Articles

Are You Accusing and Indicting the Almighty?

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]

God Cannot be Tempted with Evil

God is “Holy, holy, holy.”

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

All sin is man’s doing, not God’s. Man alone is to be blamed, not the LORD. All who would blame the LORD with their lame, self-serving excuses indict the Almighty!

We sure do strive against sin (Hebrews 12:4) and yet are given full divine grace and enablement to overcome all sin – “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

Those who conveniently ignore the divine mandate of Romans 6 to crucify the sinful man and his evil, sinful deeds are denying Christ who died to take away all sin from our lives. To deny such is to deny the Gospel.

The Bible never separates being saved from sin and being saved for eternity.

They are always connected and so anyone claiming to be saved and yet is not presently saved from their sin, is completely deluded. They have bought into the life of the ages which Satan launched in the Garden of Eden when he told the first man and woman that they could sin against the LORD and “not surely die” or be separated from Him (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). This lie from hell caused the fall of the first man and woman and is causing the fall of millions today who vainly believe they are saved for Heaven while living in their sins unrepentant!

At the Day of Pentecost, when the LORD’s church was born, Jesus’ apostle Peter testified to those saved: “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” (Acts 2:40)

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

I can hear it now: “BUT BUT BUT……. being holy is a nice thought and theory, BUT BUT BUT… does God really expect to be what He commanded us to be? Will He not overlook our sins? Doesn’t He see us through the blood of Christ?”

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

Those who are living in unrepentant sin and somehow believe God is going to forgive them in the end may wish to consider that:

1. You may never have the chance to repent, sudden, instant death happens to thousands daily (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 22:11).

2. You may call upon the LORD and He will not hear you (Proverbs 1).

Let me pause to say that obviously, this writer is a disciple also and so just like yourself, he knows the gravity of sin and yet is also blessed to know the power of Jesus Christ to crucify all sin out of his personal life, but only as this follower is truly abiding crucified with Christ. Only as we are abiding crucified with Christ are we free from the entanglement and defilement of all sin!

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Satan and sinful self are always at work, making excuse for soul damning sin. Yet the Bible has all of God’s answers for all sin, not just some sin. Learning to die – to lay aside self for the greater glory of Jesus’ reign – is at the heart of Christ’s message of the daily cross (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24; John 12:23-26, etc.). Those who deny the daily cross Christ commanded, are the very “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

The list of excuses goes on and on and on, yet they’re all based on rebellion and unbelief against our Maker who through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ made full and complete provision through to save us from all sin.

In fact, is that not exactly why Jesus came?

The announcements of the Messiah’s birth, Ministry, and Divine Mission:

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

To deny that God sent His only begotten Son to save us from all sin is to deny Christ.

You are calling God a liar to say you can’t be blessed by Him to overcome all sin and sinning. Those who dare indict the Almighty this way despise the perfect salvation of Jesus Christ.

“The spirit of holiness” as from the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is to possess all of God’s children, enabling them to “through the (Holy) Spirit … mortify the deeds of the body.” (Romans 1:4; 8:13-14)

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die (be separated from God): but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (have life with Christ). 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (those living in sin are not being led of the Spirit and are not the sons of God). 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (why fear if God has given you His full divine power over all sin?). 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (as we live in His holiness by the power of His Holy Spirit): 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; IF so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (notice that this is clearly condistional). 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (suffering death to self).” Romans 8:12-18

Excuse makers are not true disciples of Jesus. They put more trust in the sinful nature than they do in the saving power of Jesus Christ which means they have “an evil heart of unbelief” and have departed from the saving faith of Christ Jesus (Hebrews 3:12-15; 1 Timothy 4:1).

“Take heed, brethren (not lost souls), lest there be in any of YOU (brethren) an EVIL heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But (in light of this jeopardy of soul) exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, IF IF IF we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-15

The same excuse-making sinners who use Romans 7 to justify their sin, refuse to be confronted with Paul’s words in the very previous chapter – Romans 6. They refuse to repent of all sin and be crucified with Christ and are kindling for the fires of eternal damnation. Saving grace saves us from sin and quickens us to repent and confess any and all sin if we make choice to commit such as is named in Scripture and defiles our wedding garments (Mark 7:20-23; Galatians 5:19-21). Listen closely to this Titus 2 passage beloved:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14

It is clear from this Bible passage that only those who are by the enabling grace of God, learning of Him and “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” are ready to meet Christ at His soon return.

