After studying with an individual about the subject of salvation, he responded, “I just don’t think it really means that.” We had just read from the scriptures. No comments on the passage. No explanation. We just read the verse. But he didn’t agree with what it said.

With a great emphasis on “political correctness” in our society today, it is indeed strange that many religious people do not believe that God means what He says. Many seem to think that God will save them no matter what they believe. The question which will be considered in this article is, When God gives instructions, does He really mean what He says? And, must we comply with His instructions in order to receive the desired blessing? Does God really mean what He says?

ASK ADAM AND EVE. God said to Adam, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 2:1617). Did God really mean what He said? Read on: “Because thou hast eaten of the tree…cursed is the ground for thy sake… thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee…in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou returnest to the ground…for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Gen. 3:17-19). Yes, Adam and Eve found out that God meant what He said.

ASK UZZAH. God gave specific instructions about moving the holy things of the sanctuary, including the ark of the covenant. The ark was to be carried by staves, which were passed through the rings on both sides of the ark. Furthermore, they were not to touch it. The penalty for disobedience: “lest they die” (Num. 4:15). During the days of King David, the ark of the covenant was being transported back to Israel, but God’s plan was not followed. As the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached forth his hand to steady the ark and the Lord’s anger was kindled against Uzzah and God struck him dead (I Chron. 13:3, 9-10). Even King David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?” (I Chron. 13:12). The answer was simple: just do what God said. When David followed God’s instructions the ark was moved successfully (I Chron. 15:11-15).

ASK NAAMAN. Naaman was a general in the Syrian army. He was also a leper. Leprosy was a dreaded disease; it was chronic and there was no cure. A servant girl in his house (an Israelite maiden) told him of a prophet in Samaria who could heal him. When he finally went to Elisha, the prophet sent a messenger out telling Naaman to go and dip seven times in the Jordan River and he would be cleansed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:10). At first Naaman was angry and went away in a rage (2 Kings 5:12). His servants persuaded him to follow the instructions of the prophet and when he “dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God…he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14). Naaman was not cleansed until he did what God, through the prophet, told him to do.

Jesus says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). The Lord still means what He says.