Rightly Dividing this Popular Phrase
Are God’s people hopelessly sinful? Is there victory over all sin?
Does the Bible state or teach that those who have been born again are “sinners saved by grace”? Is it true humility to go around stating that we are “sinners saved by grace”? We’d better find out because, as you know, each of us is exposed to this statement on a regular basis and should be good Berean believers who examine every saying and the concept behind it, including this one, in light of the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-11).
“As he spake these words, many believed on him…Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin (a sinner). And the servant (of sin) abideth (remains) not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free (from habitual sinning), ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:34-36
According to Christ here, if we have “believed on him” and are continuing in His Word (Jn. 8:30-32), we have and are being made “free” from sin and its control over our lives. We are “free indeed” from the power and penalty of that which separates man and a holy God – sin (Is. 59:2; Rom. 6:23 etc.).
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 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. 3 And every man that hath this hope (of Christ’s coming again) in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” John 3:1-3
Those who are ready to go, are purifying their hearts, minds, and bodies “even as he (Jesus) is pure.”
You don’t seriously believe that the beloved and Holy LORD Jesus is going to marry someone, anyone who won’t make up their mind to love, to worship, to serve, to obey Him, now do you? Such a concept would be delusional at best.
Yes, we were sinners “in times past” before Christ found us and then we said “Yes” to His plan by repenting, turning to Him from our sins and believing upon Him (Acts 3:19; 16:31; 20:21; Ephesians 2:3, etc.). Now we are called “saints” and “sons.” To say anything else is to disagree with God. The term “saint” or “saints” occurs 99 times in the Bible.
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” Philippians 2:15
Just because Jesus paid the debt for our sins in full, does nothing to negate His stated initial and ongoing conditions for remaining in a relationship with Him, The vast majority of evangelical churches, pastors today, have sold a lie to their prey – teaching initial salvation alone with no mention of enduring to the end which Jesusand His holy apostles taught is essential to eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 2 Peter 2:20-22, etc.). Get over yourself sinner. Repent now.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. If you will remain in Christ, you must remain in Him, set apart to Him.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Not one of us can imagine being in engaged to be married to someone and yet allowing them to consort romantically with someone else, with other “lovers.” We’d rightfully break it off immediately. Such transgressing of what is right warrant severance. In light of this how then would it be difficult for us to understand that God, who is “Holy, holy, holy” and commanded us to “Be ye holy; for I am holy”, would keep the marriage date with anyone who does not have Him as the very first and only love? (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8) Those who choose to live in sin after being saved, of their own doing, cancel their glorious wedding appointment with the Great Bridegroom of Heaven (Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13; Revelation 19:7-10). God is holy and will not co-exist with sin (Psalms 5:4; Habakkuk 1:13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 4:8; 21:8, etc.).
“How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2
Jesus died to make you His own, not to give you a license to live apart from Him, to live in sin. Read 1 John 3 today. KJB
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15
Sister Karen Cochran notes:
“I hear many Christians today say I am just a sinner saved by grace. This is not biblical. Our identity should be in Christ not in being a sinner. This statement is saying our flesh is more important than our relationship with God and we want to hang onto it. If we are taking our sinful flesh to the cross of Christ, we should be being made into his image, who knew no sin. We should no longer serve sin. Romans 6:6. When we do sin we know the wages of sin is death. Romans 6: 23. It separates us from God. We repent and take it to the cross and ask forgiveness because our relationship with Jesus is more than than our fleshly selves.”
REPLY:
Amen Jesus. After being regenerated by Him, saved into His eternal kingdom, we are now “saints”, not sinners. 96 times “saints” appears in Holy Writ, each time specifically speaking of God’s people. Only 2 kingdoms – saints/sinners, light/darkness, Jesus/satan.
