Abiding

“Lordship Salvation” Examined [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]

What does “Lordship salvation” mean? Who uses this term?

Recently I read the piece below, calling out “lordship salvation”:

“In the sinner’s prayer … it says “I am willing to turn from sin…” The Bible NEVER asks us to give up anything to receive God’s FREE gift of salvation except our unbelief. I hate the damnable heresy that tells people that they can’t get saved unless they turn from sin. Show me that in the Bible! This does not give us a License to Sin, it simply means that discipleship does not affect our salvation. Jesus NEVER asked us to follow Him to be saved, ONLY to believe on Him.”

Much of this is correct and yet, what’s left out is that after receiving Jesus and thereby being saved by Him (John 1:12), the whole of Scripture reveals that one must “abide” in Christ which means to continue, to remain in Christ. Such can only occur where one that Christ saved is continuing in Him, following Him – otherwise those who don’t remain in Christ after being saved will be burned (John 15:1-6). Jesus warned us that in the last days, the days we now live in “the love of many” would “wax cold” and then says that only those who “endure to the end” are going to be “saved.” (Matthew 24:10-13)

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

Keep in mind that those who condemningly ostracize those they say teach “Lordship salvation” are the exact same heretics who peddle Satan’s original life, which in our day is call things like “eternal security” or “once saved always saved.” (Genesis 2:17;3:4)

If one is not personally vested, engaged in, participating in an abiding worship-filled obedient relationship with Christ, he does not have saving faith nor a relationship with the Son of God. To speak to the issue of salvation as if it’s not a relationship where both parties must become engaged and remain an integral participant, is false. See Jesus’ parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

When we worshipfully obey Jesus, we’re not earning our salvation, we’re simply walking with, engaging in a relationship with the Savior who saved us by His grace.

Did Jesus or His holy apostles ever once teach that those saved by Christ, who engage in a real relationship with Him which include obeying the Savior, are trying to earn, attempting to merit their own salvation? I’m still looking for any such verse in God’s Word.

If you don’t choose to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, you have rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in your own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

“We cannot pray in love and live in hate and still think we are worshipping God.” AW Tozer

Those whom Jesus at one point saved and yet they despise the Savior by ridiculing the necessity of being in an abiding relationship with Him, do so because they want nothing to do with Him. They simply vainly believe they are using Him to get them out of hell and into Heaven. As He will sentence them to eternal fire, they will soon hear Him declare “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:40)

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

Our obedience to God is simply the expression of our love for Him.

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14

Now that is an irrefutable statement and yet the one and done, lukewarm, cross-less eternal securist will say that’s “adding to the gospel” or “works salvation.” Yet God’s Word states:

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4

When His covenant people were in rebellion, living in sin, the LORD told them:

“IFFF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:19-20

Recently someone who is attacking what they call “Lordship salvation” said this:

“Lordship Salvation is the false gospel of works-based salvation (SELF reformation and perseverance) … (salvation is) God’s immeasurable undeserving unmerited grace.”

Yet God’s saving grace is not given to everyone, right? Right. Why? They refuse to meet His stated conditions. What are those conditions? Repent (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30, etc.). Believe (Acts 16:31). Abide – which means to remain in Christ to the end (John 15:1-6). God’s Blessings are Conditional, not Un-Conditional

What these grace-perverting heretics are actually teaching is that engaging in an abiding relationship with the Great Savior is somehow “works salvation.”

The man who wrote this obviously views loving and therefore obeying Jesus, the One he claims saved him, as works-salvation. Jesus commands:

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37

These are those who are preaching against what they call “Lordship salvation.” Here’s what they are saying…

The 7 “Problems” of So-called “Lordship Salvation” according the grace-perverters.

In the podcast version of this message, we address the “free grace,” “grace only” counterfeits who claim that what they call “Lordship salvation” … They claim that “Lordship salvation” …

Changes the gospel.
Places an impossible burden on the unsaved.
Confuses justification (salvation) with discipleship (service).
Confuses the result of requirement for salvation.
Fails to understand salvation has always been by faith alone.
Ignores the reality of a carnal Christian.
Destroys the assurance of salvation.

