November 29, 2008

“I Need More Proof”

Filed under: Bible Study — Bearing The Cross @ 2:35 pm
Tags: explanation, faith, God, Godhead, grace, Holy Bible Study, Jesus Christ, reasons, Salvation, saved, Saviour, turn, virtue, wisdom

“I Need More Proof”

By David J. Stewart

“Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverb 1:20-22).

There is so much truth available today that you have to not want the information to remain in darkness. The same was true in Bible times. The Bible proclaims in Proverbs 1:20-22 that wisdom crieth out in the streets for people to listen; but they do not. It is interesting that God mentions “scorners” (i.e., critics) and “fools” who hate knowledge. The Bible is brutally honest. Many people are critics. No matter what you say, they simply won’t believe it because they don’t want to believe. The reason why is because they HATE knowledge (i.e., facts and evidence that PROVE them wrong).

They Didn’t Listen to Jesus Either

Jesus had the same difficulties with people, who refused to believe Him no matter what He said and did.

“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?“ (Matthew 11:2,3).
“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?…” (John 14:7-9).
“Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (Mark 15:32).
“Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him” (Matthew 27:41,42).
“And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself” (Luke 23:36,37).
“And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not…” (John 10:23-25)
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (Luke 23:39).
“And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven” (Luke 11:16).

We find a pattern in the Scriptures of unbelievers and doubtful believers who continually placed Jesus on trial “If Thou be the Son of God…”

Thus, it shouldn’t be surprising to us today that people refuse to believe the truth, even in the face of irrefutable evidence and facts. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, made the lame to walk and the blind to see; yet, many of the Jews rejected Him as the Christ and refused to believe His Word. Today, 2000 years later, scornful people are still rejecting Christ’s Word. The problem is NOT a lack of evidence or facts; but rather, a sinful heart of indifference and unbelief.

Wisdom Crieth in the Streets

The truth is available if people want it. Although the internet is plagued with heresy and lies, it is also still one of the last remaining bastions of truth. God always makes a way to get the truth to those who desire it. The truth is present amidst the lies, and those who have a good and honest heart will recognize it. There are thousands of informative books available freely on the internet that contain the truth about nearly every subject. We must have enough character to be willing to “buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverb 23:23). Fortunately, the two most important truths in our lives are also freely available, the precious Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The worst place to look for the truth is from the lying news-media, from the lying criminal politicians, from the lying public school system, or from today’s lying apostate churches. It is tragic that so many professed “Christians” get their doctrine from the latest New York Times Bestseller. Jesus commanded in John 5:39 “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!!!“

Conclusion

There is proof of God all around us “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” This Scripture should scare you immensely if you are a professed atheist or Christ-rejecter. God won’t accept any excuses on Judgment Day. All the “proof” you need is outside your front door.

I have met countless skeptics and naysayers who demanded “proof” of the truth I attempted to share with them. It is sad and hypocritical that such people blindly accept the unproven theories of Evolution and the junk science of Global Warming; while simultaneously requiring documentable, irrefutable, incontestable proof of the validity of God’s Word. Why the double standard? it just goes to show that such people hate the truth and you simply can’t talk sense to them.

As I mentioned earlier, There is so much truth available today that you have to not want the information to remain in darkness.

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November 28, 2008

Jesus - A Man of Sorrows

Filed under: Bible Study — Bearing The Cross @ 8:56 pm
Tags: belief, christian love, disappointment, explanation, faith, glory, God, Godhead, grace, Holy Bible Study, Jesus Christ, love, reasons, Salvation, saved, Saviour, turn, unhappiness, virtue

Jesus - A Man of Sorrows

By David J. Stewart

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…” (Isaiah 53:3)

Contrary to the health, wealth and prosperity image of Jesus Christ that Charismatics put forth, Jesus was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Jesus said He had no pillow to place His head upon at night… “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). Jesus was homeless in all material senses.
Everywhere Jesus went, He was scorned and ridiculed because of His youth… “Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” (John 8:57). Yet, Jesus spake as no man had ever spoken… “The officers answered, Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). Jesus was a remarkable young man who spoke with Authority, i.e., the Truth of God’s Word; and He was hated for it… “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham” (John 8:40). “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:45). Jesus was sorrowful that the Jews didn’t believe His Word.
When Jesus went to His own town of Nazareth, they rejected Him… “And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country” (Luke 4:24). Jesus was angry and grieved because of the hardness of the Jew’s hearts… “And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.“
There were many places Jesus went, where the Bible says He DIDN’T perform any mighty works because of their unbelief… “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching” (Mark 6:5,6). No wonder Jesus was so grieved and sad; He wanted to heal the sick and help others, but oftentimes didn’t because of their unbelief.
In Luke 8:52, 53 we read that the crowd laughed Jesus to scorn when He said He could raise the dead… “And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.”
When Lazarus died, the Jews had no faith and it grieved Jesus’ heart. Instead of having faith that He could raise the dead, they criticized Jesus for allowing Lazarus to die in the first place…
“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave…” (John 11:33-38).
This troubled the Lord, understandably. No matter how many miracles Jesus performed, and how many people He healed, and how many good things He did to help others; the crowd always criticized Him, demanding more miracles and questioning His Word and deity…
“But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him” (John 12:37).
Even Jesus’ own disciples didn’t believe Mary when she said Jesus had raised up from the dead as He had promised…
“And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen” (Mark 16:11-14).
Oh how the human heart is prone to unbelief… “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Jesus loved people and wept over Jerusalem because of the unbelief of the Jews…
“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it” (Luke 19:41).
No matter what Jesus did to open the eyes of the Jews, they always came back wanting more proof…
“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?“ (Matthew 11:2,3)
“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?…” (John 14:7-9)
“Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (Mark 15:32).
“Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him” (Matthew 27:41,42).
“And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself” (Luke 23:36,37).
“And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not…” (John 10:23-25)
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (Luke 23:39)
“And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven” (Luke 11:16).
It is clear from the Scriptures why the Lord was a man of sorrows, because everywhere Jesus went the Jews mocked Him, rejected Him and refused to believe. They always demanded more evidence. Thankfully, many of the Jews who witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the grave DID believe (John 11:45). Even some of the Pharisees believed (John 12:42). However, the majority of the Jews hated Jesus and in their anger demanded His crucifixion, saying to Pilate who sought to release Jesus… “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matthew 27:25). Literally, the Jews said to Pilate, “Kill Jesus and we’ll gladly take responsibility for it.” And so it was.
In John 16:33 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Jesus said in John 16:22, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” We are living in a cruel, selfish and hateful world where people oftentimes rob us of our joy. People are as rotten as they can be in today’s American society. But Jesus said the day will come when He comes back to get us, that we may live with Him in Heaven, and we shall rejoice in the peace and rest that He will give to us. No one will ever make us sad again! What a day that will be!!! Although the world is a miserable place to live, God promises a bright and peaceful future in Heaven for the Christian believer, i.e., those who have been born-again in Christ Jesus.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” —John 16:20

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November 27, 2008

Salvation is of the Lord

Filed under: Bible Study — Bearing The Cross @ 8:08 pm
Tags: belief, Biblical Doctrine, Biblical Doctrine: SALVATION - How to be Saved, explanation, faith, God, Godhead, grace, Holy Bible Study, Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ, reasons, Salvation, saved, Saviour, truth, turn, virtue, wisdom

