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Election and Predestination: Calvinism Exploded

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]

Lazy, self-serving calvinists want nothing to do with conditions, personal responsibility. This 3rd column they run from.

Calvinism’s Terrible TULIP:

Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints

“…they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14

Those who will be eternally with Christ are “faithful” to Him who called and chose them. God clearly requires that like the 5 wise virgins, those He initially saves remain engaged in an abiding relationship with Him, the Great Bridegroom, which is a choice (Matthew 24:13; 25:1-13; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

Man’s part and the divine requirement, is to be “faithful.” It’s an essential. God calls, chooses, and man must have faith and be faithful to the LORD. Jesus says:

“be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

God’s elect are simply those who elect to serve Him on HIS stated terms. Calvinism is demonic.

Calvinists falsely seek to remove man and his participation from salvation, claiming that if man has any involved men in salvation, then that’s a denial of the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice. Nonsense. They teach that “the elect” are those whom God chose from the foundation of the world, with no involvement required of the recipient of His salvation. They teach the the “elect” person participates by obeying or even believing he has to obey Jesus, that such a person is denying the efficacy of Christ. In fact, they teach that even against the person’s will, God chose them as His elect and so they are forced to be His and go to Heaven. Total heresy.

Is YOUR Work Finished just Because Jesus’ Work is Finished?

MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM A CALVINIST:

“Do you guys ever wonder about the judgment reserved for those who could be judging God’s chosen?”

REPLY:

Who are “the chosen”? In the mind of delusional calvinists, THEY alone are the chosen, the elect but the Bible tells us that Jesus died for “the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD” and is not willing that ANY should perish, not one (2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2). But Jesus says individual men, ALL of whom HE calls to Himself, have to choose, to elect Him on His terms to be with Him eternally (Josh 24:15; Rev 17:14, etc.).

The bigger question is: Do you ever if God really meant it when He told us He’s going to judge the defenders of His enemies with His enemies? Those who bid Godspeed to the wolves the LORD so often warned us about, will be judged with them, in hell (2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 John 10-11).

One believer writes: “God’s elect are the ones who choose His ways and follow His Son Jesus who came to save those who would give up the world for the Kingdom He came from.”

That is the exact truth about “the elect” – those who elect to love, worship, and obey Jesus.

To remain in the protection of our great God, we must remain soundly rooted and grounded in His Word, pure doctrine – which would necessitate the rejection of false, poisonous systems of theology such as calvinism (Ps 119; Prov 30:5-6; Acts 20:20-32; 2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17, etc.).

———————-

Donald Stamps
Life in the Spirit Study Bible pgs 1846-47

(This is good. This is a good, brief read that is very balanced and establishes God’s initiating, merciful position and what He requires of man. This clears out the demonic, poisonous twists perpetrated by calvinists).

Eph. 1:4-5 “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; Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

ELECTION, God’s choice of those who believe in Christ is an important doctrine to the apostle Paul (see Rom. 8:29-33; 9:6-26; 11:5,7,28; Col. 3:12; 1 Thes. 1:4; 2 Thes. 2:11; Tit. 1:1). Election (Gk. eklego) refers to God’s choice in Christ of a people for Himself in order that they should be holy and blameless before Him (cf. 2 Thes. 2:13). Paul sees this election as expressing the love of God as He receives as His own all who receive His Son, Jesus (John 1:12). The doctrine of election involves the following truths:

