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No Inherent Sin Nature?

Born Okay the First Time? After the Fall: Is Mankind Inherently Good or Evil?

SELF-RIGHTEOUS DEVILS will be in hell first according the Christ! (Matthew 21:31) There are lots of novices acting like they have the answers because they learned their heresies from now-in-hell wolves like Mike Desario and Charles Finney. Beware. These are the vilest of devils.

Those who claim man has no inherent sin nature deny the presence and power of sin and are just another group of enemies of the cross of Christ (Romans 7; Philippians 3:18-19).

Some deny that there is a flesh nature to be crucified. Utter heresy.

Sin sure is a living entity called the “old man” which is ever with us and must be daily crucified – put to death (Romans 6; Colossians 3:9-10). If there were nothing to “put off” why would the LORD have told us to do so so often? ANY person teaching that there is no inherent sin nature, no “old man” to “put off” by the cross life daily, has openly called Jesus Christ and His holy apostles fools – because they perpetually taught the daily cross to crucify that old nature, that flesh (Romans 6, etc.).

Anti-Christ means to replace, to put something in place of Christ (1 John 4:1-3). The “spirit of antichrist” is active in the earth to unseat Christ from our lives – to put something, anything in place of Christ who repeatedly taught that in order to follow Him, one must repent, deny self, take up the cross daily, and walk with Him (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 16:24-25, etc.). The “spirit of antichrist” is 100% the originator and behind the whole push, this heresy to teach that man has no inherent sinful nature, that he has no reason to “deny” (crucify) the self life, to be “crucified with Christ”, to “put off the old man” daily. Read Luke 9:23-24; Romans, Galatians 2:20; 5:24; Ephesians 4:21-24; Colossians 3:3, 8-10. Therefore we must conclude that those who teach such are “enemies of the CROSS of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

The no sin nature people are missing the cross. The Mike Desario’s, the Charles Finney’s, and the Jesse Morrell’s of the world peddle the no-sin-nature heresy and also do not preach the cross, the crucified life. They rag on endlessly about “stopping all sin” but never mention the crucified life which is the only divine prescription for overcoming sin (Romans 6, etc.).  That alone makes them false, peddlers of “another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6-9) This is why they can’t understand this. They do not realize that God gave us the solution to this sin bent (iniquity), this inherent in fallen man sin – and that answer is the crucified life which is at the heart of the original Gospel.

In my understanding…. the no-sin-nature doctrine does not stand the test of the whole counsel of God’s Word. It is vehemently peddled by some today (Proverbs 14:12).

Beware of these vile false teachers who’ve followed heretics like Charles Finney and Mike Desario and their underling wolves operating in the professing church world today.

“O wretched man that I AM” (not was but AM) sounds like he’s presently dealing with the “old man” which must be perpetually crucified with Christ in this life – which is a test of who we truly love, self or the Savior (Romans 7:18, 24). This discourse in chapter 7 is leading to the following ultimate solution for sin….

“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” Romans 8:19-21 

“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9

“BY NATURE” – Outside of Christ’s merit, we are “dead in trespasses and sins,” children of “disobedience,” full of the “lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” and are “BY NATURE the children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)

ACKNOWLEDGING the sin “nature” in no way means the believer is relegated to live in sin! (Ephesians 2:3) No! Yet denying this biblically stated reality is error. The Bible instructs us to crucify that old nature and allow Jesus to reign! This is one of the most prevalent truths in the New Testament canon. Those who deny the sin nature also never teach the cross! They are beguiled and misleading others! Beware saints. If there were no sin nature, WHY O WHY are we repeatedly instructed to crucify it????

Because they don’t view the old man as a sinful nature, those who teach this “no sin nature heresy” don’t see the need to crucify it as Scripture commands repeatedly.

“By nature through the fall of Adam, are we the children of wrath, heirs of the vengeance of God by birth, yea, and from our conception. And we have fellowship with the damned devils, under the power of darkness and rule of Satan, while we are yet in our mother’s wombs; and though we shew not forth the fruits of sin [as soon as we are born] yet are we full of the natural poison, whereof all sinful deeds spring, and cannot but sin outwards, (be we never so young,) [as soon as we be able to work,] if occasion be given: for our nature is to do sin, as is the nature of a serpent to sting… By grace (that is to say, by favour) we are plucked out of Adam, the ground of all evil, and grafted in Christ, the root of all goodness.” William Tyndale, A Pathway into the Holy Scripture

NOTE: DENYING THAT MANKIND IS FALLEN AND HAS A SIN BENT OR SIN NATURE IS FOOLISHNESS (GENESIS 6:5, 12; JEREMIAH 17:9, ETC). INSTEAD OF DENYING THIS SELF-EVIDENT AND BIBLICAL REALITY, BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS ARE TO CRUCIFY THAT OLD MAN (LUKE 9:23-24; ROMANS 6; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:10-12; GALATIANS 2:21; COLOSSIANS 3:5-10, ETC.).  THIS IS THE BIBLICAL PRESCRIPTION.

THE HEART OF THE HUMAN PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM OF THE HUMAN HEART (Genesis 12:5, 12; Jer. 17:9; Romans 3, 7, etc.).

God made us perfect but WE chose sin and fell and there are consequences for sin, right? And there’s also salvation, redemption, regeneration, choice, the cross, victory that we can choose to receive and walk in.

