Identity - Part 3

Is Saving Faith "blind faith"?

If Saving Faith is not blind then it must be placed in something known, or understood. If something must be known or understood does this add something to Salvation by Grace through Faith? I say that Saving Faith is not blind but is placed in One Who is made known through revelation by testimony of His Own works. The process of revelation is processed by reasoning in the mind of the Sinner as ministered to by the Spirit of God. This results in one exclusive identity of the person of Christ that cannot be impersonated or usurped by any created thing, thus results in a faith in Him alone.

Isa 1:18 puts it this way.

"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

The Lord our God does not want “simple faith” that is simple to knowledge of Him but wise to our desire for Eternal Life. For does not all the world want to live, yet have nothing to do with the Lord God Almighty? The Faith the Lord wants is that which is placed in Him. And I echo the Apostle Paul saying “How can they call on One of Whom they have not heard?” We must know His identity in order to call on Him.

But those who reduce the Gospel (The Saving Message which must be received) to something akin to “Believe Jesus for Eternal Life” do not just misidentify the Object of Saving Faith they also misidentify the effect of it. Let us read and hear again what our ministry is.

2 Cor 5:18-20

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

Eternal Life is a benefit but our ministry is that of reconciliation to God Himself. Heaven is not a wonderful place where God hangs out. Heaven is a wonderful place BECAUSE the One True Holy and Perfect God is there. He is the glory of Heaven.

I submit to the reader that those who say “We just can’t know for sure” what the actual Saving Message is are like the agnostics of the World. They are comfortable with non-committal supposing they offend no one, and cannot be in error if they do not take a stand. This comfortable status quo leaves one luke-warm in their convictions.

Be sure the Lord Our God is near to all who call on Him in truth. Ps 145:18 We ought to “consider” His works. Eccl 7:18.

Here are a couple of quotes from Warren Henderson’s book, In Search Of God (Gospel Folio Press 2007)

“Modern philosophy considers reason and faith to be disassociated, but the Bible teaches that both must be exercised to know God and to understand truth. Philosophy teaches that these are conflicting agents – the former intellectual and the latter emotional. But is this true? Is there no common ground in which both faith and reason might labor together for a greater benefit than either could accomplish alone? What is the consequence of determining reality solely through a philosophical means?” Pg 13

“Biblical Christianity has this distinction over the religions of the world- the seeker is challenged to test the Scripture to validate its truthfulness.” Pg 22

The Law of Sin & Death states “The soul that sins shall die.” Ezk 18:4 & Ezk 18:20 If one has sinned they must die. They can do that themselves, or they can be baptized into Christ’s death (& resurrection) by grace through faith. But they cannot choose Christ unless they know Him, and they can’t know Him unless they know what He did.

Thus one must properly identify the object, content and result of our Saving Faith, or it cannot be Saving Faith.

Ref: My work about reasoning here is derivative of Henderson's presentations in his book.

Identity - Part 2

In my previous post I got into the Scriptures about the importance of properly identifying Our Lord. Today I want to briefly discuss the implications of not properly identifying Him. I showed in the previous post how those who were speaking with and learning from the "right Jesus" were not saved because they had not properly identified Him. Today, I'm interested in what it means for a Christian to improperly identify Him before the world.

Some men who claim to be believers in "Free Grace" say that one need not know that Jesus is The Christ in order to be saved. These same men lift the Apostle John's testimony of Our Lord's humiliation and resurrection above the rest of Scripture. They say one must "Believe in Jesus for Eternal Life" to be saved.

My dear friends, brethren and others reading if we claim to be believers in "Free Grace" we must acknowledge Who brought us this Grace. Let us read and hear what the dear Apostle John says in his first chapter.

John 1:14-18
¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
¹⁵ John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”
¹⁶ And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ, who the Apostle makes very clear IS God in the flesh.

John 1:1-4
¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Today, if we claim to believe in "Free Grace" but deny the Truth we make ourselves liars do we not? It's a question I ask you to consider.

I'm reminded of Paul's question in Galatians 4:21 and myself ask this. "You who wish to limit Evangelism to John's testimony do you not hear John's testimony?"