“Called to be Saints”
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:” 1 Corinthians 1:2
We are to be “called” by the people of God, “sons” and “saints”, not sinners. This is not an arrogant attempt to exalt our position above that which has been divinely ordained, but a mere adherence and obedience to God’s Word. We are blessed in the grace of God and rescued, snatched up out of the mire and filth of sin and placed upon His rock of refuge (Ps 40). We can do nothing without Him and all things through Him (Jn. 15:5; Phil. 4:13). He stated that we are His “saints” in contrast with those who are not His – sinners. He has even given to us the down payment of our inheritance:
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
Remember the wonderful and Scriptural song we sing:
We’re the people of God
Called by His name
Called from the darkness
One holy race
And delivered from shame
Saints every one
Because of the Blood of Christ Jesus the Son
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1
Sorry, I know a lot of people like to use this little saying (“I’m a sinner saved by grace”) which while being true in one aspect, also fosters a form of false humility and forecasts defeat and a life relegated to sinful living, but we must be accurate in our sayings and accurate in our living. This means we must die to self-thinking and be renewed and transformed by the written Counsel of the Lord as we offer our bodies a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” Titus 2:1
“SINNERS VS. SAINTS: The sinner and lukewarm practice and justify sin. The saint is at war with sin, has remorse, and repents. He goes to the throne room of grace for cleansing and grace (divine enablement), from that which defiles one’s garment, often…” Erik van Niekerk
This “sinner saved by grace” concept gives way to sinfulness. This statement and concept are no where to be found in Scripture. Yes, we WERE sinners, yet have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and from the power of the sinful nature and “renewed in the spirit of our minds.” To those redeemed, the Holy Ghost speaks and says:
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:23-24
Simply put, we are to cause our minds to conform to what God has done through His Son to redeem us. As a regenerate saint, we do not practice sin in our lives. That doesn’t mean we haven’t stumbled and walked in darkness after being saved, it simply means that if we are continuing in our relationship with the One who bought us back from the sinful life and devil, we do not live habitually in a transgression against Him. We are called to be holy as He is holy. (See John 8:31-36).
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
We have not been saved and then granted a license to sin and anyone who is teaching any doctrine such as OSAS (once saved always saved) or any of the five points of Calvinism, is fulfilling Jude’s prophecy and is an “ungodly man” who is “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” (Jude 3-4)
Such as attitude is what apostate Israel lived by:
“And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?” Jeremiah 7:10
To remain a saint, one must continue living his life unto God to the end of it.
“Here is the patience (volitional endurance) of the saints: here are they that KEEP the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12
Galatians 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
You are NOT a “sinner saved by grace” if you have been regenerated. Beloved of God, please rid your mind of this erroneous thinking. There is an “old man” and a “new man” spoken of in Scripture (Col. 3:9-10; Eph. 4:24). We are to “put off” the deeds and desires of the “old man” and “put on” the Christlikeness of the “new man.” The “new man” refers to the truth that God has redeemed us and calls us out from the way the world (the unsaved). We are blessed to live these lives separated to God in all things. We are to worship Him and no other, having no other gods before His majesty. We are to be “separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26), as Christ was. To be “separate from sinners” refers to separation in the way we live, not necessarily removing ourselves physically from them, although in some cases this is essential.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” 2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Sin is a decision and it’s largely due to what doctrine we obey in our minds (Romans 6:17). Some have been told that they can’t help but sinning every single day. Where does the Bible say such? Why have bought into such a philosophy?
“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6
Note particularly this portion of the above passage:
“… in him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth (remains in intimate fellowship with) in him sinneth not.” 1 John 3:5-6
Instead of being a “sinner saved by grace”, you are a Son of God. You are one who is in covenant relationship with God, whereas a sinner has no covenant relationship with the Lord. The sinner is one who has not yet received the redemption Jesus died and rose again to give him. Remember that the Word says that “the redeemed” are to “say so.”
“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Psalms 107:2
If I am “redeemed”, I am to speak this out (“say so”), not go around confessing “I am a sinner”! The word “redeemed” means bought back. We are to breath hope into others by telling them we have been bought back and they can be too!