Salvation is of the Lord

By David J. Stewart

“Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly… Salvation is of the LORD.” —Jonah 2:9
I was reading the Old Testament Book of Jonah the other day and stumbled across a truth that I never saw before. We often hear the Biblical story about Jonah and the Whale; but I’ve never heard anyone address the prayer which Jonah cried out from the whale’s belly.
Some critics of the King James Bible has quarreled over the word “whale” in the Bible. Matthew 12:40 in the New King James Version (NKJV) and the New International Version (NIV) errantly change “whale” to “fish”. The Greek word used in Matthew 12:40 is ketos. The scientific study of whales just happens to be - CETOLOGY - from the Greek ketos for whale and logos for study! The scientific name for whales just happens to be - CETACEANS - from the Greek ketos for whale! So “whale” is the correct translation, which the King James translators faithfully preserved.
Jonah’s Desperate Prayer from the Whale’s Belly
Here is what Jonah prayed to God from the inside of the whale’s belly:
“Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” —Jonah 2:1-10
Jonah said something remarkable in his prayer to God. Jonah stated that people who trust in “lying vanities” for their salvation literally “forsake their own mercy”. That is to say, they forfeit the free gift of eternal life which God in His loving mercy has made available to all mankind through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. This would be equivalent to the Apostle Paul’s statement in Galatians 5:4 “Ye are fallen from grace.” There is ONLY one way to Heaven and that is through the precious redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19). Anyone who tries to merit Heaven some “other way” has fallen from the saving grace of God, and has forsaken the mercy which God has bestowed upon them through the gift of eternal life found only in Christ Jesus (Acts 4:10-12; John 10:1,9).
God’s Merciful Gift of Eternal Life Versus the Lying Vanities of a False Gospel
As I read Jonah’s plea to God, I couldn’t help but immediately think of all the religious people in the world today who trust in “lying vanities” to get them to Heaven. They have forsaken the very mercy that God has bestowed upon them through His precious Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the wrath of God abideth upon them (John 3:36).
Jonah knew that “SALVATION IS OF THE LORD” and pondered over it in the whale’s belly. I find it very interesting that Jonah was thinking about the merciful gift of God, and of those who trust in “lying vanities” which lead to Hellfire. You see, when Jonah was fleeing from God he was only thinking about himself; but now that Jonah is in woe and desperation, he is thinking about what is important to God—SOULWINNING!!! I believe Jonah was thinking about the unsaved inhabitants of Nineveh (where God had told him to go preach the Gospel). Jonah promised God to obey His will if his life was spared. God caused the whale to spew Jonah forth on dry ground. Interestingly, Jonah made a 3-day journey in just ONE DAY. Jonah ran all the way to Nineveh after God delivered him from being entangled in weeds in the whale’s belly in the depths of the sea. That’s quite a testimony.
Many religious people today have a false sense of peace, like the calm in the eye of a hurricane, because they’ve been lied to by some unholy priest or arrogant minister. Death and destruction await them after the calm is gone, i.e., when they enter into eternity in their sins without the Lord. The most dangerous thing you’ll ever do it trust what men say. You’d better do what Jesus commanded in John 5:39 “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!!!” You’ll never go wrong listening to the Word of God.
The Bible is filled with warnings about listening to people:
“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” —Psalm 118:8
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” —Proverb 16:25
“Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.” —Jeremiah 7:8
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” —Jeremiah 17:5
“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” —Romans 3:4
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” —Matthew 15:8,9
Jonah knew that SALVATION IS OF THE LORD, and that those who trust in “lying vanities” are traveling on a highway to Hell. Phooey on what El Papa over in Rome says. Phooey on what your priest says (who’s saturated with sins himself). Phooey on that Lutheran minister who arrogantly and falsely claims to have power to forgive your sins—NO HE DOESN’T. The only One Who can forgive anyone’s sins has nail-scared hands and feet—Jesus Christ. Believe on Him!!!
What Will It Take?
Jonah was your typical person who forgets about God until tragedy strikes. It’s sad, but true, that most of us don’t think about what pleases God until we’re in the back of an ambulance or in a dangerous situation. Whereas Jonah was stubbornly fleeing from the will of God before; now he is in the morbid belly of a whale facing imminent death, crying out in repentance for God to deliver him. Whereas Jonah wasn’t concerned about fulfilling the will of God just days earlier; now he is desperately desiring to do God’s will and preach the Gospel to lost sinners who trust in “lying vanities.”
What will it take for us to surrender our lives to do God’s will? Why does God always have to send a whale to devour us, fiery serpents to bite us (Numbers 21:6), an evil spirit to afflict us (1st Samuel 16:14) or a thorn in the flesh to humble us (2nd Corinthians 12:7). Mankind is sinfully proud and stubborn. Deuteronomy 6:12 warns, “Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” It is so easy to become ungrateful for all the wonderful things that God has done for us. So often as believers we forget about the very God Who brought us forth out of darkness (bondage to sin) and gave to us new life in Jesus Christ.
Trust Upon the Lord Jesus Christ and Simply Say, “Thank You.”
Jonah said that he would sacrifice unto the Lord with “a voice of thanksgiving.” Mankind has no part in salvation other than to receive it through faith in Christ Jesus and say, “Thank you.” Salvation is receiving; not giving. We have zero righteousness of our own. Even our own self-perceived goodness is “filthy rags” in the sight of Almighty God (Isaiah 64:6). The very reason why God sent His Son to pay the price at Calvary for our sins is because we cannot save ourselves. If there are any sins at all on our eternal record, no amount of good can expunge them. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse our sins away forever (1st John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; 7:14).
Jonah had a spirit of thanksgiving because he knew that salvation is based upon GOD’S MERCY and not upon man’s own self-righteousness or any other “lying vanities.” Salvation is of the Lord Jesus Christ. We just receive it and say, “Thank you.”

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September 28, 2008

Mutual Submission in the Fear of God

Filed under: Bible Study — Bearing The Cross @ 1:10 am
Tags: belief, christian love, explanation, faith, glory, God, grace, Holy Bible Study, Jesus Christ, love, reasons, Saviour, truth, wisdom

Mutual Submission in the Fear of God

by David J. Stewart

Before I share with you this simple but usually overlooked truth, I would like to first look at a few Biblical principles. There is a great misunderstanding amongst feminist groups, as well as among many other groups and people in society today. This misunderstanding involves the proper God-instituted role of a man and a woman in marriage. Many women think that the Bible gives a husband the right to be a dictator, or a slave keeper; however, nothing could be further from the truth. Most men also do NOT understand the Bible’s clear teaching on mutual submission in marriage. Do you mean that the man should sometimes submit to his wife? Absolutely! I will get to this teaching later; for now, please keep reading.

Wives

Firstly, The Bible is clear that a man is to be the head of his own home. The wife is to be obedient to the husband. There can be no arguments here if you believe the Bible.

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23).

“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands…” (1^st Peter 3:1).

“To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:5).
“I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan” (1^st Timothy 5:14,15).

It is a shame to hear a wife criticize and tear down her husband in her conversation with others; this is wrong. The Scriptures are clear that a wife is to OBEY her husband.

“Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement” (1^st Peter 3:6).
“Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” (Ephesians 5:24).
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves…”(Hebrews 13:17).

Wedding vows used to include the phrase “and to obey” on the bride’s part; it is rare to hear these words in a wedding today. It is not old-fashioned to believe that a wife should obey her husband; it is the right way! It is God’s way!

Husbands

Many women turned into militant feminists because they have seen too many men abuse their role as the husband. God actually has much more to say to the husband than he does to the wife. Listen to what the Bible has to say to the husband:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

God commands the husband to love his wife. The Greek word for “love” here means “to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly.” Hence, a man is to give his wife the care, attention, respect, admiration and the cheering up from his heart which she needs.

“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them” (Colossians 3:19).

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1^st Peter 3:7).

It is utterly wrong for a man to be a tyrant towards his wife. A husband is to be loving, kind and considerate unto his wife. So many men today are woefully ignorant or trying to take advantage of the biblical teaching regarding marriage.

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband” (1^st Corinthians 7:3).

The word “benevolence” means “goodwill and kindness”. “Goodwill” means “a disposition to kindness and compassion”. Hence, the husband is to be a nice guy unto his wife! He should be far away from being a tyrant jerk. God COMMANDS the husband to be kind and compassionate. This is the wife’s “DUE” treatment. A husband is not supposed to bring his job frustrations home with him and releases them upon his wife. The husband is to deal with the wife “according to knowledge” as the Bible says (1 Peter 3:7). This means use your brain, guys, you’re in charge! You cannot hang around with bears in your hands and expect to have some honey at the same time. Some fellas are just plain selfish and rotten towards their wives. My father used to buy my mom cleaning supplies for Christmas back when I was a kid. Though she never complained, he didn’t treat her very nice. A husband should love and value his wife. “Honour” means “to value” in the Bible. A man who values his wife WILL treat her with dignity and respect. Some men, unfortunately, are complete pigs at home (yes, that is offensive but the truth must be dealt with). Unless your wife is a pig also, I’m sure she would appreciate your better manners.

