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.
“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 Dialogue| Eternal Security-Once Saved Always Saved
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ARE THE BELIEVER’S PRESENT AND FUTURE SINS AUTOMATICALLY FORGIVEN? [podcast]
Abiding
GOD is Greater than all Sin [podcast]
“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)” Romans 5:17
GOD is greater than all sin.
“Through Jesus we now have an abundance of grace and His gift of righteousness reining over our lives instead of sin and death brought to His through Adam’s sin! Hallelujah.” Karen Cochran
So if God is greater than all sin, WHY do some Christians still struggle with sin?
Great question
“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
Our sin is never God’s fault but always our own fault.
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15
It’s only possible to overcome sin by way of Christ and Christ mandates us, you be crucified with Him (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20, etc.).
Jesus requires surrender to overcome (John 3:30). As long as there is sin, there is Satan – he has foothold in our lives. Satan is giving place, has control over anyone who has not repent, is not walking with Jesus, abiding in Christ, in the crucified life.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
When we “Submit … to God” Satan must then “flee” from us because he has no more legal right to us – because to “Submit” is to repent and confess all sin.
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:4-6
Instead of denying the Bible truth of a bent toward sin, we must deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus. As we do we are empowered by His grace, His divine ability, enablement to live fruitfully to His eternal glory.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15
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Mission Mexico Part 24
“Thank you for sharing all these stories of what our loving Lord Jesus is doing in the hearts of the Mexican people. Reminds me of Acts 15:12 when Paul and Barnabas declared to the early Christian believers all the miracles and wonders God was doing through them, showing them God’s power and love for all the brethren! It wasn’t so they would be praised but to give glory to the Lord. Just as I see in all these testimonies. It’s all about Jesus!” Karen Cochran | Mission Mexico
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*****
JUST IN:
“I am Chaplain to a little over 600 detainees who are waiting for the courts to move them to the next step. Most of these detainees are Hispanic, Spanish speakers and I get the privilege to be their pastor for a few months or sometimes a couple years. Someone put your book ‘Authentic’ on my book cart yesterday so I grabbed it to preview it before I left it there. A breath of fresh air indeed; thank you for this book . Furthermore, looking through your website thank you for all you do among the Hispanic people.” Jay
If you would like to read the Authentic book (English or Spanish), hit reply and send me your mailing address.
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10
*** We just now placed an order for 10 Authentic books in Spanish and 1 of each of the other Spanish books the ministry has. This will help with His ministering! Jesus is coming.
Here was Jay’s follow up email:
“Thank you for that quick reply!
I myself lived in Mexico a while back but now, I pastor in a little Border town called Quemado Texas and serve full time at this federal detention facility. That would be great, thank you.”
Our Mailing address is:
The Eagle Pass Detention Facility
Care of Chaplain Lentz
410 S. Bibb
P.O. Box 849
Eagle Pass, Tx. 78852
Where are you in Mexico?
Bendiciones”
Jay Lentz jlentz@geogroup.com
Thank you for praying for the people of Mexico to be saved.
These are three of the people who received our LORD’s Gospel today who were all blessed to know you would be lifting them in prayer. God is able. Colossians 4:12 anyone? Thank you for pausing to lift them in prayer – that they will be convicted of their sin and repent and be saved.
This is Elvita. She is a very dear lady and was in need and received help. Thank God and thank you to those who are praying and supporting. She was hungry and blessed with a delicious meal from a local vendor and also a medical bill was paid for her. You are making these things happen to the glory of the LORD.
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Elvita came asking for help but was turned away by some…
I was able to catch her before she got too far and asked if she were hungry and she said yes. I put my arm around her and began ministering Jesus to her and to her needs. Brought her to a dear lady who serves food and she fixed a nutritious delicious plate of food for Elvita. All organic.
Lots of internationals in Mexico.
Had a long talk with Singh today. He’s searching.
He received the Gospel and so we know what Isaiah 55:11 says right?
Thank you for pausing to lift this man in prayer.
This man is saved.
Carlos was edified and built up in Christ.
Other than him ordering a coke it was a great fellowship haha.
When asked if he’d like several Christian people in the USA praying for him, he excitedly answered in the affirmative.
