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1 Corinthians 6: 9-10: ‘shall not inherit the kingdom of God’

Don Gerrity Corinthians, Q&A: Difficult Passages October 21, 2017

“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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ” (1 Cor. 6:9-10 KJV)

I see this two verses of Scripture misused so often to discredit the Doctrine Of Eternal Salvation. Reading this by itself without proper context it certainly does seem like Apostle Paul is refuting the believers eternal security. However, this in no way discredits OSAS! I find it very convenient that those using this Scripture to discredit OSAS do not include the very next verse! And it is such an important verse to the meaning of this!

Verse 9-10 Is All About Those Not Born Again

Apostle Paul is contrasting a unsaved person to a saved person and nothing else. Verse 9-10 is talking about an unbeliever in Christ. They have not accepted the only atonement for their sins and so their sin debt remains and God will have to judge them for their sins. And the wages of sin is eternal death. Without belief on Christ for forgiveness of sins a person is headed for God’s judgement at the White Throne Judgement of the unredeemed and headed for a place called hell. God created hell for ‘the devil and his angels’ (Matthew 25:41) who cannot be redeemed. Yet without accepting Gods gift of Salvation through Christ, they too have sided with the devil and his angels and will also be judged for their sins committed in life. God does NOT want you to go to hell! So much so He sent His only Son (God in the Flesh) to take the punishment that we deserve so we could be forgiven and meet His attribute of Holiness and Justice. That is the Gospel of our Salvation.

Verse 11 Is The Good News For Born Again Believers!

Verse 11 reads, “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 Cor. 6:11 KJV)

Through belief on Christ alone in faith and the only atonement for sins through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who is God in the flesh, who lived a sinless life and bore the punishment for the sins of the whole world on the cross a person becomes 100% FORGIVEN and justified in Christ. Such a person has become a believer by accepting the FREE GIFT of Eternal life through what Christ has accomplished on the cross.

Here Apostle Paul tell us that once a person believes on Christ alone for their Salvation without works required (Ephesians 2:8-9), the person is WASHED. Our sin debt has been eradicating forever! A believers has also been SANCTIFIED (set apart and deemed Holy) and JUSTIFIED (deemed innocent with sins already paid for by Christ on the cross.

Paul also tells us,

“For by GRACE are ye saved THOROUGH 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)

^“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16 KJV)

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5 KJV)

Paul is not flip flopping in his teachings on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul is just stating the same thing. Salvation is not by our works nor deeds but through belief on Christ alone for our Salvation and forgiveness of sins. The Corinthians church was a very bad example of a group of believers and they were doing things very shocking and sinful. Paul is rebuking them, yes. Yet Paul also addresses them as BRETHREN, a term for saved believers and is encouraging them to walk by the newly spirit we have received at our moment of Salvation and not by the flesh because the newly created Spirit is the new us.

Paul says to the Corinthians the same as t the Galatians that we should “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 KJV)

2 Peter 2:20-21: Is Peter saying that a person can lose their Salvation in this passage?

Don Gerrity Peter, Q&A: Difficult Passages October 21, 2017

Is Peter saying that a person can lose their Salvation in this passage?

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” (2 Peter 2:20-21 KJV)

Reading this passage alone it does seem like Peter is talking about a believers loss of Salvation and some use these two verses to push their agenda that Once Saved Always Saved is not Biblical. Yet they fail to use proper context and make this Scripture to say what it is not saying at all.

In proper context, it is in this passage that Peter is talking about False Prophets and not believers. There are those that know the knowledge of the truth and understand how a person is to be saved, yet they will not believe. Look at Judas Iscariot who walked with Christ in His ministry yet in the end did not belief on Christ for his Salvation. No one is saved by the knowledge of the truth in itself. No one is saved by understanding what the Bible teaches is the way to Salvation. It is only by BELIEF in the Gospel of Christ that a person becomes redeemed and 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)

Being born again and saved from our punishment for sin hinges solely on faith and belief in the finished work of Christ.

There are those who have not yet HEARD the knowledge of the truth, that is the Gospel of our Salvation through Christ crucified. We need to reach them for Christ and God will.

This Scripture in 2 Peter 2 is just stating that some have enough knowledge about how to be saved that they can teach it to others, yet they do not even believe on the Gospel of Christ themselves. Without such belief, the Holy Spirit is not working through them to reach others for Salvation. In fact, they are false prophets headed for greater judgement.

We can see these false teachers all around us today. False Prosperity gospels and false works based Salvation gospels are just a couple of examples.

Matthew 6: 14-16: Will We Lose Salvation If We Fail To Forgive A Person?

Don Gerrity Matthew, Q&A: Christian Living, Q&A: Difficult Passages October 8, 2017

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15 KJV)

Jesus said this right after teaching the Jewish people how they should be praying when they pray to God. It is part of what we know today as the Lord’s Prayer. To ask forgiveness for sins we did to others as we forgive those who sinned against us. The concept of this is right obviously.

However, in the passage quoted above in verses 14 and 15, this is a strong statement. In fact, reading this is completely opposing to the Gospel of Grace Apostle Paul taught and so some are using these verses to show that in order to be saved we need to do more than just believe on Christ in faith and that we need to ACT and DO GOOD in order to be saved. After all, this verse is very clear is it not? If we do not forgive others than God will not forgive us. He will revoke our forgiveness and without our forgiveness, we cannot be saved.

The problem with that idea about these verses is that it is completely opposing to the New Testament Grace of God that saves us. Apostle Paul never did teach anything like this. Salvation is not about self righteous efforts nor good works. We are saved ONLY because Jesus died on that cross and paid for the sins of the whole world. It was NOT a partial payment! When Jesus paid for the sins of the world He cried out on the cross “It is FINISHED!”. And if you look at the Greek that was penned it literally means, PAID IN FULL!

Thinking about this and being Logical and Scriptural; if we failed to forgive something a person did, that sin would also have been paid for by Christ on that cross. In fact, when we look at the New Testament and New Covenant Grace of God regarding forgiveness we find that forgiving is something we should do because God has ALREADY forgiven us. It is written in the PAST tense because all our sins were 100% forgiven on the cross by Jesus. We WERE totally forgiven the very moment that we believed on Christ alone to save us. (John 3:18)

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake HATH forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV)

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ FORGAVE you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:13 KJV)

Is there a contradiction here then? Was Paul wrong?

Paul was not wrong at all. Again context is very important. We need to understand that for many of Jesus’ statements to the Jewish people during His ministry on Earth He was addressing those who are living under the Old Covenant and Law of Moses. And that, many believed that a person can only be justified by God in a works based method and Law keeping of the ‘letter of the Law’. They thought that they could be forgiven their sins by Law keeping but they failed to see the heart of the Law of Moses and Ten Commandments. Yes, the Ten Commandments are God’s absolute truth and they are Holy Laws to follow but these Laws will not MAKE a person Holy. What they do is show a person just how sinful they really are. It is impossible for people to obey the Law of Moses without failing. Thinking so is the sin of pride and we all know that is the sin Lucifer first had when he rebelled and became Satan, our adversary.

We see time and again, that Jesus is driving this home to the Jewish people living their lives under the Law of Moses to save them. He was burying them in their own wrong belief to bring them back to God. Many times Jesus goes to the utmost extreme and even expanding on just how impossible it is to be forgiven by obeying the Law perfectly. Here are just some examples that Jesus said just one chapter earlier:

“And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” (Matthew 5:30 KJV)

“Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5: 21-22 KJV)

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5: 27-28 KJV)

Cut off your hands?! If you hate someone it is the same as murdering them? Looking at someone with sexual lust is the same as the physical act of adultery? Remember the rich man who asked how can he go to Heaven? Jesus quoted to this guy the Ten commandment and the rich young man said that he had kept them all! REALLY?? Oh no he did not! This is very extreme PRIDE to claim such a thing. So what did Jesus say to him? He went to the extreme telling him to sell ALL THAT HE HAS (all the wealth) and to come and follow Christ. Even the disciples were shocked and asked Jesus ‘who then can be saved?’

You can see that even with all the extreme rules and regulations and laws in the Law of Moses, these seem to be more extreme yet! You see many times Jesus is basically trying to bury the Jewish people of the day in the Law. He is trying to break them and have them realize the Law cannot save them. They need to come to an end of themselves in thinking they need to work their way our of their sin debts. And instead come to the conclusion that they simply cannot save themselves! Instead they need to cry out to God in acknowledgement of this and ask for mercy.

Using proper context we are now getting to the truth of Matthew 6:14-15. Under the New Testament and New Covenant Grace we are told that we should forgive others as Christ forgave us. Absolutely. But to say here, in the age of the Grace of God AS BELIEVERS, that if we fail to forgive then God will revoke His forgiveness and we lose Salvation is just not Biblical at all.

If you believed on Christ alone to save you by the only atonement for sins He provided on the cross, as God in the flesh, then ALL your sins (past/present/future) were 100% paid and you were 100% forgiven and God MADE you into the very righteousness of God, in Christ. It is by FAITH ALONE in the work of Christ crucified that saves us because the wages of sin is not ‘doing good works’. No. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Just as Apostle Paul felt the struggle between our newly created spirit that never sins (it is the seed of God) and our still existing sin nature flesh seen in Romans 7,

“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.

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:

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. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:19-25 KJV)

Now understanding this proper context, when you see Jesus state some very extreme things to people regarding their trying to keep the Law of Moses for forgiveness of their sins to gain entry to Heaven you now know why. He was stating such things to people not yet under the New Covenant because Jesus had not yet died on that cross. Jesus was simply trying to show the Jewish people just how impossible it really is to be saved by good deeds, good works, and religious rituals. Doing so is simply futile. This completely agrees with Apostle Paul teachings.

Here in the Age of God’s Grace, and living under the New Covenant, we should be so thankful! Knowing we are saved by such an amazing act of grace through Christ who died in such a horrible way, shedding His blood so that we could be saved from the captivity of our sins which we could never pay back is such an amazing act of God! It is from this ‘saved by the Grace of God alone’ perspective that we move to forgive others, just as Christ has already forgiven us.

