Author’s note: This teaching is also titled The Bible and Once Saved Always Saved Theology elsewhere on my blog site.

INTRODUCTION 

I grew up in a denomination that taught once saved always saved theology (AKA OSAS theology) and heard OSAS theology preached a lot. During my teenage years, after I came to the Lord for salvation, I made the decision to read my Bible.

As I read the scriptures, I read verses which appeared to be in opposition to the OSAS theology I was taught. I sought God because I wanted to know the truth. I was hearing one thing preached and reading another in the Bible. My prayer was, “Lord what do you say?” That prayer has been the foundation for my sincere approach to scripture over the years. Many times I have had to change what I previously thought or believed because I found out that I was wrong.

As a teenager I was insecure, and for me, OSAS theology was a welcomed way of thinking. I wasn’t looking to disprove it, not in the least. Yet, as I read the Bible with a heart seeking to know God, I would read verses that contradicted the OSAS theology I had learned. What was I to do? Should I have ignored those verses as if they weren’t there?

My only option was to seek God and find out the truth for myself because it doesn’t matter what I or anyone else thinks. I had to find the truth so I could believe it, regardless if my current beliefs were right or wrong.

I am convinced that there is wrong thinking on both sides of the issue. Those who think a person loses their salvation every time they fail are just as wrong as those who think once you are saved, you can never harden your heart and become apostate in your faith.

We must be careful not to side with one group of scriptures at the expense of others. Anytime we turn a deaf ear to Bible texts which challenge to our current beliefs, we are deliberately choosing to handle the Word of God without the utmost integrity.

I am sure that those of you who believe OSAS theology also believe in a literal hell and eternal punishment for rejecting Christ. I certainly do. Imagine for a moment I did not believe in a literal hell or eternal punishment.

Now, imagine what it would be like if you were to show me clear undeniable evidence in the scriptures that hell is real and there is eternal punishment for those who reject Christ, and then, in response, I said: “God has reconciled all things to himself (Col 1:20). He has reconciled the world, and he does not hold our sins against us (2 Cor 5:19). He has dealt with sin by putting sin away (Heb 9:26). Therefore, no one is going to be punished for all eternity – everyone will be saved in the end.”

One who espouses Universalism might make such an argument. Yet it is error because the balance of scripture refutes any such private interpretation regarding the verses I presented above. If a person does not reconcile those verses with the immediate context and the whole counsel of scripture they could come away with the ideology presented above.

The scriptures have much to say about our security in Christ but according to the balance of scripture, that security is conditional based on our continued faith in Jesus. In scripture, true faith in Jesus is never considered a one time believing experience.

CONTINUE IN THE FAITH

Throughout the New Testament, believing in Jesus means that we must continue in the faith. Consider Paul’s words in Colossians 1:

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister…

Notice that Paul, writing to believers, says, we will be presented holy and unblameable and unreproveable in God’s sight if we continue in the faith and are settled, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.

The hope of the gospel belongs to those who continue or persevere in the faith, because even after one comes to faith there are many temptations to forsake the truth.

Consider Paul’s admonishment to the Corinthians:

1 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 what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…  ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Notice that Paul says the following:

1. He preached the gospel to them.
2. They received the gospel.
3. They were standing in the gospel.

According to OSAS theology, God honors the original belief in him and we are saved even if we forsake him and live a life of egregious sin. If this is so, why does Paul tell the Corinthians that they are saved if they keep in memory, or hold fast to, what he has preached to them, otherwise they will have believed in vain?

Paul did not seem to think the original belief of the Corinthians would profit them if they did not continue in the faith. Paul says they would have believed in vain if they do not hold fast to what he preached to them.

In John 8:31 Jesus said to the Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. We must continue in the faith as Hebrews 3:6 and 14 also tels us.

We are his house, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.  ~ Hebrews 3:6 

We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.  ~ Hebrews 3:14

As for God, he will never leave us or forsake us. The eternal life which he gives us is secure in him so long as we continue in the faith. No matter how difficult the road gets, and no matter how difficult our struggles with any sin may be, God will continue to be faithful to help us if we will trust in him. Yet if we harden our hearts, the possibility exists that we can depart from him.

PERSEVERING FAITH 

The scriptures teach that we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (1 Peter 1:5,) and when we see Jesus we will be rewarded for the end of our faith, which is the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9). The scriptures never teach that we are kept by God if we stop believing. Neither do the scriptures ever teach that it is impossible to turn away from Christ after we have believed to him.

The concept that God will be faithful to keep us if we are faithless and no longer trust him is not a biblical teaching. It is a very deceitful concept.

In Romans 11 the apostle Paul says the following:

18 Boast not against the branches (the Israelites who did not believe). But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. ~ Romans 11:18-23

I am not sure how anyone could fit OSAS theology into these verses. They tell us that we are not to be high minded  – prideful or haughty – but fear the Lord because if we do not continue in God’s goodness through faith we will be cut off.

There is so much in the New Testament that refutes the notion that holding fast to our faith isn’t necessary. It is necessary and the concept it isn’t necessary is at the heart of the error in the OSAS theology.

The Bible teaches that we must continue in the faith and to teach otherwise is unsound and unwholesome doctrine.

THE WORDS OF JESUS

OSAS theology fails to be consistent with the rebukes Jesus gave to the churches in the book of the Revelation. For instance, Jesus says to the church in Ephesus, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love… ~ Revelation 2:4

If it were impossible to become apostate once we are saved, why did Jesus say this?

Consider the words of Jesus to the church at Sardis:

1 …I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  ~ Revelation. 3:1-3

These words of Jesus in the book of the Revelation are consistent with his words elsewhere. Consider the following from the gospel of Matthew:

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  ~ Matthew 24:48-51

These words were spoken in contrast to the servant who kept himself ready and was doing the will of God.  Now consider the words of Jesus from Luke 21:

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. ~ Luke 21: 34-36

If OSAS is true, why were exhortations such as the ones above given? 

The New Testament gives many exhortations and prayers instructing us to be ready at the coming of the Lord. Consider the following:

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. ~ Philippians 1:9-10

Why is it important to be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ?

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. ~ Revelation 16:15 

If OSAS theology is true, why do we need to be watching and keeping our garments: living godly lives in the faith?

1 John 2:28 says, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Consider also the sobering message in 2 Peter:

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. ~ 2 Peter 3: 10-14

Why are such admonitions to be ready at the coming of the Lord given to believers if OSAS theology is true?

Why did Jesus threaten to spit the Laodicea congregation out of his mouth, and why did he tell them they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked, if OSAS theology is a true biblical doctrine? ~ See Revelation 3:16-17

If OSAS theology were true biblical teaching it would harmonize with Jesus’ message to the churches in Revelation, but it doesn’t.

God loves us and that is why he rebukes us, not to condemn us. Perpetual sin in the life of a believer will bring about a hardened heart and lead a person away from the faith, as the writer of Hebrews tells us.

¹² Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

¹³ But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:12-13

SHIPWRECKED FAITH 

Paul tells us we are to hold on to faith and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:9).

Notice that the putting away of a good conscience, leads to shipwrecked faith. Can shipwrecked faith save us?

In 2 Timothy Paul speaks of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and destroy the faith of some. ~ 2 Timothy 2:17-18 

How is departing from the truth and destroying the faith of some consistent with OSAS theology?

In Galatians, Paul warns the believers that if they seek justification by the works of the Law, they will be cut off from Christ and will have fallen from grace.

How does cut off from Christ, and fallen from grace work within OSAS theology?

In 1 Corinthians 8:11 Paul speaks of a weak brother perishing because he is embolden to violate his conscience.

How does this work with OSAS theology?

Consider the words of the apostle Peter:

²⁰ For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

²¹ For 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.

²² But 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

Peter did not think it was impossible for a person to forsake the truth after coming to the saving knowledge of Christ. He later says the following in chapter 3:

¹⁷ Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. ~ 2 Peter 3:17-18

Whereas the KJV says, “fall from your own stedfastness.” The New Living Translations says, “lose your own secure footing.”

We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so we will not be carried away and lose our secure footing. We have secure footing in Christ if we abide in him, but if we go away from the truth in Christ we can lose that secure footing.

James also tells us that if someone (a believer) among us, wanders away from the truth and is restored, whoever brings the sinner back (the one who fell into sin) will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. ~ see James 5:9-20

All the scriptures which tell us of God’s power, and faithfulness, and love to keep us are true. They are strength to us, for he will never leave us or forsake us. He is faithful and these verses reveal God’s character. Yet, we must comply. We must continue in faith.

There is not one scripture in all of the New Testament which supports the notion we will be saved if we forsake the Lord. In fact the scripture tells us, if we deny him, he will deny us, and this is said to believers and not unbelievers.

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.  ~ 2 Timothy 2:11-13

The Biblical view that we must continue is the faith isn’t bad news. God is faithful and he will keep us secure in him so long as we trust him – that is good news!

It certainly is good news because God gives us the grace to serve him if we will keep our trust in him. God will always uphold his promises. If we do not cast away our confidence, as the writer of Hebrews puts it, we will have a great reward.

SAVING GRACE 

Many of the older once saved always saved advocates believed, and some still do believe, that a person who has forsaken the Lord by living in egregious sin was never truly saved to begin with. Those who hold this position sometimes base their view on a scripture from 1 John, which says the following:

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

The problem with citing this text is that John is not referring to those who turn away from the faith because of deception, offense, unresolved questions, or sin. John is referring to seducers who are false teachers, false prophets, and even false brethren, who have an anti-Christ spirit. At first they may appear to be true ministers and brethren, but eventually their true motives are revealed through their message and works which are contrary to Christ.

Consider 1 John 2:19 in its context

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. they (the many antichrists) 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. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. ~ 1 John 2:18-18

It should be pointed out that those who hold to the view that one who turns from the Lord was never saved to begin with, know in their hearts that a saved person has a responsibly to live for Jesus or else that person’s faith is not valid, and that is a good thing to believe.