Likewise, the wife is to show kindness and compassion on the husband. A man told me he was out front of his house cutting the grass. He was sweating heavily after a while. He asked his wife if she’d get him a drink of water. She said, “Get it yourself!” How wicked! How rebellious! If this is you, I pity you on judgment day. A wife is to give “DUE” kindness and compassion to the husband. Surely, a hug, a cup of water, slippers and something to eat are not too much to ask if your man goes to work for you. Likewise, fellas, if your wife works, you should also split the housework accordingly.

Mutual Submission in the Fear of God

I’m now going to share with you this simple truth of the matter and I think you’ll be amazed.

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).

The honest truth is that the husband is also commanded by God to submit to the wife. Yes, the man is the head of his home; however, he is supposed to yield to his wife’s requests and wishes whenever possible—this is love. Many men think that the wife is to be a slave, having no will nor no right of her own. This is untrue! The Bible never teaches that submission is a one-way street. This is what the Bible says, and I believe, that a loving husband will yield to his wife’s wishes 95% of the time; however, for that 5% area where the husband feels he knows best, the wife is to submit to the husband. It basically means that the wife gives the husband veto power over her life. This should not be a problem if the husband is a godly man. A godly man is a kind and compassionate man unto his wife!

The problems certainly arise when the husband is not fulfilling his role and responsibility as a man. Too many husbands expect their wives to obey, but then they provoke their wives to anger by not being kind, respectful and considerate. On the other hand; some wives are abusive and selfish; no matter how much the husband gives, the wife takes and takes and takes. My pastor used to say from the pulpit: “If either one of you were a good Christian, there would be no arguments.” He’s also used to say: “It takes two to tango.”

I discuss this simple truth on mutual submission today because I believe that many folks have gotten the distorted idea about husband’s and wife’s roles in a marriage. Yes, the man is to be the head of his home. Yes, the wife is to give her husband “veto power” over her life. However, a godly and loving husband will not try to manipulate and control his wife. A wife is not to be kept in a cage. The husband is to love his wife with his heart; encourage her; brag on her; build her up. The wife is to do the same for the husband. Marriages could be revolutionized if couples across America would take this truth to heart.

Thus, to further understand this truth, you can apply this same principle to the employer/employee relationship. The employer should allow the employees to have their way most of the time; however, at times when problems come the employer will have to say: “I’m sorry, but you should not do that.” The employees are to submit to the employer, and then a good employer will work with the employees to find solutions for those problems — notice that the employees must submit first. Likewise, a wife is to submit to her husband, and then the husband submits to the wife — but the wife must submit first. A wife is more likely to submit to a husband that allows her to do things her way most of the time. An employee is more likely to submit to the desires of his/her manager if the manager allows the employees to have their own way most of the time. Whether it is a marriage, a family, a church, or a business; this is God’s method for management and improvement — mutual submission in the fear of God.

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).

Sincerely, Dave

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September 21, 2008

Another Gospel?

Filed under: Bible Study, Great Sermons — Bearing The Cross @ 8:07 pm
Tags: belief, Biblical Doctrine, christian love, explanation, faith, glory, God, grace, Great Sermons, Holy Bible Study, Jesus Christ, love, reasons, rebuke, refute, saved, Saviour, truth, turn, uncompromise, wisdom

ANOTHER GOSPEL?

By Dr. Harry A. Ironside

HERE is only one Gospel, only one true message of good news from heaven. But there are many substitutes offered in place of the Gospel. It was so in the beginning. It is so now. The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians:

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians1:6-9)

THESE are intensely solemn words. They come bubbling up from the steaming heart of the indignant apostle in righteous wrath as he learns of pretentious carnal legalists deliberately seeking to mislead eternally-bound souls with a false message which could only, like a will-o-the-wisp, lead to ruin and destruction at last. He would have us know it is a fearfully wicked thing to trifle with the sacred heaven - sent message that has come to a needy world declaring the grace of God to poor lost sinners.

WHAT then is this Gospel of which the apostle was so jealous? He tells us plainly in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4,

“… I declare unto you the gospel… how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Note carefully: The Gospel is God’s wonderful story of His beloved Son. It is a message of grace to be received in faith. It is not a code of laws to be obeyed or good advice to be followed. It is not a system of ritual observances or a call to submit to certain ordinances. It does not set forth the claims of any human church organization, however venerable, nor does it exhort men to seek after experiences, however remarkable, though a blessed experience follows its acceptance. It simply sets forth Christ crucified and risen as the Savior of all who believe in Him.

WHEN THE MORMON elder comes declaring that an angel revealed a gospel of salvation through a restored church and renewed ordinances, he is preaching another gospel, and angel and man are alike under the curse.

WHEN THE LEGALIST comes insisting that salvation is by obedience to God’s holy law (which in itself is just and good), he is preaching another gospel, for the Word of God declares, “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in His sight.”

WHEN THE REVIVALIST comes promising salvation to those “who make a full surrender” of all that they have to God, and who “pay the price of full salvation,” he is preaching another gospel, for the price was paid on Calvary’s cross and the work that saves is finished. It was Christ Jesus who made the full surrender, when He yielded Himself unto death for us that we might be redeemed from the curse of the broken law and forever saved from the judgment to come upon all who refuse His grace.

WHEN THE MODERNIST prates in glowing terms and honeyed phrases of salvation by character, salvation by altruism, salvation by ethical culture, he, too is proclaiming another gospel, for if character could have saved, Christ need not have died; if altruism would have fitted sinful men for heaven, the Lord Jesus would surely have told us so; if ethical culture could deliver from the wrath of God, what place would Gethsemane, Calvary and the Empty Tomb have in the Divine economy?

WHEN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST (falsely so-called) denies the reality of sin, disease and death and lulls sinners to sleep by telling them that “God is all and all is God,” even going so far as to declare the death of Christ was unreal, and His resurrection simply spiritual, and that the blood of Jesus was no more efficacious to cleanse from sins when shed upon the accursed tree than when it was flowing in His veins, he, or she, is promulgating another gospel, which is not another, for it is a baseless dream, a weird and blasphemous “error of mortal mind” that will leave its votaries at last without God and without hope.

THE SOLEMN FACT IS THERE IS NO OTHER GOSPEL. Every pretended substitute is but a Satan-devised delusion meant to turn men away from the strait gate which alone leads into the narrow way, and make them contented as they crowd down the clear side of the broad way to eternal perdition.

BEFORE there can really be another gospel there must be another savior and another Holy Spirit, and this can never be. Nor is any other gospel needed, for the grand old Gospel of the grace of God is all-sufficient to save “whosoever will,” and has demonstrated its power throughout the centuries by transforming lost miserable sinners into happy joyous saints. Paul says,

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith” (Romans 1:16,17).

THE Gospel needs only to be preached in the power of the Holy Spirit to hold its own against every imitation and substitute that the mind of the natural man energized by Satan can devise. Like the Bible itself it is divinely inspired and, therefore, preeminently fitted for the needs of mankind. It convinces the mind and satisfies the heart, if men but take the place of repentant sinners and accept it by faith. It is the dynamic of God unto the deliverance of all who believe it. To refuse it is to be lost. To receive its message is to be saved.

IT reveals the righteousness of God, making known how He “can be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.” Satan’s false gospels all pretend to show how man can establish his own righteousness. The Gospel of Christ comes to unrighteous men and tells them of a righteousness that is divine which is imputed to all who believe.

ANOTHER gospel, whatever its outward form, will always be found to center in something that man can be or do in order to obtain merit. The Gospel of God declares what Christ has done in order that the salvation purchased may be justly offered to sinners.

ANOTHER gospel presupposes some strength, some ability to please God, in the natural man. God’s Gospel declares that when “we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

ANOTHER gospel will land you in hell! God’s Gospel, believed, will bring you safe to heaven.

TURNING from every false hope, I beseech my unsaved reader to rest in what Scripture declares concerning Christ, and thus be able to sing in faith:

“Upon a life I did not live, Upon a death I did not die, Another’s life, Another’s death I hang my whole eternity. None will ever be confounded who put their trust in Him.”

