Will Everyone Jesus has Saved be in Heaven? [podcast]
Heaven Guaranteed to all who have Received Jesus?
When Jesus said “It is finished,” He was speaking of HIS perfect sacrificial payment for the sins of mankind (John 19:30). The fact that Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice, in no way negates HIS instructions to those who would enter His eternal kingdom. The answer is clearly given to us in Scripture as to what God’s initial and ongoing conditions are for men to appropriate Christ’s salvation. The answer is 1.) repentance and genuine faith and 2.) faith to the end of that recipient’s life on this earth (Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Acts 14:22; 20:21; Col. 1:23; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Rev. 2:26, etc.).
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
So, if we whom He has “saved” don’t “endure to the end,” is Jesus still going to save us?
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13
Jesus taught His own that they must “endure to the end” to be ultimately saved into Heaven (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). Any man teaching that Heaven is automatic for all who were initially, truly saved, is a false teacher.
Whoever by their false doctrine says that enduring to the end is not an essential condition for final salvation, calls the Son of God a lunatic. But we know He’s not. He’s the truth.
Why would Jesus have told His own 12 that they had to “endure to the end” to be “saved” if the cliche’ doctrines of the “PERSEVERANCE of the saints,” “once saved always saved,” and “eternal security” were so? (Matthew 10:22; 24:13) If enduring to the end were automatic for these 12 “elect” men, why did the Son of God bother telling them that it was essential for them to endure to the end (not deny Him)?
IF you don’t seek Him, putting Him first, it’s because you don’t love Him.
The poisoned mind of the Calvinist and eternal securist believes that God’s perfect work through His only begotten Son was so complete that man no longer has any responsibility and yet, the New Testament teaches that because of Christ’s perfect sacrifice we are actually MORE accountable than were those under the Old Covenant. – “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer (more severe) punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Heb. 10:28-29)
Jesus taught that only those who obey Him prove their saving faith in Him – “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) If saving faith which always includes practical obedience is not required, why did the Son of God utter these words?
One sister writes: “John 14:15-21 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Jesus was saying, ‘Sure….If you REALLY love me as you say, then DO what I command.’ He knew what was in man. He knew how we say one thing and do another. But, the deciding factor as to whether we TRULY love Him or not, will be realized in our OBEDIENCE.”
WHO’S GOING TO BE ULTIMATELY “CLOTHED IN WHITE”???? JESUS SAYS:
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5
OSAS (once saved always saved) is a lie from hell. It’s time to kick this addiction in the rear – to kick this evil habit out of your life. You must get far away from any devil who is a demonic operative of Satan himself that tells you that every person who has ever been saved WILL be in Heaven. God’s Word tells us that such a man is an “ungodly” man and a wolf (Jeremiah 23:17; Jude 3-4, etc.).
Only a deceiver attempts to divorce Jesus Christ from what Christ stated. The end will not be good for the dishonest (Luke 8:15; John 8:47).
Those who don’t believe someone can “fall away” defy Christ Himself who invented this term “fall away.” (Lk. 8:13) May that person be rebuked by the LORD Himself and beckoned to read the raw truth of God’s Holy Word – the Bible – and cast off all preconceived man-taught, devil-inspired heresies (like the ‘once saved, always saved’ myth and all of Calvinism). Only those who are presently denying self and taking up their daily cross are following Him and will be with Him where He is (Lk. 9:23-24; Jn. 12:24-26). This is what saving faith always does – obey. Jesus is coming for His true Church which is being washed by obeying His Word (John 15:3; Eph. 5:25-27; 1 Jn. 3:3). No honest-hearted person who truly loves the LORD could possibly get unconditional eternal security out of His Word – because it’s not there. Abide/remain in Him or you will be cast forth as a branch and burned in fires of hell forever (Jn. 15:6).
If Jesus is truly “the” only “way” to God, no one who dies outside of this one Savior – “THE way” – could possibly spend eternity with Him (John 14:6).