None of these are true. What is needed is the whole testimony of what the full counsel of Scripture reveals about of salvation. The evangelical eternal security crowd is famous for syphoning out a few verses to the exclusion of the whole counsel of God’s Word and ignoring, negating any and all Bible verses that require their personal repentance.

Those who refuse to make Christ the LORD, the Master, the Ruler of their personal lives are the ones balking against any Scripture and minister that indicates that after being saved one must choose to engage in an abiding relationship with the Savior which will always produce good fruit (John 15). That’s the root of this matter. Did your personal responsibility end when Jesus died on the cross? No.

“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:10

Easy believism upended …

Jesus taught that if one isn’t bearing good fruit it’s due to his not being rooted in Christ, saved.

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 7:19

Is that what grace perverters call “lordship salvation” OR is that Bible? Who said those words? What else could they mean except what He stated?

Good fruit is only born out of true relationship and that’s what so many do not want. They want the crown but not the crown Christ commanded. Rebuke and run.

Satan has cross-less, Christ-denying compromising cowards at every level, at every turn. Beware.

They want to say “It is finished” and so nothing is ever required of God for His people (John 19:30). Christ’s redemption work was “finished,” that is the sin debt was “paid in full” to the Father, and yet that doesn’t alter the stated conditions He gave for appropriating His salvation and being in Heaven with Him. In short, His conditions are repentance, faith, and enduring to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Luke 13:3; John 15:6; Acts 17:30; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2:26, etc.). Scripture speaks repeatedly of initial and final salvation. Self-serving counterfeits are famous for perpetrating half-truths and not wanting to know the whole of what God stated concerning their personal responsibility to Him, the Judge of their eternal souls before whom they shall stand in judgment.

Christ’s perfect sacrifice does not negate what He commanded and requires of us AFTER He saves us by His grace where “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 words and works of our lives clearly reveal what’s in our hearts (Matthew 12:34). Those who lack good works do so because they haven’t chosen to have a good heart before the LORD (Luke 8:15). Good works are the fruit of being saved by grace through saving faith (Ephesians 2:8-10).

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27

Of these words of Jesus, one brother notes:

“‘Works’ here in this verse ‘praxis’ means acts; the key point is that good or bad, Our acts will be addressed as we ALL shall stand before GOD. Faith without works is dead, meaning that one’s faith is hollow, TRUE FAITH produces GOOD WORKS which come from the cleansed heart.”

Does God have a plan for His people to be holy as He is holy? Yes, He always has, going back to His peculiar people Israel.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Those who preach against what they call “Lordship salvation” are 100% from the eternal security, once saved always saved, grace only, type evangelical camp.

“It is not in a doctrine, or a notion or idea, that we find genuine security, assurance. We do not find genuine security in a church, denomination, or religious leader. Security is found only in our relationship with God. In that relationship, we will discover benefits. However, people have historically worshipped the benefits more than the benefactor.” Cedric Fisher

It seems apparent that those who object to what they call “Lordship salvation” seek to justify living carnally, living like those in this fallen world, having little or no difference from the lost. They have no desire, prayer, or study of Holy Scripture concerning the cross – the crucified life – repentance, holiness, judgment, etc. They refuse to be bothered with the cross, the crucified life.

“Grace, Grace, Grace”?

For people who claim to be so strong on grace, this one is befuddling. They are the ones actually preaching another gospel, a gospel whose savior is not powerful enough to make holy those He’s saved, a false god whose grace is not sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 6:14; Psalms 4:3. The cross is clearly missing from their gospel (Galatians 3:3).

While they claim to believe big on the grace of God, they intentionally ignore grace Scripture such as Titus 2:11-14 which states:

“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. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-12

According to the above passage, those truly saved by the grace of God are denying self (the cross, the crucified life), denying ungodliness and this world’s lusts and living “soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” as they eagerly await the return of Jesus.

The lawless grace-perverters are those who hate, despise, and attack anything and anyone who suggests, who declares the myriad of Scripture which call for all who “nameth the name of Christ (to) depart from iniquity.”

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

Can the saved person begin to live in sin and still possess divine saving grace?

“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 the truth makes you doubt your salvation, perhaps you don’t have salvation. You only think you do.