Thank you for pausing to pray for our brother (Colossians 4:12)
He is in need of being water baptized.
Working on that.
Carlos left with a stack of JESUS tracts to distribute.
Prayed with Jorge to be Saved. God knows.
Another divine appointment. Crossing paths with Jorge, a dentist, was nothing less then a God-ordained collision where Christ was glorified to save beloved Jorge.
Jorge was warmly greeted and thoroughly ministered to, the Word, and asked if he’d like to repent and receive Christ and be forgiven of all his sins by the precious blood of Christ, right now. He answered in the affirmative and he prayed aloud to the LORD the prayer of repentance and faith in Christ on the back of the JESUS tract ! Discipleship ensued. And as usual I informed Jorge that you would be lifting him in prayer as we celebrated his being brought by Jesus into HIS eternal kingdom. Also, Jorge needs more clients for his dentist office and I shared with him that we would also be lifting that in prayer.
This was a first:
Obed was sitting on a street curb with his head down. I approached him from behind, putting my arm across his back in a warm gesture of God’s love. Obed was very receptive from the start. Saints, when someone consents, when they verbally agree to receive prayer, they open themselves up to the LORD, to Heaven’s blessings. Well, such is the case with Obed. When I saw Obed, I noticed immediately that he had a Bible in his hand. Obed had the Word of our God preached to Him in Spanish and gladly received the JESUS tract. He was told that it’s about about relationship with Jesus, not religion. That’s all he possessed and also a willing heart. When asked, Obed said yes, that he wanted Christian people in the USA to pray for him. Boom. YOU, yes YOU hold the most important kingdom position – and that is bringing this bless-ed soul in prayer before God. Unleash the power of the name of Jesus in your prayer for this precious man. He wants it!!!! He wants Jesus. Oh and Obed was hungry and thirsty and given a warm fresh delicious meal and cold bottled water from a nearby local vendor.
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Apostasy
“The Collection for the Saints”
Are Money Collections Biblical?
Yes, yet what should money be collected to do?
1 Corinthians 16:1
KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE: Money collections to do GOD’s work are not a sin but rather an opportunity for God’s people to crucify, to put off the sins of greed and covetousness and to lay up treasure in Heaven as He commanded (Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 5:7-9). Also, to say that allowing people to support GOD’s work is wrong, is to declare Jesus to be a sinner because He had a treasurer which could only mean that people chose to support the work.
Recently the subject of giving has arisen several times in a short period of time so I wanted to treat it with God’s Word. When the topic of the Word of Faith prosperity pimps came up recently, a few people raised the question as to whether money should be collected by anyone today (any ministry). In addressing the question as to whether or not it is right or wrong for a ministry to facilitate the collection of money, the following reply was given.
There were collections among the saints in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 16:1-3), Jesus had a treasurer in case people wanted to participate and lay up treasure in Heaven…. yet the prosperity scammers falsely teach people to give in order to get God to bless them instead of giving out of love, obedience, gratitude, and worship to the LORD.
Okay, let me insert this: ANYone who doesn’t like ministers speaking about money has money as their god and are not saved according to Jesus because they have chosen money/mammon over God (Matthew 6:24). Those who truly serve the One who gives all good gifts delight in giving Him the first portion of what He gives them (Proverbs 3:10-11). By doing so they continue to establish that He alone is LORD and Master of their lives!
Collections were taken up in the early church (1 Corinthians 16:1-3). Jesus’ apostle Paul wrote:
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-3
First off, this tells us that Paul set in order, set up the order, he had “given order to the churches” to collect, to take up a “collection for the saints” when they gathered. He instructs Christ’s saints to “let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” There is much in this revelation. The saints of Christ are to be intentional and order the wealth God gives them, according “as God hath prospered” them. They are to “lay be him in store” or store up, to set aside that which they are going to give. The implication seems that we are to do such deliberately, and with joy as God prospers us.
According to the Word of God and the pattern and teaching of the apostles and early church, each disciple of Jesus should weekly and cheerfully set aside money, etc. to give. He/she is to “lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Note that the “collection” was “for the saints” and not to be wasted on building a physical building of an enterprising pastor or to buy him a million dollar home, expensive cars, and watches, not to mention the extravagant accessories lavished upon many modern pastor’s wives. Oh, don’t forget that in the modern apostate church world, while some struggle to make ends meet and others go under financially, we must not forget to throw the pastor a birthday party and give him an expensive gift, right?
