Q&A: Salvation

Are Good Works & Never Sinning Required To Be Saved?

Don Gerrity General OSAS Questions, Q&A: Salvation , , ,
Are Good Works & Never Sinning Required To Be Saved?

First Let Us Read Scripture. My Opinion Means Nothing.

“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)

 

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And BY HIM ALL THAT BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts13:38-39 KJV)

 

“For the law of  THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS hath MADE ME FREE from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2 KJV)

 

“For there is ONE God,and ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  Who gave himself A RANSOM for all, to be testified in due time.  (1 Timothy 2: 5-6 KJV)

 

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3:9 KJV)

 

“Now to the one who WORKS, his wage is NOT RECKONED on the basis of GRACE, but as what is DUE. But to the one who DOES NOT WORK, but BELIEVES in Him (Jesus) WHO JUSTIFIES the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Romans 4:4-5 KJV)


THE GALATIANS


Apostle Paul Taught Against ‘Good works For Righteousness’


Apostle Paul Taught Against the false ‘Works for Salvation’ gospel and gives stern warning to the Galatians, where false Judiazer teachers were telling them that following good works of Law were also requirements of their salvation and not faith in Christ ALONE. This is what Paul had to say about it:

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.” (Galatians 1:6-8 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.. But if, while we seek to be justified BY CHRIST, we ourselves also are FOUND SINNERS, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make MYSELF a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW, THEN CHRIST DIED IN VAIN.” (Galatians 2:16-21 KJV)

 

“O FOOLISH GALATIANS, WHO HATH BEWITCHED YOU, that ye should not obey THE TRUTH, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, CRUCIFIED AMONG YOU? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or BY THE HEARING OF FAITH? ARE YE SO FOOLISH? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things IN VAIN? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by THE HEARING OF FAITH? Even AS ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, and it was ACCOUNTED TO HIM for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are OF FAITH, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would JUSTIFY THE HEATHEN THROUGH FAITH, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be OF FAITH are blessed with FAITHFUL Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are UNDER THE CURSE: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that NO MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW in the sight of God, it is evident: for, THE JUST SHALL LIVE -BY FAITH-. And the law is NOT OF FAITH: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” (Galatians 3 KJV)

STERN WARNING…

“Christ is become of NO EFFECT UNTO YOU, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are FALLEN FROM GRACE. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness BY FAITH.” (Galatians 5:4-5 KJV)


Jesus warned the same in Matthew 7:22-23:


“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV)

 

What is the iniquity Jesus is telling the Jewish people in His Earthly ministry? The INIQUITY is the FALSE TEACHING of works for salvation; following the Law of Moses for Salvation. Salvation is not BY good works, nor Law following for righteousness, nor is salvation kept BY good works.
These are not my words.  It is the Gospel truth from Scripture, read in proper context.


ARE YOU SAVED BY DOING GOOD WORKS?


The Answer is a resounding NO! This is such an important issue because if a person believes that works are a requirement for salvation, such teachers are giving them a false Gospel. Apostle Paul is clear, the wages of sin is NOT good works, nor being a good person.

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


This death Paul spoke of, if you look in the Greek, is ‘Eternal Death in condemnation’ . It is Spiritual death. Believing our good deeds will save us is no different than trying to save our self through our OWN EFFORTS – which is basically following the Law which the Bible calls “the ministry of death” and the “ministry of condemnation”.

“But if the MINISTRATION OF DEATH, written and engraven in stones (Don: Ten Commandments), was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:  How shall not the MINISTRATION OF THE SPIRIT be rather glorious?  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”  (2 Corinthians 3:7-9 KJV)

Do NOT continue in the Ministry of death, trying to keep the Ten Commandments for our salvation as if we could actually do so with our sin nature. Impossible!


We should not think that we are a “good person” or that we are better than anyone else regarding our sin. We should not be using a human standard to compare ourselves with “other evil sinners” while we think we are good using human standards. Human standards regarding our sin are MEANINGLESS. God is perfectly HOLY and JUST.


It is against God’s own character of perfect Holiness that we should be comparing our self with – and believe me WE ALL FAIL MISERABLY! We are all SINNERS. Before accepting Salvation through Christ crucified, we have a sin nature at our core (The Spirit of Adam) within us and it is impossible to never sin – even after becoming a Christian! And of course to make things worse there are those who believe in a works based salvation and believe they are better than others when the fact is they are completely wretched within.

“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 makes this clear. The LAW (Ten Commandments) SAVES NO ONE!  The Ten Commandments are like a mirror so we can see how terribly sinful we actually are.

“For no one is put right in God’s sight by DOING what the Law requires; what the Law does is to make man KNOW that he has sinned.” (Romans 3:20 KJV)

 

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

 

“”The sting of death is sin; and the STRENGTH OF SIN IS THE LAW.” (1 Corinthians 15:56)

 

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the DEEDS OF THE LAW there shall NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED in his sight: for by the law is the KNOWLEDGE of sin.  But now the righteousness of God WITHOUT THE LAW is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  Even the righteousness of God WHICH IS BY FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them THAT BELIEVE: for there is no difference:  For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Being JUSTIFIED FREELY  by HIS GRACE through the redemption THAT IS IN Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be A PROPITIATION THROUGH FAITH in HIS blood, to declare HIS righteousness for the REMISSION of sins that are past, through the FORBEARANCE of God;  To declare, I say, at this time HIS righteousness: that HE might be just, and THE JUSTIFIER OF HIM which BELIEVETH IN JESUS. Where is boasting then? It is EXCLUDED. By what law? of works? NAY:but by the LAW OF FAITH. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified BY FAITH WITHOUT THE DEEDS OF THE LAW. (Romans 3:19-28 KJV)

 


BEWARE THE FALSE GOSPEL THAT IS RUNNING RAMPANT IN MANY PULPITS… YOUR SALVATION IS AT RISK!


Do not take as truth, everything a pulpit is teaching! It is our individual responsibility to read the Bible and see if what is being taught is correct in Scripture, read in proper context. Do not even take my word for it! Let the Scripture read in proper context be truth.

 

I Have Committed Bad Sins. How Can I Get Back On God’s Good Side?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Salvation
I Have Committed Bad Sins. How Can I Get Back On God’s Good Side?

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:…” (Habakkuk 1:13 KJV)

The “Your” in this verse of Scripture is God. He hates sin and He does store up wrath against those that sin because He is so Holy. That said, He hates the sin; not the person. We know this because while we were His enemies and without hope in our sinful ways… It is then that Christ came to forgive us and save all those who choose to receive Him.

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

When it comes down to it there is no sin Christ has not already paid for our deserved punishment except one; not receiving His forgiveness. Not received the pardon through Jesus Christ’s act of atonement is the one mortal sin because with out accepting the forgiveness provided through Christ on the cross, your sins will remain and you will be judged according to your sinful works. God sends no one to the judgement of death eternal. People who refuse such a gift from God as forgiveness have sealed their own eternal fate separated from the love of the God that created them. By choosing to not accept Christ you are forcing God to punish you when all He want sto do is save you!What a tragedy when we have such a loving God.

Just think about the main characters that God chose to include in the Bible for a moment who were all justified by faith and called righteous from God:

Moses:

He freed the Israelites from 400 years of slavery out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea and brought the people to a land already prepared, rich in everything. But Moses also killed a man out of anger. He murdered him for treating a Hebrew slave badly. None the less it was a sin to kill another. He was in a powerful position in Egypt, he could have sent him away to prison or worse. But instead out of anger he killed this man. Did God forgive him? YES.

