Abiding

PEDDLERS OF THE LIE OF THE AGES

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Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Did you notice in this passage that the Holy Spirit of God reveals to us that “Satan himself” has “his ministers”? Do you personally believe that Satan has people in strategic places who serve him—wittingly or unwittingly? Here the LORD calls the enemy’s emissaries “false apostles” and “deceitful workers.” How long shall we be so foolish and naïve as to deny the truth and numerous warnings concerning deceitful workers, false prophets, false teachers and false apostles? How long will we in cowardice turn a deaf ear and blind eye to those deceivers who operate large worldwide ministries that are leading millions astray? How long shall we cover for and defend false prophets who are the enemies of the One we claim to be serving? How long will we allow self-service and sinful self-preservation rule our lives?

There would be no way to list every wolf who is peddling this un-conditional eternal security lie. Among the “MANY false prophets,” the “ungodly men” peddling this lie, here’s just a few (Matthew 24:11; Jude 3-4):

Charles Stanley
John MacArthur (calvinist)
Paul Washer (calvinist)
Mat Slick (CARM)
Ray Comfort
Bob George (calvinist)
etc.

“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.” Cedric Fisher

Much more important than attempting to list the endless list of frauds who peddle the “eternal security” heresy, is helping God’s people to discern, to rightly divide all things via the Holy Scriptures (Ezekiel 44:23; Acts 17:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.).

Sitting under any teacher who is not boldly, via the preaching of the whole counsel of God, exposing this lie of the ages which began with Satan in the Garden, is deadly. All true men of God will preach the whole counsel of God’s Word including exposing this damnable heresy.

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

Satanic Seduction

In the midst of God’s people is where Satan has strategized and set himself up in order to “seduce” God’s saints to give up their eternal reward for temporal pleasure, like Esau (Ps. 74:34; Acts 20:29-30; Heb. 12:14-15). Read this following passage carefully and notice just where Satan and his human agents have entrenched themselves and set up their evil strongholds:

“Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs… They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.” ~ Psalms 74:3-4, 7

The enemy has focused and concentrated his energies on the “sanctuary,” or refuge, the safe place of God’s people. They way the enemy does this is by raising up his wolves in the midst of God’s people in order to mislead them (Acts 20:20-32). Those who don’t truly choose to fear and obey God, will be misled (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Make no mistake; it should be a fixed reality in our minds that satanic seduction is a reality in this age, especially in this late hour as he has come down with great wrath knowing that his time to deceive is short (1 Sam. 5:8; Rev. 12:12).

“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to SEDUCE, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” ~ Mark 13:22-23

“These things have I written unto you concerning them that SEDUCE you.” ~ 1 John 2:26

“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to SEDUCE my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” ~ Revelation 2:20

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to SEDUCING spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:1-2

“But evil men and SEDUCERS shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:13

Notably, in the last days we are told that deceivers, their false teachings, and their influence will increase. There has long been a war over the strategic position of the pulpits and media prominence. The pulpit, along with other venues of influence over the thinking of the people, are places of authority. In most circles, the selection process for leaders is utterly out of congruency with the New Testament record (1 Tim. 3). Diotrephes was a satanic plant among early believers. He was a controller, strategically and deliberately planted in the midst of the early church to do harm to God’s saints. He would not give way to the apostle John to come speak into the lives of God’s people (3 Jn.). Simon, the sorcerer, was saved at the preaching of Peter, then began to operate deceitfully, and was openly rebuked in order to keep sin and deception out of the church (Acts 8:9-25). In the book of 2 Timothy alone, Paul marked eight individuals by name, who were causing divisions and hindering the Gospel, contrary to the doctrine of the LORD (Rom. 16:17-18). (Book: Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us

