A New Work in Evangelism and Explaining Repentance and Faith

The CEM Booth at Jesus to the Nations 2013

Back in 2010 I resigned from an Evangelism ministry because the other leaders had adopted the doctrine of Lordship Salvation. One of the major issues was the definition of Repentance Unto Eternal Life we had decided on was clear, but not explicitly nailed down enough. The definition we used was clearly inconsistent with Lordship Salvation, but it wasn't explicit enough to guard against the slow growth of that false doctrine inside the ministry.  By the time I left the ministry I still believed it meant to change your mind, but some other people believed it meant "to forsake sin."

It took about a year to get back into the work of Evangelism. I had been upset, and truthfully I went through a period of whining that included the idea that I was the only one (at least in my area) who had repentance and the Gospel right. Of course that was delusional and more about my being upset than anything else.

Anyway, imagine the mix of emotions I had as I re-joined a local group of people I had worked with off and on over the years in the work of Street Evangelism. Most of the faces had changed since the last time I had been out with them, but there were a few old friends still showing up. There was a mix of doctrine, but thankfully there were some people preaching the true Gospel as revealed in the Scriptures.

Fast forward a year and a half, and three of us have decided to form a new ministry. Here is part of our statement of the Doctrines of Evangelism. It is a work in progress, but I'm interested in your comments. Notes about Regeneration are yet to be added.

On that note, I sure hope there are still people checking here! We have been very busy building this new ministry and have already attended one Missions conference with a display table.

7. Salvation 

A.    OVERVIEW: Salvation, including: Justification, Reconciliation, and Glorification is accomplished by Grace alone and accessed through Faith alone in Christ alone, completely apart from works. That is to say that Salvation is the Gift of God brought to man by unmerited favor alone, and received by personal faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, whose substitutionary atonement fully reconciles all those who believe in Him to God completely apart from works. Eph 1:7;  Eph 2:8-9;  Jn 1:13;  1Pet 1:18-19;  Rom 3:19-28;  Rom 4:1-8;  Rom 4:16;  Ps 32:1-2,  Rom 5:1-2;  Isa 53;  Isa 55:1-3;  Lev 16; Acts 13:38-39; Gal 2:16

B.    Repentance: “Repent” and “repentance” are words, derived from the Old French word “repentir,” which are used in modern English translations of the Scriptures to represent 5 words in the original languages (2 Hebrew and 3 Greek). Some of these words have similar meanings but others have diverse meanings. The only word translated repent or repentance in all of the Scriptures, which is also related to reconciliation with God (being saved, receiving Eternal Life, being justified, etc…), is the Greek word Metanoia (Metanoeo). This word carries the meaning of critically rethinking something and coming to a different conclusion. That is having a change of mind, through investigation, being convinced or being persuaded. It is the present ministry of God the Holy Spirit to convict and convince the World of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment. In the carrying out of this ministry God the Holy Spirit will “open the heart” of the one being witnessed to, that is to cause the person to pay attention to the message with serious consideration, and He will do the actual convincing. The unbeliever being witnessed to must repent, that is to change their mind about Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment in order for them to be in a position to have faith in the Gospel which is a message of deliverance from the danger they are in.  In short, one cannot be assured unless they are first disturbed. It is clear from the Scriptures that Metanoia (or Metanoeo) does not mean the actual, attempted, promised or intended, reformation of one’s life. In reference to being reconciled with God it is one recognizing and agreeing with God that their own sin is evil, that God is righteous and that He will rightly judge their sin justly. “Repentance Unto Life” isn’t about changing one’s life, it is about agreeing with God.  God uses all things to lead people to this repentance; ie revelation and conviction from the Scriptures, testimony of believers, creation, His goodness, mercy, good works of Believers, fearful circumstances, close calls, misery, pain, and sickness to name but a few possible things. Passages to consider: Mat 9:13;  Luk 16:19-31;  Luk 17:3-4;  Luk 24:46-48;  Jn 16:5-11;  Acts 2:38;   Acts 3:19;  Acts 17:30;  Acts 19:4;  Acts 20:17-24;  Acts 26:19-23;  Rom 2:4;  Rom 4:1-8;  Rom 4:16;  2Cor 7:10;  Heb 6:1;  2Pet 3:9 