According to Titus 2, exactly what is divine saving grace teaching those who are truly possessed with it? – “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” (v12) This means that anyone who claims to be Christ’s and yet is not learning to daily deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,” is utterly deceived. Whatever you do, pour over and learn this passage! Let it take full precedence in your heart and mind, overruling the message of those wolves who have taken sin lightly and made you feel comfortable while living in soul-damning sin. Cast down those wicked false images of God beloved (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Deborah Blanchard notes:

“God is Holy and to be feared. He demands holiness from us. It is our choice and when we choose to be obedient to Him He gives us the power to overcome. It is a fearful thought of mine to come before a Holy God. At the same time, it is a loving God who provides all we need when we decide to come to Him on His terms.”

Continuing in sin and yet still saved?

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2

If you are not currently saved from sin, you are not saved, period.

Let’s review the above passage:

Question:

“Shall we continue in sin, that (saving, essential) grace may abound?”

Answer:

“God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

“This Present Evil World”

“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” Galatians 1:4

Of Galatians 1:4, the late Donald Stamps aptly noted:

“DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD. This verse if probably an early confession of faith that was well known throughout the N.T. churches. It connects the death of Christ with the forgiveness of sin and deliverance from ‘this present evil world.’ Essential to the saving purpose is the deliverance of believers from the evil that dominates the societies of this world. The first gospel message preached after the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit contained the words: ‘Save yourselves from this untoward generation.’ (Acts 2:40) Believers must live for God and refuse to be governed by the prevailing values, wisdom, opinions, corrupt desires, ambitions, and pleasures of the people of the world.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 1830

If you love your sin more than Christ, you have openly denied Him and are in danger of hellfire. If you don’t repent and return to Him, allowing Him to make you holy as is defined by Him alone, He is going to deny you access to eternal glory and terminate you into the bowels of eternal damnation.

“It is a faithful saying: For IF we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: ¹²IF we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: ¹³IF we believe not, yet he abideth (remains) faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Notice that the LORD says of Himself here that “he cannot deny himself.” It never says He can’t deny you. Say what?! Yes, read the passage above again very carefully and you will note that many have been misled by false teachers to believe that God will never deny them because they had once been saved in their past. But is that what the LORD is saying in the passage above? No! He says that He cannot deny Himself – not us. It never says He cannot and will not deny us. In fact, it says in plain daylight that “if we deny him, he also will deny us.” The “if” means it’s possible to deny Christ and the divine promise here is that “if we (do) deny him, he also will deny us.”

Note also that this passage assures us that only “if we be dead with him” shall we “live (eternally) with him.” And, only “IF we suffer (death to self)” shall we “reign with him.”

Make no mistake: The blessing of eternal glory is condition, not un-conditional as many false teachers teach.

It’s time to snap out of the spell of all fictitious notions and falsehoods we have been fed by the epidemic of beguilers who now fill books, pulpits, audio messages, videos, websites, and otherwise with their lies from hell. Get into God’s Word and take Him who is the Judge of your eternal soul at His Word. Decide to “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar.”(Romans 3:4)

A Willingly Deceived Generation

“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Proverbs 30:12

Foolish, deceived souls somehow believe that they can be saved and have “eternal security” while they refuse to be saved from their sin. Nothing could be further from the truth as any honest hearted Bible student knows. This is a brazen denial of Christ who died “that he might redeem us from all iniquity,” not just some iniquity (Titus 2:14).

Those who refuse to submit to the “daily” dying to self will find any speck of Bible truth to twist to justify their rebellion and make excuse for their rebellion and sin (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Peter 3:16).

It’s essential to be “honest” in all things as Jesus taught and yet He also said that “men loved darkness rather than light.” (Luke 9:23-24; John 3:19-21)

2 Corinthians 7:1 says: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Departing from all Iniquity is Commanded by the LORD

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal (stamp, earmark), The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

It’s clear from this above passage that every single person who is currently in Christ’s body and secure with Him, is departing “from iniquity.” Contrast with those who revel in sin and them make excuses for doing so.

