Author: Don Gerrity

Was Noah Saved By God’s Grace Or His Obedience?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Christian Living, Q&A: Grace Of God, Q&A: Salvation
Was Noah Saved By God’s Grace Or His Obedience?

 

There is a teaching going around stating that Noah and his family were not saved by grace but by obedience to build the ark. They even go so far as to quote Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith” but the rest of the verse seems to be missing. The entire verse is,

“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. For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:9-10 KJV)

Wow. Look all that they left out in stating that Noah was not saved by grace but by obedience. Now let us look at the English translated word FAITH in this verse in the Greek for a moment.

The Greek of the English translated word faith in this verse is not a verb; it is a noun. It is not an action word but is instead a person, place or thing. So in this context it is a thing. The Greek word for faith in this verse is ‘πίστις pístis, pis’-this’ from Strongs Concordance G3982 and it is defined simply as ‘assurance, belief, believe’. The word faith here is a noun and that is very important to understand!

It is not about what a person DOES, it is about what a person BELIEVES. So it is the same as saying “ For by grace are ye saved through BELIEF”. If our salvation rests on our obedience then we are EARNING our Salvation. And Apostle Paul is telling us that believing that is boasting. He goes on in  verse 10 to show that we are ‘His workmanship, created in Christ’ which is an inward change in our Spirit that happens when we believe on Christ and HIS finished work on the cross. We see this inward change and how our Spirit is reborn by the very words of Jesus in John 3:5-6, 14-18, John 6:37-40. We also see Paul teaching this all over His writings such as in Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Colossians 2 and 3, Romans 5 and 6 as just some examples.

If it is our obedience that saves us and makes us a righteous person, then we are boasting in our on efforts and that is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ Crucified. There is a fine line here between grace and obedience and if we do not see the truth a person can be deceived by someone teaching that Noah was saved by obedience and not grace. Why? Because it appeals to our Flesh.

The first time the word grace appears in the Bible is in the story of Noah in Genesis 6:8,

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. ” (Genesis 6:8 KJV)

The number 5 throughout the Bible signifies this grace. In fact, this is the 5th time Noah’s name is mentioned in the Bible. That is no coincidence! That is because it is all about God’s Grace. Noah surely had some major evidence of his belief and trust in God’s Grace though didn’t he! He believed the flood was coming because God told him directly and specifically when it would come. He was given exact dimensions and plans by God in how to create the Ark as well. Noah believed and so his obedience is evidence in how much he believed God. The obedience is not what saved Noah though. God’s grace saved Noah! It is something we can look at today as believers so we can trust that our efforts in helping others come to Christ for Salvation by telling others of the Gospel, are not in vain as well. Noah was mocked by those he told about the coming flood. Yet, he pressed forward in the warning to them. Can you imagine the people back them gossiping about this guy building a huge boat on dry land? “Crazy old fart” is what they would say. But he knew the truth by God’s Grace. And he pressed forward warning them and preaching to them as he built the Ark. And one day, a day appointed by God, Noah and his family went in the Ark and it is not Noah who closed and sealed them inside safe and sound. It was God who shut and sealed that door.

“And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and
THE LORD SHUT HIM IN.”
(Genesis 7:16 KJV)

God shut and sealed them safe inside that Ark. What a picture of our Salvation by God’s grace through faith/belief in Christ Jesus. Apostle Paul is clear so many times in his teachings which he received directly from the risen Christ. If obedience is required for Salvation what do we do with this verse?

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19 KJV)

By one man’s disobedience many were MADE sinners. Why do we sin? Do we sin and therefore have a sinful nature? Or were we born with a sinful nature and therefore we sin? This verse answers that question right? The one man that first sinned was Adam and since Adman this thing, this noun called sin has been passed down to all of humankind. And by belief on Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, who is God, who paid for the sins of the whole world on that cross (1 John 2:2), we are born again in the Spirit, in our core nature and MADE RIGHTEOUS. It is not that we made ourselves righteous through obedience. In 2 Corinthians 5 we see a truth that should make us shout the good news. In verse 17-21 we read,

“17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW…21 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 and 21 KJV)

Let’s unfold this extremely powerful truth Apostle Paul is giving us to unpack. Let’s look at this in the Greek to see the real truth and meaning. The English translated word new is ‘καινός kainós, kahee-nos’ (Strong’s G2537) and is defined as ‘of uncertain affinity; new, especially in freshness’ . The English translated word creature is in the Greek, ‘ktisis ‘ and has a meaning of a word in English we use called ‘creation’. So Paul is telling us that when a person believe on Christ for righteousness they become a NEW CREATION in the Spirit.  This is just as Jesus told Nicodemus about the need to be born again in the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God in John 3.

As we continue to verse 21 we see the truth that saves us. It is not by obedience but by belief in Christ and His finished work that we are saved. A divine exchange takes place for all who believe on Christ for righteousness. For all who lay down their outward dead works and instead have God recreate them in the Spirit; our core being. By imputation God placed all the sins of the whole world (includes your and mine!) onto Christ who had NO SIN and Jesus literally became sin for us and died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins in His shed blood as our substitute. Most Christians understand this. But the next part, is something many believers have not yet grasped. God also MADE US by imputation, the righteousness of God in Christ. When Jesus took our sin, He also gave us HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS which is perfect because He NEVER SINNED. This great exchange is seen in more detail in Colossians 2 where Apostle Paul tells us that all the Spirit Of Adam Sin Natures, of all who believe on Christ, were placed on the cross WITH Christ, died WITH Christ, were buried WITH Christ and already (past tense for us) ROSE again WITH Christ as the new Spirit of God which is IN CHRIST. Colossians 2, what an amazing truth it reveals along with 2 Corinthians 5!

Now I ask you, were we saved by obedience or did we come to God as sinners asking for mercy because there is no way to pay for our sins by our works and good deeds? Jesus paid it all! It is all by grace and belief in Christ. What a completely different picture this is than those falsely teaching that GRACE did not save Noah but obedience did.

Am I saying that obedience is not important?

No. Obedience to the truth is important. Living Godly lives and loving others as God loves us is very important. But what saved Noah and his family? Grace or obedience or both? The Grace of God! Just as in James 2, works do matter but they do not save nor keep us saved. James is talking about how a person is living outwardly since being changed in our Spirit. He is talking about the fact that we have been born again and so how are we living outwardly?  Are we helping others or just living in carnality? Such a faith is DEAD, meaning useless in Greek, because it does not help others does it? Obedience does matter. Yes of course it does. Once we are changed in the Spirit, we should be ‘walking in the Spirit’ (Galatians 5) and loving others as Christ has loved us. By this love we share, by this ‘little light of mine’, which God MADE us, we become witnesses to others by our living and by our words.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. “ (Matthew 5:16 KJV)

Learn from Noah. Saved by grace and working for God, as Paul did as well, as ambassadors for God and Christ. You have been given much in your Salvation. Eternal life. And so many riches we do not even yet comprehend my sisters and brothers in Christ. Now, we need to go and tell others the GOOD NEWS of The Gospel of Grace Through Jesus Christ Crucified, Died And Risen.

