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OSAS Leaders Exposed! Caught Red Handed!

Quotes from the “Eternal Security” and Calvinist Beguilers of Our Day

Might the LORD be asking the following question to many today who recognize this unconditional security teaching for what it is?

“Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” Psalms 94:16

To illustrate just how widespread this unconditional eternal security teaching is, let’s look at some quotes from leaders who have influence over millions of souls.

Charles Stanley:

“As we begin our study of eternal security, we must keep two definitions very clearly in mind: Salvation—Deliverance from eternal death, and possession of eternal life. Eternal Security—That work of God, which guarantees God’s gift of salvation, once received, is possessed forever and can never be lost.

“What you believe and know about these two terms is vital to your hope and confidence as a Christian, as well as to your witness for Christ. Confusion about how you were saved leads to confusion about how a person might remain saved.”  Intouch.org

With no biblical authority whatsoever, Charles Stanley says that “salvation, once received, is possessed forever and can never be lost.” So he begins with an unbiblical and therefore false premise – that one can never forfeit the gift of salvation once he has truly received it. This he says in utter contradiction to the Word of God. Then Stanley says that what a person believes about his (Stanley’s) version of unconditional eternal security is “vital to your hope and confidence as a Christian, as well as your witness for Christ.” In actuality the “once saved always saved” message clearly robs the fear of God from the hearts of men, as it did with the first man and woman, so it is error to suppose that such a security is built on a false idea. This lie led to their sin and fall. The Word says, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge” (Prov. 14:26). So Charles Stanley opposes the clear message of the Bible – which states that when we fear the LORD instead of living on the false presumption that we are “eternally secure,” we have “strong confidence.” “Strong confidence” or assurance and deep peace come from fearing God and not from adopting a doctrine that gives one’s heart a false hope and false sense of security.

Stanley also writes:

“If you believe that your salvation came about by anything other than simply believing in what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross, then you believe that your salvation was in some way related to your own will and to your own works. If you believe that your salvation is related to your will and your works, then you will believe that your will and your works can in some way ‘undo’ or negate your salvation.

“On the other hand, if you believe that your salvation was based solely on what Jesus did for you and what the Holy Spirit has done in you, then you believe that your salvation was a sovereign work of God. Your part was simply to believe and receive what God provided and what God promised. The person who believes this must therefore conclude that since he did absolutely nothing to transform his old sin nature into a new spiritual nature, he cannot do anything to cause his new spiritual nature to revert to his old nature.” www.Intouch.org

Charles Stanley, in a classic Calvinistic way, supposes that one gets saved without his own will involved. This is in blatant contradiction to volumes of Scripture. He also attempts to smokescreen his false grace message by insinuating that one who believes he has the choice automatically seeks to gain salvation by his own works. Then he says that nothing one can do after being truly saved can “negate” his salvation. Jesus said sin will lead one to hell – no matter what his previous experience with God (Mk. 9:43-49). Who shall we believe, Jesus Christ or Stanley (a mere man)? Paul the apostle of Christ told us that any one of 17 specific “works of the flesh” would pre-empt one from entering the kingdom of God. In fact, he was speaking to the Galatian believers, not unsaved people, when he told them that “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).

On his website, Charles Stanley further states:

“…Since he (the saved person) did absolutely nothing to transform his old sin nature into a new spiritual nature, he cannot do anything to cause his new spiritual nature to revert to his old nature.”

In stark contrast, the LORD Jesus tells us:

“The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8

Paul told us, “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Rom. 2:11).

Also, in this excerpt from his website, Stanley continues to insert his false assumptions by speaking of “what God promised.” In this he is speaking of unconditional eternal security as if God ever “promised” that a person can live in sin, depart from Him, and still remain in His grace and be promised” to go to His holy Heaven. An absurd and unscriptural insinuation at best!

“It is NOT lying, cheating, stealing, RAPING, murdering, or BEING UNFAITHFUL that sends people to hell.” [emphasis ours] Charles Stanley, Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure? Oliver-Nelson Books, 1990, p. 70.