Conversely, some of the modern day proponents of OSAS theology have taken the teachings of eternal security to whole new level, by promoting a salvation which is completely free (freely given, and it is, and freely taken with no responsibility to give anything back, not even obedience to the call to live godly). They have truly turned the grace of God into lasciviousness.

It’s truly amazing how some who hold to this extreme view of eternal security have turned living godly into some sort of repudiated works righteousness. Yet Paul tells us in his letter to Titus that a person can claim to know God and yet deny him in their works. According to Paul, those who do so are abominable, disobedient, and reprobate. ~ See Titus 1:16

It has become so bad with some OSAS advocates, that belief in Jesus is no longer necessary for salvation once a person has been saved, thus Heaven will receive saved people who no longer believe.

On the contrary, the Bible tells us that those who are saved are justified by faith, and according to scripture, the just (those who are justified by faith) shall live by faith. ~ Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38

In Hebrews 10:38 those who live by faith are set in opposition to those who turn back and depart from the faith, and concerning those who turn back, God’s word says, my soul will have no pleasure in them. Faith is not a one time decision, but a lifetime commitment.

According to the Bible, doctrine isn’t what you claim to believe or mentally assent to. Doctrine is what you live. If your life isn’t lived in a way, that promotes what you say you believe, you are in deception. 1 John 2:4 says: He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

If your life isn’t lived in a way that promotes godliness, you do not have sound doctrine. For this reason, Paul tells us that those who teach or minister God’s word must live godly and promote godly living in their teachings. Consider for example 1 Timothy 6:

1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

² And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

³ If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

⁴ He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. ~ 1 Timothy 6:1-4

At the outset of Paul’s letter to Titus, Paul says that faith and the acknowledgement of the truth is according to godliness in the hope of eternal life. ~ Titus 1:1-2

True faith in Christ leads a person into godliness, not as a requirement for works based salvation, but as the fruit of a genuine faith. James tells us that we are to prove our faith by our works because faith without works is dead. ~ See James 2

According to Paul, the salvation which comes through faith leads to godliness, and this is the faith which leads to eternal life. Real faith is to be followed with the spiritual fruit of godly living.

In Titus 2:1 we read that we are to promote the kind of living which reflects wholesome Biblical teaching. Titus 2 gives instructions about how older men, younger men, older women, and younger women are to live as believers in Jesus Christ.

In Titus 2:7-8 Paul tells Titus to be an example of good works so that everything he did would show integrity, giving him credibility as a minister of the gospel.

7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

In verses 9 and 10 Paul gives instructions for how servants should live so that the doctrine of God will be adorned in all things.

Those who teach eternal security with no emphasis on godliness as evidence of true faith, fail to adorn the doctrine of God with their version of grace. Yet the true grace of God teaches a person to live godly.

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. ~ Titus 2:11-15

Ironically, Paul’s words elsewhere are often taken and abused by those who promote a sloppy view of grace. Yet Paul tells Titus that the saving grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts by living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

Those who oppose the necessity of godly living as evidence of our faith are in opposition to the very thing Paul told Titus to speak, exhort, and rebuke with all authority.

WERE PAUL AND JAMES ON THE SAME PAGE?

Paul’s teachings regarding justification by faith is sometimes misunderstood because there is a tendency to interpret Paul’s view of justification based on a few random verses from Romans and Galatians.  However, Paul’s argument in those places is that justification does not come through the works of Jewish Law but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul did not teach a different message about faith than the one we read about in the book of James. Contrary to the belief of some, Paul did not view saving faith as a one time event which had nothing to do with how one lives afterwards. Paul believed that faith without works is dead just as the apostle James taught in his epistle.

Paul tells the Galatians, “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain” and “I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.” ~ Galatians 4:11, 20

Paul says these things not because he was second guessing if they had actually believed the gospel at one time. Instead he says these things because they were not living according to the faith he had preached to them and taught them to live by.

In chapter 5 Paul says to them, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (v 7-9)

Paul affirms that they had been running well in their faith, but had since been hindered by the leaven of those teaching that they should obey Jewish law. The Galatians were having their faith undermined by the Judaizers who were attempting to make Jewish proselytes of them.

Paul did not teach the Galatians to simply pray a prayer and believe one time and “wa-la” they’d be in like flynn. Paul had taught the Galatians “the just shall live by faith.” ~ See Galatians 3:11

In Paul’s theology justification by faith in Jesus Christ is not a reference to a one time believing experience. It is a reference to living your life by faith in Jesus Christ.

When James says faith without works is dead, he uses examples of showing love and kindness as the works he is referring to. Paul says basically the same thing in Galatians when he says, “faith works by love.”

Paul also agreed with James’ statement – “faith without works is dead” – when he says to Titus that those who “profess to know God but deny him in their works are abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” ~ Titus 1:16 

Also in 1 Thessalonians Paul speaks of “the work of faith.”

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

7 So that ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. ~1 Thessalonians 1:2-7

Reading Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, and to Timothy, and to Titus, we can see that Paul did not think of faith as something that was merely a one time gift bestowed which had nothing to do with how we live afterwards.

It is error to think that Paul taught that there is a chasm between saving faith and faith we are called to live by. Paul refutes such notions much throughout his epistles. Paul did not teach that saving faith stands alone as an independent entity from faith which produces godly living. Saving faith is the faith we are to live by.

In Romans, Paul’s doctrine of faith is that we become servants to righteousness through belief in Jesus Christ.

¹⁶ Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

¹⁷ But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

¹⁸ Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

¹⁹ I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

²⁰ For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

²¹ What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

²² But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  ~ Romans 6:16-23

Notice verse 23 (For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord) is not written within the context of a one time believing experience, but rather within the context of becoming a servant to Jesus Christ.

In Romans, Paul never communicates a faith that isn’t lived out, otherwise he wouldn’t have written chapters 12-16 which deal with living out our faith in practicality.

DOES A SAVED PERSON HAVE TO STOP LIVING IN SIN?

Here is  the opening comment of another persons’s teaching, addressing the question of whether or not a saved person has to give up their sin.

“The answer is no! You do NOT have to stop sinning to be saved. No one can stop sinning (Romans 3:23)! No one can live above sin-no one (Isaiah 64:6). Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. You do NOT have to give up anything to be saved except your UNBELIEF. However, you DO need to realize your sinful condition and “confess” (or admit) to God that you are a sinner, deserving to hell. This is Biblical repentance, i.e. “a change of mind.”

There is so much wrong in this one paragraph. The author of this article is actually perpetrating that Biblical salvation brings no real effective change into a person’s life. You would have to ignore thousands of scriptures throughout the Bible to believe such ideology.

Allow me to begin with his opening comment; “you do not have to stop sinning to be saved”. Compare this comment with the following verse from Romans 6:

1 What shall we say then? shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ~ Romans 6:1-3

Biblical salvation is a call to live a holy life. ~ See Titus 2:11-15: 1 Peter 1:13-18.

Secondly, the author peddles an ideology which is very pervasive among some Christians and that is the concept that no one can stop sinning. He references Romans 3:23 to support this notion. Yet Romans 3:23 has nothing to do with whether or not a believer in Jesus Christ can stop sinning. Romans 3:23 is a reference regarding Jews and Gentiles alike, as sinners, in need of salvation. It is a reference to the unsaved, not those who have been born again.

We see from Paul’s comments (Romans 6:1-3 above) that we are not to continue in sin once we have experienced the grace of God.

The author of the aforementioned article continues by saying, “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. You do NOT have to give up anything to be saved except your unbelief.”

He is, in essence, peddling the idea that Biblical salvation brings no real change into a person’s life. According to his doctrine, a person could go on living as an adulterer, an ax-murderer, or a blasphemer. There is no end to how far someone might take such teachings.

In view of this author’s comments, notice what Paul continues to say throughout Romans 6:

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Notice Romans 6:17 again:

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD 

If once saved always saved were true, God would have provided a salvation through Christ which is in opposition to his holy and righteous character. Such salvation would prove to be unfaithful to the holiness and righteousness of God, for God would be obligated to permit iniquity into his eternal Kingdom.

The Kingdom of heaven would then be filled, not only with faithful believers in Jesus Christ, but also with those who chose to become blasphemers, murders, adulterers and the such like after their initial faith which they had since denied.

Those who advocate once saved always saved doctrine will often cite 1 Peter 1:5: Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

From this verse, the OSAS’ers focus on the phrase: kept by the power of God. Yet according to the context it is the obedient children of God who are kept by the power of God, and when we see Jesus we will rewarded for the end of our faith, which is the salvation of our souls. ~ See 1 Peter 1:9

The apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:2 saved people are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit TO BE OBEDIENT to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood. (Amplified Bible)

The gift of salvation and the call to obedience to Jesus Christ are inseparable in the New Testament. God calls his people to obey him through Jesus Christ. Those who submit to Jesus and follow him receive saving grace and their sins are washed away.

God does not save anyone who refuses to obey Jesus. In view of the saving grace which comes through Jesus Christ, Peter tells us the following:

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. 

17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear (the fear of the Lord):

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

22 Seeing that you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. ~ 1 Peter 1:13-23 

Obedience to Christ does not mean that we live in such a way that we are under condemnation when we fail, because we are all going to fail from time to time. Obedience to Jesus means that we choose to follow him and we live as followers of Jesus seeking to do God’s will and to please him.

THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE

Having been raised in a church denomination which often taught once saved always saved theology, I became familiar with John 10:27-29

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 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 10:27-29

These verses are often used by those who teach OSAS theology, and  I’d dare say that these verses are the “go –to” text more than any other when defending OSAS teachings. Those who cite these verses make their case by appealing primarily to verses 28 and 29. They claim that in these verses is the promise of unconditional eternal security.

With this in mind, let’s look again at verses 28-29.