1 Timothy 3:6 reveals that a person who is saved and gets into the ministry can then “fall into the condemnation of the devil.” This is why the Holy Spirit instructed us not to place a novice into the ministry, which is what has been done as the enemy roars among God’s people (Ps. 74:3-4, 7). “The condemnation of the devil” is simply the state of eternal condemnation, or judgment, that Satan is under by the decree of the Almighty. Everything of satanic origin is based on pride (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28). Men who are not humbled before the LORD naturally carry out their ministries undergirded and dominated by their pride of life and will be eternally damned if they do not repent (2 Pet. 2-3). These same men will lead others into the worship of self, while having a “form of godliness” (2 Tim. 3:1-13). This is the blind leading the blind into the ditch of destruction (Lk. 6:39). Those who do not have a life in the Word for themselves cannot discern and are being led to believe they are right with God and will find out on Judgment Day that they were dead wrong (Prov. 14:12; Heb. 5:11-14).

Pride-filled ministers lead others astray by spawning and soliciting many evils in others, bringing strange fire into the sanctuary of the LORD (Lev. 10:1-2).

Remember that the enemy worked in the Garden of creation against the LORD and His first man and woman. He was a witness of how the LORD separated them from His holy presence after they believed and acted on his (Satan’s) lie (Gen. 2:17; 3:1 -24). The enemy of the Almighty works within the sanctuary of the people of God to allure the saints to deny Christ instead of self. Satan has “ministers,” and they seek to lead God’s people into spiritual and physical fornication in order to cause them to be separated from the LORD, who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Num. 22-24; Isa.6:3; 2 Cor. 11:11-15; Rev. 2:14, 20; 4:8). His goal is to lead the saints into sin which separates them from the LORD.

“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.” ~ Colossians 2:4

“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

Jesus came because God is holy! Yes, Christ came to the earth because God is holy. Any man in leadership who does not hold this cardinal truth in utmost importance and prominence is utterly beguiled at best. Jesus Christ came “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” (Col. 1:22).

The enemy’s aim is to draw God’s people away from pure devotion to Him. To do so with the most impact, he must gain strategic positions of prominence to possess preeminence in the midst of those seeking to know the LORD (2 Cor. 11:11-15).

“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” ~ Acts 20:26-32

Do we not realize that it is outright disobedience to believe every person or leader who comes in the name of the LORD? “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test; examine) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1).

In 2 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul speaks of “he (any man) that cometh” and “preacheth another Jesus.” Here, the Holy Spirit of God identifies the enemy’s messengers of “another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel,” who corrupt the image of Christ in us. May the LORD bless us to possess the purity of Christ.

“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:1-4

Are We Being Bewitched?

No true believer in Jesus Christ would think of going to a séance, or Wicca conference, yet witches and warlocks have infiltrated, or “crept in” the church world through TV, radio, books and various other media. These false teachers hold positions of leadership in the church world and dress and look like true believers, yet they are the prophesied “ravening wolves” who have come to devour the sheep of the LORD’s pasture (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:29-30). These deceivers are presenting a counterfeit gospel, or view of the divine, through their false teachings which are not according to the biblical revelation of the LORD (Isa. 8:20).

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently (clearly) set forth, crucified among you? ~ Galatians 3:1

When Christ has been revealed to our hearts and we then do not “obey the truth,” we are said, here, to be “bewitched.”

“The Leaders”

Since the Bible tells us that there is “no new thing under the sun,” and that the father of all lies uses the same trickery that has been “common to man” from the beginning, we can clearly conclude that he still uses this same deception (re-packaged) in our day (Eccl. 1:9; Jn. 8:44; 1 Cor. 10:13). His purpose is to bring men down, and he is accomplishing this through the subtlest medium—our own leaders. “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed” (Isa. 9:16).

