Author: Don Gerrity

Where Do Babies, Toddlers And The Mentally Handicapped Go After Death?

Don Gerrity Q&A: The Truth About...
Where Do Babies, Toddlers And The Mentally Handicapped Go After Death?

Today on a facebook group I read  this comment:
“Without baptism, no one can enter heaven even a baby,
because of ORIGINAL SIN.”

God Sends Babies To Hell? Really?

It is hard to fathom such a belief about God’s character when we look at the love of God and the Word of God used with proper context. Just think about what God has done for us. Allowing and sending one person of the Trinity of God as Jesus The Christ. The God that loved us sinners so much that He lowered Himself below a rank of an angel and became Flesh (Jesus The only begotten Son of God) and shed His blood on the cross, paying the penalty for not only the sins of those He foreknew would accept the free gift of Salvation without works required (Ephesians 2:8-9), but that Jesus actually paid for the sins OF THE UNREDEEMED as well:

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins OF THE WHOLE WORLD.” (1 John 2:2 KJV)

Yes, those with ability to understand good and evil and the plan of Salvation by belief in Christ and His once for all Salvation (Hebrews 10:10) must BELIEVE to be saved (John 3:18). God gives us all free will to choose to accept the free gift of Salvation through Christ or to reject the gift. However, to say that babies, toddlers and the mentally handicapped without an ability to choose, and who does not discern good from evil (Deuteronomy 1:39), must believe or be condemned? I do not see that stated in Scripture. Instead, what I do see is how much Jesus loves these little ones!

“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much DISPLEASED, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of SUCH IS the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” (Matthew 10:13-16 KJV)


Did Jesus then share the Gospel of Salvation to these little ones? No. He blessed them. They cannot understand yet. They are innocent at this age and deemed without sin to God at that age. We all must come as they do to gain Heaven because our sins are only forgiven by the Grace of God – not our efforts nor works nor religious rituals. God’s heart for us is,

“… 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.” (Hebrews 7:25 KJV)

Those who cannot understand Salvation, such as infants, babies and the mentally handicapped cannot make the choice of accepting or rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of no fault of their own. Jesus paid for their sins and they are Heaven bound.

“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” (Psalm 85:15 KJV)

 

Matthew 10:33: ‘whosoever shall deny me’

Don Gerrity Matthew
Wheat and tares rest in God

“But whosoever shall DENY me before men, him will I also DENY before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33 KJV)

Some read this verse and think to themselves that if we , as believers, deny Christ with our mouth with others, that when Jesus comes, He will deny a believer from entrance into Heaven by revoking their Salvation.

But wait a minute. what about Peter then? Look at Matthew 26:69-75:

“Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75 KJV)

So what happened to Peter after he denied knowing the Lord three times on that night of great despair? Did Jesus deny Peter when He rose from the dead and suddenly appeared in the upper room? NO. In fact, Peter was fully restored and became a leader in the early Church!

So if Matthew 10:33 and later Matthew 26:69-75 are in conflict in the same book then the belief that Jesus will revoke our Salvation at His return cannot be true. We must remember that the Bible had no chapters – that was added later for our studying benefit. Matthew needs to be read as one continuous work to understand passages in proper context.

In fact, using proper context of Jesus own words, we see Jesus is not contradicting Himself in Matthew 10:33 and Matthew 26:34.

The big confusion here lies with the English translation of the word DENY. In the Greek language two different words are used for the English word ‘deny’ comparing Judas and Peter and the types of differing denial of Christ:

The English translation word ‘Deny‘ in Matthew 10:33 in Greek is :

“ἀρνέομαι arnéomai, ar-neh’-om-ahee; perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the middle voice of G4483; to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate:—deny, refuse.” – from Strongs.

The word translated as ‘deny‘ in Matthew 10:33 means to REJECT or REFUSE someone whereas the one where Peter ‘denied knowing Christ‘ as Jesus said he would in Matthew 26:34 means to deny being ACQUAINTED with someone. It is a different Greek word:

“ἀπαρνέομαι aparnéomai, ap-ar-neh’-om-ahee; from G575 and G720; to deny utterly, i.e. disown, abstain:—deny.” – From Strongs.

So in Peter’s case, Jesus was not talking the same word in regards to DENY as in Matthew 10.

In Matthew 26:69-74 Peter repeatedly claimed he wasn’t acquainted with Jesus. He wasn’t being truthful, but he wasn’t rejecting or refusing what Jesus was offering, which is the gift of salvation.

Failing to speak up for Christ when we have an opportunity may be wrong and we , as believers may fail in our faith with regret as Peter, but it is not the same as rejecting Salvation through belief in Jesus as The Christ and Messiah, God in the flesh, and what Christ has offered us. This type of denial will not cause Him to reject us either by proper context.

God always looks at our hearts and knows our true beliefs. Failing to acknowledge Christ to every person you meet will not negate your Salvation. It may grieve God as we see that Jesus had prayed for Peter beforehand, knowing how badly it would affect Peter’s faith in his own belief.

Matthew 10:6 shows the proper context for all of Matthew 10 and it is all about unbelievers. The Disciples were being sent out to reach the lost people in Israel who believed in their good works and Law of Moses obeying to save them.

“But go rather to the LOST SHEEP of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 10:6 KJV)

It is these unbelievers that Matthew 10:33 is speaking about. Matthew 10:33 is a warning to those who reject the Gospel of Salvation through the Messiah, Jesus The Christ.

“But whosoever shall DENY me before men, him will I also DENY before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33 KJV)“

If someone hears the Gospel and denies Christ as the Messiah and savior, they, as unbelievers, do not have thier sins forgiven and as such will be denied at Christ’s coming.

1 Peter 1:3-5: ‘to be revealed in the last time.’

Don Gerrity Peter
1 Peter 1:3-5: ‘to be revealed in the last time.’

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5 KJV)

 

Q“If salvation is ‘given’ at the ‘last time’, the end of time, is it that we have a ‘promise’ of salvation and that we are continually working towards being saved through building our relationship with Jesus, and through our obedience to doing His will?”

 

AThe key to this passage is in the words “TO BE REVEALED”. You see when a person becomes saved by BELIEF on Christ’s atonement (John 3:18, 36), that person is from the VERY MOMENT OF BELIEF SEALED by the Holy Spirit for all eternity (Ephesians 1:13-14). At the moment of our belief we are MADE a NEW CREATION in the SPIRIT. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This Spirit is the NEW US now.