THERE SIMPLY ARE NO PROMISES OF ETERNAL SECURITY to any person whom the LORD saves and then they do not continue with Him. The term “eternal security” never appears in God’s Word. Did He forget to tell us something OR are we deceived by a doctrine of devils? God is going to eternally and indescribably reward all of His children who remain/abide to the end with Him, for continuing to search out, believe, and obey His truth (Matthew 7:21; 1 Corinthians 2:9). Those whom He saves but then they don’t continue to choose to have Him as their “first love” will “fall away” and be “cut off.” (Revelation 2:4-5; Luke 8:13; Romans 11:22) They will be as the 5 foolish virgins in Jesus’ parable upon whom the door of eternal glory will be closed, sealing their damnation in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:1-13). Speaking of “Every branch IN ME,” Christ told us that “If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them INTO THE FIRE, and THEY ARE BURNED.” (John 15:6)
Jesus Christ, who is the Truth, is our only escape and safeguard (Prov. 30:5-6; Acts 20:20, 27-32, etc.). No person whom He has saved can “depart from the faith” that saved him while believing a “doctrine of devils” (OSAS), and still be secure. No person who does not remain (abide) in Christ after being saved is heading for Heaven. The LORD and His holy apostles say something completely contrary to modern deceivers who say to all who have ever been saved that they are “as sure for heaven as if you were already there.” (1 Timothy 4:1) Such is never taught in Holy Scripture.
IF you are teaching SATAN’S first lie/doctrine OSAS it’s because you are his! (Genesis 2:17; 3:4) ONLY a child of the devil would teach his lies (John 8:44). GO SEE exactly who originated OSAS: Genesis 2:17; 3:4.
OSAS Death Nail
The “apostle’s doctrine,” followed strictly by every true Heaven-bound disciple of Jesus, never included a promise of “eternal security” without ongoing personal responsibility to endure to the end (which is a willful daily choice). The apostles never taught such (Acts 2:42).
When the great apostle went back around to the cities where he had preached Christ and churches had been formed, his message was completely different from the grace-perverting beguilers today who teach “once saved always saved.” Notice closely the words of Christ’s apostle who had ALL the opportunity in the world to tell these new believers that they are “eternally secure” but told them no such thing! Acts 13:43….
“Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to CONTINUE in the grace of God.” Acts 13:43
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to CONTINUE in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
If continuing in the faith were automatic or according to the “p” of Calvinism, “the perseverance of the saints,” WHY O WHY would Paul exhort these “disciples” of Jesus to do such?
WHY O WHY did the apostle not tell these “disciples” that they were “eternally secure” if such were part of New Testament Christianity?
So, who’s lying? Is Paul the apostle lying or are modern leaders who teach contrary to what he taught lying?
Who shall you follow?
So, we must ask: If in fact the so-called “eternal security” teaching was a part of “the apostle’s doctrine,” WHY O WHY is it never seen coming out of the mouths of Christ or His holy apostles? Did they forget to tell us something we needed to know?
Did the Holy Spirit not clearly warn us through Jude of these grace-perverters whom he said are “ungodly men”?
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4
Just WHAT kind of men does God’s Word tell us are “turning the grace of our God into” a license for sin? – “Ungodly men”!
In stark contrast with this diabolical notion that once saved the believer can do anything he wishes, Titus 2 gives us insight into who truly is saved by the grace of God. This is a passage that is purposely ignored by grace-perverting wolves. Just what does Titus 2:11-14 tell us that the true grace of God is teaching ALL those who are truly saved by it?
“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 (special) people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14
ALL who are saved by divine grace (the only way one can be saved) are “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,” and living “soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
Isn’t it quite interesting that the so-called “doctrines of grace” intentionally evade this Bible passage? If that’s not a red flag what is?
“BUT WAIT! What about John 10:28-29????”
John 10:27 is a truth deceivers love to ignore. Jesus qualified – gave the condition – for being secure. You cannot divorce the words of Jesus recorded in v27 from His words in v28-29. According to Jesus, it’s only those who hear His voice, continue to hear it, and follow (present tense) Him that have security. This also coincides with all else Christ and His apostles taught. Like just 5 chapters forward in chapter 15 where He taught the essential of abiding or remaining in Him or being cut off and burned in the fire if not (John 15:6). “Cut off” is a term Paul uses concerning the Jews and warning the Gentile believers – (Rom 11:20-22).
A clean, clear, and assured conscience comes only by way of saving faith and literal, practical obedience to God’s Word which is always the fruit of saving faith (1 Timothy 1:5). If a person wants a clear conscience, assurance, and eternal security, he must hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow Him. It’s only then – as he is presently worshipping Jesus with no idols or unrepentant sin, that he is assured of eternal life.