Election is Christocentric, i.e., election of humans occurs only in union with Jesus Christ. “He hath chosen us in him” (Eph. 1:4; see v. 1, note), Jesus Himself is first of all the elect of God. Concerning Jesus, God states, “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen” (Mat. 12:18; cf. Is. 42:1,6; 1 Pet. 2:4). Christ, as the elect, is the foundation of our election. Only in union with Christ do we become members of the elect (Eph. 1:4,6-7, 9-10,12-13). No one is elect apart from union with Christ through faith.
Election is “in (him) . . . through his blood” (Eph.1:7). God purposed before creation (Eph. 1:4) to have a people through Christ’s redemptive death on the cross. Thus election is grounded on Christ’s sacrificial death on Calvary to save us from our sins (Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:24-26).
Election in Christ is primarily corporate, i.e., an election of a people (Eph. 1:4-5,7,9). The elected are called “the body of Christ” (4:12), “my church” (Mat. 16:15). God’s special people (1Pet. 2:9), and the “bride” of Christ (Rev. 21:9). Hence, election is corporate and embraces individual persons only as they identify and associate themselves with the body of Christ, the true church (Eph. 1:22-23; see Robert Shank, Elect in the Son [Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers], pp. 45-55). This was true already of Israel in the O.T. (see Deut. 29:18-21, note; 2 Ki. 21:14, note; see article on GOD’S COVENANT WITH THE ISRAELITES, p. 314).
The election to salvation and holiness of the body of Christ is always certain. But the certainty of election for individuals in the body remains conditional on their personal living faith in Jesus Christ and perseverance in union with Him. The apostle Paul demonstrates this as follows. (a) God’s eternal purpose for the church is that we should be holy and without blame before him” (Eph. 1:4). This refers both to forgiveness of sin (1:7) and to the church’s sanctification and holiness. God’s elect people are being led by the Holy Spirit toward sanctification and holiness (see Rom 8:14; Gal. 5:16-25). The apostle repeatedly emphasizes this paramount purpose of God (see Eph. 2:10; 3:14-19; 4:1-3,13-24; 5:1-18). (b) Fulfillment of this purpose for the corporate church is certain Christ will “present it to himself a glorious church . . . holy and without blemish” (5:27). (c) Fulfillment of this purpose for individuals in the church is conditional. Christ will present us “holy and without blame before him” (1:4) only if we continue in the faith. Paul states this clearly: Christ will “present you holy and unblameable . . . in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Col. 1:22-23).
Election to salvation in Christ is offered to all (John 3:16-17; 1 Tim. 2:4-6; Tit. 2:11; Heb 2:9) and becomes actual for particular persons contingent on their repentance and faith as they accept God’s gift of salvation in Christ (Eph. 2:8; 3:17; cf. Acts 2:21 ??; Rom 1:16; 4:16). At the point of faith, the believer is incorporated into the elect body of Christ (the church) by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13), thereby becoming one of the elect. Thus, both God and humans have a decision in election (see Rom 8:29 and 2 Pet. 1:1-11).

PREDESTINATION. Predestination (Gk. pro-or-id’-zo) means “to decide beforehand” and applies to God’s purposes and objectives comprehended in election. Election is God’s choice “in Christ” of a people (the true church) for Himself. Predestination comprehends what will happen to God’s people (all genuine believers in Christ).

God predestinates His elect to be: (a) called (Rom. 8:30); (b) justified (Rom. 1:24; 8:30); (c) glorified (Rom. 8:30); (d) conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29); (e) holy and without blame (Eph. 1:4); (f) adopted as children (1:5); (g) redeemed (1:7; (h) recipients of an inheritance (1:14); (i) for the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:12; 1 Pet. 2:9); (j) recipients of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13; Gal. 3:14); and (k) created for good works (Eph. 2:10).
Predestination, like election, refers to the corporate body of Christ (i.e., the true spiritual church), and comprehends individuals only in association with that body through a present living faith In Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5,7,13; cf. Acts 2:38-41; 16:31).

SUMMARY. Concerning election and predestination, we might use the analogy of a great ship on its way to heaven. The ship (the church) is chosen by God to be His very own vessel. Christ is the Captain and Pilot of this ship. All who desire to be a part of this elect ship and its Captain can do so through a living faith in Christ. By which they come on board the ship. As long as one is on the ship, in company with its Captain, he is among the elect. If he chooses to abandon the ship and Captain, he ceases to be one of the elect. Election is always only in union with the Captain and His ship. Predestination tells us about the ship’s destination and what God has prepared for those remaining on it. God invites everyone to come aboard the elect ship through faith in Jesus Christ.” Donald Stamps Life in the Spirit Study Bible pgs 1846-47

Sealed? What Does that Really Mean?

