(Bible Question) I am really confused by your viewpoint. You believe in God's awesome grace, yet you don't understand that you yourself sin everyday. Romans 3:23 says that for all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. What does falling from sin mean? Does it mean someone went to a party and started drinking, someone murdered another, stealing illegal music off the internet? Or does it mean that one acted in a selfish way or worried? Your views are making it sound like it is possible to live a perfect life. This is wrong theology. The awesome thing about being a Christian is that God loves me so much that He gave His life for me not because I was good enough, but because He is that awsome. When one accepts Christ, he know's he is a new creation and nothing can take that away from him. I am not saying that I am an OSAS, but I believe fully that those who truly follow Christ will be in Heaven....
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. When I got saved (just like all others) I got set free from my slavery to sin (Rom. 6:22; John 8:34-36). If you think you have to sin all the time then you were either never saved or since have lost your salvation. Either way you need to repent and “obey” God. Salvation is only given to those who “obey” Jesus (Heb. 5:9; Luke 8:21; Gal. 6:8,9; etc.).
The Bible teaches we can “resist” the devil. WHY aren't YOU resisting the devil? [A Christian can live holy.] Furthermore, are you aware that not all sins lead to spiritual death (1 John 5:16,17)?
You also speak of “grace” but it can't be the true grace of the Bible, which is concisely described in Titus 2:12. We are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8,9). However, the grace that saves us is not one which will still allow us to enter God's kingdom if we turn to wicked acts (Eph 5:5-7). You believe in the counterfeit grace of eternal security, which Jude wrote of and told Christians to fight against (Jude 3,4).
While God does love you, he loves even those who are unsaved and will go to hell (John 3:16; Mk. 10:21). The issue regarding salvation is: DO YOU LOVE GOD (1 Cor. 16:22)? If so, you will “obey” God (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; etc.).
You speak of truly following Christ, then turn around and think one can sin everyday and seem to have no awareness that there are different degrees of sin. How can you follow Jesus if you disobey him (and thereby show you don't love him)?
Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, The Believer's Conditional Security. There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Bible Question) Read ur web page on prodigal son - great , until I got to the end of the pages and found that u couldn't resist taking a stab at another religion-WHY ! If u are one of God\'s preachers u of anyone should have a better understanding of what u print, and not to lead those who want to be Christians down a rode of biggortary! Be kind an accept those who believe in the almighty - if the are happy sharing their sins w/a priest - or saying a prayer to the mother who bore our faters son., then u should be happy for them, as they believe in one GOD as u, and follow his laws.. and try and do good for those who are less fortunate - right?...
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. The sooner people realize that a Catholic priest can NOT forgive sins and Mary has NO role in one's salvation the better it will be for them. This is the Biblical message and what Christians are to believe and teach. No doubt, the truth of God does disturb people, but that is how it has always been. Those on the side of truth will change accordingly. For your own good, please read through the entire New Testament and change accordingly. True salvation is only for those who follow (obey) the Lord Jesus and trust in him. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Comment) I don't do labels but i have studied Calvinism enough to know you don't understand what Calvin's interpretations of the scriptures truely mean. What you are describing would probably be considered hyper-calvinism. They can't be associated with the doctrines of Grace.
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. The bottom line with John Calvin, and all other eternal security teachers, is spiritual death for the righteous is always denied, even when one severely backslides. By denying that basic truth they actually side with the devil who was lying to Eve and trying to get her to sin. See Gen. 3:4.
John Calvin mentioned King David, when in adultery and murder, as he comments on Ezek. 18:24. Read his comments for yourself and you'll see that he denied David died spiritually even in such wicked acts. Strange as it seems, the very verse he is commenting on (Ezek 18:24) actually refutes his wordy conclusion about David!
There is another common point with all eternal security teachers, that is, they all deny they teach a license for immorality. They like to teach eternal security, but hate to be labeled for what they are really doing. PONDER THIS: since they all would deny David died spiritually when in adultery and murder in contrast to Scripture (Ezek 33:18; 18:24; Rom. 8:13; James 1:14-16; etc.), they are declaring indirectly that one can remain saved in the same sins he committed. That is their message and such is both DEADLY and a LICENSE FOR IMMORALITY....Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.
