While no external power can separate the Christian from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39), we can separate ourselves from Christ by neglecting or refusing to do the things necessary to keep ourselves in the faith. Defection is not something that happens suddenly, it happens gradually, by drifting from the truth (Hebrews 2:1-3) (source)
This is a segment of Jerry Walls’ opening statement in “The Great Debate: Predestination vs. Free Will.” You can purchase the debate from The Apologetics Group at: http://www.theapologeticsgroup.com/sh…
“We should read entire chapters and not take verses out of context” — and later chapters too — instead of jumping on a verse that seems to tell us what we want to hear.
Before posting this video, we attempted to contact the Pastor in the audio clip. We received no response. That may not mean we are being ignored, he has said in other sermons that he receives many emails and may have not been able to respond.
We are not singling him out, as many people who uphold the doctrine of “Once Saved Always Saved” commonly say the same thing.
Chapter 26 – John 3:16: Obeying Unto Christ Should Save?
Introduction
When the English translations of the Greek New Testament were made in the 1526-1611 period, the “difficult Greek in which the New Testament is written…still held mysteries for” English scholars. (Nicolson: 224.) One of those mysteries was the Greek word pisteuo in John 3:16. In over 200 instances of pisteuo in the New Testament, not once did the King James Bible render it as obey. (See Strong’s Concordance.) However, scholars now realize obey was a common meaning of pisteuo in ancient Greek. Obey certainly was the meaning of pisteuo in John 3:36 (see page 448). Yet, this obedience salvation formula is identically repeated in John 3:16.
O.S.A.S. is a doctrine that says that once you are born again that your salvation is eternally secure and that there is nothing you can do to lose it because you are relying completely on the work of the cross to save you and not your works. “You cannot earn salvation so therefore it is impossible for you to lose it.” …
Those that hold to OSAS doctrine say that if a person does not end up in heaven then it is because “they were never saved to begin with.” That statement undermines a number of different verses in the New Testament alone. And the verses used to support OSAS are taken out of context because they contradict the verses that call us to repent if we have fallen into a state of backsliding.
“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, ➡➡IF⬅⬅ you hold fast that word which I preached to you— ➡UNLESS YOU BELIEVED IN VAIN.”⬅
-1st Corinthians 15:1-2
– –
Related:
Only a life that FEELS RIGHT NOW will FEEL RIGHT WHEN…
When we see Jesus face to Face in His FULL glory, we must have faith to enter, because we overcame the world by His grace, and therefore have confidence to stand. If we feel guilty now imagine how guilty we’ll feel FULLY in His presence!
For those of you who don’t know, this is what Dual Covenant Theology is:
“Dual-covenant theology is a Liberal Christian view that holds that Jews may simply keep the Law of Moses, because of the “everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17:13) between Abraham and God expressed in the Hebrew Bible, whereas Gentiles (those not Jews or Jewish proselytes) must convert to Christianity or alternatively accept the Seven Laws of Noah. Many forms of Christianity, especially Conservative Protestants, consider this view to be heresy.” source – Wikipedia
Does John Hagee teach Dual Covenant Theology?
Yes, he does.
How do I know this? A friend of mine who lives in Israel met with Pastor Hagee and his staff including Cheryl Morrison, a key Director in CUFI – Christians United For Israel. At this meeting, attended by over 5,000, she was told by both Pastor Hagee and Cheryl Morrison that “Jews are saved by the Abrahamic covenant” He told them, in effect, that they do not need Jesus because they have God’s promised to Abraham. …
John Hagee in his own words
“Jesus did not come to the earth to be the Messiah” – from John Hagee’s book, ‘In Defense of Israel”
“The Jewish people have a relationship to God through the law of God as given through Moses,” Hagee said. “I believe that every Gentile person can only come to God through the cross of Christ. I believe that every Jewish person who lives in the light of the Torah, which is the word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption. “The law of Moses is sufficient enough to bring a person into the knowledge of God until God gives him a greater revelation. And God has not,” said Hagee, giving his interpretation of Romans 11:25. “Paul abandoned the idea (of Jews knowing Christ). In the book of Romans, he said, `I am now going to go to the Gentiles from this time forward.’ Judaism doesn’t need Christianity to explain its existence. But Christianity has to have Judaism to explain its existence.” Houston Chronicle[“San Antonio Fundamentalist Battles Anti-Semitism,” Houston Chronicle, April 30, 1988, section 6, page 1]
“I’m not trying to convert the Jewish people to the Christian faith,” he said. “There is nothing in the `night to honor Israel’ that does that.” In fact, trying to convert Jews is a “waste of time,” he said. “The Jewish person who has his roots in Judaism is not going to convert to Christianity. There is no form of Christian evangelism that has failed so miserably as evangelizing the Jewish people. They (already) have a faith structure.” Everyone else, whether Buddhist or Baha’i, needs to believe in Jesus, he says. But not Jews. Jews already have a covenant with God that has never been replaced by Christianity, he says. Houston Chronicle[“San Antonio Fundamentalist Battles Anti-Semitism,” HoustonChronicle, April 30, 1988, section 6, page 1]
“This book will expose the sins of the fathers and the vicious abuse of the Jewish people. ‘In Defense of Israel’ will shake Christian theology. It scripturally proves that the Jewish people as a whole did not reject Jesus as Messiah. It will also prove that Jesus did not come to earth to be the Messiah. It will prove that there was a ‘Calvary conspiracy’ between Rome, the high priest, and Herod to execute Jesus as an insurrectionist too dangerous to live. Since Jesus refused by word and deed to claim to be the Messiah, how can the Jews be blamed for rejecting what was never offered?” – from John Hagee’s book, ‘In Defense of Israel”
John Hagee rejects the label of Dual Covenant Theology, and that he does not acknowledge that what he teaches is that. But as this article has shown, for all practical purposes he does indeed hold to the position that there is one path of salvation for the Jews – Abraham, and that there is another path for all gentiles – Jesus. He has said exactly this in the interview with the Houston Chronicle, and in his writing and teachings on the subject. In fact, he has held to this position for over 30 years. …
John Hagee’s book vs. The King James Authorized Version 1611 Holy Bible
SCORE:HAGEE – 0 HOLY BIBLE – 100%
HAGEE: “The sovereign purpose for Jesus’ life was to be a light to the Gentiles” (p. 133) BIBLE: Matthew 15:24– “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
HAGEE: “there is not one verse of Scripture in the New Testament that says Jesus came to be the Messiah…” (p. 136) BIBLE: John 4:25-26– “The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. ” Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am [he].”