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

The problem with citing these verses as evidence of unconditional eternal security is that those who do so actually do so in view of a one time believing experience. Yet the context of Jesus’ words does not apply to those who have had a one time believing experience. Instead, they apply to those who follow Jesus. Consider verse 27:

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…

The eternal life promised by Jesus in John 10:27-29 is said within the context of the Shepherd and the sheep. A sheep that follows the shepherd will be safe. A sheep who wanders away from the shepherd will not.

Those who follow Jesus have eternal life, and they are the ones who are securely held in his hand and in his Father’s hand. Jesus is the good Shepherd and he will keep us in his care if we follow him. If we do not follow him, there is no promise of eternal security.

Consider the following from John 8:

30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ~ John 8:30-32

One does not have the promise of eternal life through a one time believing experience if he refuses to become a disciple. The promise of eternal life applies only to those who follow Jesus.

He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. ~ Matthew 10:38

 

THE NEW BIRTH & SANCTIFICATION 

The theology known as once saved always saved is founded on human logic rather than on Biblical truth, especially when addressing what it means to be born again. One popular argument claims that you cannot be unborn once you have been reborn. Therefore you cannot lose out in your relationship with God.

The twin sister to this argument is the argument that salvation is a gift freely given with no strings attach. Therefore, those who receive this gift are under no obligation to live a set apart life for God. Therefore the gift of salvation is offered entirely as a free gift apart from sanctification.

This is not so according to the apostle Peter.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  ~ 1 Peter 1:22-23

The purifying of your soul through obedience in verse 22 and being born again in verse 23 are two descriptions of the same thing. Thus salvation is not a separate issue from sanctification but the beginning of a life of sanctification.

Those who claim that a person can be saved without sanctification at work in a person’s life are teaching Biblical error and promoting false conversions.

The language “born again” and “born of God” is employed by the apostle John more than any other writer in the new testament. In fact, the other new testament writers use this language very little in reference to salvation. Therefore if we wish to get a handle of what it means to be born again we need to examine the writings John in the new testament.

Consider the following from 1 John:

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. ~ 1 John 2:29

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (habitually practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (habitually practice) sin, because he is born of God. ~ 1 John 3:9

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. ~1 John 4:7

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. ~1 John 5:1 

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ~1 John 5:4

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not (does not habitually practice sin); but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. ~1 John 5:18

As you can see, every one of these scriptures speak of being born again in view of sanctification. Notice the immediate context surrounding 1 John 3:9

8 He that committeth (habitually practices) sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (habitually practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (habitually practice) sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:8-10 

The very thing that many OSAS’ers defend as having no bearing on a person’s salvation –habitually practicing sin– is the very thing that distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil.

SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part One)

A wonderful promise given to believers in Jesus Christ is the promise of being sealed with the Holy Spirit  ~ See 2 Corinthians 1:22; & Ephesians 1:13; 4:30.

In Ephesians 1 we read the following:

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:  in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise. ~ Ephesians 1:7-13 

Does being sealed with the Holy Spirit mean that after a person has a one time believing experience, eternal security is unequivocally promised, even if a person chooses to abandon his faith and live an egregiously sinful life?

Those who defend OSAS theology will sometimes take the phrase, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and argue that the seal cannot be broken, even though the text itself does not make this argument.

The words in Ephesians 1:7-13 say absolutely nothing regarding eternal security as advocated by those who teach once saved always saved theology. How then should we interpret the meaning of being sealed with the Holy Spirit?

To begin, it would behoove us to read other scriptures which speak of being sealed with the Holy Spirit, especially any others that would appear in the same letter. Do we have any such verses? Yes we do.

Ephesians 4 warns us to “grieve not the Holy Spirit whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). The questions we must ask then are these: (1) What grieves the Holy Spirit? (2) What are the consequences of grieving the Holy Spirit?

Let’s begin with the question, What grieves the Holy Spirit?

Obviously forsaking Christ and living in sin would grieve God’s Spirit, and with this in view let’s consider the wider context of Ephesians 4:30 beginning with verse 17 through the end of the chapter.

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts; 

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ~ Ephesians 4:17-32 

At this point it would be profitable to recognize that the conduct of the old man grieves the holy Spirit with whom we are sealed. Therefore we are told to put off the old man and put on the new which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

At the very least we can conclude at this point that Paul is not relaying the message that a person can live in a way that grieves the Holy Spirit with no worries regarding his salvation. There is absolutely nothing in Ephesians which communicates this belief.

Now let’s go on and consider what Paul says on the other side of the Ephesians 4:30 as we read into chapter 5. Keep in mind that the instruction to “grieve not the holy Spirit whereby you are SEALED unto the day of redemption,”is within the context of what we just read and what we are about to read.

Consider verses 1-17.

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

² And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

⁵ For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ~ Ephesians 5:1-17

If nothing else, the honest reader ought to be able to come to the conclusion that Paul is in no way advocating that a person can live ungodly because the seal whereby they were sealed cannot be broken. There is absolutely nothing within the book of Ephesians which supports such a conclusion. The flow of thought is quite the opposite.

SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (PART 2)

In Part One we saw that the train of thought in Ephesians regarding being sealed with the Holy Spirit has nothing to do with the promise of eternal security for those who forsake God and live ungodly. The train of thought is to live a life of  godliness, in righteousness and true holiness because we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

The scriptures do not say we are sealed with eternal security, but rather sealed with the Holy Spirit. It is a twisted way of thinking to claim that a person can live in adultery, or be a child molester, or a sex trafficker, or a murderer and have eternal life because they are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Remember it is the Holy Spirit with whom we are sealed and our life should reflect His influence and not be lived according to the old person we were before we were saved.

In 1 Timothy 2:19, we read the following:

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Consider also the following from 1 Thessalonians 4:

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 

8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

Notice, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, we are not to despise the call of God unto holiness. Paul says emphatically that God has not called us to uncleanness but to holiness instead, and if anyone despises this, they are despising God who has given us His Holy Spirit.

In view of such statements, and the context of Ephesians, wherein we read of being sealed with the Holy Spirit, we can conclude that nowhere is Paul, or any New Testament writer promoting that anyone will be saved if they live in a way that despises God’s call to live holy.

Now consider these words from Hebrews 10:

28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 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, wherein he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 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.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10: 28-31 

Notice that in Hebrews 10:28-31 (above) those referenced are Christians who turn away from the Lord, for they had been at one time sanctified by the blood of the covenant, but had despised the Spirit of grace.

This does not mean that all backslidden people are beyond the reach of God’s mercy and grace because James tells us; “brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

The warnings in Hebrews reveal that a person can turn away from the faith completely if they so chose. Consider Hebrews 6:

⁴ 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,

⁵ And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

⁶ 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

There are those who are backslidden, who come to repentance and there are some who knowingly turn away completely. Notice the qualifications concerning these as mentioned in Hebrews 6:

1. They were enlightened (they heard the gospel and were convicted).

2. They tasted the heavenly gift (this is salvation, for Jesus is the heavenly gift).

3. They were partakers of the Holy Spirit (they walked in the fullness of the Spirit).

4. They had tasted the good word of God (they were spiritually mature having gone beyond the milk of the word).

5. They had tasted the powers of the world to come (Hebrews 2:4-5 refers to “signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost” as that which has to do with the world to come. So God’s power was evident in their lives).

Nowhere in scripture is the ideology taught that a person who chooses to live unholy and ungodly by despising God’s call to holiness, has eternal security simply because of a one time believing experience.

Consider again Romans 6:17- 23.

¹⁷ But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

¹⁸ Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

¹⁹ I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

²⁰ For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

²¹ What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

²² But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 6:17- 23

IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS 

One of the many errors of the modern day once saved always saved theology is the belief that the saving grace of God is a free gift with no obligation to live for Jesus.

This version of the free gift of grace is accompanied with the belief that the personal righteousness of Jesus is imputed at the time of a one time believing experience, and all who receive this imputed righteousness have it regardless if they live a godly or godless life.

In this theology, it is possible for one who has been “once saved” to live as an adulterer, a child molester, a sex trafficker, an ax murderer, a blasphemer, a drunkard, a drug war Lord, etc.., and still have eternal life, because the gift of saving grace and the imputed righteousness of Christ is irrevocable.

Consider what has just been said. In this theology, an adulterer, a child molester, a sex trafficker, an ax murderer, a blasphemer, a drunkard, and a drug war Lord, are exempt from condemnation for their sins because they have Christ’s righteousness imputed to them, even while they are doing such things.

In contrast to such perverse theology, consider again 1 John 3:7-10

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth (habitually practices) sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 

9 Whosoever is born of God doeth not commit (habitually practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (habitually practice) sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ~ 1 John 3:7-10 

Those who teach imputed righteousness apart from faithfulness to Jesus teach serious and egregious error. There is no freeloading on the righteousness of Jesus Christ for those who love their sin and refuse to give it up.

DOES SIN AFFECT A BELIEVER OUTWARDLY ONLY AND NOT INWARDLY?

Here is a quote from someone commenting on 1 John 3:9 in defense of OSAS theology: “Outwardly one can sin, but their soul doesn’t sin. That’s why they cannot sin; their inner being does not sin.”

This is the kind of conclusion that a person comes to based on eisegesis (interpreting a text or portion of text in such a way that the process introduces one’s own presuppositions,) rather than exegesis (interpreting the text based on the context).

The explanation above “outwardly one can sin, but their soul doesn’t sin” is a mystical belief and nowhere in the flow of thought in 1 John.

The words, commit sin, actually means habitually practices sin. Other good translations of the Bible, such as the Amplified Bible, bear this out, as well as a thorough reading of 1 John.

In 1 John he that commits (habitually practices) sin is set in opposition to the one who habitually practice righteous living. Consider the immediate context:

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth (habitually practices) sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doeth not commit (habitually practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (habitually practice) sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ~ 1 John 3:7-10

As you can see, it has nothing to do with any sort of concept that your soul or spirit cannot sin. It actually is referring to your conduct and actions.