This Spirit is from the seed of God, not man (1 John 3:9). That is, we did not get our new spirit through a procreation process, nor by our own efforts in self righteous acts.  Nothing is further from the Biblical truth of Scriptures. What the Scriptures do tell us is that God MADE US the very righteousness of God, in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our new spirit is right now, HOLY RIGHTEOUS and REDEEMED completely. To the believer in Christ, that person is saved from the very moment of belief (John 3:18, Ephesians 1:13-14)) and God declares of that person:

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember NO MORE.” (Hebrews 8:12 KJV)

Yet, we still reside in this tabernacle,  our corrupt body, what the Bible calls ‘The Flesh’. The Flesh always wants to sin as it’s very nature. Our Spirit wars against the Flesh. It is a real struggle because a believer in Christ has been redeemed and the Spirit (the new us) wants to always do good, yet we find that we still have sin in our life. We strive to not sin as we should. We win battles and lose some battles against sinning because the Spirit is willingly but the Flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).  We will fail at times and sin. A saved believer is not a sinless person. A saved person is a sinner who has had all their life long list of sins forgiven!  Those teaching the false doctrine of ‘sinless perfection’ are misinterpreting 1 John 3 because they do not understand the Doctrine Of The Two Natures Of A Believer that Apostle Paul revealed to us in Romans 7.  Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 7 as he struggled with this,

“14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

(Don: Here is the internal war a believer has….)

>> 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

(Don: Read this next verse carefully…)

>>17 Now then it is NO MORE I THAT DO IT, but sin that dwelleth in me.

(Don: If Paul sins it is not him who sins? Makes no sense until we realize the new us is the Spirit.. not the flesh! )

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

(Don: Again sin verse 20 we see that when we sin, it is the Flesh doing it.. not the Spirit.)

>>20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

(Don: The truth..the answer to verse 24… THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. Not through our own efforts!)

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:14-25 KJV)

In 1 Peter 1:5 it reads, ‘…TO BE REVEALED’. You see, we are eternally saved from the very moment of belief and sealed by the Holy Spirit. We are a new creation in the Spirit now and saved forever. But one day, this INTERNAL battle between flesh and Spirit will END… at our bodily resurrection when we will receive NEW glorified bodies that do not have a SIN NATURE like our current corrupt bodies have. When that happens, Salvation will REVEALED as complete.

Also , go back one verse to verse 1 Peter 1: 4 and notice the word ‘RESERVED’.

“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, RESERVED in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:4 KJV)

One passage of Scripture makes all of this clear:

“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 that holy Spirit of PROMISE

(Don: we are sealed and saved eternally from the very moment of belief with a promise for bodily resurrection in the future),

14 Which is the EARNEST (Don: in Greek means down payment guarantee) of our inheritance (Don: Heaven with God for eternity) until the redemption of the purchased possession (Don: Our bodily resurrection to glorified bodies without the sin nature), unto the praise of HIS GLORY. ” (Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV)

Who gets the glory for our Salvation? Is it us by our own self righteous good works? NO! GOD ALONE gets the glory because Jesus paid it all. We just have to believe in Christ and the atonement for sin He provided. That is the GOOD NEWS, THE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ and His soon coming kingdom.

“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.” (Hebrews 7:25 KJV)

 

Can a Believer Renounce His Faith In Christ And Then Be Unsaved?

Don Gerrity General OSAS Questions
Can a Believer Renounce His Faith In Christ And Then Be Unsaved?

Salvation happens at a moment in time and a person is translated from being identified as unrighteous, to having the very righteousness of God, in Christ.

“For he hath MADE him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be MADE the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)

The believer’s identity is no longer an UNRIGHTEOUS person. He has been MADE a RIGHTEOUS person by God.

Salvation Is About A Change Of Position Before God

A Change of position from an unrighteous nature to a righteous nature.

If an unbeliever renounces his identity as an unrighteous sinner, he can never be righteous even if he renounces his sinner identity. The Bible is clear that all have sinned and fallen short of the Holiness of God. It matters not if a person renounces being a sinner. Their sins will one day need to be paid for. This is a true statement yes?

And now, after a person believes on Christ, they become a NEW CREATED SPIRIT. A direct creation of God, fully righteous and redeemed. Is this by our own efforts? No. Apostle Paul wrote,

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

And earlier in Ephesians Paul writes,

“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 that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV)


Now SEALED for eternity by the Holy Spirit this person has passed from death to life (John 5:24). Salvation is ETERNAL (John 3).

Now this believer has become a Son of God which is a term used in the Bible only for directly created beings such as Angels and Adam, as oposed to how we are born through pro-creation of our species.  The born again believer has had a new BIRTH. Jesus described this to Nicodemus in John 3 as we are born physically through birth from our mother’s womb but our Spirit must have a birth and this birth is a birth into the family of God, who is Spirit. The believer has one new nature now which is The Spirit of God. Yet, our mind nor body is not yet redeemed and it has the old thoughts and beliefs of our old nature still which Apostle Paul called, The Flesh which is Sin bent.  Our core being is not our body. Our core being is our Spirit. This Spirit is now the new eternal and POSITIONALLY RIGHTEOUS SELF, as we were translated to the identity of being righteous by God. (Romans 6 & 7, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2)

Here is a great debate in the Christian community of believers today. Some believe a person can renounce their salvation and lose it as an act of the person’s free will. Others believe that if an believer renounces his identity as an righteous person, he can never be unrighteous even if he renounces his righteousness of God (in Christ) identity.  The question is, which is correct by Scripture?


The Righteous And The Unrighteous Or Wicked. The Redeemed And The Unredeemed.

The Bible clearly shows that there are two main types of people. The saved (The Righteous & Redeemed) and the unsaved (The Wicked, The Unrighteous, The Unredeemed). The question is how is a person in one camp or the other? s believers,  we did nothing in our own effort to be part of the righteous camp. We are not righteous because of our efforts according to Paul in many passages. It was Christ’s atonement and our belief in this grace gift of God that translated us instantly at the moment of belief to being positionally righteous and redeemed which is clearly seen in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in 1:13-14 and 2:8-10.