Why is apeitheo in John 3:36 translated “not obey” in some versions and “not believe” in others?
Question:
Something interesting that I came across last week in studying: John 3:36 is a commonly quoted scripture. The KJV, NKJV, and Youngs roughly says: “He who believes (pisteuo) in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe (apeitheo) the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Other versions, such ASV, NASV, ESV, RSV, etc., say, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
The same thing exists in Hebrews 3:18-19, “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”
How do the writers get “obey?” It makes sense, as if you do believe, you will obey. But obey is a definition far down the list in the concordance.
Answer:
The Greek word apeitheois a compound word. The prefix a means “not” and the verb peitho means “to obey” when used in the active sense or “to be persuaded” when used in the passive sense. In John 3:36 the verb is in the active present tense, so “disobey” would be the correct literal translation.
Jesus’ contrast of believe (pisteuo) against disobey (apeitheo) demonstrates that God sees belief and obedience to be two sides of the same coin. So many denominational teachers have claimed that faith and works are separate issues and that we are saved by faith alone that people are often surprised to find that God sees things differently. James said, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only“ (James 2:24). Belief cannot be separated from obedience. A person who is obeying is demonstrating his belief. A person who believes won’t sit there and do nothing.
The writer of Hebrews makes the same parallel. Hebrews 3:18-19 shows that disobedience and disbelief are two views of the same problem.
Thus, in Acts 14:2 it says, “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.” But it literally says the “disobeying Jews;” the Jews were actively showing their disbelief by stirring up the Gentiles against the Gospel — an act of disobedience.
“Unbelief” is not a wrong translation for apeitheo but it does lose a bit of the richness that is present in the text.
What is the half-grace message? Declare all the benefits of grace, which are true, but continue to sin after initial repentance at salvation. Grace without living a holy repentant life is only half the grace message.
“And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus the Messiah and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin AGAIN, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a HOLY life” (2 Peter 2:20-21).
“Outside the city (New Jerusalem) are…the sorcerers (addicts), the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie” (Revelation 22:15).
So is anyone going to say it? Muhammad Ali is not in heaven? He didn’t even call Jesus ‘Lord,’ let alone do Jesus’ will.
“Not everyone who SAYS to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Jesus in Mt. 7:21
Facebook “RIPs” are a disinfo delusion.
We need to live in reality, and actually abide in Christ, having pure hearts and clear consciences so we won’t go where Ali went too.
“Our eyes are full of sawdust. We can’t see clearly to see the kingdom. There is might and there is power and there is glory, but it is being withheld until these relationships are made right, until we love our brother enough to feel his hurt deeply and say kind words of salve that heal their souls.
[___] can do this. This is vital. They are necessary. For he must do this for healing to occur. He is a man of integrity in many ways.
Fear must decrease. Love must increase. He will fight and he will win the battle over the stronghold of fear and unforgiveness, sayeth the Lord.”
a.k.a. Rescued from Hell, Originally from Spanish, this version has been polished, Illustrated, and abridged (source)
In 1982, I had an accident in which I died. As death came over me, I felt everything become dark. I found myself walking through a dark tunnel, and some kind of being was taking me. While we walked in this cold and dark tunnel, I began to hear horrific screams and moans, and an intense fear was growing inside of me. I knew that, although my body was already dead, I was somehow still alive in this place.
I saw large snakes moving all around, and all the people were crying out for water. Soon we arrived at an open plateau, which had many chambers and divisions, each contained different people inside. I began to cry out with terror, begging God for mercy. “Lord, remember my life! Have mercy!” Sheer terror was gripping my soul, and my whole life was passing before my eyes. As we approached some door, I shouted again, “Have mercy on me my Lord; have mercy on me! I beg you to help me! Help me Lord!!”