“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.”
(2 Corinthians 5: 20 KJV)

What Is Sin? How Does A Believer Sin Less?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Christian Living
What Is Sin? How Does A Believer Sin Less?

In the Book of Romans we see the word SIN is used 48 times by Apostle Paul. The Romans Road to Salvation is something many use to bring people to Christ and so let us get this right! If you read the Book Of Romans, believing that all instances of the English translated word ‘SIN’ is all using the same meaning; that is where confusion starts. The truth is that not all instances of the English translated word SIN have the same meaning. Most believe all instances are used as verbs describing individual sins that we all commit. But that is not the case. We sin because of a sin nature. We do not have a sin nature because we sin. This is important to realize.

The English translated word ‘SIN’ is a THING, a NOUN. It causes living wrong outwardly, which is called ‘sinning’.  Our true being at our very core is our Spirit being. It is the real us. It is our true self. Before believing and trusting in Christ and His finished work we had the Spirit of Adam. Apostle Paul calls this Spirit of Adam also as our ‘old man’. This spirit has a disease called SIN (a noun). We sinned because we had a sin bent Spirit. A fallen Spirit. It worked outwardly to our mind.

From the moment of Salvation, God MADE US a new creation which is the born again Spirit of God (2 Cor. 5:17-21) and it is (present tense) the righteousness of God, in Christ. Paul calls this THE SPIRIT in His writings. Complete in Christ and risen with Christ (Colossians 2), sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14), the righteousness of God, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21). The body and mind is not yet redeemed. It needs renewing by the truth of God’s Word (Romans 12, 2 Corinthians 10:5 ) and by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Our mind has old beliefs from the now dead Spirit of Adam, called THE FLESH. The mind connects our Spirit to our body outwardly and the mind makes decisions which is reflected in outward living in works and deeds.

RIGHT BELIEVING IN THE MIND LEADS TO RIGHT OUTWARD LIVING

This is walking in the Spirit for a born again believer, which leads to less sinning outwardly and instead, good works (Gal. 5). It is how God in us, works through us, with our free will kept intact. Since our old Spirit of Adam, with it’s sin bent nature is now DEAD (Romans 6, Colossians 2) why walk in it’s old fleshly sin bent ways?

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2 KJV)

The devil and fallen angel try to excite the wrong beliefs (THE FLESH) by exciting them with our physical senses. Change our beliefs in mind by God’s Word and we do not fall for their deceit as much! It protects us and our witness by how we live! We believe the truth more and sin less and protect ourselves too from the enemy (Eph. 6).

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8 KJV)

TEACHING AGAINST ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IS WRONG

I see a large majority of pulpits preaching condemnation to BELIEVERS. It is so very wrong! Preaching to eternally saved believers that they have evil inside of them so we better keep the Law of Moses. Better not commit a ‘mortal sin’ Better do good to be good. The list of false teaching along these lines is rampant in these End Times!  Better do this and do that!

The truth is, if you tell a person the lie that they are evil at their core being with no assurance of Salvation often enough, they are going to believe that in their MIND and they will base decisions on that outwardly in their life. It really hurts their witness to the lost world. That is what the Pharisees taught and Jesus called them Hypocrites and Vipers headed for condemnation in hell. Law following outwardly will NEVER save a person nor keep them saved INWARDLY. Apostle Paul taught that following the Law for righteousness or to keep ourselves righteous will cause us to sin more – not less (1 Cor. 15:56). We need to first have a NEW born again Spirit as our core being and then we need to believe the truth about who God made us when we believed on Him and His finished work on the cross. Believers are a new Spirit Of God at our core being. Our new Spirit of God does not have SIN (1 John 3), it is the righteousness of God, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21), it is present tense complete in Christ and is ALREADY risen with Christ (Colossians 2). Believers are SEALED by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14). Believers need to know and understand these truths of who they really are!

Once a person believes these things in the MIND, it is harder for the enemy to deceive us with temptation and lies and we will live outwardly as we believe. We will sin less and have more good works flowing from our new Spirit into our outward physical lives.  It is not surprising that the pulpits teaching condemnation and no assurance of salvation to believers never use these passages in their preaching! They are coveting for money by preaching fear to believers! But what does Apostle Paul write? He taught a believer to live by FAITH – not fear!

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (Galatians 3:11 KJV)

Believers Need To Renew Their Mind

Our new Spirit of God is the real us at our core being. It is eternally redeemed (John 3:14-16, Eph. 1:13-14). Never to be condemned. But we have a responsibility to work with, and not against the indwelling Holy Spirit to renew our mind and bring every thought into submission to Christ within us (Romans 12, 2 Corinthians 10:5). This is true repentance AFTER our moment of Salvation. Changing our MIND. The enemy cannot attack your new Spirit of God. The enemy cannot do anything o cause you loss of your Salvation either! But the enemy can do things to tempt you and excite your wrong beliefs and thoughts. The enemy can ruin your witness for others to get saved by these wrong beliefs still in your mind.

Law following outwardly without changing beliefs in the mind by God’s Word, will cause us to sin more, it is the STRENGTH OF SIN.

“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Cor. 15:56 KJV)

Focus on the changing of mind by the truth of God’s Word to sin less. Believe who we are in Christ and we will start living outwardly more Godly.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16 KJV)

Jesus prayed for us to the Father for us in John 17. Do not overlook the reading of this,. It will bless you so much!

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

A SIN CONSCIOUSNESS TO LAW FOLLOWING IS NOT FOR THE BELIEVER, IN CHRIST

“For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purgedshould have had no more conscience of sins. ” (Hebrews 10:12 KJV)

Jesus became the once for all final sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) and as Jesus said,

“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)

Do not have a sin consciousness believers! Jesus already paid the full price and penalty for our sins. Our sins have already been judged on Christ. Not being assured of your Salvation is a lie from the devil himself. That is no longer you as a believer. You are one in union, with Christ and in Christ, already risen with Christ forever. He is Emmanuel, God within us! How amazing! Struggling with repetitive sin? Get in the Word of God and renew your mind by the truth about who God made you when you believed on Christ for justification and salvation. Repent which is defined in the Bible simply as to change your mind, not by externals and works but by RIGHT BELIEVING! And that is believing the truth. And the only truth we have is guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit and THE WORD OF GOD.

This truth will change your life brothers and sisters in Christ.

BELIEVE WHO GOD MADE YOU IN CHRIST…
AND THEN, LIVE IT!