God’s love is so vast for us unconditionally. This unconditional love is not something we have earned through our own merit. It si simply the love of God. It is who He is. God is love.  He sent Jesus, His only begotten Son to die for us to pay for the sins of the whole world so that we could, by belief on Him, become the Sons and daughters of God; born into His family.  Jesus’ ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) is so powerful and binding it is just hard to believe. A God that loves us unconditionally.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 KJV)

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10 KJV)

“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to THE WILL OF GOD and our Father:” (Galatians 1:14 KJV)

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)

God’s love toward us is an unconditional love and yet we humans want to put conditions on to God’s Love.  We think we need to add our own works to gain His favor. Good works are good, yes, but we gain God’s favor by believing on His Son, The Christ, and becoming born again in The Spirit. It is hard to grasp God’s unconditional love at times while living in this dark world, with sin abounding all around us. Yet, as believers we have been given a New Spirit which is the righteousness of God, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21) in our core being and we should be walking in newness of  life. God’s grace and unmerited favor moves and washes over the believer in a constant way, always exceeding our failures in sin. It is like a wave on a beach, it keeps rolling in and covers the sand just as God’s grace is constantly covering our failures and sin.

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive ABUNDANCE OF GRACE and of the gift of righteousness shall REIGN IN LIFE by one, Jesus Christ.)  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the FREE GIFT came upon all men UNTO JUSTIFICATION of life.  For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MOE ABOUND:  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might GRACE REIGN THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:17-21 KJV)

Once God makes a person a New Creation in the Spirit and a son/daughter in the family of God, that person is there forever. They cannot be UNBORN anymore than we can go back in our mother;s womb and be unborn.

If a person TRULY believes in salvation through Christ and not or own works they are eternally saved from the very moment of their belief (Ephesians 1:13-14). The belief must be REAL belief though and not some external religious effort. John wrote,

“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 KJV)

Just like Judas Iscariot, he was with Jesus and the other disciples during Christ’s Earthly ministry. Yet, in the end he betrayed Jesus and showed his true colors and that he did not actually believe Jesus is the true Messiah.

A true believer, will have a change in their life. A progressive change to Godly living. It does not happen overnight and so may not be self evident to others at first. But as time passes, their mind gets renewed by guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (Romans 12, John 17:17). Their Spirit was MADE BY GOD a new creature which is the very righteousness of God, IN CHRIST.

“ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJV)

There are those who may claim they truly believed in Christ and then renounce him but that does not mean they truly believed. The belief must be REAL and when i is real, that person is instantly changed to the Spirit of God through imputation of God; Jesus took upon Himself OUR SINS and through belief on Him, God placed the righteousness of Christ on us! A truth that even many people who say they are believers know nothing about. Why?  Because they may go to church and do good deeds to others and may talk about God or even Jesus, yet they have never believed the Gospel of Grace and believed on Christ alone in trust. They have never accepted the free gift of salvation through Christ crucified died , rose again.  They were never truly born again.

It is true that even a believer can fail horribly and sin. They can even find themselves in a sinful lifestyle. Yet a believer will feel the guilt from the Holy Spirit guiding them back to right outward living. The Holy Spirit will always guide them to ‘change their mind’, that is to repent and confess (agree with God) that they have sinned. To ask God to help them overcome the evil thoughts in their mind and their wrong living having  given in to temptations. But their belief is TRUE and they are eternally saved.

God keeps His word – even if we do not.

Is The Sacrament of Penance Taught By The Roman Catholic Church Biblical?

Don Gerrity General OSAS Questions, Q&A: False Gospels, Q&A: The Truth About...
Is The Sacrament of Penance Taught By The Roman Catholic Church Biblical?

Penance is a sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The problem with Penance is that it is based upon the word ‘repentance‘ wrongly. In fact, it bases Repentance on Penance which is because of a wrong definition use of the word ‘repent‘ in the Bible.

Although the idea of Penance is taught strongly by the RCC, the Bible no where teaches the confession of sin to a priest by means of penalties imposed for absolution. If you believe I am wrong in this statement show the Bible verses, used in proper context supporting such. When you attempt to do so though, you need to use the Bible’s own definition of the word ‘Repentance‘ and not the modern dictionary definition. They ARE NOT the same definition.

The modern day dictionary defines the word ‘repent’ as “to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one’s life for the better; be penitent.”

If this were the definition for ‘repent’ in the Bible then the entire Gospel and Salvation in Christ becomes a false Gospel based on works and our own human effort. A read through the book of Galatians, Ephesians, Hebrews and Romans shows that this cannot be the case.

The New Testament was written in Greek. The Greek word for the English word ‘repent’ is ‘metanoia’ and is defined as “…a change of mind”. By repenting we change our mind from all thoughts on how to be saved to God’s truth toward Salvation by FAITH ALONE in the atonement the Lord Christ Jesus provided for us on the cross. By repenting we have turned toward God.

The repenting is the change in your mind from the world’s way of dealing with sin and changing to God’s way of dealing with sin which is believing on Christ for Salvation apart from works of any kind (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:18).

**Stopping the practice of a particular sin is a RESULT of repenting and changing your mind. That is, it is NOT the repenting itself.

The Main Books Of Salvation Prove This

The book of John is all about how to be saved. Do you know that the word ‘repent’ nor ‘repentance’ does not even appear once! But the word ‘believe’ on Christ is seen all over the book many times!

The book of Galatians. This is the book fighting against the false Gospel based on works for Salvation right? Again, the word ‘repent’ is not found once in this book contending for the true Gospel! However the word ‘faith’ in Jesus Christ is found all through the book!

The book of Romans. Paul tells us again and again that Salvation is NOT OF WORKS IN ANY MANNER! And where the word ‘repent’ is found, it is not the same Greek word. It does not mean ‘turning from your sin’.

The Christian religions need to stop using the dictionary definition of the word ‘repent’. They are teaching a FALSE GOSPEL WHICH WILL NOT SAVE ANYONE!

And also God repents many times in Scripture…does God need to turn from His sins? NO! Repent is defined as simply…’changing your mind‘.

The Penalty For Sin Is Not Penance

There is a penalty for sin and as taught in the Bible it is not Penance. The penalty for sin is ETERNAL DEATH in a place prepared for the devil and his evil fallen angels.