WHAT do His sheep do? HOW are they identified?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
Jesus clearly defined exactly who that promise of being kept is for (v27). He was not just throwing that promise out to everyone. It was reserved for a special remnant of those whom He calls and who answer and obey. – Those who continue to hear His voice and continue to follow Him are those who receive the blessing of being kept. Those who seek to spread the “once saved always saved” heresy use John 10:28-29 to their advantage and conveniently ignore the preceding words of Christ in verse 27 which clearly qualify and condition His promise. According to Jesus, the promise of verses 28-29 is a promise of security reserved specifically and exclusively for those who are currently hearing Jesus’ voice and following Him. Many ignore the previous qualifying words (v27) of Jesus where Christ tells us that only those who are hearing His voice and following Him are promised that they are secure and will never perish. There is a condition to being secure in Christ – knowing Him – which requires continuing to “abide” in Him (remain), to hear His voice, and follow Him (see also John 15). In this John 10 passage used by the unconditional eternal security crew to peddle their wares, some neglect to look closely at verse 27 to see just WHO Jesus was specifically speaking to when He promised “they shall never perish.” Jesus was promising that the “They” who “hear my voice” and “follow me” are safe and secure in Me as long as they “endure to the end” in hearing my voice and following Me. According to verse 27 the promise of eternal security is conditional. Assurance of salvation is only to those who are presently following Christ. In verse 27 we learn that protection from judgment to come is only to those who are currently 1) hearing His voice, 2) known by Him, and 3) following Him. This is consistent with the message seen in the whole of Holy Writ. Become familiar with this verse beloved so that you are not “destroyed for lack of knowledge” and “led away with the error of the wicked.” (Hosea 4:6; 2 Peter 3:17)
“My sheep hear my voice (present tense), and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
Note that Jesus says of those who are secure in Him that “they follow me” and not that “they used to follow me.”
Only those who are presently hearing His voice as they walk with Him and are following Him are kept and secure. One simply cannot divorce the words of Christ in v27 and apprehend what He is saying.
Furthermore, elsewhere, WHAT did Jesus say is a must for following Him?
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
So, according to Jesus, is a person who is not denying himself and taking up his cross DAILY actually following Jesus? HOW then can that person vainly believe he is saved?
If Paul believed he was unconditionally, eternally secure, why then did he say:
“But I keep under (present tense) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
Defending the Faith Once Delivered to the Saints
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:19
Donald Stamps responds to this verse this way:
“THEY WENT OUT FROM US. When the antichrists departed from their fellowship with true believers, they were not in a saving relationship with Christ. This allows for two possibilities: (1) They were never true believers to begin with, or (2) they had once been in a saving relationship with Christ but afterward abandoned their faith in Christ.” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 2003
John 10:27-29 teaches us that only those presently abiding in a vital, obedient relationship with Jesus, are being kept by God. All who have been previously born again and yet are not presently remaining intimate in Christ, have been and will be cast away from Him burned in the fires of eternal damnation if they don’t repent before it’s too late (John 15:1-6; Ezekiel 33:12-13; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Hebrews. 10:26-39, etc.).
“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. 21 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 2:20-21
Keeping Clean the Garments of His Righteousness
Jesus says “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and KEEPETH his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” and also “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord (not in sin) from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Revelation 14:13; 16:15) Revelation 1:3 tells us: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and KEEP those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” But the “lukewarm” counterfeit, who is “at ease in Zion” is a moral coward and wants nothing of personal responsibility (Amos 6:1) . He refuses the fear of the LORD in order to please himself because that’s exactly who he is serving and wants no part of personal holiness through the daily cross Jesus commanded. Hell awaits.
The Son of God warned:
“And take heed to yourselves (personal responsibility commanded and required), lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (over indulgence), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare (trap) shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36
After initial salvation, each believer is personally responsible to abide in, to remain with, to continue in Christ. This requires obeying His cross command or they will “fall away” and be shut out of the eternal kingdom of Christ just as the 5 foolish virgins were (Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 8:13; 9:23-24).