John 8: ‘go and sin no more’

Don Gerrity John | 1 John, Q&A: Difficult Passages July 21, 2017

In John 8, we see a scene where a woman was caught in adultery and the Scribes and Pharisees were going to stone her which is what the Law Of Moses says should happen to such a person. These men thought that they could trap Jesus in His own words as they feared the loss of power as so many were flocking to belief in Jesus. So the Pharisees sought to exposure Jesus as a fraud.

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.” (John 8: 3-9 KJV)

In response to their trying to trap Jesus in His own words Jesus started to write something with His finger on the ground. This passage does not say what Jesus was writing with His finger for these men to see but one could speculate that His response in words to them likely has a big clue. “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.”

It is likely that Jesus was writing down sins that the Pharisees and Scribes had committed themselves but were not punished for by the Law of Moses. Jesus was showing them their own sins and now, whoever among you is without sin to go ahead and cast the first stone at the woman. Jesus knew none would do so. They could see their own sin. How could they stone the woman?

And another couple of interesting thoughts about this scene. One is the question, where is the man she committed adultery with? Because the Law of Moses demanded He too be put to death. Yet, he is no where to be found. Another is where it states ‘being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last:‘. Why does it state ‘begginnig at the Eldest’? If you think about it, they have lived longer and have also sinned more! And they recognize how hopeless not sinning at all really is. Anyway, a couple of interesting observations to see. It is clear that the motivation of the Scribes and Pharisees really had little to do with the woman caught in adultery. They brought her to Jesus to accuse Jesus Himself! The Scribes and Pharisees simply wanted to discount Jesus and be able to accuse Him and shut Him up. They feared the popularity Jesus was gaining with the people.

These same Pharisees and Scribes were the group that Jesus said this about:

“O generation of VIPERS, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12: 34-36 KJV)

He called them VIPERS out for the kill. Coveting for money and instilling fear to accomplish this. And then we see Jesus get quite upset at these religious leaders in Matthew 23:

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matthew 23: 29-39 KJV)

Look at those TOUGH TOUGH words of Jesus! We see here clearly just how much God hates religion! Religion is man working their way through self righteous deeds to be justified with God. But that is the sin of PRIDE, the same sin that caused Lucifer (the shining angel closet to Gods throne) to become Satan (our adversary and hater of God and humans). And more than that, these leaders were coveting for money and power to control the people. Just as Jesus warned Israel, in 70 AD, the Jewish people were dispersed into other nations.

“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, LORD. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
(John 8: 10-11 KJV)

These are the verses of this scene where some are teaching that we must not sin or we may lose Salvation. Or others teach that we must ask forgiveness for every sin after Salvation or they are not forgiven. However, a close examination of the specific words and how they are arranged shows a different truth.

Here are some points that I see by looking closely at the words:

1. She called Jesus LORD.. not Rabbi, not prophet. She already believed that Jesus was LORD; the prophesied Messiah to come, God in the flesh as the Torah foretold as that is how she addressed Him.

2. Which came first ? Did Jesus say Sin no more and then I will not condemn you ? (works salvation) Or did Jesus first say NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU.. go and sin no more? (Salvation by faith alone) Go and sin no more or she will be condemned and lose Salvation? No. Go and sin no more so you do not have to deal with the consequences of the sin like she almost just got stoned for. Jesus first said He does not condemn her. The word condemn here in the Greek it was penned in Strongs concordance is: κατακρίνω from G2596 and G2919 and is defined as to judge against, i.e. sentence:—condemn, damn.

Jesus is saying He does not condemn her to punishment in physical death and hell. He says this first. And then He says to go and sin no more. In essence Jesus is saying to this woman that You are forgiven and saved (because she believed Christ was the Messiah and God) and no longer condemned and now go and live a Godly life.

That is picture of the Gospel Of Grace. REPENT and BELIEVE (change your mind about your sins and how you plan to pay for them and BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ and Messiah-God in the flesh who paid your sin debt and you shall be saved.) and then live Godly to the best of your ability.

“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15 KJV)

That is how I see it through the Gospel of Grace that Paul taught. Salvation and justification is a gift to be received without good works, nor religious rituals, nor not sinning as requirements. After we are saved we should be renewing our mind by the word of God (see Jesus prayer for believers in John 17) and the Holy Spirit guides and sanctifies us by the Word Of God.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: THEY WORD IS TRUTH.” (John 17:17 KJV)

Eventually, as we grow in the Word Of God and our mind is renewed we see things through God’s view and He places desires in our heart to accomplish good works that He sets before us. For Salvation? For our justification with God? NO. We are already saved and justified by faith alone in the only atonement for our sins; Christ who shed His blood and was crucified on the cross to pay for our sins. After Salvation is it more about conforming to the image of Christ.

“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 12:2 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)

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Ezekiel 3:17-19: Is The Blood Of Those We Do Not Warn About Their Sins, On The Hands Of Believers?

Don Gerrity Old Testament, Q&A: Difficult Passages July 16, 2017

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” (Ezekiel 3:17-19 KJV)

Some Christians are taking this verse of Scripture and making it something it is not. Some are saying that if believers in Christ do not tell others about their specific sins that such believers will be judged and lose Salvation. Others take this verse from the Old Testament and say that God will judge harshly a person that does not tell others who are sinning to warn them of judgement in hell for their sins. Is that what this verse of Scripture is really about?

First look at the context I have highlighted. It says that God “made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel”. This warning is specifically for Ezekiel and not today’s body of Christ in the church age. There is of course a certain truth that we should be sharing the Gospel with the unsaved and warning them that there is a choice to be made for Christ or they will perish. However, beyond that this passage warning does not apply to us with such consequence of God requiring our blood because another person sins and unbelief.

Who Was Ezekiel? What Was He To Warn People About?

Ezekiel was a prophet and a priest living in exile in the city of Babylon between 593 and 571 BC. In Judaism and Christianity, he is also viewed as the 6th-century author of the Book of Ezekiel in the Bible that reveals prophecies regarding the destruction of Jerusalem, the restoration to the land of Israel, and what some call the Millennial Temple visions, or the Third Temple. (Source: Wikipedia, Details, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Ezekiel#Life_and_times_of_Ezekiel)

Ezekiel was called by God to warn the people of Israel for their sin of unbelief. The majority of the Nation of Israel had turned away and we instead rebellious against God, and worshiping idols instead. God gave Ezekiel a specific task to warning the nation. This role as a watchman was specifically for Ezekiel as we see above in Ezekiel 3. The question is does this warning, and the consequence of not fulfilling the role, apply today for Christians and the sharing of the Gospel?

I am sure we all, as believers in Christ, understand that we should witness about the Gospel message to the unsaved. However, using this passage from Ezekiel 3 along with the consequence, to guilt us into sharing our faith is a misuse of the text. The notion that believers will have blood on their hands because they failed to tell every person they come in contact with does not really fit the truth of the Gospel and how Jesus tells us a person comes to the knowledge of the faith and realizing who Jesus really is; The Christ, God In The Flesh, the Saviour from our sins.

Who Really Draws People To The Knowledge Of Truth?

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-17 KJV)

The disciples just came back from being sent out to spread the message of the Gospel and were all excited about the things that they witnessed and the powers and works the Holy Spirit performed through them. Jesus kind of stops their excited and asks them all directly, Who Do The People Think I am. And then the key question, Who do you think that I am? Peter answered correctly that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied to come and save the people.

Now Peter seen the works of Jesus during His ministry on Earth. After all the disciples walked with Jesus and lived with Him 24/7. Peter left his home and family to go with Jesus on His three year ministry. Surely Peter had realized that Jesus was definitely a great prophet sent by God to do such a thing in faith. However, is that what revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Messiah and Christ? The other disciples did not know Jesus was the Christ and Messiah, otherwise they would have spoke up right? So how did Peter know?

Jesus Himself answered clearly when He said, “flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.“. Then Jesus reveals that this is how HE will build HIS church!

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.“

Ultimately it is only God who draws a person to the knowledge of Salvation through Christ. God reveals to a person who Jesus The Christ really is.

Do We Have Our Part To Play In The Salvation Of Others?

Absolutely! Although it is God orchestrating and bringing a person to the knowledge of the faith, the amazing thing is that God chose to do so, not only the Word Of God, the Bible; but through believers! This truth always amazes me. I mean that God would use a sinner like me to help others be saved. That He would use my weaknesses and somehow help others come to Salvation. Well that is just amazing isn’t it? And He uses you as well as a believer! I would say that God, in His sovereignty, uses you and I, as believers, more than we even know! Beyond just approaching a person and sharing the Gospel, even how we live as believers is seen by others.

Just before Jesus ascended to Heaven He prayed for you and me. And what did He pray? We read this in John 17,

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:15-19 KJV)

That is why Apostle Paul wrote,

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV)

“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 12:2 KJV)

The question is, Prove to who? Prove to yourself and also to other unbelievers that are watching. And if you are a Christian, a Bible believer, saved by the Grace Of God, others know it and believe me, the unsaved are watching what you do and how you behave and live for God. The Apostle Paul also wrote,

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV)

These good works are not works required for our Salvation nor justification with God because Salvation is not of works; Salvation is a FREE GIFT to be received in belief (Ephesians 2:8-9). These good works are the works we do AFTER Salvation. After the Holy Spirit has come indwelling in us. It is these good works from our Salvation that can make Christ real to others as they can see a change in you, or something in you that is different and it is something tangible and something they would like to have in their life. Without even speaking a word to them, they can see and understand something is very different about you as a believer.

It is absolutely true that we have our part to play. Jesus commanded us to,

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. “ (Luke 6:31 KJV)

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (Luke 6:35 KJV)

I truly believe that God uses us in the Salvation of others more than we can even image. Think back to how you became saved. I know that for me, it was not just one person told me the knowledge of the Gospel and then I was instantly saved. Instead, God used experiences and circumstances in my life that led me to certain people. And one person dropped me a little crumb of knowledge here and another there and then one day, I just got on my knees in belief of Christ and understanding why He had to die for me and I was saved eternally from that very moment. And now the Holy Spirit resides in me and works through me in helping others come to Christ. It is all God doing this work through us and nothing for us to boast about! (Ephesians 2:8-9).