Bible Study Videos By Dr. Tom Cucuzza

Don Gerrity All Videos, GO: Bible Study Videos, Q&A: Uncategorized List

Dr. Cucuzza has served as the pastor of Northland Bible Baptist Church since 1981. The church continues to grow under his leadership, and the church has many different ministries and outreaches. He believes strongly in expository preaching and teaching, and has taught the majority of the Bible verse by verse. In 2006 he received his doctorate in theology from Solid Rock Theological Seminary. Dr. Cucuzza is also an adjunct faculty member at Dayspring Bible College and Seminary in Lake Zurich, IL., where he has taught several courses dealing with pastoral ministry.

⇒ Visit Website & Support His Ministry

 

https://youtu.be/TV6FaRd4Hj8

https://youtu.be/g9OgHf2d-zw

⇒ View more of  Bible Study videos at the SeekKnockFind YouTube channel.

Did Jesus Create The Universe?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Knowing God
Did Jesus Create The Universe?

Did Jesus Create The Universe?

The Answer Is Found In John 1

Did Jesus Create the universe we live in? Scripture is clear that it was Jesus who created the universe in which we live our lives. Before being born by Mary, Jesus name is “the Word”.  God is a Triune being who has ALWAYS existed and is not bound by Time as we are. There was the Father, The Holy Spirit and the Word. Jesus always existed because He is God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” (John 1 KJV)

The Word (Jesus) created everything in our physical universe.

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”  (John 1 KJV)
The Word came by the Virgin Mary to be born as a human and still as God in the person of Jesus, the anointed. That is Jesus. The Christ. True life everlasting can only come by believing on Christ. Jesus is called The Light because He is the truth!

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (Don: the baptist). The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1 KJV)

Jesus was born Jewish, to God’s chosen people, but they rejected His claim that He is the foretold Messiah and Christ come to be the once for all final blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9 & 10) for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). All who believe on Him and His name and believe in the Atonement for sins through His death burial and rising have had all their sins (past/present/future) paid in full by Christ on the cross. They have become the sons of God, born again in the Spirit (John 3, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:13-14, Colossians 2).

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1 KJV)

Why Did The Hebrews Roam The Desert 40 Years | The Exodus.

Don Gerrity Q&A: Christian Living, Q&A: Faith, Q&A: Knowing God
Why Did The Hebrews Roam The Desert 40 Years | The Exodus.

Why Did The Hebrews Roam The Desert 40 Years ?

A: MURMURING / COMPLAINING / UNBELIEF / LACK OF FAITH

When you read the story of what happened in the Exodus, you need to see all the foreshadowing for Jesus’ first coming and also foreshadowing for us believers today as well. The Hebrew slaves were rescued from their slavery of over 400 years. 400 YEARS ! The question often asked is why did the Hebrews roam the desert for 40 years before entering the promised land?

And this was done with such enormous miracles. Think about all the plagues, locusts, frogs, turning water to blood. All first born with the blood on the doors (which was on mantle and both sides..a foreshadowing of the Jesus on the cross). And then we see just as Pharaoh’s army was upon them.. with no where to go, trapped by the red sea. A pillar of fire came and stopped them at night and a pillar of dust by the day. Ya know what a desert is like? BURNING hot in the day and FREEZING COLD at night! So by the day, the pillar of dust.. blocked the HOT SUN from scorching the Hebrews and by night the pillar of fire kept them warm! This is the per-incarnate Jesus doing this! He even told us it was HIM..

“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.” (John 5:46 KJV)

And then we have, not to forget, one of the most enormous miracles God did with Moses, the Red Sea parted and so much so that the land under the sea where it parted.. was completely DRY. No mud! DRY LAND! And yet, we do see that after that the Hebrews did lots of murmuring and complaining, doubting and having a lack of faith. And God made the entire generation wander in the desert life for 40 years instead of a straight path to the land He had prepared for them; the promised land.

WE BELIEVERS NEED TO LEARN FROM THAT!

We too, should not be doing that as saved people. Complaining, whining, worrying. Jesus paid it all and gave us ALL THINGS. As Paul wrote,

“And we know that ALL THINGS work together FRO GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS PURPOSE.” (Romans 8:28 KJV)

How many times do we see Jesus telling us to not worry, fear not?

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6: 31-34 KJV)
“Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31 KJV)
“But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” (Luke 8:50 KJV)

What we need as believers is to live IN FAITH and TRUST that GOD KNOW EVERYTHING HAPPENING TO US.. even before it does!

“And he said unto her, Daughter, THY FAITH hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” (Mark 5:34 KJV)

We need to use faith as this woman did! Why is it that we cannot believe that Jesus lives WITHIN US? He is intimately involved in everything we face in our lives as believers.

Why Did The Hebrews Roam The Desert 40 Years ? What Should We Learn From The Answer To This Question?

We believers in Christ have been given so much! What do we have to complain about really?

We have been given a brand new born again Spirit of God, which is right now fully redeemed, fully forgiven all our sins in our life (past/present/future) (1 John 2:2) and are now without sin in our new Spirit (1 John 3) and God does not even remember our sins anymore(Hebrews 8:12). We have become the righteousness of God, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21), we are one with the Holy Spirit who is one with Christ and Christ is one with the Father and we are one with them all (John 17), ! We are complete in Christ and already risen with Christ in the Spirit (Colossians 2) having gained eternal life (John 3).

As believers in Christ we look forward to the promise of the New Jerusalem, that heavenly city, the believers future eternal home. See how the Exodus is relating to US?? In the Exodus, God was leading the to the ‘promised land’. We believers today are headed for the ‘New Jerusalem, that Heavenly city’ ! The Hebrews passed through the Red sea waters, a picture of being saved by the Holy Spirit. Now saved….. how should we live?! In faith or fear?

“ In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to PREPARE A PLACE for you.” ( John 14:2 KJV )

You want something to fear? The only time the word fear is used as something a believer should do is to fear this ONE THING:

“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)

How great is our God! Jesus tells us He did it all and to have FAITH in life. Do not worry about anything. He has a PLAN! Yes, you will have tribulations and troubles. Yes, you will be persecuted for your belief in Christ and sharing the Gospel. But look what God has don or us. He made us His children! And gave us the most amazing inheritance imagined. NOTHING IN THIS LIFE can even compare!

Jesus said,

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might HAVE PEACE. In the world YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION: but be of GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” (John 16:33 KJV)

And the only time mentioned to us in Scripture, under the New Covenant we live within, the only thing to fear is not entering HIS REST!

I know I struggle with worry, anxiety at times, wondering ‘Why God? Why is this happening?’ I lack that kind of faith that I wish I had. But, it is growing and so is your faith. I hope this helps you see the truth. That is always the first step to living a life full of peace and faith and to hopefully one day be able to say as Apostle Paul in prison, facing physical death,

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ( Philippians 4:11-13 KJV)

False Gospels Running Rampant In The End Time Generation

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times, Q&A: False Salvation Invitations

So many false gospels being taught by so many pulpits these days (not all of course). False gospels such as Works For Salvation, Works required after salvation gospel, Prosperity gospel, social gospel, entertainment gospel, social justice gospel, new age spirituality gospel, and so many more.