Nothing in God’s Word could be more clear than the fact that all who die in sin – all – will spend eternity in the lake of fire (Ezekiel 33:12-13; 18:30; Romans 6:23; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.).

When speaking to His very own people, Jesus promised that only those among them that “overcome” would be with Him eternally (Revelation 2-3). The Holy Spirit told us through Peter that in the end “the righteous” would “scarcely be saved.” Many have fallen away or not endured to the end which is a requirement imposed upon us by the LORD. “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18)

Whether previously saved or not, all those who die in sin are going to the lake of fire. The whole of God’s Word testifies to this fact. Jesus said to cut off the hand and pluck out the eye that causes us to offend the one true God who said He is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) Read Mark 9:42-49, a passage purposely dodged by the spineless, self-serving cowards behind today’s pulpits who claim to be representing Christ while refusing to declare the full counsel of His Word (2 Timothy 4:1-5). The Son of God promised us that He will be ashamed of them in the Judgment, which means they will be vanquished into the bowels of eternal damnation (Mark 8:38; John 8:47). There’s no doubt that after we have been saved, we have all sinned against God and yet there are those who openly and honestly admit they have sinned and repent, turning back to the LORD (Luke 8:15; 1 John 1:7-10; Revelation 3:17-19). And then, there are those who use false doctrine like OSAS (once saved always saved) to cloak themselves in that sin, falsely claiming they are still secure. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The LORD Jesus and the Father, the One who will judge our eternal souls, made it clear that we must repent of any sin committed. Only then does He “cleanseth us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) The LORD made full provision for all sin in the perfect sacrifice of Christ and yet, the benefits of that sacrifice are only appropriated (received) by those who meet the divinely stated conditions.

Notice what the divine counsel reveals through Jesus’ apostle Paul in the end of 2 Corinthians 12:

“For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: ²¹And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.” 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

Read this passage several times prayerfully. You will notice that as Paul is writing this to the church at Corinth, he is dreading having to go and have to deal with their sin – that is, the sin of those who had not yet repented of the sins they committed. He never denied that perhaps all of them had committed some sin since he last saw them. Yet, the ones he was exclusively concerned about were the ones who had not yet repented of their sin.

Sin is always a choice of the individual. The old sinful nature cannot be used as a scapegoat. It’s present with us and yet, must be kept under subjection to the divine power of the Holy Ghost.

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

The word “keep” here once again makes it clear that the denial of the sinful self is an ongoing requirement. It’s also obvious that Paul didn’t believe or teach the “once saved always saved” heresy, otherwise he would never have stated that he himself could also become “a castaway” which simply means he could ultimately cast away from Christ into eternal damnation.

To intimate in any way that we are relegated to live in sin, would be saying that God’s regenerating, transforming, saving, enabling grace is not enough to keep us from all sin. That’s a lie from hell.

If you sin, be honest and admit it to the LORD. How foolish of us to think that He doesn’t see and know our sin in the first place? (Proverbs 15:3; Matthew 10:26; Hebrews 4:13) Who are we trying to fool?

“He that covereth (tries to hide) his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

The above Bible verse speaks about the necessity of being honest before the One who sees all. Also, it makes crystal clear that all sin that the believer chooses to commit must be confessed and forsaken.

Memorize Proverbs 28:13 (KJV). Write it on an index card and read, meditate upon, and memorize this truth. Share this with others.

Do you believe we have to be perfect after we become a Christian? Yes, perfect in heart, which without fail brings “fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” with Christ in glory (Romans 6:22). Many misuse the Bible truth that “the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Some use this as a cloak/excuse for their sin, acting as if God overlooks their sins, even if they refuse to repent, confess, and forsake them.