“Total depravity” is a false doctrine of calvinism which says “we are so sinful and we have no choice about anything.” False.

We have the choice, the privilege to choose Christ and His cross to overcome all depravity, sin.

The Word says things like we are “desperately wicked” right? (Jeremiah 17:9) How about Genesis 6:5, 12 too right? There’s Romans 3, 5, 6, 7 for the effects of sin, and 8 for the victory of Christ.

God made us one way, perfect. But then we sinned and something bad happened.

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31

God made mankind and said “it was very good.” Then man sinned and incurred death (Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 5:18-19). The details of the curse that came upon mankind when Adam and Eve sinned against God, are given to us in Genesis 3. Death came into man at the fall. Something happened, and it wasn’t good. Read Romans 7.

“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Ecclesiastes 7:29

God made us perfect but WE chose sin and fell and there are consequences for sin, right? And there’s also salvation, redemption, regeneration, choice, the cross, victory that we can choose to receive and walk in.

“Total depravity” is a false doctrine of calvinism which says “we are so sinful and we have no choice about anything. We have no ability to turn to God in repentance and faith to be redeemed, regenerated, made new creatures, temples of the Holy Spirit in Christ.” False.

We have the choice, the privilege to choose Christ and His cross to overcome all depravity, sin.

The Word says things like we are “desperately wicked” right? (Jeremiah 17:9) How about Genesis 6:5, 12 too right? There’s Romans 3, 5, 6, 7 for the effects of sin, and 8 for the victory of Christ.

“It’s actually freedom when we embrace the Bible truth of how wretched we are! We don’t have to hide it or try to be better than we are! Jesus can now reign on the throne of our hearts and not self!” Karen Cochran

Realizing our own utter helplessness, hopelessness, and depravity and taking up the cross is the only the safe place with God right, the cross, the bowing to Him to take full control…. See Matthew 5:3; John 3:30.

Do we have a sin nature? Seems that way from Scripture.

Observance: There is bad fruit to witness, to behold in the lives of many who push this sinless perfectionism heresy: The evil spirit behind these “doctrine of devils” is very sadistic, cruel, hateful and that’s the fruit that shows up in the lives who buy this system of lies (Matthew 7:15-20; 1 Timothy 4:1-3, etc.).

This disciple certainly doesn’t pretend to understand all things and yet, has observed very evil, vicious fruit from those who have bought this package of lies from the modern false teachers who are regurgitating the heresies of Charles Finney. Instead of simply studying Holy Scripture, they’ve delved into the writings of a bygone wolf, a known false teacher who denied the atonement of Christ. This system of lies referred to here seems to draw in the self-righteous. Charles Finney Exposed.

Charles Finney’s heretical “natural ability” lie is clearly from Satan who through pagan, occultic, and new age gurus and false prophets and false religions of every variety, seeks to convince mankind that he is inherently good. That would mean that man has no need of God and that Jesus Christ came in vain. Such error denies the fall of mankind which is as foundational to biblical doctrine as it could possibly be. That would also mean that man is his own god.

If the human race wasn’t corrupted by sin, Why did Jesus have to be born of a virgin with God the Father as His Father? (Isaiah 7:14) Is Christ not unique in all of history? See Galatians 4:4. Or, did He come in vain because we have our own “natural ability” to please the Father and didn’t need Jesus to come? Do we not see “the spirit of antichrist” in this open denial of Jesus Christ? (1 John 4:1-3) Read Galatians 2:21. Do we not see how this diabolical system of theology replaces Jesus with us? “Anti” means “in place of.” “The spirit of antichrist” refers to that evil spirit(s) that seek to replace the LORD Jesus with something, anything else in order to rob the glory from the only begotten Son.

Is man innately good? “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”  Ecclesiastes 7:20

When God created man originally in the Garden, He said it was good and very good but that was before the sin and fall.

“And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.” Exodus 32:22

Just after the LORD had created man in His own image, He said: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31) Yet that was before the first sin and fall of man. Man sinned and fell and an ongoing curse was incurred upon mankind and creation (Genesis 3). Sin did and does have a negative impact on all of God’s creation. To deny such is to deny that our Maker is Holy and to greatly err and build one’s theology on a faulty foundation.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

Did Jesus come to earth in vain? Are you declaring such by your doctrine and don’t realize it?

IF we for a moment vainly think that we have any part in meriting/deserving divine grace and mercy which we do not in the least deserve, we are utterly deceived and have no clue as to what the Bible declares about fallen mankind. Let’s get a cursory clue:

  •  Outside of Christ, we/you are nothing but “wickedness” in the eyes of Him who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Genesis 6:5; Isaiah 6:3; 64;6; Revelation 4:8)
  • “every imagination of the thoughts of his (your) heart” is “only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)
  • You are utterly “corrupt” and your ways are “corrupted.” (Genesis 6:12)
  • ALL of your supposed “righteousness” are as “filthy rags” (discarded menstrual clothes) in His holy eyes (Isaiah 64:6)
  • Your heart us “deceitful ABOVE ALL things” and “desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9)
  • You are unrighteous (Romans 3:10).
  • There is “no good thing” at all in your except Christ – if He’s truly there (Romans 3:10-12; 7:18, 24).
  • You have sinned and “come short of the glory God.” (Romans 3:23)
  • You have violated a holy God and are worthy only of spiritual and eternal “death.”(Romans 6:23)
  • You are a “wretch man” (Romans 7:24)
  • You are “unprofitable,” full of “deceit” and “poison,” “cursing,” “bitterness,” bloodshed, “misery,” and no fear of God (Romans 3:12-19).
  • Without the sheer mercy of God through Jesus Christ, you are “guilty before God.”(Romans 3:19)
  • Outside of Christ’s merit, we are “dead in trespasses and sins,” children of “disobedience,” full of the “lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” and are “BY NATURE the children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)