 

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV)

Jesus Himself tells us that,

“He that BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned ALREADY, because he hath NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18 KJV)

If a person believes in any way to have forgiveness for sins other than belief on Christ alone through His atonement for our sins by shedding His blood and paying for our sins, they are not forgiven their sins. Their sins remain and must still be paid for. If not paid by Christ then paid by the person. It is very serious indeed. Those who reject the FREE and UNMERITED GIFT of Salvation through Christ alone will one day here the scariest shocking words of Jesus as we see in Matthew 7:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)

Jesus is talking about FALSE PROPHETS (see verse 15). They come to you as sheep, as “Christians”. They come with various verses of Scripture, all taken out of context by the way, to tell you it is your WORKS that matters. They teach about Jesus but it is false teaching. In fact, many of them are sincere because they have not grasped what Paul taught about the Grace of God through Jesus Christ. It is these false prophets who are the verse 23 “YE THAT WORK INIQUITY”.

Jesus speaks about the false prophets, and what they are doing wrong? They are thinking and telling others that it is WHAT THEY DO that qualifies them for salvation in Jesus. Verse 22 makes it clear, “22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”

Do you See it? They are saying have not WE, and in thine name WE, WE done many WORKS. WE WE WE! They rely on their own ability to please God and by doing such think they are saved. Without belief on Christ’s blood atonement ALONE for the forgiveness of sins, a person has not believed nor accepted the free gift of Salvation. And such a person has not believed that Salvation is not of ourselves in any manner. Apostle Paul makes it clear when he wrote,

“For BY GRACE are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

Such a person relying on their own human efforts and penance will end up sided with the devil and his angels in the sin of unbelief in pride. With their sins unforgiven they will end up condemned with Satan. How you believe on your Salvation is a very serious and scary thing indeed. You either rely on your own efforts to save you and keep you saved OR you rely on Christ’s atonement alone by faith and belief. it is either your work or His work and believe me our works are as FILTHY RAGS without Christ!

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV)

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:41 KJV)

! The Bible is clear that no amount of penance will pay for our sins.

Now, The Good News; Christ Died To Save Us!

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ paid for our sins two thousand years ago. ALL OUR SINS! Our past sins and future sins not yet committed too because all our sins are future from the cross.

Christ died for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). All of them! Jesus did not make a partial payment for the sins of the world. When on that cross 2000 years ago Jesus, who is God in the flesh, cried out “IT IS FINISHED” and when you looked at the Greek this was penned in the Scriptures it literally means “DEBT PAID IN FULL”.  Jesus said “whosoever” believes on Him has accepted the gift of Salvation and HAS eternal life through this belief (John 3:18). Such a person has accepted the free gift of Salvation apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9) and from that very moment of belief has been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). Jesus paid it all my friends!

Peter put it this way:

“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.” (1 Peter 2:24 KJV)

Peter goes on to say,

“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:” ( 1 Peter 3:18 KJV)

We see the same ‘once for all’ by the writer of Hebrews where it reads,

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can NEVER TAKE AWAY SINS:” (Hebrews 10:10-11 KJV)

Hebrews 10:10-11 above is exactly what the belief of Penance is doing and can never take away sins. NEVER.

My Personal Journey From Penance To Liberty In Christ

I was born into the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and raised on the belief of Penance. I know it is a sincere belief in wanting to be in right standing with God because we know we have so many sins. Unable to meet the perfect Holiness we see in the Ten Commandments, I went to the only church religion I knew and Penance was their answer.

Yet, when I started studying the Bible myself and not listening to the pulpit or priests alone, the Sacrament of Penance is not found for Salvation. As believers, yes,  we should call out to God in sorrow for sins we commit. Yes, we should avoid sinning after Salvation. Yes, we should do good works after Salvation in gratitude for our Salvation! I am in no way saying that the Grace of God is a license to sin. NO. NO. NO. What I am saying is that according to the Bible, our sin after our moment of belief on Christ for Salvation will not mean we lose Salvation. Those sins were also paid for in full by Christ on the cross.

The Sacrament of Penance taught by the RCC will not absolve anyone of their sins. Belief on the ONLY atonement for our sins, provided by Jesus The Christ, The begotten Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, who is God in the flesh, and who lived a perfectly sinless life, and then willingly died on the cross to receive the punishment for the sins of everyone in the whole world, and who raised from the dead and ascended to the Father … this belief is true Biblical Salvation.

If you do not want to believe me, then believe Jesus’ own words to the Pharisee and one leader of the Jews, Nicodemus, when he was asking Jesus how a person can be saved. Jesus answer mentions nothing about penance but what we find in His answer is BELIEVE, BELIEVE, BELIEVE on Christ alone.

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:15-18 KJV)

By studying the Bible, the true source, Penance was not found as the answer to my sins. What I did find was true freedom in Christ. Redemption, righteousness and peace.

I pray the same for you.

God Bless

-Don

Galatians 5: ‘shall not inherit the kingdom of God’

Don Gerrity Galatians
Galatians 5: ‘shall not inherit the kingdom of God’

Some read Galatians 5 and say that it shows a saved person who believes on Christ can lose their Salvation by committing the list of sins Apostle Paul gives. But a closer look with context shows his point differently.

Of course, yes, we can fall into sin. We should avoid sinning. Absolutely. There are consequences for sinning (loss of reward at Bema judgement seat of believers, and consequences in our earthly life (steal/jail) but condemnation and loss of Salvation is not a consequence for believers because Jesus died for ALL of life of sins.

The Bible is clear, and even Jesus own words when asked about Salvation in John 3 show, that Salvation is ETERNAL. Passages of Scripture such as John 3:14-18, Hebrews 10: 9-14, Ephesians 1:13-14 are only but a few. Salvation is not of ourselves nor our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul wrote these and I believe he also wrote Hebrews, yet we do not know that for sure.

Yet, we must acknowledge that we have TWO natures as a believer.. The Flesh and Newly created Spirit. (Romans 7) The Spirit NEVER sins and is perfect.(1 John 3) This spirit is the new us. It wars with The Flesh and will until we receive our new resurrected bodies. Our sins as believers have been WASHED away by belief on Christ’s atonement. As far as the East is to the west are our transgressions removed from us! (Psalm 103:12) Jesus was the perfect sacrifice once..for all (Hebrews 10). On the cross Jesus cried out, IT IS FINISHED which in Greek literally means, Debt, PAID IN FULL. Jesus did not provide a partial payment for our sins.