The Apostle Paul:

His name was Saul before his conversion. He sought after Christians and killed them. He was present when Stephen was stoned to death for his faith in Christ. Later, Saul had an encounter with Jesus and he did a 180 degree turn in his life and became one of the great writers in the New Testament. Did God forgive him? Yes..He did! Paul wrote to Timothy:

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
(1 Timothy 1:15 KJV)

King David:

God saved him from the bear and he slew it with his own hands. He stood up for God and slew the Nephilim Giant Goliath and saved Israel. He became one of the best Rulers of Israel. But did you know that this same David also had an affair with one of his army soldier’s wife and when she became pregnant he sent the husband to the front lines to die to cover up his sin. Then David took her to himself. Adultery and murder. Did God forgive him? Oh yes. In fact, God calls David a man after His own heart! Because God likes this kind of behavior? NOT AT ALL! But David repented and in faith accepted God’s forgiveness. When you accept forgiveness of your sins through Christ and what He did at the cross – God does not even remember your sins anymore! Any of them past, present and future. He paid for them all with His blood and took our punishment for our sins. The Bible says he actually became sin for us!

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

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

The Apostle Matthew:

Matthew was a hated tax collector cheating people of money and then he encountered Christ.

Jesus forgave prostitutes, murders, adulterers. If you are a sinner (and you are!), Jesus can forgive you! Do not be deceived. God loves you even as you are a sinner and all heaven rejoices when a person becomes part of the Bride of Christ (Luke 15:10).

Don’t run from God. Run to Him and ask for forgiveness today. He is waiting and calling you home.

What Does The Bible Mean By Repentance?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Repentance, Q&A: Salvation, Q&A: The Truth About...
What Does The Bible Mean By Repentance?

It is something that every Christian has done. If you have not done this one thing then you may not a Christian but only think you are. Repentance. The Scriptures are clear and Jesus tells us that to be saved one needs to repent.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 KJV)

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?” (Matthew 9:12-14 KJV)

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5 KJV)

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

It is well established that Jesus states very clearly that we must repent from Sin. However, there seems to be much confusion about what the Bible means when it tells us to Repent. Does that mean that we just stop all sins and then we can be saved? Does that mean we must do penance for our sins? Does it mean we need to turn from our sins to retain Salvation? Does it just mean we feel sorry for our sins?

John says, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10). And John was addressing believers here, not those who do not believe. So if he told believers with faith in Christ and the atonement for sins He provided on the cross, then we can also conclude that to ‘repent‘ is not to stop sinning. That is not to say we should try to not sin. However, the word ‘repent’ obviously does not mean to ‘not ever sin’ again.

Is ‘repenting‘ something that we must do after we accept faith in Christ? Is repenting something that we must do over and over again after our moment of belief in accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior? That is when we sin, do we have to do something to have the sins after our initial point of Salvation or risk losing our Salvation?

Clearing The Confusion Over Repentance

The confusion over what ‘repentance’ actually means is due to a misunderstanding over the Biblical verse the modern day definition of the English word repent. The modern day dictionaries do not define the word ‘repent’ in the same way that the Bible defines the word. The definition of the word has changed over time and no longer is defined to mean what it meant in the time that Jesus walked on the Earth 2000 years ago.

Dictionary defines the word ‘repent’ as “to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one’s life for the better; be penitent. “ If this were the definition for ‘repent’ in the Bible then the entire Gospel and Salvation in Christ becomes a false Gospel based on works and our human effort.

God repents many times in Scripture (Genesis 6:6, Exodus 32:14, Judges 2:18, 1 Samuel 15:35, Amos 7:3, etc.). I ask you, does God need to ‘turn from His sins’? NO! That makes no sense right? God is Holy and has NO SIN. The Father has NO SIN. Jesus has NO SIN. The Holy Spirit has NO SIN. Therefore, ‘turning from sin’ is not the Biblical definition of the English translated word ‘repent’ in the Bible.

A read through the book of Galatians shows that the word repent is not defined in the Bible as ‘turn from sin‘.

“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:3-8 KJV)

A review of the Gospel of Christ that Paul taught shows clearly that Salvation is not of human works or effort but that Salvation is a free gift from God. Salvation is not something we work towards receiving. It is a gift that we receive. If someone gives you a gift, do they expect you to work or they will take back the gift? If so, it is not a gift right?

Apparently there were some Jews who wanted to add works of the law as a requirement to be saved. (We see this happening today as well!) This is opposite to the Gospel of Christ. In fact, it is like telling Christ that His sacrifice in blood for remission of our sins was not enough and not sufficient. God forbid a person act like that toward such a loving God! It is such a seriously wrong belief that Paul says,

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8 KJV)

The True Biblical Meaning of Repentance

The word ‘repent’ in the Bible has a completely different meaning than today’s modern dictionary. Once you see the true Biblical meaning of ‘repentance’ you can see how good the good news of the Gospel of Christ really is!

The New Testament was originally written in the Greek. This is important information for interpreting the Scriptures to find the true meaning of passages used in context.

The Greek word for the English word ‘repent’ is ‘metanoia’ and is defined as “…a change of mind, change in the inner man”.

You can see clearly now that the Biblical meaning of ‘repent‘ is nothing like the dictionary definition (change one’s life for the better; be penitent. ) True repentance is not a work that WE DO to gain God’s acceptance and favor. God reached out to us first and provided a way for us sinners to be forgiven completely, but it is NOT from our own efforts. God gives Salvation to us as a free gift to be received. The Bible tells us that BEFORE God created the Earth He established the one and only way for us to be forgiven our sins and that way is by faith in the act of atonement provided by Jesus The Christ, God in the flesh, on the cross.

Repentance is changing our mind and thinking about how to be saved. We are NOT saved by our works, which is what the every religion in the world teaches. Even many ‘Christian organized religions’ are teaching falsely and misusing the word ‘repent’ and they add works as a requirement of Salvation. But that is NOT Biblical teaching. We need to change our thinking about how we are saved to the true way of Salvation. It is 100% the Grace Of God, through faith in Jesus Christ and the atonement He provided by His shed blood. By believing this we have repented and turned towards God while He is already reaching out to us!

You see this world system/world view is not God’s view and He wants us to turn from the world’s way of dealing with sin and instead accept His way of dealing with our sin. To repent is the first step to Salvation in Christ. Repentance does not save a person, but it leads to Salvation as you change your mind about God and your sin debt against Him.

“ Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.” (2 Corinthians 7:9 KJV)

There are Scriptures where it may seem like it is saying that to Repent is to turn away from and stop sinning but those are talking about the process of our sanctification and fellowship with God. It is not about turning from sin as a requirement of our justification in Salvation. However, the Bible is very clear that Salvation is not of works or human effort. Salvation comes by believing the Gospel, not by not sinning. And if you really think about it; if you change your mind (repent) about God and how to have your sins forgiven, you may very well change and stop a particular sin you practiced in your life before Salvation.

But the repenting is the change in your mind from the world’s way of dealing with sin and changing to God’s way of dealing with sin which is believing on Christ for Salvation apart from works of any kind (Ephesians 2:8-9). Stopping the practice of a particular sin is a result of repenting and changing your mind. That is, it is not the repenting itself.

The Main Books Of Salvation Proves This!

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

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

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

The Christian religions need to stop using the dictionary definition of the word ‘repent’ and start using the Bible definition.

Using The Biblical Definition

Understanding the Bible definition of the word REPENT as simply ‘change your mind’ we can replace the word with ‘change your mind‘ and then reread the passage and the context becomes more clear.

Example: Acts 3:

“19 REPENT ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 KJV)

 

“19 CHANGE YOUR MIND ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 KJV)

Acts 3 is about a Change of mind about how to eradicate sin. Not by the Law of Moses, but through Christ in faith.

What About Turning From Our Sin Then?

To be clear…I AM NOT SAYING BELIEVERS SHOULD NOT TURN FROM SIN. If someone has repented… they have basically turned to God in belief and confess that they are a sinful person with a sin nature. In remorse, they ask Christ to forgive them and have mercy on them because they realize that they cannot stop sinning perfectly. They see the Ten Commandments and realize they have broken many if not most of them. They TURN TO GOD for mercy.