Father, in the name of my LORD Jesus Christ, please grant full repentance to my heart, break me to the core of this being. Please make this vessel one that is prepared to honor YOU dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If Heaven were automatic to all those who have been born again, no matter what they do with Christ after He saves them, WHY did Jesus give so many warnings like this above? WHY O WHY the parable of the talents? (Matthew 25:1-13) If unconditional eternal security is true, the Son of God sure is being indicted as a liar by those who believe such a fairytale. We call Him a deceiver for warning us not to “fall away,” and for commanding that we “endure to the end,” and to “keepeth (our) garments (clean from sin),” and many other warnings if there is no possibility of losing out eternally (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Luke 8:13; Revelation 16:15).
Beloved, you must run for your life from any vile, false prophet wolf who even hints that you are “eternally secure” while not doing what the LORD told you to do – regardless if you were truly saved in the past.
God would actually contradict Himself and be a liar if He didn’t damn the souls of all who die in sin – regardless of whether or not they were saved in the past. The Almighty is holy, just, to be feared, and unchanging. The counterfeit Calvinist says that God would cease to be God if He didn’t save and keep all those He saves. Is that what God’s own Word reveals?
Speaking to God’s own people, Christ’s apostle Paul says:
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: IF we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Timothy 2:12
Excuse me… “IF we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Timothy 2:12
What Happened When the LORD Found and Saved You?
Jesus told us that “many” go down that BROAD road that leads to destruction and only a “few” will enter in through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life in Heaven. Jesus says:
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
We were “dead in trespasses and sins” before He found and saved us from our sins and from certain damnation. We must first realize where we were as fallen mankind, in order to appreciate the salvation our LORD has wrought for us.
“And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 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;)6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:1-6
God brought us OUT of something in order to bring us INTO something else. When Jesus was dying for our sins on that cross, He cried “It is finished” which means that the price for mankind’s sins is “Paid in full!” (John 19:30) The blood of His only begotten Son satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem mankind. Nothing else is sufficient.
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
He brought us out of darkness and sin and into His kingdom of light by the washing away of our sins by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
“And he brought us OUT from thence, that he might bring us IN, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.” Deuteronomy 6:23
We have been brought out of Egypt (sin/the world system) and into the promised land which is the picture of God translating us into the kingdom of His dear, blessed Son out from the darkness that once held us captive.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us FROM the power of darkness, and hath translated us INTO the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
When Jesus finds us and we agree with Him that we are sinners and need His saving grace, He saves us, opening our eyes, turning us from spiritual darkness to His light and out from under the power of Satan.
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18
It’s only Jesus Christ who can save a lost soul and it’s only Jesus who can keep that person to the end. He requires the participation of the individual disciple whom He has found and saved (John 8:30-32, 36; Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, etc.). Read John 15 to learn more about abiding or remaining in Christ.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ … Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13
The LORD commands those whom He has rescued out of the darkness of sin and this wicked world system to “work out” their own salvation “with fear and trembling” and as they do, He will continue to keep and to work in them “both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
God instructs us to “keep” ourselves in His love so that we can be ready to meet Him at all times.
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 21, 24-25
At all times we are to look for the soon return of the King of all kings:
“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.” Titus 2:11-14
Jesus told us that He is going to return for a people who are abiding in Him, “holy and without blemish.”
“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
Do not be deceived by the many false teachers who teach “once saved always saved.” Get into God’s Word every morning and avoid the false teachers who are leading many to hell. Fellowship with true Bible believers who search out and cling to “every word of God.” (Proverbs 30:5-6; Matthew 4:4)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Does Eternal Salvation Equal a License to Sin? | Present Salvation | The Idiocy of Calvinism| Will Everyone Jesus has Saved be in Heaven?
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Does Eternal Salvation Equal a License to Sin?
FEEDBACK:
Message Received:
It is true, once saved always saved, and it is not a license to sin, because when you are truly saved the nature of Jesus Christ will not and cannot sin.
Reply:
Not so. Peter sinned long after he was born again. That’s why Paul rebuked him (Gal 2).
Lucifer was in perfect standing with God until he chose to sin and so were Adam and Eve….. that’s the first 3 of many apostates seen in Holy Scripture.
“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” Gal. 2:11 Peter was involved in causing many to stumble – to “fall from grace.” (Gal. 5:4)
If that isn’t sin, what is?