PEOPLE WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD HAS DECLARED ABOUT FALLEN, SINFUL MANKIND, CANNOT POSSIBLY APPRECIATE THE SAVIOR, THE ONLY MESSIAH. THEY ARE THEREFORE SELF-RIGHTEOUSLY PRONE TO VAINLY IMAGINE THAT THEY ARE MERITING THEIR OWN WAY WITH GOD. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

NO INHERENT SIN?

“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:18-19

Yes we are “ALL” personally responsible because we’ve “ALL sinned” (Rom 3) …. yet Rom 5 says “many were made sinners” by way of our fallen lineage. No the Bible says repent because you are a sinner – “by nature” (Eph 2:3) and by your own sins. So if we were not born in sin or astray, and have our own “natural ability” to overcome sin, why do we need Jesus?

“When man broke fellowship with God, the judgment of God rested on all mankind: ‘Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.’” Milton Green, The Great Falling Away, p. 20

In order to peddle their self-glorifying, Christ-rejecting wares, the false teacher must do violence to this passage above. In one article from a person attempting to sell his “no sin nature” wares, the writer argues that “If ALL are automatically condemned through Adam, then ALL are automatically justified and righteous through Jesus.” Not true. Romans 5:18 says that “as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon ALL men to condemnation.” Could it be any clearer?  The Bible plainly reveals that “judgment came upon ALL men” as a result of Adam’s sin and therefore we know that “all men” are under divine “condemnation due to Adam’s sin. Yet the LORD gave His only begotten Son in order to grant “all men” the way of escape – redemption from sin. The Bible also told us that “ALL HAVE SINNED and come short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23) Not some but “ALL.”  Nothing could be more clear in God’s Word and yet, these wolves seek to convince the gullible that mankind is okay just like he is – that he was born good the first time and therefore there is no need to be “born again.” (John 3:3, 7)

“Judgment came upon ALL men” due to Adam’s sin and “ALL have sinned” against God and “ALL” have the opportunity to repent and be saved although all will not do such (Romans 3:10, 23; 5:18). The fact that “all have sinned” in no way necessitates that all will be justified through the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Each individual is granted that choice. Some will and some won’t – “many” won’t (Matthew 7:13-14).

The no-original-sin wolves do not believe that the sin of Adam is upon the world. They teach that the fall of mankind had no effect upon mankind (Romans 5). Which would seem like sin against a holy God is not a very important thing, yet they hypocritically preach against it harshly. But their false doctrine of no-inherent-sin completely does away with the need to be born again seeing there is no reason – there is nothing to be born again from. That would mean that there is no reason for regeneration or a change of anyone’s nature life since they do not have original sin or are not sinful by nature due to the original fall of mankind. So what do they need Jesus for and what is the need of saving divine mercy and grace since they have no effect of sin? In their deluded minds, they have no inherent sin nature but they DO have personal, inherent power over sin within themselves. Sound New Age?  What they believe is a dangerous doctrine of devils.  They have denied Christ.

Yes we have all done our own sinning and yet an evil inner bent (iniquity) was passed on to us – Romans 5:12, 18-19….. To say that mankind was not damaged and contaminated at the fall is amazingly misguided at best.

You are wrongly assuming that everyone who simply acknowledges the Bible true of the evil inward “nature” of fallen mankind assumes that it’s okay to sin because they can’t help it (Ephesians 2:3). That is false and a heretical band aid of man’s doing. It’s not God’s answer – the cross life is – being raised by the Holy Ghost to overcome all sin (Romans 6-8; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20, etc.).

TO ASSUME THAT PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ON THIS MATTER BLAME ALL THEIR OWN SINS ON ADAM IS LAUGHABLE AT BEST. TOTAL STRAW MAN COP-OUT.

There is a difference between “iniquity” and “transgression” …. “iniquity” (Heb. AVON) is the inward bent toward sin whereas “transgression” is the actual act of sin. The heretics being addressed in this post deny the biblical reality of iniquity – which came after the fall (Romans 5:18-19; 7:18, 24, etc.).

The changed life comes AFTER Jesus saves (regenerates) the person. Saying a person has got to stop all sin before being saved is not Scriptural. We need to be wise and not gullible and cross examine all this no-original-sin and no-sin-nature stuff. Don’t allow those who push these things to exercise control over you by forcing you into a battery of questions.

Mike Desario is one of the vile devils teaching this system of lies. He has many gullible modern disciples who are peddling these lies. Beware!

The ability to conquer all sin is the stated will of God and yet that divine ability (Grace = divine ability) does not enter the saved person until he is first saved. So how can someone “stop all sinning” before being saved by grace? Impossible. And, that is unmitigated idolatry, antichrist – putting self before, in place of Christ who alone is Savior and LORD. Repentance is first and foremost turning TO GOD and not turning from sin. If you get these out of order, you are a heretic.