Turning from sin alone does not save anyone. Turning to God in belief on Christ Crucified for the payment of our sins does.

Now, after Salvation, our mind begins to renew by the Word Of God (our sanctification – see John 17) and we start to change. We fight sinning. It is a REAL struggle! (Romans 7)

We turn from sinning because that is what our New Spirit wants. I believe strongly in turning from our sins to the best of our ability. But I recognise that with this sin nature still in us… I will fail and sin as well. When I do, guilt hits from the Holy Spirit and I tell God I am sorry and ask God to help me do better.

The point is turning from sin is not a requirement of our justification but we try not to sin after Salvation knowing that when we blow it… Jesus already paid for the sins committed. We still have consequences for the acts of sin – but loss of Salvation is not a consequence because Salvation is eternal and God keeps us saved by His grace.

World’s way of dealing with sin…

(a) There is no God.

(b) If I do good deeds it will make up for my sins and I will be in right standing with God. Or, I am full of sin and so I will run away from anything to do with God so my sin will not be revealed.

(c) I will make myself look like I am good on the outside and go to church everyday. I will assist in the church committees, I will be outstanding in religious things and these good deeds will make me walk in right standing with God.

God’s way of dealing with sin…

(a) God is Holy and He must punish someone that sins. The punishment for sinning is ETERNAL DEATH. (Romans 6:23)

(b) Everyone has sinned, regardless of how good they think they are and no good deeds can every make up for past sins committed.

(c) Jesus, the only Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary (not born into sin as we are), lived a sinless life and freely gave His life on the cross to take the punishment for the sins that we commit and takes our place in punishment so we can be free from the punishment of sin.

(d) As a sinner you and I acknowledge that we have sinned against God. And we ask Jesus to forgive us all our sins (past,present and future) and accept the free gift of salvation from our debt of sin against God. You see the world’s way to God is through works. But the real way to God is by God’s grace through faith:

“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 KJV)

This is what true repentance is. We turn from working away our sin debt, or out right ignoring it, (the World’s way) to accepting His love and forgiveness (God’s way). Jesus, the only son of God who existed before the universe was even created, of His own free will died on the cross and took our place and punishment for sin’s we have committed. On that cross He freed us from our sin debt and gave us God’s very righteousness, in Christ. Once you accept this gift from God through Jesus’ atonement on the cross you are now what the Bible calls “Righteous”. Not because of our works nor our sinless life, but because Christ bore the punishment for all of our sins. It is God who first loved us and reached out to us. Christ will return and set up His eternal Kingdom on Earth in the future. This is the Gospel message.

God is love and waits for you to return to a relationship with Him. This is the “Good News” of the Gospel. So when Jesus tells us that we need to repent it means we need to believe the Gospel message and to believe in God’s world view in how to deal with he sin debt we all have against a Perfectly Holy and Just God.

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 KJV)

“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14: 5-6 KJV)

Jesus did not tell Thomas that no one comes to the Father except he stops sinning. Jesus said “except through ME”. When a person asks for the forgiveness provided through Christ. When a person invites Jesus to take control of their life. When a person asks Jesus for forgiveness and invites God through the forgiveness provided, then that person become a new creature in the spirit. A new created being. They have repented by doing so. They believed on Christ for Salvation. In fact, God lives within every believer as Jesus said,

“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (John 14:19-20 KJV)

I can attest to this truth from my own personal experience in life. He makes it so clear to me in every circumstance in ways that I will know that it must be Him, within me and with me. And He does work through me as well, probably more than I know!

And after many years now I know, that I know, that Christ is with me through the Holy Spirit. It is a mystery – no doubt about it! But it is simply the truth. God gave us the free gift of Eternal life through Jesus, the Christ. And all we have to do is believe, feel sorry about our sin and ask for His forgiveness and He will forgive us, justify us and set us free. After the moment of a person’s Salvation in Christ the Holy Spirit comes and dwells within a believer. And over time the Holy Spirit will make Himself known to you and will teach you all things.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26 KJV)

The Parable of the Lost Son – Are You One?

“ And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:11-24 KJV)

If you have never had a change of mind about the truth that God exists…

…that the Bible is true with proof no other religious writing have,
…that He is perfect in every way,
…that He is Perfectly Holy and Perfectly Just,
…that He never changes,
…that He must punish sin (eternal death)
…and that the only way back to God is to admit you are a sinner
…and that the ONLY way back to the one true God of the universe is through the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ, the Son Of God, for the remission of your sin,

THEN I SAY TO YOU… Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!

Today can be the day of your Salvation. Your Salvation is NOT of works. It is a pardon gift for your sins (past/present/future) TODAY. Come as you are – full of sin and regrets and hangups, guilty before God. God is waiting for you to accept His free GIFT OF SALVATION. It is a HOLY PARDON that is free to you but that Christ paid a heavy price in His blood to obtain for you eternal life with God through your Salvation. He longs to forgive you COMPLETELY for ALL the sins in your life.

Will Being A Good Person Save me?

Don Gerrity Q&A: False Salvation Invitations, Q&A: Salvation
Will Being A Good Person Save me?

If you were to ask 20 random people this question you would likely get 20 answers with “Yes, I think I am a pretty good person.” The question is compared to what or better yet to whom? So what about you? Do you consider yourself to be a good person? Do you believe you are a better person than others who do wicked things? And that God will not judge you because you do more good then bad?

Is it a fair assessment to compare our goodness to the relative badness of others as if we are guiltless? DO we each have our own level of what we feel is good or bad? Do each of us have our own truth or is there an absolute truth that we should be comparing ourselves with?

What would be the absolute truth though? It cannot be truth that we have created for ourselves because that would not be a fair assessment to base our goodness or badness with. There must be an absolute truth about goodness and badness. Good and evil. Being a good person and being an evil person.

God gave us this standard in the Ten Commandments. It is the absolute truth. God is perfectly Holy and Just. And He gave us an absolute truth that we can use to test whether we are good or evil. This absolute truth is called The Law of Moses, which includes The Ten Commandments. We must use God’s standard for this test. Not human standards. Comparing ourselves to other people is not a valid test. We must compare ourselves to God Himself because as the creator of all there is no other standard that would be fair to use.

The Life or Death Test

Let’s take an honest test to find out if you and I are good people. And this test is ABSOLUTE. That means, it is not graded on a scale of percentages. God is PERFECTLY HOLY and a 50% is not a pass. In fact, if you get a 99% pass (I doubt it though!) and fail on just one point, you have utterly failed the entire test according to James 2:10. This is a private self test. Just Be honest with yourself.

Ok let’s go…

1. Have you EVER lied before?

Well.. be honest have you? Yes? Then what does that make you? It makes you a liar right? By telling a lie to another you have broken the ninth commandment of God.

2. Have you ever committed adultery?

And remember that Christ said that those that even look at another with lust has committed adultery in their hearts, even though the physical act was never committed. (Matthew 5:27-28) So again, have you ever committed adultery in this light? Well, be honest. Yes? Then what does that make you? It makes you an adulterer right? By doing so you have broken the seventh commandment of God.

3. Have you ever stolen anything?

Have you found money and kept it? Have you taken something that belongs to another and never returned it? Have you taken stationary item from work for personal use? If so, what does that make you? It makes you a thief right?

4. Have you ever used the Lord’s name in vain?

Did you ever hurt yourself and screamed out “God!” or “Jesus Christ!” ? Did you ever used God’s name as a cuss word? If so, you have broken the third commandment of God.

5. Have you ever looked at things that others have and wish you had them?

Do you see someone with a nice car and wish you had that? Did you ever see someone’s house and thought I wish I had that? If so, you have broken the tenth commandment of God.

6. Have You Ever Worked On A Saturday?

Saturday is the Lord’s Sabbath Day and He commands we REST on that day.

