In this episode, we focus on the profound teachings of the Bible, examining the nature of true faith and the sacrifices necessary to embrace Christianity fully. Through Brother David Payton’s inspirational story, we learn about the strength and grace required to follow God’s commandments. You’ll discover why faith that justifies is an active, obedient faith that transforms lives and brings salvation.
The Price That We Pay and True Bible Faith. Hey friends, we’ve got a two-for-one study just ahead from the International Gospel Hour. We’ll be back in a moment.
SPEAKER 02 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you once again to our J-Web. Greetings and hello everyone. Always great having you with us for our broadcast here from International Gospel Hour. And we are continuing our broadcast honoring the work of a beloved encourager of our labors here at IGH, and that is Brother David Payton. In January of 2025, David passed away due to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, from which he battled for over two years. It was amazing to everyone how David continued preaching and writing and could do so due to the great advantages in technology. It was amazing how with the use of his eyes only, friends, he could write, preach, drive his wheelchair, and speak with his voice. Truly a faithful servant to the very end. Well, today I want to share some of David’s work as he desired to get as much of his work in print to help others learn about God. Consider with me as we begin the price we must pay. I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t like new things. Who doesn’t like the smell of a new car, a new truck, or a newly built house? We like new clothes, new jobs, taking vacations to new places, etc., There are many reasons why we choose not to purchase those new things we desire. The main reason we choose not to do so is because of the price or the cost of the item. Even when we need an item, many times we will allow the price to deter us. This idea reminds me of the Christian life. The Bible teaches there is a cost to Christianity. Jesus asked the question, For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost whether he has enough to finish it? Luke 14, 28. In the same context, Jesus said, So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple. Verse 33. Jesus was teaching there is a price one must pay to become a Christian. It’s going to cost me my time, Romans 12, verse 1, Galatians 2, verse 20, and Galatians 6, verse 10, my money, 1 Corinthians 16, 1 and 2, and it may even cost me my job, my family, or my friends. The sad news is that many view Christianity as that new car or new house, and their thinking is that it just costs too much to be a Christian. Even though they are in such great need of salvation, they choose not to become Christians. So how can we help individuals get past the thought that the price of Christianity is too much? Well, first we must reveal to them that the price of Christianity is not beyond our ability to pay. The Apostle John said in 1 John 5, 3, For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. That word burdensome means heavy in weight. The Bible is teaching us that the Christian life is not so burdensome or heavy that we can’t live it. Did not Jesus say that his yoke was easy and his burden was light? Matthew 11, 28-30 In the second place, we must get people to realize that God gives us the strength and the power to pay the price of Christianity. Many fail to realize that when one becomes a Christian, the power of God resides within us, Ephesians 3, 20 and 21. Such is why the Apostle Paul said, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, Philippians 4, 13. We can live the life of a Christian. In the third place, we must get individuals to see their great need for salvation. When it comes to salvation, we are not dealing with a house or a car or a new wardrobe of clothes. We are dealing with the most valuable possession in the world, a person’s soul. Matthew 16, 26 says, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? According to this passage, man’s soul is invaluable. Thus man can never give too much to save his soul. Take for example a family who needs a vehicle. Even though there is a great need, this family may choose not to purchase it because of the price. There will eventually come a day when this family recognizes how greatly they need a vehicle. Once they are aware of this need, they will make any sacrifices necessary to obtain this means of transportation. The same is true when it comes to Christianity. When one truly recognizes his great need for salvation, he will make any sacrifices necessary to obtain salvation. the cost of Christianity will not be an issue. Are you willing to pay the price of Christianity? If not, please consider the price Jesus paid so we could become Christians. Jesus gave his life so we could be partakers of the Christian life. Acts 20, 28 and Ephesians 5 and verse 25. Wow, friends, what an awesome article. And this is just a sample of our brother David Payden’s work. Now, a little bit more about David. Don Blackwell of the Gospel Broadcasting Network conducted an interview with David and his wife Kelly that explains a little more about David and his addressing ALS. Don’s program is called Truth on Wheels, and we would love to share that link with you. We’d like for you to see that interview. It is available at our Facebook page, International Gospel Hour. And we can also make the link available to you if you’ll email us at info, that’s I-N-F-O, at internationalgospelhour.com. And in the subject blank, just put ALS, and that’s all you need to do, and we’ll send the link right back to you. That’s info at internationalgospelhour.com, and please put in the subject blank ALS. Now let’s continue our studies as we discuss Bible faith. How often do you hear people speaking about salvation by faith alone? This call is usually accompanied by inviting Jesus into your heart and your prayer of faith will save you. Now again, we may have heard it said, but is this what the Bible teaches? The Bible teaches that we are saved by faith, Romans 5 and verse 1. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The word justified in this passage means to declare one’s righteous and would be equivalent to being saved. Though this passage does teach that we are justified by faith, it does not say that we are justified or saved by faith alone. Listen to another Bible writer. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone, James 2.24. How can one argue with this passage? It teaches that one is not justified by faith alone. Faith does justify an individual, but what kind of faith justifies? Is it the kind of faith that merely accepts the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God? Does it mean that I simply believe in a God who sent Jesus? What kind of faith justifies? According to the Bible, it is an active, obedient faith. It’s a life process. It includes actions, convictions, and trust. Faith will lead us to work, as James teaches in the last half of James chapter 2. Faith will lead us to stand fast when persecuted or ridiculed. It will lead us to trust God even when we may not understand why He commands what He does. Faith is a whole package that insists on the whole man responding to God. Each time we have an example of faith in the New Testament, we also see those people doing something as a result. By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, Hebrews 11, 4. Abel’s faith moved him to act and offer a proper sacrifice to God. Noah’s faith caused him to move with fear and prepare the ark, Hebrews 11, 7. Abraham’s faith caused him to obey and go in search of a land that God had told him about, Hebrews 11, 8-10. The people on Pentecost believed, and their faith moved them to repent and be baptized, Acts 2.38. The Ethiopian eunuch believed. His faith moved him to stop the chariot and ask to be baptized, Acts 8. Saul was told to go to Damascus and was later taught and baptized by Ananias, Acts 9. It is impossible to find any biblical example of salvation through a prayer of faith or by asking Jesus into one’s heart. These sayings sound good, but they are not biblical or true. Biblical faith always leads to more than conviction. It changes people’s lives and attitudes. In John 12, 42, Nevertheless, many, even of the authorities, believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees, they did not confess it, so they would not be put out of the synagogue. These men had faith, but were they willing to act on their faith? Did that faith save them? Did it justify them? No, friends, it did not. Faith is more than being convinced about the status of Jesus or even your need to be saved. Faith calls on us to respond by repenting, Acts 17, verse 30, confessing our faith in Christ, Matthew 10, 32 and 33, being baptized, Acts 2, verse 38, 1 Peter 3, 21, and committing our entire lives to Him, Revelation 2, verse 10. Biblical faith is a life humbly shaped and molded by God’s word. So the question before you today is, do you have true biblical faith? Friends, we’d like to help you in your pursuit of that question. Here is our J-Web with our free Bible course by mail, God and Man.
SPEAKER 02 :
An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled, God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, God and Man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and man in the message box. Another Bible study that is free from IGH. And our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. g-o-d-a-n-d-m-a-n.com We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 01 :
And friends, join me next time. I’m Jeff Archie. Thank you for listening, and keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
God be with you till we meet again. Thank you for listening today. To God be the glory. And we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com and join us next time.