Identity - Part 1

Never mind what men think. How important is it to the God of the Bible that we properly identify Him?

Mark 12:28-30
²⁸ Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

²⁹ Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5
⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! ⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

He declares that He is one. A particular God, not just God. The word translated as one there is actually "a unity of one." Which God? Your God.

Exodus 20:1-7
¹ And God spoke all these words, saying:
² “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
³ “You shall have no other gods before Me.
⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, ⁶ but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
⁷ “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain

He identifies Himself, not by name but by what He has done. And then He commands that any who should "take His name in vain" will not be held guiltless.

While I would agree that to use His Name and/or His Titles as a curse word would be to take His Name in vain this is actually a much broader subject. We take someone's name in vain when we use it to validate what we are saying. When we say "Thus saith the LORD.." when He didn't say any such thing. Or when we say He is someone who He is not.

How many people were named "Jesus" when Jesus The Christ was in His humiliation? Thousands I suspect. The Bible doesn't tell us to put our faith in someone named Jesus. It tells us to put our faith in The Christ.

When Paul declares the Gospel He identifies the Christ as the One who did the things "in accordance with the Scriptures." God is again identified by what He has done because NO ONE ELSE could do these things.

If you study the LORD's Names in Scripture they tell of what He has done and does do. When the Bible says to put your faith in Jesus, it has already identified Who this Jesus is. We read this in the often abused verses;

John 20:30-31
³⁰ And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Notice these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Proper identity.

Many doing abuse to these verses ignore that this statement by the Apostle John comes immediately after John's description of Christ's resurrection. Read the chapter yourself John 20:1-31

Christ is only properly identified when the full Gospel is presented, just as Israel was to recognize only the LORD who had brought them out of Egypt.

Jesus Christ, is the Jesus Who is the Son of God so that He could die for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, and Who actually did die for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. Who was buried and rose on the third day according to the Scriptures and Who was seen alive in the flesh by more than 500 people.

They wanted a sign to show that Jesus was God or they would not believe. THIS IS THE SIGN GIVEN IAW Jesus' own words to identify Him as God. We see this explained in John 6 very well.

John 6:22-40
²² On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— ²³ however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— ²⁴ when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. ²⁵ And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”

²⁶ Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. ²⁷ Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

²⁸ Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” ²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”³⁰ Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? ³¹ Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”³² Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”³⁴ Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”³⁵ And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. ³⁶ But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. ³⁷ All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ³⁹ This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. ⁴⁰ And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Today people will tell you that the Gospel preached by Paul, and all the Apostles 1 Cor 15:1-11 is a stumbling block to sinners. That it violates "Free Grace" to preach such a Gospel. That to believe one must know Who and what they trust is just plain too much to ask. They separate, mock and ridicule those who stand within the Gospel preached by the Apostles and those who seek to do as they did.

But today is no different than the day the Lord spoke those words I've just quoted.

John 6:41-42
⁴¹ The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” ⁴² And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

But it was not just those who had not had some fellowship with Him. Even those acting as disciples turned away.

John 6:60-66
⁶⁰ Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”⁶¹ When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? ⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. ⁶⁵ And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

⁶⁶ From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

The Lord didn't back down from what He was preaching. He did not give an easier message for people to accept. He identified Himself as He is to be identified. Here is what He said to the faithful.

^{John 6:67-69
67} Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
⁶⁸ But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

These men knew Who Jesus is.

Why did Jesus tell the Scribes that the most important commandment was ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

Because they were not recognizing Him as God, they knew He was Jesus of Nazareth. They knew He was a Rabbi. They knew He had done many miracles. But they denied He was God, and that He was the Bread of Life. They denied the truth of the Gospel that Christ would give His own to preach to all the world. They had the wrong identity even though they were talking to the right Jesus.

So reader, never mind what men think. How important is it to the God of the Bible that we properly identify Him?

The Cross Current TV - Trailer

TCC has deviated from their previously statement of faith, and I have resigned from the organization. I DO NOT endorse this organization any more.

OK well even while life is happening ministry continues. Here's the trailer to our upcoming brand new television show based on TCC Radio.

Wife's father has had a heart attack

You don't get warnings before most dramatic events. I got the news today as I was checking phone messages from work. He is awake and stable.