Okay, lets pause the test at this point. I have only asked you six questions. Don’t you feel like it is pointless to go on? I mean if you fail on just one point you have already failed the test of being a good person based on God’s standard of Holiness.

News Flash! We All Fail This Test!

I could go on and on with this self test but it is enough with just the 6 questions above to show you that you have broken at least ONE of the ten commandments of God. (Truthfully, most!) Now, here is a scriptural truth that will makes this an even worse situation and it shows clearly that failing one point makes you a complete failure in being ‘a good person’:

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:10-11 KJV)

So if you have lied you are guilty. And because God is so Holy He MUST punish you for you sins. You are a person bound for the Wrath of a Holy God and headed for punishment for your sins.

Paul tells us in Romans that “…ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; “ (Romans 8:23 KJV) This is what the Ten Commandments are all about. They are a mirror showing us just how terribly sinful we all are. Without this absolute truth of the Law of God Almighty, we would not even recognize our sinful ways as being evil and bad.

“For no one is put right in God’s sight by doing what the Law requires; what the Law does is to make man know that he has sinned.” (Romans 3:20 KJV)

This I am afraid is the state of every human being. Everyday is just more sins being added onto our record and one day we will find ourselves in the court room of God Almighty who is perfectly JUST and we will be sentenced. God is perfectly Holy and perfectly JUST. He MUST punish sin. And what is he penalty for sin? It is VERY severe! In fact it is called the Second death, an eternal separation from the love of God in a place the Bible calls the lake of fire. A placement of severe punishment.

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

The word ‘death’ in this passage of Scripture is not talking about a physical death only. It is talking of a spiritual death as well because if we look at the original Greek the word for death here is hánatos which is derived from 2348, thnḗskō, “to die”) – physical or spiritual death and figuratively separation from the life (salvation) of God forever by dying without first experiencing death to self to receive His gift of salvation.

But wait! Isn’t God perfectly loving as well? Does not the Bible say that God is perfect in His mercy and love? Well YES! But not in a wishy washy sort of way like we humans live and think. God must be true to His own Holiness. God NEVER changes and is perfectly Holy and perfectly just. He loves us yet He must also judge sin and He is so Holy that just one sin and we are doomed to eternal death in a place called hell. (Romans 6:23)

That is, if you think that God will just give you a pass without punishment you are wrong. He must be perfectly just. You will NEVER hear God say, “Oh you have less sins then this other person and you did mostly good deeds so you can enter heaven for all eternity and live forever.” NEVER. Yes, God is full of love and mercy but He must punish our sin because He is also perfectly just. He will not and CANNOT go against His own perfect character.

When you realize this and you know that you stand before God guilty, what do you think will happen when you die? Are you going to be standing at the judgement throne of the Lord God and just tell Him what a ‘good person’ you are? Or are you headed for hell with the devil and his angels?

Know this: Everyone has an appointment with God

You can decide to meet with Him at this appointment as a sinner to be judged to eternal death or as a son or daughter to be accepted into God’s house, a place called The New Jerusalem and Heaven, for life everlasting.

The Apostle Paul makes this clear when he writes:

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17: 30-31 KJV)

And do not believe that we are reincarnated at death to come back according to our deeds and that we keep coming back until we are sinless. Look around you, has that happened to anyone yet? Hebrews makes it very clear that “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27)

And there is no such thing as purgatory! The Bible is very clear…. 1st death, 2nd judgement. — no second chances after death! A place called purgatory is not found anywhere in Scripture. It is a complete fable created by man – not God.

At our appointed time of death we will give an account to God for our lives and what we did here on Earth!

“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:11-12 KJV)

Doesn’t that worry you? If not, it should. God is perfectly loving, yes that is true. But God is also perfectly just and Holy. He has a Holy hatred for sin. (Isaiah 59:2) And what are we humans doing? Sinning! What are we all called? Sinners! That is not a good at all for us is it?

It is established that according to God’s Word, all of us are sinners. Even when we think we are “good”. And we cannot make up for our sins with good deeds. If you think that good deeds can save you from the Wrath of God and judgement of God for your sin, you are very wrong. The Bible says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

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

Thus far I have discussed the first part of Romans 6:23 and that as sinners the wages we earn, where we are headed is physical AND spiritual eternal death and separation from God in a place called hell. That is very bad news for anyone that does not continue in Romans 23:6 to the second part to see how we can escape this eternal punishment for our sins. And what is the solution to not ending up in this situation? “…BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

One very important word in that Scripture is the word “but”. As a sinner we are bound for an eternal death where the unbeliever and unsaved (called the wicked) will be resurrected at the last day; the second resurrection. Their name will not be found in the book of life because they never accepted Christ as Savior from their sins. Such a person will then be cast into the lake of fire where they will perish. BUT there is a way for a person to escape such a judgement. God made a way for us to escape His own wrath and judgement. God is perfectly Holy and just so the penalty for our sin must be paid… Death forever and separation from God. But He loves us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to suffer the penalty in our place so that we could be forgiven and saved from His own Holy Wrath and judgement.

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

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV)

We see here again that the wicked and unsaved will perish. So the unsaved will perish and be eternally separated from God. Without accepting the forgiveness provided through Christ’s atonement for our sins, our sin would remain and the wages of sin is an eternal death.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:5-21 KJV)

Being born again is called being baptized by the Holy Spirit. The work of salvation is already completed by Christ when he said on the cross, “It is finished.” He paid our penalty for our sins. But God will not force anyone to love Him or want to know Him. He did not create us as robots. He gives us a choice. Believe and be with Him forever in heaven or remain as you are a sinner unto the final judgement. Come to the judgement throne with your own self righteousness in pride, or come humble having asked Christ to save you. What more can God do? How much more can He demonstrate His love for us?

How patient is our God?! While we were His enemy and full of sin against God..it is then He became human (Jesus the Christ) and suffered and died for us and took upon Himself our deserved punishment for our sins. Jesus NEVER sinned and was perfectly just in the eyes of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). So you see, God has met His own perfectness and Holiness. He is perfectly JUST because the punishment for our sins was carried out (on Jesus), yet His perfect love and mercy was also carried out by providing us a way to gain salvation from our sinful nature (by asking for forgiveness through Jesus’ act of atonement).

“ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12 KJV)

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20 KJV)

Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and accept Him into your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to indwell in you and help you learn all truth. Avoid sinning as much as possible (you will still sin but keep trying). Understand that it is not turning from your sin that will save you. It is fully the work of Christ without your efforts or works. All your sins (past/ present /future) are forgiven 100% because Christ paid your penalty already but we are to try our best to not sin and we should turn from our sinful ways.

God says to all of humankind,

“ I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV)

Choose Life!

Know the truth that you are a sinner. You have broken God’s commandments. You stand judged at death. Thank God for allowing His Son, Jesus the Christ, to come down to Earth as a human through a virgin birth. That Jesus never sinned and yet He gave His life as a ransom for your life. Thank God that Jesus came and stands as your defender against God’s own wrath against the sins you have committed.

Thank Jesus that He stands up for you and says to the Father; “I have died and taken the punishment for this person’s sins. The sin debt has been paid in full. Accept Him and see this person’s sin no more. (Hebrews 10:17). Give to this person my own righteousness before God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus, forgive me of my sins and in your mercy grant me eternal life.

If you truly repented of your sins (that is changed your mind about your sins and accepted Christ) and you asked Jesus to forgive you your sins and asked Him to come into your life as your personal Saviour, then you have become what the Bible calls “born again”. And the following scriptures apply to you personally:

“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)

“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)

“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)

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12 KJV)

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

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

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20 KJV)

Is Salvation By Works or Faith?

Don Gerrity Q&A: Salvation
Is Salvation By Works or Faith?

Are you a Christian? Are you sure?