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(Comment) I very much appreciate your stand on this issue [eternal security]. I have been in the work force for 40 years. During this time, at least 80 to 90 percent of the people that claimed to be Christians and believed the once saved always saved lie, have been some of the most vile people I have ever worked with. Many of these people use God\'s name in vain, ...commit adultery, drunkenness, do every drug on the market and black market, yet they are \”on their way to heaven.\” They think! .... God Bless
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. Thank you for the encouragement. For us to fight eternal security is a pleasure while obeying a commandment (Jude 3,4). That horrible heresy presented as grace and the gospel has snared multitudes and surely sent millions to hell. As you have noticed, this doctrine, which began with the devil (Gen. 3:4), has people who are unrepentant in sins that lead to death thinking they are on the road to heaven and can't get off that road. This shows how great spiritual deception can be.
For more than one reason, I could not and will not be doing an annotated Reference Bible. Even if one was done, I don't think there would be many that would be interested in it. The devil has the vast majority believing and loving the security in sin gospel of Calvinism. They don't want to change or to even consider changing. They love their sin. GOD BLESS YOU. Remember 1 Tim. 4:16.
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(Bible Question) I have many questions. I am a backslider and want the truth of scripture taught to me....Where can I find the church you speak of? When one is saved is it evidenced by speaking in tongues?
(Bible Answer) Greetings in Jesus' name. You are making a WISE move to come to God. To get forgiven you must be willing to turn away from sin to the point where you will follow the Lord Jesus unashamedly and faithfully. Since you are a backslider please read these relevant teachings: Backslider, God Wants You Back , The Prodigal Son Verse By Verse and The Neglected Possibility when Someone Backslides
We are in a deep dark apostasy. There are very few sound congregations. You will probably have to grow in the things of God on your own and with a few others, if you can find some God fearing people. We have video teachings Please read about new Christians Speaking in tongues has nothing to do with getting initially saved. Any group that says you need to speak in tongues to be saved is one you need to avoid. GOD BLESS YOU. Remember 1 Cor. 6:9-11.
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(Bible Comments) Locally the matter of Calvin's execution of Michael Servetus came up (upon my visit to a Reformed Church, where I had first studied as a child), and his execution of that man was not valid, since Servetus correctly wanted to follow the Bible example of an adult confession of Jesus as Christ (clearly not possible for infants!) for baptism.
And Servetus opposed the illogical notion that three three men are one man:
which seemed to be Calvin's notion of "trinity" he pushed....[But only certain CALLED ones are also resurrected.... another complex topic few know! ... you focus on "saved" folks going to heaven... wrongo! Death is like sleep. (Lazarus reported nothing during his time being dead. He certainly did not speak of being in heaven!) Likewise the malefactor at side of JEsus on the cross, will be "timeless" until resurrection - apparently the same day as far as he perceives time! And that will be when Jesus has returned to impose his reign worldwide, as a strong WARRIOR (Rev 19:11-21) with a NEW NAME (Rev 3:12) So he will awaken in a transformed world at war and being liberated ON EARTH becoming a Godlaw paradise....PS: Very good point you made about "once saved, always saved" - not true! See Ezel 18:24. Yes, good point!
(Bible Answers) Greetings in Jesus' name. Michael Servetus was right about infant baptism being unscriptural, but VERY WRONG about the deity of Christ and Trinity. John Calvin unscripturally burnt him at the stake and the Calvinists have been either trying to conceal these facts or justify his wickedness to protect their own false theology he stole from Augustine, the Catholic theologian, who trusted in Mary for his salvation!
You sound like a Jehovah's Witness or a person who has been adversely influenced by their various false concepts. That is too bad. Are you open, at all, to change based on Scripture?
There will be a resurrection for the righteous unto life and even for the wicked (John 5:29; Acts 24:15), before they get cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10-15). That is a side point, not the main issue.
Your Lazarus argument is an argument from silence, which is very weak. Let me prove that. We don't ever read where the Lord or his disciples ever washed themselves. Should we then conclude they never washed themselves because they never mentioned it! THINK!
You are too focused on the 1000 year reign, but misled about HOW to get salvation. JESUS is the one you must focus on and trust in 100%. That faith is a submissive faith which obeys. When you get saved you'll be delivered from your sin addictions. All you have now is a counterfeit for Christianity.