***Dr. Harry Ironside (1876-1951), a godly Fundamentalist author and teacher for many years, served as pastor of Chicago’s Moody Memorial Church from 1930-1948.***

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September 12, 2008

That Which Is Highly Esteemed Among Men

Filed under: Bible Study — Bearing The Cross @ 3:52 am
Tags: God, saved, turn, truth, explanation, Jesus Christ, grace, faith, belief, reasons, Saviour, Salvation, glory, wisdom, christian love, love, Holy Bible Study, virtue

That Which Is Highly Esteemed Among Men

By David J. Stewart

“And he [Jesus] said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” ―Luke 16:15

The above Scripture is followed by the literal account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). The Bible contrasts the extravagant and pleasurable life of a rich man verses the sorrowful existence of a poor beggar named Lazarus. In the end, the Bible tells us that the rich man went straight to Hell to be tormented in flames; but Lazarus was escorted by angels into Abraham’s Bosom (i.e. Paradise). There is not a clearer passage of Scripture in the Word of God, testifying to the vanity of earthly fame and fortune. The rich man had it all―health, wealth, prosperity, power, security, friends, and the respect of his peers; BUT, he didn’t have Jesus. In sharp contrast, Lazarus had nothing except Jesus. He was sick and the Bible says that dogs came and licked his wounds. Lazarus ate from the rich man’s garbage, whatever he could scrape together. The Bible tells us that the rich man was consumed in his mind concerning building bigger storage barns for his grain, and laying up massive wealth for his old age; BUT, his retirement never came because God ended his life. The selfish rich man never gave thought to helping Lazarus in any way, nor did he think about God nor the eternal destiny of his soul.

Only one life ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

Jesus told these things to the Pharisees, because they were self-righteous rich men, who regarded neither Jesus Christ, nor the poor. Many people are no different today. Everything that this sinful world highly esteems is void of Jesus Christ. We hear the holy name of Jesus defamed on a daily basis in public, on TV, at work,…etc; BUT, we never hear anything good said about the precious Saviour. The Pharisees were honored and respected everywhere they went, as if they were some type of heroes; but the Pharisees didn’t honor Jesus Christ at all. This is seen much today in the world. Many people adore and praise their Catholic priests, Cardinals, and the Pope, while these very imposters trample upon the finished work of Christ by requiring good works for salvation. These men are all vile, dirty, rotten sinners; yet, they are reverenced as if they were something special above the point of sinners. They are not! Only Jesus is special. Only Jesus is to be honored. It is Jesus Christ alone who is to be praised!

God is not impressed by superficial manifestations of religious piety. God looks upon the heart, as we read in Luke 16:15 above. So many religious leaders today are on their way to Hellfire, having never been born again through faith in Christ Jesus. They have churchianity without Christ. They have religion without truth. The average person today honors ministers and priests as if they are good people; but the Bible says in Mark 10:18 “…there is none good but one, that is, God.” No matter how much we may admire a man or woman of God, we must never forget that they are still vile, dirty, rotten sinners at best, just like you and me (Romans 3:10,19-23).

Most things that are important to the average person today won’t matter a hill-of-beans 100 years from now, or 10,000 years from now for that matter. Consider how many people have given their lives to music, singing, dancing, trading stocks, operating a tavern, computer software,…etc. What will all that matter when you stand before God on Judgment Day? Are you saved? What are you doing with your life for God now? I didn’t ask you if you were religious, phooey on that. I want to know if you’ve been born again? Have you realized your sinful condition, i.e. your guilt and condemnation under God’s holy Law? And have you come to Jesus by faith, trusting upon His precious blood sacrifice to wash away your sins? It’s as simple as this: we are sinners, and Jesus is the Saviour! Won’t you believe upon Him now? Acts 16:31 “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…“

Christian Priorities

Life is short. The carnal world has their priorities backwards, and many professed ‘Christians’ as well. So many people today are consumed with making more and more money. No Christian should ever work overtime at the expense of spending time with their families. Don’t let greed force you to work overtime. Live within your means. It is ridiculous for anyone to work 3 jobs just to double their bank accounts more quickly. What is admirable about killing yourself? 1st Timothy 6:10 tells us that the “love of money” is the root of ALL evil. Will any of that money matter 100 years from now when you’re dead and gone? No! The Christian believer needs to keep Heaven in view at all times, and rise above the fleeting, frail, and temporal things of this earthly life. Only one life ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

We often hear about the latest New York Times “Best Seller”, but that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination (i.e. intensely hated) to God. James Van Praagh is a false teacher, who openly denies Jesus Christ in his New York Times “Best Seller”, Talking to Heaven. Millions of Americans idolize Oprah Winfrey; yet she openly denies that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven. Oprah should be considered as one of the most dangerous women in the World! Americans idolize the wicked, especially Hollywood movie stars and Rock ‘n’ Roll singers. These people are serving the Devil, and are highly esteemed amongst men; BUT they are an abomination to God Almighty! It is a shame, and a sin, that people are always looking for the next book to enhance their mind while the Word of God sits unread in their home (if they even have a Bible). King David said in Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Yet, where do people today look for guidance? They look to heretics like John Edward, Dr. Phil, and Pat Robertson. Pat Robertson even practices clairvoyance on his TV program, just like the heathen psychics do.

John the Baptist was despised by the average people in his day, and would no doubt live as a recluse if he were alive today. John lived in the wilderness, and lived off the land, eating wild locusts and honey for food, and was clothed in camel’s hair. I have no doubt that John wanted to live for the Lord, and wanted to escape the sinful temptations (which abound in all bigger cities). I admire people who forsake the city, and move to a smaller town to find a simpler life, where people still have character, backbone, integrity, and honesty. We see what happened to Lot and his family in the Old Testament when they moved to Sodom. The carnal world today wants materialistic things―cars, homes, vacations, boats, cruises, tech-toys, and the pleasures of life; BUT, God wants us to OBEY the Bible.

That Which is Despised Among Men is Highly Esteemed By God

The life of a small baby is despised by many people, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the doctors who perform the abortions, the Nazis who operate the abortion clinics, Planned Herodhood, and every mother who signs to have her own baby tortured to death. It’s interesting that a mother’s signature is required for her to have an abortion. It just seals her doom on Judgment Day when God asks her to identify the signature consenting to her baby’s death. ONLY God can create life, and no man or woman has a right to kill that life (Exodus 20:13). We are a selfish generation of pleasure-seekers in the United States, who only think about what’s best for us, even if it means killing other people to have our own way. Aborted babies are despised in the eyes of the abortionists and lawmakers as subhuman life; but those babies are precious and highly esteemed in the eyes of their divine Maker.

Many women are postponing having children because they have chosen to pursue a career instead. This is so tragic. Money should NEVER be a factor in any decisions we make in life. Oh, the misery which the love of money brings “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” -1st Timothy 6:10 So many women are deciding not to have children, even murdering their own babies by an abortion, so they can pursue a career to MAKE MONEY. How sad! How contemptible! The sorry excuse many women buy into is that they’ll be able to provide a better life for their child after securing a good career. This is simply not the case, as an aging mother with a career will struggle tremendously trying to be a good mother too. 1st Timothy 5:14 instructs women that they should be at home, having children in a Christian marriage, taking care of the family which is the core unit of every society, and not causing trouble for her husband. This is biblical. It’s not just the old-fashioned way, it’s the right way! Motherhood is despised by feminists today, who are increasingly choosing careers over being mothers. God is not pleased with a career woman who neglects her duty as a mother. A woman’s main place is in the home.

Only one life ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

We read in 1st Corinthians 1:28 “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.” The U.S. Army continually advertises that they’re “Looking for a few strong men.” Well, God is “Looking for a few WEAK men.” “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” -2nd Corinthians 12:10. God bypasses the proud, the strong, the able, and the self-sufficient―for they glory in themselves and their own abilities. Rather, God looks for the weak, the despised, the poor, and the underdogs―that Jesus Christ may receive all the glory. Oh that I may be weaker, more despised, and rejected of men―that God may receive glory from my life which He has given to me. Only one life ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

This sinful world places no value on eternal things. Soulwinning means nothing to the average Christian, let alone to the average person. As a Christian, I value the souls of men, especially lost ones. Whereas 99% of this world only value’s their pocketbooks. I have never made a penny through my ministry, in any way, and never plan to. I am serving the Lord by reaching out to others with THE TRUTH. I am just dirt, a hell-deserving sinner saved by God’s grace, who God in His wondrous power saved through the precious sin-cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. My sins have been washed away, thank God! I am an adopted child of the King! Oh what peace this sinful world forfeits by not knowing the precious Saviour.