C.    The Believer’s Faith: It is the Object of faith (the Lord Jesus Christ) Who saves, not the quality of the faith, or the faith itself.  The Believers faith, (sometimes called “saving faith” though faith does not save in itself) is like Abram’s faith when he “Believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.” The Believer’s faith is assurance in the Person of Jesus Christ based on having received the Gospel. True saving faith is when a guilty, ungodly sinner knows that Jesus Christ has completely paid that sinner’s own due penalty so that they are fully reconciled to God having received the Gospel of Christ. Rom 4;  Gen 15:6;  Acts 15:7;  Acts 18:8;  Rom 1:16;  1Cor 4:15;  1Cor 15:1;  Eph 1:13-14 

D.    Repentance and Faith Manifested: One has truly repented when one is fully convinced that they need to be saved from the righteous judgment of their own personal sin knowing that Judgment is sure to come. Having repented, one truly has faith when they are assured that the Lord Jesus Christ the Righteous has paid the full and just penalty for their sin and that this has been accepted by God the Father as the only, and complete, payment to secure their personal reconciliation to Him. It is perfectly reasonable to expect a Believer to “do the works befitting repentance” and to be submitted to the mastery of Christ in their life. However, these are not conditions for Salvation and often require exhortation and discipleship unto maturity to foster and maintain.  The Believer possesses two natures, which war with each other; that of Adam and that of Christ. It is fully reasonable to expect actual believers to suffer struggles with sin, and also to have desires for righteousness. Salvation is instant, perfect, and cannot be revoked or reduced. Sanctification is a process worked in the Believer by God the Holy Spirit as the Believer submits which may vary with time or circumstance. Acts 26:20;  Rom 6:13;  Rom ch7; Rom 8:12-13;  Gal 5:16-25;  Eph 4:22-24;  Col 3:10;  1Pet 1:13-16;  1Jn 3:5-9

Of Repentance Granted, and Disallowed

My blessing for a hot meal?

Heb 12:14-17

¹⁴ Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ¹⁶ lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

In 2006 a local preacher explained this passage to his congregation in the context that God will not always accept someone back to Him, that He has a time limit on His offer. There's more than a little truth to the concept the preacher was trying to get across, but he ended up missing the mark. The preacher went on to explain that Esau wasn't able to repent, though he wanted to so badly he was moved to tears.

The preacher's view of repentance being turning from your sins, or stopping your sins, informed his view of the passage. He explained that since Esau couldn't change the fact that he had exchanged his blessing for a hot meal that he could not repent of it. He couldn't stop it, no matter how much he wanted to once the end result was realized.

But, what "repentance" did Esau seek after with tears? Read Gen 27:30-40. Esau wept for want of his father's repentance about which son he blessed. There was no place for repentance however, because Isaac his father had already blessed Jacob. Isaac, Esau and Jacob's father, explained that his brother Jacob would be blessed, and Esau would serve him. This has absolutely nothing to do with Esau being unable to repent, or needing God to gift him repentance.

It is an example of repentance unto blessing being disallowed, because the blessing was no longer available. What had been done had been done. It didn't matter that Isaac regretted what happened, his blessing had been given. God would honor the blessing and would not allow Isaac repentance to change what would happen. It didn't matter that Esau had repented about selling the blessing, the blessing was no longer available. It's interesting that in Rom 9:10-12 we find out that this was by design. God had chosen Jacob for the position of Firstborn. God actually disallowed repentance. He would not allow it to change His plan.

It is clear that God will accomplish all He sets out to do, that there are specific things He has intended to complete and that these same will be accomplished. Isa 46:8-11 tells us as much. Yet is is also clear that God does change His mind, He repents and or relents, in response to repentance and or faith of mankind.