We have been bought back by Christ’s precious blood from a life of sinful separation from a holy God. We have been redeemed from the control of sin over our lives (Rom. 6:14). How are others going to have hope if we are saying that we are still “sinners” who are relegated to a life of sinfulness??? Also, if we are still sinners, then God must permit sinfulness in His kingdom, right? Wrong.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which NO man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14
Notice the book ends, the beginning and ending of the monumental cross chapter, Romans 6:
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? … But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:1-2, 22-23
Those who were initially saved and are abiding, remaining in, continuing with Christ, have their “ye have your fruit unto holiness” which also means they have “everlasting life.” Jesus taught us that any person who is born again into Him and yet does not “abide”, continue with Him, on His stated terms, evidenced by good fruit, will be thrown into the fires of eternal damnation. Read John 15:1-6.
God’s Word clearly teaches initial and final salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; 2 Timothy 2:12; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39, etc.).
In Colossians 3:12, those saved are called “the elect of God, holy and beloved.” In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we are called the “the righteousness of God in him (Christ).”
“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
YES!, you were born into sin and depraved to the depths of your being, contaminated with sin and iniquity (Rom. 5:12, 18-19, etc.), but you have been bought back (redeemed) by Christ’s perfect blood sacrifice, regenerated, and are a new creature in Him.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Concerning His children, the Lord says we are made:
- a new creature
- old things are passed away
- all things are become new
- all things are of God
If we are “redeemed”, what are we “redeemed” from? The power of the sinful inclinations to rule in our lives and therefore the penalty (eternal damnation) that awaits all who die without such (Rom. 6:14; Col. 1:14, 3:1-11, etc.).
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:14
Here we witness that one who is connected in a covenant relationship with His Creator has “redemption”through the “blood” of the covenant and “the forgiveness of sins.” Tell me, where is the concept of a “sinner saved by grace” here?
We should cease immediately confessing something that is absolutely unbiblical and misleading to our own hearts and others also. Remember, where your words lead, your life will follow (James 3).
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9
All comments Welcomed.
God Bless You Richly, You Saint and Son of God,
todd
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Abiding
How Christ’s Kingdom Evangelism Works [podcast]
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
“The Word of God, like rain and snow that water the earth and cause it to produce fruit, will be sown in the hearts of men and produce fruit in the moral world (Isa_55:11; Deu_32:2). As the rain and snow fall on various kinds of ground, so does the Word of God (Mat_13:3-8, Mat_13:20-23). Like rain and snow, it will accomplish its best good in the eternal reign of the Messiah, when the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth (Isa_11:9). Thus, the final fulfillment of this scripture will be in the future; there is only a partial fulfillment at present in the preaching of the gospel.” Dake
“God’s word is just as irresistible and effective as the rain and snow. All the armies in the world cannot stop them, and they accomplish their intended purpose. God’s Word never fails to achieve its aims.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
ANY person who doesn’t understand the power of God’s Word, when sown into the hearts of men, has no business pretending to be a pastor or elder in Christ’s body.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. 29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:28-29
The Harvest is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2
People are born again by the WORD of God which means the Word must be sown in their hearts and germinate.
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Faithfully sowing the seed of the Word of God in the hearts of men assures that God will be glorified in saving each of those souls who receive and believe His truth in repentance and faith.
Here’s how evangelism and our LORD’s kingdom work works—layers of Gospel workers. Usually we are the second, third, etc., Gospel labourer, following up on the seed planted in the hearts of the people we minister to. Let’s gain this vision, this illustration from Christ concerning our work for Him, in His kingdom.
Anyone putting off, pushing into the future, evangelizing the lost, is disobeying Jesus Christ. Anyone not evangelizing the lost around them cannot rightly claim to love Jesus. They are full of self and in need of crying out to God in repentance.
John 4:34 – 38
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”
Picture planting a seed in a garden, then standing back and watching the ground you planted that seed in and expecting to see it sprout up visibly from the soil it was planted in. Not wise, right? Right.