Jesus foreknew the sins of ours from the foundation of the world yet died for our sins anyway. We receive the free gift of Salvation by faith and belief on Christ and His redemptive work on the cross (John 3:18)

In Galatians, the Galatian church members at first believed the true Gospel of Jesus Christ which is Salvation by the GRACE of God (an unmerited favor) through faith (belief) in the atonement for our sins through the ONLY begotten Son of God, Jesus the Christ, taking the punishment for the sins of the whole world on the cross. This is the work of God, not man. This New Covenant is between God and God, not God and man as the Old Covenant was.
We see in Galatians 2 that soon after establishing the Galatian church some people crept into the church and started teaching others that belief in the atonement for sins through Christ was NOT ENOUGH. They taught that the religious rituals of the Law of Moses were also required. When Paul heard this he addressed the Galatian church to show them just how serious and how false a teaching that is when he wrote,

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.” (Galatians 2:6-8 KJV)

Later in Galatians 5, Paul continues showing how reverting to following the Law of Moses, a works based system, as a requirement of Salvation is not the true Gospel of Christ. He uses a rule of the Law of Moses that males are to be circumcised as an example to explain. The Liberty Paul speaks of is the Law of Liberty we have in Christ where all our sins have been completely forgiven to those that believe in the atonement of Christ.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ HATH MADE (Don: past tense) us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1 KJV)

The English word ‘liberty’ in Greek is ‘liberty to do or to omit things having NO RELATIONSHIP TO SALVATION’

“Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you NOTHING. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a DEBTOR to do the WHOLE LAW. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are FALLEN FROM GRACE. For we —>through the Spirit<— wait for the hope of righteousness BY FAITH.” (Galatians 5:2-5 KJV)

Adding the Law of Moses to the Gospel of Salvation by faith in Christ is putting a person back into bondage of the Law. What Paul is saying is that trying to keep one of the Laws of Moses, such as males being circumcised, such a person is now in bondage to keep the ENTIRE LAW OF MOSES, the Ten Commandments and all the rest of the laws. This is the very reason Christ came and was crucified for our sins; no person can keep all of the Law of Moses! Every person has sin! It is impossible!

Paul goes on to say that those teaching this false gospel should be CUT OFF, that is kick them out of the church because they are not true believers but are false prophets twisting the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul puts it this way in verse 9, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” This is serious business. Better they be cut off than others be deceived by them. Paul is not talking about cutting off believers as some are teaching today. The context is very clear.

“I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:12-14 KJV)

This is clear. Once you accept the free gift of Salvation through Christ’s atonement do not revert to thinking you that you must add good works nor religious rituals as REQUIREMENTS to be saved. Yes, do good works and help others in Love because it is right to serve others as Christ served us and, well, good works are a good thing right? But NEVER think good works or religious rituals are REQUIRED for Salvation. That is the point I make…Salvation is eternal from the moment of belief as taught by Apostle Paul and Jesus . (Ephesians 1:13-14, John 3).

Notice the difference between THEY and WE in Galatians 5 by Apostle Paul.
The ‘THEY’ are clearly unbelievers and the ‘WE’ are clearly believers. Remember that both believers and non believers have ‘The Flesh’.

“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that >>THEY<< which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
spc2
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
spc2
>>25 If WE live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:19-25 KJV)

We have this Flesh problem and it wants to sin but since we became saved, we have a newly created spirit which is the now the real NEW US. The Flesh does vs19-21, the spirit does vs22-24 and since the spirit is the new us LET US WALK IN THE SPIRIT.

Paul wrote this in 1 Cor. 6 KJV:

“9 Know ye not that >>THE UNRIGHTEOUS<< shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
spc2
11 And such WERE some of you: but YE ARE WASHED, but YE ARE SANCTIFIED, but ye ARE JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6 KJV)

Notice that verse 11 does not say it is by our own efforts we are saved and made righteous. It simply states the Gospel message and that believers in Christ alone foe justification and Salvation have been WASHED, SANCTIFIED and JUSTIFIED by what Christ accomplished at the cross. God in the flesh took our sins and nailed them to the cross. We were also buried and raised with Christ and given a newly created Spirit within which is from God – not from our efforts, but from our BELIEF (John 3).

Paul is not contradicting himself here. Both above passages are describing the very same thing. As believers, we still fall and sin but after we feel bad right? We feel “icky” right? Unbelievers do not have this feeling of how bad we blew it knowing what God has done for us in Salvation. We feel full of SHAME. That is because The Flesh is at war with the Spirit. Because we have been washed by the blood of Christ and are now the Newly created Spirit within.

This Spirit is of God and is perfectly Holy Righteous and redeemed and so when we go against this and sin (and we all will fail and sin at times until our bodily resurrection), we feel it! Paul tells us that since we are now this new Spirit, we should walk in the Spirit to avoid the lust of The Flesh. So, we strive to walk in the spirit..in the new us. But it is not about loss of Salvation.

 

Hebrews 5:9: “eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

Don Gerrity Hebrews
Hebrews 5:9: “eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

Hebrews 5:9:

“9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

There are some Bible teachers and believers who take this one verse out of the context of all the book of Hebrews and believe that obeying everything Christ taught is a REQUIREMENT of Salvation.

First, remember that Hebrews was not written with Chapters and verses and that chapters were added to the Bible for our study use. Therefore, we must read the entirety of Hebrews within it’s own context. In proper context, and throughout the book of Hebrews, the writer is addressing the Hebrew believers IN CHRIST. This is not talking about sins we commit as believers after Salvation. It is talking about the SIN OF UNBELIEF in Christ’s atonement alone by faith – not works.

In fact, if you look at Ephesians or Galatians or other books of Paul in the Bible, it lists all different types of sins. However, here in the book of Hebrews, in fact looking in all 10 chapters, there is only ONE sin that is mentioned and is the focus of attention and that sin is the SIN OF UNBELIEF in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, crucified, died and risen as the only atonement for our numerous sins during our lifetime.