We read in 1Cor 5:1-13 of a young man engaged in sexual immorality that the local assembly had not put out of fellowship. Paul instructs them to put him out where he'll suffer at the hands of Satan, "that he might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." Which speaks of Judgment of works, not Eternal Salvation  We read about the shame of failure some will at His appearing in 1Jn 2:28 Here is more on the Judgment Seat of Christ before which all Believers will stand. Later Paul writes in 2Cor 2:3-11 instructing the assembly to welcome him back into fellowship. Here, repentance was granted by God, demanded by Paul, and actioned by the assembly. Not the young man's repentance, but the repentance of the assembly to welcome him back in. Paul explained that it is our duty to God to keep our assemblies pure. It is God who allows this young man to return, who grants the repentance of the assembly. Not who "gifts repentance to him or them" but Who grants or allows it. It was right to relent on the young man's punishment because God has allowed them to bring him back in. For this man repentance unto fellowship, and all that entails, was finally granted.

We run into a similar pattern over a very different issue in 2Tim 2:25. Taken by itself, and with a dose of preconceived theology, the verse may appear to say that God may "gift" repentance to "those in opposition." But does it really? Paul is telling Timothy how to minister, saying a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition. This last is conditioned on what God does however, if God grants them repentance so that they may know the truth and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2Tim 2:24-26.

This is just like 1Cor 5 & 2Cor 2 again, these disorderly Brethren had become false teachers and had to be marked and separated from. Just like the young man, they were to be put out into the snare of Satan to teach them not to live by the flesh. In 2Tim 1 Paul talks about his ministry and how he has held fast his doctrine about the grace of God. In 2Tim 2:1-2 Paul tells Timothy to therefore be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ and to entrust this doctrine to faithful men who will also be able to teach it.  He continues with warnings to Timothy of the price to be paid to preach the Gospel, that he will also be treated like an evil doer, that he is to realize he is like a soldier in a war who will suffer at the hands of the opposition. 2Tim 2:3-13

Then in 2Tim 2:14-26 Paul talks about how to minister to the Elect, the Believers in Christ, warning them to stay away from error. He warns that tiny errors will grow like cancer! He even warns Timothy himself to be a workman in the Scriptures ensuring he rightly divides the Word of Truth. Paul is warning Timothy to be ware of even his own doctrine! Paul names Hymenaeus and Philetus saying their strange doctrine had over thrown the faith of many! Timothy is told to "shun" such vain babblings.

In 2Tim 2:20-25 Paul explains this shunning. He says that even in a great house there are vessels of honor and dishonour. There are faithful men to which teaching is to be entrusted, and their are unfaithful men who's words are to be shunned, and who are to be put out of the fellowship. He says "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter (the vessels of dishonour) they will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work." Paul then says to "flee also" youthful lusts, and to avoid foolish and ignorant disputes... this is Biblical Separation at work. Other reference verses would be: 1Tim 6:3-5, Titus 3:9-11, Rom 16:17, 2Jn 1:9-11

Finally, Timothy is to be able to teach these opposers of the truth, should God grant them repentance. Or like the young man in Corinth who had been sexually immoral, if God should allow Timothy to allow them back into fellowship, that they may learn the truth and be freed from the same snare of the devil that the young man in Corinth suffered.

If this passage were about God giving repentance and the knowledge of the truth to these opposers - as is often taught of the passage - then Timothy would not need to be instructed "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel bu be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition..." For if God "gave" them repentance so that they knew the truth, then Timothy would not be the one tasked with correcting them. It is apparently possible that God will either grant them repentance, or allow them to return to fellowship, or He may not. Yet, Timothy is to be prepared for God to allow it. While Acts 11:18 talks about granting repentance unto life, here we could say that God is granting repentance unto correction.

I'm well aware that many Calvinist readers will think I'm abusing the Text. I ask those same readers to examine the Text without their theology informing them. Does the Text say that God may "gift" repentance or that He may "grant" or "allow" it? The word didomi has a range of meanings which include both senses. Which does the Text support? Giving someone the truth and having them be corrected? Or allowing them to be brought back in safe from the snare of the Devil where they can be corrected? There is a third option which I must mention, out of integrity, but I fear some Calvinist interpreters will find appealing: Or is Paul ignoring all of his instruction to separate from false teachers, and saying that Timothy is to be such a minister that God can use him to correct the opposers and at the same time giving them this repentance. The only non-convoluted option, which does not add to the Text, matches Paul's instructions and does not assume the answer is that Paul is telling Timothy to be prepared to work with these people if God allows him to welcome them back into fellowship.