Suddenly there was a silence, and I heard a loud voice say, “Stop!” The voice shook all of Hell, and the being that was taking me by the hand, released me. “I am not the God of adulterers, I am not the God of fornicators, I am not the God of liars. Why do you call me Lord, if I am not a God of those who boast?“(Luke 6:46)
I felt like I was going to be destroyed, but as the moments passed, God’s voice became softer, “Come and I will show you the things going on in this place that are waiting for all who haven’t been willing to follow My way and have walked after the imaginations of their own hearts.“
We then went to a place where I saw a woman was sitting in a rocking chair. There were still terrifying moans coming from all over that place. At first, she seemed ok, but then her body transformed into a witch, and she screamed in agony, burning in flames. She begged for mercy, but the Lord said to me “The wages of sin is death, and those who arrive in this place will never get out again.“(Romans 6:23)
The Lord showed me many disobedient people, many who were once part of a Christian Church. They were crying out and begging for mercy, but there was no mercy. Mercy could only be found while a person is still alive on Earth. Once people are dead, mercy cannot be reached anymore, as it says, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)
Jesus also showed me a place with some kind of boiling oil, and there were people suffering inside, burning in flames and trying to get out. But demons would throw them back in.
We walked until we came to a place with people that had once listened to the word of God, but never wanted to repent.
I even saw pastors, evangelists, believers and missionaries. They were all there for different reasons. I saw one pastor who never believed in the power of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, healings or the baptism of the Holy Ghost. (Mark 3:29) He was begging for mercy, and just one more chance tell the world that speaking in tongues is real, that that the Holy Ghost is real, and that there is real freedom in the gospel. But it was too late for him; he could never get out, even though he was a pastor. His chance to repent was only possible on Earth.
I also saw a missionary in Hell. He was there because he asked for money to open a mission in Africa, but he kept half the money for himself. Now he begs for mercy and another chance to return the money that wasn’t his. When he saw that Jesus could not help him, he cursed Jesus.
I saw people that were once inside the church praising God. Now they only cry out for mercy for their un-repented sins, they lost their chance to repent after they died. I saw pastors there who robbed tithes and offerings from their churches. They also begged to undo all their bad works, but there was no more chance.
Those who die without Jesus Christ go to hell, and those who die with Jesus Christ go to Heaven. Many people believe that dying is just stopping this existence. (Annihilationism)But at death, your real life begins, either in God’s Glory or in everlasting condemnation and shame. (Daniel 12:2) You are making that choice right now. We must all carefully meditate on where we will spend eternity. Do you want to spend eternity in Hell or in God’s glory? It’s your choice.
We continued walking to another horrifying place where there were demons of all types, shapes and forms; some that had just one arm, one eye and one hoofed leg. Their faces were like half of a human face, but the rest was just empty. I asked, “Lord, what is this?” And He said, “These are demons of destruction, in the homes of all those who are lost. This is the demon that will destroy and destroy without rest, day after day.”
The torment in that place is so terrible; the souls always remember the things they did while on Earth. Just like in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31) The rich man could remember that he had a father and five brothers. You remember all the things you did in your life, good or bad; you remember all your relatives, and this is part of the torment, because you so desperately don’t want them to enter Hell also.
Today there are many people that preach the gospel, warning those on Earth to repent. The only one who can save you is Jesus, who is at the right hand of the Father, ready to save you. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12)Trust in Jesus alone.
In the bible it says “I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” (Rev. 20:12)All persons that can comprehend between good and evil will have to stand before the Lord; nothing is hidden from the eyes of the Lord.
We continued walking until we came to a place that was similar to stadium. There were demons there laughing at lost souls. They were mocking them, and tormenting those who were made in God’s image.
The demons would tear off parts of people and hide them, making the people search for it. Demons were getting sadistic pleasure by inflicting pain. As it is written “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10)
The people there desperately thirst for water, but there is none. They regret even the day they were born. But the worst feeling is for those who knew Jesus, but then walked away from Him. If you have walked away from Jesus, if you no longer follow His ways, today is the day to come back! Don’t be ashamed of what your friends or anyone else may say.
Remember what Jesus said about those who are ashamed of Him. If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.(Luke 9:26)
It is time for you to run to the presence of God; and look for salvation. Do not look for a church that makes you feel good; look for a church where the Spirit of the Lord moves and repent of all your sins! It is time for deep repentance; time to cry out to the Lord and run to Jesus. If you have sins that you haven’t stopped, your soul is in DANGER, because the Bible says that Jesus will come as a thief in the night, (1 Thess. 5:2) Are you ready or not?
We continued watching the demons torment people. I saw one rip out a person’s eye, and hide it, and that person had to drag himself in pain to find it. The demons were getting pleasure from their cruelty. To some, they ripped off arms and legs. But to those who once knew the Lord, but died in their sins, their punishment was much worse. They had a double condemnation. (Hebrews 10:26-27) Those who never knew God were also in torment, but there is more suffering for those who knew Jesus and then became backsliders. (2 Pet. 2:21)
When I was there, I felt unspeakable terror in my soul, pure panic. I had such compassion for all the souls that were crying for mercy. Jesus said, “I will show you how many things are still waiting for lost souls.“
We passed another place that had many different burning cells. Inside the cells were souls, but all that was left of them was just charred grey bones. But they could still feel pain, and they screamed out for mercy from Jesus as He walked by. I found out that these people were once in Churches; some even preached the word of God during their lifetime, some cast out demons and spoke in tongues while on Earth. But now these Christians were down here, because one day they decided to turn from the ways of God.