  • Going to church does NOT make you a Christian.
  • Doing good works and being good to others alone does NOT make you a Christian.
  • Being a “good person” does NOT make you a Christian.
  • Being born into a family of a certain denomination does NOT make you a Christian.
  • Being baptized as a baby does NOT make you a Christian.
  • Speaking in ‘tongues’ does NOT make you a Christian.
  • Asking a priest in a confessional booth to absolve your sins does not make you a Christian.
  • Doing penance does not make you a Christian.
  • Following Sacraments does not make you Christian.

There is NOTHING we can DO to become a Christian except one; believe that Jesus was the Son of God who came and took upon Himself the punishment we deserve for our sins.

God is a Perfectly Just being and He MUST punish the sins we committed. But God also loves us perfectly and is Perfect in His Mercy towards us. By sending Himself in the human person of Jesus Christ, living a completely sinless life and taking the punishment that we deserve, God has paid the penalty for our sins. But have you accepted His FREE GIFT of forgiveness? Do you believe?

Salvation through Christ is a FREE gift to you and me. An undeserved and unmerited favor from God to you!.

“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)

Never Boast Of Your Goodness Or Good Works

Will your good works save you? No.. they never will. That is why Jesus came to redeem us from Gods wrath to come. Do you need to confess your sins to a priest or pastor to be forgiven sins? No. In fact the Bible is clear that you should ask for forgiveness of sins only to one person…

“For there is ONE God, and ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.  (1 Timothy 2: 5-6 KJV)

Paul is clear on this point! His teachings make up two thirds of the New Testament and it is through Paul God reveals the plan of salvation of grace through faith – not works. Salvation is NOT OF WORKS. PERIOD.

“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)

Any Denomination Teaching Works For Salvation Is Teaching A False Gospel

It is so clear. Yet this is MADE unclear by the teaching of many religion denominations.  The thing is when one reads the Scriptures, (start in Romans and Galatians) it is very clear that what is currently being taught in many pulpits is NOT what the Bible teaches about the number one purpose for Jesus coming and suffering on that cross.. our penalty of the sins we commit and the sin nature in us – PAID IN FULL.

Paid not in a wishy washy way. Jesus BECAME SIN on that cross and suffered physically and spiritually. The Bible is clear that our sins during our life were nailed on that cross with Him and we are 100% forgiven all ours sins. It is not we who accomplish our salvation by works.. it is 100% Christ who redeemed us. Salvation is 100% grace through faith and not of works. Period. Believing any other way is a false Gospel.

“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.

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.  For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is DEAD IN VAIN.” (Galatians 2:16-21 KJV)

 The real problem here is not with Church going Christians. Many who attend various denominational churches do not believe the faith plus works equals salvation equation. Why? Because they read the Bible and it is very clear how wrong it is. It is a false Gospel which I have come to realize myself. But the problem is that the large majority of church members are not reading the Bible to see for themselves if what is being preached is actually Biblical. More times than not.. what is being taught about the Gospel is NOT TRUE to what the Bible teaches. Because most are not reading the Bible, there are no checks and balances happening with what is being taught.

In Galatians we can see how serious this is. The Galatian church had some who infiltrated and told members that works were needed for salvation. They basically were saying that it is faith PLUS WORKS that saves a person. It amazed Paul how quickly the devil can deceive even believers. And what did Paul, the teacher of the true Gospel of Christ, have to say about this?

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

You can see how serious this issue is. This is such an important issue because if you believe that works are a requirement for salvation, such teachers are giving  you a false Gospel. It is not different than trying to save yourself through your own efforts – which is basically following the Law which the Bible calls “the ministry of death” and the “ministry of condemnation”.

“But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:  How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”  (2 Corinthians 3:7-9 KJV)

Do NOT continue in he Ministry of death, trying to keep the Ten Commandments for your salvation as if you could actually do so with your sin nature. Impossible! Do not think you are a “good person” or that you are better than anyone else regarding your sin. Do not use a human standard to compare yourself with “other evil sinners” while you think you are good using human standards. Human standards regarding your sin are MEANINGLESS. God is perfectly HOLY and JUST. (See my other article What is God Really Like?)

It is against God’s own character of perfect Holiness that you should be comparing yourself with – and believe me WE ALL FAIL MISERABLY! We are all SINNERS. We have a sin nature within us and it is impossible to never sin – even after you become a Christian! And of course to make things worse there are those who believe in a works based salvation and believe they are better than others when the fact is they are completely wretched within.

“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 makes this clear. The LAW (Ten Commandments) SAVES NO ONE! Trying to fulfill the law yourself is impossible! The Law shows us how terribly guilty of sin we are before our Holy God. The Ten Commandments are like a mirror so we can see how terribly sinful we actually are.

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20 KJV)

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

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

And remember that it is through Paul that the Gospel of Grace was directly given to reach the Gentiles (that is all non Jews):

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by HIS grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in HIS blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time HIS righteousness: that HE might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ”
(Romans 3:19-28 KJV)

I capitalized ‘HE’ above because you need to see clearly that this HE is GOD and Jesus Christ. The Law (Ten Commandments) was given so that we could see what we look like from God’s perspective, using HIS standards, not our human standards of good or evil.

We must rely on the FINISHED work of Christ on the cross. He paid the sin penalty for all the sins of the entire world, past , present and future. Once a person accepts this  free gift/pardon by faith in Christ and believing what He did as the Son Of God, your sins are completely BLOTTED OUT! God no longer holds any of your sins against you because He knew every sin you were going to commit before he created you. That is why Jesus came – to die for you and AS YOU. So that the penalty is paid in full. Double jeopardy rule applies here folks. At the point of belief and salvation you are made a new creation in the spirit. You cannot be punished for that which Christ already took upon Himself as punish FOR YOU.

Again in Romans 4 we see how true this is when Paul writes,

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)

To be saved you must rely 100% on Salvation by faith in Christ’s act of atonement, apart from works, to be saved. Otherwise, you may be lying to yourself, thinking you are saved when you are actually NOT! That is a scary position to be in and it is exactly where the devil wants you! Thinking you are saved by your works because you were taught so in church, yet headed for condemnation and judgement. This is NOT where you want to be friends!  So many pastors and preachers and priests and TV Evangelists are teaching a false Gospel. This is called The Apostate Church and is rampant in these end times. In fact, it is a prophecy fulfilled in our time that points to the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to FREE you from your prison of sin!

Jesus came NOT TO CONDEMN but to SAVE YOU and FREE YOU!

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John3:15-18 KJV)

Let your guilt turn you towards God in mercy. Ask for His forgiveness of your sins. Acknowledge that you cannot be “good” and”sinless” and that you are not better than any other regarding you sin  and He will save you and free you and you will BE the very righteousness of God, IN CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is called living in the spirit with the Holy Spirit living within you, teaching you, guiding you and working through you. It is not following the law to save you, the ministry of death. No it is the ministry of liberty through Christ!

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.   But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18 KJV)

A Positional Problem Of Sin

Positionally, those called the unsaved, are in a state of spiritual unrighteousness, with many sins committed – prisoners and slaves to sin. (John 8:34) There is a boundary and we are stuck in the prison of sin because of our debt of sins against a Holy God which we can NOT erase by our own effort, leaving us heading for the full wrath and Holy judgement of God. You cannot escape this prison by your own effort, try as you may by performing good deeds. Even if you do more good deeds than evil deeds it will not erase your sinful acts. Your sin WILL remain until God judges you for your sins. And the punishment is eternal separation from God in hell.

The good news is that the opposite is also true. The saved person, who accepts Christ’s atonement for sin on the cross, was translated from the spiritual prison of sin and unrighteousness to the new prison of righteousness where God abides. And those saved have a new boundary of being 100% forgiven and righteous…and the saved cannot escape this wonderful prison by their own efforts either! Christ made sure of that on the cross!