Perhaps the great beguiler whispers to men individually, and then scores the knock-out punch when those people are told by their own “Christian” leaders, inside their church walls, or via some other medium, that they are unconditionally eternally secure, whether they obey or disobey the One who made them. In our day, Satan is affirming the perverted grace lie through many “Christian” leaders. It is the enemy’s same Garden lie, where men are told they have a diversity of ways they can choose to live, it’s all up to them, and whatever way they choose still leads to Heaven—if they made a “decision for Christ” at some point in their lives. They are made to believe that there will be no punishment for living unholy lives, only rewards for the good things they do. Such teaching will be tested against God’s Word throughout this writing.

“They (false teachers) preached pardon for sin but not the imperative of holiness.” — Donald Stamps

Nicholas, the Apostate Deceiver

Historians say that Nicholas (Acts 6:5), a deacon in the first century church, backslid, and led his followers to believe that living in sin would not affect one’s relationship with Christ. The term Nicolaitans is said to come from those who followed Nicholas. Nico-laitans is a compound Greek word. Nico means “to conquer,” and laitans means “the laity.” Satan used Nicholas to conquer his followers through the lie of lawlessness. The evil spirit of Nicholas lives on today through many lawless leaders who operate in the church world in this late hour.

Nicholas taught free love. He and his followers taught that the deeds of believers could not affect their relationship with God. This is antinomianism, which means lawlessness. The Bible clearly refutes such a lie as we will witness in our walk through the Holy Scriptures.

“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

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” ~ Titus 1:16

The Bible states here, that those who “profess that they know God” and yet “deny him…in works,” are “abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

By this lie of lawlessness, the enemy of souls conquered the people.

“But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans (means “conquer the laity”), which I also hate…So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” ~ Revelation 2:6, 15

Here is some modern terminology for this age-old doctrine:

Once Saved, Always Saved
Eternal security (unconditional)
Calvinism, perseverance of the saints doctrine

In Revelation 2, Jesus Christ tells us that He “hates” two things— “the deeds” and “doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” The Son of God despises the doctrine that teaches that the deeds of men have no effect upon their relationship with Him.

The Scriptures continuously reveal the divine hatred for the acceptance, and even doctrinal authorization, for living in the sins which the LORD tells us violate His holiness, reveal a wicked heart, and will prevent one from entering into the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8, 27).

The word “lasciviousness” appears six times in the Bible and means “lack of restraint (from sinning); license for sin; licentiousness.”

To underscore the utter, divine hatred against this lie of lawlessness, it should be noted that this is the only place in Scripture where Jesus Christ, Himself, states that He hates something.

Though they may vary in packaging, these are all kin to the same lawless “ye shall not surely die” lie, which is the lie of the ages.

Does the LORD Keep His Word?

We must ask: Did God keep His Word to Adam and Eve? Did they die (become separated from Him) as He promised when they sinned against Him?

“Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” ~ Genesis 3:23-24

Notice what the Word of God tells us here: “Therefore (because of sin) the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden…So he drove out the man.”

Adam and Eve were ushered out of the holy, divine presence for their sin. The unchanging LORD of all creation, and Judge of all, is by nature, holy. Satan is the one who works so hard to get mankind to forget this all-important truth, and to pervert the image of God by getting us to live in sin—against His divine attribute of holiness.

How many sins did it take to ruin the precious fellowship the LORD and His first people were experiencing? Just one, right?

Satan’s Three-Point Deception

There were three things the subtle serpent did to derail Adam and Eve in the Garden:

He attempted to get them to doubt God and His Word—sought to foster unbelief in the man and woman, by casting doubt upon the character of the LORD. He wanted them to doubt that the LORD was going to do what He told them He would do if they sinned against Him (3:1-3). The first thing Satan did was to cast doubt upon the Source—God. This deception set up the man and woman with the lie that led to their fall into sin, and consequential curses upon all of mankind to come (Gen. 3:1-3).
The enemy subtly inferred to the first family that God didn’t really mean what He said, and that they were “eternally secure” no matter what they chose to do—obey or disobey Him (Gen. 3:4).
The adversary told the man and woman they could “be as gods”—that is, in control of their own lives and destiny—after all, he had just told them that the LORD wasn’t going to judge them for their sin (Gen. 3:5).