The Road to Hell
The Lord said, “Look at this wide street.” I saw a street where a multitude of believers were walking, and they were even carrying bibles. I saw some praying and others were singing praises.
I saw how the narrow road of God branched off to the right, but the Christians continued walking straight to hell. Jesus explained, “They have a double life; they are living two lives: one in My house of prayer, and another in their own houses.“ I said, “But Lord, these people are praising Your Name!” Jesus replied, “Yes, and even when they cry, shout, and say nice things about Me or to Me, their hearts are full of adultery, full of evil, full of lies, full of deception, full of hate, full of roots of bitterness, full of bad thoughts.“ Then, I understood what was written in Scripture “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven.” (Matt. 7:21)
Many Christians have some hatred or bitterness in their heart toward their brothers; and may even skip church because of that brother. But when the pastor asks the church, “How many of you love the Lord?” They say “Amen!” But the Bible says that those who hate their brothers are like murders, and no murder can come in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is written, anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matt 5:22)These brothers will deeply regret that when the Lord returns.
The Bible tells us, Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:17-18) It’s so sad when those serve the Lord, don’t make it into Heaven. You need to seriously meditate on this and ask, “Am I ready for the Lord? Am I really doing the will of God? Is my life pleasing to God?” You still have time to turn your heart to God and escape Hell.
Some people don’t care about where they are going, they only want to enjoy this life. But I tell you, spending time with Jesus, not some woman is enjoying life. Spending time in the Lord’s house, not a bar, that’s life. We need to ask God for Mercy for those who are still waking on the road of death and sin.
In Hell, we saw many who thought they were living holy while on Earth, but now they were just begging for mercy and another chance. My soul ached so much for them. We saw a woman who was acting like she was reading the Word of God, and preaching about John 3:16. She said: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus said she was there “Because she could never forgive her husband; she never managed to forgive her husband.” (Matt 6:14-15)This woman had been shepherding an evangelical church for 35 years, but now in Hell, she is begging for one more chance to forgive her husband.
The bible warns us, settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. (Matt. 5:25)and Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matt. 5:7)
If you are someone who cries in the presence of the Lord, you are still under grace and mercy. But if you feel that you cannot cry any more, or pray anymore, if you have stopped your prayer life, you are in great danger.
Forgiveness is something special, and that woman never forgave. After 35 years of hard work for God, she lost it all in the end. Meditate on this, and make sure you forgive all. How do you want to spend eternity?
My brother would often tell me: “The day I die, I’ll go to hell and let the demons torment me” But thankfully he has repented of this foolish belief, because the judgment of God has reached him. While recording this message, he is currently lying down, sick with AIDS. He is has begged God for a chance, and he has finally turned his heart to Jesus. He does not think the same way anymore, and doesn’t want to go to that place of torment. Thankfully, my brother has accepted Jesus as his savior. My brother was lucky; he knew he didn’t have much time left. But most people don’t know when they will die.
Jesus and I continued walking until we came upon a group of people who called themselves “Evangelical Christians”. Jesus explained why these men were in Hell. In the neighborhood where they lived, there was a drunk that became a Christian. One day his wife got severely ill. He began to go door to door seeking help to bring her to the Hospital. When he got to the house of a Christian, he told them, “My wife is very sick. I need you to lend me some money to take her to the hospital.” But the Christians told him, “That is what you say! No! We don’t have money here!” When he went to another Christian’s house they also refused to help him. Eventually the man’s wife died.
One of the Christians said, “I sure taught that drunk a lesson, He just wanted the money to get drunk, but he didn’t fool me! I didn’t give him a single penny!” Now in Hell, they are in fire and tormented, and deeply regret their evil. (Matt 23:31-46)
These men were tied up with ropes, and burning. Their skin was falling from their bodies, and there was no end to the torment. They remember all the evil that they did.
A Proud Christian
Please listen to me carefully. I was also an Evangelical Christian. I prayed for the sick and God healed them, I prayed for the lame and God raised them up. I cast out demons and spoke in new tongues, but I had a spirit of vainglory, that made me see my pastor as spiritually smaller than me.
I saw many miracles in my ministry, more than my pastor. But I began to think that it was me, that I was the one doing the miracles. In my vainglory, I thought that I was super-gifted, someone special. I didn’t understand that it was the mercy of God that was in my life. When I got to Hell, God told me, “I am not the God of people with vainglory.”
Many of us stand before the altar of God full of pride and vainglory. Many, who sing praises to God, begin to be full of pride. Many of God’s servants who preach the word, and are used mightily by God, begin to think that they are overly important? Many people who work in deliverance also get full of pride? I want to tell you that God see all, and knows your heart.
