Tue, Mar 24th - 4:37PM

ARE YOU SAVED?

Many believe they are saved merely because they had a religious experience, but a religious experience does not necessarily mean salvation. You can bathe and brush your teeth religiously (and you should), but this will not save you from Hell. It worries me when someone says they were so young that they don’t remember much about the experience: If you had an experience that you don’t remember much about then you didn’t have much of an experience. Many refer to certain works or ceremonies as the reason to believe they are saved, but this tends to indicate the opposite: Salvation is a personal experience with Jesus Christ and is through the finished work of Calvary (the blood of Christ), not the shed blood of Jesus Christ and additional supplements. (John 3:14-16; 1 Peter 1:19)

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7) There are always cases of people assuming that they are saved because they were born and raised in a certain religion or denomination or assuming that they were saved through rituals and ceremonies, and this was true of many when Christ walked the earth. (John 1:12-13; 3:1-6) The new birth is a personal experience with Jesus Christ. (John 3:5-16; Titus 3:5-7) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” (John 3:10) Christ was teaching something Nicodemus should have already known through familiarity with Old Testament teachings about the Holy Spirit’s work of supernatural change in the lives of people in the new covenant age. (Ezekiel 11 & 36, Jeremiah 31, etc.)

The teaching that merely committing sin means the loss of salvation is a salvation by works (Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9) and works determine rewards but not salvation. (1 Corinthians 3:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 3:23-24) Before you insist that you would take your fill of sin if you did not believe that merely committing sin means the loss of salvation, stop, and think about what this implies about you. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-12) “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:5-11) "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." (1 John 2:19) “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3)

What about sound doctrine and religious experiences or spiritual gifts, doesn’t that confirm salvation? Not necessarily. (Matthew 7:21-23; James 2:19)

Did you repent? (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 13:3) Many describe a salvation experience that did not include repentance, which indicates that they are not saved. A mere belief without genuine repentance is not saving faith, as saving faith is repentant faith. (Acts 3:19; also consider Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 55:6-7; 57:15; 66:2) Repentance is the turning from sin to God, and faith is the turning to Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) for salvation. (Acts 20:21) Repentance is required for salvation; it is the effective agent for forgiveness and remission of sins through the power of the cross. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30-31)

How do you describe Jesus Christ? Faith, like love, always has an object and the proper object of saving faith is Jesus Christ, and more specifically, the Jesus Christ who is presented in Scripture. (2 Corinthians 11:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 4:2-3; 2 John7)

Was there a change in your life? “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-12) Consider: A farmer gave his favourite pig a bath so that it would look and smell clean at the county fair. Someone left a gate open and that pig headed down the road searching for adventure. A strong wind blew the pig off the road and into a ditch. In the ditch there was garbage, a bad smell, and thick mud. When the pig realised where he was, he began thinking to himself “this is heaven on earth, this is exactly where I want to be.” Why? Because it is a pig’s nature to wallow in mud. (2 Peter 2:22) A lamb strayed from the flock and wandered down the road. A strong wind blew the lamb off the road and into a ditch where there was garbage, a bad smell, and thick mud. When the lamb realised where he was, he began struggling to get out of the ditch, and when he saw that he couldn’t get out he began crying out for the shepherd. Why? Because it is not a sheep’s nature to wallow in mud.

Do you practice sin less than before? (1 John 3:3-6. The word commit can mean practice, and so can the Greek word Poieo which is here rendered as commit.)

If you went to visit a millionaire at his home and when you met him you told him you are moving into his house to live with him and he has to allow this because you are a good person and you live right, unless you happened to be related and on excellent terms with him you would not receive a positive response because he does not know you and you are not even related. If you die lost, when you stand before Jesus Christ as your judge your pleas that you were a good person and lived right will not receive a positive response. “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.” (Matthew 7:21-23; when you read Matthew 7:24-27 consider that sand is little pieces of rock; also consider Matthew 13:24-30)

Consider that one especially noteworthy characteristic of goats is that a goat is the most religious animal; goats spend more time on their knees keeping up an appearance of piety than any other animal: Being very religious does not necessarily mean being close to God or closer to the truth; it often means the opposite. (Consider Matthew 25:31-34)

Do you know that you are a child of God? “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:14-16) “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6) Many believe they are saved because they said a certain prayer and they have more faith in the sincerity of that prayer than they have in Jesus Christ, or after saying a certain prayer someone told them they are saved and they have confidence in that person’s opinion. When you pray for salvation, you should repent and believe in Jesus Christ and pray for his mercy and grace until God touches you and you KNOW you are a child of God.