So, obviously collections are ordained of God to grant privilege and opportunity to those who would choose to give to His cause of helping Christians who lack and ministers of His Gospel. The collections are a blessing to us and yet, what we give to is the question. Supporting true, Great Commission, New Testament ministries is very important lest we fund a work that is not fulfilling the mandate of Christ and in doing so waste the resources He put in our temporal of care.
John Wesley writes:
“Let every one – Not the rich only: let him also that hath little, gladly give of that little. According as he hath been prospered – Increasing his alms as God increases his substance. According to this lowest rule of Christian prudence, if a man when he has or gains one pound give a tenth to God, when he has or gains an hundred he will give the tenth of this also. And yet I show unto you a more excellent way. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Stint yourself to no proportion at all. But lend to God all you can.”
Anthony Terry writes:
“Scripture is clear on the gatherings of the saints. They are for the saints only. They are to bring their offerings into the gatherings so when a need arises it can be met. Scripture also tells us that those with earthly goods should sell them when a saint is in need and to supply that need. This also is not done today. Too many are storing up treasures here and not in the kingdom. Scripture says if you have the ability to meet a need and don’t do it then how can you say God dwells in you? (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35)”
HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED IN THE MODERN HOUSES OF EXTORTION THAT SOME CALL “CHURCHES” THAT THE PASTORS WILL OFTEN SAY THINGS LIKE “WE’RE FAMILY” AND YET, WHEN YOU HAVE A NEED, THEY COULD CARE LESS? THEY ONLY CARE FOR YOU INASMUCH AS YOU ARE GIVING TO THEM! BUT THE BIBLE TEACHES EQUALITY AND EVEN DISTRIBUTION, ESPECIALLY AMONG THOSE WHO ARE TRULY WORKING AND DILIGENTLY OBEDIENT (ACTS 2:44-45; 4:32-35; EPHESIANS 4:28; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:11-12; 2 THESSALONIANS 3, ETC.).
To illustrate the gross misuse of money in the modern church world, please allow me to relate the following true story:
An example comes to mind that was related to me by a good friend. The story goes …. This brother and his family (close friends of mine) were struggling financially and were on the brink of their second foreclosure. Their house was getting ready to be foreclosed on and a few members of the leadership fully knew this. Yet, during this same time period those very leaders organized and solicited the people of that particular local church to chip in to buy the pastor a $30,000 watch for his birthday. They totally ignored the needy brother’s necessity/lack and so that brother’s house was foreclosed on. This is an example of unthinkable inequity and brazen disobedience to God’s Word where one member of the body of Christ was elevated unduly above the other members. Among the earliest believers there was equity. Take note to what was transpiring just after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost at the end of Acts 2. Compare. Take close note to the blessed and exemplary state of the church before the greedy, self-serving wolves and their thieving practices entered in among the people of God (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35).
Now, the above is a revelation to most today who have been duped into believing that all the giving must be done to some “official” mere man or board of mere sinful men who have set up their church franchise businesses all over our cities. Before we move forward, let’s expand that revelation:
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:44-45
Notice in the above passage that “EVERY MAN” mattered and not just some group of thieving wolves who were collecting and squandering the money on their own self-serving lusts!
While the collection of money is biblical the misuse of the money collected is sin. And for this reason, we must learn from God’s Word what that collected money is to be used for.
WE MUST STOP FEEDING THE WOLVES FRIENDS! FIND INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE NEEDS AND GIVE TO TRUE GOSPEL WORKERS/MINISTRIES. THAT’S THE TRUE NEW TESTAMENT WAY!
To further establish that collections were always allowed and encouraged in the gatherings of our LORD’s people, check out this explosive message titled Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]
Here’s more early church practice that we must model/follow:
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own (they understood that God owns all and they were just stewards); but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:32-35
Compare. You will want to read this passage prayerfully and several times, remembering where it is to share with others. Note in the above passage that “they had all things common.” In other words, as each individual saint had need, they would share. Today, we have multi-millionaire wolves who parade and flaunt their lavish riches before their prey who many times can’t even pay their bills. Go figure!