Jesus says clearly,

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37 KJV)

Those who turn to God asking for mercy, and accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Those that believe Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, born without the sin curse passed down since the fall in the Garden of Eden. That Jesus died on the cross and at that time accepted the punishment for the sins of the whole world and took upon Himself our sins. Instead of God punishing us for our sins, He became a human (Jesus the Christ) and bore our deserved punishment so that His perfect justice would be served. Those that accept this eternal pardon of sin are now called now “the SAVED”.

It is not working your way out of sin – which is a hopeless endeavor. It is not a religious thing; it’s a relational, positional issue between you and God Almighty. It is by faith, believing in the grace and mercy of God toward us and by believing and accepting this great gift of forgiveness; believing in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Savior from what? From your sin debt!

“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:18 KJV)

There you can see the big flip in our relationship with God! It is a positional change. A prisoner transfer from the prison of unrighteousness, separated from God to the prison of righteousness with God. What a gift!

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” ( John 8:31-36 KJV)

So have you sinned? YES YOU HAVE! And Christ tells us plainly the servant of sin will NOT abide in the house forever. That means, judgment is coming and those who have not accepted Christ for the remission of their sins, will have sins remaining and will be punished – an eternal punishment an separation of God in a place of torment. However Christ gives us the hope and freedom because the Son of God (Jesus Christ) does abide forever and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. So if Christ makes you free from your sin debt.. you are free indeed! And you will abide with Christ forever and ever. What a promise! What a hope!

Is Your Christian Church Religion Teaching A False Gospel?

Bible Prophecy is clear that in the Last Days (the time in which we live) there will be a falling away from the true Gospel. False Gospel teaching religions will arise before Christ returns.

I ask you this, Is it here? Yes, it is! I say this to all people in any formal denominational Christian religion… has your religion become a teacher of a False Gospel? You can know by a few things…

  1. Does it teach faith PLUS works equals salvation?
  2. Does it omit teaching Bible Prophecy which is two thirds of all Scripture? (If you did not know this, it is a big sign!)
  3. Does it teach that the Ten Commandments and fulfilling them in your life is what saves you?
  4. Is it legalistic, you must not do this, you must not do that, you must do this or that or lose your salvation.
  5. Does it promote worship to idols? That is anything or any person that is not GOD HIMSELF?
  6. Does it teach a person can lose their Salvation?

!! If any of these apply – I say to you, that organization is teaching a False Gospel message.

READ YOUR BIBLE and make sure what is taught in the pulpit is what is taught in the Bible! THEN you will know the truth and never again be deceived by any group or person. Let every man be a liar and GOD be TRUE.

Will some, or many even, take offense to this? Yes. The true Gospel of Jesus Christ is offensive to many. But as Paul said,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.” (Romans 1:16-19 KJV)

This is NOT my personal opinion!!

Know this; it is what the word of God teaches, used in proper context. If you do not believe this, then start reading the Bible and find out what I found out. Do not just rely on what a priest or pastor tells you, or even what I am telling you in this article, thinking “he must know, he reads the Bible.” NO! Start reading the Bible yourself. There are so many free tools for understanding the Scriptures in proper context, even the tough passages like in the book of Revelation! All right here online and FREE.

I will conclude with this Scripture which basically sums up the true Gospel Of Jesus the Christ and His Kingdom to come. The Law (Ten Commandments) condemns us. It SHOWS us how sinful we are so that we will turn to God and ask for mercy because we cannot keep them!

“Therefore by the deeds of the law (ten commandments) there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the KNOWLEDGE OF SIN. But now the righteousness of God WITHOUT THE LAW is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is BY FAITH OF Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them THAT BELIEVE: for there is no difference: For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified FREELY by His GRACE through the redemption that is IN Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time HIS (Jesus) righteousness: that HE might be just, and the JUSTIFIER OF him (believers) which BELIEVETH in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? NAY: but by the LAW OF FAITH. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith WITHOUT THE DEEDS of the law. ” (Romans 3:20-28 KJV)

Thanks be to God to save a wretched sinner like me (and you).

Related Articles:

Who Are The Unrepentant & The Wicked

Don Gerrity Q&A: Salvation, Q&A: Satan & The Lost
Who Are The Unrepentant & The Wicked

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Psalm 53:1-3  KJV)

This is the state of all humankind from our physical birth, until one accepts the gift of the atonement for our sins through Jesus Christ the Son of God. So TODAY, there are two types of humans: The Redeemed (also known as the ‘righteous’, ‘saved’ , ‘forgiven’) and the Unrepentant (also known as the ‘wicked’, ‘lost’ , ‘unsaved’, ‘unforgiven’ ). Many who pick up a Bible and read it see the word ‘righteous’ and think it is all about a person that does good. And that the ‘wicked’ is a person that does evil. While a person who is a Christian may perform good works this is NOT what these two words mean. It is not what a person does (good works vs evil works) determining which group you are a member of. These two words are talking about a person positionally in regards to eternity. You are in one of two camps; those who call Jesus Lord or those that deny Christ. Those that deny Christ are referred to as the ‘wicked’, ‘unrepentant’ and ‘those that are perishing’ in the Bible. As we see above, ALL have sinned and are born into this world with the sin nature. All belong to the group called ‘the unrepentant and the wicked’. Also , ‘There is none that do good’. So doing good works will not allow a person to become part of what the Bible describes as ‘the righteous’ group of people who are heaven bound.

Who Are The Redeemed / Righteous / Saved?

“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)

To be translated from the camp of the unredeemed and wicked into the camp of the righteous is not something our works can accomplish. It is through faith alone. That is, doing good works is not how a person can become righteous. Jesus said we are all imprisoned and slaves to the sin nature. There is NOTHING a person can do themselves to erase the sins they have committed. In fact, it is God who provided a way for us to be part of the group called the ‘righteous’. Those the Bible calls the ‘righteous’ and the ‘redeemed’ are those individuals who believe that Jesus is the Son Of The Living God. The third part of the Triune God (The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit). Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and was not born in sin as humankind has been since Adam and Eve fell in the garden of Eden. Jesus lived a sinless life and was God in human form; Jesus is fully God and fully man. Ultimately, Jesus (God in human form) took the punishment for the sin of the world on the cross and all who accept His free gift of salvation are forgiven their sins because Jesus took the punishment for the sins we have, or will commit.

“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)

These are called the “Righteous” in the Bible. It is not being righteous through good works but is the fee gift from God for all who accept Christ as the Lord of their life. It is not that Christians are any better, or more ‘good’ than non Christians. We ALL are sinners – even after accepting Christ! John writing to believers in Christ clearly states that, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10) If you are a believer and are a ‘Christian’ and you think you are good and others are evil. That you are somehow better then an unrepentant person then you REALLY need to re-evaluate what you think it means to be a Christian!! You are giving real Christians a very bad reputation indeed. Do not leave out the “lest any man should boast” part of the above Scripture!! I write this because we see this happening much today. And the lost see it and dismiss the truth of Christ because of it! You misrepresent Jesus by doing this.

Please STOP. Change the way you think about others. Do not be a boaster as if you did anything good to gain salvation.

The devil is working through you if you do this. If you are shocked by me saying this.. read my article ‘The Sifting of a Person” where I talk about the fact that even the Apostle Peter had the devil work through him. We are all sinners – that is a fact! Only God can save us from our sins and the resulting everlasting punishment. There are many articles on this website on why this is true and I encourage you to read them. This article however, focuses more on the group of people the Bible calls the Unrepentant and the wicked.

Some would say, “I believe in God”. That is enough.

However, to believe in God is NOT ENOUGH. James states clearly that “…Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19) So not all who believe in God will end up in Heaven. So there is a distinction between the redeemed and the lost. So which camp of people are you currently a part of? To answer that you need to see the truth of the Bible in how it describes the wicked/lost.