What will all of Bill Gates’ billions of dollars benefit him when he stands before God as an unbeliever? It won’t. What will the dazzling physical beauty and splendor of all those Hollywood actors and actresses matter when their bodies crumble to dust once again in the soil? It will be too late then. The most beautiful men and women in this world are nothing more than dirt, and that is where their bodies will return when they die. There were billions of beautiful people alive 125 years ago, but they’re ALL DEAD NOW! There are an estimated 6.4 billion people alive today! Did you ever stop to realize that EVERY ONE OF THEM WILL BE DEAD IN 125 YEARS? Yet, this sin-cursed world worships the human body, and cares not for the soul. Fitness centers and gyms abound everywhere, so people can exercise their bodies for their own health; BUT, what about the soul? Are you saved? Are you a soulwinner for Jesus Christ? Are you allowing God’s Holy Spirit to live a righteous life through you? The flesh will die; but the spirit returns to God for judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Hebrews 9:27). Muscles and physical beauty are highly esteemed among men; but this earthly body is only temporal, frail, prone to eventual sickness, and cannot live for long. Are you ready to meet your divine Maker?

Let me clarify a little bit. There is nothing wrong with a woman working a job, or with people exercising, or to invest in stocks; BUT, these all become sinful when they take precedence over getting saved, seeking the truth, raising a family, and serving God. It’s all a matter of priorities. Jesus stated in Luke 12:20,21 “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” The average person is foolish, and thinks that God will bless them for sending their money to some greedy televangelists… Think again! We are commanded to be rich toward God; NOT toward televangelists! We should personally give of our time, resources, and money to genuine churches that reach out to the poor, preach the King James Bible, actively go soulwinning, and take a stand against sins in the community. By the way, good luck finding such a church anymore. The best course of action is for each believer to serve God themselves, on a personal level, and stop giving money to ministries who pamper themselves with splendid Rolex, new cars, nice homes, vacations, and the luxury life. None of the Apostles lived high-on-the-hog.

The Word of God is despised in America. The Word of God was despised so much by the Communist social thinkers behind the heathen Public School System, that they banned the Bible and prayer from their schools. America despises the commandments of God. This is why Las Vegas boasts itself as “SIN CITY”. Americans go there to gamble, fornicate, and commit every sin imaginable in exchange for money. And yet we hypocritically claim “In God We Trust“. No we don’t! God hates Las Vegas; but Americans highly esteem such filth, indecency, and debauchery. God hates Hollyweird; but American’s have made Hollywood’s sex-pig producers and actors filthy rich―idolizing the sexual immorality, cursing in God’s name, lewd adulterous scenes, and vile filth from Hell. How can we have the audacity to claim, “One Nation Under God“? The only “god” which America worships nowadays is Satan. If you don’t believe me, then maybe you’ll be surprised to know that there are even Churches Of Satan in America. The Iranians are correct when they label America as “The Great Satan“! Why does this term offend American’s so much?

What is Important to You?

Nothing will matter 10,000 years from now accept 3 things:

Did you die in the Lord and go to Heaven (Revelation 14:13), or did you die in your sins and go to Hell (John 8:24)?
What did you do for Jesus’ and the Gospel’s sake while you live on the earth as a Christian (Daniel 12:3; 1st Corinthians 3:11-15)?
What kind of life did you live as a Christian? (2nd Corinthians 5:10)

There will be many tears of sorrow in Heaven, over failures in this earthly life―loved ones and friends who went to Hell because we didn’t witness to them, people we hurt or who hurt us, wrongs not righted,…etc. The heathen world teaches its own by example to be tough, hard-hearted, critical, calloused, selfish, and thick-skinned; BUT, we read in Ephesians 4:31,32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” The Pharisees looked like something special on the outward appearance, but Jesus said they had rotting dead corpses within them “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” -Matthew 23:27. Are you serving the Devil in Jesus’ name? So many people today seem to have-it-all-together on the outside, but they are hellbound in unbelief and saturated with sins within.

Everything in this life is backwards. Men trust in works to save them; but God only accepts faith alone in Jesus Christ (because of the blood that He shed for our sins). Most men think that strength is what’s important; but God is looking for weakness (so that He may be strong in us). Most people think God gave the 10 Commandments to be kept; but they were given to expose our sinfulness when we break them (and thus reveal our desperate need for a Saviour). Most people view the Bible as just another religious book; BUT it is the Word of God.

What will it matter if you spend your entire life making money, and lay up a big 401K retirement, and then you die and go to Hell for eternity? So many people eat, drink, and sleep the stock market, or their mutual funds, or how they’re going to beat-the-game. As believers, we don’t need to play the world’s game. I have known several believers who fell by the wayside because of the love of money. The greatest things in life are not things. What matters to God is whether or not you have been born again, i.e. whether or not you’ve come to Jesus Christ as a sinner, believing upon Him for forgiveness. Many people today claim to be Christians, but they are not. They claim to have faith in Jesus, but they don’t. Are you really a Christian? If you’re a Christian, then are you a soulwinner? That’s what’s really important to God. Is your heart right with God? Christianity is being exploited nowadays at unprecedented levels, so imposters can make lots of money. Any pastor, Bible teacher, or evangelist who doesn’t preach about soulwinning, repentance, holy living, the judgment of God upon sinners, Hellfire, the blood of Jesus, and being born again is a BIG FAKE!!! It’s the TRUTH that impresses God (John 4:24), not some fancy-pants preachers.

Only one life ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

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September 2, 2008

Ten Lepers

Filed under: Bible Study — Bearing The Cross @ 1:28 pm
Tags: christian love, explanation, faith, glory, God, grace, Holy Bible Study, Jesus Christ, love, reasons, rebuke, refute, Saviour, truth, virtue, wisdom

Ten Lepers

by David J. Stewart

Luke:17:12: And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
Lu:17:13: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Luke:17:14: And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
Luke:17:15: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
Luke:17:16: And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Luke:17:17: And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

There used to be times in my life when I pondered the ingratitude of people. Then I learned one day about Jesus and the ten lepers. You see friend, Jesus healed ten men with the horrible disease leprosy (an incurable disease in those days). One of the healed men came back to thank Jesus, but the other nine men went their selfish ways without even saying thank you. I simply cannot comprehend such ingratitude. Perhaps those nine men were so excited about their restored health that they had completely forgotten about the One Who healed them whole again. It is so typical of the people in the world today, everybody is so wrapped up in their own things that they never take out any time to thank the only true God Who created them. I do not ponder people’s ingratitude anymore, I realize that it is an inherent characteristic of the sinful nature. Humanity is by nature…unthankful.

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” -Romans 1:21

Have you “glorified” God in your life? To “glorify” means “to acknowledge“. Have you acknowledged God’s existence? God’s power that created the universe? God’s love that sent Christ to die upon the cross for your sins? If you have acknowledges God, then I know you are thankful for all that He has done for you. Sadly, most of the earth’s population have not acknowledged Jesus Christ and have no gratitude towards the truth and live God. I am so thankful to Jesus Christ my God for all that He has done for my wretched soul. I owe Christ my life. What a wonderful Saviour! What a precious Friend! What a Redeemer!

Even Christian people have problems with gratitude. It is sad that people don’t know how to say thank you anymore. I could give you many example from my own personal experiences of believers who failed to appreciate what I had done for them. I count it all for Christ because I gave it to Him in the first place. I give to others because I want to give to God. When we help others, we are helping God (Mark 9:41). Even some pastors are guilty of not appreciating what their people do for them. I’m not kidding! I knew a pastor who refused to say thank you to another pastor who gave him a piano because he said it came from God. How terrible! Folks, when someone gives you something, you should say thank you and mean it with your heart! I realize some pastors are younger and haven’t matured yet, but saying thank you is something that you should have learned back in grade school. Pastors, more than anybody, should be thankful because they are herding people. Being unthankful is what the heathen are like.