It’s more than obvious by Scripture that there IS something to be regenerated and born from above and to crucify. So, if we have no sin nature, what would that be? We must be born again to receive the new nature through regeneration. So, what needed to be changed? Obviously something.

What does Ephesians 4:22 say of the old man? – “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22 (KJV)  If there were no remaining “old man” to be “put off,” WHY O WHY would Paul have stated this?

What was your spiritual state before Jesus found and saved you?

“And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:1-3

Why did we have to be “quickened” which means to be made alive? V1 Did we quicken or make ourselves alive? Or, was there any need to be made alive at all? Who raised us up and from what did He raise us up from?

What does “dead in trespasses and sins” mean? We “were dead in trespasses and sins.”

What does “by nature” mean here in v3? – “were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3)

If we aren’t somehow affected by the fall of the first man and sin, what is it that we need to be made alive for?

Romans 7 cannot be explained around. If we have no sin in us then what has to be daily crucified? Paul said he had to “keep under” his body and bring it into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27). If there is nothing to “keep under” daily, WHY O WHY did the apostle state this?

Consider the following ….

“And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:1-3 

Here Paul is speaking to regenerated disciples of Christ and their past lives, having been regenerated and made a “new creature.” (2 Cor. 5:17-18)

The Bible tells us that as born again believers “old things are passed away.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) What is it that “passed away”? There had to be something or this phrase would not be in the Bible (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

—– The born again new creature in Christ still has a sinful nature. Listen to the apostle – “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18) The sinful nature cannot be cast out (like a devil). The “old man” must be daily overcome by the cross – accounting ourselves dead and buried with Christ (Colossians 3:1-10). Paul further states “O wretched man that I am! (not only “was” but “is” – presently) who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24)

He Found Us!

Out of His sheer mercy, when you deserved judgment and eternal misery, God found you – you didn’t find Him. – “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:10, 19)

“We owe a debt we cannot pay. He paid a debt He did not owe.” unknown

“But by the grace of God I am what I am.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

The true disciple boasts only in the saving GRACE of God in light of his own “desperately wicked” depravity and sinful state without Christ, the only salvation:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

Boasting in the sheer mercy of the LORD and never in sinful, filthy-rags-unrighteousness self:

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 NOTTTTTT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7

“HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS” as opposed to the sham of our own, is only given to those who place and KEEP their trust in “JESUS”:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26 (KJV)

For those already made righteous through God’s n, there is no excuse for ANY sinning and yet when we have been blessed to overcome, it is to the glory of the LORD alone and there is no boasting of self that is appropriate. – “That no flesh should glory in his presence … That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31)

“The great secret of abiding in Christ is the deep conviction that we are nothing, and He is everything.” Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ

“I accomplish more when I rest wholly in the labor of Jesus than I do when I frantically try to do the work for Him.” AW Tozer

God cannot and will not use any person who refuses to believe His decree about fallen mankind. Such a person is arrogant and full of pride and we know that “God resisteth (sets Himself against) the proud but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6-11)

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

—– TODAY: Someone wrote me about heretic Mike Desario. Desario is one of the vilest devils alive friends, teaching a false gospel on many fronts and “accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

“Thank you sir 🙂 Someone recommended Mike Desario to me but this has made me think twice. However, even the best teachers can be mistaken about one or two minor details. What really matters is their spirit, that is how we know if they are truly born again or not. Are they holy, or carnal? Whoever made this video is utterly carnal. Sadly, with many men you don’t need to read their “statement of faith”, you can see clearly that they have not been saved from their sin and still walk in darkness.” Lee

RESPONSE:

Hi Lee. Well their doctrine matters most actually (2 John 7-11; Romans 16:17-18; Titus 2:1, etc.) The word “Doctrine” appears 51 times in Holy Scripture (KJB). The heretical falsehoods of Desario are not minor beloved brother. He’s a vile wolf and I have heard his lies and seen the fruit of it in the lives of many. It’s very ugly. Walking in Christ’s truth always, without exception, produces the fruit of the Spirit – love! …. Yeah I didn’t even listen to this video. I agree with the title and so commented. Add me on FB brother. God bless you today in Jesus!

Question Received:

“Hello. I have been looking at your site and found some good things there but I have a question on Charles Finney. You condemn him because he doesn’t believe in total depravity. You condemn Calvin because he does, yet it seems that you believe in total depravity (all men born sinful with the sin of Adam). Am I picking you up wrong? Please could you explain this confusion. Thanks again.” Paul

Reply:

“Hi. The LORD Jesus bless you today brother. I hope all is well in your life and your family.

Total depravity, as defined by calvinism goes to the errant extent as to say that man, in his sinful state, has no ability to respond to God’s drawing to repentance which is totally false. Calvinism’s “total depravity” is not biblical because calvinism teaches that man has no choice in this matter or any. That’s the difference in calvinism and biblical doctrine.

The problem with Finney is that he takes it far too far by insisting that man has no sinful inclinations at all and that he has the “natural ability” to overcome sin in and of himself. That’s ludicrous and exes Christ right out of salvation’s equation which goes against all of Scripture.