It seems that I need to have a that all important conversation with him about Christ. He lives in another province and I have not witnessed to him previously. I trust those in Christ will be praying for his recovery and his reception to the Gospel of Christ.

The Gospel Delusion - Part 6

The Gospel Delusion

A review of John MacArthur's The Gospel According To Jesus 20th Anniversary Edition

Part 6: A Cross Examination

Please begin reading this series at Part 1: The Obligatory Introduction

In Part 5 I discussed how the Gospel is fundamental to our walk as Christians, that we are saved by reception of this declared Good News of Jesus Christ, and showed how Dr. MacArthur says that “all the years of [his] ministry” (1) were about learning what the Gospel actually is.

The fruit of the doctor’s long search is summed up in his statement “What we need is a complete reexamination of the gospel.” (2). He says that his work of pasturing includes re-baptizing people who once made a decision but who later come to a true conversion. He says that they hear testimonies of people in this situation nearly every week at his church. That truly is a sad state of affairs.

He states the purpose of his writing as “… to deal with the biblical accounts of Jesus major evangelistic encounters and His teaching on the way of salvation.” He goes on to state several questions that will be answered in the accomplishing of his purpose and finishes with “…they are not theological trivia.” I would fully agree, there is nothing about the Gospel that is trivia.

Though Dr. MacArthur to this point in the book has not actually defined this “Gospel According To Jesus” he makes several statements that can allow us to have some idea of what it is. He says that Jesus called sinners to a “submissive surrender to the truth, including the truth of His Lordship.” (3). He also calls a gospel that “makes no moral demands” a “new gospel.” (4) So, we can infer that the gospel the doctor wants us to know about would be about a submissive surrender to the Lordship of Christ that makes moral demands. Since the topic of this work is about Eternal Salvation it’s clear that Dr MacArthur’s “Gospel According To Jesus” is one which states the Sinner must meet the demands of God in order to attain that Eternal Salvation.

Scripture stands in stark contrast to this I have inferred the doctor is presenting. For Scripture in Romans 6:32 says;

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Some translations go so far as to render the Greek χάρισμα as the “free gift of God.” Even if we leave out the word free what does giving someone a gift have to do with demanding something of them. If Scripture describes Eternal Life in Christ Jesus Our Lord as a gift, how can we make the offer of this gift a demand? For if one meets conditions for a gift is it really a gift?

Think of how fast food establishments advertise offers as free when they really are not. If you buy this special package then you’ll get a free cookie. Well the cookie isn’t free because you had to buy the package to get it. Fast food establishments get away with this because they are not perfectly holy. The Lord Our God cannot even give the appearance of evil. What He says is free, truly is.

Dr. MacArthur plainly states the seriousness of the consequences of how we handle the Gospel of Christ by quoting Galatians 1:6-9. He quotes this passage, and I think I should do the same.

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Before we go on, let us consider the Apostle’s words carefully. He states that if anyone preaches another gospel other than the one the Apostle preached, and they received let such a one be accursed. Which Gospel is the Apostle speaking of? Well he summarizes it in the verses just before those the Doctor quotes. Galatians 1:3-5 NKJV

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

But we have the Gospel that all the Apostles preached, and all Christians must receive declared word for word in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 NKJV

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Be, sure that when the Apostle said even if an angel of light were to come and preach another gospel other than the one he had been given from Christ to preach, and all Christians must receive that we must let him be accursed.

Sadly, this must include someone who devises a message and uses our Lord’s name as an appeal to authority to give it credence which is different than the message the Apostle preached and anyone who would preach a “new gospel.”

The Gospel that Paul preached as of “first importance” was also the standard by which he instructed Pastors to evaluate the teachings of men. We read in 1 Timothy 1:3-11 NKJV

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this:

that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

Of Galatians 1:6-9 the Doctor notes “That is a sober warning of eternal damnation to those who would tamper with the message of salvation and corrupt it to make it a ‘different gospel.’” I would argue that we are to see one as accursed, not that we have the power to actually have one be so. I do not say, nor do I believe the Word of God says, that one who preaches a different gospel must be eternally damned.

