Rex Charles is pastor at the Flora and Bringhurst United Methodist churches. Matthew: 14:1-12

It can truly be said that John the Baptist lost his head over God's Words! He was the last pre-Christian martyr. The next to be martyred for God was Stephen, a Christian. I am a United Methodist. John was not a Methodist. He was a Baptist. Jesus was not a Methodist. He was a Nazarene. Paul was not a Methodist. He was a Christian. John Wesley was a Methodist, AND a Christian.

John was the first to use baptism in a vow of repentance. Baptism in a mainline denomination church doesn't automatically save you. It is a sacrament, and a sign that you're exposed to the message of salvation. You agree to attend church, and be influenced by the church's message.

Church attendance doesn't automatically save you. While in church you are exposed to the message of salvation in songs, and the spoken word. You listen to great sermons, and not-so-great sermon jokes. Church attendance prepares you for membership in the church.

Church membership doesn't automatically save you, although you publicly confess your faith in Jesus Christ. That is the only way that you can be saved. Some people are church members for 70 years or more.

Being a member of a mainline denomination for 70 years or more doesn't automatically save you. Not even if you are a member of may boards, and serve on committees that do much good works…

Because doing good works doesn't automatically save you!

Well, what does save you? Romans 10:9,10 says, "If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved! For a man believes within his heart, and so is justified; and he confesses with his lips, and so is saved."

John the Baptist literally lost his head for God. How do we know we are as committed to God as we need to be? Think of that one thing or another that can come between you and doing that God thing. If a golf game comes up, do you follow that then attend a God event? Does an invitation to shop come before that Bible study? Would you rather hear from Jay Leno than what God says to you in nightly devotions? If these things, and others like them come between you and God, then God is only one of your special activities, NOT the highest priority in your life. And if He is not the #1 priority in your life, you will not be fully into the best plan He has for your life. And you will miss out.

Be fully committed to God. Let nothing come before your relationship in Him. Read Acts 4:31, and other verses of promise in the Bible. But remember Romans 10:9,10 because reading the Bible doesn't automatically save you.