If you have doubts about your salvation you should go to Jesus Christ as a lost sinner seeking salvation. What if you go to Jesus for salvation and it turns out that you didn’t need to? God will forgive you. It would be better to seek salvation and not need it than to finish this life hoping in a counterfeit salvation.

Thu, Mar 12th - 7:00PM

PROBLEMS WITH CALVINISM

PROBLEMS WITH CALVINISM

In some ways the Protestant Reformation was a “back to the Bible” movement, but light comes from Scripture and not the Protestant Reformation or the Protestant Reformers. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) The Reformers did teach important truths, but we should test all things by the Bible and not Reformation traditions. (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16)

Let’s look at each of the five points of Calvinism:

TOTAL DEPRAVITY. Calvinism interprets total depravity to mean total inability, that man is unable to come to Christ unless he is foreordained to salvation. Total depravity is taught in Scripture and means that man is a natural born sinner that can do nothing to earn or merit salvation.

“And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:40) If the problem is an inability to come to Christ and not unwillingness, then why did Christ say “ye will not come to me?” 

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44) John 6:44 is often interpreted to mean that man is unable to come to Christ unless he is foreordained to salvation. But this interpretation conflicts with: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION. Calvinism says that some are chosen for Heaven and some are chosen for Hell and this choice is unconditional. But according to the Bible, the election of the redeemed is according to the foreknowledge of God. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30) “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (1 Peter 1:2)

The call to salvation is universal. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36) “And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 4:42) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (Romans 5:18) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

Scripture makes it clear that it is God's will for all to be saved. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30) “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

LIMITED ATONEMENT. Calvinism says that Christ only died for those chosen and ordained to go to Heaven. The argument that the whole world would be saved if Christ died for the whole world is also contrary to Scripture. The blood atonement is sufficient to save the whole world, but it is only efficient for those who believe. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (I Timothy 2:5-6) “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1John 4:14)

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE. Calvinism says God forces people to get saved. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8) “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (I Peter 3:20) Was it irresistible grace that saved Noah, or did grace bring salvation to Noah and his family? The grace of God bringeth salvation. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11)

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS. Calvinism says once saved always saved. While both sides of the debate can be far apart in the results of their teachings, they have important points in common. Both unconditional eternal security (once saved always saved) and Arminian eternal security (the belief that salvation can be lost through apostacy) share the same belief that faith in Christ is the key to security, and both teach that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works and that works determine rewards but not salvation.

Consider a few problems with the doctrine of unconditional eternal security:

· “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) The Greek word rendered believeth also means “commit to” or “be committed unto.” Note that everlasting life is dependent on commitment, and if you do not believeth in him you do not have everlasting life.

· “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Eternal life is a relationship with God through Christ, and one is eternally secure when he is in Christ. The phrase “eternal life” (Greek: aionios zoe) refers to the quality or caliber of life that comes from a relationship with God in the present. Eternal life comes from the source of life, and a believer is secure if he is in Christ.

· “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” (I John 5:16) When a born-again believer sins God gives space to repent, so this must be dealing with persistent unrepentance. (Hebrews 10:26-31; 1 John 1:8-9) Is the sin unto death a reference to physical death or spiritual death? Death means separation: Physical death is the separation of the soul and body, and spiritual death is separation of man from God. (Genesis 35:18; Romans 5:12, 17; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13; I Peter 4:6) Since all sin leads to physical death the sin unto death must be a reference to spiritual death.