If you have vainglory, pride, or arrogance in your heart, if you see your brother or pastor with disdain, please repent of your sins quickly! It is much better to be humiliated before the men, than be humiliated in the presence of the Lord. I wish you could see this place, like I did. I wish you could hear the cries of the damned, feel the terror that I did, and see their final judgment, then you would understand.
We continued walking until we arrived at some a kind of waiting room. We saw a demon that was shouting, and other demons were presenting themselves before him. Two of them were in the form of beautiful women. Their job was to destroy ministries, and lead ministers into sin. Those who serve the Lord, must be careful of satan’s traps. satan wants to destroy your life, and he can use those people who are close to you, those who do not walk close to Jesus. They can be instruments of satan.
Satan also has demons that are disguised as men. They go into churches in search for young ladies and even married women, to lead them into sin, destroying marriages and lives.
In Hell, I also saw a man that blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. (Luke 12:10) He was there begging for mercy, and shouting in pain. There were worms all over his face and body. He tried to remove them, but more would always come. (Mark 9:44) His pain was unbearable.
This man was worried about his family members arriving there. If you truly love your family, preach the Word of God to them, so they may escape from hell. (Acts 16:31)
The bible says do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt. 10:28)
Christians need to remember that even though they can hide the truth from pastors, deacons, elders and the Congregation, they can NOT hide from the presence of the Lord. As it is written, Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the Heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.(Psalms 139:7-10)
Lying to God
It might sound crazy, but many Christians wind up in Hell because of lying. Christians often just nonchalantly lie in Church, and think nothing of it. The pastor may ask them a question, and a member just lies to them. But we must remember that a simple lie is what caused God to kill Ananias and Saphira while in Church. (Acts 5:3-10)
Many Christians are in Hell because they simply lied to the pastor. They didn’t realize that they were lying to God. And the bible warns us, no drunks, no adulterers, no fornicators, no LIARS shall inherit the Kingdom of God. (Rev. 21:8) (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
You must know that just because you claim to be a Christian, you can still be unclean before God, if you keep sinning. I was personally being used by God, but still had vainglory in my heart. (Matt 7:21-23)There is still time to repent and renew your heart and mind.
If you’re a lukewarm Christian, backsliding, or living a double life, bow you head right now before God, and beg for forgiveness, be willing to turn away from evil deeds. If you don’t know Jesus, pray now, and ask Him for forgiveness, ask Him into your heart, accept Him as your savior.
Don’t waste any more time!
And don’t be a Christian that winds up in Hell!
Related:
How Many Will Be in Heaven? How Many are Finding the WAY? Only 1 in 40 — 2.5%?!! [Howard Pittman was told this 2.5% figure at the gate of heaven 30 years ago (having actually died on the way to the hospital), before once-saved-always-saved was taught almost everywhere (including China), before internet porn even existed, before the low-cut-top epidemic hit America — when more people were honest, and hate and anger wasn’t off the charts. So the figure may be less than 2.5% now. We can’t mess around.]
Self-esteem comes from right standing with Christ through self-denial!
– –
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him *deny himself*, and *take up his cross*, and *follow me*. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone *according to his deeds*. – Mt. 16:24-27
I love this cartoon — and often think in this actual guardrails’ term!
God’s ways are there to protect us — for our good. We should embrace them, and walk the narrow path with head held high. Demons lie at the door and wait for us to jump God’s loving guardrails.
When we keep in step with the Holy Spirit — keeping our hands and hearts clean — We’re safe in the way of freedom that leads to eternal life in Christ Jesus!
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16)
: )
God’s commandments are there for our protection, not to confine us. We ignore them to our own peril. February 16, 2014
“On July 28th, 1998 I had a heart attack, I died and I found myself on my way to hell. The Lord Jesus had mercy on me and He let me come back. I was at that stage a ‘saved’ man, I had accepted the Lord Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was baptized in water, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, I knew the voice of the Lord and He was speaking to me. But that morning I woke up with a terrible pain in my chest and I died. I found myself going down a deep black hole and I knew I was on my way to hell. I pleaded with the Lord Jesus to let me come back. He let me come back when I pleaded and asked and said:”Lord, let me go and tell the world, let me tell people, that this is real.”
Many people have asked me why it was that I was on my way to hell even though I was ‘saved.’Dear friends, the reason is that I was serving God, MY WAY. I was an above average Christian.. I was a serious Christian. I was a person who knew the voice of the Lord Jesus, but I was serving the Lord MY WAY. I was not fruitful. The only way that we can be fruitful is if we serve Jesus as disciples, HIS WAY, not my way, HIS WAY.
Knowing the voice of the Lord is one thing but following Him, waiting on Him, serving Him as Master, that is another thing and that is what He requires of us. We cannot serve Jesus our way. He is not interested in that. We cannot bear fruit if we serve Him our way.
I tried to reconcile being a Christian with being a business man, with living a “normal” life, like all the other Christians and I was under the impression that I was doing very well, but by God’s standard I came short, it wasn’t good enough, I was on my way to hell. It was the biggest fright I ever had in my life and since that day I have never been at ease again with Jesus because I fear Him, because I know that He has got ONE STANDARD, friends, and that is HIS WAY.