That is a very different belief than God will require blood at my hands because I did not warn an unbeliever. I see hundreds of people everyday just in daily activities. Am I going to be punished if they are ignoring God? It is God who draws people to the truth of the Gospel Of Grace, NOT ME. If God chooses to use me in that endeavor, here I am. I walk in weakness and meekness to the fact that it is ONLY GOD that can save people. Believe me, no believer can force a person to believe and accept Christ. Each person makes their own eternal decision about Christ and each person will be judged individually if they reject such a great FREE GIFT of eternal life from God.

Is God Requiring Our Blood For Unbelievers Who Reject The Truth At The Bema Judgement Of Believers?

After the Rapture of the Bride of Christ believers will find themselves at a ceremony called the Bema Seat of Christ.

At the Bema Seat Rewards Judgement (1 Corinthians 3) of believers by Christ Himself, you can see that believers may lose rewards and gain rewards by their good works for Christ. However, understand that this Bema judgement is similar to an athletic competition ceremony. It is not punitive against sins committed because those at this judgement are already Raptured and have new immortal bodies without the fleshly sinful mind present.

In fact, the words “sin or sins” is not even found regarding this judgement of believers. Their sins on Earth were already judged on the cross in Jesus Christ. The Bema Seat is where Christ will have us give an account of our lives after our moment of salvation and is based on our MOTIVES for the works we do for God.

God always looks at a persons motives. Those works that were done in the flesh (that is by us attempting to do them for the wrong human reasons) will mean a loss of reward. Those works done with the right motives for God and by the Holy Spirit through us will receive reward. That is, by what we do and why we did the works. So yes, it is important to want to please God and be involved in His work. Yet, even a person who accepted Christ with no works will still be saved and in heaven yet with little or no reward. (1 Corinthians 3:13) Everyone will suffer some loss of rewards and gain of rewards. Some may not receive a reward and feel some shame about it. But overall the feeling is like that of school graduation or an Olympic rewards ceremony. It is a positive event and all at this Bema Seat event are all in Heaven where joy abounds in ways that we cannot yet even comprehend fully right now here on Earth.

I find no where in Scriptures at the judgement of believers that God is requiring the blood of the redeemed for unbelievers that you did not warn about sins they are comitting. In fact, in the Book Of Revelation we see that we will cast these crowns of reward at Christ’s feet because ultimately it is God that has done the works through us.

Like Jesus aid in John 15,

“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. If a man abide NOT in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is WITHERED; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be MY DISCIPLES.” (John 15:5-8 KJV)

So should we be warning unbelievers of their sins? In a loving way, helping them to understand that God is real and Jesus can save us from sins, sure. Being condescending toward an unbeliever as if we are less sinful then they are, absolutely not. We as believers have NOTHING to boast about but Christ Crucified just as the Apostle Paul did.

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14 KJV)

1 John 3:9: ‘Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin’

Don Gerrity Q&A: Difficult Passages, Q&A: Uncategorized List July 13, 2017

“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:7-9 KJV)

1 John 3:7-9 is a difficult passage of Scripture and many haven fallen for false cults and false teaching that use this to tell people that if you sin after Salvation, that you are not saved. There are a few of interpretations of this passage but only one is correct. Some believe that just one sin after Salvation and a person loses their Salvation. That is the most obvious one that is false because Salvation is ETERNAL and this view is not found anywhere in the New Testament.

What Is Being Addressed In 1 John?

John was writing to already eternally saved believers and it is important to understand that the context of John’s letter is to thwart a heresy that false teachers were trying to get these true believers to accept. This heresy is called Gnosticism. This is the sin that John is referring too in his letter. Those believing this heresy.

Gnosticism in incompatible with Biblical Christianity because Gnostics do not believe that a person can be born again through Christ. Gnostics refute the very deity of Christ. They also refute that a born again believer is indwelled by the Holy Spirit. They deny that we are saved because Christ died in our place and took on the punishment for our sins but instead rely on extra Biblical ‘secret knowledge’ they say has been imparted to them as if they are special somehow. This was a big heresy in the early church and is being shown as false by John in encouragement to true believers.

The Gnostics teachings were causing fear in some of the believers and had them questioning their faith on Christ alone for Salvation. John is exposing this false heresy to these believers who he is addressing.

John Cannot Be Teaching Sinless Perfection To Be A Believer By Context

John is not telling us that if we are believers that we will not have any sin. Some are teaching this but are completely wrong and are having a severe lack of using proper context. Why? We do not have to look far to refute that John is not teaching sinless perfection is required or a person is not saved. Let’s just go back to 1 John 1 for proper context.

“If we say that WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US. If we CONFESS OUR SINS, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, AND HIS WORD IS NOT IN US.” (1 John 1:8-10 KJV)

Now that right there is the true context. The Gnostics were teaching there is no sin to worry about. John is refuting this false teaching to eternally saved believers, not to unbelievers. John is not flip flopping in his writing and he is not contradicting himself later in 1 John 3 either. The truth is a believer still has wrong beliefs in the MIND that need renewing (Romans 12, John 17:17) and our mind will not be perfected until our bodily resurrection and so until then a believer will still at times commit sin in the body. Yet, that does not mean our new born again Spirit of has loss righteousness! We did nothing but believe on Christ to receive it in the first place (John 3:14-18, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 5:17-21). An eternally saved, born again in the Spirit Christian, will still sin. That does not affect our righteousness before God but it can affect our fellowship because when we sin, we feel guilt because that is not who we truly are anymore in our core being, The Spirit. We recognize that we sinned. It is at that moment where our belief in Christ is truly tested. John encourages us to not ‘run FROM God’ but to ‘run TO God’ and confess our sins. That is to agree with God that you sinned. And then ask God to help us overcome that temptation next time. This is not asking God to forgive each and every sin and if we miss, one we lose salvation either. Remember, we were forgiven ALL our sins from the moment we believed on Christ. It was a ONCE FOR ALL blood atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) for all the sins of the whole world as John earlier stated in 1 John 2,

“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)

Here again we see proper context because 1 John 2 comes before 1 John 3 right? John cannot be stating that anyone who claims to believe on Christ, yet sins, has lost salvation in 1 John 3. So what is John trying to convey to us? This is where some teachings go all over the place and the reason is Bible Translations differ. We need to get to the bottom of this issue to see it more clearly and to make sure we are reading 1 John 3 in the proper context.

Is John Writing About Habitual Sin or Practicing sin?

Some think 1 John 3:7-9 is about habitual sin or practicing sin. But that is because newer Bibles translations are corrupted and this verse is completely differently than the King James Version or the Geneva Bible which are the earliest and most reliable Bibles. This is yet another good example of why not to use modern day Bible translations, and at the very least to always fall back on the KJV for the truth in Scripture regarding foundations of the Gospel and faith in Jesus Christ for our justification.

Let’s compare shall we?

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

“Whosoever is born of God sinneth not: for his seed remaineth in him, neither can he sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9 GNV)

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” (1 John 3:9 NIV)

“No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9 NASB)

“Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.” (1 John 3:9 NLT)

Keep in mind that the Bible does not contradict itself. And again, John is not contradicting himself either because of earlier in 1 John 1 ,

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 KJV)

So the modern day translations have it all wrong. John is not talking about practicing sin or sinning habitually. Of course, it subtly is similar in that our new Spirit wants to not sin and a believer will feel that war going on IN OUR MIND (Romans 7). It is a true sign you are a believer actually.

A person who does not believe on Christ has not received the new inner man, that is the newly created Spirit of God where all things have become new.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)

An unbeliever just does want they feel like doing, without regard for their performing acts of the sin nature. It is their very nature to sin. You see we do not sin and thus have a sin nature. People sin because they have a sin nature as their inner man. But when a person believes on Christ and receives the free gift of Salvation, we are made as a new creature and receive a new Spirit who is the new us.

This is what 1 John 3:9 is all about. John is talking about the NEW CREATION we received at the moment of our Salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14). The new spirit nature we now have which is the “seed of God”.

1 John 3:7-9 IS NOT A THREAT. IT IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT AGAINST BELIEVING IN GNOSTICISM

It is a truth of encouragement! The Gnostics were teaching that Jesus indwelling believers was not true and John is refuting this! The indwelling Holy Spirit is a born again Christians central truth! The Holy Spirit indwells believers and our new spirit CANNOT SIN and NEVER DOES SIN. In opposition to the Gnostics teaching, a born again believer was made the very righteousness of God, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Our new born again Spirit is the seed of God Himself and never directs us to sin. The Spirit directs us to right living!

We cannot attain sinless perfection, which is a false doctrine, and that is not what John is telling us here. Again, in proper context, John is refuting the beliefs of the Gnostic teachers. He is telling them, and us today, that our old self (which the Bible calls Adam and The Flesh) directs people to sin. But since our conversion, God made us into a new creature called the Spirit and the Spirit always wants to live righteously because it is the very righteousness of God, IN CHRIST. This in reality is the new us.

It is clear by the context of previous chapters in 1 John, that John is not saying a believer must be SINLESS or they are not saved. Given the fact that he is refuting the false teachings of the Gnostics in 1 John, we must see the context as the same. The “sin” we read in 1 John 3 is believing the Gnostics false teachings. That is the sin because in doing so it is complete unbelief in the deity of Christ and what HE did on that cross for us.A true born again believer knows that the very core of the Gospel is Christ is God. A true believer will never deny the deity of Christ because without that truth there is no salvation at all. The sin John is writing about is believing in Gnosticism which he is refuting. John does not write ‘sins’ (plural) he wrote ‘sin’ (singular). John is talking about the sin of belief in Gnosticism.