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSAS | Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] |Sealed? | The Return of Christ | Support | Lie of the Ages [podcast] | 10 Questions about Eternal Security | Is Salvation Eternal? | The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast] | The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast] | Lie of the Ages (Blockbuster book exposing OSAS and calvinism)



Abiding
Chosen, Ordained, Joyfully Fruitful [podcast]
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,
and ordained you, that ye should go and bring
forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name,
he may give it you.” John 15:16
- “Ye have not chosen me”
- “I have chosen you”
- “and ordained you”
- “that ye should go and bring forth fruit”
- “and that your fruit should remain”
Of this truth, the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes the following:
“15:16 Lest there be any tendency for them to become discouraged and give up, Jesus reminded them that He was the One who chose them. This may mean that He chose them to eternal salvation, to discipleship, or to fruitfulness. He had appointed the disciples to the work which lay before them. We should go and bear fruit. Fruit may mean the graces of the Christian life, such as love, joy, peace, etc. Or it may mean souls won for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a close link between the two. It is only as we are manifesting the first kind of fruit that we will ever be able to bring forth the second.
The expression “that your fruit should remain” leads us to think that fruit here means the salvation of souls. The Lord chose the disciples to go and bring forth lasting fruit. He was not interested in mere professions of faith in Himself, but in genuine cases of salvation. L. S. Chafer notes that in this chapter we have prayer effectual (v. 7), joy celestial (v. 11), and fruit perpetual (v. 16). “That whatever you ask … .” The secret of effective service is prayer. The disciples were sent forth with the guarantee that the Father would grant them whatever they asked in Christ’s name.”
Adam Clarke writes;
“The first ministers of the Gospel were the choice of Jesus Christ; no wonder, then, that they were so successful. Those whom men have since sent, without the appointment of God, have done no good. The choice should still continue with God, who, knowing the heart, knows best who is most proper for the Gospel ministry.
To be a genuine preacher of the Gospel, a man must –
1. Be chosen of God to the work.
2. He must be placed in the true vine – united to Christ by faith.
3. He must not think to lead an idle life, but labor.
4. He must not wait till work be brought to him, but he must go and seek it.
5. He must labor so as to bring forth fruit, i.e. to get souls converted to the Lord.
6. He must refer all his fruit to God, who gave him the power to labor, and blessed him in his work.
7. He must take care to water what he has planted, that his fruit may remain – that the souls whom he has gathered in be not scattered from the flock.
8. He must continue instant in prayer, that his labors may be accompanied with the presence and blessing of God – Whatsoever ye shall Ask.
9. He must consider Jesus Christ as the great Mediator between God and man, proclaim his salvation, and pray in his name. – Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, etc. See Quesnel.”
God alone ordains His people to His work and brings them
through many purging seasons to cause His fruitfulness in
them, preparing them to bear more of His fruit.
God chose us and blessed us with the ability to repent and
receive Christ. As His people, He’s also ordained us to “go
and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”
As we read this discourse from our LORD (John 15 and 17),
we discover that He is speaking of that abiding fellowship we
have with Him, and how out of it is borne the good fruit of
His ministry in and through our life.
Being rooted in that oneness, the abiding relationship with
Christ, is all-important to our relationship with Him and the
Father. As his student, His disciple, may the reader be
encouraged to pour prayerfully over these truths captured,
and given to us in John, chapters 15 and 17.
Isaiah 43
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee … “
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, please make me one with You. Please deeply root and establish my life in an abiding fellowship with You dear LORD.
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at STORE and amazon. English and Spanish.
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Articles
The Truth about Tradition and Church Membership [podcast]
Is Church Membership Biblical?
Godly and Ungodly Tradition and True and False Church Membership
YOU KNOW you are in a fake church when they have “membership classes” to get you to join yet spend little or no time preaching the Word on the necessity of repentance, forsaking your life in this world, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus daily! Run!
Membership means money to them!
They have a busine$$ plan.
“Prove (test) all things; hold fast (keep and do) that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Of the 13 times we find the word “tradition(s)” in Scripture, only twice is it used positively. The other 11 times it is used negatively because men put their foolish traditions above Christ.
