Articles

THE WICKED AND THE WONDERFUL: Does the Bible say that You are Wonderful? [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Attention: Jesus didn’t come to die because you are wonderful.

No He came because you are wicked (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, etc.).

The testimony of Holy Scripture is that JESUS is “Wonderful” (Isaiah 9:6-7)…. and we are “desperately wicked” without Him (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18, 24).

Each of His children, bought by His blood, merely stand as unworthy beggars, shoulder to shoulder in honor of our KING, Jesus!

The only righteousness we have is that which our LORD Jesus mercifully, graciously provided for us by the one-time shedding of HIS precious blood for our sin – to pay the price in full, the exclusive redemption price which alone could and did satisfy the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem fallen mankind back to Him and the Father (Ezekiel 22:30; John 19:30; Romans 3:21-25; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; Titus 3:5-7, etc.).

So, let me get this straight: you are so full of self-love that you have reduced the coming of Jesus down to how wonderful you are?

Any person who believes that the whole reason the Son of God came and died on the cross was because they are so valuable and wonderful, is completely deceived. Jesus came and died because we are wicked and He is so merciful, and not because we are so wonderful! “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Contrary to popular pop psychology preaching, we are not wonderful, we are wicked. You’re not a champion, you are a vile sinner in perpetual need of a holy, merciful Savior! The Gospel is all about Jesus, the one glorious, matchless Savior and His great mercy toward wicked wretches like us!

It’s time to get off the high horse before God knocks you off of it as He did with Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9).

Fallen man’s utter depravity and need for the saving mercy of Jesus Christ!

How can we possibly begin to understand and appreciate why Jesus came to the earth to die if we still see ourselves as anything except “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” before a holy God? (See Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18; Revelation 4:8.)

“It is then, we say, in the successive stages of his experience, that the believer sees more distinctly, and adores more profoundly, and grasps more firmly, the finished righteousness of Christ. And what is the school in which he learns his nothingness, his poverty, his utter destitution? The school of deep and sanctified affliction. In no other school is it learned, and under no other teacher but God. Here his high thoughts are brought low, and the Lord alone is exalted.” Octavius Winslow

Did Jesus, Paul or any of the apostles ever call God’s people “champions”? No! This is Joel Osteen type heretical flattery. Any man who calls you something the Bible doesn’t call you is a vile wolf. Beware.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18

Osteen: Affirmation without Salvation

Mankind’s fallen state:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.

What do we truly deserve in and of ourselves, being that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”? (Isaiah 64:6)

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

False teachers remove the focus from the love and holiness of God and move it onto how valuable and worthy sinful, separated man is. Yet the Bible tells us that the cross reveals the greatness of our depravity and sin, and God’s holiness and love, not how wonderful, worthy, or valuable we are! We are depraved, wretched sinners in utter need of the mercy of God given us at the cross of Jesus Christ.

Speaking of false leaders, the Bible says:

“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:18

By listening to the flattering delusions of most modern preachers, frauds, you’d believe that we are wonderful. But does God’s Word tell us there we are wonderful? No, not once. God’s Word reveals that we are utterly wicked and in desperate need of Him, of His saving mercy!

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet SINNERS (not wonderful good people!), Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

You and I merit only divine judgment for our sin! We are not wonderful, JESUS IS! We are wicked without HIM! (Romans 3:1-23; 7:18, 24)

Those who’ve bought the lie of self-importance are completely deceived and have no clue of Bible doctrine. This seems to account for the vast majority of pastors today in the apostate modern church world.

“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

Truth:

“May I never forget on my best day, that I still need God as desperately as I did on my worst day.” unknown

God grants His mercy in salvation upon the merit of Jesus Christ alone – in spite of the sinner and not because of anything good in fallen man!

Saints, we cannot possibly begin to appreciate this “so great salvation” that is Christ until we understand how lost, helpless, and alienated we were in our sin (Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 2:3). We must study to understand the biblical doctrine of inherent sin, fallen mankind, and the holiness of God …. in order to begin to be able to appreciate the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.