The Jewish believers in Christ were being persecuted by unsaved Jewish people with faith in the Law of Moses and some were thinking to go back to the Law of Moses, even though they were saved by God’s grace through Christ’s atonement. The writer of Hebrews is showing them that is not the way of Salvation. In Hebrews 5, the writer is calling them babes in the faith that have not moved from milk to meat. They should be more knowledgeable and trusting in the faith, yet are still as babes on milk.

The writer of Hebrews is basically pleading with the Jewish people to put their trust in Salvation in Christ alone and not their own self righteous good deeds, works or religious rituals.

The OBEY HIM in verse 9 when read in context of the book is about obeying the Gospel Jesus died for.. Salvation by faith alone through belief in Jesus, the Christ, God in the flesh who died and paid the penalty in God’s perfect justice for the sins of the whole world, and that whosoever believes becomes eternally saved from the very moment of belief.

BELIEVE BELIEVE BELIEVE.

“14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have ETERNAL LIFE. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might BE SAVED. 18 He that BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned ALREADY, BECAUSE he hath NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:14-18 KJV)

SEALED WITH ETERNAL LIFE BY BELIEF

“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 that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the EARNEST (don: Greek means down payment guarantee) of our inheritance (Don: eternal life) until the redemption of the purchased possession (Don: our bodily resurrection to come) , unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV, bracket comments added by me.)

What Does It Mean To Rest In Christ?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Christian Living, Q&A: The Truth About...
What Does It Mean To Rest In Christ?

I have heard from various pulpits and Bible teachers that what we do after Salvation is important to keep our Salvation and not lose it. They seem to think that after we believe on Christ, that is not enough. We also must work to help the Holy Spirit sanctify us as if we are all to climb a scale of righteousness and reach higher and higher levels. What a small view of the grace of God!

As believers we do not have an certain amount of righteousness. We do not have a scale of righteousness that relies on how we live and what we do or do not do. From the very moment of our belief on Christ to save us through His redemptive work on the cross we have 100% righteousness according to the Bible. IN fact, God MADE US through imputation of God, the VERY RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, IN CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Our feelings about this fact are irrelevant.

The devil wants us to live on a scale with levels of righteousness. He is okay with you thinking your righteousness depends on how Holy you LIVE with your behavior. Are you constantly thinking, “I have to reach that higher level on the scale of being righteousness.”  or “If I strive more I will eventually reach the level of Holiness God wants me to be at.”  If so, you are making the grace of God to be very very tint when the truth is is is super abounding enormous!

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE abound:” (Romans 5:20 KJV)

DO This. DON’T DO That. All To Keep & Raise Our Level Of Righteousness With God?

HOGWASH! Friends, that is all a bunch of ‘DOO DOO’ the devil is giving you! Paul even states it exactly that way,

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them –BUT DUNG-, that I may win Christ,“
(Philippians 3:8 KJV)

Jesus Christ our Lord said Himself,

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find REST unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”   (Matthew 11:27-30 KJV)

As a believer on Christ alone for our Salvation, the truth is God MADE US the very RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, IN CHRIST. We did make ourselves righteous nor do we keep ourselves righteous. God declares us righteous through our belief on Christ’s atonement for us!

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might BE MADE the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)

We do not make ourselves more Holy and righteous by how we live. No, GOD MADE us the righteousness of God, in Christ. If you received Christ’s gift of Salvation apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9) then you are saved ETERNALLY. It does not rely on you!

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God……. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:17-18, 36 KJV)

If you believe that Christ is God in the flesh, died on the cross and paid for all sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), you have been saved and have eternal life.

Grab a hold of this truth!!!! The devil hates it.

Too many pulpits are teaching condemnation to believers.

Yes, teach unbelievers that they are condemned already and they need a savior. Yet, teaching to BELIEVERS condemnation due to their sin is so very very wrong. That somehow because of their sins they can lose there Salvation and be condemned to hell. What a tiny pathetic view of God’s grace that is when Jesus paid in His own blood to save us! Oh my, Jesus paid it all brothers and sisters. PAID IT ALL. IN FULL!!! Jesus did not make a partial payment for our sins.

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you ALL trespasses;  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (2 Colossians 13-14 KJV)

IT IS FINISHED.
CHRIST’S SACRIFICE WAS A FULL PAYMENT FOR ALL SINS.
GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT AND ABOUND MUCH MORE.

REST IN CHRIST.

 

Do We Need More Forgiveness Because As Believers We Will Still Sin?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Forgiveness, Q&A: MYTHS, Q&A: Salvation
Colossains 1:27 Christ In Your. The Hope of Glory.

Contrary to this myth being taught in church building and pulpits, the Bible teaches us that Jesus already gave us all the forgiveness we will ever need.  How many churches do we see today asking members to come to the front to gain forgiveness for sins this past week? What about going to a confessional to get your sins absolved? Colossians and the Book of Hebrews tells us otherwise.

“And YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:10 KJV)

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened TOGETHER WITH HIM, having forgiven you ALL TRESPASSES;” (Colossians 2:13 KJV)

This truth is so often overlooked.We need to watch the tense of these passages as well. God foreknew every sin of every person from Adam and Eve until the end of the Kingdom Age to come. He knows everyone that will be born physically. He knows even the number of hairs on each persons head (Matthew 10:30). God also foreknew each person that will accept the gift of salvation by belief on His blood atonement and His rising from the dead and who will reject God’s great gift of redemption through Christ crucified, died and risen.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” (Ephesians 1:4-5 KJV)

It is not that God has predetermined who will go to heaven and who will go to hell. That is false. Jesus said that WHOMSOEVER believeth on Him has eternal life in John 3. When Jesus died on that cross HE did not only pay for the believers sins, He paid for all the sins of the whole world, believer and non believer,

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2 KJV)

Jesus blood atonement for all sins was given as a gift and as a gift it is either accepted or rejected by each person. When someone accepts the gift of salvation by belief on Christ, as God, who never sinned and went to the cross willingly to die and pay for our sins and then rose again, God foreknew it. Our core being is our Spirit. God is a Spirit being and so to be born again as a member of God’s family, we must be born again in The Spirit (John 3). God foreknew the acceptance of the person and placed their old Spirit of Adam (dead sin bent Spirit we are born with) and placed it on the cross WITH CHRIST 2000 years ago. When Jesus died, our old Spirit of Adam died with Him. At that moment, God made us a completely new creation in the Spirit and gave us a born again Spirit of God. Our old spirit died and rose again with Christ. This new Spirit of God we have been made into is in perfect UNION with Christ and the Holy Spirit dwells within our new born again Spirit and sealed us in salvation forever (Ephesians 1:13-14). As Jesus explained it in His prayer for all Church Age believers,

