The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1 Peter 3:21-22)
Anyone who knows the testimony of my wife, Pamela Rose, and I knows that we came to the knowledge of salvation by reading the Bible. We were driven to read the Bible because our lives were a mess and we decided that maybe going to church would help. However, what we discovered was that churches claimed to follow the Bible, yet they taught different things about going to heaven or hell and how to get there. Therefore, we wrote down our questions and started reading the Bible.
At one point, we realized that being good enough to go to heaven was impossible. This is because heaven is a perfect place and we were not perfect. Likewise, if we think about it, if heaven was not a perfect place and there was a standard of how good you had to be, then how could any of us know if we made it when we die? And, if we did not know, then how could any of us have peace when we die because we do not really know if we are stepping out into an eternity of bliss in the presence of the Lord or an eternity of insane torment in darkness? In addition to this, if heaven was not a perfect place and I made it, then we all have a problem because I know that sometimes I am not the best person to live with. And, if sometimes I am not the best person to live with, then who would want to spend an eternity with me? I wouldn’t, or anyone else for that matter, so then how would that be any better than just hanging out with nice people on earth?
You see, God is perfect and He expects us to be perfect (Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Psalms 18:30-32; Psalms 138:8; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 5:10). So, then how can any of us be perfect? We learn from today’s verses that it is NOT baptism that saves us. Nor, is it any other works for that matter (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Instead, as indicated in today’s verses, it is the answer of a good conscience toward God and He makes us perfect (Galatians 2:16). If it is the answer of a good conscience, then what is the question that needs answered? The question is do you believe that you are not perfect? Do you believe that God gave us the law to demonstrate to us that we are guilty of breaking God’s law and are guilty of sin (Romans 3:10; Romans 3;19-23)? Do you believe there is a penalty for sin and it is death in hell (Romans 6:23)? Do you believe that Jesus never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 9:27-28) and that because He never sinned he did not have to die to pay the wages of sin which is death (Romans 6:23)? Do you believe that He allowed himself to be wrongfully crucified on the cross to pay for your sins (2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11)?
If you can answer yes, then you have an answer of a good conscience toward God and you shall not perish in hell, but have everlasting life in the presence of God (2 Peter 3:9-13). You see, when we have the answer of a good conscience, then God starts changing us to be perfect like Jesus (Romans 8:28-31). Then, and only then, do our works mean anything – not for salvation, but because we love and appreciate what Christ did for us by dying for us on the cross and giving us the gift of eternal life (John 3:16; John 3:36; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; Hebrews 6:9-12; 1 John 5:10-13). After all, isn’t it a reasonable thing to do after what He did for us (Romans 12:1-2)? May God bless us all to share Him with the world so that others too can have an answer of a good conscience toward God and know they have eternal life ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-10; 1 John 5:13).