Death by addition: One word added to God’s Word, to the first man and woman, led to the fall of mankind. One little three-letter word perverted the truth of God and altered the course of history. Could it be that this one little word and what it conveys to men’s hearts is altering the eternal destiny of millions who don’t even realize it?

This truth should be sobering to our hearts. Adding to, or omitting from, the words of the Almighty carries with it a severe curse (Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19).

Holy Fear Robbed

Those who believe in the eternal security heresy will have the fear of the LORD robbed from their hearts. They will no longer fear God and will fall into sin. This is exactly what transpired in the Garden when gave Adam and Eve the OSAS heresy.

So the OSAS (once saved always saved) lie from Satan led the first man and woman to sin and fall from grace, fall away from God….. Yet you think it isn’t leading those today who believe it to fall? Yes the Bible tells us that lies “will eat as doth a canker (gangrene) …”

“And their word will eat as doth a canker…” 2 Timothy 2:17

Though one may not know it from what he hears in most teaching going on in Christendom, fearing God is ultra-important in the divine economy, especially in light of the Judgment we will all stand in.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

When a person believes that he is unconditionally secure in relation to the holy God of all, the restraint from sin is removed. Where the lie of the ages reigns, the fear of God is stolen from the hearts of men. This was the enemy’s goal in sowing this lie into the first man and woman. Nothing has changed as far as what he intends upon those alive today. The enemy of all souls knows that when the fear of the LORD is absent, sin and spiritual separation are inevitable (Jas 1:14-15).

“By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” ~ Proverbs 16:6

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” ~ Proverbs 14:27

Of sinful men who are not possessed and moved with the fear of the LORD, but rather living after their depraved nature, the Bible says: “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:18).

Serpents in the Pulpits

“Eternal Security is surely Satan’s masterpiece. This doctrine that claims that one can be ‘in Christ’, while willingly dead in ‘trespasses and sins’, is pure heresy. The doctrine is rooted in unbelief, seeing that they deny that Christ has any power to deliver the believer here and now. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil, and that Jesus came to save His people from their sins, not in their sins. A Savior who cannot live up to his promises to deliver us from our sins in this life cannot be depended upon to deliver us after our death! I am uncomfortably confident that at the consummation of time, it will be revealed that this sole doctrine alone will have populated the regions of hell far more than all other false teachings put together. Those that teach this heresy have exchanged light for darkness, truth for lies, and called it the Gospel!” — Jeff Paton

——— • ———

The enemy went from using a serpent to using men. Satan’s lie led to Adam and Eve’s sin which caused their fall and separated them from God. This no-consequence-to-face-for-sin lie removed all restraint from sinning and the man and woman entered into that which God promised would cause them to “die” (spiritual death—separation; see Rom. 8:13; James 1:1315). This same lie is being boldly preached today through the most “subtle” means—our very church leaders!

It is regretful that the fear of the LORD is rarely mentioned, much less thoroughly dealt with in the modern church world. The lie of the ages has so permeated the thinking of our institutions and leaders that there seems to be very little fear of God among those claiming to know the LORD Jesus Christ. In the absence of such a pillar doctrine of the Word, restraint is greatly weakened in the hearts of individuals.

“Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.” ~ 2 Chronicles 19:7

The same most insidious serpent who intruded into the Garden, has slithered his way onto center stage in the modern church. While the LORD tells us that He desires to teach us the fear of the LORD, such is seldom instilled in those today who claim to be believers in Jesus Christ. “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (Ps. 34:11).

“Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.” ~ Isaiah 2:10

Spiritual Death

“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.” ~ Romans 5:12

Is spiritual death the result of sin? Are the wages of sin still death? (See Rom. 6:23.) Has the Almighty changed since the Garden of Eden? Is He still holy? What happens when we blatantly disobey the unchanging God like the first man and woman? Spiritual death is the result of sin as it was with Adam and Eve. They died spiritually, which means they were separated from the holy LORD by the sin they committed.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” ~ Exodus 32:33

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” ~ Ezekiel 18:4

“Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” ~ Ezekiel 3:20

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” ~ Romans 8:13

“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die…When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.” ~ Ezekiel 18:24, 26

“The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression …neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.” ~ Ezekiel 33:12-13

“Judas by transgression fell.” ~ Acts 1:25

“For the wages of sin is death.” ~ Romans 6:23

“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” ~ Hosea 14:1

Any person not delivered from living in sin, is not truly saved. He is facing the penalty of sin—eternal death. Genuine justification always bears the fruit of a sanctified life. Such involves the volitional will of the recipient of the grace of God.

Beware of any leader claiming to be a representative of Jesus Christ who does not teach the fear of the LORD and the absolute necessity to utterly trust God in all things and live obedient to His righteous commands. Selah.

PRAYER: Jesus, I love You. Imbue my heart with Your holy truth. Please keep me in Your loving care and safely from the schemes and snares of Satan, which he would use to cause me to offend You with sinful thinking and living. Cleanse, heal, bless, and deliver me from all evil, LORD Jesus! Amen.

Eternal Security is a Lie from Hell

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The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security! [podcast]

HELL Awaits! SO YOU THINK YOU ARE ETERNALLY SECURE? WHO TOLD YOU THAT LIE? NOT GOD! IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MATTER HOW POPULAR A PREACHER IS – IF HE’S TEACHING SATAN’S FIRST LIE THAT CAUSED THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE – OSAS/ETERNAL SECURITY – HE’S A FALSE TEACHER, AN AGENT OF SATAN (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). OF COURSE he’s popular – he’s not preaching the cross but rather excuses for sin against a Holy God! RUN from that devil! You will be safe and eternally secure when you get to Heaven, not before. ARE YOU enduring sound doctrine today or walking […]

Perilous Times Shall Come [podcast]

IF YOU ARE NOT CLINGING TO CHRIST – DAILY SEEKING HIS FACE – YOU ARE BACKSLIDING, DRIFTING! “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into […]

Eternal Security Cowards Busted and Exposed [podcast]

Passing the Apple No the Bible doesn’t say it was an apple, it is “the fruit” (Genesis 3:3, 3, 6) OSAS DOES appear in the Bible. But WHO do we see teaching it? Satan in the Garden – Gen False prophets – Jer 23:17 “ungodly men” – Jude 3-4 Here’s an education 99% of professing believers need, yet have no clue of: God said Genesis 2:17 > 3:4 Dare you open God’s Word and read what God said vs what Satan said? Dare you actually have a working knowledge of what led and today leads to the fall of […]

Abiding

What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]

In spite of all the evil that is me, dear LORD You have been so gracious (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7; Titus 3:5-7). Thank You Jesus. Please bless this life to be crucified with Thee!

If OSAS/eternal security is true, WHY did Paul say he himself that he could be “castaway” from God in the end if he didn’t endure to the end, perpetually keep under his body (the cross life)?

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

Here Paul speaks of his own need for the crucified life – to keep under his body, the flesh – in light of the sins that kept God’s people out of their promised land and his own jeopardy of soul if he were to neglect the cross in his own personal life (1 Corinthians 9:27-10-13).

Why O why would this apostle of Christ have uttered these words if he believed he was “once saved always saved”/”eternally secure” or that he was automatically going to be in Heaven no matter how he lived his life after being genuinely saved? Why would he ever had said that he would be cast away from the LORD in the end if he didn’t keep under his body if such were not possible? Paul follow Jesus and knew he was responsible to “endure to the end” of his earthly life to be saved into eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, etc.).

Most evangelicals have been sold on the lie that initial salvation means a saved person will automatically be in Heaven, no matter what he does after being saved. Not. Jesus and His holy apostles taught initial and final salvation.