· “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.” (Hebrews 10:26-31) Some scholars explain this to be referring to a lost person who apostatises after making a false profession of faith, but an unsaved person does not have to make a false profession and then reject Christ to be condemned. (John 3:18) Look carefully at the wording and grammar of Hebrews 10:26 and note that this is not saying that merely committing sin means the loss of salvation, or that God does not give space to repent, it is saying that persistent unrepentance means “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” (Compare I Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3-5)   

· “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God THROUGH FAITH unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5) 1 Peter 1:3-5 is often cited as proof of unconditional eternal security, with the question: If 1 Peter 1:3-5 does not mean once saved always saved, then what does it mean? Look closely at exactly what is being said and observe that this neither proves or disproves unconditional eternal security: The wording and grammar make it clear that faith is the key to security.

· “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.” (Matthew 7:22-23) Salvation is a personal experience with Jesus Christ, so does Matthew 7:22-23 mean once saved always saved? Matthew 7:22-23 is not referring to all lost people, it deals with PROFESSED Christians depending on their works for salvation.

· “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:14) Note there is an “if.”

· “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.” (Hebrews 10:38-39) According to this, there were some that drew back unto perdition; how can an unbeliever do that, since an unbeliever is condemned already? (John 3:18)

· “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.” (Hebrews 6:4-6) Is Hebrews 6:4-6 saying that if any genuine born-again believer ever did lose his salvation today, he could never be saved again as is often claimed? Prayerfully consider the context and setting. The temple in Jerusalem was still in operation when this was written, there was enormous pressure on Jewish Christians to recant their faith, and some Jewish Christians denied Christ and returned to Judaism and the sacrificing of animals at the temple; that kind of apostacy was only possible before the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem in 70 AD. 

· “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:29) Let’s just take this passage at face value without reading into it: Other people cannot make a born-again believer lose his salvation.

A word to the wise: Relying on dogmatic assertions, suppositions (“what if…,” “suppose …,” etc.), appeals to emotion, and words of men as proof instead of Scripture makes you appear to be just another religious fanatic that does not respect the authority of Scripture.

Sun, Mar 1st - 10:10AM

ETERNAL SALVATION (ASSURANCE, & UNCONDITIONAL ETERNAL SECURITY VERSUS ARMINIAN ETERNAL SECURITY)

A farmer gave his favourite pig a bath so that it would look and smell clean at the county fair. Someone left a gate open and that pig headed down the road searching for adventure. A strong wind blew the pig off the road and into a ditch. In the ditch there was garbage, a bad smell, and thick mud. When the pig realised where he was, he began thinking to himself “this is heaven on earth, this is exactly where I want to be.” Why? Because it is a pig’s nature to wallow in mud. (2 Peter 2:22)

A lamb strayed from the flock and wandered down the road. A strong wind blew the lamb off the road and into a ditch where there was garbage, a bad smell, and thick mud. When the lamb realised where he was, he began struggling to get out of the ditch, and when he saw that he couldn’t get out he began crying out for the shepherd. Why? Because it is not a sheep’s nature to wallow in mud.

The teaching that merely committing sin means the loss of salvation is a salvation by works. (Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9) Works determine rewards but not salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 3:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 3:23-24)

Before you insist that you would take your fill of sin or give up living a Christian life if you did not believe that merely committing sin means the loss of salvation, stop, and think about what this implies about you. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-12) “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:5-11) "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." (1 John 2:19) “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3)

If you went to visit a millionaire at his home and when you met him you told him you are moving into his house to live with him and he has to allow this because you are a good person and you live right, unless you happened to be related and on excellent terms with him you would not receive a positive response because he does not know you and you are not even related. If you die lost, when you stand before Jesus Christ as your judge your pleas that you were a good person and lived right will not receive a positive response. “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.” (Matthew 7:21-23; when you read Matthew 7:24-27 consider that sand is little pieces of rock; also consider Matthew 13:24-30)