What The Bible Says About The Lost (The Wicked)

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” (Ephesians 4:17-19 KJV)

The lost, of which myself was also a part of prior to my salvation in Christ (as were all Christians beforehand), have a futile mind, having their understanding of God’s truth darkened. The more they rebel against God the more alienated they become from God. The more they reject God the more blinded they become in their heart – their very being. Once a person rejects Christ and the Gospel they remain “in sin”, controlled by the ruler of this world who is currently Satan. They eventually become uncaring and care only for themselves as they do not believe there is a God. It’s every man for himself.

The Unrepentant – The Wicked

Here is a passage in Scripture that describes an unredeemed, wicked person. And remember this means all of us prior to accepting Christ.

“A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:12-19 KJV)

“A proud look, a lying tongue”. Sound like anyone we know? This describes Satan to a tee. He deceived Adam and Eve and continues doing so to all the world today. We see here the wicked give “False witness”. Do you know those who continually see the worst in everyone? Those who gossip behind your back to make others hate you? They wink at you, smile and shake your hand under a false pretense. They seem good to your face but they stab you in the back when you are not looking. Those that act as if they are the most important? Show offs? Boasters in themselves? Those that put down another so that they will look good themselves. Do you know anyone like that?

Yes, I know you do!!! We all have!! Why? Because humankind has a “sin nature” and it is the nature of Satan – not God. And we all have this to some degree. Even the redeemed still have the sin nature fighting within our minds. And if I am honest, many professing Christians act like this too and have turned others away from Christ in doing so.

The Wicked Are Already Condemned

The Bible calls the wicked “the condemned”, even before physical death.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3: 16-19 KJV)

 

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16 KJV)

The World Is Being Greatly Deceived

The wicked are deceived and do not believe on the one thing God wants for each of us; to have all our sins wiped out through the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ on that cross. To have all our sin debt paid so we do not have to receive the punishment for our sins which is eternal death – separated from the love of our Father, God Almighty, forever. The name Satan means “Adversary”. He is the enemy of humankind. He is an Angel that was once closest to throne of God Almighty in Heaven and his name was Lucifer. Until he wanted to be like God and through Pride he fell and became the evil one and our adversary, Satan. He deceived 1/3 of the angels of heaven to rebel against God. Today Satan and his fallen angels are the ones ruling the world as we know it behind the scenes

However it is important to remember that Satan is not like God. He is not all knowing and he cannot be everywhere at one time. He is an angel, a creation and he uses his fallen angels to rule this world. Today’s culture has been orchestrated by Satan and he is very good at how he is deceiving us and keeping us all too busy to learn the truth of the Gospel because he knows time is now very short because Christ is coming again soon for His redeemed.

What We Are Today, In One Word

If there was a word to describe our current state of being today it is the word “BUSY”. There is hardly time to eat and sleep these days. Pursuit of “the good life” and wealth is the pinnacle of success. So many of youth’s role models are doing evil things that just 50 years ago would be appalling and something done in secret and hidden from others knowing how evil they are. These same things are being done in the open and are being portrayed as “good things” today. In Isaiah 5:20-23 it reads,

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” (Isaiah 5:20-23  KJV)

Even many of our entertainment media “stars” and Politicians are acting like this blatantly. The time we now live in, during the end of the Church age, is filled with these kinds of things. And they are things called WICKED by God. He will not let it continue forever.

Mobile Communication Technology

The explosion of mobile devices and texting is having a huge negative impact on our youth that is only now coming to light. As parents, we never seen it coming! We thought it was a great way to communicate with our children at school and when they are out and about. We thought, This will be great! But is it really?

When I was young, there were times when I did nothing but just watch Television or go outside and ride my bike alone. You know.. alone time. Quiet time! A chance to regenerate the batteries. The attention spans of our youth (and our adults too!) today are very small and it is becoming an epidemic. They need to be doing “something” every second of the day. Mobile devices are glued to their hands. Many will not speak on the phone to friends and they only text. This technology is pushing people away from each other and it seems the kids believe much of what they see on their mobile devices, taking it as truth without investigation or proof. It is so bad that even on school buses, it is prevalent. Texting each other when they are only 4 feet from each other is a common occurrence. (I know.. I drive a school bus every day).

People are dying in cars driven by those texting while driving. Even if they are just going 5 minutes to the store – they are on the mobile devices and not paying close enough attention to the road. People are walking across streets on their mobile phones and getting hit by cars, or falling in construction holes because they are not watching. It is crazy – and it is REAL.

Zombies Of The Media

Through mass media and mobile technology those in power are duping the world and deceiving them about what is truly happening. The New World Order and the world leaders are pushing this on society. The One World Religion that our current Pope Francis is promoting.

Keep being busy at all times with irrelevant topics of the entertainment world. Believe that evil things are good things and good things are evil. These are the messages being conveyed. We are being blasted with these ideas as being good things. But according to Bible Prophecy it is the beginning of the end for this world system as the Antichrist will be ruling this New World Order and using all this technology in ways Adolf Hitler would have envied having in order to control the people of the world. SATAN IS KEEPING US ALL VERY BUSY INDEED!

Judgement Day Is Coming

The Day Of The Lord (known as the 3 1/2 year Great Tribulation Period) will soon be upon this entire world where God will judge the unrepentant. (see articles on Bible Prophecy) Those left behind at the Rapture are those that simply will not believe in salvation through Christ. So many people today say and believe that, ‘we have everything we need. We do not need God’. The Rapture and ultimately the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord will change those ideas! It is God’s last attempt to have the unredeemed to come to an end of themselves so that as many people as possible turn to Christ for salvation.

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV)

“The god of this age” is Satan. He is blinding the people of the world to the truth of the Gospel. Bible Prophecy points to an end time deception of such enormity that even the elect of God may believe the lie. The world is deceived greatly. Such lies about God abound only because people are not “seeking” the truth. If people would SLOW DOWN and seek the truth…they would find how truthful and reliable the word of God (the Bible ) is and the blinders would come off and they would truly start knowing the TRUE heart of God towards us and accept God’s only method to pardon our sin; the salvation only provided by Jesus the Christ.

Do not be deceived any longer!

Those who reject Christ are greatly deceived and will end up in everlasting punishment just like Satan and his fallen angels. It is a lack of the knowledge of the Gospel truth that is condemning the wicked.

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10 KJV)

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

Note to the reader… the Bible tells us that hell was created for Satan and his fallen angles – not for humankind! But if you side with Satan, you will follow where he will end up. This is NOT God’s desire for you!

 Jesus Christ Is Returning – And Soon

Jesus Christ is going to return and Bible Prophecy shows that this event will happen sooner than many think. The last 2000 Bible Prophecies were 100% fulfilled. The 500 or so about the Second Coming of Christ in the End Times will also be fulfilled 100%. In fact, quite a few are already fulfilled and being fulfilled right now in our modern times!

Many today are scoffers and are saying “Where is His return? Things are the same as they always have been”. But what they do not realize is they are fulfilling end time Bible Prophecy (2 Peter 3:3-4) by doing so. The real reason the Messiah, the Christ (the anointed one), has not yet returned in the last 2000 years is because “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) God wants you to be with Him forever.

“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.“ (John 6:28-29 KJV)

Trust In The Lord Jesus or Trust In Other Men?

“Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:5-10 KJV)

Do Not Refuse To Know Jesus!

God’s greatest desire is that you know Him. Not just know He exists but to have a relationship as a Father to a son or daughter. For the yet unredeemed wicked, “Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:5) God says to the wicked of the world,

“ Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.“(Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV)

Are you one of the world’s wicked people?

What about you? Are you a Biblical Christian? Or do you just think you are because you attend church? Or because you are a good person? Are you heaven bound or bound for everlasting punishment for your sins against a Holy God?  

Base your knowledge ON THE BIBLE and what it says – not just assuming that another person reads and should know. Check if what your pastor and Christian religion is teaching is actually Biblical. When I did.. I WAS SHOCKED and I found the truth. God’s truth. And THAT is the ONLY TRUTH that matters.