We have got to seek Him, we have got to listen to His voice. What I think does not matter. My opinion, does not count. All that matters is Jesus. Is He pleased with me, is He satisfied with me? Am I obedient to Him? Am I doing what He wants me to do? Am I a disciple? Am I truly pleasing to Him?
Dear friends we can only be fruitful and pleasing to Jesus if we serve Him as LORD, as MASTER, if we wait on Him and if we DO what He TELLS us to do. I got to know Jesus. I love Him, I fear Him, I respect Him. I will die again. I will leave this body, but then I want to be ready. I want to be going UP, not DOWN and that is why I am following Jesus. I am working for His Kingdom.
God’s standard is not our standard, my friends. Jesus wants TOTAL, TOTAL devotion. He is calling you. Make sure that when your time comes, that you don’t find yourself going down the deep black hole. May Jesus bless you.
Related:
Mt. 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ *will ENTER into the Kingdom of Heaven*; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
1 John 4:16-17 We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.
Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Gal. 5:24 “THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.”
Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
How Many Will Be in Heaven? How Many are Finding the WAY? Only 1 in 40 — 2.5%?!! [Howard Pittman was told this 2.5% figure at the gate of heaven 30 years ago (having actually died on the way to the hospital), before once-saved-always-saved was taught almost everywhere (including China), before internet porn even existed, before the low-cut-top epidemic hit America — when more people were honest, and hate and anger wasn’t off the charts. So the figure may be less than 2.5% now. We can’t mess around.]
“There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to those who are IN CHRIST Jesus, who don’t WALK according to the flesh, but ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT.” (Romans 8:1)
If we have guilty consciences now, imagine how guilty we’ll feel when we meet Jesus face to Face.
How can we expect to be guilt-free then if we feel guilty now?
Nothing magical happens between now and then.
We don’t suddenly get clean then if we weren’t clean on earth.
We must be clean now so we’ll be clean then.
We need to be HOT now so we’re not LUKEWARM then — so Jesus won’t vomit us out of His mouth (Rev. 3:14-22).
We need to be OVERCOMERS now to have fought the good fight and be overcomers then — so our names will not be removed from the Book of Life (Rev. 3:1-6).
We need to be right with everyone in Christ now, to feel right now so we’ll get the thumbs up then, like Paul made sure he did:
“I also practice ALWAYS having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.” (Acts 24:16)
Hearts pure now so hearts pure then.
Freedom now so FREEeeeeeeee———–DOM then!!!!!!!
When we willfully sin and therefore feel guilty, we must get right, so we’ll feel right now to feel right then.
Why do we think we can have guilty consciences now and Jesus will say “well done” and “enter…,” then?
God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. In this, love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. (1 John 4:16,17)
Mary K. Baxter, author of “A Divine Revelation of Hell,” describes how Jesus showed her a backslidden pastor being tormented by demons in hell. This pastor once had a healing ministry, but backslid and now spends eternity in an open coffin, being stabbed forever by demons with spears. A wake-up call for both pastors and laymen alike! Where will you spend eternity?
I got this while preparing for a talk with Rick on Aug, 9,1990, regarding the founder:
“Our eyes are full of sawdust. We can’t see clearly to see the kingdom. There is might and there is power and there is glory, but it is being withheld until these relationships are made right, until we love our brother enough to feel his hurt deeply and say kind words of salve that heal their souls.
[___] can do this. This is vital. They are necessary. For he must do this for healing to occur. He is a man of integrity in many ways.
Fear must decrease. Love must increase. He will fight and he will win the battle over the stronghold of fear and unforgiveness, sayeth the Lord.”
“Most pastors and preachers, today, are giving you the very same Satanic message that the Devil himself gave Eve. ‘You shall not surely die if you commit sin.'”
Howard Pittman was told this 2.5% figure at the gate of heaven 30 years ago (having died on the way to the hospital), before once-saved-always-saved was taught almost everywhere, before internet porn even existed, before the low-cut-top epidemic hit America, when more people were honest, and hate and anger wasn’t off the charts. The figure may be less than 2.5% now.
“Because you didn’t forgive her, I didn’t forgive you….”
~”I said: ‘I did forgive her.’ He [God] said: ‘If you forgave her, when you talked to her, why is it that you treated her like the situation happened all over again?'”
“Anything we did in our life, our life testified against us.”
“Words can’t describe how terrible it is to look your Creator face to Face, where there is nothing hidden from Him. You inner thoughts are revealed before Him.”
Tozer (1897-1963) was known for abiding in Christ, spending hours on his knees seeking God, which his writings showed. I always found them so rich.
I get thrilled thinking about this “Supreme Interest” concept — living with the Master of the Universe — actually doing Jesus’ GREATEST Commandment — life in the Son!
Why can’t we find Jesus’ Greatest Two Commandments plaques in Christian gift shops/bookstores today? They have the “Prayer of Jabez,” the 10 Commandments from the old covenant, but not Jesus’ Greatest Two Commandments from the new covenant, within which we live.
Going to heaven is not about just saying a prayer. Confessing our sins, accepting His forgiveness and dedicating our lives to follow Christ is just the start.