“Neither do we become unsaved by acting unsaved.” Ibid., p. 71. Charles Stanley

John MacArthur:

“The point is not that God guarantees security to everyone who will say he accepts Christ, but rather that those whose faith is genuine will prove their salvation is secure by persevering to the end in the way of righteousness.” John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 1988, (Chap. 8, p. 97)

“Yes, someone says, but can’t Christians put themselves outside God’s grace? What about those who commit ABOMINABLE SINS? Don’t they nullify the work of redemption in themselves? Don’t they forfeit the love of God? CERTAINLY NOT … it’s preposterous to think that we can forfeit it [salvation] BY ANYTHING WE DO.” [emphasis ours] John MacArthur, The Love of God, Word Publishing, 1996, p. 159

“True believers will persevere. If a person turns against Christ, it is proof that person was never saved.” John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 1988, p. 98

MacArthur here says that a Christian can never do anything that would put him “outside God’s grace.” What saith God’s Word?

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:4

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:14-15

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15

John MacArthur here shows his brazen disregard for the holiness and full-counsel of the LORD. We have already addressed how the Word tells us plainly that sin does separate us from the LORD God, who is “Holy, holy, holy” and how that sin not repented of is still on the record and testifies against that person who refused to acknowledge and turn from sin (Isa. 6:3; 55:6-7; Heb. 2:1-3). The LORD “will by no means clear the guilty” (Exod. 34:7). He says here that He will not clear the guilty without that person touching the blood of the only sacrifice He granted us – of His beloved and only begotten Son (1 John 1:9). The LORD delights to show mercy yet will only do such as there is the fear of God and authentic repentance (Exod. 34:7; Ps. 103:11).

John Ankerberg:

“But CHRISTIANS may still lose rewards in heaven. Indeed, we can only wonder what some Christians will feel like and experience on that day when they lose those heavenly rewards because of the spiritually numbing and other consequences of FORNICATION or ADULTERY while on earth. It will certainly be an infinitely poor exchange — losing eternal rewards in heaven for a few fleeting moments of sexual pleasure on earth.” [emphasis ours] The Ankerberg Theological Research Institute, News Magazine (Vol. 2, No. 6), June 1995, p. 4.

What does God’s Word state?

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (feminine men), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (homosexuals), Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Erwin W. Lutzer:

“Recently I spoke to a HOMOSEXUAL who believes he accepted Christ at the age of twenty, only to plunge into a life of WANTON IMMORALITY …. Whether or not he was a child of God during those days of heedless carnality (who of us knows for sure?), he lost fellowship with his Father.” [emphasis ours] Erwin W. Lutzer, How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity With God, Moody Press, 1996, pp. 131, 132

See 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 above.

“But I’m convinced that those who have trusted Christ are in heaven today even if they die with the sin of murder on their conscience.” (How You Can Be Sure That You Will Spend Eternity With God, Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, p. 101)

God says:

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:14-15

John R. Rice:

“David committed sins of murder and ADULTERY. We must condemn his sins. They were bad. But David’s sins were under the blood of Christ, and in the fifty-first Psalm, the prayer of David shows that HE HAD NOT LOST HIS SALVATION, BUT THE JOY OF SALVATION.” [emphasis ours]. John R. Rice, Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost?, Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1943, p. 16

The LORD says differently. Will we believe Rice or the Almighty?

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication…of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

Of Rice’s assertion of Psalm 51, Alan Burns writes:

“This author (White) is not reading and quoting this passage found in Ps. 51:10-12, in its entire context. A text of scripture taken out of context is a pre-text and is no text at all! He only quotes verse 12 and builds a theological pre-supposition on one verse alone, and is breaking a very important rule of interpreting Holy Scripture. I believe it is to justify this false concept of eternal security. In my opinion and in all reality, he left out the two most important verses in this chapter, which incidentally are the two previous verses–verses 10 and 11.