Though the vast majority of those who pretend to represent Christ today do not preach His original Gospel, Jesus says that to follow Him, one must deny self and take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24). These are what Paul calls “enemies of the CROSS of Christ” who are building a ministry busine$$ and know that the golden calf heresy of eternal security $ell$ (Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

The idol of self is the enemy, the antichrist we deal head on with everyday with the cross which slays the god of self!

We therefore can safely conclude that this daily denial of self, this cross, this crucified life, is exactly what the apostle is speaking of when speaking of keeping under his body, his flesh. When Paul penned these words, he was speaking of what he so often spoke about – the cross.

What is there to crucify, to “keep under”, to subdue?

“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. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

Believing we can live sanctified, abiding in Christ without the cross He prescribed is self-deception and only further confirms our need to be truly crucified with Christ, buried, and raised up daily by Jesus (Galatians 2:20).

“I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” = the cross, the crucified life.

Some who are hell bent of corrupting the plain words of Christ would say that this is not speaking of eternal glory, of one’s salvation being in jeopardy. Better think again.

Of this passage, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible notes:

“9:24-27 RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN. Paul illustrates the principle that if one fails to exercise self-control, self-denial, and love with regard to others, he himself will be rejected by God, even if he is a gospel preacher.”

“9:27 I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY. ‘Be a castaway’ (Gk. adokimos) conveys the idea of ‘failing the test,’ ‘being rejected.’ Paul uses this same term in 2 Cor. 13:5, where he states that Christ does not dwell in any who are ‘reprobates’ (Gr. adokimoi). Paul is not referring merely to the loss of ministerial reward. What he recognizes is the possibility that he may fail to obtain the prize (i.e., the inheritance of final salvation (vv24-25) if he should cease living a holy life, exercising self-control, and enduring hardships for Christ (vv 25-27).”

The correct preaching of the full counsel of God’s WORD creates in us the desire to be set apart to our LORD (holy) and to cease the things, the sins that defile such purity necessary to abide in vital union with our Maker who is our Savior!

Notice below how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body – the iniquitous fallen nature – with the destiny of the eternal soul.

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

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms – living the crucified life! (Luke 9:23-24)

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

There’s no such thing as a Heaven-bound person who does not love God enough to offer their life to Him a living sacrifice and thereby overcome sin. Read this passage closely.

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death (separation); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23

Notice in verse 22 that those having been born again and now truly abiding in Christ of the fruit of holiness, not sin. And to them alone will end up with everlasting glory!

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms.

The deeds of the body must be kept under the power of the Holy Ghost and such is only possible by way of adhering to the cross Jesus mandated!

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

The cross is the condition for overcoming the ensuing 5 sins that Paul then teaches kept some of the children of Israel out of their promised land. Our promised land is Heaven and just as some of the God’s people didn’t make it, didn’t “endure to the end”, were like the 5 foolish virgins, some of those Jesus had saved will not “endure to the end” and be in glory with Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-3, etc.).

Here are the ensuing words, the text immediately following 1 Corinthians 9:27. It’s a contiguous theme, warning from the apostle. Let’s read the whole passage, the context. He made no chapter divisions when he penned this divinely-inspired letter. Paul speaks of the personally responsibility and necessity of the crucified life in light of the 5 sins we all face which if we live in, will disqualify us from eternal glory. Here’s our main Bible verse, truth again and what follows:

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

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea (represents salvation);

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED.

7 Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

1 Corinthians 9:27-10:12

Clearly in this passage we see that the cross is a prerequisite for overcoming the 5 disqualifying sins. | The 5 Sins that Kept God’s People from their Promised Land

Life in the Spirit Study Bible on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

10:1 I WOULD NOT THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT. The fact that one may be redeemed, partake of divine grace, and yet later be rejected by God, a “castaway” (see 9:27), because of unbelief and evil conduct is now verified by examples from the experience of Israel (vv. 1-12).