Eternal Security Busted and Exposed

Calvinism Debunked

Calvinism is an extra-biblical system of theology which blatantly contradicts clear, known Scripture. 1 John 2:2 alone exposes calvinism as a doctrinal system of devils.

Calvinism Exposed

Calvinists are snakes. They hide this evil, demonic system of beliefs just like Satan attempted to hide his identity when he entered the pristine, sinless Garden, infiltrating, to deceive the man and woman. His first lie was the OSAS/ES/perseverance of the saints lie which led to the fall of mankind and is still leading to the damnation of millions (Gen 2:17; 3:4).

WHEN you hear someone use the terminology “sovereign grace” you know you are dealing with a deceived calvinist who has bought into a false gospel that intentionally over-emphasizes grace while ignoring divine holiness and justice and the God-given conditions for abiding in Christ. Cross-less. Rebuke and run if they don’t repent – which they most likely won’t because they are intoxicated with this delusion. Calvinism is a system, a set of doctrines of devils that grossly misrepresents Christ and His original Gospel! Calvinism and the Devils who Peddle it Busted!

If Free Will is True (and it is), Calvinism is Patently False (and it is)

As we read further, as we read and equally consider all of Scripture and continue to have the Holy Spirit mesh or properly set the tapestry of the divine will…. The more fuller picture emerges. One thing we begin to realize is that what the calvinist does is refuse to consider the biblical term “foreknowledge” …. God foreknew yet never did nor ever will tamper with the free will He sovereignly gave each man to choose ye this day whom ye will serve (Josh 24:15)…. Calvinism grossly perverts the character of God and the original Gospel by it’s intentional overemphasizing of certain things and purposeful ignoring other things.

Calvinism is demonic as well as those who espouse this evil system of hatred and futility (1 Timothy 4:1). None of those Romans verses they misuse mean or say that God tampered with the free will HE gave men… as if He foreordained that some go to hell as well as forcing His “elect” into His kingdom against their own free will. Calvinists read into the text. They are indoctrinated from small children with this diabolical system.

“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: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

“But if the word of God foretells that some angels and men shall be certainly punished, it did so because it foreknew that they would be unchangeably [wicked], but not because God had created them so.” Justin Martyr- c. 100/114AD – c. 162/168 AD.

The LORD makes a crystal clear distinction between Himself, the one true God, and the idolatrous worship of all false gods, which are of Satan (1 Corinthians 10:19-21).

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

Calvinists for example, insist upon blaming the LORD in their false theology instead of simply realizing that God gave man a choice – “CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve” – He sets before His people “life and death, blessing and cursing” and desires that we “choose life, (so) that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deuteronomy 30:19

Can’t blame God for the wrong choice man made in the Garden that caused the fall of mankind, nor for the bad choices that mere men have made since then. Here’s how the LORD says things go down:

“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: 14 BUT every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

Here the LORD blames men for their sin, not Himself. Any person who is espousing a theology that blames God instead of sinful men, is under the power of “the spirit of antichrist.” (1 John 4:1-3)

Calvinism is a doctrine of devils, “another gospel” and those who peddle it are “accursed” and it doesn’t matter how Christian are sincere or well meaning they may appear (Galatians 1:6-9).

Satan will give people a million pounds of truth to kill them with that one ounce of poison. But calvinism has ample amounts of poison and no one who holds Scripture as final authority could possibly buy into it. “A little leaven leaveneth (ruins) the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9) Here is a library of posts exposing the roots and false doctrines of calvinism. Calvinism

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What Early Church Fathers said about Eternal Security

Calvinism’s Origins and Historical Roots

Calvinism Refuted with One Bible Verse

Calvinism's Origins and Historical Roots [podcast]