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

Reading this in this light, John is just saying that no born again believer can accept Gnosticism. A believer already has the seed of God and Holy Spirit indwelling and residing within them. Gnosticism denies the deity of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of a believer. And anyone who does accept Gnosticism has committed a sin and they are not even born again. In fact, they were never saved in the first place because they deny that Christ is the only begotten Son of God who IS GOD just as the same John explained in John 1.

The Newly Created Spirit At Salvation Is The New Us

In Romans 7, an often overlooked truth comes to light. And it is this truth that sheds a blinding light on 1 John 3:9. Paul is teaching the Doctrine of the Two Natures at war in a Believer. Think Paul had sinless perfection? Think again. Let us have a look at what Paul wrote for us to read:

“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

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, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

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, but sin that dwelleth in me.

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.

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.

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:

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. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
(Romans 7: 12-25 KJV)

The Doctrine Of The War In The Mind of a Believer Between The Two Natures.

Paul is showing us a doctrinal truth here. You see after our Salvation we have a war going on between our old Flesh thoughts, Adam, our Old Self Nature (which died with Christ (Romans 6, Colossians 2) and our New born again Spirit. We still have the ADAM nature thoughts in our mind which is called The Flesh and The New Eternal Spirit Nature we received at our moment of Salvation. The truth is that the real us now, is the New Eternal Spirit Nature. This Spirit of God within us NEVER SINS nor wants to sin but our Flesh in Adam does. That is why Paul shows us clearly that there is a constant battle going on in the believer, a sure sign you are saved. The new us, the newly created Spirit from the moment of our Salvation, wants to do only what is right Holy and good. It does not want to sin, nor does it sin.

We are told in Colossians 2, that when Christ died on the cross, we died WITH HIM. When He rose from the dead, we rose with Him in newness of life. Now what does that mean? We are still here on Earth are we not? This is talking about our Spirit.

“Knowing this, that our OLD MAN is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not SERVE sin. For he that is dead is FREED FROM SIN. Now if we be DEAD WITH CHRIST, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin ONCE: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:6-11 KJV)

Our ‘old self’, that is our ‘old man’, died on that cross and we were given the newly created Spirit of God which is from the seed of God Himself. We have a NEW self. And it wants to please God. Yet our flesh still remains within us. Our new spirit wars with our flesh. The battle is real. If a person does not feel this battle over temptations and sins then they are not saved.

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV)

One day each of us will die (unless Raptured first). Does the body of a believer go to be with the Lord in heaven at our physical death? No. Why? Because it is corrupted by this disease passed down from Adam called SIN. What about our new spirit? Well Paul tells us that our New Eternal Spirit Nature goes to be with the Lord because it is perfect (the seed of God within us). Nothing less than sinless perfection can enter Heaven because Heaven is a perfect place.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
( 2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV)

And then ONE DAY Jesus will return and our body will be resurrected into the perfect incorruptible body like Jesus now has. A new body WITHOUT the SIN NATURE which is identified in Scripture as ‘The Flesh’. We will be Raptured (snatched us up with force) in the twinkling of an eye and be changed and will finally be perfect and whole as our Lord is perfect. Sinning will become an impossibility for us. Think about that a moment… it is so hard to believe while we are living here on Earth with our Flesh still affecting us! Yet, it is going to happen!

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52 KJV)

This is what 1 John 3:9 is talking about. It is the New Eternal Spirit Nature given to us from God that NEVER SINS and cannot sin because it is the nature of God; Holy and Righteous perfectly. John is telling us that this is the true reality we are currently in and so why not work toward living in the New Spirit Nature we really are (that God has MADE US to be through Salvation in Christ) and cast off living by what the old man, The Flesh, tempts us with. Stop sinning as a normal thing to do that comes so easily for a non believer. Paul says to WALK BY THE SPIRIT TO AVOID THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH. This is what he meant by that.

Strive to be who God actually MADE US until our resurrection. We will not do it perfectly and we will fall into sin at times, willful or not! The Apostle Paul struggled with sin just as you or I do!

Yet remember this truth as fact. Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. Though we still fall at times and sin. The Holy Spirit of God is always within us. As 1 John 4 later reads ,

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17 KJV)

Does Hebrews 10:26-31 prove a person can lose their Salvation?

Don Gerrity Hebrews, Q&A: Difficult Passages, Q&A: Salvation December 1, 2016

“For if we SIN wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Hebrews 10:26-30 KJV)

There are many teaching and preaching from pulpit that this verse proves that a believer can lose their Salvation. They are sincere, but sincerely wrong. They are not seeing the context of the entire book of Hebrews. In Hebrews 10:1 we see the writer emphasize the point that the animal sacrifices performed under the Old Covenant never took away sins but only covered their sins for a time period of one year. Each year, this had to happen again to cover another year of sins and so on. It was not a perfect sacrifice for their sins. It was just a temporary covering until the Messiah would come and be the final sacrifice for sins.

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”(Hebrews 10:1 KJV)

This verse starts with the word “for”. It is the same as reading “therefore”. And whenever we see the word ‘therefore‘, we need to find out why it is there for! Hebrews 10:1 is just continuing the conversation and topic from Hebrew 9.

“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death,for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” (Hebrews 9:15-17 KJV)

Hebrews 9 is explaining how Christ has replaced the Old Covenant with a NEW Covenant. He replaced the Old Covenant of the Law of Moses with the New Covenant of the Grace of God through Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, the Israelites had to sacrifice unblemished animals as a ‘temporary covering’ for their sins. This covering would last one year and then had to be repeated so that the people’s sin could keep being covered. This sacrificing of animals is a foreshadowing and looking forward to the final sacrifice that God would make on the cross to not just cover, but pay in full all the penalty for all the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). The passage reads the “promise of eternal inheritance” and so how long is eternal? Well, it is everlasting, forever and ever and ever. Anything other than that is not the correct definition.

Now the last part of Hebrews 9 is what leads into Hebrews 10 and this is vitally important. Watch the words closely to see context.

“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 9:26-28 KJV)

This tells us that Jesus sacrifice has replaced the Law with God’s Grace and all who look for His Second Coming (that would be the believers) are saved. His sacrifice was a one time event and animal sacrifices to cover sins was no long required for the Jews. Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world ONCE and our sins have not been temporarily covered like the Old Covenant animal sacrifices; Jesus put away sins in finality by His blood atonement sacrifice on the cross. The sin debt of the whole world has been paid (1 John 2:2). The writer of Hebrews goes on to tell us that when Christ comes at the Second Coming, He is not coming to judge the sins of believers. Only the sins of the unbelievers. It is only those looking for His return in belief that Jesus will return “without sin unto salvation”. Knowing this context, when we reread the first part of Hebrews 10 we see that it is a continuation of this point as it reads,

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” (Hebrews 10:1 KJV)

The Old Covenant animal sacrifices never paid , nor put away, the sins of the Jewish people. Nor can our good works and self righteous efforts. The animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant only gave a covering for sins for one year at a time. Jesus once paid for all the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) and as Jesus cried out on the cross, ‘IT IS FINISHED’; a debt paid in full. In context, and throughout the book of Hebrews, the writer is addressing the Hebrew believers in Christ and also mentioning unbelievers who were pressuring them. This is not talking about sins we commit as believers after Salvation. It is talking about the sin of unbelief in Christ’s atonement. This is the one and only sin that is not forgivable. Because without belief in Christ and His once for all sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, there is no payment placed to their account. Jesus made this very clear in one short verse 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)

God’s righteousness is not imputed to an unbeliever (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Salvation is a GIFT (Ephesians 2:8-9) and as a GIFT, it can be received and accepted in belief or rejected by our free will (John 3:14-18). Accepting this gift is by believing on Christ as God in the flesh, the only begotten Son of God, and His finished work on the cross. If the gift is received, and not rejected, a person becomes a Newly created Spirit of God, which is the righteousness of God, in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21) and the person is saved from the very moment of their belief (Ephesians 1:13-14) and has become complete in Christ (Colossians 2). In the Book of Hebrews (in fact looking in all the first 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. Why? Because Jesus’ sacrifice replaced the Old Covenant and Law of Moses animal sacrifices with the New Covenant of God’s Grace Through Christ Crucified, died and risen.

To show this by the Book of Hebrews is as simple as going back to chapter 8,

“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.“(Hebrews 8:13 KJV)

The writer of Hebrews is basically pleading with the Jewish believers to keep their trust in Salvation in Christ and not their own self righteous good deeds, works of the Law nor religious rituals. In context, Hebrews 10, is about not going back to Jewish Law of Moses and trying to make it a requirement of their justification and Salvation. And that under the Law the unbelieving Jews can only expect the judgement and wrath of God. And those believers who do so, will also have judgment (not in condemnation or loss of salvation, but disciplinary judgment and maybe loss of rewards at the Bema Seat Judgement of believers).

The writer continues , in verse 10-14, to show the Jewish people the contrast between the Old Covenant, with continuous sacrifices needed as a covering for sins, and the New Covenant through the FINAL once for all blood atoning sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:10) through Jesus Christ crucified; paying for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

“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: But this man, after he had offered ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOR EVER, SAT DOWN on the right hand of God;From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For BY ONE OFFERING he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER them that are sanctified.”(Hebrews 10:10-14 KJV)

This passage makes me shout in my heart ever time I read it! What great love and GRACE has God bestowed on us! A believer is forever (Eternally) perfected in our Spirit. And what is the significance of Christ ‘sitting down’? The High Priest of the Old Covenant was only permitted to stand and was busy to do all the Lord commanded about the animal sacrifices to make sure the sins of the people were covered. Jesus was the once for all penalty payment for all the sins of the whole world from all of time. His work in accomplishing this is finished. It was finished at the cross 2000 years ago. He sat down. And believers are in Christ and so, we sat down with Christ. He is waiting for His enemies to be His footstool now. Just as when kings of the past would go into battle and capture their enemy king when defeated. The king would make the enemy king kneel on all fours and the winning king would place his feet on their back. Jesus has already won the war. And then the writer goes on to make this claim of truth,

“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. Now where remission of these is, there is NO MORE OFFERING FOR SIN.” (Hebrews 10:16-18 KJV)

So Hebrews verse 1 to 18 are all saying that Jesus paid the full price for the sins of the whole world and replaced the Old Covenant with the New Covenant of Grace, just as John reads in 1 John 2:2. Those who believe on Christ are saved and have eternal life, and are in the present, heaven bound. Our sins cannot prevent that. Only unbelief on Christ will prevent that. Those who tell others, that based on Hebrews 10:26, that a believer can lose Salvation are conveniently omitting all the other verses in Hebrews 9 and 10 and making verse 26 mean something opposite to what it actually means. You can see here just how important reading verses in proper context is. Hebrews 9 and 10 must be read together as the writer intended. This passage in verse 26 reads , “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” , is what throws people off on the true understanding of this Scripture when taken out of the context of the entire book of Hebrews. This statement is an encouraging statement and not a punitive one. Reading this verse alone and ignoring all the other verses in Hebrews will cause great confusion and turn what it really means into a lie.