Dr. MacArthur recognizes that some opponents to “Lordship Salvation” have labeled it as “another gospel” and says this has led him to be serious in his study. He rightly says that “We cannot confidently point people to the way of life unless we get the gospel right.” (5) He is right about this. The Gospel is of “first importance” 1 Cor 15:3 there is no life without it. Though many of those who respond to the Lordship Salvation gospel truly do, do their fleshly best to look alive without receiving that life.

In this installment of The Gospel Delusion series I have repeated some information, but only because Dr. MacArthur used Galatians 1:6-9 for his purposes. In the last installment we saw how the Doctor sought to look elsewhere than Scripture to find his “Gospel According To Jesus” and in this installment we applied the same standard he uses to evaluate his gospel.

His message of Salvation through surrender evidenced by works is not the Gospel preached by the Apostles. By definition then it is another gospel. I have tried not to let this be a “cross” examination by keeping my own self-righteous anger out of it. Instead I’ve endeavored to have it be a “Cross” examination because the Gospel is the Good News of what Christ accomplished at the Cross. It is not a demand of what we must accomplish in order to have our part in it.

References:

All references (unless otherwise stated) are from The Gospel According To Jesus: What is authentic faith? Revised & Expanded Anniversary Edition By John MacArthur Copyright 2008

1. Pg 19
2. Pg 21
3. Pg 11
4. Pg 20
5. Pg 22

And now for something completely different

Sometimes you just need a good giggle.

The Red Sea Crossing

Is there evidence that can show us today that this incredible event actually ever took place?



Oh I don't know... maybe ;)


Check out more information at ArkDiscovery.com archeology

Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart Didn’t Start With God

Much is made of the fact that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in Calvinistic and Lordship Salvation circles. It’s said that this shows that God hardens the hearts of those who are not Elect. It’s used as a proof-text to show that God decides who goes to Heaven, and who goes to Hell. We read in Exodus 9:12

But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.

But the first hardening of Pharaoh’s heart came from Pharaoh himself. The Lord had His plans and they were going to be accomplished, but God did not harden a soft heart. He did not take someone who would have been receptive to the Truth and change him to so that he would not believe. Exodus 8:15

But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said

Those who say such things are doing something that is at least akin to blaspheme because it is the Devil who takes the word of truth out of the hearts of people so that they won’t believe. Luke 8:32

Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

Brethren speak the Gospel with confidence. The one you are witnessing too IS able to hear and believe. Do not run from the Devil for the word of God says submit yourselves to God, resist the Devil and he will flee. So do as God has said and preach Salvation to the Lost, resist the Devil by having an answer for the hope that is within you and that same Devil will flee. You will have freedom to witness, and those who believe will be saved. James 4:7 Mark 16:15-16 1 Peter 3:15

We read this truth expressed to a the Prophet Ezekiel who was to be a sign to Israel in Ezekiel 12:1-6

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
"Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.

Therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings for captivity, and go into captivity by day in their sight. You shall go from your place into captivity to another place in their sight. It may be that they will consider, though they are a rebellious house.
By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight, as though going into captivity; and at evening you shall go in their sight, like those who go into captivity. Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry your belongings out through it.

In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel."

And we read it expressed to the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 5:20-23

"Declare this in the house of Jacob And proclaim it in Judah, saying, 'Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not:

Do you not fear Me?' says the LORD. 'Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.

But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; They have revolted and departed.

Go at once in unshakeable confidence in the Word of God Dear Christian!

The Gospel Delusion - Part 5

The Gospel Delusion
A review of John MacArthur's The Gospel According To Jesus 20th Anniversary Edition


Part 5: Well, if you have to ask...

Please begin reading this series at Part 1: The Obligatory Introduction

Dr. MacArthur opens the Introduction to The Gospel According To Jesus with the question: “What is the gospel?” (1) and says that this question has driven his ministry for years. I surely do not mean to for The Gospel Delusion series to be used to question the Doctor’s Eternal Salvation but I’m forced to question the integrity of one who is ministering without having what the Gospel is absolutely clear. The Apostle Paul declares that the Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation, and that it is by reception of the Gospel that we are Eternally Saved. Romans 1:16 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Ephesians 1:13 If one has not received the Gospel then they are not Eternally Saved. I feel compelled to echo the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:14-17

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

As it is written: "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!"