Calvinism’s Origins and Historical Roots How did Calvinism Come about? Where did John Calvin derive his teachings, doctrines which many hold to today? False Doctrines of the “Pope” of Geneva Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. HERE’S WHERE THE TULIP, THE 5 SOLAS, THE 5 POINTS OF CALVINISM CAME FROM. IT’S A CURSED ROOT AND THAT’S WHY CALVINISM CAN BRING FORTH NOTHING EXCEPT CURSED FRUIT (Matthew 12:33). Calvinism was cursed from the beginning, at the root. Calvinism is “another gospel,” a false gospel, and a totally heretical system of theology spawned from an […]

The Idiocy of Calvinism

The Five Filthy Falsehoods of Calvinism The Shocking Connection between Calvinism and Catholicism Calvinism’s Terrible TULIP: Total Depravity Unconditional Election Limited Atonement Irresistible Grace Perseverance of the Saints Calvinism and dispensationalism are example of cult systems that displace the final divine authority of Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Not even 1 point of calvinism is true. All 5 points of calvinism are patently false. Below is more on the corruption of Calvinism and those “ungodly men” who teach and promote these false doctrines (Jude 3-4). Calvinism is NOT Christianity …. it’s a diabolical perversion of the message of Christ and His holy […]

Abiding

The Death before the Death [podcast]

Gethsemane Preceded Calvary

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:42-44

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Shall We Freshly Declare the Cross to be Front and Center in our Personal Lives?

“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

5 Aspects of the Mind of Christ [podcast]

5 Components of the Mind of Christ from Philippians 2 Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation. He took upon Him the form of a servant. He was made in the likeness of men. He humbled Himself. He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:2-10 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but […]

The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]

“Hid with Christ in God” “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Our place of protection is […]

Raised Up in Christ [podcast]

3 Resurrections to Celebrate 1. Christ’s resurrection (Matthew 27:64; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, etc.). 2. Your resurrection at the moment of regeneration and daily resurrection (Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:3-14; 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Ephesians 2:6). 3. Final resurrection into glory or damnation (John 5:28; 29; 1 Corinthians 15). Christ’s resurrection guarantees ours and that we need not fear death. Dancing on hell’s grace. Read 1 Corinthians 15 serveral times. “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and […]

The Only Way Up is Down [podcast]

Chapter 8 from the book Raised Up (narration) “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 The Down and Up Principle of God’s Kingdom “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root DOWNWARD, and bear fruit UPWARD.” Isaiah 37:31 The Scriptures follow a pattern of death and resurrection, a downward death and upward life. See if you can observe such a truth in the following verses: “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth UP all those that be bowed DOWN.” Psalms 145:14 Do you possess the blessed desire to be raised up by […]

Abiding

“Rend Your Heart, and Not Your Garments” [podcast]

Who Does God Look to? Who Does God Dwell in?

Beware of any man pretending to represent Christ who isn’t praying and preaching for you to be possessed by a humble and contrite heart.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

“‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 5:3). A low condition. ‘Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted’ (Matthew 5:4). To mourn over our sin and our utter wickedness before a holy and righteous God. Those are the ones who will receive the comfort and ‘joy in the Holy Ghost’ (Romans 14:17).” Karen Cochran

Abandoning Our Own Sin, Our Own Way, for God and His Better Way!

To “rend your heart” is a biblical phrase meaning to tear open your heart in radical sincerity, true humility, and genuine repentance.

The phrase comes from Joel 2:13 in the Bible: “Rend your heart and not your garments and return to the Lord your God.”

One source notes the following:

“Context and Deeper Meaning:

Cultural Background: In ancient times, the Jewish people would tear (rend) their clothes as a public, highly visible display of grief or repentance.
The Spiritual Message: God is warning that outward rituals (like ripping clothing) are meaningless if the heart remains unchanged. Rending your heart implies breaking through your pride, letting go of excuses, and being completely vulnerable and authentic before God.
The Reward: The verse goes on to say that God is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Tearing open your heart allows you to experience His forgiveness and restore your relationship with Him.”

To see an example of rending one’s physical garment in representation of rending their heart, see Acts 14:11-18.

Where is the LORD Looking?