The writer of Hebrews is writing to eternally saved believers and about unbelievers who are Jewish persecuting them. Remember, that it was hard for believers at the time Hebrews was written. The Jewish believers on Christ’s final atonement for sin had family and friends entrenched in the tradition of the Law of Moses following for righteousness. These believers were being persecuted and had great pressure to go back to following the Law and relying on animal sacrifices to cover their sins. And that was something the Jewish people were entrenched in and rightfully so before the cross event.

Now back to the verses, used out of context, that some are using to teach wrongly that it is about a believer losing Salvation. Let’s look at it again in the proper context just shown to you.

“For if we SIN wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for SINS, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”(Hebrews 10:26-30 KJV)

I want you to notice something in these few verses and that is the wilful sin is NOT plural. It is addressing a single sin; the sin of unbelief in the sufficiency of Christ’s blood atonement that we read in Hebrews 9. The second use reads as SINS; plural. This is all our sins. The only sacrifice for sins is Jesus’ blood atonement and we are only saved by actually believing it was sufficient to the Father for remission of all our sins.

In verse 26 and 27, the writer is just explaining to these persecuted believers to not go back to the Law animal sacrifices like their Jewish friends and neighbors are pushing them too. It is like committing adultery against Christ and all He did for them! All verse 26 and 27 are meaning is that going back to animal sacrifices and deeds of the Law to remain justified with God is like rejecting the great ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice Christ did for us on that cross. It is meaningless anyway and will not work, because Christ already came and fulfilled the Law and became the final once for all blood atoning sacrifice for all sins.

In comparison to the unbelieving Jews, if they do not rely on Christ alone in faith for Salvation but are doing animal sacrifices to keep themselves saved, there remains no more sacrifice for sins because there is only one sacrifice for sins, and that was Jesus Christ on that cross when He took our sin debt and eradicated it forever! Animal sacrifices do not forgive sin. That is how Chapter Ten starts. It is the very context from the beginning of the chapter. Animal sacrifices before the cross only covered sins until the final sacrifice would come; Jesus, the Messiah on the cross.

The writer goes on to encourage these Jewish believers in Christ, to not go back to animal sacrifices. The writer also warns them that it is a fearful thing for those who are crucifying Jesus afresh by going back to animal sacrifices. It is slapping God in the face when He shed His blood for them to not just cover their sins, but to be the final sacrifice for their sins. It is a warning also for the Jewish people to accept Christ based on faith alone without self righteous deeds and religious rituals to keep you saved. It is God alone who keeps us saved.

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31 KJV)

The writer then tells the believers,

“But WE ARE NOT of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that BELIEVE to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:39 KJV)

The whole misunderstood passage of Hebrews 10:26 is the writer of Hebrews encouraging the persecuted believers to press on in the faith of the New Covenant of God’s Grace Through Jesus Christ and not to be following the Law for righteousness. They started out as strong believers when they got saved but all the persecution is running them down. They feel like hiding from their Jewish family, friends and some started going back into The Law of Moses just to get relief from all the persecution. The writer of Hebrews is encouraging them to stay the course and stand firm in their faith in Christ. He is also warning them of judgment if they go back to animal sacrifices.In the next chapter, Hebrews 11, the writer then recalls the greats in using their faith to encourage them even more to stand firm.

That is the truth of the Gospel of the Grace of God Through Jesus Christ! And it is the BEST NEWS ever for all of us – if we believe on Christ alone for our justification.

Matthew 24:37-42: Is This Really About The Rapture?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times, Q&A: Difficult Passages June 4, 2016

“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Matthew 24:40-42 KJV)

There are many people who interpret this passage of Scripture as referring to the Rapture. However, Matthew 24 is not addressing the Bride of Christ. The disciples asked Jesus when would be the time of his Second Coming and what would be the signs it is near?

Verse 29 shows us that from that verse onward Matthew is talking about the time period just after the Tribulation period and what will happen to believers and non believers.

“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:” (Matthew 24:29 KJV)

So that is the context and the context is AFTER THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. Because of this Matthew 24:37-42 cannot be referring to the Rapture.

^“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” (Matthew 24:37-42 KJV)

Because verse 29 is obviously discussing events after the Tribulation Period then the reference to the “days of Noah”, in verse 36 shown above, is also not about the Rapture as many are teaching today. The reference to the Days of Noah is being addressed to the Nation Israel just before the Second Coming.

Who Are The Taken And The Left Behind? Doesn’t That Sound Like The Rapture?

Many refer to the Rapture by the believers being taken and the unbelievers being left behind on Earth. However, in 1 Thessalonians 4 the word ‘taken’ is not the word used. The word is instead ‘caught up‘.

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV)

Believers who accepted Christ’s atonement during our present church age will be caught up and off the planet swiftly at the Rapture. The Original Greek for ‘caught up ‘ in 1 Thessalonians 4: 17 is ‘harpázō’ which means ‘properly, seize by force; snatch up, suddenly and decisively – like someone seizing bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an open display of force (i.e. not covertly or secretly).’

The word for the English word ‘taken’ in the above passages of Matthew 24 is the Greek word ‘paralambanō’. In John 14:3, John is referring to the Rapture and he uses the same word ‘paralambanō from Greek. Because of this, this has some believing that this passage in Matthew 24 is referring to the rapture.

But Wait A Minute. A closer look at this Greek word ‘ paralambanō ‘shows that it can also have a negative meaning and that the context of the passage determines whether it is positive or negative. Let’s look at a few other Scriptures in the Greek that use this same word:

“Then the devil taketh (paralambanō) him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,” (Matthew 4:5-8 KJV)

“Then the soldiers of the governor took (paralambanō) Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.” (Matthew 27:27 KJV)

“Then goeth he, and taketh (paralambanō) with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:45 KJV)

Some Scriptures use this word in a positive manner while other Scriptures in a negative manner. So the Greek word ‘ paralambanō ‘ being the same as in John does not in any way prove Matthew 24:40 is using the word ‘taken’ to describe when the believers are snatched away at the Rapture.

Let’s see who the ‘other left’ will be. The word ‘left’ in the original Greek is the Greek word ‘aphiēmi‘ and has the meaning of ‘to send away, to bid going away or depart of a husband divorcing his wife’.

This is an interesting word! Jesus referred to believers in the church age as ‘The Bride of Christ’ and as being married to Christ from the very moment of a person’s Salvation. Here the ‘left’ are just the opposite and are sent away. Also, note that in the Rapture believers are snatched away off the Earth, but those left behind are just left on Earth to live in the Tribulation Period. There will be people coming to faith in Christ during the Tribulation Period. The left behind are not all sent away in death to judgment. Many from the 7 year Tribulation Period will die in the faith of Christ as we see them arriving in Heaven in Revelation 7:13-14. But here in Matthew 24, those left are sent away in judgement.

Matthew 24:40-41 is a perfect picture of what will happen to people who survive the Great Tribulation. Those that came to faith in Christ during the Tribulation that were not martyred by beheading from the Antichrist system will be taken (paralambanō) into the 1000 year millennial reign of Christ to repopulate the Earth. While the unbeliever survivors will be killed and left/sent away (aphiēmi) in judgement to one day be resurrected at the Great White Throne judgment of non believers at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ.

The context is clear that Matthew 24, beyond verse 29, is speaking about a time period just after the Great Tribulation Period. That is, the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation Period. It is a warning of judgement for those who have not accepted Christ in faith at the Second Coming.

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:49-51 KJV)

What About Daniel ?

The Second Coming is known to be at a certain day from the time the signing of the covenant with many in Daniel 9:27. Doesn’t that mean the people in the Tribulation will know the day Christ will return at the Second Coming? And if so, how can Matthew 24 be talking about anything but the Rapture?

It is true what Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 12:11-12 says,

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27 KJV)

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.” (Daniel 12:11-12 KJV)

Remember though that in the Tribulation Period the Antichrist had deceived even Jews into thinking he was the Messiah already come. A great deception will happen after the Rapture to explain what happened when millions of people disappeared from the Earth.

Those who come to faith in Christ during the Tribulation Period (because of the 144,00 Jews Evangelizing and because of the Two Witnesses God sends) will know Christ will return. They will look toward it with anticipation. However, Matthew 24:40-41 is a WARNING to the unbelievers. To them they think the Antichrist is the Messiah already come and they will not be looking for the Second Coming of Christ and it will take them by total surprise.

Matthew 24:40-41 is not referring to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church. Again, this is not to say that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is not Biblical. It is VERY Biblical and not in debate in this article. Just that, Matthew 24: 40-41 is not referring to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, yet many others Scriptures do.

Matthew 24:1-9, is addressed to those just before the Tribulation Period starts. It is not directly about the Rapture but we know believers are Raptured prior to the Tribulation Period so it contains signs for us today. It describes our current world time period very well in fact! And verses 10-28 are talking about what will happen once the Tribulation Period starts and has specific warnings for Israel.