The picture our LORD gives here is planting that seed and then moving on, just like anyone who plants seeds to grow some plant, crop.
The Parable of the Seed Growing
Mark 4
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:26-29
“And should sleep and rise night and day – That is, he should sleep by night, and rise by day; for so the words are obviously to be understood. He knoweth not how – How a plant grows is a mystery in nature, which the wisest philosopher in the universe cannot fully explain.” Adam Clarke
In ministry, it’s always seeding, planting. It’s GOD, not us, who brings the increase. This pertains to the invisible work of God in the hearts of men.
“The parable may be intended to encourage the disciples. Their responsibility is to sow the seed. They may sleep by night and rise by day, knowing that God’s Word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He has intended it to do. By a mysterious and miraculous process, quite apart from man’s strength and skill, the Word works in human hearts, producing fruit for God. Man plants and waters but God gives the increase.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalms 19:7
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, please break me. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Thank You for choosing and ordaining me to Your kingdom work. Please bear Your fruit in and through this life, this vessel for Your eternal glory. Let that fruit remain dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
Jesus Washes the Feet of His Own [podcast]
What was Jesus demonstrating and teaching us when He washed the feet of His disciples?
The Washed Way – begins with “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” – being born again (Titus 3:5-7; John 3:3, 7).
“On the way back from the public bath, a person’s feet would get dirty again. He didn’t need another bath but did need to have his feet washed. ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean.’ There is a difference between the bath and the basin. The bath speaks of the cleansing received at the time of one’s salvation. Cleansing from the penalty of sin through the blood of Christ takes place only once. The basin speaks of cleansing from the pollution of sin and must take place continually through the Word of God. There is one bath but many foot-washings.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“If these last words of our Lord had any spiritual reference, it is not easy to say what it was. A common opinion is the following: He who is washed – who is justified through the blood of the Lamb, needeth only to wash his feet – to regulate all his affections and desires; and to get, by faith, his conscience cleansed from any fresh guilt, which he may have contracted since his justification.” Adam Clarke
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. – John 13:1-17
Those not happy prove they are not humble nor holy (John 13).
“If loving the person in front of you seems like too small of a ministry opportunity, you’ve forgotten the simplicity of the Gospel.” unknown
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet as an Act of Final Sealing of His Mercy, His Will
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end (to the end, to the utmost).” John 13:1
“Before the feast – Namely, on Wednesday, in the paschal week. Having loved his own – His apostles, he loved them to the end – Of his life.” John Wesley
Adam Clarke writes:
“He loved them unto the end – Continued his fervent affection towards them to his latest breath, and gave them that convincing proof of it which is mentioned Joh_13:5. That the disciples alone are meant here every man must see.”
Of these cornerstone verses of John 13, F.B. Meyer writes:
“John 13:1-11
JESUS GLORIFIES HUMBLE SERVICE
In the Temple the laver preceded the brazen altar. It was kept filled with pure water for the constant washing of the priests; Exo_30:18-21; Lev_16:4. We cannot have fellowship with Christ at Calvary or on Olivet unless we draw near with our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The Synoptic Gospels tell us that on their way to the feast the disciples had yielded to contention and pride. It was needful that these should be put away, and our Lord’s love was equal to the occasion. He loved them to the end of His life and to the end of love. Only such love could have made saints and apostles out of such material.
Jesus began a work which has never ceased, and which will continue “till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more.” When we have contracted guilt, we have not to begin our whole life over again, but to go back to the place where we dropped the thread of obedience and begin there.”
May we never forget how merciful our LORD Jesus was to the woman at the well (John 4), the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8), and the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8).
