“If you have an agreement with someone, get it in writing.” Written records are a vital part of our world. People keep receipts, bills, contracts, and other records. When it comes to God’s covenant, God has delivered His contract of agreement in writing to humanity. There is no changing of His contract. Paul speaking of God’s covenants points out in Galatians 3:15, “Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.” No one can really annul or add to God’s covenant. They may try to make their own additions and subtractions, but this does not change the reality of God’s written contract for humanity.

Most people do not have their salvation in writing. They are not guaranteed anything! Many would rather have a preacher or a “priest” to act as their spiritual lawyer. They trust their spiritual lawyers to know the law and God’s contract. Many do not know the Law of Christ and do not know whether their preachers are ever right or wrong. These will do or pay whatever their spiritual lawyers tell them. Many do not think to read the contract, or even ask their preachers to show them what the Bible teaches. They have no relationship with God, the author of the contract, but only with their preacher.

Just like any contract today, people can twist the Bible. However, twisting the Bible leads to one’s destruction. Second Peter 3:16, “as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” How well do you know the Bible? Do you have you salvation in writing? If you do not, then get it in writing.

Do You Have Your Salvation in Writing?

Jesus is often called “the Great Physician.” This is based off His statement referring to Himself in Matthew 9:12, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Physicians today keep records of all their prescriptions and most prescriptions are still given in writing. Jesus as the Great Physician has given His prescription to cure sin and death. Many people claiming to follow Jesus today write their own prescriptions. Some take prescriptions from people rather than Jesus. Some prescriptions of salvation prescribe a simple faith to be saved. However, if their faith is without the death, burial, and resurrection, their sins still condemn them. Some prescriptions prescribe a “sinner’s prayer.” That pray is not Jesus’s prescription.

Make no mistake Jesus’s prescription is complete. Believers have everything that they need in writing. Second Timothy 3:16-17, “Every Scripture [writing] is God’s breath, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,that the person of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Jesus promised in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:3 that “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” From where do your beliefs come? Do not get a church manual or creed book. Do not ask a pastor or priest. Get the Bible! Jesus’s words are in writing.

If a prescription is not from Jesus, then it is not going to save anyone. The Apostles wrote so that believers can know that they are saved. This is the only way that anyone can become confident in salvation. First John 5:13 states, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” If anyone wants confidence in salvation, they can get their salvation in writing!

Do you have directions to Heaven in writing?

When you need to go somewhere where you’ve never been, then you want to know how to get there. Get a map, digital or paper! Do you feel comfortable just driving in the general direction? You’ll never get to Heaven that way. You want to get to Heaven. Get directions from God in writing! Try boarding a plane without a ticket. You’ll never make the flight. You’ll never make the once in a lifetime flight to Heaven without your salvation in writing. There won’t be any time to go back and get one. Try entering the United States without written identification like your Passport. You’ll have a hard time getting back. You must be a citizen of Heaven! You identity must be kept in writing in the Book of Life.

The Bible tells us how to be saved. It is so simple, plain, and all in writing. Believe and confess that Jesus is the Lord and God resurrected from the dead (Rom 10:9–10). Repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Live Faithfully unto death (Rev 2:10). Get it in writing!

Do you have it in writing that the church you are a member of is bought and paid for?

There is only one church in this community — this world — that God has purchased, and that is the church of Christ. Jesus bought the His Church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Anyone can read the copy of the bill of sale for the church. Christ has bought one church and there is no one who can afford anything like it. Anyone can have a copy of the deed — the Bible. The Devil has a mortgage on all other churches; every single one of them. The Devil is going to foreclose one day upon them. He will collect.

Is the church built by men or by Christ? Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The Bible is the blueprint. Each and every congregation can be a part of Christ’s church if they follow the blueprint. It is written that Christ’s Church believes in the Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His Church practices true religion in caring for orphans and widows. The Church confesses that every word of the Bible is inspired [no other books or creeds]. They teach that salvation is at baptism in Jesus’ name. They teach that belief, confession, and repentance are essential before baptism. They teach the sanctity of marriage, and that extra-marital sex is a sin. They teach that marriage after divorce can only be for sexual immorality. They teach that Hell exists. Christ’s Church knows that the Church is a part of God’s eternal purpose and no accident. His Church is governed by Christ, His word, and elders in self-governing congregations. His Church worships in spirit and truth, and the Assembly is kept decent and orderly. They keep the Lord’s Day with the Lord’s Supper on the 1st day of every week. His Church disassociates and avoids “Christian” sinners and false teachers. They certainly teach that sectarianism is wrong. The church of Christ clearly distinct and it is all in writing. I know of only one Church that meets this description today. You can’t be saved in something that Jesus didn’t build. Do you have it writing that the church you are a member of is bought and paid for?

Is it in writing that you are of the Bride of Christ — the Church of Christ?

The church is also described as Jesus’ bride. Do you have this marriage in writing? What does the marriage license say? Anyone can go, read the Bible, and know. Ephesians 5:24–29 states,

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

Is your marriage to Christ recorded? Someone could leave an inheritance, but their spouse wouldn’t get a penny of it if they didn’t have their marriage in writing. If there’s no license on record, you’re not getting the inheritance of Christ. No other churches have a marriage with Christ. There is nothing in writing to indicate it. Christ is no polygamist. He has only one bride (Rev. 21:9). No denomination is married to Christ. Christ prayed that we be one (John 17:21). First Corinthians 1:10 teaches that there be no divisions, denominations. Those who practice denominations and teach heresies “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

Is your name written in the Book of Life?

Throughout the Scriptures, there are two books mentioned to be before God at judgment. Jesus said that we would be judged by (John 12:48). The other has the names written of those who are saved. Revelation 20:11-12,

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

Revelation contains 6 accounts of names that are not written in the Book of Life. Revelation 20:15, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Get your salvation written on that book that is before the throne of God.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

* This article was heavily influenced by the lessons of Marshall Keeble.