FAITH is BELIEF that Jesus is the foretold Messiah, the Christ, The only begotten Son of God, who is God come as human through the Virgin birth. Not born in sin, and who lived a sinless life and died on the cross paying for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) and who rose again. FAITH IN HIS FINISHED WORK.

WRONG SALVATION EQUATIONS:

– Good Works=Salvation

– Faith+Good Works=Salvation

– Salvation Is Conditional On How We Live After Belief On Christ

***SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

John 3:14-17, John 6:36-40, Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Cor. 5:17-21, Colossians 2, Ephesians 2:8-9 , Acts13:38-39, Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28, Romans 4:4-5. Romans 5:15-19, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:2, Philippians 3:9, Matthew 7:22-23, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 4:3., Galatians 1:6-8, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:1-12, Galatians 5:4-5 etc.

CORRECT SALVATION EQUATION:

– Faith+Nothing=Salvation+No Works Required To Remain Saved.

– Faith+Good Works=Salvation +Rewards For Good Works

***ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

Ephesians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 1 Corinthians 9:24, etc.

CONCLUSION:

Salvation is a GIFT OF GOD, not a REWARD EARNED by our good works. By belief on Christ’s finished work on the cross our old sinful Spirit of Adam, Spirit of man, DIED on the cross with Christ and God, BY IMPUTATION, recreated us in The Spirit to The Spirit of God and forgave any sin in our entire life (past/present/future), and God MADE US the righteousness of God, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21, Colossians 2, Romans 6).

SALVATION IS ALL CHRIST’S WORK AND NOT NOT OURS

After Salvation, that is FROM Salvation, good works flow outwardly FROM our new Spirit being UNTO good works (Romans 2:10), not to remain saved, but from our NEW BORN AGAIN ETERNALLY saved Spirit (John 3).

Without Christ abiding in us, our works will not matter for the Gospel. Jesus said,”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 YOU CAN DO NOTHING.” (John 15: 3-5 KJV)

Do not take this as my opinion. Read the Scripture references.

Many Pulpits Today Are Lieing. They teach ‘BEING GOOD’ when the Bible teaches NONE ARE GOOD!

Don Gerrity Q&A: False Salvation Invitations, Q&A: Salvation
Many Pulpits Today Are Lieing. They teach ‘BEING GOOD’ when the Bible teaches NONE ARE GOOD!

We live in the Biblical End Times. We ALL have to make the most important decision of our life. Pride or Being Humble? Which you chose will decide your eternal fate.

“But not as the offence, so also is the -FREE GIFT-. For if through the offence of one many be dead, -MUCH MORE- THE GRACE OF GOD, and -THE GIFT- BY GRACE, WHICH IS BY ONE MAN, Jesus Christ, hath ABOUNDED unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is -THE GIFT-: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the -FREE GIFT- is of many offences UNTO justification. 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 MORE- 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 KJV)

Watch the words carefully as I have highlighted in Apostle Paul’s writing on Salvation in Romans 5. So do you believe that your good works are required to be saved as many pulpits teach? That you need more good deeds than bad deeds to be accepted by God? Do you believe that after you believe on Christ and His atonement for our sins that you still need to work to remain saved? It’s a lie from the majority of pulpits today and NOT BIBLICAL SALVATION.

Salvation is a FREE GIFT, to be ACCEPTED or REJECTED. Not to be worked for to obtain or keep.Jesus on how to 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 3:18 KJV)

“And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40 KJV)

THAT IS THE TRUE GOSPEL OF THE BIBLE

It actually does not line up with MOST church pulpits! Why? Because, we are living in the End Times which Jesus called The Last Days. The Last Days of what? All life ending as some believe? No. The end of the age of God’s Grace. Bible Prophecy tells us what is going to happen in this time period we live in and the soon coming 7 Year Tribulation Period. It is right now just starting to play out before our eyes, yet the majority of people, including many Christians, have no idea.

Just as in the days when Christ first came in that manager, the Jewish people, who knew the prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, rejected Christ. These words of Jesus are very prevalent for today!

“He (Jesus) answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:2-3 KJV)

Was Jesus being harsh here. No. He said this to the Pharisees and Sadducees, known as the most religious leaders of Israel who studied the Torah very much. They of all people should have known that Jesus is the Messiah come because he fulfilled so many Torah (Old Testament) prophecies. Instead they came to Jesus asking for a sign so that they would know He is the Messiah foretold to come.

And what does Jesus say about the Last Days in which we live? Unfortunately, much the same.

“…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8 KJV)

Faith. Faith In What?

Faith that Jesus paid for the sin of the whole world on that cross (1 John 2:2) as the FINAL ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice for all our sins. And that,

“…God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV)

“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)

‘Good works’ is not the wages for our sins. That is not what God requires for us to be saved. The wages of our sins is DEATH, eternal Spiritual death, and the only way to escape this eternal payment is by belief on Christ alone and His finished work on the cross.

“For the WAGES OF SIN is death; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV)

This Is Not Religious Hokey Pokey!

I know lots of you have listened to the hypocrisy from many denominations and pulpits. But have you read the Bible to see what it ACTUALLY TEACHES? You may be shocked that it does not line up with most pulpit teaching!

>> So what’s it going to be? <<

You need to decide. Pride in our own self righteous efforts to be a ‘good person’ or admit we have sinned against God and no amount of ‘good works’ or ‘good deeds’ can erase our huge debt of sins and that God sent His only begotten Son to pay for OUR SIN DEBT?

Admit it. Be humble. Believe in Christ and BE SAVED.

Comparison Of Matthew 24 Events And The Events Describing The Tribulation Period In Scripture.

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times
Comparison Of Matthew 24 Events And The Events Describing The Tribulation Period In Scripture.

It becomes very clear that Matthew 24 is describing the exact descriptions of what will happen during the Tribulation Period in other Scriptures about this time period.

We can see this truth by comparing the passages and see how exactly they match each other. This is yet another proof that Matthew 24 is not addressing believers living today in this dispensation of grace, called The Church Age. Matthew 24 is addressing those living during and after the coming Tribulation Period.

Very Similar Verses Describing The 7 Year Tribulation Period To Come:

We can see how these related very clearly as we read the descriptions of swords (war), arrows causing burning heat and starvation and a poison within the body that will mimic being bitten by a deadly snake venom (Nuclear war?) and that this will effect babies, kids, adults and the old as well. EVERYONE will be effected by this drastic situation that will suddenly be upon the Earth during the Tribulation Period.