“‘Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.’ V 10, 11

“Why would David pray something this radical unless he knew he could very well lose his salvation as a result of committing his gross sins of murder and adultery? Furthermore, he knows that if God doesn’t give him a stedfast and faithful spirit; he would continue to go morally astray and then be eternally lost. (if indeed he died in that sinful condition). It just shows you that David knew and understood enough of the holiness and character of God that he feared this very thing could happen.” Pastor Alan Burns

Charles Ryrie says:

“…Sin does not cause us to lose our salvation.” Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation, Victor Books, 1989, p. 143

The LORD says:

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

Arthur Pink

“Eternal Security is the teaching that God shall with no uncertainty bring into their eternal inheritance those who are actually justified—delivered from the curse of the law and have the righteousness of Christ reckoned to their account—and who have been begotten by the Spirit of God. And further it is the teaching that God shall do this in a way glorifying to Himself, in harmony with His nature and consistent with the teaching of Scripture concerning the nature of those who are called saints. Why is this important? Why is it important for every Christian to know that once God has taken him for His own, He will never let him go? Arthur W. Pink gives many reasons for this in this book on Eternal Security. For one thing, it is necessary in order to strengthen young and fearful Christians in their faith—by safeguarding the honor and integrity of God and His Word. And it is also necessary in order to preserve one of the grand and distinctive blessings of the Gospel, which to deny is to attack the very foundations of the believer’s comfort and assurance.” From the Foreword in the book entitled Eternal Security, by Arthur W. Pink

“The theme of this present series of articles is far more than a theological dogma or sectarian tenet: it is an essential portion of that Faith once for all delivered to the saints, concerning which we are exhorted to ‘contend earnestly’. In it is displayed, respectively, the honor and glory of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and therefore they who repudiate this truth cast a most horrible aspersion upon the character of the triune Jehovah. The final perseverance of the saints is one of the grand and distinctive blessings proclaimed by the Gospel, being an integral part of salvation itself, and therefore any outcry against this doctrine is an attack upon the very foundations of the believer’s comfort and assurance. How can I go on my way rejoicing if there be doubts in my mind whether God will continue to deal graciously with me and complete that work which He has begun in my soul? How can I sincerely thank God for having delivered me from the wrath to come if it is quite possible I may yet be cast into Hell?Eternal Security, Chapter 2, Arthur W. Pink

Did you note that Pink never once mentions the holiness of God, sin, the utter depravity of men, the cross, the necessity of initial and ongoing repentance, the fear of the LORD or the need to trust God fully in all things? His words are very insidiously arranged and not reconcilable with the words of our LORD and His apostles. His framing of words fits what Paul said of those who are to be marked – “by good words and fair speeches (they) deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:17-18). In looking at Pink’s words, I scratch my head at the deceitful and superfluous polemics he uses with very little Scripture included. Pink’s words seem to be an attempt to utilize flowery speech in order to lure people into the intoxicating lie of the ages.

Following Jesus vs The False Prophets He So Often Warned Would “Deceive Many”

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11

Many today, in this hour of great apostasy, rest their eternal souls on the so-called “reformers” and “church fathers.” They are no different than the pagan Roman Catholic who bases his false faith on faulty mere sinful men. In essence, those are the mere men they follow in lieu of following Christ. They relish John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, and others, of which all combined, were given zero divine, kingdom authority. Christ is the only Rock upon which His true remnant church stands and all who have genuinely repented and are trusting Him unto eternal life live by His words alone and those which He gave His holy apostles. They never once taught OSAS or unconditional eternal security. Keep reading if you aren’t afraid of the truth.

OSAS“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land (people) that is not cleansed, nor rained upon (shown mercy) in the day of indignation. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests (leaders) have violated my law (Word), and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean…” Ezekiel 22:23-26

Jude and 2 Peter 2-3 feature lists of historical accounts where the LORD Almighty severely judged those of and among His own covenant people who made the choice to live in sin after knowing Him. There are angels, nations, peoples and individuals included in the list of those damned to hell for their disobedience to the LORD who is holy.  In the face of such clear knowledge concerning the unchanging God, some still dare teach the eternal security heresy.

Today there are frightening scores of leaders who are teaching this license-for-sin doctrine. Some of the most popular teachers today are believers in the heresy of OSAS (“once saved always saved”). Perhaps they have been made popular by the demand of the populace to hear ear tickling messages which deal only with surface issues and never probe and penetrate to the depths of the heart. Though posing as Christians, these deluded leaders are ignorant of an intimate and personal knowledge of the LORD who is holy. They are violating the Word of God by not recognizing that the LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and making a clear division between “the holy and profane” and showing the “difference between the unclean and the clean.” See also Psalms 51:10; 139:23-24, Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8.