With regards to sin not being able to affect a person’s soul, Paul tells the believers at Corinth “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 7:1

Notice that Paul tells them to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. The letters of first and second Corinthians were written to believers and not to a mix of believers and unbelievers. Notice that Paul includes himself in the statement above, using the pronoun us: “let us cleanses ourselves…”

In 1 Corinthians Paul had rebuked the Corinthian believers for allowing fornication of go on in their midst. In 2 Corinthians, after they repented and dealt this sin, Paul writes the following:

⁸ For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

⁹ Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

¹⁰ For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

¹¹ For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 

Notice that the repentance of the Corinthians had an effect on their spiritual disposition. Sin absolutely does have an effect on our soul, that is why we need cleansing with the precious blood of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit when we sin.

Consider also 1 Thessalonians 5:23:

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice that Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians was that their whole spirit, soul and bodies would be preserved blameless until the coming of the Lord.

In the book of the Revelation, Jesus said the following to the church at Sardis:

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will come upon thee.

4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. ~ Revelation 3:2-5 

Notice that some of these had defiled their spiritual garments and Jesus had not found their works perfect in the sight of God. Now, going back to 1 John notice the reference to works:

VERSE 8: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the works of the devil.

VERSES 9-12 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (habitually practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (habitually practice) sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

The works being referred to by John are our actions. John goes on to say the following:

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. ~ 1 john 3:10-15

Sin affects the whole man, not just outwardly.

DOES GOD CONVICT CHRISTIANS OF SIN?

Does the Holy Spirit convict the believer of sin?

Some claim that He doesn’t and even go as far as to say that God no longer sees any of our sins. Is this claim supported by the scriptures?

Allow me to ask the following question:

Was the Apostle Paul inspired by the Spirit of the Lord to write to the Corinthian Church?

Certainly he was.

If God doesn’t see the believer’s sins and the Holy Spirit doesn’t convict believers of sin, why did God, through His Holy Spirit, inspire Paul to address the sin of fornication within the church at Corinth? Why did Paul, inspired by God, rebuke the Corinthians for not grieving because this severe sin was in their midst?

In 1 Corinthians Paul says: It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. ~ 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

Then in 2 Corinthians Paul says the following:

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

So I ask again, was Paul inspired by God to deal with the issue of sin among the Corinthian believers? If so then God knew about their sin and admonished them to deal with it, therefore it is scriptural to say that the Holy Spirit will convict a believer who is in sin.

ONCE FOR ALL

The author of Hebrews places emphasis on the finished work of Christ and refers to it as once and for all. Does this mean that those who have been saved can’t err from the truth and be entangled again in sin?  Not exactly, for the Book of Hebrews would then contradict its own exhortation?

Contextually, the putting away of sin and the once for all references have to do with the superiority of the New Covenant in contrast to the Old: with the permanency of the finished work of Christ in contrast to the imperfect atonement under the Law which was merely as shadow of things to come.

Notice the following from Hebrews 7.

²⁵ Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

²⁷ Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

²⁸ For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. ~ Hebrews 7:25-28 

Notice also the following from Hebrews 10.

¹⁰ By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

¹¹ And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

¹² But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God… ~ Hebrews 10:10-12

The blood of animals could not purify man’s conscience in the sight of God and those offerings were not sufficient to provide lasting atonement for all sin, therefore atonement had to be made annually for the nation, and daily, for individuals. Furthermore, those sacrifices could not take away sin and cleanse the conscience from guilt. Jesus’ sacrifice, however, provided atonement once and for all. His sacrifice is perfect and avails forever.

Again, Christ’s sacrifice being, once for all, does not mean that God can’t see our sins. It does not mean that we do not need to repent when we know we have sinned. It simply means that there is no longer any need for offerings for sins. Jesus’ sacrifice will cleanse us and keep on cleaning us when we sin if we continue in faith towards Christ.

Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek (He is both Priest and King seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High). There will never, ever, be a need for another sacrifice or another priest. In fact, the Book of Hebrews tells us that if we go on sinning (living in sin and rejecting Jesus) after we have received the knowledge of the truth there is no more offering for sin.

Jesus’ ministry as our priest is unlike those who were ordained under the Law: He does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. ~ Hebrews 7:27

HEBREWS, A BOOK OF EXHORTATION TO BELIEVERS

Many view the book of Hebrews as a doctrinal book and it does contain many very helpful doctrinal truths but in the mind of its author, it was a letter of exhortation to believers. In 13:22 he says, “I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto YOU in few words.”

Notice that the author of Hebrews addresses his epistle as an exhortation to the brethren.

He does not say exhortations (plural) but exhortation (singular). Why is this important? It is important because some who choose to hold to OSAS theology dismiss the warnings given in Hebrews, claiming that Hebrews was written to a mixture of saved and unsaved Hebrew people.

They claim that as a fellow Hebrew, the author refers to the saved and unsaved as brethren and therefore we must determine to whom the writer is speaking in a particular verse based on its content.  Therefore if it’s a warning, the conclusion is that verse pertains to unbelievers. If it is encouraging, that verse belongs to believers.

Quite honestly this is not only a strange way to interpret scripture, it is very telling of the how far those who embrace OSAS ideology will go to make the words of scripture fit into their way of believing.

First, those who take such a position make the assumption that the book of Hebrews was absolutely written by a believing Hebrew Christian such as Paul. While I personally believe that Hebrews was most likely written by Paul, and if not by Paul, certainly a believing Hebrew, there is no definitive evidence that this is so, because, historically, the author is unknown.

Those who claim that the writer of Hebrews uses the term brethren as a description of his fellow Hebrews (saved and unsaved) eliminate any possibility that Hebrews could have been written by a Gentile believer. There is no hard evidence which supports this.

Secondly, the belief that the author uses the term brethren to refer to saved and unsaved Hebrews alike, simply does not work with the letter itself. No good communicator would ever craft a letter wherein the recipients had to break it apart to figure out to whom he is speaking based on what he’s saying in a particular sentence as he goes back and forth from one group to another. The entire reasoning is flawed.

When we consider the content of the book of Hebrews we can conclude that it was written before the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. because the writer of Hebrews makes reference to the temple service, the priests, and the sacrifices in the present tense. In the present tense, he makes a comparison between the superiority of Jesus’ ministry in the heavens (in the greater and more perfect tabernacle) in contrast to that which was on earth (which only served as a shadow and an example) to point men to Christ.

Many who continued in the old Jewish system rejected the Christian faith and persecuted the Jewish Christians. We see this play out in Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts. In Hebrews 10, the writer of Hebrews addresses it as well.

32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.

33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.

34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. ~ Hebrews 10:32-34 (The New Living Translation)

According to the author, his audience had suffered for their faith in Christ.

In chapter 2, he tells them that they are sanctified by Jesus as brethren to Christ and as the church. He goes on to say that Jesus is a faithful high priest for them: his brethren.

In 3:1, the author of Hebrews addresses his audience as holy brethren and partakers of the heavenly calling. He tells them that Jesus is the apostle and high priest of their profession of faith. This would no doubt be believers and not unbelievers.

Nowhere in the entire letter is he talking to unbelievers. He calls them brethren throughout the letter (2:11, 12, 17; 3:1, 12; 7:5; 10:19; 13:22). He also includes himself by using the pronouns we (51 times) us (31 times) and our (16 times). He also refers to his audience as “beloved” in 6:9.

The author of Hebrews tells them they are partakers of Christ’s house if the hold fast to the faith (3:6,14). In chapters 5 and 6 he admonishes them to move on from the elementary stages of the Christian faith to maturity.

¹² For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

¹³ For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

¹⁴ But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. ~ Hebrews 5:12-14 

According to the author of Hebrews his audience was still living as babes in Christ in their spiritual growth and unable to teach others because they were not yet skillful in the word of righteousness. In chapter 6, he urges them to move on to perfection (i.e., spiritual maturity).

He admonished them regarding those who turn back (6:4-5) and declares that he is persuaded differently about them:

⁷ For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

⁸ But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

⁹ But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. ~ Hebrews 6:7-9

Verse 9 (above) speaks volumes of the author’s view of those to whom he is writing. Though he gives them repeated warnings concerning the danger of apostasy, he constantly affirms them as believers and admonishes them to continue going forward. Notice verses 10-12 which follows the previous verses of Hebrews 6:7-9 above:

¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

¹¹ And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

¹² That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ~ Hebrews 6:10-12 

Again, notice how the author of Hebrews mixes admonition with encouragement; encouragement that God has not forgotten, and admonishment not to give up but to preserver until the end.

Exhortation mixed with admonition is weaved all throughout the letter to the Hebrews as he repeatedly explains and admonishes them concerning the importance of perseverance in the faith.

Later in his letter, in chapter 11, he speaks of many of the old testament saints who persevered in faith, referring to them as a great cloud of witnesses as he urges his audience to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets them. He tells them run with patience the race set before them as they look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

He admonishes them concerning the chastisement of the Lord which comes through in the stern warnings given in his letter as he reminds them to whom they belong:

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. ~ Hebrews 12:22-24

He exhorts them to not refuse him who speaks from heaven but rather to have grace so that they will serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. ~ See Hebrews 12:25-29.

As he begins to close his letter (chapter 13) he tells them to do the following:

• continue in brotherly love
• entertain strangers
• remember those who are in prison
• remember those who are being mistreated
• be faithful in marriage
• do not love money
• remember God’s promise to never fail or leave them
• remember those who have taught them the word of God and follow their faith
• do not be carried away by various and strange doctrines
• establish your hearts in grace
• bear the Lord’s reproach (i.e., suffer for his name)
• offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually in the name of Jesus
• don’t neglect doing good to the needy
• submit to those who are their leaders in the Lord
• continue praying for him (the writer) and those with him.

Finally, he closes his letter with the following words:

²⁰ Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

²¹ Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

²² And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

²³ Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

²⁴ Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. they of Italy salute you. 