It’s of interest to note how this 13th chapter of the glorious Gospel of John begins with Christ’s love to His disciples and closes with His command for them to “love one another” as He taught and personally demonstrated to them:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35
“When you fall in love don’t you want to shout it from the rooftops? He, the man you are in love with, is all you talk about! Should be the same with Jesus! You want to tell everyone about this man, the Savior who saved your life! Just as the woman at the well did! She told the whole city. ‘Come, and see a man, which told me all the things that ever I did: is this not the Christ?’ John 4: 28-29.” Karen Cochran
YOUR PRAYER: Father, in Jesus’ name, please reduce me to love.
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Antichrist
The Mission of the Spirit of Antichrist [podcast]
How do we discern the “many antichrists” operating in the church world today? (1 John 2:18)
The Antichrists are Multiplying [podcast]
Message from an Antichrist Refuted [podcast]
How the Spirit of Antichrist Works [podcast]
Our Glorious Inheritance in Christ vs Messianic Antichrists [podcast]
Antichrist or Christ? [podcast]
Antichrists Among Us [podcast]
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12
How is Satan bringing his great wrath on mankind in this last hour? Isn’t it the same way he’s always done it, yet now in an even more feverish, intensified way? Yes. His tools, his “devices” are the same—from the Garden to now! This is exactly what the Holy Ghost told us through Paul:
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man (it’s Satan’s same temptations/tactics): but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Knowing and walking in this divine knowledge will help us stop Satan from getting an advantage over our lives.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11
In summation, “the spirit of antichrist” is Satan and exists to mislead people away from his arch enemy, the LORD Jesus Christ. This “spirit of antichrist” seeks to demote, to denigrate, and destroy the testimony of Holy Scriptures which reveal, which hold as their grand subject—Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, God Almighty, who was bodily crucified, buried, and raised again from the dead.
“The spirit of truth” vs “the spirit of error.”
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:1-6
“That Spirit of Antichrist”
“Theological liberalism and religious cults (and cultists) betray themselves as ‘antichrist’ (v3) when they deny the full deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, or His redemptive death and resurrection for our salvation (v 9-10; 2:2). Every departure from Biblical revelation concerning Christ opens itself up to demonic ‘spirits’ of deception (v1) because it sets aside the authority and complete trustworthiness of God’s Word.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“4:3 And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. This is how you can detect the false teachers. They do not confess the Jesus who was described in the previous verse. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which has been prophesied and which is now already in the world. There are many today who are willing to say acceptable things about Jesus, but they will not confess Him as God Incarnate. They will say that Christ is ‘divine,’ but not that He is God.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Spirit of antichrist – All the opponents of Christ’s incarnation, and consequently of his passion, death, and resurrection, and the benefits to be derived from them.” Adam Clarke
Seems to me that anyone who denies the essentials of the Messiah (virgin birth, divinity, etc.), is an “antichrist.”
Jesus told the antichrist pharisees:
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24
“8:24 Jesus often used repetition for emphasis. Here He solemnly warned them again that they would die in their sins. If they steadfastly refused to believe on Him, there was no alternative. Apart from the Lord Jesus, there is no way to obtain forgiveness of sins, and those who die with sins unforgiven cannot possibly enter heaven at last. The word He is not found in this verse in the original, though it may be implied. It reads literally: ‘if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.’ We see in the words I am another claim to deity by the Lord Jesus.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
As was the case in the Garden, Satan’s mission is to misdirect, to remove Christ’s people from worshiping and upholding Him as the Head of His body, as the Captain of our salvation, who alone, who exclusively came as God the Word in the Flesh, Immanuel, and paid the full “It is finished” price for bringing us back to Himself and the Father from a life of sin (Matthew 1:21-3; John 1:1-4, 10, 14; 19:30). Holy Scripture informs us that “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).
There are a myriad of facets, methods, mediums the prince of darkness is using in his full scale war against the Son of God. One of those methods is a changing of the words of God which is what Satan did in the very Garden of Eden which led to the fall of the first man and woman into sin. Satan cast doubt on God’s Word in order to lead the man and woman to doubt to, lose credibility in God and His Word, to weaken their resolve, and get them to not believe and obey what the LORD had stated to them in 2:17 (Genesis 3:1). Then the enemy altered what God had said (2:17) by adding a word (“not” — Genesis 3:4) This led to the fall of mankind into sin. New “bibles” equals/is apostasy and there could be no other spirit behind these corruptions of God’s words but “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3).