Your email proves, just because a person rejects once saved always saved does NOT mean he is Biblically sound. Here is a link to MUCH material for Jehovah's Witnesses. Remember John 5:39,40.
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(Bible Question) Greetings in Jesus name ! Would you please expaound on Mt 10:37 /19:29 /Luke 14:26/18:29,30. How is this connected to ministry ? Does it mean prioritizing the ministry than the family? Thank you very much. God Bless.
(Bible Answer) You asked a difficult question because there are many variables. God must remain #1 at all times. We must love JESUS more than anyone and/or our own life to be worthy of him, according to him. [To love God = obey God ] Some of the early disciples took their wives with them as they traveled doing ministry. Aquila and Priscilla are a prime example. Peter is another example (1 Cor. 9:5). The context regarding Peter is after Jesus ascended into heaven. During Jesus' earthly ministry, he was not traveling with his wife, but that later changed. At other times we read, wives are to be at home:
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:3-5)
Then there is also James 1:27:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
In conclusion, it depends. Regardless, we are to make the most of the opportunities we have to serve God and spread his life-giving message. SOULS are the most precious thing in this life. We should help them come to salvation and remain saved, which often doesn't last. Hope that helps. God bless you.
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(Bible Comment) I will pray that the Holy Father has mercy on your soul.
(Bible Answer) If that was sincere, I thank you. We need all the mercy we can get as we continue living holy for salvation's sake and battle through this life holding out the word of God before a multitude of sin-loving truth rejecters. Many reject us even as we quote Scripture or show them directly from the Bible what it says. It is truly a perilous time. Most will perish. Will you be of that number? Lk. 8:21.
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(Bible Comment) Alongside the Bible I now listen to your sermons which aid me during the week. Most of your material does focus on the salvation issue. As far as I'm concerned this is the chief of all matters in God's Word.
If I may share - I'm reminded of a sermon you gave where you touched upon the subject of loneliness. That loneliness is only very temporal here and it won't last long - in heaven we will never ever be lonely again. And my, is that such a refreshing truth! At __ years old I at times grapple with that issue. I would go as far as saying it is MANDATORY in today's society to live a lonely life if you want to please the Lord. The world and its ways are so atrocious and wicked and just a total snare. Once I put my foot out the door its a battlefield. A word doesn't even have to be uttered. Its in everything, in the way people dress, how they behave on the road, dirty looks, dirty advertisements, etc.. i could go on and on.
I've grown accustomed to being a 'loner'. While I've had my own disappointments I've grown enough to realize most people are in it for themselves. For instance, there are tons of people out there placing a big importance on their children and their lifestyles. And I just don't want to be around that. They really go as far as putting their kids on pedestals and being more important to them than God Himself. Their conversations revolve around their children or their careers or just about themselves. That's all they care about and talk about. And when you talk about God its like they are not phased by it. Nope, no room for God. Its one of the many things that adds to a degraded society.
I don't think I can even count friends that I have on one of my hands. Acquaintances I do have many, but friends, not really. The Bible says to be careful not to contaminate ourselves with others' sins too, and friends can be a snare no doubt. And you're right: the Bible is loaded with verses (especially in the book of Proverbs) commanding us to avoid certain PEOPLE, PLACES and THINGS.
Your website helps me tremendously in placing a healthy dose of fear in my heart for the ways of God. I'm fully aware that my life can be snuffed out any given moment. If we're not producing fruit in our life and obeying Jesus then we would be cut off just like the barren fig tree Jesus used in the parable. Your website is producing good fruit indeed. Blessings!
(Bible Answer) Thank you for all the many kind words. As appreciated as they were, the Biblical treasures you cited about this life and the ongoing daily battle were a greater blessing to read. You are aware of important things that many are not which can help you better overcome to the end. Over here we were just recently talking about the five wise virgins who refused to give the five foolish virgins some of their lamp oil. Certainly, the wise virgins didn't want the foolish virgins to be lost, but weren't going to jeopardize their own salvation because of their negligence. That is a chewy concept to embrace too.
Remember, this short life is flying by. Remain close to JESUS, the King. You have a thrilling and exciting future with him that is far beyond your wildest imaginations. God bless you. 1 Cor. 2:9, Rev. 21:4.
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