²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen. ~ Hebrews 13:20-25 

One reading the book of Hebrews on its own merit would never come away with the notion that Hebrews was written to a mixture of saved and unsaved Hebrews. The letter speaks for itself.

THE WARNINGS IN HEBREWS 

The first warning, found in Hebrews 2:1-3, tells us that neglecting our great salvation will result in punishment just as disobedience to the words spoken by angels, under the Law, also resulted in punishment.

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

² For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

³ How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him… ~ Hebrews 2:1-3

If it were not possible to fall away from God’s grace, then why would the author of Hebrews admonish his readers not to allow the things concerning the great salvation they had received, slip? What would be the purpose for the warning: How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?

Escape what? What are we in danger of?

If it is impossible to never depart from the Lord once we have known the way of righteousness what are we in danger of? Is it just a gold ole scolding before the judgment seat of Christ for not being a good Christian? What are we in danger of? The repeated warning throughout Hebrews is the danger of apostasy or abandoning our faith which has eternal reward if we continue in the faith, and eternal consequences if we abandon the faith.

The second warning (Hebrews 3:7- 4:1) exhorts us not to harden our hearts to the voice of the Holy Spirit through unbelief. In this section we are reminded that God swore in his wrath that those who provoked Him in the wilderness also died in the wilderness and did not enter into His rest.

We are warned that we need to fear God so that we do not become like those in the wilderness who fell short of entering His rest (which according to the context is eternal rest). It is clear from the context that the same God who swore in his wrath: “they shall not enter my rest,” and did not spare those who rebelled in the wilderness, will not spare us either, if we harden our hearts through unbelief and the deceitfulness of sin.

¹² Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

¹³ But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

¹⁴ For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end… ~ Hebrews 3:12-14 

Jude, in his brief epistle, also draws on this account when he writes to the brethren exhorting them to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3-5 says the following:

³ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

⁴ For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵ I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. ~ Jude 1:3-5

Why would this exhortation be necessary if it were impossible to fall from (abandon) the grace of God once we have been saved? Both Jude and the writer of Hebrews address the importance of persevering in the true faith.

If we embrace OSAS theology we are rejecting the New Testament admonitions that Israel’s unbelief and disobedience in the wilderness serves as an example to us. (See Hebrews 3-4; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Jude 1:3-7)

The third warning (Hebrews 5:11- 6:20) is against slothfulness which results in apostasy. We are told in very clear and precise terms that if we become slothful in our faith we are in danger of being condemned and cursed.

In 1 Timothy Paul says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, Giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:1 

Departing from the faith is the same language that the writer of Hebrews employs, and the exhortations to continue steadfastly in the faith comes through loud and clear throughout the book of Hebrews.

The fourth warning (Hebrews 10:26-39) is against willfully sinning and drawing back. Here is what Hebrews 10:26-31 says:

²⁶ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

²⁷ But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

²⁸ He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

²⁹ 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?

³⁰ 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.

³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:26-31 

The fifth warning (Hebrews 12:14-29) sums up all the other warnings – beware of sin and rejection of Jesus.

Many of you recognize the words, our God is a consuming fire, but do you know the context of these words? Many quote this in connection with God’s love, but the scripture do not use it that way. These words, in both the Old and New Testament, are used in connection with God’s holiness and righteous judgment against sin (i.e. His jealously expressed in anger which results in the punishment of our sins).

Here is how Moses used the words:

²¹ Furthermore the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:

²² But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.

²³ Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee.

²⁴ For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

²⁵ When thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the Lord thy God, to provoke him to anger … ~ Deuteronomy 4:21-25 

Now notice the context from Hebrews 12:25-29:

²⁵ See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

²⁶ Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

²⁷ And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire. ~ Hebrews 12:25-29

Notice the words:“…let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”

IS PAUL MAKING AN EXCUSE FOR SIN IN ROMANS 7?

In Romans 7 Paul is speaking from the vantage point of one who is under the Law. Paul’s statements are not about his lack of power to deal with sin now that he has come to Christ. Instead, these words are a part of his expounding on the Law and grace and the effects the Law has on a person in the flesh without the grace of Christ.

In Romans 8, Paul says “the law was weak through the flesh.” The Law can only bring the sinner under condemnation, but grace gives us victory over sin and condemnation.

Throughout the entirely of Romans 6 Paul shows how the one who has received saving grace is dead to sin through Jesus Christ, and therefore sin is not to reign over them.

In Titus 2:11-15 Paul says that saving grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts by living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Saving grace does not teach us that we cannot overcome sin. Saving grace teaches us how to overcome sin.

In 2 Timothy 2:19 Paul tells us the following:

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 

In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul says the following:

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:2-7

In Romans 7 Paul, as a skillful teacher, speaks figuratively from the vantage point of one who is under the Law, to explain the influence that the Law has on the one who is under the bondage of sin. The Law had no power to give life to the one entrapped in his sins. Only Christ Jesus can set a person free from sin.

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ~ Romans 8:1-4

The law was weak through the flesh and therefore could not deliver man from his sins, and this is exactly what Paul in explaining in Romans 7:7-25, as he speaks from the vantage point of the effects of the law on those who are under it’s condemnation.

Is the concept of the church age taught within the Bible? It may surprise you that there is not a single text in scripture which mentions a church age which will come to an end during the time of the second coming of Christ. Let’s begin by looking at what the scriptures actually teach.

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord… ~ Ephesians 3:4-11

God’s eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus is that Jews and Gentiles be united into one family through Jesus Christ. Paul refers to this union as the church. There in no such thing in scripture as a “Gentile church”. There were congregations to which Paul’s ministry served that consisted of mostly Gentiles because they were in areas heavily populated with Gentiles, but never is the church identified as a Gentile entity in the New Testament. The church is always those from among the Jews and Gentiles who are united into one family in Christ Jesus.

The concept of the “church age” is predicated on the idea that the New Testament church is a Gentile entity. This is a faulty premise for the church is not a Gentile entity. The church began with Jewish followers of Jesus who took the gospel message, first to the Jews, then to the whole world.

According to the apostle Paul, God will be glorified in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.~ Ephesians 3:20-21

If you are waiting for the church age to expire so God can get back to separating the Jews from the Gentiles, it’s not going to happen. God is going to be glorified in the Church (the union of Jews and Gentiles in Christ) throughout all ages.

Many “prophecy experts” claim that God has a separate plan for Israel than for the church even though the church is a Jewish concept and was established on the message of the Jewish apostles who were sent by Jesus to proclaim the gospel. It is Gentiles who are grafted into the Jewish message that Jesus is the Messiah, and not the other way around. Jews are not grafted into a Gentile entity when they believe the gospel. Rather Gentiles are grafted into the family of Abraham through faith in Jesus.

The New Testament does not teach that God will revert back to national Israel with an Old Testament stylistic system of worship after he brings an end to the “Gentile church age.” This concept is foreign to the gospel revealed in the New Testament

Those who teach  a return to the law for the Jew after the so-called church age, claim that God has unfulfilled promises to Israel which does not include the church. No such doctrine withstands the cross examination of the New Testament.

The church consisting of Jews and Gentiles is the plan that was hidden in God during Old Testament times when Israel was under the Mosaic covenant.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel…~ Ephesians 2:11-3:6

The dispensation of the grace of God is not the dispensation of the Gentile church age as some may think. It is the dispensation of grace in which Gentiles are made fellow heirs with the Jews to whom the promises of redemption were given. 

Israel’s prophets had prophesied of Israel’s redemption in terms they could understand, yet the full revelation of those prophesies was hidden in a mystery, and were not fully revealed until after the Holy Spirit was given on he Day of Pentecost. Paul describes the hidden plan of God (Jews and Gentiles united as one family in Christ) as the mystery of Christ, and says it was not made known in other ages as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (a reference to the apostles and ministers of Christ to whom the message of the gospel was entrusted after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus).

Christian Zionists claim that they believe in the literal interpretation of the promises made to Israel even through the apostle Peter, a man who walked with Jesus and was personally trained by Jesus, said, “the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” ~ 1 Peter 1:10-11

If the very prophets who spoke for God could not fully understand intellectually the full meaning of their messages from God, why do Christian Zionists think anyone ought to be able to read the prophecies given by the prophets to Israel and plainly understand them?

After his resurrection, Jesus had to open the understanding of his disciples so they could understand the prophetic scriptures which testified of him, even though they had walked with Jesus and been trained by him for 3 – 3.5 years ~ See Luke 24

God’s plan concerning Israel’s redemption was hidden in a mystery. Being hidden implies that it can not be understood by human intellect, but requires the revelation of the Spirit of God.

Who then has the authoritative interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies given to Israel? It is the apostles who gave us the New Testament scriptures. Let’s consider 3 examples from the New Testament which interpret the prophecies given to Israel. There are more examples in the New Testament, but these will suffice for now.

First, in the gospel of Luke, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied by the Holy Spirit the following words about Jesus:

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an Horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began… ~ Luke 1:68-70

Notice that Zacharias says, “God has visited and redeemed Israel,” and claims this was testified by God’s holy prophets since the beginning of the world.

The redemption of Israel is not something in waiting. According to the prophecy given by Zacharias, Israel’s redemption has already come through Jesus Christ. Zacharias also prophesied to John the Baptist (only 8 days old) saying, “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby The Day spring from on high hath visited us.” ~ Luke 1:76-78 .

Remember these words were spoken in an entirely Jewish context in view of God’s promised redemption for Israel.

Now consider another example from the book of Acts. The apostle Peter preaching to his Jewish brethren said the following:

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. ~ Acts 3:18-19

Notice that Peter tells his Jewish brethren to repent and be converted. Is this the message of modern day Zionism? No it isn’t. The Zionist narrative claims that God has a separate plan for Israel than for the church, yet Peter tells his Jewish kinsmen to to repent and be converted. Peter continues:

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. ~ Acts 3:20-23

Notice the similarities between Peter’s words (which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his prophets since the world began) and the words of Zacharias’s prophecy (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began…)

Both Zacharias before the birth of Jesus, and Peter after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, declare that the God’s words through the prophets to Israel are fulfilled in the the person of Jesus Christ in relation to his first coming.