Collecting and giving are a vital part of the divine economy from Genesis to Revelation but not in order to misuse – to misappropriate those funds. That’s what covetous charlatans have always done and are doing today. Yet, such evil does zilch to negate the God-given personal responsibility the LORD has given every individual believer to be a giver – of their lives which will translate into the giving of their substance.
Now, so far we have exposed the greedy wolves we are so often warned about in the Scriptures. Yet, before someone gets the idea that God wants His honest, true workers broke, think again. The LORD says that those elders (Gospel workers, servants of God) are to “be counted worthy of double honour” which refers to a good financial reward. This would be at or a bit above the average income of the median earning man that that Gospel worker feeds/tends to. Paul also inserted in his longest discourse on this very topic that those who are called out to labor for Christ can have a wife and family which of course requires more income to support (1 Corinthians 9:5).
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18
Did you note that those who “rule well” is a condition and it is defined as “they who labour in the word and doctrine“? True Gospel work must involve diligently getting God’s Word into the hearts of men, especially God’s own people. It is never ending because there are always saints to edify, help mature, pray for, teach the Word to, etc. It never ends and neither does the need to reach lost souls.
Because so many wolves have devoured people’s lives and finances, some want to forbid any and all provision from going to God’s workers which would be unscriptural and certainly to Satan’s advantage. The distribution of resources is to go to all of God’s people, not just the people collecting the money, which is what the modern, apostate church is doing. Compare what they are doing to Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. It’s a scam. People should study this topic in their Bible as the article link above seeks to help them do. We cannot exclude the provision of those God calls out into full-time serving. The apostles gave themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) The Word of God sets forth the clear argument and case for provision for divinely called-out servants – those called out to give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of God’s Word. There’s no other calling so important in the earth or with eternal consequences. We must rightly divide and not overcompensate because others have abused. God bless you all.
Some people like to throw around cliches that are not direct Bible quotes such as, “Where God guides, God provides.” While that is generally true, we must be careful of blocking full-counsel Bible learning by cliches that are only half-truths. To stand on ANY cliches is a dangerous endeavor to the truth-seeking disciple. Stand on God’s Word alone which is what David said it is: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105) Of our Father’s written Word, Christ said “Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)
God’s people are divinely called and are to be allowed and granted the blessed opportunity to give to HIS work – not forcefully coerced but given opportunity (2 Corinthians 9:7). This is clear in Scripture. When we give, we thereby learn to trust Him who replenishes our supply as He so often promised to do (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). It would be wrong to disallow God’s people from giving actually. Moses did not stop God’s people from giving until there was so much given by God’s people that there was nowhere else to contain it! He had to tell them to stop bringing their things to the work of the LORD because they had nowhere else to store it – there was too much of it (Exodus 35). To tell people not to give to God’s work(ers) would mean he forbade them from doing what the LORD told His people to do from the beginning – give. The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel set forth to continually worship and serve the LORD and His people and Paul, Christ’s apostle, draws from this very truth/fact in 1 Corinthians 9 – below.
God provides, yes, and His stated desire to supply, at least in part, is through His body – and that is so that they partake of the blessings both now and eternally (Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). A proper and more thorough view of God’s kingdom reveals that to shut off the opportunity of giving and forbid His children from giving, stifles blessings.
The apostle Paul’s case for provision being given to called-out servants of Christ is clearly and profoundly set forth below.
1 Corinthians 9
1 Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
The above passage makes it abundantly clear that God wants those He calls out to serve Him full-time supplied.
Collecting money is biblical – for the right use and reason which the LORD reveals in His Word. We must simply make sure that the collection is going to bless the people of God and not just one or a few staged deceivers who are running an entertainment business they have set up and call “church.”
One problem we see today is the defense of these beguiling, thieving wolves by the covetous, greedy folks who support them. These deceived people are full of self and “love to have it so.” (Jeremiah 5:31) In other words they love the greedy, covetous wolves they have submitted themselves to because these worldly rich wolves model the lifestyle their greedy, self-serving audience want (Hosea 4:9; 2 Timothy 3:1-6; 4:2-4).