How would you explain the difference between sheep and goats to someone who is unfamiliar with either animal? (Consider Matthew 25:31-34) Think about it: Goats smell bad, but sheep don’t smell good. Sheep have split hooves, and so do goats. Goats have horns, and so do sheep. If they have horns, sheep horns are wide and curl on loops around the head and goat horns are narrower and upright. Sheep have wool, and so do goats. Sheep grow wool that must be sheared in the domesticated breeds, and goats have hair that does not have to be sheared or combed. Sheep do not have beards and some sheep have manes, and some goat breeds have beards. Sheep are bulkier than goats and goats are thinner than sheep. Sheep have long hanging tails that are usually cut short for sanitary reasons, and a goat has a short tail that usually points up. Sheep have a divided upper lip that is very noticeable, and goats do not. Both animals butt heads, but a sheep backs away and then charges while a goat stands up on his hind legs and comes down with force. Sheep prefer grass and clovers, and goats prefer shrubs, leaves, and twigs. Sheep prefer to stick with the flock while goats tend to be more independent and curious; on the other hand, a sheep likes quiet solitude whereas a goat likes a whirlwind of activity. One especially noteworthy characteristic of goats is that a goat is the more religious animal; goats spend more time on their knees keeping up an appearance of piety than any other animal: Being more religious does not necessarily mean being close to God or closer to the truth; it often means the opposite.

Are you saved? Many believe they are saved merely because they had a religious experience, but a religious experience does not necessarily mean salvation. You can bathe and brush your teeth religiously (and you should), but this will not save you from Hell. It worries me when someone says they were so young that they don’t remember much about the experience: If you had an experience that you don’t remember much about then you didn’t have much of an experience. Many refer to certain works or ceremonies as the reason to believe they are saved, but this tends to indicate the opposite: Salvation is a personal experience with Jesus Christ and is through the finished work of Calvary (the blood of Christ), not the shed blood of Jesus Christ and additional supplements. (John 3:14-16; 1 Peter 1:19)

What about sound doctrine and religious experiences or spiritual gifts manifested after salvation, doesn’t that confirm salvation? Not necessarily. Keep in mind that if your theology or your religious or spiritual experience does not make you love more and have a burden for lost souls that is a good sign that you are on the wrong track and need to do some prayerful self-examination.

Did you repent? (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 13:3) Many describe a salvation experience that did not include repentance, which indicates that they are not saved. A mere belief without genuine repentance is not saving faith, as saving faith is repentant faith. (Acts 3:19; also consider Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 55:6-7; 57:15; 66:2) Repentance is the turning from sin to God, and faith is the turning to Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) for salvation. (Acts 20:21) Repentance is required for salvation; it is the effective agent for forgiveness and remission of sins through the power of the cross. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30-31)

In which Jesus did you believe and how do you describe Jesus Christ? Faith, like love, always has an object and the proper object of saving faith is Jesus Christ, and more specifically, the Jesus Christ who is presented in Scripture. (2 Corinthians 11:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 4:2-3; 2 John7)

Was there a change in your life? “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-12)

Do you practice sin less than before? (1 John 3:3-6)

Do you know that you are a child of God, or do you need someone to tell you if you are a child of God? “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:14-16) “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6) Many believe they are saved because they said a certain prayer and they have more faith in the sincerity of that prayer than they have in Jesus Christ, or after saying a certain prayer someone told them they are saved and they have confidence in that person’s opinion. When you pray for salvation, you should repent and believe in Jesus Christ and pray for his mercy and grace until God touches you and you KNOW you are a child of God.

If you have doubts about your salvation you should go to Jesus Christ as a lost sinner seeking salvation. What if you go to Jesus for salvation and don’t need to? God will forgive you. It would be better to seek salvation and not need it than to finish this life hoping in a counterfeit salvation.

This brings us to the issue of whether it is possible for a genuinely born-again Christian to lose salvation.

Both sides of the debate between unconditional eternal security (once saved always saved) and arminian eternal security (the belief that salvation can be lost through apostacy) sometimes need reminding that it is important to respect the Holy Bible as the final authority; for example, many on both sides of the debate rely on suppositions (“what if…,” “suppose …,” etc.), appeals to emotion, and words of men as proof, and both sides sometimes use as proof texts Bible passages that do not prove their side and ignore or lightly dismiss passages that appear to refute them. (A word to the wise: Relying on suppositions, appeals to emotion, and words of men as proof instead of Scripture makes you appear to be just another religious fanatic that does not respect the authority of Scripture.)

While both sides of the issue can be far apart in the results of their teachings, they have important points in common. Both unconditional eternal security and the teaching of the possibility of the apostacy of a born-again believer share the same belief that faith in Christ is the key to security, and both teach that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works and that works determine rewards but not salvation.