 

“I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine ARROWS UPON THEM.  They shall be BURNT WITH HUNGER, and DEVOURED WITH BURNING HEAT, and with BITTER DESTRUCTION: I will also send the TEETH OF BEASTS upon them, with the POISON OF SERPENTS of the dust. The SWORD WITHOUT, and TERROR WITHIN, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.” (Deuteronomy 32:23-25 KJV)

 

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold A WHITE HORSE: and he that sat on him HAD A BOW; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth CONQUERING, and TO CONQUER.  And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.  And there went out another horse that was RED: and power was given to him that sat thereon to TAKE PEACE FROM THE EARTH, and that they SHOULD KILL ONE ANOTHER: and there was given unto him A GREAT SWORD.” (Revelation 6:1-4 KJV)

 

“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last PLAGUES; for in them is filled up the WRATH OF GOD.” (Revelation 15:1 KJV)

 

Let’s Start Comparing Scriptures On The Tribulation Period
To Matthew 24:

 

REVELATION 6:4: WAR

“And there went out another horse that was RED: and power was given to him that sat thereon to TAKE PEACE FROM THE EARTH, and that they SHOULD KILL ONE ANOTHER: and there was given unto him A GREAT SWORD.”

MATTHEW 24:7: WAR

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:”

. .

REVELATION 6:6 FAMINE

“And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”

MATTHEW 24:7 FAMINE

“…and there shall be famines,…”

. .

REVELATION 6:8 WAR / HUNGER / PLAGUES

“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”

MATTHEW 24: 7-8 WAR / HUNGER / PLAGUES / EARTHQUAKES

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”

. .

REVELATION 6:9-11 SLAIN BELIEVERS IN HEAVEN

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”

MATTHEW 24: 9 BELIEVERS KILLED FOR THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST BY ANTICHRIST

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”

. .

REVELATION 6: 12-13 SIGNS IN SUN, MOON AND STARS

“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind”

MATTHEW 24:29 SIGNS IN SUN, MOON AND STARS

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”

 

Look how descriptive and detailed these verses are and how they completely relate to one another. Matthew 24 is all about life in and after the Seven Year Tribulation Period.

 

 

A Bible Study Of Matthew 7

Don Gerrity Q&A: Salvation
A Bible Study Of Matthew 7

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:1-2 KJV)

This is how Mathew 7 starts and it is important that we see the truth of this. Matthew 7 is mostly all about people who claim they are saved believers, but they are not. This runs through the entire chapter as we will see by context.

These first couple of verses are showing people who think they are some how better than others who have more sins, or worse sins, than they have. The truth is we all have sin and it only takes one sin to be disqualified as righteous. An unbelievers very best righteous acts and good deeds are as ‘are as filthy rags’ before our most Holy God almighty (Isaiah 64:6).

It is clear that this group of people Jesus is talking about are relying on their own good WORKS and deeds for Salvation which will not save them but may give them a false sense of hope for salvation and being righteous before God.

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matthew 7:3-6 KJV)

In verses 3 to 6, Jesus is passing judgment on followers of Christ who are also looking down on others because of their sins, while believers also have sins they are contending with. You know believers also have a huge amount of sins they have committed in life, just as an unbeliever. That goes for you and I as well. The difference is that the sins of the whole world were paid for by Christ (1 John 2:2). For believers today, we have all been forgiven all our sins BY BELIEF on Christ crucified (1 John 2:2, John 3:14-18) and His righteousness was placed to our account by imputation of God (2 Cor. 5:17-21). It is ONLY the finished work of Christ that saves believers from the penalty for sins which is eternal death (Romans 6:23).

We see many believers doing this to unbelievers today in a rampant fashion. They really believe that by bashing unbelievers because of THEIR sins, as if saved believers are so much better than they regarding sins, that God will somehow commend them for it. Well, here in Matthew 7, Jesus says the opposite of this! Jesus is telling them that it is very wrong. First, thinking that doing so will make an unbeliever change their ways is ridiculous. Only once the Holy Spirit INDWELLS a person is that even possible. And the truth is, judging others really hurts the witness of believers to the lost because doing so makes all believers look like hypocrites! And isn’t it so clear when Jesus is calling such believers hypocrites? Passing severe judgment and criticism on an unbeliever who is committing a sin and thinking that beating them over the head about their sin will bring them to Christ? It will not work and will hurt the witness of the truth of the Gospel instead!

There is a big difference between warning and condemning.

Warning someone that they need forgiveness and that Christ can help them overcome sin is one thing. Talking down to an unbeliever about their sins as if you have none, is condemning and not a good thing to do. Do not do that! God frowns on that! Instead, preach the Gospel regarding the very core nature of a person in their Spirit, up until they become born again by belief on Christ where they receive a NEW creation in their Spirit, which is the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Christ is the judge not us believers!

In Romans 2:4 we see the true way to lead others to Christ,

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 KJV)

It is the ‘goodness of God’ that leads people to Salvation and that is all about the love of God. As believers we need to be tender hearted to the lost in love.

“For God sent NOT his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ” (John 3:17 KJV)

If God did not send Jesus to condemn the world, then why should believers be doing that?! Jesus again states this clearly saying,

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE ONE ANOTHER; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35 KJV)

Jesus now explains the REAL WAY of Salvation which is not about our outward self righteous works and deeds, nor judging each other but by belief on Christ alone.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7: 7-12 KJV)

This is a very powerful message of HOPE Jesus is giving in these verses! Let’s unpack this great hope!

First, we need to ask God for Salvation, knowing we are sinners and unable to save ourselves by our works and deeds. If you seek God with this correct truth and attitude, you will not be acknowledging and judging the sins of others but will instead have already acknowledged your own sin debt against our Holy God. And if you seek God in this way, you WILL find the truth! And when you do, and you knock on God’s door and ask Him for mercy to forgive you and save you, God will OPEN THAT DOOR my brothers and sisters! What a hope!

Jesus goes on and mentions how much more God will give these who seek Him in this manner good GIFTS. Interesting word, GIFT! In Ephesians 2:8-9, we see that Salvation is not about ourselves nor our works and good deeds but it is a GRACE GIFT from God. And as a GIFT , it can be received or rejected. A GIFT is not earned. We receive the gift by BELIEF on Christ as Jesus said Himself in John 3:14-18.

Jesus also mentions a ‘stone’ and a ‘fish’. A stone has no life. A fish is alive. But Jesus also mentions a ‘serpent’. What could Jesus be talking about here? Is there something more to the usage of these words stone, fish, serpent?