It’s my advice to leave Finney alone and get into God’s Word on this matter. Paul makes it abundantly clear that he still had to overcome daily by the power of Christ in him and that must mean there is something to overcome (1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 6-7). Romans 7 is present tense. There IS certain an evil bent in fallen men –  a corruption (Genesis 6:5, 12) – and yet God makes us new creatures when He regenerates us (born again) and grants us His grace to conquer and “keep under” that sin nature or bent (1 Corinthians 9:27). The full-counsel of God reveals that we must not deny this inherent sin nature but rather trust Him alone (not our own supposed “natural ability”) to overcome it daily as we lay down our lives (Romans 6:14; 8:12-14, etc.).

Is Christ Jesus our salvation or are we? That’s what this boils down to.

If there is nothing in us to crucify then why did Paul tell us that “the flesh lusteth (strives) against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh”? (Galatians 5:17-18)

There are many Bible truths that reveal that Finney taught falsely.

Man surely is sinful by “nature” (Ephesians 2:1-3) and yet he has been given by God the ability to make the choice to repent and receive Christ and Christ alone is the answer to man’s sin. Man has no answers or hope or “natural ability in and of and for himself as Finney taught.  Charles Finney ousted Jesus Christ right out of the salvation picture. That’s antichrist – “the spirit of antichrist.” (1 John 4:1-6) “Antichrist” means against OR in place of Christ. Rom 6; Gal. 5:17-18

There are many now who are preaching Finney’s falsehoods and so that makes them Finney believers and not true disciples of Jesus Christ. They are denying Christ by denying His Word and by preaching another gospel – a false one (Galatians 1:6-9). This makes them “accursed.”

Thank you for emailing brother. | Charles Finney Exposed

FEEDBACK:

“Praise God, I was a no inherent sin nature guy because of teachings of my friends, Kerrigan Skelly and Jesse Morrell, fellow street preachers, but I looked up the word “nature” in Galatians 2:15: “We who are Jews by nature…” and Ephesians 2:3 after reading your articles about Stop Sinning and No Inherent Sin, and concluded that yes, we inherited a self-centered, rebellious against God “flesh” from Adam..Romans 5:19. Finney has quite an impact, unfortunately, on holiness preachers…Thanks again!” Eric N.

“Charles Finney is highly esteem among many Christians, and his writing are also highly recommended for read. Many years ago I read some of his writings and was troubled by his unsound doctrine. My advice would be, flee from his writings. Thanks for your post!” Lloyd H.

“Excellent article! These people that are preaching these things not only take away from the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but take away from the writings and entire purpose of Gods plan for reconciling all back to Himself. They have taken so much from the biblical writings, that they are actually teaching a completely different gospel. And one that is not of the Holy God of Israel, but rather a gospel of self, which is definitely in my own opinion a doctrine of devils. Thanks again for sharing this valuable message.” Karen M.

Charles Finney: FALSE TEACHER

Charles Finney can be blamed for many misguided men today who have enough time to feed on his poison and obviously little time to study and know God’s Word. In Finney’s blasphemous, Christ-denying theology, the individuals own personal morality earns his own merit from God. Christ’s atoning sacrifice is brazenly denied.

“Neither is the atonement nor anything in the mediatorial work of Christ, the foundation of our justification, in the sense of the source, moving or procuring cause.”  Charles Finney, Obedience to the Moral Law, p. 375, 376

Of Finney, one author notes:

“Specifically, what were Finney’s most serious errors? At the top of the list stands his rejection of the doctrine of justification by faith. Finney denied that the righteousness of Christ is the sole ground of our justification, teaching instead that sinners must reform their own hearts in order to be acceptable to God. (His emphasis on self-reformation apart from divine enablement is again a strong echo of Pelagianism.)

He derided the concept of imputation as unjust: “I could not but regard and treat this whole question of imputation as a theological fiction, somewhat related to our legal fiction of John Doe and Richard Roe” [Memoirs, 60].

Having decided that the doctrine of imputation was a “theological fiction,” he was forced to deny not only the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to believers, but also the imputation of the sinner’s guilt to Christ on the cross. Under Finney’s system, Christ could not have actually borne anyone else’s sin or suffered sin’s full penalty in their place and in their stead (contra Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2). Finney therefore rejected the doctrine of substitutionary atonement.

There can be no justification in a legal or forensic sense, but upon the ground of universal, perfect, and uninterrupted obedience to law. …” [Systematic Theology, 362].”

“Charles Finney was a legalist.  His teaching implied that we are saved by grace but sanctified by human effort to keep law.  This approach is destroyed by Galatians 3:3.”

Mike Desario is an antichrist false teacher who teaches salvation by merit of the sinner. Mike Desario has misled many gullible novices/younger guys in ministry. Those men may not tell you but they got their false teachings from Mike Desario and false teacher Charles Finney.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Jesus Died to Give Us the Full VictoryCharles Finney’s False Gospel The Idolatrous Underpinnings of the Stopping all Sinning FocusNo Inherent Sin Nature? | Stop Sinning? Really? | Sin: Man’s Core Problem | The Idiocy of CalvinismIs Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation? | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast]

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Angry Street Preacher Warning

“Ye Know not what Manner of spirit ye are of” [podcast]


“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalms 7:11

3 Things to behold in this verse:

1. “GOD judgeth the righteous,”
2. “and God is angry with the wicked every day.”

Read the verse above again and note that GOD didn’t tell you to be angry with the wicked.

The LORD alone is “Holy, holy, holy” and I am not, neither is any mere man (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

Memorize this verse of truth.

God is “THE JUDGE” not you.