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:21-23 KJV)

Because God foreknew that a person will accept the gift of salvation, He also chose to predestine those who choose to accept this great gift of redemption, to all that salvation provides to the believer. This gift of salvation includes forgiveness of all of the person’s sins committed during their life (past/present/future) and literally making them, by imputation of God, the very righteousness of God, in Christ.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)

We see in Colossians 2 that when Jesus died on that cross HE quickened us TOGETHER WITH HIM on the cross, that is our old Spirit of Adam, and so all our sins were judged and bore by Christ. The penalty for our sin was paid by Christ and we, together with Christ, had our sins 100% penalty paid having ALL OUR SINS PAID IN FULL. We were made alive together with Christ. Again, ALL means all. Before the very foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) God foreknew all that each of us would do as individuals and that is long before you or I came into physical existence right? God foreknew every sin you and I would commit. God is the alpha and omega. He sees the beginning to the very end. God created TIME itself and is outside of time. So He seen and knows all the sins we have committed or will commit in the future. Yet, Jesus Christ still died on that cross to forgive us and save us from perishing in our sins. This is the unconditional love of God.

“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God FOR US: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now ONCE in the end of the world hath he appeared to PUT AWAY SIN BY THE SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was ONCE OFFERED to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION.” (Hebrews 9:24-28 KJV)

On that cross 2000 years ago, Christ solved our SIN PROBLEM! All our sins have been TAKEN AWAY completely from us and will no longer condemn a believer. In fact, as we see in 1 John 2:2, Christ paid for the sins OF THE WHOLE WORLD (not just for believers but for ALL people in ALL AGES). And God then OFFERS this FREE GIFT of Salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) to all people. And whosoever BELIEVETH on Christ for the atonement of sins then RECEIVE the GIFT of Salvation . Free will is important to God. We each have a free will to choose to accept the gift of Salvation and Eternal life or to reject Christ and remain with our sins in pride; sins still to be paid for at the Great White Judgement of unbelievers. This is what Jesus said Himself in John 3:

“He that BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned ALREADY, because he hath NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18 KJV)

The Book of Hebrews cannot be denied! Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross washed away our sins and the penalty of sin against us ONCE FOR ALL. A believer is completely and utterly forgiven.

“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.” (Hebrews 10:10 KJV)

“For by ONE OFFERING he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14 KJV)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let that sink in to your belief. We have been PERFECTED FOREVER by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Yes, we have that Fleshly stinking thinking in our minds just after Salvation; the remnants of the old sin nature until our bodily resurrection in the future. Right now, only our Spirit has been redeemed and our body is still corrupt with this thing called sin. It is not ready nor can inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:50) which is why one day we will have a bodily resurrection at the Rapture. Yes, we still fall into sin and stumble. Yet, we have been given a newly created spirit. This spirit is the NEW US whereas the Flesh is the OLD US wanting to sin continually. It is a struggle Apostle Paul describes as a war within ourselves in Romans 7. As believers on Christ, God now sees us in the newly created spirit. Our sins are not a barrier anymore to God as God is indwelling us right? If the Holy Spirit is sealed and lives within us that means our sins have been paid for. God sees us through Christ because we are in Christ and Christ is in us as we see Jesus prayed for us,

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:20-23 KJV)

Jesus prayed this. Jesus is God (John 1). Do you think it will happen then as believers? YES! WHAT A PROMISE! One with Christ and one with the Father. Amazing grace indeed!

Christ came and died on the cross, wiping out the penalty for sins Himself. We did not do it by being a good person. We did not do this by doing good deeds. We did not do it by our religious rituals. We did not do this by following the Ten Commandments. We do not keep it by our good works after Salvation. We do not keep it by never sinning again after Salvation. (we strive to not sin of course as Apostle Paul in Romans 7). Will anything we have done, nor will do, give us or keep our Salvation? NO! God alone did this for us! Christ Alone did this for us. Jesus ONCE FOR ALL took all our sins away in full payment that was sufficient. Jesus replaced the Old Covenant with the New Covenant and when you believe on Christ alone for Salvation this is what God Himself has to say about it:

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I REMEMBER NO MORE.” (Hebrews 8:12 KJV)

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I REMEMBER NO MORE.” (Hebrews 10:16-17 KJV)

In fact, as a believer we should not have a sin consciousness. We should not be focusing on not sinning as a way to remain saved. That is no different that Law following for righteousness and it will cause a person to sin more because “…the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Cor, 15:56) Yes, we strive to not sin but our minds have not been renewed fully yet and we will at times sin as a believer. When we do, we thank God that He forgave our sin on that cross and we confess our sin as wrong. We ask God to help us overcome the temptation in the future. We ask God to give us more faith. Believers need not walk around feeling condemned all the time because we sometimes blow it and sin.

If you have accepted the FREE GIFT of eternal life and Salvation, by faith and belief on Christ alone, and the atonement for sin HE provided as God in the flesh then you have been set free from the penalty of your sins COMPLETELY and UTTERLY and are no longer condemned.

YOU ARE FORGIVEN.

FOREVER FORGIVEN.

God no longer remembers your sins nor holds them against you. He seen them all from the foundation of the world and seen Christ die and take the punishment for them crying out on the cross “IT IS FINISHED” which in the Greek it was penned literally means “debt paid in full!”. And He seen you one day receiving His free gift of Salvation from your debt of sins and no longer remembers them.

THAT is the unconditional love of God. That is utter forgiveness. Amen! Do not let ANYONE take this from you as a believer teaching otherwise.

What Should Be Focusing On

REST IN CHRIST, WHERE YOU NOW ABIDE

“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” (Hebrews 4:1 KJV)

 

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:3-5 KJV)

Know who God has made you, in Christ!

Believe it and then walk in life knowing it.