Let me share a few reasons I do not believe in unconditional eternal security:

· “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) The Greek word rendered believeth also means “commit to” or “be committed unto.” Note that everlasting life is dependent on commitment, and if you do not believeth in him you do not have everlasting life.

· “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Eternal life is a relationship with God through Christ, and one is eternally secure when he is in Christ. The phrase “eternal life” (Greek: aionios zoe) refers to the quality or caliber of life that comes from a relationship with God in the present. Eternal life comes from the source of life, and a believer is secure if he is in Christ.

· “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” (I John 5:16) When a born-again believer sins God gives space to repent, so this must be dealing with persistent unrepentance. (Hebrews 10:26-31; 1 John 1:8-9) Is the sin unto death a reference to physical death or spiritual death? Death means separation: Physical death is the separation of the soul and body, and spiritual death is separation of man from God. (Genesis 35:18; Romans 5:12, 17; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13; I Peter 4:6) Since all sin leads to physical death the sin unto death must be a reference to spiritual death.

· “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.” (Hebrews 10:26-31) Some scholars explain this to be referring to a lost person who apostatises after making a false profession of faith, but an unsaved person does not have to make a false profession and then reject Christ to be condemned. (John 3:18) Some scholars insist that this could not refer to a saved person because a sin committed by a saved person is willful, and this interpretation would mean that numerous Old and New Testament saints that the Bible indicates are in Heaven are in Hell. But look carefully at the wording and grammar of Hebrews 10:26 and note that this is not saying that merely committing sin means the loss of salvation, or that God does not give space to repent, it is saying that persistent unrepentance means “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” (Compare I Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3-5)   

· “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God THROUGH FAITH unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5) 1 Peter 1:3-5 is often cited as proof of unconditional eternal security, with the question: If 1 Peter 1:3-5 does not mean once saved always saved, then what does it mean? Look closely at exactly what is being said and observe that this neither proves or disproves unconditional eternal security: The wording and grammar make it clear that faith is the key to security.

· “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.” (Matthew 7:22-23) Salvation is a personal experience with Jesus Christ, so does Matthew 7:22-23 mean once saved always saved? Matthew 7:22-23 is not referring to all lost people, it deals with PROFESSED Christians depending on their works for salvation.

· “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:14) Note there is an “if.”

· “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.” Hebrews 10:38-39) According to this, there were some that drew back unto perdition; how can an unsaved person do that, since an unsaved person is condemned already? (John 3:18)

· “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.” (Hebrews 6:4-6) Is Hebrews 6:4-6 saying that if any genuine born-again believer ever did lose his salvation today, he could never be saved again as is often claimed? Prayerfully consider the context and setting. The temple in Jerusalem was still in operation when this was written, there was enormous pressure on Jewish Christians to recant their faith, and some Jewish Christians denied Christ and returned to Judaism and the sacrificing of animals at the temple; that kind of apostacy was only possible before the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem in 70 AD. 

· “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:29) Let’s just take this passage at face value without reading into it: Other people cannot make a born-again believer lose his salvation.

I certainly have not exhausted the subject, nor am I claiming to have the last word. I encourage further personal study.

Tue, Jan 13th - 6:36PM

SOMETHING FOR TEENAGERS TO CONSIDER

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11; this passage compares spiritual maturity to emotional maturity, so there is application to both.) Age does not necessarily mean maturity or immaturity. Since you are not physically a child it is natural for you to dislike being treated like a child and normal for you to want to be accepted as a young adult. But regardless of whether it is fair or unfair you are at an age at which you must prove yourself to be accepted as a young adult. Consider this: If I were to describe someone that always demands his (or her) own way, constantly struggles to be the center of attention, never takes responsibility for his decisions and actions, must always be humored or pampered, tends to be disrespectful toward his elders, etc., it would be easy to assume that I was talking about a small child. Now consider this: As your elders observe your overall attitudes and behaviour, are they reminded of a mature adult or a small child?