Cedric Fisher masterfully writes:

“Salvation is a gift. A gift is not earned. One must have faith to receive the gift. If I give someone a diamond, considered eternal, they did not earn that gift. They do not have eternal possession of the diamond simply because it is eternal. If they are careless, and it is lost or stolen, it remains eternal even though their possession of it was lost due to carelessness.

Thus, the fact that salvation/redemption is eternal does not mean we have eternal possession of it in the temporal realm. Peter stated clearly that salvation is received at the end of our faith—when Christ appears. (1 Peter 1:9)

Furthermore, faith without works is dead. One cannot have workless faith and retain God’s gift. Also, we are ordained for good works (Ephesians 2:10). If you study all the other writings of Paul when he uses the word ‘works,’ you will realize that he is referring to the works of the Mosaic Law. Read the 10th verse to the end of the chapter in Ephesians 2. Consider that the ‘good works’ he refers to in the 10th verse are not of the Mosaic Law.

Accepting God’s gift and then turning back to one’s former lifestyle is piggery. God does not cause piggery nor does he force one against his or her will to remain a lamb. Obedience would be nonexistent if God were a puppeteer. Christ does not say ‘Well done’ to people with good works phobia.

Additionally, apostasy is departing from the faith. One cannot depart from where he or she has not been.

The bottom line (to avoid a small book of many scriptures and clear conclusions) is that individuals have believed the worst lie unleashed by Satan on humanity when they believe redemption cannot be lost in the temporal realm. It is as the lie the serpent told Eve.

The fact is, that the eternal security lie has been largely perpetrated by Calvinism. There are no verses that support it. It is the major reason for the apostasy, and currently the great and final apostasy.

Believing it accuses the one omnipotent God of being incapable of having a godly and obedient people—that in spite of making them new creations, partakers of the Divine Nature, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in them, giving them His Word, and allowing them access into His presence by prayer, they continue to be corrupt, vile, and willful sinners merely hidden from His view.

Cut-n-paste hermeneutics with verses and snippets of verses snatched away from their actual context can produce any type of heresy.

My testimony is that I was delivered from deep darkness of alcohol, drugs, and other bondage. He did not redeem and deliver me from darkness to spend the rest of my life longing for the light. I was translated into His kingdom—into the light of Christ. There is light in me. The Son set me free indeed. I am not a sinner saved by grace—I was a sinner, now I’m saved by grace.

Grace is not a license to sin. I am not forced to sin daily to keep up with a mythical sin quota. I am to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7). Where in God’s Word does it declare that Christ lived in bondage and sinned daily? That is the same goal as the unredeemed ones.

If one’s redemption does not produce Christ-likeness in him or her, it is not redemption (1 John 2:4; 3:10, etc.). It is an attempt to climb into the sheepfold by another route (John 10).

The fact is, God did not promise to keep anyone or anything that is not given fully over to Him. If everyone that claims they have eternal security were committed fully to Him, they would not need, or even reference eternal security, as a benefit. Security is a comfortable emotional feeling—very difficult to maintain. We should follow God’s will even when we do not feel secure.

It is not helpful to cling to or defend a doctrine as if it were an talisman (lucky charm).

It is not in a doctrine, or a notion or idea, that we find genuine security, assurance. We do not find genuine security in a church, denomination, or religious leader. Security is found only in our relationship with God. In that relationship, we will discover benefits. However, people have historically worshipped the benefits more than the benefactor.

I am secure in God because I fully surrender to Him. The OSAS apologists would call that works-based salvation, belief in sinless perfection, establishing self righteousness, and trying to earn my salvation. Thus, they worship their false doctrine and attack the genuine Christ-following disciples.

God requires us to surrender fully to Him—not a doctrine. Our free moral choice will remain until we enter eternity. Any doctrine that denies full surrender, or teaches people that it is not necessary, is not of God.

I oppose and expose such doctrines because I do not wish people to enter eternal hell. On that point, consider that hell is eternal. I was set on the path to eternal hell. It did not mean that I had no choice to continue in sin, yet if I did I’d be cast into hell. I left the path to eternal hell just as people leave the path to eternal heaven. I was not secured to that path, and no one is secured to the path to eternal heaven. We are not riding safely along in a ‘keeping’ zone. We fight the fight and finish the race. We are opposed by the powers of darkness. It’s a war, not a game of checkers. It requires diligence, discernment, praying, godliness, effort, perseverance to the end, et cetera. Denying that is denying God’s Word.”