JESUS JUDGED SIN ON THE CROSS SO WE DON’T HAVE TO BE JUDGED FOR OUR SIN AND SO WE CAN EXPERIENCE “THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE” BOTH NOW AND FOREVER (JOHN 12:31-32; EPHESIANS 1:7; 2:7).

Until we are confronted with what Scripture declares about fallen mankind, us, we cannot possibly appreciate this “so GREAT salvation” provided for us exclusively through the LORD Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was sacrificed for our sins, who tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:3, 9; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21; 1 Peter 3:18; etc.).

Where do some get off acting like they are so wonderful, and special? Who did you allow to lie to you? Who misled you to believe such a delusion of yourself? The Bible says that you are a wicked, hopeless, unworthy, depraved sinner in desperate need of the mercy and forgiveness of a Holy God. Now, Repent and trust Jesus, not yourself.

Jesus came because we are wicked, not wonderful. The wonderful One came to save the wicked ones!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

Jesus came to save sinners, not wonderful people.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS (not wonderful good people); of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15

How wonderful did the apostle Paul believe he was?

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18

Do you realize that outside of Christ, “NO GOOD THING” dwells in you? The “old man,” the iniquitous nature, must of necessity be crucified, giving way to the resurrected Savior ruling and reigning in our lives! Camp out on 2 Corinthians 4:10-12!

Now, do we begin to see why we must be “crucified with Christ”? (See Galatians 2:20.)

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

It really is true that Jesus “saved a wretch like me” when He mercifully saved me.

This brother is a true disciple. He recently sent me this message:

“Dear brother Todd,

Although i appreciate the gesture of your kind opinion (compliment, encouragement), I now understand and have experienced great weaknesses in this body of flesh and that in harmony with the truth of God’s infallible Word that only God is truly ultimately good and everything He is, does and gives is good, and that in me dwells no good thing except Christ and Him crucified for the ungodly who upon a heart-cry of belief receives Christ, that unfathomable gift of Him, the sent One, the internal and eternal Holy Ghost that must bring dominion through my submission, my death and the relinquishing of my personal herd of wild stallions as I turn them over to the only true rightful owner who has purchased me to bring about meekness (strength under control) to the glory of God and to my good and the good of others. What a wonderful God we serve. Blessings today.” DT

God reconciled the world, paid the whole price for the separating sin of mankind through Christ… because He is wonderful and loving and not because men merit this unspeakable gift of God.

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. … 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7

The Bible tells us that the LORD is wonderful and that He came to His sin cursed earth to offer His life, His body, His sinless blood, on the altar of the cross as the atoning sacrifice for man’s sin. God’s creation was wayward, was separated from Him in their iniquities and unable to redeem himself.

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 (see also Psalm 53)

God found no one who could re-deem (to buy back) His creation, those created in His image. Listen with your heart to this divine communication of fallen man’s state before God:

Romans 3:9-28

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The Righteousness of God Through Faith
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:9-28

The word “propitiation” appears 3 times in the Bible:

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Romans 3:25

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

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The Riches of His Grace

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7 It’s been said that “God bankrupted Heaven to buy us back to Himself!” “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15 Jesus judged sin on the cross so we don’t have to be judged for our sin and so we can experience “the exceeding riches of his gracE” both now and forever (John 12:31-32; Ephesians 1:7; 2:7). The claims of the Father’s justification to redeem mankind could only and exclusively have been satisfied in the perfect […]

LESS than the Least! Filthy Rags Fellowship! [podcast]

The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent! FACT: NO ONE, not one person on this earth needs Jesus more than this fool, this pauper who is nothing without Christ! (Romans 7:18; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to forgive, regenerate, redeem, and grant complete victory in this life to every one of His people. Yet, we must do things God’s way and no other way. JESUS JUDGED SIN ON THE CROSS SO WE DON’T HAVE TO BE JUDGED FOR OUR SIN AND SO WE […]

Grounded in Grace [podcast]

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) : And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of […]

Articles

Sabbath Keeping, Justification, Sports, and Non-Essentials [podcast]

Hint: If something is not specifically named as a sin in God’s Word, leave others alone about it. MYOB, right? (Mind Your Own Business)

In this podcast, you will hear about a Recent Phone Call from Hell I received and how it was dealt with.