Israel is a very high profile example. When the Lord came to them He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom, repentance was granted. They were allowed to enter in to the promises given them. When they rejected the King, they were turned over and blinded as a nation. Individually they may be saved, but their is no opportunity for the Nation of Israel to be welcomed back in now. The Lord has set appart a time to bring them to their own repentance. This time is known as the Time of Jacob's Trouble, or the Great Tribulation. This time will bring the Nation of Israel to repentance, and repentance will be granted to them. They will then have the opportunity to say "Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the LORD!" and be welcomed back in. Ps 118, Jer 30:1-24, Mat 23:37-39, Luk 13:34-35, Luk 19:41-44, Rom 9, Rom 10, Rom 11... among many other passages. National repentance for Israel is not granted right now, but will be again soon.

Some extreme cases of repentance being disallowed include Ananias and Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit and were immediately killed by God. Acts 5:1-11 Moses is even an example of the same! After he struck the Rock a second time God told him to go up on a mountain and die. Deut 32:48-51. You can read more about this example in the article Faith in the Flinty Rock.

What's true of all the above examples is that given particular conditions repentance is granted, and under different conditions repentance is disallowed. This brings us to our second last issue, and a passage some use to describe repentance as a gift from God.

Acts 11:18 is a similar pattern but an altogether different situation. Again, if you read it by itself and insert some theology into it you can get the impression that God is gifting repentance to people. I've heard it taught that this is an example of God gifting repentance to sinners several times, but is that what's going on here?

Israel is God's chosen nation. Deut 7:6-8 Even Jesus says that "Salvation is of the Jews" Jn 4:22 Throughout the NT the issue the Jews have is that God might fellowship with, and use people other than the Jews. It is an unthinkable thought to the mind of the Israelite. Jews could not even themselves fellowship with Gentiles. Throughout Israel's history anyone who would be saved would have to convert to Judaism and become part of Israel in order to do so. There was no access to God except through the Nation of Israel. Rom 9:4-5, Ruth 1:15-18 (for example), and so on.. The idea that the Gentiles could be reconciled to God without becoming Jews was astounding.

This is exactly the kind of opposition Peter faced when he returned to Jerusalem with news of his ministry among the Gentiles. He explains how he struggled with the same fears and thoughts, but that God convinced him to go to the Gentiles. Then he talks about the Gentiles conversion and it is then clear to his opposers that God indeed had allowed the Gentiles to be born again. He had granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles. This isn't gifting each of the people with repentance, it is allowing it to bring Gentiles to life directly without them becoming Jews. Such had not ever happened in all the history of Israel up to the Cross. But, by Peter's testimony of what had happened it was obvious, even to these Israelites, that God had indeed granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles.

I could go into detail about other passages on the subject of Repentance being granted, not given, but these two will suffice for now. First God commands all men everywhere to repent. It is God's command, not God's gift. Further, when Believers are judgmental about others being saved the Apostle Paul reminds us that it is the goodness of God that "leads" people to repentance. Rom 2:4. You don't lead someone to a gift. However, you might lead them to something you've commanded them to do, and that will have a result.


Finally we come to the most immediate, and currently important, issue: repentance granted to each individual in the world. 

Currently, repentance IS granted - we may enter in by the Door which is Jesus Christ, but that Door will be shut all too soon for many. Then repentance unto life will no longer be granted. Mat 25:10, Jn 10:9, Luk 13:24-27, Gen 7:1-24 Pay close attention to Gen 7:16 noting that the Lord shut the door to the ark and no one else could then get in. The next thing that happened was the flood. Repentance unto salvation was no longer granted, it was disallowed. The people could repent about their sin, but there was nothing left to save them even if they did. There is soon coming a moment where the Lord will remove the Church which is His Body from the face of the Earth and He will turn His attention to the Time of Jacob's Trouble which will draw Israel to national repentance. At that time, just like the national repentance of Israel is disallowed right now, everyone who has disbelieved in this age will be blinded. God will send them a strong delusion, and they will believe the lies of Satan and his anti-Christ. 2Thes 2:1-12

Now is the accepted time. Today is the day of Salvation. There may be no other for you. 2Cor 6:2

Repentance Unto Life (Evangelism 101.14)

Think Different

It is terrible news that Steve Jobs died today at age 56. We are handed an opportunity to explain why this world truly has nothing to offer however. Let us remember the severity of the eternity sinners face, and let that terror drive us to reach them, to reason with them, and PLEAD WITH THEM to be reconciled to God.