Sin has separated mankind from his Creator (Gen. 2-3). Our LORD Jesus came to this earth because God is holy! Yes, Christ came to the world because God is holy and cannot fellowship with sin (Gen. 6:5; Isa. 59:2; 64:6; Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-7). Without Christ man was helpless to regain his place of relationship with His Maker (Tit. 3:4-7).

Is the LORD Still Holy OR did He Change?

The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy” and man is sinful. Any man in leadership who does not hold this cardinal truth (man’s utter depravity and God’s absolute holiness) in utmost importance and prominence is thoroughly deceived at best. According to the whole record of Holy Writ, the whole reason Jesus Christ came was that we might know God and be washed from that which separated us from Him – sin. He left the glory of His Father and came “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” (Col. 1:22).

Making the holiness of the LORD a light thing and therefore the sins that violate His holiness, is an extremely fatal endeavor and being perpetrated by the blind leaders who are leading many astray in this late hour (Matt. 15:14).

To illustrate the prevalence of the lie of lawlessness, one need only observe that most Bible commentaries come from proponents of this antinomian heresy and are therefore skewed across the board in their doctrines. Beware!

Personally, when I am checking out a ministry, there are a couple of initial things I look for in discerning where they are coming from. One of those things is whether or not there is an underlying belief in OSAS. If so, all their other doctrine will be amiss. Specifically concerning doctrine, the apostle Paul said “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Gal. 5:9). When someone has embraced a falsehood, their whole body of belief will be permeated with that error. The Bible imagery using leaven and bread is that it takes but a sprinkle of leaven to infuse, pervade, affect, and expand the whole loaf of bread. So, it takes but a sprinkle of falsehood to tilt or skew a person’s whole belief system.

As we see in Ezekiel 22, with all errant camps, their leaders build upon one another’s false doctrines and gain momentum doing so – “There is a conspiracy of her prophets” (Ezek. 22:25). The “conspiracy” of these false prophets is against the LORD and such is discerned by what they teach which is contrary to the biblical revelation.

Micah 3

As we see in Micah 3, so many leaders today are leading people into destruction by misrepresenting the LORD. Concerning “the prophets that make my people err” the LORD says they “hate the good, and love the evil…that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity”(Micah 3:2, 5, 9, 10).

Note that these false prophets who make the people err by loving evil and hating His holiness “build up…Jerusalem with iniquity.” In other words they infuse the people of God with the justification of sin and “iniquity” and then even have the audacity to “lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us”(Micah 3:11).

“There is a conspiracy of her prophets” (Ezek. 22:25). False teachers and prophets are self-driven and directed (Phil. 3:17-19). They are doing their own thing and have a natural affinity with others in their profession who are building their own kingdoms in lieu of the kingdom of God. True servants of Jesus Christ are all His – they are not purpose-driven or self-driven, but rather Holy Spirit led and obedient to the eternal Word above all else. These who live in the fear of God resolutely recognize that they have nothing good in themselves but all holy good is in Christ Jesus and His Word (Jn. 3:30; Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 3:5; 4:5). These men, of whom the world is not worthy, are agents of the King and declare His truth relentlessly, leaving nothing out which might make them unpopular. In the fear of the LORD they have died to their own reputation among men. True men of God uncompromisingly esteem Christ as their sole and ultimate riches (Heb. 11:26). As He did with His prophet Ezekiel, the LORD is able to instruct those leaders who truly know Him as He fills their mouths with His truth (Ezek. 3:4). Take note to what the LORD says to Ezekiel:

“And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them…Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt show her all her abominations…” Ezekiel 3:4; 22:1-2

As all of the LORD’s prophets and apostles do, so Ezekiel exposed the sins of God’s people in obedience to Him. The people were consequently able to know where they really stood with the LORD and were given the opportunity to repent (Isa. 1:18-20; Rev. 2-3).

Those true to the LORD “show difference between the unclean and the clean…” (Ezek. 22:26). Consider the message of Ezekiel and compare it to those who lead your life. Such will reveal whether you are being led into the true way of the LORD or into the ditch of darkness by a blind leader.

“Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” Ezekiel 14:6

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:30-32

The LORD is holy and is going to judge His own people for their sins. Those true to Him warn men unceasingly to repent and be cleansed (1 Cor. 11:31-32). Those in the house of the LORD who die in sin will suffer eternal “ruin.”