“What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. ²²But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. ²³For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:21-23

God looks upon the heart first and foremost as His eyes search to and fro throughout the earth, looking for that person whose HEART (not necessarily their performance) is perfect toward Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). The thief on the cross was utterly wicked until he turned his heart to Jesus and Jesus freely saved him in his last moment on earth. The fruit of and outward actions of our lives will begin to align with the abiding heart that is perfectly fixed upon and abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6; Colossians 3:1-8, etc.). We must not cover but rather repent of and forsake sin (Proverbs 28:13). Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”(Matthew 5:6) Moses, David, Peter and many others throughout Scriptural history had sinful failings but repented while others (their contemporary counterparts) refused to return to the LORD in repentance. It’s interesting to contrast this phenomenon with these historical, biblical contemporary pairs: Cain/Abel, Jacob/Esau, David/Saul, and Peter/Judas. What was the difference? The heart. In each comparison, one repented and the other rebelled and was hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, departing from the LORD (Heb. 3:12-14).

Mercy, forgiveness, and divine enabling grace is always granted to those saved and who continue to come to God through Christ.

Our heavenly Father be thanked for the “throne of grace” He established through the perfect, precious blood of Jesus where our sins can be blotted out afresh upon repentance (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:7, 9; 2:1-2).

Jesus is coming and every one that has “this hope” of His return in their heart “purifieth himself even as he is pure.” (1 John 2:28-3:3)

Initial and final salvation is based on Christ’s perfect sacrifice and the reception of it is based on the individual’s initial and enduring faith – to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

Should we consider the Almighty harsh for giving us in His Word several lists of sins that violate Him? Do we consider Him to be as He told us He is – holy? Did He not give us ample fair warning that all sin will be judged, either by repentance now or when it is too late – when one stands before His holy throne in trembling ruins?

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4

Jesus came, not to grant free license to sin, but to the contrary, to forever judge sin in the flesh, by the sacrifice of His own body and to grant the blessed power to live in the Spirit and not live in sin. Because Jesus forever judged sin in the flesh by His perfect sacrifice, He defeated all notions and excuses for sin. There will be no defense when we stand before Him naked on Judgment Day. Why then would any person claiming to know Christ teach anything that justifies the sins that violate His holiness?

What does the Holy Spirit promise will happen to any person who has the fruit of any of these “works of the flesh” manifesting in his life?

“…of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things SHALL NOT inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

The believer has already been judged when he or she got saved. Jesus died for ALL our sins, past, present, and future. Jesus sure did do His work perfectly-“It is finished” (John 19:30) and yet the appropriation of His propitiation (atoning sacrifice) is contingent upon our faith – both initially and ongoing. The idea that all my future sins are already forgiven is erroneous and not a New Testament teaching because God is not obligated to continue forgiving any soul that continues in sin. In fact, He told us that “the soul that sinneth, is SHALL die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) The fact that Jesus paid fully for our future sins is truth. It’s reality and set in stone, and yet, the forgiven, redeemed believer must endure in saving faith the end or he will be cast into the lake of fire. See. Matthew 10:22; 24:10-13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 1 Peter 1:5, 9; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 2-3, etc. There is no such thing as un-conditional eternal security. All of Scripture refutes this lie that is widely peddled by modern false teachers. This is the same lie Satan told Adam and Eve – he told them that if they disobeyed God that God would not separate them from Him (spiritual death). But God booted them from the Garden (His holy presence). See Genesis 2:17 and 3:4. Notice that one 3-letter word Satan added to God’s Word and how it led to the loss of the fear of God in the first man and woman and led to their fall into sin. God ushered them out of His Garden/presence.

Eternal life surely is eternal and yet the possession of it is forfeitable (Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 12:14-15; Jude 1, etc.). We are told that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from “all sin” but only “IF IF IF we walk in the light as he is in the light,” confessing our sins (1 John 1:7-10). After being saved, our sins are not arbitrarily forgiven. We must of necessity take personal accountability for them. We must agree with God’s pronouncements of what sin is and repent if we commit any of them (1 John 1:6-2:2). We shall eternally perish if we die with sin having spotted the pure white garments of His righteousness He graciously gave us, when He found and saved us. God’s Word warns that we are to make our“calling and ELECTION sure” and to keep ourselves “UNSPOTTED from the world,” otherwise we will be found rebels who “obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” and will be eternally condemned (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; James 1:27; 2 Peter 1:10). We must set aside all tradition and things we have been taught of mere men and be washed with the water of God’s Word, being blessed to attain to His wise counsel. When we do, we will discover a conditional eternal security, not un-conditional. In speaking concerning the person who has believed and was saved initially, Jesus invented the term “fall away” and so such must be possible (Luke 8:13). To deny such would be to disagree with the One we claim to be our Savior.