Except Ye Repent!

Recently at a Crossless Gospel blog I saw a post that featured writing from HA Ironside with the title "Christ is not just necessary -- He is enough!" Of course I could find nothing to disagree with in that title, it is the rest of the message of the blog that I disagree with. They claim that some "add" repentance, and the facts of the Gospel to the Salvation Message. Of course when I saw this article I couldn't help but smile. A version of HA Ironside's "Except Ye Repent!" updated with modern English transformed my walk with Christ.

They may quote Ironside, but they can't change what the man really preached. Read the full book at Wholesome Words. Here's a sample of the introduction;

Fully convinced in my own mind that the doctrine of repentance is the missing note in many otherwise orthodox and fundamentally sound circles today, I have penned this volume out of a full heart. I hope and pray that God will be pleased to use it to awaken many of His servants to the importance of seeking so to present His truth as to bring men to the only place where He can meet them in blessing. That place is the recognition of their own demerit and absolute unworthiness of His least mercies and a new conception of His saving power for all who come to Christ as lost sinners, resting alone upon His redemptive work for salvation, and depending upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to make them victorious over sin's power in daily life.

The pages have been written during a busy summer, as I have gone from place to place trying to preach and teach the very truths herein emphasized. Most of the book was scribbled out in Pullman cars while speeding from one appointment to another. If there seems at times to be lack of continuity of thought, I hope the manifest defects of the treatise may not hinder the reader from getting the message I have endeavored to set forth as clearly as possible, under difficult circumstances.

I have not written for literary critics or for theological quibblers, but for earnest people who desire to know the will of God and to do it. And so I send forth this book, in dependence on Him who has said, "Cast thy bread upon the waters: and thou shalt find it after many days." If He be pleased to use it to arouse some at least to a deeper sense of the importance of reality in dealing with souls, I shall be grateful.

—Harry A. Ironside

1 Timothy 5 in action at our Communion service today.

1 Tim 5:17-25 NKJV
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

You may remember my post about how spontaneous repentance broke out at one of my church's recent Communion services. Well God again did something amazing today. One of our Elders publicly announced his resignation from his position due to sin. He is repentant and has been restored to full fellowship as a congregant in our church. In response to this man's confession the Lord has cleansed him of all unrighteousness. That sin is not just forgiven, it has been cleansed from him.

I now stand with my Brother in the Lord and will walk with him through this season into God's promise.

Proof Of Trust! Our Faith Confirmed.

This is a follow up to the post where I recounted a short story of service to my wife entitled Proof Of Trust?  It was nothing big but it did point out, at least to some, that works are not proof of trust. The discussion that followed ended up with the subject of assurance and when someone "should" or "should not" have assurance of their Salvation.

The slipperiness of the doctrines of Lordship Salvation bugs me. With nothing clearly defined the person who is trying to prove the position is free to explain away everything and anything that disagrees with it and to change the focus of the conversation at any moment.

There is an immense amount of circular logic that flows through the arguments for Lordship Salvation. The shear amount of assumption they are based on makes it next to impossible to answer each point in a normal conversation. It's actually a bit like how an aggressive nation invades another country. They don't have to have the best soldiers, planes, tanks or ships.. all they need are a lot of them. Likewise, there is no argument for Lordship Salvation that stands the test of Scripture that I have ever heard. But when facing the mass attack of a bunch of the assumptions at once it's very hard to answer each point without writing a book. And that's a big reason why as we discuss the false message of Lordship Salvation we try to focus on "what a sinner must do to be saved." Not the things that ought to follow Salvation. And it is this what must be done to be saved that is at the heart of the perversion of the Gospel that is Lordship Salvation.

But this post is entitled "Proof Of Trust! Our Faith Confirmed." and so I've got to deal with assurance. What "proves" trust? How can we know we are saved? Do we know we're saved because we live different lives now? How different? Because we "hate" our sin? How much? Because we do good works? How many? What if we do sin and good works?