Of the false shepherds of His day Jeremiah said “For ye have perverted the words of the living God” (Jer. 23:36).

While those leaders who remain true to the LORD call men to repent, counterfeit leaders refuse to. God-fearing leaders communicate His sin-exposing truth unceasingly, false teachers embrace and espouse doctrines that justify sin and downplay the holiness of the living God while claiming to glorify Him.

“For we are not as MANY, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

As the biblical revelation makes plain, Satan is very subtle. He is evil and insidious. Those who teach people the unconditional eternal security lie (OSAS), do it subtly in most cases. To come out too quickly with something so contrary to the Scriptures, would set off an alarm in the minds of those who read their Bibles. So, such a teaching is usually rolled out gradually, perhaps in a sequence. Let’s look at this a little further.

In his booklet entitled The Eternal Security Teaching, J. L. Stauffer shows the steps utilized by the eternal security teachers to entice people to embrace this falsehood:

Three Steps in the Eternal Security Doctrine: The eternal security teaching is presented in about three steps, occurring in logical sequence. No one who accepts the first step or presentation of the issue can avoid the other two that follow, unless he is awakened to its error. For the believer who has been reading his Bible and yet has not heard of the eternal security claims, to be approached with the full eternal security teaching at once, would be a shock that would result in their rejection. Evidently for this reason, the eternal security teaching is unfolded a step at a time. The three steps in their order of presentation to a convert to eternal security are as follows:

“If a person is truly born again by the Spirit of God, he will not want to go out into sin, carrying on in that which separates him from God (1 John 3:1-10). He is:

1. kept by God and is eternally secure.

2. If a person is truly born again by the Spirit of God, he may go out into sin, but since he is born again, God will certainly bring him to repentance again before He allows him to die.

3. If a person is truly born again by the Spirit of God, he is saved eternally, no matter how he lives and how he dies.

“Christian people who are satisfied to abide by the Word of God will have very little criticism for the first step as stated above. The man who does not want to sin and trusts in the keeping power of Christ is certainly secure. The weakness in the first step is the fact that no conditions are admitted in connection with our keeping.

“The second step is unscriptural because it throws the responsibility of the sinning saint’s recovery on the Lord. Incidents will be given later on to show that man’s free will enters in, and that God will do nothing in the salvation of sinners and the recovery of sinning saints that violates this God-bestowed attribute of personality.

The last step is the ultimate one that believers in eternal security will hold, if they are consistent with their avowed principles. Newly won converts do not get the ‘third step teaching’ in the beginning. The very thought that a saved man is secure in sin would be repelling to a new disciple. As one grows in knowledge concerning the favorite arguments of the eternal security teachers and their mode of Biblical interpretation, he becomes reconciled to the third and final form in which this doctrine manifests itself.” The Eternal Security Teaching by J. L. Stauffer, copyright 1933 by J. L. Stauffer, second edition (revised).

“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:18-21

The Holy Spirit inspired Jude to write concerning those false teachers who mock at the holiness of God and are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” (Jude 3-4) He cites these wolves in sheep’s clothing for using “great swelling words” to allure and deceive their hearers with a message of “grace” that promises a home in Heaven no matter what vileness and depravity one practices after being saved. Jude also warns us what to watch for:

“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage (self-gain). But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.” Jude 16-18

PRAYER: Jesus please grant me ears to hear what Your precious Holy Spirit is saying to Your Church. Grant Your holy fear and grace to this heart to live a life void of offense toward You and others. Bless my life to bring forth fruit to Your eternal glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Will Everyone Jesus Saved be in Heaven? | Lie of the Ages (the book)

Lie of the Ages | John Calvin Exposed | The Idiocy of Calvinism Eternal Security DialogueEternal Security-Once Saved Always Saved

Let’s learn God’s Word together. Sign up for free email devotional HERE... The Moments with My Master email is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

ARE THE BELIEVER’S PRESENT AND FUTURE SINS AUTOMATICALLY FORGIVEN? [podcast]

Can You Forfeit Salvation by Living in Sin? [podcast]

John MacArthur Examined

Can A Homosexual Go To Heaven? Ask Charles Stanley

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The Daily Cross in Prayer [podcast]


Prayer is inseparably connected with knowing God (John 17:3).