  • STONE: A stone is DEAD. It has no life at all. So if we ask God for forgiveness and to show us how to obtain salvation, will God give us our deserved DEATH instead? God is love and He loves you more than any being existing, even while you are drenched in sin! This is the very reason Christ came and died on the cross shedding His blood to save us.
  • FISH: The Fish is Jesus. It has LIFE and gives life to all who believe on and ask for salvation of Christ. Ever see a bumper sticker of a fish on a car? This actually became a symbol used by early day believers.
  • SERPENT: This is an easy one right? It is talking about Satan and what he is falsely deceiving unbelievers with. He is all about works and good deeds and spreading lies so the truth will not be seen. The Pharisee leaders were under this false lie. Their teaching was all about Law following in self righteousness. Jesus described them with some very strong words indeed. “Ye SERPENT, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:3 KJV) Believe me, the people listening to Jesus in Matthew 7 knew exactly what HE meant by serpent and WHO Jesus was talking about!

Jesus says clearly that believers should do unto others as they want done to them. Today we know this as the ‘Golden Rule’ right? I mean, I was taught this in Elementary school without knowing anything about true Salvation by belief on Christ’s work on the cross. And Jesus mentions ‘the Law and the Prophets’ here and that is the entirety of the Old Testament. This Golden rule applied in Old Testament times and also here in New Covenant times as well.

Be truthful about who we really are as sinners (Isaiah 64:6) and act with respect to others from this truth. Jesus paid a high price for our salvation and forgiveness of our sins against God! In His great suffering and blood shed! What amazing love God has for us while we were His enemies even!

Just because we are saved by belief on Christ, does not mean we are somehow “better” than unbelievers who have sins! We still have the Flesh in our minds we contend and fight with every day (Romans 7). Do not judge them with condemnation. Instead show them the love Christ has bestowed on us as believers. Only this love of God will lead a person to repentance and salvation. Yes, the Ten Commandments have their part in helping a person come to salvation; to show them that they do in fact have sin. But it should go no further than that from a believer to an unbeliever. Show how much God loves them!

Jesus is telling us thus far that,

1. Unbelievers need to stop thing to judge others in condemnation. This was what the Pharisees religious leaders were doing.

2. Believers should not being condemning unbelievers of their specific sins as if we are any better because we are saved. That is being a hypocrite.

3. The real way to be saved is acknowledging our OWN sins and asking God and seeking the truth and it is not about works, but asking for the GIFT of Salvation and receiving God’s grace and unconditional love by belief on Christ ans His once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) paying ALL the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

4. Treat others as God treated us when we were still His enemies. While we were His enemies (Romans 5:10) He sent Jesus to die on that cross and save us! Apostle Paul to the Ephesians wrote, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED;)” (Ephesians 2:5 KJV)

The Truth About The Straight and Narrow Gate

Jesus continues in Matthew 7 saying,

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

Many believe that the WIDE meaning is good WORKS of a person. And that NARROW must be GOOD WORKS because it is hard to maintain good works in the light that God is PERFECT in every way. But is that the truth of Matthew 7:13-14?

Context matters and so if we look at other passages of Jesus, do we see that meaning conveyed for how to become RIGHTEOUS before God? The answer is a resounding “NO”.

Jesus is clear that Salvation is by one thing and that is ‘changing our mind’ (the Bible definition of the word REPENT) and BELIEF ON Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. Look at John 3 where Jesus told Nicodemus how a person becomes RIGHTEOUS. It is by being ‘BORN AGAIN’ – not by our works. Jesus goes on to tell us how to be born again in The Spirit in verse 14-17 and it is all about BELIEF ON CHRIST with NOTHING ELSE MENTIONED. And then Jesus makes this very clear statement,

“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)

And when we look more into other words of Jesus we also see Him say,

“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 11:28-30 KJV)

A Light Yoke? A Light Burden?

If we are to believe that it is our WORKS that save us and keep us saved, how does that fit Jesus’ words? The Jewish people in that day were under the religious leaders called the Pharisees and they gave the people a hard burden to keep themselves righteous by their deeds and good works and Law following. One of the punishments for failing, for example, was being stoned to death! Jesus states the opposite of this.

Given this is Jesus words as well, we need to look closer at Matthew 7:13-14 for proper context, because Jesus NEVER contradicts Himself and in fact, Apostle Paul does not either. Apostle Paul states clearly that this cannot be about works 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.” (Eph. 2:8-9 KJV)

Just before Jesus’ statement in verses 13 and 14, Jesus was clear that belief on HIM and seeking HIM is the way to be saved and not by works and good deeds. So what is the straight and narrow gate? It is JESUS CHRIST, not our self righteous efforts! Did not Jesus say this,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)

You know, ALL the world’s non-Christian religions teach ‘works for salvation’. And all the false religions calling themselves Christians by their works and deeds are just as unsaved. That is what Jesus is warning them about in Matthew 7. That is what Apostle Paul warns about in Galatians 3 calling those believing in grace plus works ‘foolish’ and warning in Galatians 5:4 that “Christ is of NONE EFFECT TO YOU” believing this way.

Is Jesus Teaching Loss Of A Believer’s Salvation?

Okay, now we turn to the real meat of this chapter and it is where many believers are reading and ignoring the previous context. I have seen the words of Jesus in Matthew 7 to teach that,

  1. That Matthew 7 shows that a believer can lose Salvation.
  2. That a person with good fruit is saved and a person with bad fruit is not saved.

Both of these teachings are WRONG by the very context found within Matthew 7. If you have been taught these, please stop telling others this as truth and I am showing you why in this article. It is the very reason for this article.

These two wrong teachings about Matthew 7 are running very rampant in Christian communities. Many pulpits are also stating these very wrong teachings about Matthew 7. We must watch the CONTEXT very closely! Otherwise, as a believer you will be condemning others in harsh judgement, when Jesus has clearly taught against doing such!

Let’s look closely at this passage of Scripture with proper context to see the true meaning of Jesus.

“15 Beware of FALSE PROPHETS, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them BY THEIR FRUITS. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every GOOD TREE bringeth forth good fruit; but a CIRRUOT TREE bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore BY THEIR FRUITS ye shall know them.
21 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.
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?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:15-23 KJV)

This is a very power packed passage of truth to decipher and so let’s do just that.

The real context starts at verse 15.  Jesus is talking about FALSE PROPHETS. This is the context of this passage. 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.

It is these false prophets who are the verse 23 “YE THAT WORK INIQUITY”. Jesus speaks about the false prophets, and what are they doing wrong? What is their iniquity?

They are thinking and telling others that it is WHAT THEY DO that qualifies them for salvation in Jesus. They are combining grace with works for righteousness and mixing Law following with Grace through Christ. We need to take this very seriously! Jesus gives us a stern warning here.

In Matthew 7:22 Jesus makes it clear,

 “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.