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” -2nd Timothy 3:2

It is refreshing to meet people who genuinely appreciate the things you do for them. You didn’t do it to receive a thank you, but it is nonetheless discouraging when a pastor fails to say thank you. I expect the heathen not to be thankful. I expect the devil’s crowd not to show any gratitude. I surely would think that a believer, especially someone in full-time Christian service, would exhibit a spirit of constant gratitude. Sadly, most Christians are no better than the nine ungrateful lepers who failed to say thank you to Jesus. These things ought not to be. Let us draw nearer to God in our hearts with a humble spirit of thanksgiving towards God and men.

In Jesus’ name, Dave

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August 29, 2008

Should Christians Support Abusive Government? - What Does Acts 23:1-5 Mean?

Filed under: Bible Study — Bearing The Cross @ 5:13 pm
Tags: Biblical Doctrine, christian love, defended, explanation, faith, glory, God, Holy Bible Study, Jesus Christ, love, reasons, Saviour, truth, uncompromise, virtue, wisdom

Should Christians Support Abusive Government? - What Does Acts 23:1-5 Mean?

Compiled by David J. Stewart

Many Bible scholars and pastors ignorantly use Acts 23:1-5 in an attempt to teach that Christians ought to obey even abusive government; but nothing could be further from the truth.

“And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.”

The following is a lengthy, but thorough exegesis of Acts 23:1-5 by Carson C. Day, and is the best I’ve read.

Most Christians have read Romans 13, which commands obedience by all to the authority of the state. But it leaves them wondering just how we are supposed to relate to it in this or that situation, since no state, and no minister of any state is perfect. Many are given to abuses, and even when they do carry out the law as the law dictates, since no legal code but one is perfect (the Law of the Lord), this leaves many injustices committed.
Particularly, here Christians need to know that Romans does not require absolute obedience to any authority except to that of the Lord Jesus directly — the Word of God. The Bible is replete with examples of Christians who disobey the state faithfully, as with the case of Daniel, who refused to stop praying to God, and with his three friends who would not bow to the state idols. Christians to whom the apostles wrote in fact died by the thousands for their unwillingness to burn a pinch of incense to Caesar and swear, “Caesar is Lord.” Instead, they made their public baptism formula a direct insult to this requirement, commanding all novices to violate this precept, uttering instead, “Jesus is Lord.”
Given that that canon of Scripture qualifies its claims found in any part, how then are Christians supposed to relate to their authorities? In this article, I will consider only one small part of an answer to this question, having given a broad overview, and then I will move on to dispel a common misunderstanding regarding the command, “Do not speak evil against the ruler of your people.”
First, Christians must disobey the state when it commands them to do what God forbids (e.g. bow to our idols or else).
Second, Christians must not do what the Bible forbids but the state allows (e.g. abortion).
Third, Christians must disobey the state when it forbids them to do what God commands them (e.g. Do not pray to God; do not preach the gospel. Hate crime legislation in effect forbids the preaching of the Gospel, and thus violates the right to freedom of religion in the first amendment. Ministers should preach the law of God and Gospel — and Christians must always speak the relevant truth in society from the Word — without fear of any man.
Fourth, Romans 13 treats in effect only the executive branch of government, speaking in particular of the “minister” (KJV) or in Greek “Deacon” of the state. The law of this land has built-in protections against tyranny which the Bible invites Christians to use to protect themselves from abuse. Paul did this when he was unjustly whipped by civil magistrates who did not bother to find out in advance whether Paul was a Roman citizen or not. He used Roman law to compel the magistrates to do their duty to make up (publicly) for the injustice by escorting them in broad daylight safely out of the city.
The other two branches of government allow for the use of authority — which is ALSO given by God — to all U.S. citizens to leverage against abuses for the cause of justice — the redress of just grievances. This means you can sue those who take advantage of you or your situation unlawfully. You can make petitions to courts, start referenda to have incompetent or corrupt officials removed and the like. You can also file complaints, make phone calls to higher-ups, and find out what your rights are online even.
In other words, In the U.S.A. citizens have rights (authority) too, not just civil magistrates — though they have more rights in the commission of their duties than the average citizen does. They have to in order to do their jobs without undue interference. Criminals cut corners on rights (which is what makes them criminals), so the police, for instance, have to have greater leverage against them to cause them to “cease and desist” their criminal behaviors.
But onto the topic of specific speech-acts, one of which the Bible plainly forbids. We find this topic raised by an incident with the apostle Paul in Acts 23: 1-6, which reads:
“And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not [Did not know], brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.”
This often misunderstood passage — and very badly handled — has many good exegetical cues built into it for our edification and admonition.
First, we need to know precisely what Paul said that caused him to repent of what he had said just prior. Then we will look for immediate synonyms and parallels in the local context. Third, we will look briefly at the source being cited here from the Older Testament to make the case for the proper NT interpretation of the sense and proper application of this commandment.
First, we have Paul’s saying after being striken — punched — at the command of the high priest. He says, “God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?”
The first part of this utterance is that which brought the infraction challenged by those standing near the high priest (likely the temple body guards appointed to his specific protection). For the Temple had its own guard (a small armed force), not appointed by the Romans.
“God shall smite thee [in like manner],” — the implication of what He has said amounts to invoking a curse upon the chief ecclesiastical authorities within his nation. Notice that Paul understood that God adminsters justice in reciprocal fashion — Lex talionis. Well had Paul studied the law of the Lord under Gamaliel.
Second, we note synonym for Paul’s action used by his detractors, “Do you REVILE God’s high priest?” Third, Paul had acted in ignorance, meaning that the high priest was not wearing his formal vestments, and the time of the incident was not near the time of sacrifice. This was not required of the high priest — or chief priests since there were by the time of the apostles more than one. This came about at the time of John Hyrcanus in the second century B.C., but bears little on our present study meriting more than simple notation.
So we have the example of speech “God will smite you [also]” — (a curse in the Name of God)
We have the verb “revile” used as a synonym for the curse, and we have the citiation “Do not speak evil against the ruler of your people” from the first testament. This shows clearly that Paul does not forbid simply criticism or any kind of speech whatsoever that may been seen to detract from the honor of the office. That is not the point. The point was VIOLENCE, first of the fist, and then of Paul’s retaliatory VERBAL violence, the invoking of a curse with God’s title (which is included in the biblical sense of God’s Name or reputation).
Repeatedly the Proverbs speak of wicked men saying, “Violence covers their lips,” or “their mouths feed on violence.” These expressions refer specifically to CURSING others in the Name of God, with the attending hope that God will in fact bring about the curse from their lips, since they themselves may not be strong enough or in the right position to do it with their own fists.
Cursing is verbal violence, invoked in God’s Name in the hope that the Lord will honor the curse. This does not mean it is always inappropriate, just that it is covenantally specific, and highly regulated in the Bible. Now the fact of Paul’s curse is not questioned even by Paul; only the object of the curse is in question, and whether the invoked curse was proper. Paul, upon learning his error, retracts it, and reproves himself from the law.
But what of the verse he cited? Exodus 22:28 reads,
“Thou shalt not revile the gods, *nor curse* the ruler of thy people.”
Here, “gods” [elohim] simply means “judges.” The point is that the judge must be free from pressure of any kind to impose the sanctions specified in the law of God without fear of retribution or intimidation, lest he pervert the law and justice. Thus, no man is allowed to retaliate against the judge for issuing a judgment with which he disagrees. This does not mean that no appellate courts existed in Israel. They did. But the man was not free himself, apart from due process of biblical law (taken as a whole), to retaliate against the judge issuing an unfavorable judgment, whether by physical or verbal violence (cursing or reviling).
This has nothing to do with criticizing a nation’s foreign policy, or voicing one’s dissent let us say from Clinton’s known adulterous relationship in the Whitehouse. That is not the imposition of a curse, but the repeating of public information one may (and should) strongly disapprove of.
The U.S. Constitution itself provides for free speech so that citizens may issue in public speech, or else in writing, their grievances against the abuses of power in government. The Bible does not dispute this right, but it does add qualifications, such as gracious speech and taking care not to incite insurrection by what one says — using speech to arouse violence or incite crimes.
By noting the original source of Paul’s quote, and the parallels in its immediate context, we may conclude with confidence that the saints do have the right and duty to speak out against abuses in places of power, so long as they do so carefully and “seasoned with salt, so that they may know how to answer everyone.”
Those ordained as ministers of the gospel have a special duty to resist wickedness, providing something of a system of checks and balances between church and state. But the relationship between these two specified in the Word is another post — or series of them — altogether.
Speaking violence against a ruler is simply not permitted. Even Paul reproved himself for ignorantly invoking such against one of the chiefest of judges among his people, even when that judge has plainly abused his power. I have no doubt, however, that Paul was right, since striking an apostle was likewise an extraordinary offense which the high priest committed without repentance (unlike Paul). This is not something you want on your resume.
“Had one of Jesus’ — the Judge of all men – favorite people struck on the mouth”
This was an extremely bad idea, to put it mildly. Nevertheless, Paul conducted himself within the limits of his office to the best of his knowledge. And obeyed the law of Exodus in the New Testament period — insert theonomy sermon here — even when reproved by the wicked properly citing it against him. Paul was a humble man.
This was not one of the ten commandments, but a case law, or ordinance in Israel, whose authority continued into the Newer Testament simply because there was no retraction of it stated or implied in the Newer. Paul was clearly a Theonomist in modern terms. Apart from this hermeneutic - and Theonomy provides both a hermeneutic as well as an objective moral standard — one cannot make sense of Paul’s actions here. For when he spoke of food and dietary laws, he freely urged that one can eat what he likes, for his freedom in the Lord. Not so with Exodus 22:28 and many other laws which continue for the single reason that they were nowhere countermanded later.
For the Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul. This does not mean, only a small part, but the whole, of the law of the Lord, since no qualification attends the affirmation. This is what the judges are to impose in pronouncing sentence. Any other standard would necessarily be unjust, since God has but one standard of justice.
SOURCE: Christians and The State - Do Not Speak Evil Against The Ruler of Your People
NOTE: Mr. Day is a Presbyterian. I do not agree with The Westminster Confession that Mr. Day adheres to, but I do believe he is 100% accurate in his exegesis of Acts 23:1-5.