(Excerpt from the book I Die Daily)

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalms 5:3

Let’s isolate and dismantle these words of God a bit. Under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David says to the LORD:

  • That He (God) would hear his (David’s) “voice”
  • That “in the morning” the Psalmist would arise and seek God in prayer
  • Deliberately “in the morning,” he would “direct” his prayer and praying to the LORD – “in the morning … I will look up”

From this passage, we see that David planned or scheduled, in an intentional and calculated fashion, to meet with the LORD every morning. The phrase “in the morning” appears twice in this inspired transmission of the Holy Ghost. The man whose heart panted after the LORD – to behold His precious beauty – declared that he would “direct” (point) his prayer upward to the LORD “in the morning.” (Ps. 5:3; 27:4; Acts 13:22) Communing with the LORD was priority to David, and therefore occupied first place in his daily life. He sought the LORD firstly as he arose from sleep, and before he went forth into his day.

Jesus commanded that if any person will come after Him – truly follow Him – he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him (Luke. 9:23-24). There is no place that the cross applies more than in daily prayer. The moment one arises, he will choose either to seek God or dwell upon self-sentiments and such. He will seek Christ, or he will seek his own salvation or rescue from his troubles. We all make a “daily” choice:

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

No different from those covenant saints the LORD spoke to in this important passage, those whom we dwell among are serving self – the flesh – and yet we are called upon by the LORD to “choose” to daily serve Him rather than self. We are called to “be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.” (Phil. 2:15-16)

The LORD is calling us to purposefully declare Him as the LORD and Master of our lives, and this we do by making the premeditated decision to seek Him daily in prayer communion. Like Joshua, the way we “choose” to “serve” God must be premeditated, deliberate, daily, and in practicality. Daily, early morning, first fruit prayer is all three of these. It is the fruit of the crucified life – the life that is dead to self and in whom Christ dwells and reigns. – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3)

To those who seek God and not their own devices, there are many benefits (Ps. 68:19).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The precious peace of the “Prince of Peace” rules and reigns and makes sound the hearts of those who deny self’s ability to overcome and solve issues and problems, and instead earnestly and diligently rely upon God’s power to do such for them (Isa. 9:6; 26:3).

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4

As we fix our whole being upon Jesus Christ, our thoughts will be upward to His “glorious high throne,” which is “the place of our sanctuary.” (Jer. 17:12)

God is calling each of His saints to give his whole being to Christ, and to those things that “are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Php. 4:8).

So, according to Philippians 4:6-8, saints are to rely upon the LORD and not self by submitting all their requests in prayer to Him who is their Source, and to think upon those things of Christ which are “true … honest … just … pure … lovely … of good report … if there be any virtue … if there be any praise.” It is upon “these things” that we are instructed to “think on.” (Phil. 4:8)

God’s thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, and yet it is not until we become truly “crucified with Christ” that we are going to be ruled by His thoughts and peace (Isa. 55:8-9; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 4:6-7).

Changing the way one thinks is being done by millions of people who are not regenerated (not born again). New age and religious teachers hold this thought transformation teaching closely. Anyone can change the way they think for self-serving reasons – to stop smoking, to visualize and earn more money, to have more self-esteem, etc. However, hell still awaits all who are not born again, and that takes facing the living God and Judge in repentance for sin and placing all faith in Jesus Christ, the only Savior (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5). The only renewing of the mind and thoughts that brings glory to Jesus Christ, is that which begins with one casting his whole being upon the LORD afresh – presenting himself a “living sacrifice … unto God.” Let’s look at Romans 12:

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

Those who are presenting their bodies to the LORD as “living sacrifice(s)” are infused and enabled by His grace to keep their minds or thoughts stayed (fixed) upon the LORD and not self, as they look for Jesus’ soon return (Col. 3:1-4). They trust Christ and not their own strength, reasoning, whims, philosophies, or wisdom. As they give themselves over to Christ and His infinite divine power, and become weak in self and self’s abilities, Jesus’ power raises them up to trust Him and rely upon Him alone – to rest the weight of their whole beings in Him who is able. They first declare that they are not able, and that only “God is able.” (Eph. 3:20; 2 Cor. 9:8) These are they who have and are finding out in a personal way that there really is nothing impossible with the LORD!