Forgiven but also Reaping

David sinned and repentant and yet had to reap gross reward for his sin. Sin does have a price tag.

Yes God will forgive our sins and yet, we must reap what we have sowed (Galatians 6:7-8).

Jesus is able to keep us from sin that defiles and makes us unclean in His sight:

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24

The LORD “IS able to keep you from falling” into sin and to “keep” you ready to be presented “faultless” to in judgment – ready to meet Christ and be with Him and not cast away.

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30

Be bold and courageous in God. Know that He is able to keep you! Repent of any excuse making. Repent at once of all rebellion and damnable unbelief. If not, you will be “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” and ultimately be damned, all the while thinking you were saved (Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Hebrew 12:14-17

The “wages of sin” is still spiritual “death.” (Romans 6:23) Like it or not – if you die in sin, you will spend eternity in hell/lake of fire.

Here’s the divine warning to God’s people, not the lost:

“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (the covenant people of God are being addressed) ¹²Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. ¹³When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.” Ezekiel 33:11-13

Still stuck on the “eternal security” or “once saved always saved” fairytale?

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. ²¹For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22

Are you returning to the “vomit” God delivered you from and then making excuse and justifying yourself in your sin? If so, you are a spiritual “dog” in God’s holy eyes which means you are defiled and unfit to have fellowship with Him here and now or in eternity.

Refuse to make any excuse for any sin you may commit. First off, you must realize that you are not forced to commit any single sin. It’s always a choice if it happens and you alone are to blame, period.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: ¹⁴But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ¹⁶Do not err, my beloved brethren.” James 1:13-16

Read Romans 6 every single morning for the rest of this week or month! And do it! Own it! Pray that the LORD will make it reality in your life!

The holy fear of the LORD is only cultivated in the hearts and lives of those who honestly take Him at His holy Word. All others are denying Christ, hate His truth, and being turned over by God to “strong delusion” and to ultimately “damned.”(2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Whatever you do, repent, learn to love and obey the truth, fast and pray, and learn the daily cross Jesus commanded you to take up.

Get the books: Soul Damning Sins, I Die Daily, and Lie of the Ages. STORE (all resources)

Is Doubting Your Salvation Always a Bad Thing?

Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

When Satan Tempted Jesus

History and Purpose of the Pulpit [book]

Apostasy

Spiritual Formation—A Dangerous Substitute for the Life of Christ [podcast]

Sometimes we think of spiritual formation as formation by the Holy Spirit. Once again. That’s essential. . . . But now I have to say something that may be challenging for you to think about: Spiritual formation is not all by the Holy Spirit. . . . We have to recognize that spiritual formation in us is something that is also done to us by those around us, by ourselves, and by activities which we voluntarily undertake . . .There has to be method.¹—Dallas Willard

Aside from the fact that Spiritual Formation incorporates mystical practices into its infrastructure (remove the contemplative aspect and you don’t have “Spiritual Formation” anymore), Spiritual Formation is a works-based substitute for biblical Christianity. Let us explain.

When one becomes born again (“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having given his or her life and heart over to Christ as Savior, Jesus Christ says He will come in and live in that surrendered heart:

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

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)

If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11; emphasis added)

When God, through Jesus Christ, is living in us, He begins to do a transforming work in our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). Not only does He change us, He also communes with us. In other words, we have fellowship with Him, and He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

This life of God in the believer’s heart is not something we need to conjure up through meditative practices. But if a person does not have this relationship with the Lord, he may seek out ways to feel close to God. This is where Spiritual Formation comes into play. Rather than a surrendered life to Christ (through repentance and faith), the seeking person begins practicing the spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, good works, etc.) with the promise that if he practices these disciplines, he will become more Christ-like.

But merely doing these acts fails to make one feel close to God—something is still missing. And thus, he begins practicing the discipline of silence (or solitude), and now in these altered states of silence, he finally feels connected to God. He now feels complete. What he does not understand is that he has substituted the indwelling of Christ in his heart for a works-based methodology that endangers his spiritual life. Dangerous because these mystical experiences he now engages in appear to be good because they make him feel close to God, but in reality he is being drawn into demonic realms no different than what happens to someone who is practicing transcendental meditation or eastern meditation. Even mystics themselves acknowledge that the contemplative realm is no different than the realm reached by occultists. To understand this more fully, please read Ray Yungen’s book A Time of Departing.