“But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalms 75:7

The LORD is judging, weighing in the balance the disposition of His people toward the wicked for whom Jesus died.

Some of Jesus’ own 12, sought self-elevation via ministry…..

“Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” Luke 9:46-48 

In the very next chapter, after His disciples had returned…

The Return of the Seventy-Two

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20

We are Christ’s humble servants. We are not the Judge. He is.

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20-28

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12

Evangelism Prep

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 126:5-6

Those who go forth planting the seed of the Word God with humble concern for those they minister to, will reap great rewards, “sheaves” which means harvest, now and eternally. They are humble servants of the LORD who were “moved with compassion” toward lost souls.

“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56

Let’s peer into what things looked like when Jesus went to the streets to meet the people. Let’s comprehend how His disposition was and the actions of the Son of God.

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, HE WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION ON THEM, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus was “moved with compassion” on the people. Sadly, today we have some street preachers who are moved with hatred toward the lost. John Wesley (1703 – 1791) also dealt with angry street preachers.

Paul and John Wesley and we today have these angry, hate-filled lost soul street preachers to deal with. And we have those who are “moved with compassion” to reach the lost with our LORD’s bless-ed Gospel and the way He approached sinners (Matthew 9:35-38).

“The greatest contenders for (the faith) are some of the proudest (pride-filled) and most uncharitable (hateful) men; but many of the firmest contenders for it (the faith) are eminently meek and lowly in heart; and, indeed, in all other respects also, (they are) truth followers of their lamb-like Lord.” John Wesley

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:11-12

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 every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5

God bless the true loving, God fearing preachers on the streets.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:12-18

Beware of the nasty street preachers.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | Zambia Mission | All Ministry UpdatesThe Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God  | Great Commission

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“The Root of the Matter” Job 19:28 [podcast]


WHY WOULD A DISCIPLE OF JESUS THINK SOMEONE ELSE’S SIN IS WORSE THAN THEIR OWN – IN THE EYES OF A HOLY GOD? SUCH CARNAL THINKING REVEALS AN UNCIRCUMCIZED HEART AND THE NEED TO LEARN OF THE LORD, TO BE INCREASED IN THE GRACE OF GOD (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 1:2; 3:18).

Think about the foolishness and utter futility of a hand cuffed violent robbery suspect and a rapist judging each other in the lobby of the court they’re getting ready to go in to stand before the judge to be sentenced. The point? God calls us to get our own life right with Him first and foremost.

Many times we see that the people attempting to correct others, need to be correcting themselves (Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32).

Many times, sinful human nature is to project our own darkness on others rather than take personal accountability for our own sins (Romans 2:1-3).

Cache in on God’s Mercy The sins that should concern me the most are my own (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; John 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Ephesians 4:32; James 2:13).

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

We’re not responsible for anyone else’s sins but our own – and that should greatly concern us! When Job was wrongly judged, he responded with:

“But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.” Job 19:28-29

Firstly, just where O where did our Creator and Judge say that “the root of the matter is”?

We should think and speak as if no one on this planet needs Jesus more than we do!

“The root of the matter is found in me.” Job 19:28

Here in Job 19, Job is speaking to his “friends” who were not loving him but rather judging him and wrongly at that (Romans 8:33-34; James 4:11-12). After they judged him (see earlier verses in Job 19), Job tells them that they should realize and be acknowledging that the root problem in the world is not Job or others, but rather themselves. Then, in verse 29, Job warns these men who wrongly judged him of the danger upon them of receiving divine retribution upon themselves for taking it upon themselves to judge him.

The sin that should concern us the most is our own!

“Many today are good at pointing out what they believe your sin is. Yet these same people refuse to accept and repent and confess their own transgressions. Job said: ‘The root of the matter is found in me’ (Job 19:28). Or in other words ‘I don’t have a problem I am the problem!’ Usually what we judge in others is in us! Romans 2:1-3. Beware! I have been told recently I was an evil person because I refuse to listen to a person with a reprobate mind. We all need to get on our knees before the Lord Almighty in repentance! Allowing and asking God to search our hearts and see if there be any ‘wicked way in me” Psalm 139:24. Paul said, I am chief among sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15. I think he meant that verse for me! The hour is late and we will not be invited into the marriage supper if our garments are not cleansed with the blood of Christ.” Karen Cochran

IF you lusted/coveted/hated-murdered in your heart YOU ARE FULLY GUILTY before a Holy God and full in need of repentance and the refreshing of Heaven which follows that repentance (Matthew 5:28; Acts 3:19). WHAT stone have you to throw at anyone except yourself? Read John 8.

THOSE who still think you are the same person you were in the past, only prove that THEY are the same as they were in the past. They prove they are not growing in God’s grace themselves and are still the un-repentant person they were in the past! (See Romans 2:1-3.) Their projection of this darkness emanates from their own darkened heart.

“A long time ago someone told me I didn’t have a problem I was the problem. This stuck with me. I was the root of my own problem. The “root of the matter”. Job 19:28. Whenever I am offended I need to remember the problem is not them but me! And then take it before the Lord praying Psalm 51. Allowing God to search my heart, try me, and “see if there is any wicked way in me”. Psalm 139: 23-24. Notice the word ME! Not anyone else but ME! I can’t repent for anyone else! I will be fully accountable to God for myself on judgement day!” Karen Cochran

When someone holds you captive to a sin you committed in the past, they prove that they have not repented and confessed their own sins and therefore are not experiencing the saving grace and mercy of Christ themselves. Romans 2:1-3 speaks of these darkened unrepentant tares and how they project what they are guilty of on others. Some of these are reprobates.

