Abiding

The Correlation of Grace and Good Works [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Confused about how grace, faith, and works correlate?

“We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Ephesians 2:10

We are saved by God through Christ’s perfect sacrifice, by grace through faith, and yet true saving faith ALWAYS produces the fruit of an obedient, holy life. Obedience saves no one and yet is the fruit, the proof one truly knows and is known of God. Anyone teaching otherwise is fulfilling the grace-perverting prophesy of Jude 4. Read James 2; 1 John 2:3-6, chapter 3, etc.

FALSE GRACE ALERT. JUDE WARNED US!

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4

IF your definition of grace is that God saves into Heaven those who die in sin, you are a false teacher. Repent now wicked one (Ezekiel 18:4; 33:12-13; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.).

We are doing God’s Word empowered by our LORD’s Holy Ghost and grace through the cross life, and having our hearts established in His grace and not so much just do’s and don’ts….. 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 and Hebrews 13:9.

Understanding the salvation of our God in Christ does wonders to envelope us in His love, to forge sonship in our heart as “we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

Jesus alone can save and He does that when the recipient repents and receives Him by faith (Acts 20:21, etc.). Only then, after one is truly born again, will there be the fruit of good works, that is, if they truly were genuinely saved (Titus 3:5-7). Yet the good fruit saves no one…. it only testifies to where that person’s heart is. Good fruit is only produced in the lives of those who are truly saved (Matthew 12:33; Galatians 5:22-23, etc.).

Repentance and faith required for salvation – initially and ongoing (Acts 20:21). Abide/remain/continue – or burn (John 15:6). The fruit that proves one is truly saved is that they obey Christ. John 14:15; Matt 3:7-10; 7:21; 1 John 2:4; Titus 1:16, 1 John 3, etc.

If a person is not obeying the LORD, they prove not to be trusting Him by faith (James 2; 1 John 2:3-6; ). So it’s about the authenticity of faith – whether one’s faith is real or fake.

God requires us to admit we are evil sinners and repent, turn to Him, putting our faith in His Son’s perfect finished work …. that’s where it all begins.

And as we do, as we abide in Christ to the end, the fruit of good works WILL be born and perpetually manifesting in our lives (John 15).

Daily immersion in God’s Word is where His “great peace” is (Psalms 119:165).

Good works are not the way to Jesus. Jesus is the way to God-glorifying good works. Without being genuinely born again and presently abiding in Christ, in His stated terms, our works are on vain.

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

Those who know the LORD, are known of Him, WILL absolutely bring forth the good and corresponding fruit that glorifies Christ (Galatians 5:22-24, etc.).

Salvation is all about knowing Jesus and the Father and being known of Him, right? Memorize John 17:3 now. Also, read Philippians 3:10. Notice Paul speaks of “NOT having mine own righteousness.” See Philippians 3:6-10.

Verses like Hebrews 13:9 and 2 Peter 3:18 though should be in our daily prayers. Salvation is God’s gift to us earned by Christ alone (Romans 6:23). Reading the end of Romans 3 over and over, prayerfully, helped me much. Only the ardent student of the LORD, and therefore of Holy Scripture, will be blessed with a deep peace in the balance of the divine salvation plan of God (Psalms 119:165). This comes over time and deep study and therefore not overnight.

The eternal security heretics teach that Jesus’ salvation wasn’t enough to give us victory over what He came to die to save us from – sin. Nonsense. Romans 6. This is how they justify living in sin.

IF YOU WERE ACCUSED OF BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS, WOULD THERE BE EVIDENCE ENOUGH TO PROVE IT?

Good works are commanded in the New Testament (Titus 3:8, etc.) and always present where saving grace is found (Ephesians 2:8-10). Good fruit and good works do not save and yet, they are the proof one is truly saved (Matthew 7:15, 20; Titus 1:16; James 2:14-26; 1 John 2:4-5, etc.).

There are lots of believers in need of a more complete knowledge and understanding of biblical salvation. There are many half-baked believers who have a partial knowledge of what the Bible teaches about Christ’s salvation.

Righteousness is first imparted to us from God – imputed to us when we stop, repent, and believe upon Christ (Romans 4). Then, we let our, His light shine through us via good works. Jesus says: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Those saved by grace truly, without exception, bring forth the fruit of good works. Got fruit? The fruit of good works saves no one – yet it’s always the evidence of true saving grace in a person’s life.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Just because Jesus paid it all does not mean that Jesus doesn’t have stated conditions for receiving His gift of salvation. Repentance and faith are those conditions and true repentance and faith will be demonstrated, proved by who we love which is who we obey! (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 9:23-24; 14:27, 33; 17:33; John 14:15; 15:14; Romans 6; James 2; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.). – “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

“The understanding is, if I am truly abiding in Christ, the Vine (John 15:4-5), my first love, then the fruit will come from Him, and not of my own making — but through me. Again, it’s relationship with Christ that is the root of the matter, and not just outwardly keeping a list of rules (living under the law).” Debbie Lord

Jesus is 100% the One who saves us.

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:9-10, 19

Jesus saves us we meet HIS stated conditions – repentance, saving faith which always produces good works.

“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21

Jesus saves us, not our faith and obedience which simply appropriate His salvation. Saving faith and obedience to Him are always found in each of those who are His. Repentance and faith are the conditions – to the end of ones life on earth (Acts 20:21; Revelation 2:26).

Jesus alone can save. No one saves themself. Jesus “by himself purged our sins.” (Hebrews 1:3) Yes God requires your repentance and faith and yet it’s still Christ that saves you.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7

One disciple writes:

“How can we stop sinning without the convicting power of the Holy Spirit in us? We can’t! It was after I became born again that sin became a problem. I needed the Holy Spirit to help me get sanctified! And it is ongoing until my last earthly breath. We get more and more Holy as we submit to His way.”