Over the years, I’ve conversed with men who are religious but not saved. Oh and boy are they fervent and sincere, and yet sincerely dead wrong. This particular phone conversation was no different. Many times Paul’s writings were born out of his defense of the faith of the original Gospel and this message is the same. Perhaps there’s a two-fold blessing in this:

Continuing to established the essentials set forth in the original Gospel of Christ (John 21:15-17; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.).
A constructive example of how to biblically handle religious people like this (remember Jesus was most stern and straight with the rich and the religious. See Matthew 23, etc.).

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

If all your religious activity hasn’t produced “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”, all you have thus far is religion, not Jesus. Listen closely to what happens when Jesus saves you:

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17

This is the truth of God, the fruit granted to all who’ve truly believed on the LORD Jesus Christ and thereby been saved. One thing’s for certain: The LORD desires to give you “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”.

Jesus is the Sabbath of Every Saved-by-Grace New Testament Saint – Not a Certain Day

“Sabbath” means intermission, to rest. All of God’s people now rest from attempting to keep the law perfectly and instead rest in the righteousness of Christ, the only One who ever kept the law perfectly.

“For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Hebrews 4:3

“Hebrews 4:3: For we which have believed do enter into rest – The great spiritual blessings, the forerunners of eternal glory, which were all typified by that earthly rest or felicity promised to the ancient Israelites, we Christians do, by believing in Christ Jesus, actually possess. We have peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost; are saved from the guilt and power of sin; and thus enjoy an inward rest.” Adam Clarke

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10

“In Hebrews 4:10 we are directed to our risen Lord, who has finished the work of Redemption and rests, as God did when He pronounced Creation to be ‘very good.’ When we understand what He meant by ‘It is finished’, we, too, shall rest.” FB Meyer

Some today uphold a certain day instead of the LORD who makes all days (Galatians 4:9-11). They prove to be lost souls. False teachers are known in that they uphold something, ANYthing other than Christ.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:14-19

Justification

It has been wisely stated that “If you’re flirting with Moses, you’re cheating on Jesus.”

Have you memorized John 1:17 ?

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

How does God save us?

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

The law finds us all guilty of breaking it. Even if it were just once, just one law we broke, we are guilty of breaking all of it and 100% fully worthy of death.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

God alone can justify us and He does such exclusively through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. “It is finished” means “paid in full.”

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30　

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4

Sports are Not a Sin – Unless they become One’s Idol or put before God.

Paul uses three different sports/games to illustrate spiritual truths, realities. This alone informs us, proves that sports in and of themselves, games, are not a sin. Running (track and field), boxing, and wrestling (1 Corinthians 9:24, 26; Ephesians 6:12).

In all the lists of soul damning sins found in Scripture, not one of them names sports or playing a game as a sin. If that were the case, playing a game of cards with grandma, or going to a nephew’s soccer game, would be a sin. Not. However, the misuse of anything on this earth can come out of a sinful heart of idolatry. Use and misuse. Work out YOUR own salvation with fear and trembling and cease being a busybody in the lives of other believers concerning things not essential to one’s salvation (Romans 14; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Peter 4:15).

“And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31

What the Bible Teaches about Non-Essentials, Things not Essential to Salvation.

Never judge or destroy God’s work in the life of another saint for things that are non-essential, NOT essential to salvation.

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. … 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. … 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.”

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