How well do you normally get along with adults (especially of your own gender) who are much older and wiser than yourself? Do you have any close friends of your own gender who are middle aged or older? (If not, then, why not?) Fellowship and friendship with adults (especially of your own gender) who are older and wiser than yourself is needful, unless a state of suspended or perpetual childhood is your goal and you really do want your elders to keep thinking of you as a small child in a larger body; in that case all you need to do is limit your associations to immature people and avoid the influence and fellowship of adults who are older and wiser than yourself. (Consider Proverbs 13:20 & 1 Corinthians 15:33)

Do you respect your elders? Respect for elders demonstrates character, and you will never be too old to respect your elders. For example, if, when you are a senior citizen, your pastor is younger than yourself you will be obliged to respect him as your elder. Disrespect for elders is not a sign of growth, manhood, or womanhood. (Deuteronomy 27:16)

“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3) You may not feel that your parents are honourable, but that is irrelevant. If you were in a courtroom, you would be required to honour the judge and address him as “your honour,” and this does not say anything about the judge as a person or whether you even like him but is merely recognising the authority of the judge’s position. Just as there are no perfect children, there are no perfect parents, and it is important to recognise that your parents are human like you while God requires you to honour them if for no other reason than God made them your parents. As a child grows the parental role of guardian and disciplinarian progressively decreases to be replaced by the role of counselor and mentor. What is your attitude toward your parents? What is your attitude toward their counsel? What is your attitude when you disagree with them or when they are wrong? Remember, the real test of respect is when you disagree, not when you agree. “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9) “My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” (Proverbs 6:20-23) “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:8-9) “A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.” (Proverbs 15:5) “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.” (Proverbs 15:20) “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” (Proverbs 23:22)

This will have a definite impact on your life and future relationships. (Ephesians 6:2-3) For example, you must be a good follower before you can be a good leader, so how can a young lad who does not respect his elders be expected to be a good family head when he marries, and if a young lad does not honour his parents how can he be expected to honour his wife when he marries? (1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:23) A wife is obliged to respect her husband just as a daughter is obliged to respect her parents, especially her father, so if a young woman does not respect her elders how can she be expected to respect her husband when she marries? (Ephesians 5:22, 24, 33)

Sat, Dec 6th - 9:39PM

SIGNS THAT A RELIGIOUS GROUP IS ON THE WRONG TRACK

Here we will examine characteristics of cults. However, it should be noted that these characteristics are signs that any church is on the wrong track.

A LACK OF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Some groups claim that Christians were all in darkness for eighteen or nineteen centuries and now they alone possess the truth. Certainly, there have been times in Christian history when some truths were more or less widely known or understood than other times, but God has always had dedicated believers to represent him that, although imperfect and not all-knowing, preserved the faith, safeguarded the truth, and upheld the authority of Scriptures. For example, long before Martin Luther began teaching the doctrine of justification by faith there were already Christians in the mountains of Germany teaching justification by faith. (Consider Ephesians 4:11-15)

DISTORTED VIEW OF THE HOLY BIBLE

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3) Second Corinthians 11:3 shows us why the inerrancy and authority of Scripture is so often attacked and denied. Satan continues to come up with new versions of "Yea hath God said ...," and "For God doth know that...." (Genesis 3:1, 5; Revelation 12:9) The Genesis account serves to warn us to expect Satan to deceive by twisting, distorting, and casting doubt upon the Word of God and denying or distorting Bible teachings, especially important or essential doctrines and standards, and this demonstrates that neglect, indifference toward, or ignorance of God's Word makes us vulnerable. (Compare Genesis 2:16-17 & Genesis 3:2-5 & note the difference.)

How is it that cult members and liberal theologians sincerely believe obvious heresies even though they often appear to study more than most? The problem lies with what they respect as the final authority or the standard of truth. When someone puts the words of men above the word of God, they naturally interpret Scriptures in relation to publications and human theories instead of interpreting Bible passages in relation to context and the whole Bible. (1 Timothy 1:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:16)

While Acts 8:30-31 does indicate that people occasionally need help understanding Scripture, where in this passage is there any indication of an organization? Did Philip use the Bible alone to expound upon the meaning of Scripture, or did he use additional literature? If the Bible alone was sufficient for Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, doesn't this indicate that the Bible itself is sufficient for us also? First-hand Bible knowledge from independent Bible study is essential. While we do need ministers, teachers, Christian fellowship, and Christian literature to help us, and there are difficulties in the Bible, the Holy Bible is the final authority and for the most part the Bible is self-explanatory and self-interpreting when one is familiar with its contents. (Psalm 119:130; Proverbs 2:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 2:2. Note that Matthew 24:45-47 is a parable and not a prophecy, as some claim, and gives no indication that any organization is the sole channel of God’s truth.)