But from beyond verse 29, too many believers are using Matthew 24 in reference to the Rapture when this particular book of Scripture is mainly addressing Tribulation believers and unbelievers and is a WARNING to the unbelievers of coming judgment unless they repent and accept Christ.

Matthew 24:36-37: Is This Really About The Rapture?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Bible Prophecy & End Times, Q&A: Difficult Passages June 3, 2016

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.“ (Matthew 24:36-37 KJV)

These two verse of Scripture are used by many Christians to describe the Rapture of the Church, The Bride Of Christ. Am I saying there is no Pre-Tribulation Period Rapture? I am NOT saying that! In fact, The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is FULLY SUPPORTED in Scripture. I am saying that the passage of Scripture in Matthew 24:35-37 is not about the Rapture. This may come as a surprise to many because many pulpits teach Matthew 24 completely out of context and fail to understand that in Matthew 24 Jesus is talking to the Jewish peoples, the nation of Israel. You see, the church did not even exist when he told this to His disciples.

The first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation Period may be hard times but the last 3 1/2 years is called The GREAT Tribulation. All hell will break lose on the Earth. In Matthew 24:29 is reads,

“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:” (Matthew 24:29 KJV)

Because verse 29 is obviously discussing events after the Tribulation Period then the reference to the “days of Noah”, later in verse 36, is also not about the Rapture as many are teaching today. The reference to the Days of Noah is being addressed to the Nation Israel just before the Second Coming. Jesus continues telling the Disciples about what will happen AFTER the Great Tribulation and just before Christ returns at the Second Coming – not the Rapture in verses 30-31 saying,

“And THEN shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and THEN shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:30-31 KJV)

Jesus says “AND THEN” as in after these things He just spoke about happening. That is pretty clear right? Matthew 24 is NOT about the Rapture. It is addressing those alive after the 7 Year Tribulation Period and is addressing the Nation of Israel.

Who is the elect the angels are gathering?

First, when you look at the Rapture verses in 1 Thessalonians 4, no where is it showing angels gathering the elect from the the four winds of HEAVEN. Instead it says that Jesus Himself will give a SHOUT and believers will be raised from the dead, and those still alive who are believers will be changed and that we will meet Him in the air. It also shows that only believers will see Christ and that it will happen in a ‘twinkling of an eye’ (faster than a blink) . But here in Matthew 24, we see something different. We see angels gathering the elect. We see that the whole world will see Him coming. So this event is NOT the Rapture. It is about the Second coming as Jesus stated clearly in verse 29.

Who are ‘the elect’ mentioned here then?Well, in Daniel 12:1-2 we see a prophecy that is not about those Raptured. It is specifically for the time AFTER the Tribulation Period. It is the same time as spoken about by Jesus in Matthew 24.

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1-2 KJV)

Notice the Elect are collected from the four winds (The Earth) , from one end of HEAVEN to the other. This is speaking about the fulfillment of the prophecy in Daniel 12. Old Testament Saints will be resurrected at this time and reunited with their new glorified bodies, as will those martyred believers from the Tribulation period.

These are those in Old Testament times and who were martyred in the Tribulation Period for their testimony, who have come to faith and belief in Christ.

Not all people will be saved in the Tribulation Period. Lots will! But most in fact will believe the Antichrist is the Messiah returned to Earth in the Tribulation. Many will fall for the great deception of the Tribulation period. This deception is likely some kind of explanation for what happened to those raptured previously. Yet there will also be a great number of people who will heed the 144,00 evangelized Jews and the 2 witnesses from the Tribulation period and will believe that Christ is Lord and will return. Most will be killed for their belief on Christ by the Antichrist (who will be Adolf Hitler on steroids). These are the ‘elect’ spoken of in this verse.

God will have His angels gather these believers saved in the Tribulation Period and relocate them to Israel in preparation for the 1000 year reign of Christ on the Earth. He has His angels gather them from where they are currently scattered all over the Earth and in Heaven. In contrast, Angels do not gather the believers at the Rapture. At the Rapture we are quickly snatched up into the cloud to meet Christ in the air. The gathering by angels and relocating them to Israel here is not about the rapture.

What Did Jesus Mean By Not Knowing The Day Nor Hour Then?

It is important to not just read Matthew verse 36 without reading the verse just before it. Again context is everything. Up until verse 34, Jesus is answering the question the disciples had of when will the Second Coming happen. At the time Jesus was telling His disciples this, they had no knowledge of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Information about the Rapture came later through the Apostle Paul and was revealed AFTER Jesus Ascended. Again, this answer of Jesus was for the Nation of Israel and Jewish peoples – not for the church which did not even exist at the time of Jesus answering them.

This phrase of ‘not knowing the day nor the hour’ was well known to the disciples and they knew exactly what Jesus meant by it’s use in answering their question of when the Second Coming of Christ will be.

The Jewish people have a feast called Rosh Hashanah and this feast is celebrated in our calendar month of September. The Jews used the Hebrew calendar and this Jewish feast was celebrated on the new moon. But the day nor hour was not known when that would be and they waited until the new moon appeared and then celebrated the feast. So they knew the month but not the day nor hour. And so, Rosh Hashanah is the feast where “no man knows the day or hour”! And if we watch the context in Matthew 24:29, “…the moon shall not give her light…”; the day nor hour for this will not be known. Also notice, Jesus did not say they would not know the month nor the year. It is not knowing the day nor hour only.

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Romans 11:25 KJV)

We are living in the church age; a time period after the Jews rejected Christ and where God turned to the Gentiles. This is the dispensation of grace as Apostle Paul taught. During the dispensation (Church Age) we now live in, Israel is blind in part to the truth. Both Jews and Gentiles can come to belief on Christ and become part of the Bride of Christ. However, Israel as a whole still does not believe Jesus’ is the Messiah foretold and they are still looking for the Messiah to come. But once the ‘fulness of the Gentiles’ happens (once every person to accept Christ does), the Rapture will happen and God will turn back to Israel, to keep His promises to them yet unfulfilled and to remove their blindness during the Tribulation Period.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is an ever imminent event. Once the last person who will accept Christ for salvation has been reached, it will trigger the Rapture. God foreknew all who will accept the free gift of salvation through belief on Christ and when that appointed time comes, the Rapture will happen and the Tribulation Period on Earth will begin. Daniel’s 70th week of his prophecy will begin. The church is taken to heaven and God turns back his focus to restore and save Israel who rejected Him 2000 years ago.

Remember that God is treating and fulfilling promises to Israel as well as to the Church Bride. We cannot mix this together as some do today with ‘Replacement Theology’. Replacement theology is a teaching that states the church has replaced Israel. That is false and a very wrong teaching not taking into account dispensations. In Matthew 24, Jesus is talking strictly to the Jewish peoples and the Nation of Israel. In the end times, Israel will become a nation again and that has already happened and been fulfilled on May 14, 1948. The BIG sign that the end times have begun. That is how close we are to the Rapture folks. Very close!

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.“ (Matthew 24:36-37 KJV)

First, Jesus says here that at the time of His telling the disciples this, no man knoweth, no angels knoweth, but the Father only knoweth the time of Christ’s Second Coming back to Earth. Jesus Himself at the time of telling this does not seem to know the exact date either. Jesus was still in human form and His knowledge was limited. We see this in many Scriptures. Jesus only did what the Father told Him to do and say. Remember that Christ is both God and human; the God-Man. However, NOW Jesus does know the exact day and hour. He is risen and with the Father. The very start of the book of Revelation tells us this.

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” (Revelation 1:-2 KJV)

So Jesus knows now! He has been preparing a place for believers for 2000 years now! (John 14)

Some are teaching that Matthew 24 must be about the Rapture because it references the ‘Days of Noah’ and that the Ark was a foreshadowing of the Rapture. Well, that is true. But here it does not reference the Ark as the Rapture. The Second Coming is the focus of attention and the the focus is surely on those left behind, not those saved in the flood. Some also say this must be about the Rapture because after just going through the horrific Tribulation period, people will not be just going about as ‘business as usual’.

But just a minute here. Let’s look at what happened in Noah’s day. Noah was warning people that when his grandfather died that a flood will come. Noah knew the time the flood would come. God told him. Did Noah go about as business as usual or did that make him work at building the Ark and preach this truth to the people, while everyone else scoffed at him? You see, the day the flood came did not surprise Noah. It surprised everyone else! In the same way, during and after the Tribulation Period, the believers WILL BE looking for Christ’s return in belief. Yet those who chose to worship the Antichrist and who took the Mark of the Beast, think they already found the Christ returned and will not be looking for Jesus’ return.

We know today that when a specific event happens in the Tribulation Period, we have the time frame of the Second Coming. We do not know this today because the Rapture must take place before the Tribulation Period begins. It is what triggers the Tribulation Period beginning. But once the Tribulation Period starts, the 144,000 Jewish Evangelist for Christ will know the time frame of Christ’s return. We know that the Second Coming will occur and it occurs after the Abomination of Desolation during the Tribulation Period and after the Antichrist issues the decree to stop the Jewish sacrifices at the Temple. That is a very time specific prophecy from Daniel. So for the believing survivors of the Tribulation Period, they are anticipating the Lord’s coming!

But what about the unsaved survivors who were worshiping the Antichrist and his beast system of Government? They think the Antichrist; IS CHRIST already come. They are not looking for the Second Coming. The day of Christ’s Second Coming will come as a shock to them. After The Tribulation, the unbelieving world will be trying to get back to business as usual. The Tribulation hell they went through, which they will think were natural disasters almost destroying the entire world, are seemingly over. But then they will see Jesus coming. He is not returning in a flash like the Rapture. The whole world will see Him coming! Verse 30 shows this,

““And THEN shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and THEN shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.“

This is another proof that Matthew 24 is about the Second Coming and NOT the Rapture. The Rapture happens fast; faster than an eye blink! The Second Coming is something the world sees coming. It will take them off guard just like it took those in Noah’s day off guard that did not believe Noah or God. Once the rain started, no one panicked initially until the waters started rising over the 40 days and nights. It was a progressive panic and judgement finally came.