Bottom line, it is not possible to be truly Christ-like without having Christ inside of us because it is His righteousness that is able to change our hearts—we cannot do it without Him. It is His righteousness we need:

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. (Romans 3:22)

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

It is interesting to note that virtually every contemplative teacher has a common theme—they feel dry and empty and want to go “deeper” with God or “become more intimate” with God. But if we have Christ living in us, how can we go any deeper than that? How can we become more intimate than that? And if going deeper and becoming intimate were so important, why is it that none of the disciples or Jesus Himself ever told us to do this? As Larry DeBruyn states:

Why are Christians seeking a divine presence that Jesus promised would abundantly flow in them? . . . Why do they need another voice, another visitation, or another vision? Why are some people unthankfully desirous of “something more” than what God has already given to us? Why is it that some Christians, in the depth of their souls, are not seemingly at rest?²

Is There a “Good” Spiritual Formation?

One of the most common arguments we hear defending Spiritual Formation is that there is a “good” Spiritual Formation done without contemplative prayer. To that we say, we have never yet seen a Spiritual Formation program in a school or a church that doesn’t in some way point people to the contemplative mystics. It might be indirectly, but in every case, if you follow the trail, it will lead you right into the arms of Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and other contemplative teachers.

Think about this common scenario: A Christian college decides to begin a Spiritual Formation course. The instructor has heard some negative things about Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, and Brennan Manning, and he figures he will teach the class “good Spiritual Formation” and leave those teachers completely out. But he’s going to need a textbook. He turns to a respected institution, Dallas Theological Seminary, and finds a book written by Paul Pettit, Professor in Pastoral and Education Ministries. The book is titled Foundations of Spiritual Formation. The instructor who has found this book to use in his own class may never mention Richard Foster or Dallas Willard, but the textbook he is using does. Within the pages of Pettit’s book is Richard Foster, Philip Yancey, N.T. Wright, Dallas Willard, Thomas Aquinas, Lectio Divina, Ayn Rand, Parker Palmer, Eugene Peterson, J.P. Moreland, Klaus Issler, Bruce Demarerst, Jim Burns, Kenneth Boa and Brother Lawrence’s “practicing God’s presence.” You may not have heard of all these names, but they are all associated with the mystical contemplative prayer movement and the emerging church.

Another example of this is Donald Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Whitney is former Associate Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While his book does not promote contemplative mysticism, he says that Richard Foster has “done much good”³ in the area of Christian spirituality (which we believe is blatantly untrue).

Our point is that even if there is a sincere attempt to teach Spiritual Formation and stay away from the mystical side, we contend that it cannot be successfully accomplished because it will always lead back to the ones who have brought it to the church in the first place.

Spiritual formation is sweeping throughout Christianity today. It’s no wonder when the majority of Christian leaders have either endorsed the movement or given it a silent pass. For instance, in Chuck Swindoll’s book So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There, Swindoll favorably quotes Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Swindoll calls Celebration of Discipline a “meaningful work”⁴ and Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines “excellent work.”⁵ In chapter three, ”Silence and Solitude,” Swindoll talks about “digging for secrets . . . that will deepen our intimacy with God.”⁶ Quoting the contemplative poster-verse Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” Swindoll says the verse is a call to the “discipline of silence.”⁷ As other contemplative proponents have done, he has taken this verse very much out of context.

Roger Oakland sums it up:

The Spiritual Formation movement . . . teaches people that this is how they can become more intimate with God and truly hear His voice. Even Christian leaders with longstanding reputations of teaching God’s word seem to be succumbing. . . .

We are reconciled to God only through his “death” (the atonement for sin), and we are presented “holy and unblameable and unreproveable” when we belong to Him through rebirth. It has nothing to do with works, rituals, or mystical experiences. It is Christ’s life in the converted believer that transforms him.⁸

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10

What Christians need is not a method or program or ritual or practice that will supposedly connect them to God. What we need is to be “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30) and Christ in us. And He has promised His Spirit “will guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13).