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Not to be crass but Dr. MacArthur explains in the opening paragraph of that same page how his question about what the Gospel is has “driven [him] all the years of [his] ministry.” (1) He closes that paragraph with two sentences “A particular theologian’s view of this or that doctrine is only of incidental interest to me. All that really matters is what God’s Word says.” (2). I will be noting the Doctor’s practice of being very interested in what men think and using that to interpret the Word of God in later installments of this series but this instance is most glaring. The man has written several revisions of an incredibly popular book supposing to explain what the Gospel truly is, and the introduction of the book indicates that he hasn’t known what it is for all the years of his ministry. He actually does seem to be more interested in what he (a particular theologian) thinks than what the Word of God says. For the Word of God declares what the Gospel is in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Not only can a person not be saved without having received this message, it is absolutely absurd to suppose the Word of God is not clear what the Gospel of Christ is. It is declared by the Apostle Paul who’s decreed-by-God mission was to spread this Gospel to the World. Galatians 1:1 & Galatians 1:11-12

I marvel that one could spend “all the years of [his] ministry” (1) searching for what the Gospel is because ministry could not rightly begin until one was first Eternally Saved through reception of that very same Gospel. A previous Pastor of mine once asked of a prospective Youth Pastor “You know you need to be Saved to fill this position right?”

The Doctor also writes “On a disturbing number of fronts, the message being proclaimed today is not the gospel according to Jesus.” (2) While I agree with him that this is true, we do not share agreement with what the error is. The Apostle Paul tells us in the first chapter of Galatians that he received the Gospel he preached directly from Christ. He tells us in 1 Corinthians 15 that this same Gospel is what every Apostle preached and what every Christian believed.

He goes further by stating “…the good news of Christ has given way to the bad news of an insidious easy-believism that makes no moral demands on the lives of sinners. It is not the same message Jesus proclaimed.” (1) The Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ makes no demands on anyone as we can clearly read in the Apostle’s words. Truth makes no demand, it is simply something that can be relied on. It is either received or it is not. It is the Good News that the Law of Sin & Death (the soul that sins shall die Ezekiel 18) has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus through His death burial and resurrection. There is no call to submission in the Gospel. It is a statement of fact that one can put their trust in or not. One cannot believe in vain because the message is absolutely true, as explained by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15.

Dr. MacArthur’s dilemma created by his delusional view of the Gospel is clearly stated when he writes “The promise of eternal life without surrender to divine authority feeds the wretchedness of the unregenerate heart. Enthusiastic converts to this new gospel believe their behavior has no relationship to their spiritual status – even if they continue wantonly in the grossest kinds of sin and expressions of human depravity.” (1)

We see in his statements the depths of his misunderstanding of the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel is not God’s power to change lives, it is the power of God unto Salvation. Romans 1:16 It is not the method by which God makes ungodly people godly, it is the method by which God justifies any ungodly person who will put their faith in Him. Romans 4:5

What the Lordship Salvation proponent does is load discipleship into the requirements for Salvation. One must be willing to change their life completely, if not actually accomplish such a lofty task in order to be saved. But nowhere in Scripture do we read that it is the Gospel that either demands, or causes people’s lives to be transformed. In fact we are told over and over again that it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that works the transformation of our minds and lives. This is stated ever so clearly in Galatians 5:16-18

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

It’s clear to me that Justification happens by faith, and that Sanctification happens by the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Born Again (regenerated) Christian. In fact, the example of the father of our faith Abraham is given many times over and over again in Scripture. It says “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.” It does not say that Abraham obeyed God, but that he believed Him. It was his belief/faith/trust that brought about salvation for him, just like it is with us. That Abraham obeyed God was just him working out that faith when he obeyed. James says this was his faith being perfected, not established.

The Doctor continues “It follows logically, then, that someone’s one-time profession of faith is more valid than the evidence of that person’s ongoing lifestyle in determining whether to embrace him or her as a true believer. The character of the visible church reveals the detestable consequence of this theology.” (3) I argue that the Bible doesn’t speak of embracing fellowship with someone based on their profession of faith, or even on the fact of their salvation. We are taught by the Apostles to only have fellowship with orderly Christians. Loading the Gospel up with commitment doesn’t change how people will behave. Declaring that a disorderly person is not truly saved doesn’t help them become orderly.