Christ deliberately bypassed the religious elite and highly educated to reveal truths to ordinary people, and the Apostles commended and encouraged independent study and discernment. The Bible was written to be read and understood by ordinary people and God's truth is not hidden from everyone except for a few clever individuals. The Bible is the complete word of God and the final authority, and the truth can withstand questions and criticism. So why should we assume that God intended for us to accept the teachings of people claiming to have some special key to understanding Scripture without independent study and discernment on our part to verify their teachings? (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16)

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27) As is true today, when John wrote the First Epistle of John there were a lot of divisions, programs, heresies, and fads spreading throughout Christian society and many false teachers working to corrupt the churches. (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; 2 Peter 2; Jude) Deceivers often claim to have a special enlightenment or illumination, superior insight, or special key to understanding, or claim that one needs a superior spirituality or special revelation (which they claim to have) to know the truth, which is the reason for the warning in 1 John 2:27. While there is more to life in Christ than the initial experience (new birth) that occurs at faith and repentance, and God does bestow wisdom and spiritual gifts to make someone more effective in the Lord’s work, this does not mean that some have a special key to understanding Scripture that other genuine believers do not have.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) Deceivers like to use this passage to insist that it takes a special enlightenment or key to understanding (which they claim to have) to understand Scripture. This passage does not say the Bible can only be understood by certain gifted individuals, it says that though natural men can understand what the words in the Bible mean they decide that what the Bible says is foolish. A good example of this can be seen when atheists argue with what they know and acknowledge that the Genesis account of creation says, it means nothing to them because of their lack of spiritual discernment.

ANOTHER JESUS

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (2 Corinthians 11:4) We are warned about "another Jesus," a Jesus who differs from the Jesus presented in Scripture, because we only know God through Jesus Christ. Pseudo-Christian cults like to initially present themselves as just another Christian denomination and often use the same terminologies as Christians. False teachers often disguise themselves as representatives of Jesus Christ, so do not expect false teachers to tell you up front that their Jesus is not the Jesus presented in Scripture. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) Faith, like love, always has an object, and it is essential that the right Jesus Christ is the object of one's faith, which means the virgin birth, the sinless life of Christ, the complete deity of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection, and the second coming of Christ in bodily human form are essential teachings. If you leave this life putting your faith in the wrong Jesus, you will be wrong for all eternity.

ANOTHER SPIRIT

We are warned about "another spirit." (2 Corinthians 11:4) The warnings about "another Jesus" and "another spirit" are related to other Bible warnings about "other gods" and denial of the true God. (Exodus 20:3; Jude 4) Not only does this indicate the importance of recognizing the personhood and deity of the Holy Spirit but also indicates the importance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the correct identification of Jesus Christ. (1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 7. Beware of modern translations that change “is come” [Greek: Erchomai] into past tense. Consider that even atheists and Muslims and oner non-Christians acknowledge that Jesus Christ “came” in the flesh.)

ANOTHER GOSPEL

We are warned about "another gospel." (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:8) The Gospel Preached by Christ, the Apostles, and Bible-believing Christians throughout Christian history is the death, burial, and literal resurrection of Christ through which repentant sinners are declared righteous through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. (John 3:13-15; Acts 4:15-19; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; etc.) Denial of the bodily resurrection is calling Jesus accursed, for this would mean that he died under judgment of sin and is still under that judgment. (1 Corinthians 12:3) The Bible clearly teaches the physical resurrection of Christ and all dead. (Job 19:25-27; Isaiah 26:19; Luke 24:36-43; John 5:28-29; 2:19-21; Acts 24:15; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:13-18, 42-49; Philippians 3:21; Revelation 20:12-13) The resurrection was central to the preaching of the Apostles, and there is no Christian faith without the bodily resurrection. (Acts 3:15; 4:1-2; 10:39-41; 17:18; 24:15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-20) There is no hope of eternal salvation without the bodily resurrection of Christ. (Romans 5:8-10; 10:8-9) Without the bodily resurrection of Christ there is no blood atonement, and there is no salvation without the blood atonement. (Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 5:8-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:14; 10:12-14; 1 Peter 1:18-21; 2:24)

A DESIRE TO CAUSE DIVISION

In a war it often makes sense for a country to ally with other countries that are fighting for the same cause. We can apply this principle to Christian work and spiritual warfare. We should be careful not to hinder the cause of Christ through a spirit of competition.