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30

In Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul tells the saints that he was praying for them that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” He was praying that they would have discernment (“spiritual understanding”). He said that God, the Father, has made us “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (vs 12) and had “delivered us from the power of darkness [i.e., power of deception]” (vs. 13). But what was the key to having this wisdom and spiritual understanding and being delivered from the power of darkness? Paul tells us in that same chapter. He calls it “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (vs. 26). What is that mystery? Verse 27 says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (emphasis added).

For those wanting to get involved with the Spiritual Formation movement (i.e., contemplative, spiritual direction), consider the “direction” you will actually be going.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. (Colossians 1:21-23)

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2: 8-10)

This article is an extract from the Lighthouse Trails booklet, Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why They Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.

Endnotes:
1. Dallas Willard, “Spiritual Formation: What it is, and How it is Done” (https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/spiritual-formation-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-done).

2. Larry DeBruyn, “God’s Present of His Presence” (https://www.guardinghisflock.org/gods-present-of-his-presence/ ).

3. Donald Whitney, “Doctrine and Devotion: A Reunion Devoutly to be Desired” (http://web.archive.org/web/20080828052145/http://biblicalspirituality.org/devotion.html).

4. Chuck Swindoll, So You Want to Be Like Christ: 8 Essential Disciplines to Get You There (Nashville, TN:W Publishing Group, a div. of Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 15.

5. Ibid., p. 13.

6. Ibid., p. 55.

7. Ibid.

8. Roger Oakland, Faith Undone (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007), pp. 91-92.

This has been an extract from our booklet Is Your Church Doing Spiritual Formation? (Important Reasons Why It Shouldn’t). To order this booklet, click here.

Spiritual Formation Exposed |

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines

The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines A Critique of Dallas Willard and The Spirit of the Disciplines by Bob DeWaayPractices called “spiritual disciplines” that are deemed necessary for “spiritual formation” have entered evangelicalism. Recent encounters with this teaching narrated to me by friends caused me to investigate these practices. The first experience involved my friend and co-worker Ryan Habbena who went back to seminary to finish his masters degree. Here is his experience in his own words: I recently took a seminary course on the book of Luke. It was a summer intensive and was one of only […]

SHOCKING List of Spiritual Formation Ministries

More Catholic Witchcraft Infiltrating the Apostate Seminaries, Ministries, and Churches “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 WHAT is spiritual formation / contemplative prayer or centering prayer? Spiritual formation/contemplative prayer/spirituality is just another self-centered, Christ-denying, self-righteous, works-based, occultic, pagan lie from hell! Seminaries teach it and now many churches today are practicing new age witchcraft called contemplative prayer, or centering Prayer which is part of spiritual formation. […]

Articles

Mission Mexico Part 32

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

See picture below.

I recently, “accidently” drove up this very narrow street only to realize that there was no turn around at the end. As God would have it, this man helped me back out of that street and received the spoken Word and a JESUS tract. Romans 8:28 right?

“Ephesians 3:20 was the very verse I prayed for you and the ministry this morning! And v16 as well. May the Spirit of God manifest His full grace and peace upon you today! And give you fruit, more fruit and much fruit! Amen.” Karen Cochran

(see picture below)

It dawns on me afresh today as it has since arriving here in Mexico, that these precious people so deeply hunger for Christ. Today, upon ministering to Victor and Juan and having Victor incessantly asking me about Christianity, Jesus, and being saved…. this was a fresh reminder of the great hunger and openness of the Mexican people. They want Jesus. Plain and simple. “HOW shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)

These two men were excited to know that you would be lifting them in prayer.

Victor and I are now connected by phone. So he will now be fed the Word of our God and be introduced to Spanish speaking disciples of our LORD Jesus.

Being limited in Spanish, I preached the Gospel, the Bible truth I am able to in Spanish and that including exhorting them both, today to repent and receive Jesus and did this while pointing to the prayer (oracion) on the back of the JESUS tract.

Would you like to kindly pause to lift these 2 dear men in prayer to our LORD?

Mission Mexico

JUST got a call from sister Teri in FL and had the opportunity to speak with brothers Scott and Jorge who were both recently saved by Jesus. Was also blessed to speak with a brother named Raymond who is a flourishing disciple of Jesus!