Saving faith in ones heart will always result in good fruit, good works…. a changed life (2 Cor 5:17-18; Eph 2:8-10; James 2, etc.).

Response to the now blocked heretic who posted a link titled “James was wrong”:

No heretick, phony Bible corrector… you simply do not understand how to synthesize the whole of Scripture. Repent for denying Christ by denying what HE chose to be in His Word.

Paul taught how to be saved (by faith) while James shows us exactly what saving faith looks like – it’s full of good works because those saved are “his workmanship” and the LORD is working in them (Ephesians 2:8-10).

QUESTION RECEIVED:

“Hi My brother. I need some godly counsel. If we are saved by grace through faith why are we judged by our works? Is this faith through works because faith without works is dead? If it is a free gift why does it cost us our lives? If it is the finished work on the cross what does that exactly mean? Please answer these questions because I am struggling with this.” Cat

REPLY:

Hi Cat. “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations” (Revelation 2:26).

Keeping His works – obeying Him – proves one is truly in Him, knows Him.

Because what you do is the clear indication, the fruit of your real knowledge of Jesus. The fruit of good works can only come out of intimacy (John 15, 17).

It would be impossible to find someone who is truly saved by His grace who does not have the fruit of good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Because works are the fruit that you know and are abiding in Christ

The fruit of good works will always be found in a truly rooted, grounded and abiding saint.

Read John 15:1-16 prayerfully, closely.

Good fruit, good works save no one and yet, they are always the produce of a life that is truly in Christ.

Christ did His work perfectly on the cross, accomplishing redemption for fallen man. Yet we must never negate anything Jesus taught. He gave us conditions and we either choose to love Him more than self or deny Him for the idolatry of self.

Meditate now and forever on what He says in Matthew 22:37-39; Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-25.

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Repentance and Fruit

The Essential of Repentance “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 God’s not willing that any should perish and yet we see that some will not, choose not to repent and will be damned irrevocably . “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet REPENTED NOT of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and […]

Grace and Good Works [podcast]

We who are Saved by Grace through Faith are “His Workmanship” “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 The born again believer is “justified by faith,” sanctified by faith, set apart to the LORD (Psalms 4:3). God deals with the sin and the sinner. He makes us new creatures in Christ upon […]

WHO Do You Love? [podcast]

We must all examine ourselves by asking: WHO is the supreme love of my life? When we truly repent, all our ways will be changed and we will fear or honor no man or woman above God. King Asa is a great example. Notice here in the verse below how we are informed by the record of Holy Writ that Asa violently removed his mother from being queen and publicly destroyed her sinful works of idolatry! “And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in […]

Abiding

“I Desire Fruit that May Abound to Your Account” [podcast]

“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17

Did you realize that as a born again disciple of Jesus, that you have an “account” in Heaven?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Laying up treasure in Heaven and not wasting it on this fleeting life, is the command and the wisdom of God.

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

To some I would say:

“So let me get this straight…. you attributed your own earnings for your whole life to yourself and so now, how dare someone suggest you allow other saints to help fund God’s work, to lay up treasure in Heaven …..”

“But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24

Some seem to take offense to anyone receiving help from God’s people… which is 100% selfish and pride filled…. in more than one way:

1. The work is expanded with greater funding;

2. God’s people are laying up treasure in Heaven when they choose to give.

This all seems to indicate that you are far too involved in the “ministry” you are doing. It’s all about you, not Christ.

Think about how Jesus and Paul and John had numerous “fellowhelpers to the truth.” Every member was free and able to function fully in our LORD’s work.

“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” 3 John 8

Apparently some bogusly believe, pretend to be more righteous than Jesus and the apostle Paul by denying love offerings to do the work of God.

These men are actually preventing God’s people from laying up treasure in heaven and acting self-righteous about it.

Apparently you seek to be the hero who serves yourself in many ways instead of Christ and others and therefore you wish all of your labor be attributed to your own account in Heaven. Philippians 4:17 says: “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”

We give the Gospel “without charge”…. and yet that does not in any way negate all that the Bible says about giving and laying up treasure in Heaven: “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:18). This would mean that he doesn’t ask for money and yet that doesn’t mean he didn’t receive such help nor that what he taught in verses 1-14 are negated.

Regrettably, there are men doing ministry who are babes in understanding this Bible 101 doctrine of giving, of stewardship.

Isn’t it time we get out of the way and let those sitting on the bench get on the field, participate, lay up treasure in Heaven?

Do we not understand how Christ told us His kingdom works…. that when we give, it connects our hearts closer to Christ and His work? See Matthew 6:21.

Following our heretical beliefs instead of the Bible on this topic of stewardship would have thus far resulted in the deprivation of so very many beloved needy people here in Mexico. It would have cheated them out of many blessings…. food and the Word, salvation, etc.

Remember, such as was the case with the few loaves and fishes. Jesus takes what we give to Him, to His work, and multiplies it. Do the math. John 6. Five thousand men were fed out of 5 loaves and 2 fishes and yet there was much food (more than they began with) left over, surplus (2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20).

“Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.” John 6:13

Regrettably, we have novices who are abandoning the truth of God due to others perverting it….(2 Corinthians 2:17).

Are they making excuse for not giving?

The LORD “giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

Every good and every perfect gift on this earth is from God and is a mere foretaste of glory divine!

“The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17

Does God’s Word not warn us that God’s people are to “behold” both “the goodness and the SEVERITY of God” lest we be “cut off”?

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22

LORD, we thank You now for EVERY good and perfect blessing You alone have provided—beginning with the ultimate, the unspeakable, the unfathomable gift of Your only begotten Son who died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to justify us (Romans 4:25)! We love You LORD Jesus!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17