Thankfully my dear Pastor was preaching about Faith this past Sunday and he reminded me of Heb 4:16.  A blessed definition of trust is found therein.
Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
My Pastor's purpose was not to forward this discussion. He wasn't speaking about how to "know you trust" as the conversation with Lordship Salvation proponents often turns to. He was simply speaking about trust, actually he termed it "confidence" in the Lord. When he spoke verse 16 I remembered verse 15 and thanked the Lord for His own definition of trust. He is trustworthy, and so we trust Him and as we trust Him we have faith in Him.

The end result of these two verses is this "...that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The end result is the Lord satisfies our need. This is the result of true faith. So let's examine THAT faith which leads to such a perfect result.

For understanding of the implications of Christ being our High Priest I suggest an in-depth study of Hebrews. I do not have the space, time or skill required to get into that subject in this topic, yet I do acknowledge that it relates. 

Verse 15 speaks of the character and qualification of our High Priest. Verse 16 says that our actions are because of this character and qualification "therefore" and shows our trust as "coming boldly to the Throne of Grace."

Notice please, WHY we come boldly, confidently, in trust, because of Christ's character and qualifications. Not because of ours. We do not have confidence that leads to obtaining of Mercy and Grace because we have been changed but because He is Who He is and Has done what He has done, and so will do what He will do.

This is most important: Why should a Christian have assurance of their salvation? Because of Christ's character and qualification.

I've been asked many times... if a person is not doing good works, not going to church, not reading their bible, not giving, not this or not that.... How can they have assurance of their Salvation? Check the threads here at OMW over the last two months and count how many times that question has been asked. It's stunning.

A person can have assurance of their salvation if they can come trusting fully that the Gospel is true and that despite anything about themselves our High Priest's character led Him to do and complete what He was qualified to do on our behalf. 1 Cor 15:1-11  The Church of yesteryear used to sing to teach.. not just to entertain. I love the following hymn.

Rock Of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the Cross I cling.

The proof of trust is not how I have changed. The proof of trust is that I come to the Saviour in confidence. If I know the Gospel Truth of Who He is, what He has done and trust that He has done these things for me and is faithful to save me then I will be confident in Him. Not in me. That is trust. And that coming boldly to the Throne of Grace is the only proof of that trust.

May God bless the reading of His Holy Word, and the singing of man made words describing the truth of our condition. 

Proof Of Trust?

Today I decided not to go out running. My wife who is more dedicated to the enterprise of physical fitness than I am decided she would go even though she wasn't feeling the best. While she was out running it started to rain. Well OK it was more than just rain it was a downpour! It doesn't rain that hard very often, let's just leave it at that. Yes I giggled, and when I tried to stop giggling I believe there was some belly laugh action happening. :)

But my first instinct was to run upstairs grab a couple of jumbo towels, take them down to the basement and shove them in the dryer so she'd have big warm towels to wrap around her when she got home. I did this, and when she came in she loved the treatment.

So the question is, did this act of service - this "good work" - prove that I trust her? Or did it prove something else?

This is the crux of the discussion about "evidences" of Salvation. It's clear that some people are going to do good works without ever having been saved, and it's also clear that people who are saved are going to do Good Works. So they are not an accurate test of Salvation.

In a person who is saved they are an accurate test of maturity though.

What my little episode with the towels proves is that I love and care for my wife. Not that I trust her. Just like Good Works, if done in the power of God and for His Glory (if they be TRUE Good Works) are not proof of our Salvation they are proof of our love for Him.

UPDATE: I should comment on my conclusions in the article. My actions don't actually prove my love for my wife. They might be resultant of that love, or of a desire to appear as though I love her.

This doing something for appearance is what the people who will have called Jesus "Lord, Lord" will have done. Mat 7:21-23

Spontanious Repentance At Communion Service

On Sunday, July 6th 2008, I was at a Communion Service at City Heights Church. Pastor Frank Willoughby preached a very short message on the Lord's Table. He spoke of the purity of the table and what it means to examine yourself. He did not preach a "hell-fire" message, or even a "convicting" message. It was short and to the point. Then he did something I've never seen before. He told the congregation that we always examine ourselves privately but that today the Lord was leading him to have us do this openly. He said the microphone is open, if you want to confess, encourage, lead, witness, or repent before this congregation come.