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3

YOU mad at the world?

You judging others in your heart, your attitudes?

Should we not blame ourselves, as the vilest of SINNERS? Not others!

Sit down.

Be quiet.

Repent.

ANYONE can sit back and point out the evil in this world. Such takes no spiritual giant but is rather the preoccupation of “hypocrites” (Matthew 7:1-5). Only a few decide to see the utter deceit and evil in themselves – therefore only those few are made free and able to be used of God to see and share His “great … rich … mercy” and “his great love wherewith he loved us,”! (Read John 8:31, 32, 36 and Ephesians 2:4.)

Prayer: Father, please purify my heart to the core and cause my life to be 100% full of authenticity and integrity. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen my LORD.

The heart, life, and sins I must primarily, centrally, and perpetually examine are my own – not someone else’s! The person I must judge is myself! The logs must be removed before the LORD will consider using me to help others (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Galatians 6:1-2).

Godly compassion begins with repenting truly and when we do, we will no longer be sinfully self-righteous which is where the lack of compassion emanates. When Jesus saw the lost He was “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:35-38). What are you moved with?

Preach the Word and let God work. Never seek to unduly police the lives of other believers. All who do will fall into their own pit (James 1:20).

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

Before we proceed, we must readily acknowledge that there is “NO good thing” in us except Jesus (Romans 7:18). “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18). Hence the need for the work of Christ’s cross in us daily (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

Holiness is a work of God in the born again, abiding disciple of Jesus (John 15).

You see, There is one lawgiver” and Judge and if you are not God Almighty, you are not that “lawgiver” or Judge.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:11-12

Job tells these men that they are now going to suffer “the sword” and “punishments” of judgment from the LORD for presumptuously taking it upon their self-righteous, prideful selves to misrepresent a child of God (Job), wrongly condemning and witnessing against him (Job 19:29).

Is this not a doctrine found throughout Scripture?

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13

Folks, concerning myself and my life before my Maker and Judge in this world, the “ROOT of the matter” is in me, not another and the LORD has called this disciple to be primarily concerned with his own utter and present need for divine mercy.

Where does the LORD instruct us to begin judgment?

“For if we would judge OURSELVES (not others), we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

One man said:

“Beware of no man more than yourself; we carry out worst enemies within us.”

“Examine YOURSELVES…” 2 Corinthians 13:5

Getting the picture? ….. Here’s more ….. Who did David cry out for the LORD to do His work in?

“Create in ME a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within ME. 11 Cast ME not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto ME the joy of thy salvation; and uphold ME with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:10-13 

Concerning sin, we should never cover. Always confess.

Have you caught yourself being preoccupied with the faults of others while ignoring your own need for change?

“Basically, discord pretty much covers all forms of quarrels, arguments, divisions, that cause bitterness, dissension, conflict, trouble, rivalry, friction, struggle. God specifically hates it when this occurs among brethren. This is both serious, and sobering, and not something to lightly pass over.  Rather than freely judging one another, we would find it far more profitable, to judge our own heart. What are our motivations? What are the results of our actions, of the words we are ‘sowing’ (spreading forth)?” Tony Harris

Jesus says:

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 

A busybody is someone who is preoccupied with the issues of others instead of minding their business and staying busy seeking the face of the LORD for the myriad of evil tendencies in their own lives! God doesn’t want His people being busybodies.

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” 1 Peter 4:15

In other words “Mind your own business! Get your own heart right with Me and only then – when you are dead and buried with Christ – and only then will I be able to use you to bless other members of My body. Only then will I be able to use you to help others overcome and bear their burden so fulfilling the law of Christ to love others above yourself.”

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (mature, broken, meek), restore (don’t destroy) such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

“Who”?

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34

We don’t yet have a clue if we are not fully and at present aware that we ourselves are vile, depraved, and utterly corrupt outside of the present and sheer mercy and grace of God.

You see, it’s only those who have grossly misrepresented self who wrongly condemn/judge others. They still have no clue as to who they really are, which is telling of their utter immaturity and lack of Biblical learning. These condemners of others wrongly judge others because they erroneously suppose that they themselves are saved due to something of their own merit. This is the state of the self-deceived person who audaciously and wrongly condemns and misrepresents others. This is done by the self-righteous in their attitudes and words.

The truly God-fearing man and woman seek to bear the burdens of others by meekly helping them to overcome, to restore them.

“We are washed in the blood of Jesus and our sins are as far away as the east is from the west! We are now able to stand in front of a holy God without blemish because of the imputed righteousness of Christ.” Leslie Olenych

Defusing the iniquity of self-righteousness increases exponentially when we begin learning the biblical doctrine of fallen mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18; Psalms 39:4-5).

Memorize this following Bible passage today and recite it in prayer aloud for the next week:

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6

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Was Jesus a Friend of Sinners? [podcast]


“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32 

YES Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners – because He loves all men and came to die for all men (1 John 2:2).

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 

Bible 101

Jesus came to die to save sinners. And, anyone not preaching this paramount Gospel truth is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Interestingly, most pastors today avoid the biblical topic of sin which removes the dilemma Jesus came and died to solve….. Beware!