History of Church Membership: The history of church membership in Protestant and Evangelical churches begins with the Catholic Church, which implements its discipline over all the baptized (christened, water sprinkled), through a tradition-based sacramental system, governing the lives of their captors from cradle to grave. Essentially, in this way the Roman cult corrals and coerces the insistence of membership upon every initiated, water-sprinkled/christened catholic child. Without that cult-initiation rite, that membership to the Roman religion, that person is considered outside of salvation, outside of the “one true church.” Through church membership in the Catholic church, the completely un-biblical sacramental system is enforced. The Catholic sacramental system is the creation, the strategy of devils, designed to strengthen the piety of the Catholic faithful throughout their lives, guiding them safely into the bowels of eternal damnation. Jesus died and rose again that He alone might have preeminence over His true worldwide body. Church membership to a local church or church organization is perpetrated by cross-less wolves and is a direct affront to the Headship of the one, nail-scarred Savior (Colossians 1:18; 2:18-19, etc.).
The vast majority of so-called pastors today are more interested in getting you to join their church club, to become a member of their church, than they are about truly feeding the flock of God with the whole counsel of Scripture, equipping you for ministry, and winning souls to Jesus (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:20-32; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.). Prove it wrong.
Church membership today is nothing more than a device of wolves to corral and exploit the people! There’s no biblical justification for it.
Church membership is a tool to run a scam on the people – to number them as Satan led David to do (1 Chronicles 21). The LORD judged David for doing this and is judging the wolves today who coercively promulgate their church membership scam. God’s people belong to HIM and no other (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23, etc.).
Church membership is for nobody’s good except those peddling it. Church membership is designed to make you loyal to their church club, not Christ.
APPLE CARTS FLYING: THE TRADITION AND DECEPTION OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: BEWARE!
Can anyone find church membership in God’s Word among the earliest followers of Jesus? No. If someone is concerned about you becoming a member of their church, that’s a red flag. Make no mistake: They are corralling you in order to control you. Think about it: WHY can’t they just love you as a member of the one blood bought body of Christ? (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4) Church membership as it’s done by the 501(C)(3) government churches is against Holy Scripture and is a device of evil men, wolves. Run.
Beware of the agenda saints. Church membership is a corralling of God’s people for the self-serving purposes of hirelings.
“Church membership” as it’s carried out in the modern church world, quenches the Holy Spirit in my opinion. It ruins the organic, spontaneous, pure fellowship true believers enjoy due to being in Christ. Church membership seems to be a learned device to coral believers in order to exploit them. Think about it: Seminarian pastors are taught this scheme to build their church busine$$.
Denominations or church organizations reinforce this to secure people and funds. It’s a business model. No such thing as church membership in the Bible except that membership Christ alone procured by His own blood. ALL of His saints’ names are written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). Jesus says that this is what we rejoice in!
“Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
We are Christ’s kingdom disciples. We belong to HIM.
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
Local level “church membership” diverts the heart affections of those corralled by hireling wolves! Beware.
Only Abiding in the Truth Protects
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
Is church membership not adding to God’s Word?
God gave us His written Word so that we can be safeguarded from being misled. As we will see in a moment, the traditions of men have and will continue to lead many astray and into eternal damnation. Tradition is passed along from one religious, truth-despising generation to the next. Concerning rightly dividing the truth of God’s Word and how twisting Scripture transpires as a tradition and applies to interpretation of God’s Word, Charles Koller writes:
“There are pitfalls of interpretation into which devout believers may fall, resulting in distortions of the truth. A preacher may borrow an interpretation from a devout Bible scholar, who had previously borrowed it from another equally devout but perhaps misguided Bible scholar. And so the inventions of devout men may unwittingly be passed around as ‘the Word of God.’ Let the Bible speak for itself! What does it actually say? And what does it mean?” Charles W. Koller, How to Preach without Notes, p.65
“Tradition(s)” as it Appears in Scripture:
Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the TRADITION of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Matthew 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your TRADITION?
Matthew 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your TRADITION.
Mark 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the TRADITION of the elders.
Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the TRADITION of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the TRADITION of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own TRADITION.
Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your TRADITION, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Galatians 1:14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the TRADITIONS of my fathers.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the TRADITION of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the TRADITIONS which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the TRADITION which he received of us.