Peter tells his fellow Jews that Moses prophesied to Israel that God would raise up a prophet like himself who would be the leader of Israel. John the Baptist was asked by the religious establishment in Israel if he was “that prophet.” He denied that he was and declared that Jesus is.

The message of the New Testament to the people of Israel is that Jesus is the prophet that Moses said would come and all who will not listen to that prophet would be cut off from God’s people. In Acts 7 Stephen declared the following as he testified of Jesus before the Sanhedrin: Moses, …said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us… ~ Acts 7:37-38

Note that Stephen refers to Israel in the wilderness as “the church in the wilderness.” The church is not a New Testament concept. 

Now lets continue with Peter’s words to the Jews in Acts 3.

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. ~ Acts 3:18-26

Now the words of Paul from Acts 13:

Of this man’s seed (King David’s seed) hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. ~ Acts 13:23-39

Even though Paul says to the Jews that they would be justified through Jesus by faith and that they could not be justified by the law of Moses, Christian Zionists and their prophecy experts preach a futuristic plan of God that brings them back under the law with a fabricated temple service and animal sacrifices that God clearly says in scripture he takes no pleasure in.

Now notice the next two verses which are critical to the point that is being made in this teaching.

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. ~ v. 40-41

The apostle Paul does not preach another alternative to the his Jewish brethren after the flesh. He gives them a stern warning from the prophets. While the prophecy experts within Christian Zionism claim that God has another plan for modern day Israel because he has unfulfilled promises to them spoken through the prophets, the apostle Paul says otherwise, claiming that God has fulfilled his promise to Israel by the resurrection of Jesus.

Paul cites the warning of destruction which was given by prophets to Israel which should come on all within Israel who refused to believe the gospel. Jesus is Israel’s Messiah, and their redemption has already come through Jesus, now they are required to believe the gospel. No rebuilt temple with animal sacrifice will led them to God. They must believe the gospel and be grafted back into their tree of which the root is Jesus, who is also the foundation of the church (Jews and gentiles in one family) with no end.

There are some who preach and teach “God is not mad at you” as an across-the-board truth which applies to everyone. This belief is based on the idea that the death of Jesus has forever satisfied the wrath of God. Consequently God isn’t angry with anyone, not even the hard hearted who refuses to repent, but does the Bible actually teach this?

Consider the words of Paul to the Corinthians, Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:11

Consider also that Paul told the Thessalonians that the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus, and who were hindering his ministry to the Gentiles, were under God’s wrath. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

Paul believed the hostile Jews who put Jesus to death and who continued in their hostility by opposing the gospel were under the wrath of God. Paul says this after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Yet there are modern day teachers who claim that no one is under God’s wrath because of their “theological” claims that God poured out his wrath on Jesus.

One well know minister has said the following:

Jesus forever changed the way God relates to mankind. Sure, there are scriptural examples of God’s catastrophic judgment on sin. But God’s greatest act of judgment was when He placed all of His wrath for our sins upon Jesus. This forever satisfied God’s wrath. Since that time, God hasn’t been judging our sins.

Compare the quote above with Paul’s words form in the book of Romans:

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ~ Romans 12:19

If no one is under the wrath of God, as some claim, Paul would not have taught that we who follow Jesus are not appointed to wrath at the coming of the Lord, but those who refuse to obey the gospel are under the wrath of God when Christ comes. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:8 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

If no one is under the wrath of God, the author of Hebrews would never have said that those who turn away from the Lord have nothing to look forward to except for a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 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 10:27, 30-31

Peter tells us that God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes and condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished,  ~ 2 Peter 2:6-9

The apostle Peter also declared: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? ~ 1 Peter 4:17

The teacher whose comment is referenced above has made a bold statement based on his theological assessment that God placed all his wrath on Jesus which is nowhere taught in the Bible.

According to the Bible, Jesus suffered under the wrath of men, who opposed God and Jesus. ~ Acts 4:25-27.

In Acts 7, Stephen asserted that Jesus had been murdered. Stephen declared this to those who were about to stone him, saying to them that they had been “the betrayers and murderers of Jesus.” ~ Acts 7:52

According to the prophet Isaiah, and Philip preaching to the Eunuch, Jesus was deprived of justice from the time of his arrest until his death on the cross. ~ Isaiah 53:8, Acts 8:33

As Jesus prepared his disciples for the things he was to suffer in his death, he told his disciples that he would suffer at the hands of men.

See Matthew 16:21; 17:9, 22-23; 20:17-19; 26:1-2, 24, 31, 45; 26:51-56; Mark 8:31; 9:9-11, 31-32, 10:32-34; 14:27, 43-50; 15:27-28; Luke 9:21-22, 44-45; 17:24-25; 18:31-34; 22:37; 24:1-8, 13-27, 44-48; John 18:31-32; 19:24, 28

In the book of Acts, the declaration of the gospel by the apostles and men like Stephen, was that Jesus had suffered an unjust death at the hands of sinful men.

See Acts 2:22-24, 36; 3:13-18; 4:10-11, 20, 23- 28; 5:30-32; 7:52; 10:36-43

Neither Jesus, nor any of his followers in scripture ever preached that Jesus died under the wrath of God. They always attributed the death of Christ to the hands of sinful men, and they preached the resurrection as God’s righteous vindication of his Son, Jesus.

According to the apostle Peter, the sufferings Jesus endured serves as our example of how we are to respond when we suffer wrongfully.

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 2:19-25

Notice that in view of Jesus suffering for us, Peter says that Jesus committed himself to God who judges righteously, setting an example that we should follow when we suffer wrongfully. Peter would not have said this if Jesus had suffered under God’s righteous wrath.

According to the author of Hebrews, Jesus endured hostility from sinners when he died on the cross (Hebrews 12:2-3) and he endured such hostility by the grace of God. ~ Hebrews 2:9

Paul tells us in Romans, the reproaches of those who reproached (defamed) God fell upon Jesus. ~ Romans 15:3

Jesus was crucified by those who were in opposition to God. The condemnation Jesus endured from sinful men, was sinful man’s opposition against God. This is exactly why the disciples prayed in Acts 4 saying: The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and his Christ. ~ Acts 4:26

Within the context of Acts 4:26 (mentioned above) the disciples of the Lord made appeal to Psalm 2, which clearly reveals that Jesus was condemned, not by the wrath of God, but by the wrath of sinful men: why do THE HEATHEN RAGE and the people imagine vain thing.

Heathen raging, is an expression of the heathen’s wrath. Jesus died under the wrath of heathen, and not the wrath of a holy God. The hatred and opposition from sinful men, who condemned Jesus to death, was hatred and opposition against God who sent Jesus. This is what the four gospels and the book of Acts repeatedly give testimony concerning.

According to Jesus, God was with him when he gave his life (John 8:29; 16:28-32) and this is exactly what the prophet Isaiah said. ~ Isaiah 50:5-9

Jesus endure such opposition from sinful men in order that he might give his life as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is the gift of God to us, but he is also the gift to God on our behalf, for he gave himself to God as a holy sacrifice, as a sweet -savor offering (Ephesians 5:2), when he offered his holy life on the altar of the cross for us.

The one who desires to obey God is NOT under God’s wrath. The one who despises God and rejects his goodness is. Those who abduct children, rape children, murder innocent people, live in adultery, mock Jesus, etc., are  absolutely under God’s wrath. Only by repenting and being saved through the cross of Jesus Christ, is the wrath of God turned away from such people.

God patiently gives them space to repent, but God is not, “not angry”, with them. He is angry with the wicked every day. ~ Psalm 7:11

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. ~ Ephesians 5:3-6

For years I thought that being in the ministry meant being paid or financially supported in some way. This is a westernized idea. Not a Christian truth.

Being in ministry should be about obeying God and doing that which God called us to do. If God called you, the calling is not revoked just because you no longer hold a salaried position or paid for your service.

Many Pastors would be shocked to learn that the apostle Paul elected to pay his own way rather than  use his right to receive support. I no longer desire a paid ministry position, yet I am just as called today as I was 30 or 40 years ago. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance.

I do not need a paid position to fulfill my calling. I simply need obedience to God. In my journey with the Lord, I have learned the joy of sharing my gift freely, while I trust in God to provide for me in my occupation as a flooring contractor.

I pray that I will have stored up treasure in Heaven when I stand before God.

Too often ministry becomes a career and ceases to be a calling. Burnout doesn’t come from obeying our calling. It comes from forsaking our calling in favor of a salary. There is nothing wrong with being paid a salary as a minister, but obedience to God’s  call on our life is not dependent on it. We do what God has called us to do because we love God and find joy in obeying his will for our life.

I teach because I love Jesus, & because I love the truth of the gospel l, & most of all,  because God loves people. Knowing that I am giving people that which God gifted me to do because he loves them, gives me joy and strength.

God has called us because he loves people, and when we co-labor with God and trust him, we find joy in his service and provision for our life.  

 

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. ~ Deuteronomy 8:18

Deuteronomy 8:18 is one of the most often quoted texts by prosperity preachers who cite it as if it is “a spiritual promise” from God for personal wealth and riches. Yet these words were spoken to the corporate nation of Israel, and not to any single individual. God’s intent for Israel was to make them a great nation above all other nations so that His Name would be glorified. God never promised wealth and riches for every individual in Israel.

The laws given to Israel reflect the fact that the nation would be comprised of individuals across all economic classes. Israel’s laws under Moses made numerous distinctions between the rich and the poor.

There were laws addressing creditors, loans, debts, bribes etc. Consider the following:

If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. ~ Exodus 22:25

You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. ~ Leviticus 19:15

And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. ~ Leviticus 23:22

If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. ~ Leviticus 25:35

The promise of wealth which God gave to Israel was national and was dependent on Israel’s loyalty to God and obedience to the law. The wealth of the nation would enable Israel to have a Sabbatical year at the end of every 7th year.