It’s interesting that the Bible uses the phrases “many antichrists” and also “many, which corrupt the word of God” (1 John 2:18; 2 Corinthians 2:17).
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
There’s a direct connection between the snake in the Garden, animated by Satan, and those who question and pervert the words of God today.
“…ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36
Perverting the words of God comes in many and various ways. His time is short and Satan is on an all-out offensive and many do not see it (1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:12).
How can anyone involved with, or agreeing with, or defending the changing of God’s Word be anything but an antichrist?
From our growing knowledge of God’s Word, just WHAT “spirit” do we think is behind the removal of the very “BLOOD” of Jesus from Colossians 1:14 in the new versions? Certainly we know this was “that spirit of antichrist” and surely we can conclude that is could only be “that spirit of antichrist” anointing, behind those who defend those who attack corruptions of God’s Word.
SO YOU agree with SATAN having removed the BLOOD of Jesus from Colossians 1:14? You are going to take sides with Satan himself against the Almighty you pretend to serve?
If your “bible” doesn’t have the BLOOD of Jesus in Colossians 1:14, you are now accountable. God knows you know!
The antichrists by Stacy Strother:
“I think it is worthy to mention that John is addressing the church in with this passage (1 John 4:1-3). He is warning the people, God‘s people, to be on the watch, and to be doctrinally ready to discern that antichrist spirit. I believe John is imploring the church that these antichrists are not just a bunch of people out in the world that noticeably hate God, but they are people who seem to appreciate God, who pretend to be saved. No, rather that they are coming from WITHIN the church body, serving a separate or different agenda and doctrine.
I believe the latest false doctrines that have emerged over the last 20 – 30 years are part of this antichrist spirit, which is basically a doctrine. WOF, the emergent church, IHOP, NAR and so on, all seep with the stench of this antichrist spirit.
John is telling them that they are living in the last hour and that the antichrist spirit is not just coming, it is abounding now, presently, within the professing church world.
A thought to glean from this might be that John was teaching his disciples that there would be certain doctrines come forth that might argue that Jesus left, and His kingdom is so distant that it doesn’t really affect our lives here and now. By doing this, it would leave room for the false teachers to implement a devised doctrine. Such doctrines would appear as authentic, but rather when the student of the Word peers into those false doctrines, he finds that it is actually another Jesus altogether. It is antichrist.”
Paul L. Freeman writes:
“Are we to believe the scholars when they tell us that no important doctrines are affected by the new Modern Versions? It is obvious that they are not correct. What they really mean to say is that when all the changes have been made the Bible Doctrines are still there somewhere else in the Bible. If there are ten verses showing the Virgin Birth of Christ, and they have removed two, there are still eight remaining to prove the doctrine. That may satisfy them, but the Fundamental believer sees that as a piece by piece destruction of the Word of God.
We would accuse them of taking away from the Word of God. They would accuse us of using a Bible which has many additions inserted by overzealous Christian copyists. The issue now becomes quite clear. We must either believe that overzealous heretics have corrupted the original Word of God or believe that overzealous believers have added to the original Word of God. I can understand why heretics would want to corrupt the original Word of God, but I cannot believe that Christians would add one word to the Word of God which they have been entrusted to copy and pass along. The Spirit of God within Christians would put a holy awe and reverence around the sacred word and guided by that same Spirit they would copy what God had given them. My conclusion is that the new Modern Versions are based on Greek manuscripts that have been corrupted by heretics who changed the Word of God to agree with their rejection of the Deity of Christ and their Humanism regarding salvation. The Greek Text underlying the King James Version is not filled with additions made by overzealous Christians. It is the Word of God preserved by the Spirit of God and it exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, giving him his proper place and the glory due unto his name.” | Bible Doctrines Affected by Modern Version (includes the deity of Christ maligned and attacked)
Anyone who participates in heretical doctrine or practices proves themselves to be under the control of “another spirit” which is the same devil as in the Garden of Eden, right? Read this, the Holy Spirit’s warning to us from Paul the apostles. Paul is seeing the body of Christ as Adam and Eve before they were beguiled by the serpent:
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled (deceived) Eve through his subtilty (cunning trickery), so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4
“the simplicity that is in Christ” would be what is recorded about Christ the Messiah in God’s Word with nothing added or taken away.