 

RENEW OUR MIND BY GOD’S WORD

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17 KJV)

 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 KJV)

Read the Bible. Believe what it say and who it says God made you at your conversion in salvation. This is what repentance is for a born again believer. It is renewing the old sin bent beliefs and thoughts ion the mind and replacing them with the truth from the Bible, by guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The word REPENT is defined by the Bible as ‘change your mind’. Before salvation is is changing your mind about how to be justified and righteous with God; not by works but by faith on the Messiah, The Christ who bore our sins in death and rose again. Once born again we still REPENT, that is change our mind about many things. It is a changing of our world view to God’s view, by God’s Word.

We live outwardly by what we believe in our MIND.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV)

By renewing our MIND with God’s truth from the Bible, we make better decisions. As we understand and believe who God made us, in Christ, it impacts our life. As we abide more and more in Christ by truth, our sanctification (John 17:17), our new creation in Christ changes our minds and we produce good works in love for others outwardly into our lives. This is ‘walking in the Spirit’ and it helps us to avoid the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

If you have a strong sin consciousness and are always worried that God is just waiting to punish you, you are in wring belief and the devil will use those false beliefs from the Old, now dead, Spirit of Adam you once were. The old thoughts are in your MIND, but your Spirit is born again. Hebrews 10 tells us that Christ paid fro all your sins. God no longer remembers your sins against you. God is FOR YOU. God is WITHIN YOU.  Believe it and have no more consciousness of sins and start renewing your mind to the truth of who God has made you, in Christ.

We will never be ‘sinless’ until our bodily resurrection
at the Rapture but we will ‘sin less’
as we renew our mind to the truth of
who we now are in Christ!

God bless.

How Can I Know That I Am Really Saved?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Christian Living, Q&A: Salvation ,
How Can I Know That I Am Really Saved?

This doubt is something all believers face at one time; especially in the early times after receiving Salvation through Christ. Let’s look at a few important Scriptures and then a very important doctrine taught by the Apostle Paul in Romans 7 which is vastly under taught in the pulpit, yet is so vitally important  to the faith.

“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 that holy Spirit of PROMISE, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-16 KJV)

“There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1 KJV)

Jesus talking about Salvation said this,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned already, because he hath not BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 KJV)

BELIEVE BELIEVE BELIEVE!

Salvation is NOT something we work for. It is not by being a good person nor never sinning. It is not what we do that saves us but what Christ DID on the cross.

SALVATION IS A GIFT to be RECEIVED through belief.

“For BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

“These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13 KJV)

“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. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep HIS COMMANDMENTS (Don: this is not talking about the Ten Commandments. It is the commandments Jesus gave to love others as God loves you and to love God.)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even OUR FAITH. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that BELIEVETH THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD?”
(1 John 5: 1-5 KJV , with my comments added in brackets)

“These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13 KJV)

Rest in the Lord.

He will never fail you though we fail all the time still in this Body of Flesh. All who believe on Christ are SAVED and HAVE (present tense) eternal life because the Spirit of God indwells a person from the very moment of belief.

“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 that holy Spirit OF PROMISE, Which is the EARNEST (Don: in Greek means ‘guaranteed down payment’) of our inheritance (Don: eternal life/heaven) until the redemption of the purchased possession (Don: until our bodily resurrection), unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV, with notes by me)

Once a person believes on Christ and the atonement for sins through His sacrifice on the cross as the Son of God, who is God in the Flesh that person is a new creation in the Spirit. This new spirit in the person is now the NEW REAL US. It is the seed of God which is perfect and never sins. However, a believer still has this bodily corrupt and sinful Flesh nature until our bodily resurrection when Christ returns. As a believer on Christ, the new you in the spirit wars with the Flesh and it is a real struggle. We do at times fall into sin as believers but that is the Flesh and not the spirit. Our spirit is eternal and our sins will not prevent a believer from keeping their eternal life. Apostle Paul is clear, yet so many believers miss this important truth that believers have TWO NATURES now; the Newly Created Spirit (the new you!), and the Flesh nature (corrupt body with sin nature).

Read Romans 7 Carefully

Apostle Paul is a saved believer, just like you and me right? (that is, if you accepted Christ for Salvation.) Read Romans 7 VERY CAREFULLY. I am adding some info in brackets to help in understanding this vital passage that so many believers do not yet understand.

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold UNDER SIN.

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would (Don: I WANT to do good and not sin), that DO I NOT (Don: yet, I sin instead); BUT WHAT I HATE, THAT DO I. (Don: I hate sin, yet I still find myself sinning)

If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

>>>Now then it is NO MORE I THAT DO IT (Don: My newly created spirit does not want to do it and so, because the spirit is the new me, it is not me doing it), BUT SIN THAT DWELETH IN ME (Don: It is the Flesh nature doing the sin. Sinning comes naturally to this nature)

For I know that in me (that is, IN MY FLESH,) DWELETH NO GOOD THING (Don: we are completed wretched! All are sinners!) : for to will is present with me (Don: I WANT to do good and not sin); but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Don: Yet I still fail utterly and sin.)

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

>>>Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (Don: The sin nature is the one sinning, not my perfect newly created spirit which can never sin)

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man (Don: the inward man is the newly created spirit of God which is eternal and perfect and has the very righteousness of God in Christ;2 Corinthians 5:21):

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

I thank God THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. (Don: belief on the atonement for sin He provided, not our works) So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; (Don: with the REAL us, our Spirit and inner man) but with the flesh the law of sin.”
(Romans 7:14-25 KJV, with my own notes in brackets)

This is why Paul goes on to teach that he rather boast in his weaknesses because it is ALL Christ that saves us. In John 15, Jesus Himself tells us that we can do NOTHING without Him abiding. That is, without the Holy Spirit (God) indwelling us. And that happens by belief on Jesus Christ in faith in the only atonement for sin, Christ crucified, which He provided to us as God in the flesh; the only begotten Son of God.  In other words, we must be born again of the spirit (John 3) and believe on Christ alone for our Salvation. By doing so, all the sins of a person’s life are forgiven and penalty paid by Christ.

Once a believer our focus should be on walking in The Spirit which is the ‘new us’ and abide in the Word of God. By doing this, we renew our mind to God’s truth and worldview. And by doing such, we find a peace in our Salvation through God and avoid the lusts of the Flesh.