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God” Joel 2:12-14

“What a gracious invitation is contained in these words. How tenderly the Lord reasons with his people. And what an encouraging assurance it folds up with. Reader! do not fail to observe that this call of the Lord, the accompanying grace to incline the heart to the observance of it is implied. It is most blessed ever to remember that when the Lord thus comes forth in his endearing invitations, he is secretly inclining the heart to accept them. Grace must first enter the heart, or there will be no inclination to obey.” Robert Hawker

“Jeremiah’s message was never meant to leave the heart in despair. Every warning from God carried an invitation to return. The Lord does not expose empty religion to shame His people, but to heal them. Repentance is not the loss of hope, it is the beginning of hope. Christ still receives every soul that comes with humility, and He gives living faith where there was only habit, peace where there was only fear, and joy where there was only emptiness. The call remains the same today, to draw near to Him with a sincere heart, trusting that His mercy is always greater than our weakness.” Dan Blincoe

A Fresh Start with God Always Begins with Humility and True Repentance

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

Concerning rending our hearts before the LORD, one source notes:

The classic Bible passage on this concept is Joel 2:13, where God commands: “Rend your heart and not your garments”. In ancient biblical culture, tearing (or “rending”) one’s physical clothing was a customary, visible display of extreme grief, despair, or repentance. Through the prophet Joel, God is essentially telling His people: Stop doing the empty, outward religious ritual of tearing your clothes to show everyone how sorry you are. Instead, let me see true, inward brokenness over your sins.

Examples of Rending Physical Garments

In the Bible, the physical act of tearing clothes was used as a dramatic expression of deep emotion in several well-known narratives:

Joseph’s Brothers (Genesis 37:29, 34): When Reuben realized Joseph was not in the pit, and later when the brothers brought Joseph’s blood-stained coat to Jacob, they tore their clothes in grief and despair.
Job (Job 1:20): After hearing that he had lost all his wealth and his children, Job stood up and tore his robe as an outward sign of his overwhelming sorrow.
King David (2 Samuel 1:11-12): When David received news of the deaths of King Saul and Jonathan, he and his men tore their clothes to mourn.
The High Priest (Matthew 26:65): In a dramatic display of hypocritical outrage, the high priest tore his own garments when Jesus declared He was the Son of God, falsely accusing Him of blasphemy.

The Spiritual Meaning of “Rending the Heart”

The concept of “rending the heart” contrasts an outward show with inward reality.

Genuine Repentance: Tearing your heart means being vulnerable, acknowledging your brokenness, and deeply repenting of sin before God.
Prioritizing Relationships over Rituals: God desires a sincere heart—true sorrow and a desire to change—more than he desires traditional religious pageantry or dramatic, public displays of grief.
The Promise of Forgiveness: In Joel 2:13, the command to rend the heart is immediately followed by the promise of grace: “Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love”.

God sees beyond our external habits and religious actions, requiring instead a humble, contrite heart to fully experience His mercy.”

God’s Mercy

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?” Joel 2:12-14

In God’s Word, where we see men who tear open their garments…. This holds the illustration of rending our hearts before the LORD.

Don’t render outward tearing, no, rather, tear open your inner man, your heart—be honest, sincere, exposed, and vulnerable to the LORD whom you trust.

Let’s attempt to get at, to ascertain what God is commanding of His beloved people to do in this “rend your heart” passage.

“Joel 2:13: Rend your heart—Let it not be merely a rending of your garments, but let your hearts be truly contrite. Merely external worship and hypocritical pretensions will only increase the evil, and cause God to meet you with heavier judgments.

For he is gracious—Good and benevolent in his own nature.

Merciful—Pitying and forgiving, as the effect of goodness and benevolence.

Slow to anger —He is not easily provoked to punish, because he is gracious and merciful.

Of great kindness—Exuberant goodness to all them that return to him.

And repenteth him of the evil—Is ever ready to change his purpose to destroy, when he finds the culprit willing to be saved. See the notes on Exo_34:6, Exo_34:7.” Adam Clarke

“Joel 2:12-14: III. DIVINE APPEAL TO JUDAH TO REPENT (2:12-14)
Even now, the LORD calls the people to repentance. It is not too late to return to Him. But it must be more than outward ritual. Their turning was to be with all their heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

To rend our hearts is the consistent message, mandate of God to His people of all ages and eras.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:18

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17

In Joel 2 the LORD reminds those who are backslidden that He “is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? …”

They must meet His stated conditions to receive His blessings ….