Thank you for your prayers and support which include our bless-ed opportunity of helping this group of disciples in FL.

Jesus is coming!

Recently…… Many received God’s Word today.

Brother Mark has recently joined in helping with our LORD’s Gospel in Mission Mexico and was amazed when he saw three grown men walking together who were ministered to and walk away, each of them with the JESUS tract open, as they walked read the message. They are that hungry.

The Mexico people deserve to hear our LORD’s glorious Gospel!

“I bet brother Mark is amazed at the response of the Mexican people when you guys go out and minister to them. To have so many hearts open and poor in spirit would be a shock at first. Total opposite of America—who say ‘I am rich, increased with goods have need of nothing!’ Revelation 3:17.

Praise God for the blessed ones who heard the engrafted word of our Lord, which is able to save their souls.” Karen

REPLY:

Yes He is amazing. They WANT it. They DESIRE it. They are like the woman who desires a man and so he marries her and they have a super blessed marriage for life. Instead of the wicked Jezebel woman who just wants to self-servingly shop for the man she can use to accomplish her selfish agenda.

“I was reading Mathew 21:23 this morning and it went through my mind that is what God said to America! ‘The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.’ And that nation is Mexico!“ Karen

“Truly amazing what God is doing in the hearts of the Mexican people. And now He is raising up disciples to bring into the harvest. He is LORD of the harvest. Have you heard of Chick Publications? I just read that they have sent 200,000 tracts to a Mexico missionary and more being ready to be sent. Southern Mexico. So God is sure flooding Mexico with His Word!” Karen Cochran

While walking over to get a haircut, I happened to spot a JESUS tract someone had placed on this vehicle. No it was not me. I didn’t put that tract there. Someone else did.

Then, 5 minutes later, after arriving at barber and sitting down in the chair, straight ahead in my line of sight, there’s a JESUS tract purposely set on display by the barber.

No matter how high prices get in Mexico, your cost of living will always be MUCH less than the USA. A raise awaits you, soon as you cross the border. Is God prompting you to “Go”? (Mark 16:15)

God is good all the time as you well know and thank you.

Your prayers to the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus are the heavenly fuel He uses to bless and empower and supply His people to do His work.

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:19

todd

Articles

Chosen for Holiness [podcast]

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4

Holiness comes by the Savior in self denial (death and burial – the cross), not by self will or effort. Surrender is the cross – “NOT my will but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42) and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). We surrender to Christ by saying “Not my will but thine be done” dear Lord, by Your grace and the deliberate act of my own will I submit to the cross, the crucified life – where You alone reign supreme in this vessel (Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20, etc.). I love You LORD Jesus! You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30)

Holiness, not happiness, is the divine command, the chief purpose and end of Christ’s salvation.

Of holiness, one disciple writes:

“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5; 5:20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”

Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.

NOTICE: When a believer or group of believers backslides, they no longer separate from the transgressors who are unrepentant:

Fornication Defiles

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

The Glorious Church Jesus is Returning for [video]

WHAT church/people is Jesus returning for? “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27 “a glorious church” “not having spot (no sin)“ No “wrinkle” “or any such thing” “but that it should be holy and without blemish” WHAT’s the use of talking about end times […]

Can a True Believer Overcome All Sin? [podcast]

Yes. In the church world, there’s an abundance of talk about sin and it comes with the notion, the inflection, the false assumption that somehow, born again believers are relegated to sinning, as if there’s no other choice. Is that true? Is this the biblical perspective? What I want us to do is make sure we are looking at the whole of Scripture and be blessed to gain a godly confidence that our Savior provided a perfect salvation that includes more than just the initial washing away of our sins. This “great grace” that He provided in His “so […]

The Truth about Holiness [podcast]

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 As we just read, divine “holiness” is “glorious.” Holiness is not what most of us think it is. Holiness in the divine economy is something of great “beauty” and utterly refreshing (Psalms 96:9). It seems that holiness is not merely a divine attribute but rather the divine nature of the Almighty. Are we ready to allow our LORD, who alone is “Holy, holy, holy,” to define what holiness truly is and how He brings it […]