10:5 THEY WERE OVERTHROWN IN THE WILDERNESS. The Israelites had experienced the grace of God in the exodus. They had been delivered from bondage (v. 1), baptized (v. 2), and divinely sustained in the wilderness, experiencing close fellowship with Christ (vv. 3-4). Yet in spite of these spiritual blessings, they failed to please God and were destroyed by Him in the wilderness; they forfeited their election and hence, failed to reach the promised land (cf. Num. 14:30. Paul’s point is that, as God did not tolerate Israel’s idolatry, sin, and immorality, so He will not tolerate the sin of believers under the new covenant.

10:6 THESE THINGS WERE OUR ESAMPLES. The terrible judgment of God upon the disobedient Israelites serves as an example and a warning for those under the new covenant not to desire evil things. Paul warns the Corinthians that if they repeat Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (vv. 7-10), they too will receive His judgment and fail to enter the promised heavenly country.

10:11 WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION. The history of God’s judgment of His people in the O.T. was written down in the Scriptures to provide those in the N.T. with ample warnings against sinning and falling from grace (v. 12; see Num. 14:29).7

10:12 TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL. The Israelites, as God’s elect, thought they could safely dabble in the sins of idolatry, and immorality; yet they met with God’s judgments. Those who believe they can securely live without turning away from unrighteous conduct and worldly passions should take notice of the warning of God in this passage.

10:13 GOD IS FAITHFUL. A professing believer may not justify sinning with excuses that he is simply human and thus imperfect, or that in this life all born-again believers continue sinning in word, thought, and deed (cf. Rom. 6:1). At the same times, Paul assures the Corinthians that no true believer need fall from the grace and mercy of God. (1) The Holy Spirit explicitly affirms that God provides His children with adequate grace to overcome every temptation and thus to resist sinning (cf. Rev. 2:7,17,26). God’s faithfulness expresses itself in two ways: (a) He will not allow us to be tempted above that which we can bear, and (b) He will with each temptation provide a way by which we can endure the temptation and overcome sin (cf. 2 Thes. 3:3).

(2) The grace of God (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 2:11-14), the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:24), the Word of God (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:5), and the heavenly intercession of Christ bring sufficient power for the believer to be victorious over the poser of sin and demonic influences (Eph. 6:10-18; Heb 7:25).

(3) If the Christian yields to sin, it is not because Christ’s provision of grace is inadequate, but because the believer fails to resist his own sinful desires by the power of the Spirit (Rom 8:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:3).”

Was Paul involved in a relationship with Christ? Was Paul required to participate or was he a robot? Was it “all God,” “all grace” as the calvinist would claim?

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have FOUGHT a good fight, I have FINISHED my course, I have KEPT the faith: 8 Henceforth (therefore) there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

If a person whose has been saved in the past is not fighting the good fight, finished what God began in him and called him to do – finishing his course, and keeping the faith, how can he possibly say with Paul “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness”?

The kingdom of Heaven is to be pressed into and not taken casually.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12;

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14

Colossians 3:1-10

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

“The old man” must go down before “the new man” can be raised out of that grave – death and burial.

Ephesians 4:20-24

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Prayer of Returning: Holy Father, You gave all when You gave Your only begotten Son who came and died for our sins. You’ve also called me to lay down my life, to lose my life in this fleeting world. I have not done well at giving over my life to You … You alone who are worthy of my full, unreserved worship. Right this moment I ask You to forgive my sin of having another god before You which is self idolatry and spiritual adultery. I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You LORD and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You Jesus. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands LORD. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done LORD Jesus! I am no longer my own. I am Yours. I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God. I love You Jesus and am ceaselessly grateful that You bought me with the price of Your own blood! You must increase but I must decrease. I ask You to unite my heart to fear Thy holy name! Teach me daily to lay myself aside and to give the reins over to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.