It is clear that Paul’s preaching of the Gospel was making people angry, which is what got him into trouble in the first place. We read in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Paul quickly realized his mistake of threatening violence against the high priest; but there certainly was nothing wrong with Paul’s argument that his “rights” were being violated as a Roman citizen. In Acts 22:25, Paul stood up for his “rights” as a Roman citizen, questioning why he was being punished without due process of law. In Acts 22:28, Paul affirms his right to freedom by birth as a Roman citizen. The Apostle Paul knew his legal rights, and you can rest assure that if Paul lived in the United States today that he would fully know and defend his Constitutional rights. Many average Christians today cannot explain their First Amendment rights even if their lives depended on it.

Conclusion

It is unbiblical for any so-called “Bible scholar” to teach blind submission to abusive government. As believers, we ought to take an uncompromising stand against evil, waste and corruption in government (Psalm 94:16). Thank God for Christian leaders like Dr. John R. Rice who understood this:

“So, as an honest Bible preacher, obeying the plain commands of God, I must speak out against corruption and immorality. Waste, corruption, the taking away of men’s freedom and the seizing of men’s property, these sins every honest preacher must condemn and every honest Christian must disavow.”
SOURCE: Dr. Rice… Here Are More Questions; Question: Should politics and religion be mixed?; by Dr. John R. Rice, pg. 249, Sword of the Lord Publishers; 1973, ISBN: 0-87398-157-X

The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights don’t give us our rights; but rather, simply outline our God-given rights. Yet, these “legal” documents ought to be precious to every U.S. citizen who enjoys and cherishes their freedom. The Bible does not prohibit Christians from exposing evils working within our government; such as: criminal leaders, the theft of trillions-of-dollars of taxpayer money, blatant crimes being committed by The White House, treasonous acts of betrayal against America’s citizens (such as the open Mexican border and the outsourcing of America’s jobs), warmongering,…etc. America today is headed for the dust. The American people are to blame, because of their tolerance of wickedness and love for sin.

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August 22, 2008

Does the Bible Teach “Once Saved, Always Saved”?

Filed under: Bible Study, Biblical Doctrine: SALVATION - How to be Saved — Bearing The Cross @ 6:05 pm
Tags: belief, Biblical Doctrine: SALVATION - How to be Saved, explanation, faith, glory, God, grace, Holy Bible Study, Jesus Christ, reasons, rebuke, refute, Salvation, saved, Saviour, truth, turn, virtue

Does the Bible Teach “One Saved, Always Saved”?
By David J. Stewart

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 10:43; Romans 10:13)

Yes, and I will prove it from the Bible!!!

A man recently wrote to me, attacking me, saying that I am a false prophet, on my way to Hell, and am sinfully proud for teaching “Once saved, Always Saved” i.e. the eternal security of believers. He provided a list of numerous Scriptures as alleged evidence that salvation can be lost. I would like to examine each of the Scriptures he provided, and honestly consider what they really mean.

1st Corinthians 15:1-2

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”

Please look down a few verses at 1st Corinthians 15:12-14

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

It is clear from verses 12-14 that the Apostle Paul is warning about unsaved religious people in the church in verses 1 and 2; not true believers in danger of losing their salvation. Paul is simply warning the churchgoers at Corinth that they had better examine their faith (see 2nd Corinthians 13:5), because some of them were denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Obviously, such a person would not be saved. There are many professed “Christians” today who deny the deity of Jesus Christ, the Godhead and the Virgin Birth. They are unsaved modernist imposters.

Once again, we clearly see how critics of eternal security pervert the Scriptures to their own destruction.

Hebrews 3:6 and 3:14

“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

Proponents of losing one’s salvation are guilty once again of taking Scripture out of context. Please consider Hebrews 3:14-19

“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

Carefully notice in verses 18 and 19 the words “believed not” and “unbelief”. Clearly, these Scriptures are speaking about false Christians who were never saved to begin with; not about believers losing eternal life. America’s churches are filled with phonies, who act religious, talk with spiritual lingo, and think they are saved; but they are on their way to hell in unbelief.

Many of the Jews in the wilderness died in unbelief and went to Hell.

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2).

So what does Hebrews 3:6 exactly mean? It means that a truly born-again person can never be unborn, a change has taken place that is irreversible, and one’s continued faith in the Lord is evidence of it. A true believer won’t deny the Lord at some later time in life. Continuing faith is evidence of salvation; not a means to maintaining it. One who denies Jesus Christ, claiming that they “used to believe”, is a liar. No one ever lost their salvation. Certainly, many people who once possessed the philosophy of Christianity, or the organization of religion, or the culture of Christianity, may turn away from it and deny the faith. They simply gave up their churchianity; but they never had Christianity. Most religious people today do NOT have the Truth of God’s Word; but rather, the traditions and philosophies of sinful men.

Hebrews chapter 3 is speaking about unsaved Jews who went to Hell, because they heard Moses preach the Gospel, but had no faith (Hebrews 4:2). This has nothing to do with Christians.

Hebrews 10:19-31, 38-39

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Carefully notice Hebrews 10:38,39

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

The issue here is faith. These Scriptures plainly speak about unbelievers, i.e. fake Christians who go back into the world because they never had faith in Jesus Christ in the first place. Our churches are filled with such hypocrites today. Hebrews 10:29 mentions those who have “trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing.” No true Christian would do that. Believers trust Jesus Christ. This is all the writer of Hebrews is saying. One who departs from the Christian faith never had faith to begin with, and is hellbound to perdition in the Lake of Fire. No Christian can ever face perdition. Eternal life is the free gift of God (Romans 5:15; 6:23). Salvation is without works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8,9).

Hebrews 10:26 states:

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation.”

This verse speaks of the person who has heard the Gospel and rejected it. If, as those who teach you can lose salvation claim, Hebrews 10:26 applies to Christians, then we’re all in serious trouble. If there “remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” for the believer, then we’re all going to Hell. There’s no such thing as a believer who doesn’t sin. In fact, the Bible defines a “just man” as one who sins repeatedly; but keeps getting back up to live for God.

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again” (Proverb 26:16).