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Abraham trusted God. He is our human example of a man who walked with God – by faith believing that God would raise up that to which he died. Concerning the promise of a son being born to him and his aged wife, the Bible records these words from the LORD to His servant Abraham:

“Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:14

If God can and will split the Red Sea for His people, and cause a 100-year-old man and his 90-year-old wife to have a child, what in your life can’t He do? (Gen. 17:17)

Here’s yet another question posed to our hearts from the LORD:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

God requires that we die to self-will, self-help, and self-esteem, and lay our lives in His holy, perfect, and more-than-sufficient hands. He can then work in us and in our lives – raising up His holy standard and power to glorify Himself in and through His children. Nothing will be impossible for the LORD to perform in the lives of those who deny themselves and, like Abraham, trust God to raise up His solutions, answers, and blessings to bring Himself glory.

“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth (makes alive) the dead, and (God) calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Romans 4:17

God called forth Isaac out of Abraham’s loins when it was an otherwise impossibility in the natural. In your life, beloved, “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” (Gen. 18:14)

Our connection with God is all about relationship, and the quality of that relationship is exemplified in our prayer lives – or lack thereof. If a person is pursuing the LORD, he has a prayer life. He lays down his own desires and life and seeks God’s life. This is perhaps in no other scrutiny seen more clearly than in the value he assigns to his prayer life, and the heart affections and time he is willing to invest in it.

In Psalms 63, the Psalmist captures the life of the person who truly has a heart after God.

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:1-8

The following is an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers:

“’At that day ye shall ask in My name.’ John 16:26.  We are too much given to thinking of the Cross as something we have to get through; we get through it only in order to get into it. The Cross stands for one thing only for us – a complete and entire and absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is nothing in which this identification is realized more than in prayer.

‘Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.’ Then why ask? The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God. If we pray because we want answers, we will get huffed with God. The answers come every time, but not always in the way we expect, and our spiritual huff shows a refusal to identify ourselves with Our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of God’s grace.

‘I say not that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.’ Have you reached such an intimacy with God that the Lord Jesus Christ’s life of prayer is the only explanation of your life of prayer? Has Our Lord’s vicarious life become your vital life? ‘At that day’ you will be so identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.

When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to fix the blame on someone else. That is always a snare of Satan. You will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else.”

PRAYER: Father, please bless this life to honor You and Your will first and foremost in this life You have granted, by my being authentically crucified with Christ. Please unite my heart to fear Your holy name and to number with wisdom this short time on this earth as a gift from You. I love You, Jesus, and thank You for dying for my sins and for the resurrection power of the Holy Ghost You placed in us upon salvation, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. You must increase but I must decrease. This moment, if never before, I declare and deliberately decide to place You first daily in my life – I am crucified with Christ. Early will I seek Thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Capture Points

  • Discuss Psalms 5:3 along with Mark 1:35 and the importance of daily and first fruits prayer in the life of every disciple of Jesus.
  • Transcribe onto an index card and discuss Romans 12:1-2 (KJB recommended).
  • Write out on an index card Mark 10:27: “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (KJB)

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Abiding

The Joy of God’s Word [podcast]


“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” Psalms 119:89

“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.” Isaiah 55:11

PRAYER: Heavenly Father please match and exceed every trial You allow me to go through with Your joy! For You said that the joy of the LORD is my strength! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Current Events and the Name of Jesus Christ [podcast]


“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

IF we are praying God’s WORD in the name of JESUS CHRIST…. in His bless-ed humility, God is answering!

I don’t think we begin to realize the power that is in the name of Jesus Christ – and available exclusively to those who are HIS.

Memorize the word of our LORD Jesus recorded in John 14:13-14.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

One commentator notes: “The universal fascination with knowing what is going on in the world has ancient roots. Knowing that Jesus is a well-known rabbi, some ask for his take on the hot news of the day. “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1). Pilate, the governor, has executed some Jews while they were in the act of offering their sacrifices, mingling their blood with the animal blood. Jewish sentiment is likely strongly against Pilate, although some seem to be critical of the people who have suffered. Maybe they deserved it.”

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Jesus Christ

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