Yes, Jesus is the “friend of publicans and sinners!” – whom He came specifically to save them from that sin, because it separates them from Him and the Father who are “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8; Luke 7:34)

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Acting is if we love Jesus and others by befriending the lost and yet not disclosing to them their separation from God due to sin, is evil.

In a recent conversation, a brother and sister in Christ said:

Tina says:

“Funny I’ve always said it’s more genuine to be around unbelievers because they don’t pretend.” These heresies of modern heretics make the gospel look like a joke and their so egotistical they can’t see beyond self. I just can’t understand because they are deceiving themselves right to hell and are missing the biblical truth. And really it’s grieving to the Holy Spirit.”

One brother says:

“I know that’s right! I’d rather be in a room full of unbelievers myself. Truth be told, heretics are not even our brothers or sisters. They’re preaching another gospel and deceiving the simple. Not only are they lost, they have blood on their hands! They’re blinded by hubris.”

Are you sinfully Angry? (Ephesians 4:26; James 1:20)

If you are preaching hard against sin you better be preaching hard on mercy too – because without it, YOU, self-righteous hypocrite, are doomed to eternal damnation (Matthew 21:31). “Repentance AND remission of sins” is to be preached – not just one but both (Luke 24:47). Memorize James 1:20. Sit down. Shut up. Learn of the LORD. Be accountable for your own sin first and foremost (Matthew 7:1-5; Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 1:8-10). The very reason you are not living the crucified life, the cross, is the reason your don’t preach it and it is the only solution GOD gave for sin. What’s Romans 6:7 say? Case closed.

Today’s self-righteous preachers preach as if everyone needs to repent except them. They preach hard against sin but never offer the only solution to holiness – the cross! Wow. Romans 6

Preaching Against Sin but Not Offering the LORD’s Solution to Overcome Sin?

I agree fully with these observations and it’s much more peaceful among rank sinners. Sounds like Jesus’ life on earth. He was a friend of sinners but hated by the false religionists of His day.

Jesus did not befriend religious hypocrites but He did befriend and seek to help, to save sinners – and so should we.

Some today have chosen to take a harsh, self-righteous stance against the wicked, instead of the biblical posture. When Jesus’ disciples did such, what was our LORD’s reply?

“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56

Some today are completely misguided, as were Jesus’ young disciples.

Our heavenly Father went so far as to send and allow His only begotten Son to be crucified in order to rescue, to save the world.

“For God so LOVED (not hated!) THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

James 4:4 is misused by some. They say we are not to befriend sinners and use this verse as a proof text:

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4

“A friend of the world” is different than being a friend to a sinner in order to win him (1 Corinthians 9:22). In this context of James 4:4, “a friend of the world” is one who conforms to the sin of the world and not one who befriends a sinner in order to win him to Christ.

“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 12:2

To demonstrate God’s love to the lost is to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This is so they can “see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Paul said that we’d have to leave the world to get away from all sinner (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). We are in this world temporarily to be the salt and light of Christ (Matthew 5:13-16).

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

The very same spirit of antichrist dwells in the self-righteous false religionists of our day as dwelt in the Pharisees of Christ’s day. notice below how these self-righteous false leaders specifically condemned Jesus for being “a friend of publicans and sinners!”

“But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.” Luke 7:30-35 

How could we win them if we are so busy condemning them?

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that WINNETH souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

“The more we grow in grace and the knowledge (relational) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (who is holy) the more capacity there is to reach out to “sinners” because it’s Christ’s love in us doing that. We are in the world but not of the world. We are of Christ who while we were yet sinners…….. So, instead of becoming more haughty, snooty, pharisaical, hypocritical, self-righteous and “holier than thou,” we are filled with the very mercy, truth and compassion of Jesus! Truly “the great exchange.” Debbie L.

And even the very grace of Christ that is growing in us is of HIS doing and for HIS glory! He is the potter and we are the clay — the work of the Father’s hands.

Christ’s apostle Paul said:

“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22

The following words of Christ completely expose the message of the self-righteous posture this video assumes:

“And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. 30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:29-32

IF Jesus wasn’t our friend “while we were yet sinners,” we’d all still be doomed (Romans 5:6-8).

“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” Luke 6:32

Jesus is saying or asking the rhetorical question: “What godly good have you done if you don’t reach out to those who hate God and you – sinners?” It seems that part of what Christ is teaching here is for His people to reach out to, greet, and befriend people they don’t already know, including sinners.

Personally, I’ve lost count of all the people the LORD has had me befriend who later repented and received Jesus!

Jesus not only was a friends of sinners, He still is a friend of sinners and so is His true body. Jesus calls those sinners to repentance.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The Holy Spirit and God’s People are Calling Sinners to Christ

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Those who take an enemy position against the lost for whom Jesus died, are blinded in their own sin. To these self-righteous hypocrites, Jesus says:

“Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31

Matthew 5 

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect (mature in your perspective), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:44-48

The heart posture of the disciple, the student of Christ is conveyed in the following passage:

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto ALL MEN, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure (perhaps) will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Prayerfully declaring this truth aloud this morning will help defuse that fleshly self-righteousness that is part of the fallen nature – and posture us to invite sinners to the Savior.

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

How mercy works in the divine economy …. Memorize and live Matthew 5:7; Ephesians 4:32.

What Does “Be ye Separate” Mean and What Does it Not Mean? 

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