Wicked people don’t even try to live for God, because they have not the Holy Spirit of God (Romans 8:9). Christians, at best, are horrible sinners trying to live right, falling and getting up, falling and getting up, till the Lord returns or takes us home to glory (Romans 7:15-24). All Christians sin every day. This is the great folly of those who claim that salvation can be lost. If living in sin causes a person to lose salvation, then we’re all going to Hell, because we are all dirty, rotten, lousy sinners.

Hebrews 6:4-6

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

These Scriptures are speaking about unbelievers, who have heard the Gospel, have experienced the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, and have had the opportunity to get saved; but have deliberately rejected Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

It is ridiculous to claim that these Scriptures apply to believers, because the Bible uses the word “impossible” in Hebrews 6:4. Is it impossible for believers to repent of their sins and get right with God? Did not Peter repent after denying and cursing the name of Jesus? Yes, he did. Did not king David repent after impregnating Bathsheba in an adulterous affair and murdering her husband, Uriah? Yes, he did. 1st John 1:9 promises that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So, clearly, Hebrews 6:4-6 is speaking about the unsaved. A person who rejects the Saviour is hellbound, and there is no other hope for them apart from Christ.

James 5:19-20

“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

James 1:1 reveals that the Apostle was writing to his Jewish brethren.

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.”

As is the case today, there were many unsaved people amongst the saved. Most of the Scriptures that the proponents of losing salvation claim are Scriptures speaking about unsaved religious people in the church. It is a grave mistake to interpret any Scripture without taking into consideration the truth that eternal life is a free gift.

Ephesians 2:8,9 state:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Ironically, proponents of losing salvation profess to believe in the gift of God; yet they contradict themselves horribly when they simultaneously teach that salvation can be lost through sin. By every definition of the term “gift“, it is something freely given, requiring nothing in return.

To say that salvation can be lost is to call God a liar. Repeatedly, in hundreds of Scriptures, the Word of God tells us that one who believes on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins SHALL BE SAVED (Romans 10:13; John 3:16).

John 15:2,6

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit… If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

I’ve heard some preachers say this Scripture refers to premature death; however, I know plenty of believers who don’t go soulwinning, and don’t seem to care, and are living selfish lives. They should all be dead if that’s what John 15:2 and 6 mean; but they’re not. Clearly, the Scriptures mean something different, otherwise Christians would be nearly extinct.

Notice that John 15:6 says “as a branch“. Jesus was likening a fruitless believers to a fruitless tree. Most believer’s today are unproductive. Jesus told the parable of the seeds in Luke 8:5-15. There is no mention of premature death for believers who fail to go soulwinning. Jesus spoke of selfish believers who are choked by the cares and riches of this life (Luke 8:14), and never win anybody to Christ. Others are immature, having no roots, and are easily discouraged and quit. 1st Corinthians 3:15 teaches that some believers will receive nothing at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

2nd Corinthians 5:10 states:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

There is nothing to indicate that John 15:1-7 are speaking about losing salvation. Clearly, these Scriptures are speaking about believers who fail to abide in Christ, and are thus rendered useless for God. The key to the Christian life is abiding in Christ by abiding in the Word of God. Believers with an honest and good heart will obey the Scriptures by sharing the Gospel with the lost. Carnal believers who do not will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:12).

1st John 3:6 and 9

“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him… Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

This Scripture speaks of walking in the Spirit:

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

It has nothing to do with salvation, or losing salvation. Salvation cannot be lost. Only a believer has the Holy Spirit indwelling them (Romans 8:9; 1st Corinthians 3:16). The unsaved walk in the flesh continually, because they have not the Spirit of God in them. That’s all 1st John 3:6 and 9 are talking about. It is impossible for any Christian to go even a day without sinning. Only a self-righteous hypocrite would claim otherwise.

Luke 12:42-46

“And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”

These Scriptures warn of coming judgment upon the religious wicked, who know not Christ. We see this plainly taught in Matthew 7:21-23

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

No Christian will ever lose their salvation, nor be cast into Hell. If a believer commits adultery and murder, they will still go to Heaven. King David is an evidence of this Biblical fact. Certainly, no believer has God’s permission to sin, and the Lord will chastise His own (Hebrews 12:8). It is tragic that so many ignorant people are tampering with the Bible, wrongly dividing the Word of Truth. The important rule is to never interpret a single Scripture by itself, without taking into consideration the entire spectrum of Scriptures contained in the Bible. If your interpretation agrees with all other Scriptures, then you have found the correct interpretation.

Eternal life is a free gift, not conditioned upon the lifestyle we choose to live. Certainly, something is very wrong with a man who professes to be saved, but is still living a sinful life without Holy Spirit conviction. He is likely not saved; but Scriptures are filled with such examples of carnal believers who ARE saved, such as when Peter cursed and denied the name of Jesus publicly.

For anyone to teach that unfaithful believers will lose their salvation and burn in Hell goes contrary to other Scriptures in the Bible. Ephesians 2:8,9 plainly state that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus. Salvation is not of works, lest any man show boast. It is the gift of God. If living a faithful life is required to keep salvation, then we DO have grounds to boast, because we are working hard to make God happy and stay saved. The Bible condemns such thinking and tells us that salvation is a gift, freely received by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

How absurd that anyone would teach that believers must remain faithful, work hard for God, and walk the narrow path if they want to go to Heaven. False prophets like Paul Washer teach this kind of garbage. Paul Washer corrupts the Meaning of Matthew 7:14

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Mr. Washer differentiates between the words “gate” and “way” in Matthew 7:14, claiming that Jesus is the gate (which is correct), but the “way” refers to a continued life of holy living. This is heresy! Washer’s teaching completely ignores the plain truth of Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.“ Could the Word of God be any clearer? A sinner’s faith is counted for righteousness! It is Jesus who justifieth the UNGODLY by faith; NOT by works! A man’s faith in Jesus is equivalent to a life of righteousness. If Paul Washer is correct, i.e. that Jesus was teaching that salvation requires walking a strait “way” of continued obedience to God, then salvation is a PROCESS.

Luke 8:11-15

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Ray Comfort, amongst others, foolishly claim that the second group, i.e. the seeds which gladly received the Word at first but then fell away, represent the unsaved who believe on Christ but fail to repent. This is wrong. Luke 8:13 is speaking about saved people, because the Bible says they “receive the word with joy“. The unrepentant wicked don’t receive God’s Word with joy. The seed sprouted and began to grow, so there was a new life. The problem is that the roots didn’t have time to grow. A new believer needs to be mentored, which is what Jesus taught in Matthew 28:19,20. 1st Peter 2:2 teaches that new believers, as newborn babes, must feed on the milk of the Word in order to GROW.

Galatians 5:3-4

“For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

It is silly for anyone to quote this Scripture in an attempt to prove that salvation can be lost, because Galatians 5:4 clearly reveals that the issue at hand is works salvation. Anyone who attempts to enter Heaven by keeping the Law is bound for Hellfire. Again, salvation is of God, a free gift, which simply needs to be received on the basis that we are guilty sinners (Romans 3:19) in need of Jesus’ cleansing blood which washes our sins away (Revelation 1:5).

Romans 8:12-13

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

This Scripture is speaking about the spiritual life of the believer. 1st Timothy 5:6 states, “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.” A believer who goes into sin, i.e. walks in the flesh, cannot please God. Romans 8:10 reads, “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Our carnal, sinful flesh and the Spirit of God are diametrically opposed to each other. There is no fellowship between them. A believer who lives in sin is running from God, out of God will, just like Jonah in the Old Testament.

Romans 8:12-13 does not in any way indicate that salvation can be lost. A believer can walk in the flesh, which in effect kills the Spirit; but the Spirit of God is still there indwelling the believer.

In Hebrews 13:5 God promises:

“Let your conversation be wi

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FUNDAMENTAL CHRISTIANITY

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“I Need More Proof”

November 28, 2008

Jesus - A Man of Sorrows

November 27, 2008

Salvation is of the Lord

September 28, 2008

Mutual Submission in the Fear of God

Wives

Husbands

September 21, 2008

Another Gospel?

September 12, 2008

That Which Is Highly Esteemed Among Men

“And he [Jesus] said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” ―Luke 16:15

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Ten Lepers

August 29, 2008

Should Christians Support Abusive Government? - What Does Acts 23:1-5 Mean?

August 22, 2008

Does the Bible Teach “Once Saved, Always Saved”?

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 10:43; Romans 10:13)