It only took a moment and the men started coming. A few women came forward as well but it was amazing to see the men and to hear them pour out their hearts. Even I was drawn forward early on. In broken words, and tears and beautiful joy man after man came forward. There was confession, encouragement, leadership, witness to the Truth, and true repentance. There was a sweet smell and a soft feeling in the church after the service. I had never experienced anything like it. Yes we went well over our normal timings... but absolutely no one minded.

Here was God doing a work in His people. He has been putting the men of CHC through fiery trials for the last several years and sustaining us through them. He has written a testimony of Him self through HIS faithfulness. And on that Sunday morning the work He has done paid off with much fruit and glory.

FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Freedom! Today I have been overtaken by the blessings of the Lord!

Deut 28:1-10

1"Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.

2"All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God:

3"Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

4"Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock.

5"Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

6"Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

7"The LORD shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.

8"The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

9"The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.

10"So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of you.

Thank you my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Repent With Joy

So I just picked up the 4 e-Books from Taste Heaven Now. Is it really possible to "repent with joy"? I believe so. Actually so far I've been amazed at the clarity and sense of the things I've been reading there. I decided it was well worth the $25 to get the books and investigate all the way.

I suggest giving some of the free material he has a read. It's already been beneficial in my life.

What IS Repentance?

UPDATE 2: I have recently recorded an exhaustive video on the subject of Repentance which examines all usages of any word translated as any form of repent in both the Old and New Testaments. See the article Repentance Unto Life here.

UPDATE: I have a VERY short definition which may be helpful to read before you see this more complete argument.

When we teach about the Gospel it's important that we admit, and agree with the Bible that Salvation is by Grace through Faith alone. Eph 2:8-9 That means that Salvation comes by putting your faith in Christ and that's it. So what about Repentance then? Well it's linked to deliverance and eternal salvation in the Bible. This leaves us with the fundamental question – What IS Repentance? We must be very careful because the answer can destroy the essential doctrine of “by Faith alone” and turn the Gospel into a false gospel of salvation by works.

Let's see if we can figure it out.

We're going to start all the way back at the beginning. Well ok a few days after the beginning anyway. In Genesis 2:17 God declares that sin will result in death. The struggle between truth and falsehood begins in Gen 3:4 where the Devil says that God was lying. This will become very important later as we get to the Gospel. We read that the “Wages of Sin” is death in Romans 6:23. But really God said this in Gen 2:17 so it's nothing new.

Sin requires death. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Heb 9:22

We get to Cain and Abel in Gen 4. Where we seen an example of how we can't approach God on our own terms – only on His. Abel took God at His Word and obeyed Him. Cain on the other hand, choose to give God something he thought was valuable. It was a sacrifice, but it was not what God required. God declares that sin requires death and so sinful man can not approach God without the shedding of blood. Abel brought a blood offering, Cain brought vegetables.

Cain was a sinner and so had the seed of disobedience in him – just as all we descendants of Adam do. I'm sure Cain intended to please God, but because he refused to do so in accordance with what God asked God was not pleased at all.

We run into the very same issue today when we are told to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. To so many preachers and ordinary people Repentance means to feel sorrow and pledge to change your ways. Now godly sorrow does work repentance, a la 2 Cor 7:10, but sorrow is not a requirement nor an ingredient of Repentance. Nor is changing your behavior or even declaring that you will or want to change your behavior a part of Repentance. Although these things DO often happen in one's life after they have repented a la Acts 26:20. How do I know these are not part of Repentance? The Bible never says they are part of it. Only that they can be results of, or even things that lead up to Repentance – but not always. Further we constantly see Paul preaching about holy living to Christians who are already saved – thus having already repented.

So now we know what Repentance isn't.. that's helpful.. what IS it?