1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by TRADITION from your fathers;
Did you notice that in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Christ’s apostle Paul says we are to “hold the traditions WHICH YE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, whether by word, or our epistle.” The roman catholic cult deceitfully seeks to justify the use of its myriad of Bible-contradicting traditions using this verse. Yet read the words of this verse and carefully note that Paul taught these “traditions” and so they came from God who sanctioned the apostle to pen Holy Scripture (2 Peter 1:19-21). “Traditions” that glorify God are found in God’s Word, not in the writings of some religion of mere sinful men that diametrically contradicts what we read in Holy Scripture. Also, these “traditions” that we received from Paul are tangibly recorded in an “epistle.” The saints at the city of Thessalonica were receiving this divinely-inspired, written letter or “epistle.” This later became part of Holy Writ for all New Testament Scriptures and one of the books of the New Testament canon. What New Testament disciples “have been taught” is now canonized in the 27 books of the New Testament canon of Holy Scripture and is final authority for the faith and practice of all narrow way believers (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.).
Testing and Discerning what is True Tradition and What is False
All who cling to their religion and/or religious tradition in lieu of Christ and His Word, are as sure for hell as if they were already there (Mark 7:6-9).
We are warned in Colossians 2:8 to “Beware” of false “tradition” which leads us away from the pure worship of “Christ.”
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the TRADITION of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Many times people in local “churches” are seen or heard saying “That’s just how we do things around here!” Well, if what you do around you stupid “ministry” is not according to God’s Word, it’s time to repent and change it. Now!
Testing the Concept and Practice of Modern Church Membership
No such thing as church membership in the early church. Totally false.
Church membership is a tool of controlling leaders to corral souls for their own self-serving purposes! Beware! (Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23) They discount your place in Christ by telling you that membership is important in the church business they are building to their own glory.
JESUS came to make captives free. SATAN’s agents seek to put you in bondage! (Luke 4:18; John 10:10; Galatians 5:1)
—- MOST “good church members” are lost due to following a pastor and program instead of truly following Christ on HIS terms. See Mark 8:34-38 and Luke 9:23-24 and you will see why Jesus says only a “few” will be in Heaven Matt. 7:13-14. Your pastor is not your judge, God is and so you better please Him according to what He told you in His Word or you will be cast into the lake of fire as a disobedient, idolatrous rebel (Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14-15, etc.).
Church membership as we know it today, is a tradition of mere sinful and self-serving men “whose god is their belly.” (Philippians 3:18-19)
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.).” Philippians 3:18-19
There is nothing found in Scripture that directly teaches people that they should “join a church.” So, did the Almighty, all-knowing God somehow forget to tell us something we needed to know, OR, has someone added something foreign to the practice of the Christian faith?
The Bible student must conclude that “joining a church” as we know it in this apostate age, is not by divine decree but is rather a tradition of sinful men and therefore a “false way” that we should “hate.” (Psalms 119:104, 128) So, church membership in an earthly organization is not a tradition any disciple of Christ should hold and should stay clear of such in order not to dilute his allegiance to the one and only “Head” of His true body, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18; 2:18-19; Ephesians 5:23). This is after the workings of sinful men to secure the allegiance and loyalty of men’s hearts, intercepting the affections of their hearts from the “Head.” Was it not rebellious Absalom who “stole the hearts of the men of Israel”? (2 Samuel 15:6) Is this not the subversive, insidious “spirit of antichrist” at work today to rob God of the glory due to Christ’s holy name alone?
Did Jesus or any disciple in the New Testament Scriptures ever instruct anyone to “join a church” or become a good church member as we know these thing to be today in westernized “Christianity”?
Such a question poses a threat to some pastors who are far too possessive, un-submitted, and un-abandoned to Christ. Though not truly submitted to the LORD, which would mean they trusted Him in all things, many of these same leaders seek for coerce others to submit to them, to join their church, to support them, etc.
Posing such a question as this one on church membership, is an example of testing all things against the counsel of Scripture like good Bereans (Acts 17:11). Testing what is being accepted in a local gathering of saints can shake up a leader who is not truly broken before the LORD. Testing all things helps us rightly divide the word of truth and begin to examine what is truth and what is tradition in the things we do as His body and as individual saints. We must live and oversee only as our LORD has revealed in the divine wisdom of His Word and as He enables and leads – which will always be in accordance with His Word (Psalms 11:105; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.).
Jesus says “follow me” and if one is going to know and follow Him, that person must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him “daily.” (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23-24).