The eternal security myth debunked as a doctrine of devils.

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

“The horrible travesty we have in America today is Christianity without holiness.” A.W. Tozer Grace and holiness come only from God. The LORD is Holy and He extends salvation by grace to repentant, believing sinners at the moment of conversion. Grave vs Holiness: WHY is one of these two so overwhelmingly overemphasized by today’s pastors and self-appointed “grace teachers,” when the other is prioritized by God as is demonstrated by the number of times it appears in Holy Scripture? Which word appears more times in the Bible?: Grace, or Holiness LET’S DO THE MATH: Comparing Grace and Holiness 170 to […]

Purifying Ourselves even as He is Pure [podcast]

Ready or Not – Jesus is Coming “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3 Here’s how you know if you are ready to meet Jesus—whether by dying or His soon return. The context of the Bible verse above is the return of Jesus and being ready for it (1 John 2:24-3:3). Those who live for Christ long to see Him and look expectantly for His soon return. This world is not their home. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all […]

Is YOUR Work Finished just Because Jesus' Work is Finished? [podcast]

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30 These are the 3 most powerful words ever uttered. What did this mean? What did it not mean? Did “It is finished” mean that those who believe on the LORD Jesus, receiving initial salvation, are free from all present and future responsibilities before God? The finished work of Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, but His accomplishment does not arbitrarily guarantee the final salvation of the individual believer. Christ’s perfect and completed redemptive work to […]

Abiding

How do We Know Who is “of God” and Who is “Not of God”? [podcast]

Scripture vs Subjectivity/Human Reasoning

“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.” Colossians 2:8

There are many people pretending to be representing Christ. Many pretend to speak for God but how do we know who is truly “of God” and who is “not of God”? Jesus gave us the answer to this important question because He desires His people to be protected by proper discernment. He has warned us repeatedly to “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits. … And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 7:15-16, 24:11).

Jesus says to use that we shall “know” (discern) others “by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, 20)

“You’re taking things out of context” is what unrepentant heretics throw at you when you state the Word. And they say “rightly divide the word of truth,” using it out of context for their own self-serving agenda because they don’t like what the plain truth of God states in His written Word. They are clearly “not of God” according to Christ who also said “by their fruits” we are to “know” (discern) others (Matthew 7:16, 20).

Here’s the clear proof that most of the “church” is not Christ’s church, not His people at all. They falsely claim to be, as did the Jews of Jesus’ day. Memorize John 8:47 – who is “of God” and who is “NOT of God.”

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Simply put: We know who is truly “of God” and who is “NOT of God” by how they treat God’s Word.

True Heaven bound disciples of Jesus follow God according to the Bible (Psalms 119:105). All others follow a false god they concocted in their own deceived imagination (John 8:47).

One of the examples in this late hour of those who pose a threat to believers is the New Apostolic Reformation movement which has produced and sent forth an army of false prophets. Their false insinuations and claims include that their prophetic words, visions, apostles, prophets, and prophecies are equal to the divine authority of Holy Scripture. More on the New Apostolic Reformation Cult and its false teachings and false prophets is here.

When you or I or any other mere human claims to be hearing from the Holy Spirit, such is purely subjective and must be tested against the Holy Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 4:1, etc.). THAT’s WHY we have the written Word – to protect us from being misled from the “MANY false prophets” who are deceiving “MANY” as Jesus forewarned would be the case (Matthew 24:11). Final divine authority is the written Word, not some mere sinful man or woman posing as God’s voice.

The LORD gave us His Word in order that we could know Him who is “the truth” and not be “led away (from God) with the error of the wicked” by following “cunningly devised fables” (John 14:6; 2 Peter 1:16; 3:17).

2 Peter 1:16-21

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19 We have also a MORE SURE WORD of prophecy (the written Word); whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Word of God is sure and steadfast as is its Author who is eternally perfect and unchanging in His divine nature. Our faith is not based on mere fables or stories, but rather on the Word of the very One who created and sustains all life in His vast Universe (Colossians 1:16-17).

“The apostasy is here. Everyone is a Christian until it gets biblical.” F.