He promises that He will forgive them as they…..

“Joel 2:12-27: THE AVERTING OF JUDGMENT
To rend the garment is easy, but a broken and contrite heart can be imparted only by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The love of God should bring us to repentance. He takes no pleasure in our miseries and if men repent and turn from their sin they find an immediate and loving welcome to the Father’s heart and home. Joel had called for the trumpet to announce war; he now directs the trumpet blast to summon the people, from the highest to the lowest, to plead for help. Prayer and true repentance and faith bring an immediate answer. As the husband yearns over his erring but repentant wife, and is indignant with those who have maltreated her, so will Jehovah remove from us, when we turn to Him, those who have cruelly oppressed us.
The great things Jehovah did against Egypt and Babylon are an earnest of what He will do again. The earth (and all the creation of God) … have good reason to rejoice in what awaits them. God promises not only to forgive sin, but to make us happy and well provided as if the locust and cankerworm had never settled upon our lives.” FB Meyer

Religious hypocrites, counterfeits, emphasize the outward to cover their inner darkness, rebellion.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Matthew 23:23-25

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Mark 7:6

"Blessed are the Poor In Spirit" [podcast]

Jesus’ longest recorded message to His people stands on the foundation of the very first words our Savior uttered in this sermon on the mount. The foundational truth of the entire sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) is found in the very first words of our LORD when unveiling this elaborate, far-reaching, and profound message to His disciples of all ages. Here are His first words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 Note, “poor in spirit.” Not poor financially or religiously. The two should be mutually exclusive. The Greek word translated into English as “poor” is PTOCHOS. It […]

"I will have Mercy, and not Sacrifice": What does this really Mean? [podcast]

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:13 Jesus specifically instructs us to “go ye and learn what that meaneth.” UNTIL, as an individual, you begin to realize just how wicked you really are, you will never begin to appreciate what our KING and Savior did on that cross! Matthew 9:9-13 – Jesus calls Matthew 9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith […]

How to Walk in the Certainty, the Assurance of Salvation [podcast]

Real, actual assurance only comes from possessing authentic salvation – which begins with humility and true repentance, an original Gospel essential (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21, etc.). Heretical calvinists and eternal security frauds rob people of true assurance which ONLY comes from having a faith that works, is obedient to Christ. Read 1 John chapter 3 and embrace what the LORD is saying. Here’s a taste – “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the […]

The Importance of Pureness of Heart [podcast]

“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11 With pureness of heart, our words shall issue forth with grace and seasoning and be more readily received by those who hear. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6 David’s Prayer “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they […]

Abiding

Have We Misunderstood Why Christians Meet Together? [video]

“We’ve created a whole culture of Christians who are just known for going to church.” Dr Wadsworth!

“It is hard to convince a man (modern pastor) he is wrong when his livelihood ($) depends on not knowing he is wrong.” Unknown

The Simplicity of Real Fellowship [podcast]

Satan thinks he has Stolen the Fellowship of the Saints “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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 Exhorting God’s People “Daily” – not weekly. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing […]

Church Membership, Manipulation, and Money [podcast]

Is there a connection between church membership and money? “Her princes (leaders) in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.” Ezekiel 22:27 There is no evidence in the New Testament of what we see today perpetrated as “church membership.” Church membership is merely a tool in the arsenal of modern pastors to capture the souls and the money of those ensnared by it. “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24 In […]

Is Church Membership Biblical? [podcast]

Churchianity vs Christianity Many use the term “very involved in church” instead of deeply rooted and in love with Jesus Christ. See the difference? Beware. Christ Jesus is your identity. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14 What is your identity? Why have you chosen such to be that with which you identify? Most pastors make a big deal out of belonging to some organization, church, or group—because this puts them in charge—instead of Jesus. Beware. […]