There is a correct use of collections. Receiving money for true Gospel ministry work is according to the apostolic doctrine which we are to continue “stedfastly in.” (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; Philippians 4, Acts 2:42, etc.) Now, manipulating people – making merchandise of them – is the work of “false prophets,” Peter told us (2 Peter 2:1-3). Yet, that doesn’t negate the opportunity given to disciples of Christ to lay up treasure in Heaven by giving to God’s true work (Matthew 6:19-21). The key is simply to make sure the ministry is doing the Word and not just entertaining and keeping folks biblically illiterate in order to be able to continue to control them.
It’s time to get biblically learned, astute and cease being ignorant! – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)
Further, Paul gave the divine promise that God would supply all the needs of those who gave (Philippians 4). That promise and blessing of divine provision is specifically to those who had given to Paul who was a Gospel worker.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.” Philippians 4:10
Taking care of those whom the LORD has called out – not self-appointed but God-appointed – is the privilege of the saints. Those giving are the blessed ones according to Jesus (Acts 20:35). If you can’t give out of a “cheerful” (joyful, generous, thankful) heart then don’t bother – you are wasting your money. The Bible reveals to us that Jesus actually watches each one of us and how we give (Mark 12:41-44). He looks at the heart posture and percentage that we give (Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
You want to be blessed? If so, find a true Gospel worker and begin giving into his life and work. In fact, a lady called this week who said that as she gave to a certain Gospel ministry, God blessed her. This is biblical. It doesn’t matter if some have collected and wasted money. The true Gospel worker is “worthy of his reward” and not just honor but “double honour” which means sufficient supply, pay, and a bit more (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Anyone who doesn’t like that needs to take up their beef with the LORD. Getting a biblical foundation in this subject by thorough study of the Scriptures on this topic is essential. Begin with 1 Corinthians 9:1-14. Those who do the infinitely most important and only eternal work on the earth are the most worthy souls on earth to be sustained, and supplied – so they can continue to fruitfully serve the LORD and His blessed people, equipping them to “do the work of the ministry.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) This is God’s program and anyone who participates in it is going to be blessed – now and eternally!
The LORD told us He would fill the barns and overflow with blessings the person who puts His “firstfruits” into His cause (Proverbs 3:9-10).
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
It’s not a sin or wrong to facilitate what the Bible teaches – giving. The early believers in Jesus went so far as to sell off the things they didn’t need in order to liquidate and turn those properties, etc., into cash to help the other believers who were in need and surely a bit of that went to the apostles to sustain them as they gave themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) See Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. The apostles didn’t tell those people to take their money back because giving is an integral part of serving God who “So loved the world that he gave” (John 3:16) In fact, Christ says that “It is MORE blessed to GIVE than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) It would be wrong to disallow God’s people from giving actually.
Jesus Christ was betrayed by a thieving wolf!
Extorting thieves are nothing new. Jesus had one in His ministry while on earth. The fact that charlatans have misused money they collected from gullible people who didn’t discern correctly does not make giving wrong. The people who give must examine, best they can, if that ministry is fulfilling a New Testament purpose. Most people don’t even know the Bible, regrettably, so they have little to go by. A good place to begin is to see what Jesus’ commission to His church is (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). After reading Christ’s commission, one should begin to examine the fruit of any ministry they are thinking of giving to – such as 1) are they endeavoring to teach the whole counsel of God’s Word in His holy fear and with no fear of any mere man (Matthew 28:18-20), 2) are they reaching out to lost souls (Mark 16:15-20).
Notice for example that the Word of Faith wolves don’t bother to give money to the general body of Christ – individual saints. That’s obvious in that they take that money to themselves in undue fashion and build mansions. Most of them have several mansions, fly over the the world on their own jets, stay at the most elite hotels, etc. This is complete misuse of resources given to them by people and fulfilling what Peter wrote about.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
We have the divine promise here that God is going to eternally judge those who “make merchandise” of others. There are some extorting wolves operating as pastors, evangelists, etc., but that doesn’t mean His disciples shouldn’t give!