Well the Greek word that is translated into the English word “Repent” is metanoeō and it carries the meaning “to change your mind.” This is a word that gets used to mean anything from changing your mind about a decision you had made to changing your opinion about something. Many people add to the word as it is used in Scripture. When you read it in Scripture try just replacing the word Repent with the phrase “change your mind” or “a change of mind” So when God says to repent of sins what does that mean. Well let's say “change your mind about sins” That still doesn't clear it up all the way. But it does get rid of the “stop sinning so you can be saved” sort of repentance that get preached so often.

Let's see how the mind of the unsaved person works for a moment. Prov 20:6 tells us that men proclaim their goodness. People esteem themselves as good but God says none are good except Him. Matt 19:17, Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19. Our very thinking nature is against God. Rom 8:7.

Part of the Gospel says that Jesus Christ died for our sins. I Cor 15:3. In order for a man to believe that someone died for his sins, he must realize that he has sins that are terrible enough to deserve death. This is repentance. This is the change of mind. I'll break it down.

No one asks for medical treatment for cancer unless they believe they have cancer.

Before the man thought he was good. Now he knows he is a sinner deserving of death.
Before his thinking was against God. He didn't even think sin was sinful. Now he agrees with God that sin deserves death.

Repentance alone is not enough to save a person. Repentance unto life includes not only the change of mind about self, and the right alignment of our thinking to agree with God but also the putting our faith in Christ Jesus. Who died for our sins, because death was deserved and required, and that it was enough as in accordance with what God said He needed in Scripture, that He was sinless and the Christ (which includes the meaning that He is God) and that He rose again in the flesh. I Cor 15:1-8.

So if you believe this, that it applies to you and your sins, and that it does save then you have repented unto life. You have changed your mind and put your faith in Christ Jesus. Rom 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

When we want to change our ways to be more acceptable to God it's an honest and good emotion. Just like Cain's wanting to please God by offering Him the fruit of his labor in the fields. But just as Cain learned so must we, no man can approach God except the way that God has said. Jesus said I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me. John 16:6 We can want to change our ways and that is a good thing. That is the fruit of Repentance. But if we think, or worse preach that a man must do this, even want to do this in order to be saved then we are declaring that works are required for Salvation and it's not “by Faith alone.” God says it's by grace we saved through faith and that not of ourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9. If we do this we preach another gospel which isn't a gospel at all. Gal 1:6-7

We can not approach God on the basis that we want to make ourselves better, or that we will. We can only approach God by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That all of our sin was paid for. If we believe, or preach, that we need to make ourselves even the slightest bit better in order to be saved then we are making Grace of no effect. Gal 5:4

This is not to say that Christians should not strive to live holy lives, that is an entirely different subject. Today I am writing about about repentance that leads to salvation, not discipleship.

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Can Faith Without Works Save You?

UPDATE: For a full examination of James 2 please see my latest on the subject called "James 2 From The Text."

James 2:14 is an often misunderstood and more often abused verse. I've looked at James 2 before in a post called "Faith and Works", and to be honest I missed the boat. I had some things correct, but I missed the actual "point" of the Chapter. Thanks to Danny for pointing me in the right direction!

I think I went wrong because I was so focused on the area I was concerned about that I didn't even consider that my division of the chapter into two teachings might be wrong. As it turns out the whole chapter is one single teaching.

Here's the whole of James 2 for you to read.

And this is the structure I'm using to study it myself.

James 2:14 is talking about the Believer being saved from loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Believers will receive reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ dependent on how our works stand up to the test of fire. Did we do them in our strength, for our glory or in His for His Glory? Verse 14 is asking what the profit is for faith without works, if we have shown no mercy then we'll suffer loss - and faith wont' save us from that loss.

James 2:1-7 shows the behavior being dealt with.

James 2:8-11 talks about what it's like to be under the Royal Law (Mosaic Law - typified by the Ten Commandments)

James 2:12-14 is about the Law of Liberty - by which we will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. James uses how judgment works under the Royal Law to explain how judgment will work under the Law of Liberty (Law of Christ - Love God, Love Each other & Law of the Spirit - promptings of the Spirit).

Then James 2:15-26 shows us how this plays out - it's the application message.. or the demonstrations of it.

Of course God's will is that we be conformed to the image of Christ so we are worked by the Holy Spirit (Heb 12) to "perfect" our faith through trials and works

For more info on the Judgment Seat of Christ judgment check this post.