*NEW MERCIES DAILY*
*DAY 3 – WED, MAY 28, 2025*
*THEME:*
The Truth Behind Twisted Scriptures:
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”- 2 Peter 1:20–21 (NKJV)
TITLE: “He That Believeth…”: Is That All?
BY: EFFIONG ETOK
Carrier of God’s Word
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Genuine faith doesn’t search for shortcuts to heaven-it trembles at the feet of the cross and cries, “Lord, what must die in me for You to live fully?”
SCRIPTURE TEXTS:
Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth… and believe… you will be saved.”
John 3:5 – “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit…”
Mark 16:16 – “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…”
INTRODUCTION:
We’ve made faith a formula. Just believe, just confess, and you’re fine-eternity secured. But friend, what if we’ve turned the narrow road into a fast lane paved with half-truths?
Romans 10:9 is real-but when isolated, it becomes a cloak for casual Christianity. The gospel never invited us to simply “believe.” It invited us to die. Die to sin. Die to self. Be buried in baptism. Rise by the Spirit. That’s salvation-not a recited prayer, but a crucified life.
Satan doesn’t tremble at belief-he believes too. He trembles at obedience. That’s why when Peter stood up on Pentecost, he didn’t say “Believe quietly.” He cried, “Repent and be baptized.”
*MAIN MESSAGE.*
You’ve heard it-“Just believe, that’s all that matters.” But Jesus said, “Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom.” (John 3:5) That’s not optional. That’s the gate.
Mark 16:16 thunders it clearly: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”
Yet we treat baptism like a tradition, not a transition.
We treat repentance like an option, not a requirement.
We want resurrection power without crucifixion obedience.
Even Paul, after meeting Christ, had to rise, be baptized, and wash away his sins (Acts 22:16).
If your faith doesn’t weep over sin, it’s not faith-it’s familiarity.
If your salvation costs you nothing, it may have changed your mind-but not your life.
*SUPPORTIVE SCRIPTURES – Faith That Follows Through:*
Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized…
Acts 22:16 – Be baptized and wash away your sins…
Romans 6:4 – Buried with Him… raised to walk…
1 Peter 3:21 – Baptism now saves you…
James 2:26 – Faith without works is dead…
*TAKEAWAY STATEMENT:*
Belief may bring you to the foot of the cross-but only surrender nails you to it. Faith that doesn’t obey is faith that never died-and what never died cannot rise.The gospel of Christ calls us beyond confession, into crucifixion and resurrection.
*PRAYER POINTS:*
1. Father, I’m done with empty belief. Break me where I’ve settled for convenience. Wash me in truth that saves, not comforts. Lead me through the waters of surrender. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.
2. Lord, don’t leave me where I am. Tear down every false peace I’ve built on partial truth. Baptize me in the fire that makes all things new. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.
*BOTTOM LINE SCRIPTURE:*
Luke 6:46 (NKJV): “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”
