Notes From the Pastor's Desk
October 9, 2025
Some Gospel R's
As we read our Bibles there are so many words and letters which we see. The letter “r” produces for us several words of interest.
I. The “R” of Ruin
Rom. 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Mankind was ruined by a fall in the Garden of Eden. The failure came because they took the word of the Devil above the Word of God. God had clearly said to our first parents in Eden, if they ate of the forbidden fruit they would die (spiritually and physically) (Gen. 2:17). Satan contradicted what God said (Gen. 3:4) and they believed Satan, taking the Evil One's word over the Lord Himself. Everyone has to be saved in order to be a child of God, due to what happen in Eden.
II. The “R” of Redemption
Rom. 3:24 reminds us, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The word “redeemed” has the idea of “delivering by the paying of a price.” Years ago I visited the old slave market in Charleston, where people were bought and sold. Those were dark days in America's history, but it does illustrate what God did for us when he bought us out of the slave market of sin through His precious blood.
III. The “R” of Regeneration
In Jn. 3:7 Jesus said, “Ye must be born again.” Regeneration is simply a spiritual change wrought in man by the Holy Spirit of God, by which he becomes the possessor of new life. Justification is a change in our relation to God, while regeneration is a change in our moral and spiritual nature. Regeneration is a work of God resulting in new spiritual life. The Bible says when we are saved we pass from “death unto life” (1 Jn. 3:14). Spiritually speaking, we have already died and come back to life.
IV. The “R” of Reception
John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His name.” When we receive Christ, when we take Him for our own, He receives us. Eternal life is in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in our good deeds and good works. To have Jesus as Lord and Savior means you have life eternal.
V. The “R” of Rejoicing
Look at Acts 8:39. You recall how the Spirit led Phillip away from a great revival meeting to go out into the desert to cross paths in the providence of God with a eunuch. He pointed the eunuch to Christ out of the Book of Isaiah. Afterward, Phillip went on his way rejoicing. Nothing should thrill us like seeing a soul saved and brought into the family of God. Since heaven rejoices (Luke 15:10), we should take part in it ourselves. May you be blessed by these “R's” from the Word of God.