The purpose of the church is to exalt Christ in the community and the world and spread the message of Christ, and Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching churches that agree on fundamental doctrines and moral absolutes should be considered allies. (Personally, I have never met anyone with whom I always agree on every minor point.)

This does not suggest that we compromise truth and convictions or compromise with heresy, but rather this is a reminder that it is often possible to tolerate differences without compromising truth and convictions. For example, if we lead a lost soul to Christ and he conscientiously chooses to join another Bible-believing church this is still cause for rejoicing.

In the Old Testament, ancient Israel was not one tribe but was divided into different tribes so that the different tribes would cheque and balance each other; this is an obvious reason for different denominations. (e.g., to prevent centralized corruption)

Jesus is the way, not a human organization. (John 14:6) While we should not compromise with heresy or immorality, and churches should require moral and ethical standards of leaders and teachers, be wary of those who teach us-only pride or a we-versus-they complex and are continually criticizing and condemning Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching ministers and teachers. (Psalm 119:63; Mark 9:38-42; Acts 20:29-30; Romans 16:17-18; Philippians 1:18)

UNBIBLICAL FORMS OF SEPARATION

 Many insist that the Bible doctrine of separation means that Christians must be neutral concerning everything outside of church activities. But the separation taught in the Bible is separation unto God and godly distinctions, conduct, and relationships within society, not isolation from society or neutrality concerning politics and community affairs (or even war). (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:3-11; 1 Timothy 3:7; 1 Peter 2:11-12)

Should we interpret the words of Christ in Matthew 6:9-11 to mean that Christ was promoting idleness and laziness? No, a good job should be considered the answer to prayers for necessities. Likewise, the exhortation to pray for all men and all that are in authority does not imply neutrality or pacifism concerning politics and community affairs; opportunities to influence society and government and participate in public affairs should be considered answers to such prayers. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

The Christian community is often divided over whether it is important to evangelise or important to impact the culture around us for righteousness. This is not a problem of whether the Bible teaches one or the other, the Bible teaches both: Soul winning is important, and it is important to influence the society in which we live for righteousness; it is important to witness and it is important to take a stand on issues. Man is a natural-born sinner, inherently depraved; man is not a sinner because he sins, he sins because he is a sinner. It is not human government that is evil but rather the fallible humans that comprise human government, which is why Christian influence is essential. Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of world. Salt cleanses, purifies, preserves, and makes people thirsty, and light dispels darkness. Christians are supposed to be a cleansing and illuminating influence on society, impacting society and culture for righteousness. (Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:11-12; etc.) Christians should not be dominated by history, trends, culture, or society; they should be shaping these. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6; 1 John 5:4)

TENDENCY TO MAJOR ON MINORS

Be wary of those that are so preoccupied with riding religious hobby horses and proving they are right and everyone else is wrong or are against so much that they are not really for anything, that they lose perspective on the basic truths and message of the Bible. (Matthew 23:23-24; Romans 14; 1 Timothy 1:3-7)

RETURN TO PAST ERRORS

Be wary of those that insist on disputing teachings that were settled, not by force but by diligent and prayerful studies and discussions ages ago, such as the virgin birth and complete deity of Christ, the physical resurrection of Christ and all dead, the triunity of God, salvation through the blood, etc. You should study and be prepared to defend the clear teachings of Scripture, and you should question the motives behind a return to past errors.

P.S. I owe thanks to Richard W. De Haan, who wrote the RBC Booklet “How To Recognize A Good Church,” and in the booklet outlined five marks of a cult. That booklet inspired me to write this blog article.