings His mercies to us.  Wilt thou be angry forever?  Is there no boundary to God’s wrath?  Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?  Wilt thou revive us again?  God will return in all of His power to save and to restore the joy.  Joy follows revival.  Joy follows repentance.  Joy follows restoration.  Revive us, O LORD, that we may rejoice in Thee!
The Goodness of God Brings Peace
In Ps. 85:8-13, God’s peace is restored.  Sin agitates the soul.  Through God’s mercy, truth and righteousness, peace can be realized.  The perfections of God act together to bless.  Mercy and truth are a powerful combination for revival.  Truth guides the soul while mercy heals it.  Righteousness and peace kiss.  This is another powerful combination.  Righteousness preserves relationship with God and prevents backsliding.  Through mercy, truth, and righteousness there is peace with God.  Peace is the cessation of enmity between humanity and God that results in the tranquility of soul that fears nothing from God, but basks in His grace.  It is contentment (I shall not want).  It is satisfaction (lying down in green pastures beside still waters).  It is the result of the pursuit of the pathway of righteousness.  It is fearlessness in the face of death because of God’s presence and power.  It is abundant provision from God in the face of the enemy. It is God’s goodness and mercy in pursuit of us for a lifetime.  It culminates in the hope that we will dwell with God forever (Ps. 23).  A beautiful metaphor captures the essence of the the spiritual realities.  The earth yielding flowers of truth.  The heavens shining with stars of holiness.  The spheres mirroring each other’s beauties.  This is the beauty of God- His mercy, truth, righteousness and peace.
First, there is trouble.  Sin interrupts and separates us from God.  Then, there is God!  See what God hath done.  The plea for mercy is answered.  When we turn away from our iniquities and God returns to us in the fullness of His glory and goodness, then, through His mercy, truth, and righteousness, we have peace.  The joy has been restored!

Baptism is an immersion in water for the remission of sins.  This statement is supported Scripturally by Acts 8:35-40 and Acts 2:38.  “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believes with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”  “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  Baptism is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16).  From these passages, we learn that baptism is an immersion in water, for the remissions, and administered to a repentant believer.
Consider the following blessings of baptism.
First, baptism is necessary to obtain the forgiveness of sins.  Forgiveness (remission) is accomplished through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed on the cross at His death.  Jesus predicted that “remission of sins” would be preached in His name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-49).  The first time this occurred was on the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem by Peter and the apostles (Acts 2).  The horror of horrors is to die unforgiven.  “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).  To die unforgiven, is to die without mercy.
Second, baptism into Christ brings a new name.  After the Gentiles were granted repentance unto life, a new name was called upon the disciples of Jesus.  That new name was Christian (Acts 11:26).  This was in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 62:2.  The disciples of Jesus Christ were called Christians first at Antioch.  In this name, we glorify God by wearing the name of the Messiah (Jesus Christ).
Third, there is the blessing of being added by the Lord to His church.  Baptism is the only means of entrance into the kingdom of God.  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot se the kingdom of God.” “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3,5).  The kingdom of God is the church of Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:16-18).  Jesus built the church and bought it with His own blood (Acts 20:28).  He is the only foundation of the church (I Cor. 3:11).  On the day of Pentecost, after Peter preached the gospel to the multitudes, they asked, “men and brethren what shall we do? (Acts 2:37).  Peter told them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).  Then, they that gladly received his word were baptized.  There were about 3,000 souls who obeyed the gospel.  Then, we are told that Jesus added them to the church (Acts 2:47).  This is how you become a member of the Lord’s church.
Fourth, there is the blessing of having your name written in the Lamb’s book of life.  Those who belong to God are known to Him by their name.  “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:23).  See also Phil. 4:3 and Rev. 21:27.  The book of life is the record of those who have obtained the promise of everlasting life.
Fifth, there is the blessing of being an heir of God and joint-heir of Christ.  “The Spirit itself bearers witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:16-17).  God owns everything in heaven and in earth.  We become heirs of all that God possesses.  All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3).  In Christ, we are truly rich toward God.
Sixth,  there is the blessing of new life in Christ.  The old man was dead in trespasses and sin.  But, the new man is alive in Christ.  Baptism results in newness of life.  “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).  “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:17).
Seventh, there is the blessing of oneness with Christ.  Fellowship with God and Christ is the result of being baptized into Christ.  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).  Spiritual union with Christ means that we are never alone.  It means that we have the privilege of prayer and can call God our Father.  It means that we are bound to God by love.  God and Christ love us and we love them and this bond makes us inseparable (Rom. 8:35-39).
Eighth, we are loved by God.  To be loved by God as a child of God is a very special spiritual blessing.  “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).  God’s love for His people means that God will provide for them and protect them.  God will never fail us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
Ninth, there is the blessing of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Peter promised the “gift of the Holy Spirit” to those that repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38).  The non-miraculous, spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is affirmed in Acts 5:32, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”  The Holy Spirit helps us produce the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and He strengthens us in the inner man (Eph. 3:16).  He also intercedes in our behalf when we pray (Rom. 8:26).  These spiritual blessings are part of the means of sustaining the Christian life on a day to day basis.
When individuals are taught falsely that baptism is not essential to salvation and they listen to this false instruction, they disobey God and miss the blessings of baptism.  This can only result in spiritual poverty and peril to one’s soul.