Going to heaven requires abiding in Christ: “not my will be done but Yours be done,” taking up our cross and FOLLOWING HIM — overcoming sin in the process, by His grace — having fruit that remains — because we lived our lives attached to and got our sap from the Vine.
Therefore, we’ll have clear consciences to enter when we see Jesus face to Face.
“God is love, and he who remains in love remains IN GOD, and God remains in him. In this, love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.” – 1 John 4:16,17
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1
This is the overcoming Life in the Son — Jesus our Supreme Interest!!!
* * *
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGtZG166xRU]A.W. Tozer – On “Accepting Christ”
I was just explaining online that Romans 7 refers to life BEFORE the Son, and pointed out that one of my professors at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Bruce Ware, taught this to us in class. I thought I’d see if I could find him discussing this online, and found this.
– –
From: ry-an-na.blogspot.com
My still uninformed thoughts on Romans 7
[By Ryan Wolfe]
..there are many controversial passages in Romans that have ultra-conservative commentators in the exact same theological streams forming drastically different opinions.
One such case is the passage in Romans 7. …
Are verses 15-25 talking about the Christian life or the Non-Christian life. Even the camp that says 7:7-25 refers to Paul are split between those who think it is referring to him BEFORE his conversion and those who believe it is referring to him AFTER conversion. This is a touchy subject for some people. Bruce Ware thinks the right interpretation of this passage is a really big deal. Holding the position that this passage is referring to Israel in an unregenerate condition, he believes that many Christians are wrongly using this passage to justify defeat in their lives. …
The arguments that it is referring to Non-Christians are compelling:
(1) Paul, in Romans 6 and 8 says that we are NOT slaves to sin. (“The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”) So, how could he say here, in 7:14 that we are “sold under sin” and in 7:23 that we are “captive to the law of sin”? As Bruce Ware points out: Paul is not talking about an internal struggle – he’s talking about abject captivity and submission. “Not the ability to carry it out” (7:18b)
(2) The structure of Romans 7-8ff indicates this. 7:5 is about the non-Christian and is parallel to 7:7-25. 7:6 is about the Christian and is parallel to Romans 8:1 and following. Thus, 7:7-25 is referring to non-Christians.
Before being born-again, under the law: “about the non-Christian and is parallel to 7:7-25”:
Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law worked in our members to bring out fruit to death.
“About the Christian and is parallel to Romans 8:1 and following”:
Romans 7:6But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
I’m very glad to find this excellent article again!!!
NOTE: I corrected a few spelling errors, deleted a few potentially confusing portions (the Hebrews 6 factor and some old covenant correlations, indicated by ellipses in brackets), added some comments in brackets (with “– ed.”), and left-justified all lines. All else was left as is.
– –
Teachers of the Once Saved Always Saved doctrine, I plead with you, do not forsake the warnings; preach them to the sheep! God will NOT hold you guiltless for the souls who perish from this error in doctrine! Warn them that their sins, their disobedience, their evil deeds, unless repented, may cost them their soul, and their blood will be upon YOUR hands!
This article was originally posted at www.crossbearer.net and written by that site’s owner, Brian O’Connell. I also recommend this article he wrote that also calls for believers to endure in following Jesus no matter what.
* * *
Once saved, always saved?
As I begin this study, I must make some statements. First, every Christian is struggling with sin. Temptation is always at our doorstep, and sometimes we fall into the sin. The child of God Repents, even if we must repent over and over again, we repent! We call out to Jesus to help us. Our hearts desire to serve the Lord, and we strive to turn away from sin and walk in obedience. To those who fall into this description [to those who actually do overcome, whose hearts are pure and therefore guilt-free – ed.], I wish to assure you, your salvation is secure with Christ. But there are others, who use this security as a license to freely sin against God, and walk in disobedience, without a heart of repentance, feeling secure of their salvation while trampling Jesus underfoot and insulting the Holy Spirit of Grace (Heb. 10:29)! This study is written to confront these deceived souls, who may very well be in danger of perishing!
Did Jesus ever teach that once you are saved, that you cannot lose your salvation? We are assured eternal security, yes, but only to those who remain in the faith until the end. To those who Obey Him and overcome!
“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.” (Matt.7:21)
Mat 21:28-31 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first.
If you will read the remaining verses in Matthew 21, it was the Pharisees who, after telling the Father they would obey, disobeyed God anyway. Then, there were those who at first, refused to obey while they were living in sin, but then repented, and DID THE WILL OF THE FATHER. It is no different than some today who trust on the OSAS doctrine to save them, like those pharisees who trusted that as children of Abraham, they were safe and secure while they continued to sin against God. After repentance and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord these OSAS students who trust their security, willfully return to their sinful vomit and live in disobedience to God, and claim that as Children of God, they will not have to pay the “wages of sin”, which is death!
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)
“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.” (Matt.7:21)
Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”;
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
UNLESS WE REMAIN IN CHRIST, WE WILL PERISH!
Once saved Always saved teachers have disregarded the “IF” in the scriptures. It is a condition! I will give you $50 IF you will cut my grass. If you do NOT cut my grass, the $50 is NOT yours!