To them Jesus gives stern warning in verse 23 that on Judgement day for them (The Great White Throne Judgement of the unsaved),

“And then will I profess unto THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23 KJV)

Notice this one verse does not say they were believers who lost salvation. Not at all. It says that Jesus NEVER knew them. This is definitely about those who think they are saved by their works. They are being judged and condemned to eternal separation from God at the future Great White Throne judgement of unbelievers and in defending themselves, they show nothing but self righteous pride! They will not even mention that Jesus paid for their sins. Instead, they will try and stand as righteous because of their works. That my friends is the devil’s BIGGEST LIE. Satan’s biggest deception to the whole world is deceiving people into believing this.

What About Fruit Inspecting?

“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:16-20 KJV)

These verses have confused many when not seen in the proper context of Matthew 7. Some believers today are mistaking these “fruits” with the “fruit bearing” of John 15 which is about being a disciple bearing good fruit. However,that is NOT the context here in Matthew 7. It simply cannot be so because Jesus had just previously said that the FALSE PROPHETS come in “sheep’s clothing”. They look like they have good works and people would assume that because such a person has good works that they must be a born again believer. That is actually a completely FALSE STATEMENT! Our works have NOTHING to do with how we are justified in salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). These false prophets are teaching externals, even while using Jesus’ name in doing so. They have missed the Gospel message entirely which is not about good works for righteousness but only faith and belief on Christ alone.

What Is The Fruit In Matthew 7 by Context?

So the ‘fruit’ in Matthew 7 is not a person’s WORKS. It is the WORDS these false prophets are teaching! As soon as a teacher is preaching good works for salvation or good works required to remain saved, they are the false teachers being spoken of here by Jesus. They are relying on their works for righteousness or accepting God’s grace but thinking they then need to work to remain saved. These two are actually UNBELIEF. Either a person is BELIEVING and trusting in Christ and HIS FINISHED work paying for all sins of the world (1 John 2:2) or they are in UNBELIEF and UNSAVED. Take notice that I am not saying good works after salvation are wrong. NO! Good works after salvation are ‘UNTO GOOD WORKS’ but they only come from our NEW SPIRIT and the indwelling Holy Spirit moving outward in our lives in love towards others (Ephesians 2:10). But the works NEVER SAVE ANYONE! Only belief on Christ saves (John 3:14-18, John 6:37-40, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 2:8-9, Eph. 1:13-14 etc).

Jesus talks about two groups of people as TREES; the saved by faith verse the unsaved by works.  What a great analogy! In John 15, Jesus teaches this too and states that HE is the vine and WE, as saved believers, are BRANCHES! Where does a branch life come from? The sap, which comes from the ROOT of a tree. Jesus is the VINE of a believer. He is our Root.

An unbeliever has at their core being, as the root, a Spirit of Adam, a sin nature at their very core. They sin because they have a sin nature at their core. They know they have sinned against God. That is the truth. But they think that they can gain God’s favor by their outward living in good works. They fail to realize that this is not the wages for our sins! In God’s economy the wages for sin is not works. The wages of sin is DEATH, eternal death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). Failing to realize this truth, they remain lost in their debt of sins. To them it is all about works and good deeds. And so, how do they live outwardly, in love or condemnation and judging of others?

A person who instead realizes they are a sinner and that they CANNOT work off their sins with good deeds, turns to God and seeks Him for MERCY, just as Jesus states earlier in Matthew 7 as the right way to be saved. Their tree root has been changed and made RIGHTEOUS in the Spirit. Being saved by God’s grace they know God’s love and how He gave His own begotten Son to save us by His death on the cross. The greatest act of love in all of history.

Having received this GRACE, their Spirit inside was REBORN (John 3) and RECREATED (2 Cor. 5:17-21) and have become COMPLETE IN CHRIST (Colossians 2). With this new Spirit, we now work from our new inward Spirit (our tree root), outward into our lives with good works by God’s love through us. It is God’s grace that we have received as believers that encourages us to live outwardly in love to others. Apostle Paul says that we should walk ‘in the Spirit to avoid the lusts of the flesh’ and not by the Law, in the book of Galatians. Saved believers are right now RIGHTEOUS at our core being and this works outward into good works in our lives.

That is what Jesus means in context when He says,

“A GOOD TREE cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a CORRUPT TREE bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:18-20 KJV)

Remember, this whole passage is about false prophets speaking (starting at verse 15). Yet, these are the same works based false salvation teachers today that use Matthew 7, verse 22 and 23 to claim that works are required for salvation and that believers can lose salvation. They are very wrong! If they would only read the previous verses in context. The fruit here in Matthew 7 is the WORDS of the FALSE PROPHETS teaching false ‘works for salvation’. This false teaching is not only here in our time in history, it is RAMPANT in these End Times!

What Is The Will Of The Father From Matthew 7?

What is the ‘will of the Father’ Jesus is talking about in Matthew 7:21 then? Is this statement by Jesus about our works and good deeds or Law following? Not at all. Jesus is not saying one thing and then another in the same passage of teaching! Look at Jesus’ words to see the truth.

Jesus tells us this in John 6,

“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that YE BELIEVE ON HIM whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29 KJV)”

 

39 And this is the FATHERS’s WILL which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this IS THE WILL OF HIM THAT SENT ME, that every one which seeth the Son, and BELIEVETH ON HIM, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” ( John 6:39-40 KJV)

Today we see many false gospels in so called, ‘christian religions’. False gospels such as, ‘works for salvation’, ‘grace plus works’, ‘social gospel’, ‘prosperity gospel’, ‘Lordship Salvation’, and ‘Word of faith, name it to claim it’; all of which are not the Biblical Gospel of our Salvation.

We need to heed Jesus’ warnings in Matthew 7.

Is Sanctification A Life Long Process?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Christian Living, Q&A: Salvation, Q&A: The Truth About...
Is Sanctification A Life Long Process?

To understand the truth about a person being sanctified we need to first understand what the word ‘HOLY’ is defined as. What does the Bible mean when it uses the English translated word ‘HOLY’. This is a matter of great importance in interpreting passages about a believer and how they are SANCTIFIED. Is sanctification a life long process, where we are moment by moment becoming more and more Holy? Or does a believer’s sanctification happen in an instant, from the very moment that they believe on Christ and His finished work on the cross, having in the past, PAID the just penalty for all our sins?

When we look up the English translated word SANCTIFY in the New Testament in the Greek , what do we find as the definition of the word? What we find is Strongs G37:

G37: ἁγιάζω hagiázō, hag-ee-ad’-zo; from G40; to make holy.
( Strongs Concordance)

So, the word Sanctify literally means to MAKE HOLY. So we see that how we define the English translated word HOLY matters much in seeing the truth about being sanctified as believers. So, when we further look into this in Greek, we are pushed to look into the word ‘Holy’ which is, as G37 tells us, G40:

G40: ἅγιος hágios, hag’-ee-os; from ἅγος hágos (an awful thing) (compare G53, G2282); sacred (physically, pure, MORALLY BLAMELESS or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), SAINT.
(Strongs Concordance)

In essence, the meaning is ‘most holy thing, a saint’.

