OceanSide church of Christ
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Hindrances
To Heaven
By Wayne
Rodgers
The
Ethiopian eunuch asked, “what hinders me from being baptized?”
(Acts 8:36). The Apostle Paul
said he would “suffer all things,” lest he should “hinder the
Gospel of Christ” (I Cor. 9:12). He also asked the Galatians,
“who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Gal
5:7).
There are many obstacles Satan can employ to keep us from
obeying the Gospel, to hinder our spiritual progress, and to ultimately prevent
us from entering heaven. Permit me
to be so bold as to ask, “What hindrance keeps you from doing what the Bible
teaches?” What is keeping you
from obeying the Gospel? What
obstacles are still blocking your way to heaven? What is blocking your being with God,
through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)?
Some are unwilling to admit their sin and their need for
a Savior. However, the Bible says,
“If we say that we have not
sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10). It also says that none will be saved
except by obedient faith in Jesus (John 8:24; 14:6, 15). Others are unwilling to give up a worldly
lifestyle, even though it will cost them their soul’s salvation, and lead to
eternal doom (Mark 8:36). Pride is
the downfall of some, as they refuse to repent of their sins, even though Jesus
said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Still others are hindered by “peer
pressure” from confessing their need for salvation, and obeying Christ as their
only Savior. John reported that
many of the chief rulers believed in Christ, but would not confess him, because
“they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John
12:42-43).
Finally,
many are hindered from obeying Christ, because they’re unconvinced of the
necessity of doing exactly what He said to have their sins forgiven. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Baptism has become a stumbling-block to
many, because false teachers have convinced them Jesus was confused when He said
baptism was an absolute prerequisite for entering God’s kingdom (John 3:5).
So, “what hinders
you
from being baptized?”
“Why do you tarry? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling
on the name of the Lord!” (Acts 22:16).