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved,if ye keep in memory (hold fast, retain) what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:1-2 )
Albert Barne’s Commentary explains this verse as “The idea is, that they were saved by this, or would be, if they faithfully retained or held the doctrine as he delivered it; if they observed it, and still believed it...”
John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible puts it this way “it is the man that perseveres in the faith and doctrine of Christ that shall be saved; and everyone that has truly believed in Christ, and cordially embraced his Gospel, shall hold on, and out to the end;”
Compare the above scripture in 1 Cor. 15:1-2 with the Galatian church that did NOT retain the gospel that Paul preached and had “fallen from grace“. The end result of their fall from grace was that “Christ is become of NO effect unto you” !
“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace“. (Galatians 5:4)
This church was in grave danger of losing their salvation, having fallen from grace, by which Christ had become of no effect to them. Paul now labored to recover them before they were completely lost as he wrote this letter.
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” (Galatians 4:19)
If the people of this church were so very secure in their salvation, Paul would not have written this letter with the concern by which he wrote it, and the warnings of the fact that they have forsaken Christ and fallen from grace!
Later in this study, I will deal with the difference between “Works of the Law” which Paul was dealing with in the letter to the Galatians, and “Good Works” which James spoke of in his letter!
We shall now continue with the conditional “IF“!
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, ifthou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:22)
“Ifa 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” (John 15:6)
It’s also helpful to know that Paul was warning about “works of the law“ salvation, not the necessity of obeying Christ, which he made sure he did. See:
Paul also said: “work out your own salvation through fear and trembling,” which he then did, running his race to win, being able to say: “Herein I also practice *always* having a conscience void of offense toward God and men” (Acts 24:16).
– –
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp8tSFDnBHk]Works Salvation | True Saving Faith | Earn Salvation | Once Saved Always Saved | Dan Corner
The eternal security teachers use the term WORKS SALVATION for the no-eternal security position. They teach one is either believing in once saved always saved OR in a works salvation to smear and discredit their opposition. http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/wo… Do not be deceived. You must be saved at the point of death to enter God’s kingdom. http://www.eternallifeblog.com/catego…
The false doctrine of once-saved-always-saved seems to be at the heart of the great problems we face today.
– –
“Calvin called it ‘eternal security‘ or once-saved-always-saved. Calvin taught that if we make one sincere decision for Christ, we are born-again and cannot be lost. Such a commitment does not mean we have to die to our rebellious self-will, or be willing to leave all to follow Christ. … Calvin’s definition of conversion deprives God of the *total allegiance* he must have. Yet it has been the unquestioned evangelical definition for the past 450 years.
In omitting Christ‘s requirement of *total consecration*, Calvin overturned God’s most fundamental requirements. Agreeing with the serpent in the Garden of Eden, Calvin said to the supposedly born-again person: ‘you shall not surely die if you indulge in sin. The wages of sin are not death to the born-again. Those who are born-again yet rebel shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Calvin taught that with the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary came a new dispensation or age of grace nullifying the Old Testament requirement of *lifetime obedience*. [Jesus increased, not decreased the obedience requirements in the new covenant, because now, Christians have the Holy Spirit empowering them to overcome even thought-life sins — and overcome we must, unlike what TalmudVision (TV) teaches – editor]
With this in mind, it is not surprising that eventually Calvinism would be attracted to Zionism. Zionism is another great religious movement built upon the assertion of an unconditional covenant with God. Zionism claims that God’s covenant with Abraham 4,000 years ago is so empowering and unconditional to the Jew that he can reoccupy Palestine in the 20th century by force and violence. Obedience is irrelevant.”
“Calvinists view Israel as fulfilling hundreds of Old Testament prophecies. Originally, these prophecies had been given to Israel on condition that she be obedient. Yet Calvinism, having eliminated the necessity of obedience for those in covenant with God, proclaims God’s blessing on the counterfeit return of Jews to Palestine. … Since obedience no longer mattered, and God was pleased to bring His chosen people back to Palestine, what man or nation dare stand against ‘the will of the Almighty God.'”
“Clearly, Calvinism has failed to warn the church against an antichrist system that will destroy Christian civilization.“
“We have seen in part 2 of this video how Jewish gnosticism corrupted Jewish Christianity, helping create Roman Catholicism and Calvinism. These hybrid religious systems did not teach the necessity of *continuing obedience* to Christ. Rather, they affirm spiritual security through covenant guarantees. We have also seen how Jewish gnosticism by reshaping Christianity 2000 years ago produced a church which embraces [Talmudic – editor] Jewish goals and values, today.”
“The Zionists, through an extremely small, but focused elite, have by their lies brought the nations under their control.”
Ted Pike explains how Calvinism makes a very natural bedfellow with Zionism (as we see among many ‘evangelical’ leaders today). A clip from “Zionism and Christianity: Unholy Alliance” http://www.truthtellers.org/alerts/wa…
“The fact that there’s a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers.”
* * *
* * *
Howard Pittman was told this 2.5% figure at the gate of heaven 30 years ago (having died on the way to the hospital), before internet porn even existed, before the low-cut-top epidemic hit America, when more people were honest, and hate and anger wasn’t off the charts — before once-saved-always-saved became the norm.