Let us first look at this word Holy as it is used whenever the ‘Holy Spirit’ or ‘Holy Ghost’ is mentioned.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the HOLY Ghost.”
(Matthew 1:18 KJV)

The Holy Ghost is GOD right? So how Holy and set apart is God from all of His creation? Hugely set apart! He is the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. The one and only God of all that exists! So when the word HOLY in ‘Holy Spirit’ is used in the Bible, it is basically saying that God is completely SET APART from all of His creation. He is the almighty God who always existed and always will. Now, THAT is definitely a set apart being! Yes? The word HOLY in the name ‘Holy Spirit’ is Strongs G40 in Greek.

You see this word HOLY is used by many in so many different ways by believers today that it has become a pivotal part of how they believe about Salvation and justification with God. This is something we must get right! To be Holy is basically to be PERFECT and SET APART. Understanding this as the proper definition of the English translated word for HOLY, we now return to the word SANCTIFY (G37) in the New Testament because it references the very same word ‘HOLY” in the ‘Holy Spirit’, which is G40.

Apostle Paul used this word SANCTIFY many times in his ministry such as,

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being SANCTIFIED BY THE HOLY GHOST.” (Romans 15:16 KJV)

“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 6:11 KJV)

This last quoted Scripture from 1 Cor. 6 is a real eye opener. Sanctified by what? It states by the SPIRIT OF OUR GOD and when you look that phrase up in the Greek, it literally means the HOLY SPIRIT.

The word ‘sanctified’ is G37 and again, it is not defined as believers striving to become more sanctified by living more holy lives, as if we can even do that in our own efforts. Yes, of course a believer is to live right outwardly in love towards others and in good works. But regarding this word SANCTIFY that is not we see as the meaning. The word Sanctify literally means ‘TO MAKE HOLY’. Does that mean we have to make ourselves Holy to be sanctified by God? Not according to Scripture!

“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.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV)

In this verse, it is GOD who is making the believer HOLY. And it is God who keeps us in this state of being called ‘HOLY’. It is not our work; it is God’s work to make a person HOLY! That is in fact how we are saved is it not? Apostle Paul taught so,

“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.  For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:9-10 KJV)

The writer of Hebrews also states so,

“Wherefore Jesus also, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY the people WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, suffered without the gate.” (Hebrews 13:12 KJV)

Do we read, in any of these verses, that a person is sanctified by our works and right living? NO! A person is sanctified by God through belief in Jesus the Christ (God in the flesh, who is God!)

“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, BECAUSE GOD HATH from the beginning chosen you to salvation THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT and belief of the truth:” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV)

Again, we see that it is GOD who is setting a believer apart and making them Holy, which is the very definition of the word sanctification (G37), ‘TO MAKE HOLY’.

“But of him ARE YE IN CHRIST JESUS, who of God IS MADE UNTO US wisdom, and righteousness, and SANCTIFICATION, and redemption:”
(1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV)

Small but powerful verse! In 1 Corinthians 1, we see that many were kinda arguing who is greater among them,

“Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.” (1 Cor. 1:12-15 KJV)

Even though Paul had been given such wisdom by God to preach the good news of the grace of God through Christ crucified, Paul in no way wanted to be known like this! Paul tells that not to do this. In fact, Paul lists his weakness and boasts of that instead, stating in verse 27, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” and in verse 29 that “no flesh should glory” in God’s presence. Paul is telling them, we are weak, but then we are strong because it is the Lord God that sanctifies us and sets us apart as a HOLY being. That is why Paul says “But of him are YE IN CHRIST” in verse 30. He is telling these believers that they may be saved because of Paul’s preaching but that he was only a conduit chosen by Christ to preach and that it is ALL GOD’s work making us saved , set apart and HOLY beings by belief in Christ crucified, died and risen, having paid for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) !

Today we see churches actually calling their church ‘The Corinthians’, such as “Corinthian Baptist Church” as only an example name. Now I use this only as an example of many many church names that use the word ‘Corinthian’ in their name. Yet, in the Bible the Corinthians were one of the worst examples of a group of believers in how they were living outwardly! So much so, that Paul says they have even exceeded the sins of unbelieving Gentiles!

“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.” (1 Corinthians 5 KJV)

So wicked, that Paul mentions fornication, where a son had sex with his father’s wife, and yet the church has done nothing about it! And mentions there are more sins that he cannot mention that are not even seen by gentile unbelievers!

Paul’s writings to the church at Corinth is actually a REBUKE to the way this body of BELIEVERS is living! Notice that Paul writes to them from the beginning and addresses them as eternally saved believers, even though they were committing such wickedness.

“Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that ARE SANCTIFIED in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who SHALL also confirm you UNTO THE END, that YE MAY BE BLAMELESS in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. GOD IS FAITHFUL, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:1-9 KJV)

Paul says that these Corinthian church members, ARE SANCTIFIED, as in are ALREADY sanctified. Not that, after Paul tells them to stop living outwardly so wrong that THEN they will be sanctified. NO. They are ALREADY sanctified, “in Crist Jesus”. And there is no one in IN CHRIST who has not been saved by BELIEF on Christ and HIS finished work on the cross. When a person accepts the GIFT of Salvation by God’s grace, Jesus Christ crucified, their Spirit of Man DIED with Christ on the cross, was buried with Christ and rose again WITH CHRIST in the Spirit. Many believing Christians, do not know that in the Spirit, they are ALREADY RISEN WITH CHRIST and IN CHRIST, right now, COMPLETE IN CHRIST! Read Colossians 2 and it will surely bless you my fellow believers in Christ!

Sanctification is not a lifelong pursuit. It is not us working to be more Holy. The truth is by Scripture that at the very moment of belief on Christ, WE WERE SANCTIFIED, WE WERE completely forgiven all our sins in our life (future sins too), WE WERE MADE BY GOD the righteousness of God, IN CHRIST.

You, my brother or sister in Christ, have been COMPLETELY and UTTERLY changed at the CORE of your being, in your Spirit, and made a NEW CREATION. A complete change in our core being from an UNRIGHTEOUS nature to a RIGHTEOUS nature.

There has been a change in you! Your feelings about it have NOTHING to do with this truth either!

“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 WAS (past tense) a HUGE EXCHANGE made when a person believes on Christ and His blood sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) All believers from all of time, were placed on that cross with Christ and the “wages of sin”, which is DEATH (Romans 6:23), happened. The full penalty for sin was PAID IN FULL, a debt we could not repay. BUT ALSO, and this is what many believers today may not know, when Jesus paid for our sins, He also gave us HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS! Jesus knew no sin and yet God imputed our sins to Christ and then imputed Christ’s righteousness to us!

NOW THAT IS SANCTIFICATION! THAT IS GOD SETTING US APART FOR HIMSELF!