1. What Must I Think To Be Saved

2. Attitude Is Important We may know what God wants us to do to be saved, but we won't do it without the right attitude (Ac.2:37-38,40-41) The acceptance of any truth depends upon the attitude of the person who is listening (Lk.8:11-14) and the attitude of the speaker (1 Tim.4:6-16)

3. The Attitude of Balaam Consider Balaam's contact with Israel (Num.22-24; Deut.23:4-5; Josh.13:9-10; Neh.13:2; Mic.6:5) Balaam is not an example to follow (Num.31:8,16; 2 Pet.2:15-16; Jude 11; Rev.2:14) However, Balaam's statement in 23:26 gives us a good summary of the five attitudes that save: “(1) All (2) that Jehovah speaketh, that (3) I (4) must (5) do"

4. 1. Self-Surrender “All” – the attitude of self-surrender Balaam was employed by Balak (Num. 22:5- 7). No doubt he felt an obligation to please his employer. However, when he spoke God's word, God was his only employer - like Amos (Amos 7:10-16) or Paul (Gal.1:6-10; 1 Thess.2:3-4). Examples of self-denial: Abraham (Gen.12:1ff; 22:1ff) and Paul (Ac.20:22-24)

5. 1. Self-Surrender Balaam was promised a place of honor (Num. 22:17). Balaam felt that God, not man gets the glory (Num. 24:1-13) - like Peter (Ac.10:25-26). God is to get the glory in all that we do (Mt.5:14-16; 1 Thess.5:18; Eph.5:20; Phil.4:6; 1 Cor.1:26-31).

6. 1. Self-Surrender Balaam was offered a large sum of money (Num. 22:18). Money (material possessions) has a way of blurring our devotion to God. “Self-denial” in following Jesus includes earthly possessions (Mt.4:18-22; 16:24-27). Not everyone has the attitude of “all”. Some of the Jews (Jn.5:40-44; 12:42-43) and the rich young ruler (Mk.10:17-31, see v.28).

7. 2. Critical Listening “That Jehovah speaketh…” – the attitude of critical listening Some have been trained not to listen to God's word - the Bible. Balaam did not have the popular attitude of “I feel” (Num. 22:18- 19,35,38; 23:3,12,20; 23:26; 24:13). We need to have the attitude of Samuel: “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam.3:9-10,18)

8. 2. Critical Listening Critical listening is important. Jesus instructs on listening (Mk.4:24; Lk.8:18; Heb.2:1; 12:25). The Bereans are a great example of critical listening (Ac.17:11)

9. 3. Personal Responsibility “I” – the attitude of personal responsibility Balaam was pressured to curse Israel. The pressure was placed on him by Balak, the messengers and the land of Moab and Midian. Balaam, however, realized his personal responsibility to examine God's will, to do it and nothing else

10. 3. Personal Responsibility Consider some examples of personal responsibility: Joshua (24:14-18), Isaiah (6:8), Ezekiel (18:20,30; 33:1-20), Peter and John (Ac.5:29), Paul (Rom.14:10-12; 2 Cor.5:10), and John (Rev.2:23) We won't do what we don't feel responsible to do!

11. 4. Good Conscience “Must” – the attitude of a good conscience Balaam acted, not because God forced him to, but rather because he knew this was the right thing to do and he desired to do God's will. His conscience would not let him do otherwise.

12. 4. Good Conscience There are many "musts" in the Bible: Jesus (Lk.2:49; Jn.9:4), Peter and John (Ac.5:29), Baptism (Ac.9:6; 22:16), Worship (Jn.4:21- 24) and faith in God (Heb.11:6) The conscience is good when we do what we know is right (1 Jn.3:19-22) Our conscience will be judged (Rom.2:16)

13. 5. Active Obedience “Do” – the attitude of active obedience Balaam realized that he must do something, and that doing was controlled by God's word The religion of Jesus Christ is a religion of “doing.” Jesus is the example (Jn.4:34).

14. 5. Active Obedience We must “do” God’s will: Mt.7:21-27; Lk.6:46; 8:19-21; 10:25-27; 11:27-28; Jn.15:14 “God does it all” salvation is not in the Bible!