You wanna know who is really “of God” and who is “NOT of God”? John 8:47 – memory truth.

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Every person who is “of God” has their conscience captive to His Word. Any person who is casual about God’s Word instead of fervently attentive, is “not of God.” When the true follower of Jesus hears Scripture, they hearken, are comforted, corrected, edified, etc. They love God and therefore change to conform to the Word. His words are the highest authority of their lives.

Is God’s Word your final authority or not?

IF God’s WRITTEN Word is not the final authority of your personal life, we have nothing in common – you are not saved. Jesus says you are “NOT of God” (John 8:47).

LOTS of biblically-illiterate guys hanging out on social media arguing using subjectivity, lies, and false notions when they should be diligently studying and speaking only the Word. The problem is not only “lack of knowledge” but also the pride that underlies their refusal to be teachable (Hosea 4:6).

The godly man will own the truth – he will surrender and allow it to own him – even when it is correcting him (Proverbs 1:5; 15:32; Romans 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.).

IF you refuse to allow God’s Word to correct you, you are “not of God” (John 8:47).

The righteous declare with Christ’s apostle Paul to “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

IF you don’t love God enough to voraciously study His Word, you do not love Him!

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12

We know who is truly “of God” by their resolved, unwavering love for God’s Word.

Those who preach the Word of God continue sending a whole slew of ungodly men packing! These ungodly men who vainly believe they are of God, prove their rebellion by their refusal to be corrected by God’s Word (Romans 3:4; Matthew 7:6; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Titus 3:10-11; 2 John 7-11).

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17

IF it is discovered that God’s written Word is not your absolute final divine authority, you will be rebuked and sent packing if you don’t repent. You are “NOT of God” (John 8:47). Time to clean house! Time to flip the tables of the hypocrites.

The only way to be rooted and grounded in Christ is to be an ardent student of His Word. There are no shortcuts and all who are not rich in His Word will be misled for not loving Jesus enough to prayerfully, daily pour over, learn, apply, and walk in His Word.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 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. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10

We are “complete in Christ” and Christ is revealed to us in His Word (John 5:39-40, etc.).

IF you are living by human reasoning instead of strictly by God’s written Word, you are a lost soul in need of repentance. Repent now and when you do, the proof will be that God’s Word will become the authority of your life (John 8:47). Those who truly repent are in Christ and live by His Word and nothing else.

There are so very many people today acting like they know Jesus while His Word is not the final divine authority of their lives – which clearly proves they have either never repented or have since backslidden and are lost!

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Satan is able to master the lives of those who “received not the love of the truth. … for this cause God shall send them strong delusion.”

Not getting into God’s Word will cost us everything. Those who do not love God’s Word, clearly prove they do not love Him.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6

Many modern “pastors” are little more than those who entertain goats/counterfeits and we know this because they are not fervent but rather casual about the Holy Scriptures and most of them use fake “bibles.”

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep (John 21:15-17). Christ never instructed Peter or anyone else to merely hold church services. Of course believers are to gather and yet, when we gather, what’s most important is feasting on God’s word (Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 2:42, etc.). Instead though, today most gatherings called “church” are little more than an hour of empty entertainment, void of the fear, the holiness, and the Word of God.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly) in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

Hireling wolves aren’t getting people into the Word for themselves because they want people to need, to depend upon THEM instead of God so they can build their own brand, church, club! They are using people, building a busine$$ on the gullibility of their prey! (John 21:15-17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2-4; 1 Peter 4:11).

Sink or swim! Get into God’s Word daily for yourself and stop trusting entirely on your Sunday morning gathering – which if you attend such, should be just one of many times you are fellowshiping with God and His people in a week’s time frame and not an end in itself -which inevitably it becomes!

After Pentecost, the birth of the New Testament church, the earliest believers are seen in temples (Jewish church buildings) for a time. They are also seen fellowshiping “house to house.”

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (the Word) and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:42-47

Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Perhaps more like “Go feed them” as Jesus and His apostle did. They went to the people (Matthew 9:35-38; Acts 1:8; 8:4; 10:38, etc.), and not “Go get them to come to you for their weekly entertainment and so you can fleece them with your church membership program and system you’ve set up to catch unsuspecting souls.” Gathering together is God’s will and yet, being corralled to be preyed upon is something about which we see warnings throughout God’s Word.