It took a while for the waters to rise enough for their panic to set it didn’t it? But as the Lord approaches Earth from space, they will know that they were wrong. They accepted the Mark Of The Beast and there is no way of escape now. They will no doubt think that ‘the Christians were right, and we were wrong!’

^“38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, ³⁹And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Now it is clear from verse 39 this is the case. Jesus says they KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME. And what happened? God ‘took them all away’. The Rapture is God taking believers to Heaven. Here at the Second Coming God will ‘take them away’ in judgement and death as He did in the days of Noah. This is talking about the the Sheep and Goats Judgment explained in more detail in Matthew 25:31-46.

While answering the question about when the Second Coming would occur, Jesus answers them and then tells them that this will happen with CERTAINTY and tells the disciples,

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

Some teach this verse is telling us we cannot know the time of the Rapture. However, is that what is really being said here in proper context? I ask you this, ‘when’ will Heaven and Earth PASS AWAY? Is that to happen at the rapture? Not according to the Scriptures. There is still the Tribulation period and another 1000 years with Christ ruling on Earth right? That event was described by Peter as a time the people on Earth will not know.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10 KJV)

This event happens at the END of the 1000 year reign of Christ on Earth. The Great White Throne judgement of non believers happens and the believers in Christ see the NEW heavens and the New Earth God creates for us. This current Earth and Heavens will burn!

Jesus is just telling the disciples that my answer to your question about WHEN the Second Coming will happen is as true as His Words NEVER passing away. Heavens and Earth will pass away (there’s a major event!) but not Jesus words. Not the Word of God! Every word of God will be fulfilled to the exactness that only God can orchestrate.

Wait a minute.. did you miss verses 32-34?

What is that all about if this is not about Israel becoming a nation and the pre-tribulation rapture as many are teaching today? First let’s compare two different Gospels of the same event when Jesus was asking the disciples about when the Second Coming would happen:

“Now learn a parable of THE FIG TREE; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” (Matthew 24: 32-34 KJV)

“And he spake to them a parable; BEHOLD THE FIG TREE, AND ALL THE TREES; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:29-32 KJV)

There are no contradictions in the Bible, only misinterpretations. Here we see that both Matthew and Luke are writing about the same event, yet Luke does not just mention the FIG TREE and he also mentions ‘ALL THE TREES’. So this makes it clear that these verses in Matthew 24 are not only about Israel becoming a nation in 1948. Both describe the FIG TREE and that is also used in describing Israel in Scripture. That does certainly give this interpretation merit to be about Israel becoming a nation again in the Last Days time period. However, even without this interpretation of it describing Israel becoming a nation again, there are in fact other Scriptures that foretold of Israel becoming a nation again and they were fulfilled in our generation. (Amos 9:14-15,Ezekiel 37:10-14,Isaiah 66:7-8,Jeremiah 16:14-15 and others.) So understand that Israel becoming a nation is most certainly foretold for the End Times, and it exists again today! We are in the End times, make no mistake about that!

It seems a double meaning in this passage; (i) Israel will blossom as a nation (ii) all these things will happen before the generation of that time is complete. But here in Matthew 24, Jesus is just telling them in plain language that you see signs before summer comes right? Trees start to bud and leaves start showing and you KNOW “Here comes summer!” Right? Because Luke reads “all the trees” , Jesus is saying the same thing. When you see these signs I just told you about, know that the Second Coming is near. Again, this is talking to the Nation of Israel and the Jewish peoples after the Tribulation Period because of the context Jesus provided in Matthew 24:29 and just before Christ Returns to Earth. So although there is merit in this verse being about Israel’s rebirth as a nation, we need to keep sharp focus on who this is addressed to specifically and that is not the Church age believers, but the Tribulation believers. It is not a prophecy for the Bride of Christ and those already Raptured. After all, we will be the ones returning WITH Christ at His Second Coming.

James 2: Faith Without Works Is Dead.

Don Gerrity James, Q&A: Difficult Passages, Q&A: Salvation April 16, 2016August 1, 2022

Does Apostle Paul and James Believe Two Different Gospels? Are They Contradicting Each Other?

Eventually every believer is confronted with an apparent contradiction in the writing of James and Apostle Paul. In Apostle Paul’s writings he is clear that works have nothing to do with salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:20-28) and then we read James 2 and some verses seem to state that faith without works is dead (James 2:17) and that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only (James 2:24). So which is it?

One thing I have learned in my Bible studying is that when I see a contradiction, I am wrong in my interpretation because the Bible does not contradict itself. It usually means that I need to watch the context of the writing more closely to see the truth. Context is everything when studying the Bible. By the way, I NEVER think I have all the answers (I am a constant learner too) but I know this, there is no contradiction between the Gospel Paul taught and the Gospel James taught. How do I know this? Because I was faced with this issue between James and Paul and I had to get to the bottom of it and settle my belief regarding this as with every other time I found what I at first thought was a contradiction. So I started to watch every word and verse in James closer.

WHO WAS JAMES?

James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ. During Christ’s ministry on earth, James actually doubted that Jesus was the Messiah, after all to him Jesus was his brother. Would you think your brother is God? After Christ died and rose from the dead, James could not deny the facts, and so believed in Jesus for eternal life. He soon became one of the elders in the rapidly growing Jerusalem church, and when we come to Acts 15, we read that he even presided over the Jerusalem council.

WHO WAS JAMES ADDRESSING HIS WRITINGS TOO?

Verse 1 says it was written to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. Who is this? Jews. And there are two kinds of Jews; believing born again eternally saved Jews and unbelieving unsaved Jews. Which kind is this letter written to? Look at verse 2 where we read, ‘MY BRETHREN‘. Skip down to verse 16. ‘Do not be deceived, MY BELOVED BRETHREN.’ Verse 19. ‘So then, MY BELOVED BRETHREN‘. So who are his beloved brethren? Are his brethren just other Jews or believing Jews?

We read in James 2:1,

“MY BRETHREN, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”

So we know now by the context of James that he is addressing JEWISH BELIEVERS IN CHRIST. In fact, you can go through the rest of this letter and discover that quite clearly, James is writing to Jewish believers.

Remember that the epistle (letter) of James was not written in chapters and these were only added to the Bible for our reference. Even so, he also starts James 2 addressing them as ‘Brethren’, therefore he is not writing to believers about how to be saved from their sins nor about how to be justified before God.

WHAT IS THE REASON FOR JAMES’ LETTER?

The Jewish believers James is writing to were being persecuted by their fellow non believing Jews (we also see this in the book of Hebrews as well). They had tremendous pressure to go back to the Jewish faith under the Law of Moses. It could not have been easy for them! They had trouble getting along with one another. They had trouble knowing how much of the Old Testament law they still had to keep, if any of it. These are new believers in the early Jewish church. These new believers are learning the faith just as new believers do today, wondering how our good deeds and good works of the Law should play out in our life after we believe on Christ and are born again in the Spirit in salvation by faith.

James is writing about how we should live AFTER we are saved. Works do not save us. Paul makes that very clear in Romans, Ephesians, Galatians etc. We are not to boast of our good deeds nor good works of the Law as what saves us.

“For by GRACE are ye saved THOROUGH 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)

“Now to him that worketh is the reward NOT reckoned of grace, but OF DEBT. But to him that worketh NOT, but BELIEVETH ON HIM (Jesus) that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Romans 4:4-5 KJV)

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16 KJV)

Paul is very clear on this right? Let’s go back to James now and the context.

James 2:3 is another verse of importance to see the context here.

“And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:” (James 2:3 KJV)

In proper context James is chastising for ignoring the needs of the poor and instead being respecters of important people and the rich.

James goes on to write,

“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it PROFIT? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:15-17 KJV)

The word PROFIT is interesting for context and needs to be understood. Salvation is a GIFT not a reward (Eph. 2:8-9). In Strongs Concordance we see the Greek word ‘ophelos‘, meaning “to heap up, i.e. accumulate or benefit”. To profit means a reward earned.

The word DEAD in this verse in Strongs Concordance in the Greek is ‘nekros’ and used as a metaphor has a meaning of ‘being spiritually dead, destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins, inactive as respects doing right destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative.’

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26 KJV)

James uses a strong analogy here to make the point. A persons dead body is pretty much useless to help anyone in need or do anything useful. It is there, lifeless and useless to do anything. If believers are just living in constant sin and being carnal by living constantly in the flesh instead of walking by the spirit, they have become useless. Their faith is dead. Yes, they are still saved because our behaviour nor our works have anything to do with our justification in salvation. But they are not of much use in this life are they? How many go to church on a strict religious basis, never missing, and yet leave that church building and ignore helping those they see in need? How many church goers treat the person well dressed better then the one wearing ripped jeans, judging them in an unrighteous way? Are such not hypocrites? Are they even born again and saved? Well, that depends on how they think they are saved and it is NOT by their good works nor good deeds (Matthew 7:15-23, Eph. 2:8-9). Yet, there are many Christians that are saved by faith in the finished work of Christ that He accomplished on that cross, who are not living out there faith in love toward others. As Paul instructed we are to “work out our salvation” (Philippians 2:12) and we should be “renewing our mind” (Romans 12) and “Walking in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16) and not the flesh.

An inactive loving faith is dead; that is it helps no one and is useless. James says, What does it PROFIT? That is, how will that help the person? How will that help a believer if they are not living out there faith as well? James is talking about a believer either using his faith in love or not using his faith in love. This is not about Salvation nor justification before God but our good works and living by faith in love towards others after Salvation. Again, remember that James is addressing the brethren, who are already saved believers.

We should not claim to be Christian yet treat the rich and important in society any better than those who are poor and in need. That is not using our faith in the right way. It also makes us look like hypocrites and can ruin our witness to others (Eph. 4:29, Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12). Our faith should be active in an outward love for others and not be based on bias toward people. Jesus Himself said we should love our enemies. That is how extreme we should use our faith in love.

