I just heard on Three Cosmic Messages Earth’s Final Conflict, “We do not follow God’s Commandments in order to be saved, but because we are saved.” I have heard a similar message before: “We are not saved by our best efforts”, “Jesus finished the work on the cross.”
To be frank, these statements are misleading. In fact they aren’t far from the false doctrine “once saved, always saved”. They imply there is nothing we have to do on our part.
I’m not convinced Jesus is finished working. If he were finished, why do we yet pray?
Jesus dying on the cross is an offer of salvation. What must we do? Accept by believing in accordance with John 3:16, be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Mark 16:16.
What else must we do to be saved? What does the Bible say?
Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Romans 2:13 KJV (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
And let’s not forget 1 John 1:9 and Proverbs 28:13. If we err and sin these verses instruct us on how to be free.
Finally, with belief, we are saved by our best efforts in Christ who gives us both strength and guidance that we may walk in the Light. And when we need help with our efforts, we call upon the Lord. Roman’s 10:13.
Category Archives: Inspirational
On His Behalf
It is very dangerous to speak on behalf of God. If you say, “God said …” and he did not, you are flirting with disaster and perhaps damnation.
God will not be made a liar.
Even saying something like “God loves you he really does” may be dubious. The truth: it could be true and it can have a strong sales aspect to new converts. However, it could be false. Certainly Esau is not the only person God ever hated.
To be safe when you want to quote God, quote him from the Holy Bible. His word is true and worthy of repetition.
John 3:16-21 KJV
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. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] 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. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
The Source
I put my faith in the KJV. It is my source. Do you want to put your trust and faith in the KJV or in the hubris of men?
People like Jim Bakker and Rick Renner claim there are mistakes in the KJV and through their own hubris or pride they think they can translate better.
Do you want to make these men your foundation or do you want to make the KJV your strong and true foundation?
The King James Version Holy Bible was translated by a team of learned men appointed by a King appointed by God. Daniel 2:21-22. These 47 men according to wikipedia were trained scholars. They worked at the behest and instruction of King James. In my opinion this work was done under the supervision of the Holy Ghost and they translated from the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic into a pure language.
Keep your source pure and it will overflow in you.
Does God Speak To Everyone But Me?
I watch a variety of religious channels and programs. Most and I do mean most of the pastors and teachers I’ve watched claim to have heard from God.
I have my doubts. I think most of them are just trying to convince their viewers that they are a man or woman of God.
You’re allowed to think I’m crazy, but I’ve heard voices that weren’t me. Perhaps they were in response to a question I’d posed or just an odd thought out of the blue. Maybe they were indeed some aspect of me or perhaps they were angels or demons. Yet, I’m not going to say that I’ve heard from God unless I’m 100% positive it was God.
The only way to be sure:
If you want a word from God and you want to be 100% sure – read the KJV, the King James Version Holy Bible!
Also keep in mind, if you hear something that contradicts the Holy Bible, it is not of God.
Happy Holidays
Thank you everyone for your readership. Especially thank you for your likes, I always find them encouraging.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all!
Past, Present, and Future
I’ve heard a lot of evangelists proclaim that Jesus died for all our sins, past, present, and future. This is true, but those evangelists often neglect to explain God’s full plan for forgiveness and tell you the whole truth.
Our past sins are forgiven at baptism. It’s more than just a figurative ritual. With belief you truly are washed in Jesus’ blood at baptism. With belief and repentance you are washed and become a new member of God’s family.
After baptism the idea is to walk in the light and quit sinning. Future sins should they happen are only forgiven by the act of confession. 1 John 1:9
Proverbs 28:13 KJV says, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Discernment Part 2
I think that a lesson I learned in my first year of law school could be applied to learning or teaching spiritual discernment and development.
When writing an essay on exams first year law students are taught to use IRAC. IRAC stands for Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion. The question, usually a hypothetical with various facts determines the issue. When the issue is identified you determine the Rule or the law that applies to the facts of the situation. Analysis takes the law or laws into consideration and you provide discussion on how they may relate to the hypothetical facts. Finally your conclusion, how do you think the issue should be resolved.
Dean was wondering if he should lie to his girlfriend about meeting another girl at the bar last night.
Issues: How serious is the relationship with his girlfriend and is the relationship approved of by God’s law? What are his intentions to the girl he met last night? What was he doing at a bar? Should he lie? What are his motives for lying?
Rule(s): Fornication is sin. Hebrews 13:4. Lust is sin. Matthew 5:28. Drunkeness can lead to damnation. Galatians 5:21. Thou shalt not lie. Exodus 20:16
Analysis: Knowing the law, Dean should develop a Christian relationship with his girlfriend in consideration of marriage. Dean should not go to bars and drink too much. Dean should not look on a woman with lust and Dean should not lie.
Conclusion: Following God’s word can be hard. Knowing his law is key. If you know the rule you let the rule govern. Keeping God’s law is crucial to Christian living. The result of keeping his law is strong and healthy relationships on Earth and the promise of a future in Heaven.
Courageous Women
Fear is a killer. Both men and women fall prey to it. People don’t confess their sins according to 1 John 1:9 for various reasons, one of them is fear of what others may think.
Don’t die in your sins. Read 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16 and follow them.
Courageous women overcome peer pressure and the fear of what others may think, everyday, but can they do it in Church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 tells us unequivocally that women should remain silent in Church.
Simply attending church exposes some problems that women may encounter. They need to be courageous in order to keep God’s law. As soon as you walk in the door someone is saying hello to you. You need to ignore them or maybe arrive right at the start of the service. Perhaps wave, but if you keep God’s word on this matter you surely will be talked about. It’s even possible that ignorant preachers will bid you to talk to them or to the people seated next to you. Again you need to be separate and remain silent. Men can’t alter the law of God which is why when a preacher asks women to speak in church I have dubbed it a call to shame.
Women can truly be courageous, but it helps if they know the law. Hosea 4:6 KJV says, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge … .
Rust
Have you ever heard a preacher read a Bible verse and then proceed to say the opposite of the verse? Something like reading 1 John 1:9 and then saying, Does this mean you actually need to confess your sins, no, you can just ask God for forgiveness.
I was trying to think of examples because I’ve heard others. One that comes to mind is Matthew 5:29-30. The preacher says did Jesus really mean for you to pluck out your eye or cut off your hand – of course not. I tell you Jesus meant it – as he said it.
I think most of us are smart enough to pick up on a preacher saying the opposite of a verse or watering down Jesus’ words. I think there’s something inside of us that tells us – what I just heard was wrong, maybe it’s the Holy Ghost dwelling inside of us. If you’re mind, or your heart, or the Holy Ghost tells you that didn’t sound right – it’s worth further investigation and study.
Rust kills.
A Future
Do I have a future in Heaven?
This question is rightfully followed by am I forgiven?
The answer is yes, you can be forgiven and have a sure hope. Read 1 John 1:9. Today, I heard a television preacher say this doesn’t really mean you have to confess. Of course it does. You cannot confess to God – he already knows. You can ask God for forgiveness, but to fulfill the requirements for forgiveness under 1 John 1:9 you need to confess.
It can be scary, but once you get past the worst ones(sins) you may find it gets easier. Here’s the thing – confession is made to another. The person you confess to may be the person you wronged, it may be to your best friend or spouse, if you committed a crime it may even be to the police. In my opinion it could even be to a stranger, but then perhaps you lose a factor of accountability.
What’s the point. If you do your part and confess, Jesus has promised to forgive. Confession is the only way to be forgiven after baptism.
And yes, that scary factor of confession is designed to cause you to sin less.
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