Corralling and entrapping unsuspecting souls is one of the schemes, devices used by beguilers. In my opinion, this is what the apostate modern church world has become – a baited trap, a stage performed on by pied pipers who use music, bands, and story-telling to seek to capture, to ensnare souls.

“For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.” Jeremiah 5:27-28

Those who allow themselves to become indoctrinated and ensnared in this system become “twofold more the child of hell” and continue this campaign of evil for generations (Matthew 23:15).

“And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:2-4

PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You now solely on the basis of Christ’s perfect sacrifice for my sins. Please forgive my sin of self-idolatry and spiritual adultery where I have not put You first but had other false gods before You. In this very instant, right now, I repent. I turn back to You dear Jesus and ask You to wash my sins afresh in Your precious blood. I love You LORD Jesus and from this moment forward, I am relishing, worshiping, loving, obeying, and seeking Your holy face relentlessly. Please fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit and use me dear LORD. Also, please give me the deep desire for more of You and for a photographic memory of Your words. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Word of God

Beware of the Scripture Twisting Jezebels [podcast]

The name Jezebel is spelled in Hebrew as “LYZEBEL” and it means “Baal exalts, un-husbanded one, without cohabitation and unchaste.” This spirit hates authority, despises correction, hates being subjected to authority and loves attention. Some today attempt to use the following passage to justify women being elders, overseers in the body of Christ. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on […]

Doctrine, Correction, Reproof, Instruction in Righteousness [podcast]

Doctrine, Correction, Reproof, Instruction in Righteousness 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17 ARE you learning sound “doctrine”? Are you being corrected by the LORD? Are you being reproved by Jesus? Are you being instructed in Christ’s “righteousness”? RED FLAG: You attend a “church” and yet aren’t searching, diligently and daily digging into, devouring, and memorizing God’s Word daily. Backslidden! Under the bless-ed weight of the true original Gospel, men are convicted, broken, and crushed to repentance! (Matthew 21:44; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:4; 2 Corinthians 4:20; James 4:8-10, etc.) WHEN a minister’s message is all about encouragement, prosperity in this fleeting life, […]

Why Did God Give Us His Word? [podcast]

The 4 Pillar Purposes for the Holy Scriptures There are 4 reasons detailed in 2 Timothy 3:16 for the Holy Scriptures being given to us by God. Under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the apostle Paul wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 According to this verse, the Bible, God’s very Word, has been given to the people of God for 4 reasons: Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Let us take a brief look at these 4 reasons for […]

Abiding

The Blessing of Being Born of God, Born Again [podcast]

QUESTION:

“What does it mean to be ‘born again’?”

REPLY:

Great question. I am praying for you now. Born again is the same as regeneration we see in Titus 3:5-7. When the sinner (ALL of us) comes to God humbly, in repentance, turning his life to the LORD, and putting all of his faith now in Jesus Christ alone, God does a miracle in the person’s life—a change on the inside that is unmistakable and transforms that persons nature and life forever. From that moment onward, Christ reigns in that person’s life, filling him with love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). The LORD works from the inside out. First He saves, washes our sins away, and then dwells in that newly saved, born again temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

To be born again you have to go to God directly…. admitting you have sinned against Him, and receive Jesus into your life. It has to be personal. Religions are designed to keep you from God while claiming to be the way to God. Beware.

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (2nd birth).” John 3:7

“The birth for which Christ contends is from above—by the agency of the Holy Spirit. Every man must have two births, one from heaven, the other from earth—one of his body, the other of his soul: without the first he cannot see nor enjoy this world, without the last he can not see nor enjoy the kingdom of God. As there is an absolute necessity that a child should be born into the world, that he may see its light, contemplate its glories, and enjoy its good, so there is an absolute necessity that the soul should be brought out of its state of darkness and sin, through the light and power of the grace of Christ, that it may be able to see, or to discern, the glories and excellencies of the kingdom of Christ here, and be prepared for the enjoyment of the kingdom of glory hereafter. The Jews had some general notion of the new birth; but, like many among Christians, they put the acts of proselytism, baptism, etc., in the place of the Holy Spirit and his influence: they acknowledged that a man must be born again; but they made that new birth to consist in profession, confession, and external washing.