STEWARDSHIP IS SAID TO BE THE MOST PREVALENT OR FREQUENTLY OCCURRING SUBJECT IN GOD’S WORD. ACTUALLY, ABOUT HALF OF JESUS’ PARABLES DEALT WITH STEWARDSHIP. THIS IS A HUGE TOPIC AND VERY IMPORTANT TO THE LORD. HE TOLD US THAT WE ARE TO BE “RICH TOWARD GOD” AND THAT OUR VERY “HEART” AFFECTIONS WOULD FOLLOW WHERE WE PUT OUR “TREASURE.”(MATTHEW 6:19-24; LUKE 12:15-20, ETC.) OUR LORD EVEN TOLD US THROUGH JAMES THAT IF WE HOARD INSTEAD OF FREELY GIVING, THAT WHICH WE HAVE LAID UP WILL FRIGHTENINGLY BE A WITNESS AGAINST US IN THE JUDGMENT (JAMES 5:2-3).
Some hide their own greed behind exposing the obvious greedy wolves who hold ministry positions. They use those beguiling thieves as an excuse to stop giving altogether. Don’t cease giving just because you were deceived by a wolf. If you do, you will hurt and hinder the work of our LORD Jesus in this late hour. Continue to obey God by giving Him your whole being and will daily. Your treasure will be His as long as you are truly His (Matthew 6:19-24). Just pray for more discernment and stay in the Word. Measure everything according to His Word (Acts 17:11). Be ready to help other Christians in need all around you and prayerfully find a good called-out brother in Christ who fears the LORD truly and preaches His pure Word and begin giving to his life and work – God’s work! The LORD promises to bless you for doing so.
Where you give is very important. You should ask: Is this ministry or church fully vested in Christ and His mission to save souls and feed His flock and teach HIS pure Word? Such a question eliminates 95% of all ministries which are nothing more than a flesh-flattering entity designed to rob the resources Christ ordains to go directly into His work and workers. There is no work on earth today that has eternal ramifications except the work of Christ. Are you a contributor? Why did He give you a way or ways to earn money? See in Ephesians 4:28 and begin supporting His true Gospel work – His Great Commission.
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QUESTION:
“Should those in ministry take up collections? Is that biblical? Also, should those who write books have to pay for the whole funding of those books and for that matter, should they have to fund the LORD’s work themselves?” What does God’s Word tell us about money?”
ANSWER:
So, where are true ministries supposed to get their money/resources? Question: Is that not our privilege and opportunity to give and thereby support the work of Jesus? In fact, is this not exactly why God gave us an income – to support His work? And, on top of that He puts money into an eternal investment “account” in Heaven? Wow! Philippians 4:17; Matthew 6:19-21.
“Collections” are biblical yes and they are the privilege of the giver much more than the mere human servants receiving the treasures to be stored up in Heaven for their own eternal benefit (Matthew 6:19-21). Giving also keep idolatry and greed away from the one who gives, securing his eternal soul with Christ. These are clearly soul damning sins specifically listed in Holy Scripture as such (Ephesians 5:5-7; Revelation 21:8, etc.).
Is it a sin for a person in ministry to not have enough money to pay for everything? No, that’s not a sin at all and in fact, it’s a blessing to those ministered to by that outreach. God actually ordains it that way usually so that other of His people can lay up treasures in Heaven, just like Jesus told us to do (Matthew 6:19-21). In fact, the apostle Paul cared much about the heavenly “accounts” of those he ministered to and so should we – “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17) Most men in ministry have not studied biblical stewardship very closely and for instance, do not even know about the verse posted in the previous sentence. God told us here that we have an “ACCOUNT” in Heaven. Now the question is, what’s in our “account”? What have we given into His true New Testament work?
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Some are misled by their own situations, opinions, and impartial knowledge of this important subject …. go read about some people Jesus actually puts in His trophy case in what we call “The Hall of Faith” …. read Heb. 11:37-39 and let’s talk about that.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) Notice that it’s not that most people don’t have at least some knowledge of a topic and yet that can be deadly. God is good….. a little knowledge is enough to kill us all.
Getting a tad of knowledge can be deadly …. if we don’t keep studying the topic all the way through Scripture to gain a thorough biblical knowledge on that subject and thereby be blessed to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
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