What Did Jesus Mean By ‘We Are Servant Slaves To Sin’? What Is Being Positionally Righteous?

Don Gerrity General OSAS Questions, Q&A: Salvation
The Blessed Hope

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34 KJV)

The Greek for the word ‘servant’ in this passages is ‘doulos‘ and means ‘a slave, bondman, man of servile condition’. This idea of being a servant and who we are being a servant to is key in understanding Salvation as being an eternal state – never to be lost.

Lets look at Romans in the Bible and see what Apostle Paul is telling us. In the Book of Romans we see the word SIN is used 48 times by Apostle Paul. The Romans Road to Salvation is something many use to bring people to Christ and so let us get this right!  If you read Romans believing all instances of the word SIN have the same meaning; that is where confusion starts. The fact is that not all instances of the word SIN has the same meaning. Most believe all instances are used as VERBS describing the individual sins that we all commit. We sin because of a sin nature. We do not have a sin nature because we sin. This is important to realize. And because of this we see many pulpits teaching falsely that if we do not REPENT and CONFESS every single sin we commit, that we forfeit our Salvation. If SIN is used as a verb throughout Romans, it is easy to see why people believe that. Other passages by Apostle Paul refute that idea but not everyone sees those passages in their studying and others blindly just listen to Bible teachers thinking they must be correct based on Romans use of the word SIN.

Yet, here is the shocker. There are TWO  Greek words for SIN in Romans and they are hamartanō  – a verb and hamartia – a noun).  What is the ratio of use between these two words of either SIN as a noun or SIN as a verb? Hamartia (a noun) is used 46 out of the 48 times! Apostle Paul is talking about SIN as a noun…as a WHOLE, as a place.  As in SIN, in it’s entirety, not each and every sin we commit. Now, of course every SIN (verb) we commit is included in the noun SIN. As a noun we can look at it as a place as well.

There are two main types of people in the Bible; The Wicked and The Righteous. This not about a person who does evil deeds or good deeds as humans think. The Bible says we all have sinned right? Each one is in a place spiritually speaking. The Righteous are in a place which is IN CHRIST; a place of the righteousness of God, IN CHRIST. The Wicked are in a place called SIN; a place of UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. These two abodes of SIN and RIGHTEOUSNESS are places very separate from each other. Which place your spirit resides depends not on what you DO but on whether you believe on Christ and accept the only payment for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2). If we are in the place called SIN and have not believed on Christ yet, will our good deeds merit us to be deemed RIGHTEOUS? According to the Bible the answer is an emphatic NO.  By the same way then, if we believe on Christ for Salvation and have become the Righteousness of God, IN CHRIST, will we be placed back in the place of the unrighteous and be deemed part of the place of the Wicked by our deeds? The answer is also, NO!

You see, those called the unsaved, are in a state of spiritual unrighteousness and in the place called SIN, with many sins committed in the flesh – prisoners and slaves to sin. We sin because we are sinners at our core being sin nature; we do not have a sin nature because we sin. There is a boundary and unbelievers are stuck in the place called SIN because of their debt of sins against a Holy God which cannot be erased by their own effort, leaving them headed for the full wrath and Holy judgement of God. No one can escape this place by their own effort, try as a person may by performing good deeds or religious rituals and activities.

The good news is that the opposite is also true. The saved person, who accepted the GIFT OF SALVATION by belief in Christ’s atonement for sin on the cross, was translated from the spiritual place called SIN and unrighteousness to the new place of RIGHTEOUSNESS having been made a new creature in the Spirit, who is now created with righteousness where God abides. And those saved have a new boundary of being 100% forgiven and righteous…and the saved cannot not escape this wonderful place by their own efforts either! Salvation through belief on Christ is eternal (John 3:14-18). Christ made sure of that on the cross!

Jesus says clearly,

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37 KJV)

Those who turn to God, and accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Those that believe Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. That Jesus is the Son of God, God come in the flesh. Those that believe that Jesus died on the cross and at that time accepted the punishment for the sins of the whole world and took upon Himself our sins. Instead of God punishing us for our sins, He became a human (Jesus the Christ) and bore our deserved punishment so that His perfect justice would be served. Those that accept this eternal pardon of sins are now called now ‘the saved’, ‘the redeemed of God’ and the ‘righteous‘. Fro the very moment of belief on Christ they were saved eternally and have The Holy Spirit indwelling them. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

God Is Not Just Wanting A Change Of Behavior. God Wants To Transform Your Very Core Spirit Being

It is not working your way out of a sinful flesh nature – which is a hopeless endeavor. It is not a religious thing; it’s a relational, positional issue between you and God Almighty. It is a PRISON TRANSFER sort of speaking and transferring a person from one place (SIN) to another place (RIGHTEOUSNESS). It is by faith, believing in the grace and mercy of God toward us, and by believing and accepting this great gift of forgiveness; believing in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Saviour from what? From your sin debt!

“He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that BELIEVETH NOT the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36 KJV)

“Being then MADE FREE from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:18 KJV)

As Christians, we did not make ourselves free from sin! It says we were MADE FREE. By whom? By Christ Jesus! The saved have become a servant slave to righteousness! And before accepting Christ as Lord and savior Paul says in Romans 6:20, “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.” There you can see the big flip in our relationship with God! It is a positional change. A prisoner transfer from the prison of unrighteousness, separated from God to the prison of righteousness with God. What a gift!

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: BUT THE SON ABIDETH EVER.  If the Son therefore shall MAKE YOU FREE, ye shall be FREE INDEED.” (John 8:31-36 KJV)

The prison of righteousness is a prison of FREEDOM from our initial sinful nature in the flesh. Notice that even though God loves you and I, and even though God is perfectly merciful towards you and I, He did not forgive us in a wishy washy way. That is, the punishment for your sin and my sin, still had to be PAID IN FULL. God is perfectly just right? He is not going to just say, ‘well you did some good deeds to make up for your sin, enter heaven’. NO! God is perfectly Holy and perfectly JUST too! The reality is that God loves you and I so much that He sent His own begotten son to take upon Himself, the punishment we deserve. Jesus, the second part of the trinity of God, who never sinned, became the perfect ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2 – ALL OF IT!) so we could be 100% forgiven for all our sins. And WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON CHRIST has been transferred to the place of RIGHTEOUSNESS with eternal life in Heaven.

“That whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:15-17)

That is what true salvation is all about. It is a loving and merciful and UNMERITED GIFT FROM GOD through Jesus on the cross, not anything we do or did. It is not due to any self righteous acts we have done. It is not through our good works, nor our doing penance, nor any religious rituals. It is a GIFT. And as a gift, it must be received. Will you receive God’s gift of eternal life?

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 KJV)

We Were Given The Righteousness Of Christ

Jesus received the punishment we deserved as sinners and so we are now saved from our sin debt. We are completely forgiven in Christ. Many stop there but there is more to it then just this awesome gift of love toward the whole human race. We were not only forgiven by this great act of love. There is more to this gift from God! In 2 Corinthians 5:21 it reads,

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

An exchange was made when Jesus on the cross cried out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) These three words in the Greek it was penned literally mean PAID IN FULL! Christ redeemed us from our punishment from our sins and then we became the very Righteousness of God, in Christ. This is the divine exchange that freed us from the prison of the flesh and sin in an unrighteousness state of being and placed us within the prison of a newly created Spirit with a new righteous state. What a gift God has provided us with. Believers have and are a newly created Spiritual being, in Christ. We still have fleshly sinful bodies until at the Rapture, when our corrupt fleshly bodies and minds catch up completely to our Spiritual change when will be just like Jesus is.

In the meantime, between being born again in Christ and the Rapture and resurrection of the body, there is a struggle within the believer in Christ as Paul explains the doctrine of the Two Natures of the believer in Romans 7:

“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 7:14-25 KJV)

The Apostle John states,

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2 KJV)

What a blessed hope!