The new birth which is here spoken of comprehends, not only what is termed justification or pardon, but also sanctification or holiness. Sin must be pardoned, and the impurity of the heart washed away before any soul can possibly enter into the kingdom of God. As this new birth implies the renewing of the whole soul in righteousness and true holiness, it is not a matter that may be dispensed with: heaven is a place of holiness, and nothing but what is like itself can ever enter into it.” Adam Clarke

“I can remember after getting saved my friends and my family immediately saying What happened to her?’ There was an immediate and complete change in me. God cleaned me from the inside out. I was made brand new and people noticed. My family asked ‘What has happened to her?’ Does anyone know? Yes! Jesus happened to me! Alleluia!” Karen Cochran

YOUR PRAYER TO GOD TO BE SAVED, TO BE FORGIVEN

Are You Ready to be Saved? Okay here’s a prayer to be God’s child. You have to admit the obvious, that you have sinned against God and turn to Him fully, turn your life over to Him who made you, and confess Jesus Christ as the new LORD and Savior of your life. Pray this …

Your Prayer to God … You must honestly admit your sins and receive Christ… Apply His holy blood to your life so that you may be saved, forgiven, and live eternally with Him. You must completely turn your life over to Him in repentance and faith. Now, pray the following prayer to God with all that is within you, from your heart and out loud:….

Dear heavenly Father, right now, if never before, I come to You as a broken and sinful person. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die in my place for my sins. Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth to die and rise again to rescue me from sin and eternal hell and to save me for Your eternal glory. Right this moment, if never before, I receive You LORD Jesus. Come in and take over my whole life. I am all Yours and You are all mine. I love You Jesus and I will follow You from this moment forward till I am with You in Heaven forever! Please use me to help others know You dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

How do we know someone is “born of God”?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; … Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 20

First off, if you are born again you are changed from the inside out … you desire to do God’s will now…. and are learning the need for the cross, the daily crucified life (Luke 9:23-25).

Let us remember that the biblical words “born again” (John 3:3, 7), “born of God” (1 John 4:7), “regeneration,” and being a “new creature” in Christ go hand in hand or we can say, are synonymous.

“Born of God” appears 6 times in God’s Word and are all found in the book of 1 John:

1 John 3:9
Whosoever is BORN OF GOD doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is BORN OF GOD.

Those who are “born of God” do not live in sin. They repent or return (turn back) to the LORD, confessing all sin. If not they will “fall away” and be outside of Christ (Luke 8:13). See Can a Born Again Man be Un-Born Again? [podcast]

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God.

Those who are “born of God” walk in His love toward others.

1 John 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is BORN OF GOD: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Those who repent and believe upon Christ are “born of God” and they love all other of Christ’s saints.

1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is BORN OF GOD overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Those who are “born of God” overcome this fallen world. By present and perpetual faith, they “overcometh the world.”

1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is BORN OF GOD sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Those “born of God” do not live in sin. Rather, they “keepeth” themselves from sin and therefore Satan. This is accomplished by what we read in 1 John 1 and 2—which spells out the walk of the true disciple of Jesus.

MAY GOD bless each disciple of Jesus today to abide in Christ by walking crucified and raised up by Him today (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). May “the fruit of the Spirit”—the “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” be abundantly produced in the life of every saint of Jesus! May it be 100 fold LORD! Read John 15. If you have been drawn in by Christ (John 6:44; 12:32), have repented (Luke 13:3), have received Christ (John 1:12), and are born again (John 3:3), you are bought by the precious blood of the LORD Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:17-18).

YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You found and saved me into Your eternal kingdom by way of the precious blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I stop this life here and now, and I give You praise. I love You LORD Jesus. I am no longer my own but Yours. I am crucified with Christ. Please work in me both to will and to do of Your good pleasure. I am all Yours LORD and I know You are all mine! Please fill this vessel with Your Holy Ghost afresh, and please use me. In Jesus’ name, amen Master Jesus!

Your Life Will Never be the Same [podcast]

The “More Blessed” Life “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 The “more blessed” life is the cross life our LORD calls us to. “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.” Luke 9:23-24 These are the words of the Messiah – who gave His life to purchase His church. And dare we say […]

Born Again: What Does That Mean?