At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord‘s release. Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release; Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the Lord shall greatly bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it: Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. ~ Deuteronomy 15:1-11

Notice the distinction in the verses above between the prosperity of the nation and fact that the poor will never cease out of the land. God’s promise was to increase the well fare and well being of the nation so that Israel could take care of their own and lend to many nations rather than being indebted to other nations.

The power to get wealth in Deuteronomy 8:18 is national, and not individual, for there would always be poor among them. Consider that when Joseph and Mary presented Jesus, their firstborn to God, they gave an offering which was commanded in the law: a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons (Luke 2:24). This offering was one which the poor were to bring.

But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean. ~ Leviticus 12:5-8

The phrase “if she be not able” is a reference to her economical status. Other translations provide clarity where the KJV is not so clear. For example, the Amplified Bible says, “If she cannot afford a lamb then she shall take two turtledoves or young pigeons, one as a burnt offering, the other as a sin offering; the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

Joseph and Mary were both chosen by God. Joseph was a just man (Matthew 1:19) and Mary was a virgin who was favored of the Lord (Luke 1:30). Yet they were poor and not wealthy.

When Deuteronomy 8:18 mentioned above is taken out of its contextual setting, and used as a promise that God intends to make every individual Christian materially wealthy, error soon follows.

The apostle Paul, addressing the issue of riches says the following:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. ~1 Timothy 6:6-11

I recently watched as a prosperity preacher refused to read 1 Timothy 6:10 which says, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” His justification for refusing to read this text was his claim that this verse had kept those in the congregation, broke. His exact quote was, “No I’m not going to verse 10. Verse 10 has kept you broke.”

This text which he claims had kept the people broke is part of Paul’s warning to Timothy regarding those who make material riches their pursuit rather than the true riches in Christ. Paul tells Timothy to flee the pursuit of material riches and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness instead. Does this mean that being rich in this world is bad or evil? Absolutely not, but equating earthly riches to godliness is contrary to the doctrine of God.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. ~ 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Paul follows the words above by saying “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” Our pursuit should be godliness with contentment. Paul goes on to instruct Timothy as to what he should teach those who are rich.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. ~1 Timothy 6:17-19

Notice that Paul does not tell Timothy that God promises to make every believer rich, but gives sound instructions for how those who are rich in this world should live godly. They are to:

• not be proud
• not trust in their riches
• be rich in good works with regards to helping others

By doing these things they store up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. In other words, they are using their wealth for godly purposes and storing up treasures in Heaven (godly deeds) rather than storing up material treasures on earth that will eventually be of no value.

Consider the words of James:

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. ~ James 1:9-11

Wealth and riches are temporary, and can not be taken with you. Every billionaire will leave this world when they die as empty handed as the poorest among the poor. This is why the “pursuit” of wealth is vanity, for by this pursuit many “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” ~ 1 Timothy 6:9.

When wealth is obtained honestly by a good work ethic, it is a blessing from God.

Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. ~ Ecclesiastes 5:19

Enjoying the fruits of our labor is a gift from God. Yet too many Christians are being programmed to believe that God wants them to obtain a rich status by their giving. When our giving is motivated by the desire to get, rather than the joy of helping others, our giving is no longer motivated by love.

The apostle Paul says, “though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:3.

The pursuit of riches corrupts even the motives of our giving.

The tragedy of the prosperity gospel is it’s amplification of certain Biblical texts at the expense of other texts which would bring about a balanced scriptural view. Consider the following from the book of Proverbs:

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. ~ Proverbs 30:5-9

The Bible has much to say about wealth and riches. Sometimes it is a blessing from God, and sometimes it is a curse. If our hearts are not pursing godliness, it will certainly be a curse rather than a blessing.

Remember the words of James, “let the rich rejoice in that he is made low.” To be made low is a reference to humility. The rich are instructed to rejoice in humility because earthly riches are temporal and have no eternal value. Thus Paul instructs Timothy to teach the rich in this world to use their wealth in a manner that glorifies God, and not in the pursuit of lavishing possessions upon themselves so they can parade around telling everyone how blessed they are.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ~ Hebrews 13:5

From the gospel of John we read how the Jewish leaders persecuted Jesus and sought to slay him because he had done such things as healing on the Sabbath and claiming that God was his Father.

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. ~ John 5:16-18

His life was in the Father’s hand and no one could take it from him prematurely. Yet John tells us that at one point later in his ministry he chose to leave Judea because he knew that the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. ~ John 7:1 

At that time there was a real unrest among the Jews because of him and it had become public knowledge that the religious leaders wanted to kill him. They tried on numerous occasions to arrest him but, could not because his time had not yet come.

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. ~ John 7:30

These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. ~ John 8:20

On more than one occasion they tried to stone him for declaring that God is his Father.

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. ~ John 8:59

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. ~ John 10:31

The confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities, who wanted to silence him, became so intense that they would stop at nothing in their efforts to destroy him. The Jewish leaders were so adamant in their opposition of Jesus, that they agreed together to expel from the Synagogue anyone who confessed or believed that Jesus is the Messiah (John 9:22). They publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could come and arrest Him (John 11:57).

They were so obsessed in their desire to destroy him that they eventually decided to kill Lazarus also because many people had believed in Jesus because of Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. ~ John 12:9-11

The religious authorities did not know him nor did they know God who had sent him. The truth in Jesus angered them so much they chose to harden their hearts against God rather than to believe that Jesus was sent by God.

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. ~ John 12:37-41

In John 9:1-6 Jesus had healed a man that had been born blind and because it was done on the Sabbath there quite a backlash from the Pharisees. It was already enough that they hated Jesus but the fact that he had done this miracle on the Sabbath only incited their hate even more. They were so against Jesus that they refused to believe the man’s testimony and expelled him from the Synagogue for testifying that it was Jesus who had given him his sight.

When Jesus heard how the man had been treated He sought and found the man and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” The man responded by saying, “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?” Jesus then said to him, “You have both seen him, and it is he that talks with thee.” The man then replied, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Jesus.

Jesus then made this incredible statement, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind” ~ John 9:39 (TNLT).|

When some of the Pharisees heard Jesus say this they asked him, “Are we blind also?” In response to their question, Jesus said to them, “If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” ~ John 9:41

They claimed to see, but refused to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and they refused to believe the works which he did in his Father’s name.

Consider how then how serious their rejection of Jesus really was.

There has been much debate as to whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation. The short “technical” answer is no, because one could not possibly be baptized if they called on the Lord while in the throes of death as was the cause with the thief on the cross.

However, I think we miss the real meaning of baptism when we argue away its importance because of we single out thief on the cross.

Way too many Christians have never been baptized, and unfortunately, some feel no urgency to be baptized. We have people who claim to follow Jesus who have never been baptized 6 months, a year, or even two years after conversion. This is not good!

In the Bible, baptism was part of the conversion experience, even though there are rare exceptions such as the thief on the cross. That the thief on the cross was never baptized is not a valid excuse for a person to put off being baptized for months or even years.

If you are reading this and you claim to be a Christian, but you have never been baptized, make it you priority to do so as soon as possible. All throughout the book of Acts, baptism held a place of great importance and was the first act of obedience for those who received the forgiveness of sins through the Lord Jesus Christ. If the Lord Jesus commanded it, and the apostles in the book of Acts made it a priority, then who are you not to obey?

Consider the words of the apostle Peter:

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 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. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 1 Peter 3:18-22

The Amplified Bible translates verse 21 (in bold print in the text above) as follows:

Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer’s new life in Christ] now saves you, not by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to God for a good (clear) conscience, [demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…

The ESV says, Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Baptism is a command of God for all who believe in Jesus, and when anyone who claims to be a Christian delays, or makes excuses, rather than just obeying the Lord and following his command, something wrong with their understanding of what it means to be a Christian. When the gospel is rightly appropriated, there is repentance of sin which is a turning away for the old life, and obedience to the command to be baptized which identifies you with the new life you receive in Christ Jesus – a life that is marked by obedience and surrender to the Savior.

If you haven’t been baptized, and you claim to be a Christian, or a follower of Jesus Christ, make it your priority to be baptized as soon as possible.

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. ~ Acts 22:16 

Some within the hyper grace movement have attempted to defend their position by claiming that the apostle Paul describes grace as “hyper”. In taking this position, they often reference Romans 5:20

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. ~ Romans 5:20

When Paul speaks of grace abounding, his intention is not that of the modern day “hyper grace” message, which promotes a view of grace abounding with doctrinal error. The apostle John tells us that Jesus was full of grace and truth, and of his fullness (grace and truth) we have received grace upon grace.

The grace of God does not abound with error. It abounds with truth!

The actual meaning of “abound” is “super abundant”, and Paul is making a clear distinction about God’s grace being super abundant in contrast to the effects of sin on humanity. Regardless of how many sinners need forgiveness God’s abundant grace is able to reach all sinners with salvation. God’s saving grace in Christ Jesus, never runs dry.

Paul is not teaching that God’s grace absolves Christians of any responsibility to live godly and walk in obedience. The very fact that God in his grace has reached out to save us from our sins, ought to teach us that God doesn’t want us to live in sin.

Paul clarifies his position regarding the abundant grace of God just two verses later by saying, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ~ Romans 6:1-2

A popular text that is often quoted by those who embrace “hyper grace” teachings is found in Romans 6:14 where the idea of servitude and obedience are sometimes read into the word “law”.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” ~ Romans 6:14

The call to obedience and godly living is not law. It is instead the very freedom that the grace of God has purchased for us through the blood of Christ. Because of Christ, we are not under “the law” but under grace.

Notice that Paul says, “the law” rather than law. The idea that Christians have no law to live by is error. When Paul declares that we are not under “the law” he is referring to the Law of Moses as was given to the children of Israel.