James is talking about the fact that as believers who have been saved by such a high cost to Christ that we should be living in a manner that our faith is a faith of love towards others, especially those in need. We should not be judging people in an unrighteous manner. Even Jesus said the same in Matthew 7 to ‘judge not lest you be judged’.

A living faith showing others the love of God through us. James is writing about our walk after being saved. We should have the right attitude and motives to help those in need. A living faith from a heart of thankfulness to God for what He has done for us. And without living our faith IN LOVE our faith becomes DEAD, as in useless, to help anyone.

Paul puts it this way,

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so WALK YE IN HIM: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7 KJV)

As believers we should have a THANKFUL heart because as Paul also taught us that “…God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Roman 5:8 KJV)

In thanksgiving, seeing and receiving God’s love in our need to be forgiven, we should also pour out such love for others. God is no respecter of persons, rich or poor. As believers, we should live our lives by faith in love, showing others the love of Christ through our lives.

Read Corinthians, a model of a church gone very wrong, yet still Paul addresses them as Brethren; believers. Our justification with God is not by works but Grace through faith in the only atonement for sin, Jesus Christ crucified.

Yet how we live after Salvation is a testament of our faith. Let our testament be that of a loving faith towards every person, without respect for how rich or important in society they deem to be. We should be doing good works in love for others. It matters for others who you could have helped. It matters for showing the love of God through us. It matters for our witness to others when sharing the Gospel. It matters because it affects the entire world with the Gospel unto Salvation through the grace of God.

God is no respecter of persons, neither should we be when it comes to showing the love of God through us with a thankful heart for what God has already done for us.

JAMES KNEW ABOUT THE BEMA JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST FOR BELIEVERS

Apostle Paul clearly taught that believers will one day, at the Rapture, receive our eternal resurrected bodies free from the sin nature we now have to fight against. But we will also, as believers, find ourselves at the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ and will give an account of how we lived after Salvation. This judgment seat is not the Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers in Revelation 20 as that will happen a 1000 years after Christ’s return to Earth. It is for Church Age Believer’s alone and will happen just after the Pre-Tribulation Rapture event.

This judgment will not be about losing Salvation because of our sins. Those at this event are already in Heaven. In fact, the word sin is not even mentioned regarding this event. Our sins have already been PAID IN FULL by Christ on that cross. But there will be judgments made based on our good works; whether done in love with Godly motives, or done with self righteous motives. Rewards will be given and taken away because of how we lived.

“If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15 KJV)

James is talking about a judgment that will fall on eternally saved born again BELIEVERS. It became clear to me that James had knowledge that born again believers, though eternally saved, will face the Judgment Seat of Christ. How can I think this? Because James wrote this,

“MY BRETHREN, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the GREATER CONDEMNATION.” (James 3:1 KJV)

This is not condemnation in hell. James is not instructing them they will have greater condemnation in hell. What kind of pep talk would that be? He did not write they would be condemned neither. He is clearly showing a greater judgment about how they are living as born again believers. So James is talking about what does it PROFIT and then states a judgment for not living outwardly in love and thankfulness. James is talking about losing rewards at the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ for believers which is a judgment of not salvation but of rewards and loss of rewards.

The English translated word in the Greek for masters is in Strongs Concordance, “didáskalos, from G1321; an instructor (genitive case or specially):—doctor, master, teacher.”

He is stating that born again believers teaching will face greater judgment.

A Quick Overview Summary…

To summarize by James own writing in context, James is writing to “my brethren”, saved Jewish believers.
He emphasizes ‘what does it PROFIT’. Something earned and not received as a gift.
James is showing he has knowledge of the Judgment Seat of Christ that believers will face one day as well.

Conclusion By Context…

Therefore, by context of his own writing, James is talking about the Bema Judgment Seat of believers where Christ will judge believers. This is the judgment he is talking about and not condemnation nor loss of salvation. He is writing about losing rewards in judgment and not losing salvation.

Seeing these contexts within the writing of James and also the truth of the Gospel of Grace that Apostle Paul taught, is when a light bulb went off for me and I started to see the truth about what James is writing about and it is not salvation by works. It is about evidence of our salvation by works after being saved and not losing our reward while helping others in love as Christ loved us.

WHAT ABOUT ABRAHAM IN THE BOOK OF JAMES ?

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was

not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his

son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by

works was faith made perfect? “ (James 2:20-22 KJV)

Here again, if we were to stop reading James 2 at this verse it seems like the meaning is that it is the works that save. That is not what James is conveying. He is again writing and instructing about the faith that is head knowledge only. He is bringing up Abraham who is known as ‘the Father of our faith’ right? If we continue to the very next verse we see,

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and
it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the
Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by
faith only.” (James 2:23-24 KJV)

Abraham was not justified and saved by the act of the works. It was his FAITH in what God had previously PROMISED HIM that pushed him forward to do the works that God commanded. But God worked on Abraham’s faith for a LONG time before God tested his faith in telling him to sacrifice his only son. Abraham learned what the true God was like and what God’s character is. God never changes and He is a good God, amen? A perfectly righteous God. A perfectly JUST God! God had made a promise that “…for in Isaac your seed shall be called” (Genesis 21:12). Long before this when God called Abraham to leave for a new
land God made promises to Abraham and by his works we can see the evidence that he believed them in the proper saving faith,

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and
from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew
thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and
make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them
that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all
families of the earth be blessed.” ( Genesis 12:1-3 KJV)

How are all the families of the Earth today blessed because of these promises of God to Abraham and the faith that Abraham had to do what God told him to do? God is promising Abraham that through his seed and blood line he would make a nation which we know today as the nation of Israel. And how do we know that Israel has blessed all the families of the earth? Because of the one that came out of the bloodline of Israel, Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and the Savior of the world. It is because of Jesus Christ that the world is blessed.

In Genesis we see what Abraham says when he decides on going to the place God told him to go to Sacrifice his son Issac,

“And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I
and the lad will go yonder and worship, AND COME AGAIN TO YOU. ” (Genesis 22:5 KJV)

What stands out in this verse? It is some VERY important words ‘I and the lad‘, in essence ‘WE’. You see God had taught Abraham who He really is. Abraham had complete trust in God to always be good and do the just thing. Over the years, he learned that God is faithful and can be trusted. He did have a son as promised by God, even though his wife Sarah was in her older years and baron. It was not as Abraham expected the promise to be fulfilled by God, but it was fulfilled. It increased his faith in God.

Abraham tells his young helpers that ‘we will come back to you ’ . He did not say ‘I will come back to you’. Abraham is showing his faith! That is his complete faith that God would never allow him to actually murder his son unrighteously. And even if he did, he knew that God would have to raise him from the dead because God had already promised Abraham that it is through Issac’s bloodline, ‘I will make you a great nation’. Later we see Issac asking his father Abraham,

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” (Genesis 22:7-8 KJV)

Again we see Abraham exercising his full faith and assurance that God would provide a Lamb in place of his son for the sacrifice. Abraham knew this must be a test of his faith and trust in God. God has never shown himself to be like this. He moved forward with full faith and trust in God and knowing the attributes of God. He believed the character of God and His trustworthiness so much that he would have killed Issac. This is why he is known as the Father of our Faith.

WAS IT WORKS THAT SAVED ABRAHAM? OR FAITH IN GOD?

Abraham was justified by belief in God alone. Not by his works. In fact, if you look at some of Abraham’s ‘works’ you will quickly find out he was as flawed as us sinners today! Read what Abraham did to his wife in Genesis 20. Oh my! He was a sinner just like us all, even after he believed God for righteousness. And even in this great wrong doing, it was Pharaoh who was innocent in what happened that God punished and Abraham who caused the problem, was rewarded. Why? Because Abraham was saved by his belief on God and favoured but Pharaoh was an unbeliever. All because of God’s grace! Have a read of what happened in Genesis 20 and see for yourself. It seems God uses sinners we would not expect to be the very ones He uses in their weakness to show His strength. I mean, look at the Apostle Paul who was the greatest persecutor of Christians until he met Jesus on that road to Damascus and became the writer of what we have today, 2/3 of the New Testament.

Abraham was far from a perfect guy full of good works. But he certainly had faith in God’s promises! It was his faith and the works of carrying out what God said to do was the evidence of his true faith in God’s promises. This is what James is talking about. It is that evidence should exist in those that have saving faith. But not that the evidence is what saves you. Just as Apostle Paul wrote, we should be walking by the spirit, not the flesh (Gal. 5:16). And we also see that James is using the same exact Scriptures as Paul did in Romans 4 where Paul writes,

“What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; BUT NOT BEFORE GOD .

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” (Romans 4:1-7 KJV)

Paul continues,

“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” (Romans 4:13 KJV)

If James is teaching a contrary Gospel why is he using the same example Scripture as Paul? It is because James and Paul are teaching the very same Gospel. Paul also talks about works after Salvation many times in his letters.

“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. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we SHOULD walk in them.“ (Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV)

At first glance, it can seem like Paul is contradicting himself. First he says Salvation is NOT OF WORKS. Then he says ‘God prepared works for us to do beforehand’. But which came first? The GIFT! Salvation is a GIFT for all who believe in Christ and have accepted his pardon for our sins. But in verse 10, Paul is saying that we are now created in Christ and we SHOULD be doing good works. This verse 10 is what James is writing about to the early Jewish believers.

James said,

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. ” (James 2:26 KJV)

Now we start to see the real context of what James is teaching. A truly saved person has accepted Christ and the Holy Spirit dwells in every true believer. Such a believer can be a carnal Christian, living in the flesh and sinful ways OR a believer can be walking in the spirit and living as we should in good works, as Jesus did. If you are living carnally, your faith is dead ; that is, it has become useless to God and you will have to deal with consequences and loss of rewards at the Bema Seat of Christ. Believers should be abiding in Christ and His words which will help in the renewing of your mind to God’s view and which leads to good works in love for others (John 15, Eph. 2:10). We should be seeking God in the word and we should be doing unto others what we would have others do unto us, in love. That is a faith that is alive and working!

A Faith, That Works.

I hope this helps anyone struggling with the book of James. God bless.