Understanding and Communicating the Born Again Experience No man merits, works, or earns his way into the salvation, the family of God, the body of Christ. The only entrance is to be born into Christ’s kingdom, to be “born again,” to be “born of God,” a work done by God Himself as the sinner is drawn in by Him and bows in repentance and faith (John 3:3, 7; Acts 20:21; Titus 3:5-6; 1 John 5:4, etc.). ATTN: Religion and being good enough are a farce. If you are not born again, you are not in God’s family. But you can […]

Born Again Podcast

Send us a text Order the BORN AGAIN book here or on amazon: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/store/ Support | STORE | Podcasts | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast] | Divine Blessings | Exhort One Another Daily | The Return of Christ | The Joy of Fulfilling the Great Commission | The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold | Lie of the Ages (book) | Soul Damning Sins (small book) | Why We Need not Fear Death | Revelation Bombshell! HOMEPAGE: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/ MAKE PEACE WITH GOD NOW: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/peace-with-god/ SUPPORT: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/support/ STORE: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/store/ ABOUT: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/about/ email Todd: info@safeguardyoursoul.com Background Music by: Thad Fiscella https://www.thadfiscella.com/ […]

Water Baptism: Understanding It [study guide]

“Repent and be baptized.” Acts 2:38 Water Baptism (PDF) (Duplication encouraged. An open King James Bible should accompany your study of this topic. Carefully, prayerfully study each verse given in order to answer each question correctly. Print this document out and pencil in the answers in the blanks provided. It may be best to cut and paste it to your word processing software and then print it out. Your life in Christ will be enriched forever as you embrace and put into practice His Word.) Water baptism is important. Every believer should understand and be water baptized. Yet water baptism […]

"Buried with Him by Baptism into Death" [podcast]

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 Every person “hid with Christ in God” is saved and under divine grace, saved by Christ. Everyone not “hid with Christ in God” is going away in judgment (Colossians 3:3; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:19-21, 24). When we are “hid with Christ in God,” we are safe, secure, and under the blessings of His divine grace instead of His condemnation. “Of the doctrine of baptisms” Hebrews 6:2 Baptized into Jesus Christ and Baptized into His Death “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were […]

Abiding

“David Encouraged Himself in the LORD his God” [podcast]

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, … but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6

Gathering from several commentaries on this passage, one source notes the following:

“Faced with the devastating loss of Ziklag and a mutinous army threatening to stone him, David found supernatural resilience. Rather than yielding to panic or despair, he actively turned his focus away from the overwhelming crisis and strengthened his faith directly in God.

Key Context and Lessons

- The Crisis: Amalekite raiders had burned the city and captured all the women and children, including David’s own wives.
- The Breaking Point: His loyal men were now grieving and broken, turning their deep anguish into violent anger against their leader.
- The Shift: David did not look to his men, his own strength, or his circumstances for hope. He preached truth to his own soul, drawing on his past history with God’s faithfulness and inquiring of the Lord for his next steps.

Practical Takeaways

- Self-Talk: When no one else is around to lift you up, you must learn to speak God’s promises to your own heart.
- Refocusing: Encouraging yourself in the Lord means anchoring your identity and security in His unchanging character rather than shifting public opinion.
- Actionable Faith: David’s inward strengthening immediately led to outward action—he sought God’s direction and pursued the enemy, resulting in complete victory and restoration.”

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

“In the world ye shall have tribulation”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

During seasons of great stress, this man after God’s own heart sought the LORD. This time only served as a blessing, hastening David to the feet of Christ. Beloved David gave us the most amazing Scriptures concerning seeking God.

“My soul followeth hard after thee.” Psalms 63:8

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8

Prayer: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please grant me, Your mere servant, to be possessed with a heart after You dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Having a Pure Heart Requires the Cross Life [podcast]

“Great Podcast. Thank you. When I think about Matthew 5:8 I think of Psalm 24:3-4, ‘Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.’ Who is worthy to stand in God’s holy presence? Only those who are living holy and righteous lives! Those disciples who are free from pride and sin and are maintaining inner purity. With no idolatry, hypocrisy and deceit in their hearts! They are hungry and thirst […]

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 […]

Purifying Ourselves even as He is Pure [podcast]