When the New Testament speaks of our not being under the law, because of our union with Christ, it is referring to the law covenant which separated Israel from all other nations. It is not referring to one being a “free willy” (doing as one pleases with no regard for the consequences that may occur). As those that have been saved by grace, we have a mandate upon our lives to live godly and holy.

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; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. ~ Titus 2:11-15

Consider the following from the text above:

• Saving grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and wordily lusts.
• Saving grace teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly.
• Saving grace teaches us to do these is anticipation of the coming of Christ.
• Jesus gave himself for us to purify us to be zealous for good works.
• These things about grace are to be instructed with all authority.

It is unfortunate that there are people who take a truth like grace and read their own thoughts into a text while ignoring other texts which disqualify such notions. Attempting to qualify the errors within the hyper grace movement by claiming that Paul referred to grace as “super abundant” is a far stretch from the truth.

Whenever a doctrine is based on taking isolated words, phrases, or singling out certain texts while ignoring the volume of other scriptural texts, error quickly ensues. A good example of this is the very loose interpretation of Romans 6:14 cited above: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”. Yet if those who interpret this text as meaning complete freedom from any obligation would simply read the next verse (or even the entirety of the chapter) it wouldn’t take much to understand that they have misunderstood Paul’s intentions in verse 14. Consider verses  15 & 16

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? ~ Romans 6:15-16

The entire theology of hyper grace can be refuted by these two verses, which by the way is Paul’s clarification of what he has said in verse 14. God’s super abundant grace is not super abundant in leading us into no obligation to obedience, and godliness.

On the contrary, God’s grace is superabundant in saving us from our sins and leading us into holiness by godly living and obedience to righteous.

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 6:17-23

 

Recently, I heard a minister make the following statement: “If I commit the sin of adultery, I am not an adulterer. I’m a child of God who committed the sin of adultery and my heart is going to hate that. If I commit a sin of stealing, I am not a thief, I’m a child of God who committed the sin of stealing. You see, I don’t get my identity from what I do…”

This comment was made by a minister who advocates the position that all present, and future sins of believers are already forgiven in advance, which of course never need to be repented of because they are already forgiven.

I find it interesting that he said regarding adultery, “my heart is going to hate that”, yet repenting to God and seeking his forgiveness is out of the question in his theology.

When the heart is conscience of sin, we need to come to God for cleansing from sin. The apostle John tells us, “if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God”. ~ 1 John 3:20-21

Many Christians have embraced a false doctrine about sin because they have embraced a false doctrine about grace. Grace does not eradicated us from the responsibility of repenting of our sinful conduct when we knowingly sin against God. Instead, grace gives us the power to not sin when we yield to God.

The apostle John says, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world”. 1 John 2:1-2

Jesus is our advocate with the Father when we sin, and he is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Make no mistake about it, when you as a believer knowingly sin, you need cleansing and that is why Jesus is your advocate with the Father.

Now, in view of this, consider the words of the apostle Peter, who speaking to Christians says the following:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? ~ 1 Peter 4:12-17

Peter tells believers, “let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” 

Notice that Peter uses the terms “murderer” and “thief”. The notion that if a Christian steals, commits adultery, murders, yet he isn’t a thief, adulterer, or murderer is not consistent with the sound teachings of scripture.

The popular grace doctrine that teaches Christians that they never need to repent because all their present and future sins are forgiven in advance is dangerous because it denies the real effect that sin can have on a Christian.

Sin hardens the heart and sin that goes unchecked in the life of a Christian can cause them to eventually be hardened against God. The writer of Hebrews says the following to his fellow Jewish brethren, who he referred to as “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling”.

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end... ~ Hebrews 3:7-14

The notion that we, who are Christians, are already cleansed from all future sins and never need to repent again, even if we commit adultery or murder is not the doctrine of scripture.

In 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit confronted the Corinthians for the sin of fornication in their midst.

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. ~1 Corinthians 5:1-2

If Paul inspired by the Spirit of God, reprimanded the Corinthians regarding this sin, then why do those who claim to be “grace teachers” not understand the severity of such sins in the life of a Christian? According to Paul’s letter to Titus, God’s grace teaches us to “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts”.

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; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ~ Titus 2:11-14

Paul then tells Titus, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” ~ 15.

Paul’s rebuke of the Corinthians moved them to repentance. In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul says the following to them:

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Paul later expresses his concern about the lack of repentance of some among them.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

The ideology that sin is no longer an issue which Christians need to address because all “present and future sins” are already forgiven is nowhere taught in the scriptures. The teaching of scripture is that the “provision” for the cleansing of all sin has been made, but the one who lives in sin, or refuses to confess his sin, cannot be in fellowship with God.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ~ 1 John 1:6-7

Those who teach a twisted view of grace claim that the book of Hebrews teaches that Jesus forgave us once for all, therefore all sins, including present and future sins are already forgiven in advance. According to this rational, if a Christian man commits adultery, that sin is already forgiven and cleansed even while he is in the act of committing the sin.

Such is not grace teaching. Rather, it is the doctrine of demons.

The Bible teaches us that Christ’s sacrifice was once for all. This does not mean that God can’t see our sins when we sin, or that sin doesn’t affect our fellowship with God. Neither does it mean that we do not need to repent when we know we have sinned. It simply means that there is no longer any need for the continuation of sacrificial offerings which were offered for sins under the law.

Jesus’s sacrifice will cleanse us, and keep on cleaning us when we sin if we continue in faithfulness towards Christ. Jesus is a priest forever after after the order of Melchisedek  (He is both Priest and King at the right hand of God). There will never, ever, be a need for another sacrifice or another priest. Christ is sufficient forever!

The “once for all” texts in the book of Hebrews have to do with the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice for the cleansing of sin. Those texts do not communicate the idea that all future sins have already forgiven in advance, resulting in Christians being absolved from any accountability for their future sins. Remember the author of Hebrews warns his fellow Jewish believers, whom he referred to as, holy brethren and partakers of the Heavenly calling, of allowing their hearts to become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Those who teach a twisted view of grace sometimes like to quote the text “But 
he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:17, to support their claims. However, this text is not in context of the ideology that present and future sins are already forgiven. Notice the two verse before 1 Corinthians 6:17

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:15-16

Paul is not teaching that we are immune from the effects of sin because we are one spirit with the Lord in verse 17. Paul is contextually addressing the severity of fornication and the need to abstain from it because of our union with Christ. Thus, Paul says, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body” ~ 18.

What Paul is teaching is that when a Christian sins against his own body by fornication, he sins against Christ, because his body is a member of Christ. As Christians, our bodies belong to the Lord and we are called to glorify God with both our body and spirit. It is with this in mind that Paul proceeds by saying: What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Finally, we need to remember the teaching of Paul in Romans 6. Paul begins by saying:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ~ Romans 6:1-2

Being dead to sin is a reference to our calling in Christ. In the next several verses (3- 10) Paul teaches about the power of the death and resurrection of Christ over sin, which we are called to experience by faith in our daily lives, but we must walk in fellowship with Christ.

The power of Christ’s death and resurrection becomes our victory over sin through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who helps us yield to righteousness rather than yielding the impulses of sin in our flesh.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? ~ Romans 6:11-16

Blessings…

A common misconception about grace which many Christians have embraced is the idea that God can no longer see their sins or flaws because God only sees them through Jesus.

While there are many texts which could be cited to refute this idea, we need only to look at the words which Jesus spoke to the churches in the book of the Revelation to find out whether or not this idea is credible.

Let’s begin with Jesus’s message to the church of Ephesus.

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. ~ Revelation 2:2-5

Notice that Jesus knew both the good works the Ephesians were doing as well as the bad  things which were displeasing to God. Even though the Ephesians had some good works for which he commended them, Jesus reprimanded them for their wrongs.

Jesus declares that even though he knew their good works, there was something that was causing him to be against them. They had left their first love, and Jesus refers to this as a “fallen” state of which they needed to repent.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. ~ v.5

Those who teach, and those who embrace the idea that God cannot see their sins because of Jesus have embraced a belief about Jesus that is not consistent with the words of Jesus. Many who embrace the idea that God cannot see their sins because of Jesus also believe that there is no need to repent when they sin because all their past, present, and future sins are forgiven. Yet Jesus tells his people in Ephesus to repent and warns of judgment if they do not.

Now lets consider the words of Jesus to the church at Pergamos.

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. ~ Revelation 2:13-15 

Again Jesus begins by acknowledging their good works, and again he exposes their sins, saying, “I have a few things against thee”.  This is not consistent with the idea that God can’t see our sins and only sees us through Jesus. Jesus points out the sins of his people and tells them to repent. One of the sins in their midst was that some of them were holding to the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, something Jesus says he hates.

The writer of Hebrews says, “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 10:30-31

Notice that the text says, “the Lord will judge his people” in context to the severity of God. It does not say the Lord can no longer see his people’s sins and therefore there is no need to repent when you sin.

These words are sobering when we compare them to Jesus’s words above which were spoken to the church at Pergamos: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth”. ~ Revelation 2:13-15

Finally consider the words of Jesus to the church of Thyatira.

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. ~ Revelation 2:19-23

These too, are sobering words and agree with that which was written by the author of Hebrews (cited above). Jesus does commend those in Thyatira who have walked uprightly in verses 24-28 and promises them reward for their faithfulness.

It should be noted that in each instance (the church of Ephesus, the church of Pergamos, and the church of Thyatira), Jesus says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:7,17,29).  And in each case Jesus promises reward for those who overcome.

Teaching Christians that God only sees them through Jesus and therefore can no longer see their present sins is to teach something other than what the Spirit was saying to the churches in the book of the Revelation. We serve a Holy God who is a loving Heavenly Father, and his desire is that we be pure and holy in his sight. Through Jesus and by virtue of his Spirit he has made provision for us to be pure in his sight, but we must follow him in obedience and faith, and turn from our sins with repentant hearts when we do fail.

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8