I argue that loading the Gospel up with Discipleship actually results in a lack of Discipleship in fellowship. Since people are thought to either be saved if they seem holy or not saved if they don’t seem holy – everyone tries to look holy. The Lord Our God said that people like this were merely “whitewashed tombs.” Matthew 23:25-28

Dr. MacArthur talks about the “worst kinds” (4) of sin and names the most emotionally charged titles for sin most of us can think of over and over in his work and asks how people who do these things could be considered Christians. I don’t want the reader of this series to be confused, no Christian should ever commit any sin but it is not the severity of sin that should concern us, but its existence at all. There are no worse sinners, and there is only one payment for sin.

Thankfully if we sin we have an Advocate with the Father in Heaven, Christ Jesus the Righteous. 1 John 2:1 This is both true of the Saint who drives faster than the speed limit and the Saint who murders someone. If we find one of the Brethren caught in sin, they are out of fellowship and so must be restored. That is the purpose of Church discipline. As one is disciplined, or discipled they will be more and more recognizable as being conformed to the image of Christ.

The Gospel saves people, and then the Holy Spirit conforms us to the image of Christ.


References:

All references (unless otherwise stated) are from The Gospel According To Jesus: What is authentic faith? Revised & Expanded Anniversary Edition By John MacArthur Copyright 2008

1. Pg 20
2. Pg 19
3. Pg 20-21
4. Pg 37

Christian, what do you consider yourself to be?

I've got a question to ask Christians. It's intentionally closed. It's a one answer or another thing. Each carries baggage, and there will be "more to the story" than what your basic answer will convey.

Being aware of all that, Christian do you consider yourself to be either;

a. A sinner saved by Grace

b. A saint being conformed to the image of Christ

You can comment here or you can consider it on your own, but I hope some will comment. If you do comment please answer first. It's OK to explain your answer but commit to one or the other. Note to those who don't like either or questions - this is not a trap.

The Lord's Provision

So this week has been about learning to operate in tangible ways in the trust that God will provide, and do that daily. We decided to purchase a vehicle, though we're still not sure how my employment is going to work out. We've really been in prayer about the coming year and it seems as though the Lord would have us just depend on Him. To be completely honest we don't really have much choice. We can trust Him, believing that He is exactly Who He says He is.. or we can worry ourselves silly. Frankly, He's never let me down. I have absolutely no experience of Him ever letting me or anyone else down. So I guess I should stop looking for reasons not to trust Him. My provision isn't based on my talent, ability or even my work. It's true He requires that I be willing to work but He tells us in His word that He provides even while His own sleep, because He gives them rest. Psalm 127 has been an interesting part of this week. Give it a read, it's short and beautiful.

Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

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

The Two Question Salvation Exam!

Had some time to think today about assurance. How can we know we're really saved? The Apostle Paul says that salvation comes by reception of the Gospel as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

So how can we tell if we've "received" this message or not? Do we examine our works to see if we're good enough to be considered righteous? The Apostle also tells us that if one is found in Him then one has not their own righteousness but that of Christ. Philippians 3:8-9

Well then, I guess I don't want to check my salvation by how good I am after all. Enough playing here's the exam!

1. Is the Gospel absolutely true?

2. Is your own salvation secured by Christ's finished work alone?

If either is no, then so is the answer to the question of your salvation. If both are yes then the answer to if you are saved or not follows as well.

Two yeses makes for Salvation. Any No makes for Eternal Condemnation. So get believing and turn your noes into yeses.

My New Bible!

Well as per our tradition my lovely wife purchased a Bible for me for Christmas. This time she picked up Rotherham's Emphasized Bible, which just happens to be the one I asked for. I can't explain the translation very well at this point but in the simplest terms Rotherham sought to bring the emphasis seen in the original languages on words and phrases to light clearly in an English translation.

I've found this is very helpful with passages in Proverbs. There is some skill required to interpret his symbology but so far I'm finding it reasonably easy to pick up.