- “another Jesus” – as in one that was not born of a virgin, was not God, did not die and rise bodily, etc.
- “another spirit” – that evil “spirit of antichrist” behind the denigration of Christ, the attempt to rob Him of His glory (Colossians 2:18-19).
- “another gospel” – a message, a false gospel that does not uphold Christ as that “the record” of Holy Scripture reveals Him.
Divine Commands Forbidding the Altering of God’s Words/Word
The obvious mission of Satan, “that spirit of antichrist” is to deceive and to destroy and to devour the saints of Christ. Adam and Eve were in perfect, sinless communion with God, right? Right. How did Satan derail them—get them removed from His holy presence? He simply questioned and changed the words of God.
If a person is not opposed to the desecration of “the RECORD that God gave of his Son”, such a person is against Christ. Such a person is not with but rather against the LORD—regardless of his mere profession (Matthew 12:30; Titus 1:16). Isn’t the very definition of antichrist to be opposed to or against Christ, right?
What do we call anyone pretending to be an American who “shreds the Constitution”? A traitor right? And traitors are worthy of death, right?
At this dark time in the history of Israel, the Scriptures had been lost and out of circulation among the people of God. Then they were found and read before the king, king Jehoiakim (the son of Josiah) and his servants. As a result, conviction of sin came and certain parts of God’s Word were rejected and thrown into the fire to burned and to be vanished out of their presence. Jehoiakim was a Bible burner. What he didn’t like, due to the darkness of his own heart, he thought in vain that he could just burn it and that it would go away. Not.
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Psalms 89:34
This is a fascinating occurrence captured, recorded in Jeremiah 36 that is transpiring today in full scale, perpetrated by false leaders like king Jehoiakim (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Read Jeremiah 36. Remember that anyone participating in the altering of God’s words, is an antichrist.
“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13
Anyone defending the altering of God’s Word, which is what the new “bibles” have done, is under the control of a devil, the murderer who rebelled in eternity past, was cast to the earth, and began his war against God and His people by casting doubt upon and changing His words (Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4).
If altering, changing God’s Word isn’t satanic, nothing is! See Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4; 2 and Corinthians 2:1
New “bibles” are altered versions of God’s pure Word. They are the altering, the changing of “the RECORD that God gave of his Son”. The very premise of such is forbidden by the LORD (Deuteronomy 4:2; Jeremiah 26:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Mark 13:31; Revelation 22:18-19). Read these carefully, prayerfully:
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
“… for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.” Jeremiah 23:36
“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:” Jeremiah 26:2
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Mark 13:31
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19
“Antichrist” simply means to oppose or more insidiously, to put something, anything in front of, in place of the Jesus Christ divinely testified to in “the record” of Holy Writ.
There are “many antichrists” and anyone opposing or putting something or someone (including self) in front of Christ is an idolater and in my opinion can be referred to as an antichrist.
“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 1:7
Anyone defending these alterations of “the record that God gave of his Son” is under the control of “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:1-3). In their allowing the very words of God to be perverted is the denial of “the record” or the recorded testimony that Jesus Christ is God.
It all goes back to what he did in the Garden (Genesis 3:1; 2:17>3:4): If you want to discern the work of Satan in this late hour and how he has “come down with great wrath,” look at the changing of God’s Word via the new versions (Revelation 12:12).
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