Church membership as we know it today in the modern church system, is clearly a tradition of mere men and not a part of true, New Testament Christianity. At this point, many will say: “But brother, the Bible says we are to fellowship!” Yes, true, but remember that church membership is completely unneeded for true Christian fellowship as defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16-17, etc.). Yes, the Bible teaches us that Jesus’ true disciples are to fellowship with one another and modern church membership is completely unneeded for such unless you factor in the hirelings who perpetrate such for their own personal purposes. In fact, self-serving ambition is the root of most traditions. The whole church-building centered modern church system is designed to benefit and profit the business-owner or franchisee (the pastor), not the LORD and His people. Christ’s true saints are not lukewarm weekly church members but rather, on fire disciples are fellowship daily and “exhort one another DAILY” and so much the more as His return draws nigh (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrew 3:13; 10:24-25).
You see, if a pastor can get you to sign his roster, he knows he has your allegiance and therefore you money.
Most people claiming to be Christians have this tradition in their minds that they need to find and join a church. Yet, it’s a nearly impossible task to find a body of true believers who are walking in the New Testament definition and revelation of what God calls fellowship where Christ is supreme. 99% of local churches are entertainment centers that offer little or no elements nor the spirit of the early church believers.
The test of true Christian fellowship is whether or not there are the following elements as found in the book of Acts (partial list):
- continuing steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine (written Word)
- breaking bread together
- fellowship
- prayer
- sharing one to another whatever each member of the body of Christ needs – having all things common
- ceasing not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ (Acts 5:42)
You see, when you find – if you ever find – a pastor who tells the people to give among yourselves, having “all things common,” you have found something very rare. Regrettably, the modern church is a business and that CEO pastor who refuses to truly pastor the people, needs to pay a mortgage and many other unnecessary expenses they are wasting. So, in his mind, following Christ has nothing to do with it – making the mortgage and building his church business is what matters to him.
Perhaps we should cease searching for a church and simply be Christ’s church.
The LORD Himself, nor any of His apostles ever hinted of or instructed anyone to “go join a church” or to “become a good church member” and yet this is the order of the day in the apostate modern church world which is piloted or hi-jacked by self-serving hirelings who are farming their communities to build their own local church franchise, competing against other CEO type entrepreneurs. Now grant it, being an entrepreneur is not a sin if done uprightly in the business world and yet, the Church of Jesus Christ is no place to employ entrepreneurial tactics. Christ’s church is not a business. Yet this is the way much of the modern church world is set up. Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us that “There is no new thing under the sun” and so we know we can peer into history and see the same things happening as we see transpiring today.
“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13
God’s house or dwelling place in individuals and in groups is to be dedicated to the worship of Him alone and yet, many today are intercepting the worship due only to the LORD and exploiting His people for their own self-serving purposes (Isaiah 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3, etc.).
Setting forth such an idea that subverts the modern tradition of church memberships may be scary to some. To make the case that true New Testament fellowship is what is important and not joining a church, makes some pastors nervous because they are entrenched in following tradition instead of Christ. Perhaps they are threatened by this because they have not fully released themselves and therefore the people to the LORD, acknowledging Him alone as their Maker, God, Redeemer, and “Head.” (Colossians 2:18-19) Today would be the best day to denounce these idolatrous sins and begin to “lean not to thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-7)
Please don’t read rebellion against God into this – but do read rebellion against man and satan into it please. You can put my name on that! It’s time to sift through and test every notion, philosophy, and practice of today against what we observe in Holy Scripture to be truth and according to the mind of Christ. See Acts 17:11 and Jeremiah 1:10. The erroneous traditions and contradictions to holy truth must FIRST be removed and torn down before a proper foundation can begin to be built. Study and memorize and put into action the divine principle and order of Jeremiah 1:10.
Christ and His redemptive work on that cross is despised by church membership. How? Well, church membership dishonors that Christ bled to make us members of HIS one body or church. Read Ephesians 2; 4; 1 Corinthians 12.
It’s only where Jesus Christ is upheld as the supreme KING, God, Counselor, Truth, Way, and Life that divine virtue flows from Heaven into His people! See Colossians 2:18-19.
Until we first put to the test the very reasons for which we assemble/meet and embrace the priorities set forth in Scripture, our assemblies will be limited at best.
Blindly following or going along with tradition instead of what is taught in God’s Word, always leads to dismal results as we have the pharisees for an example.
We should ask “What is the biblical precedence for ….” and “What saith the Scriptures?”
This doesn’t mean we won’t find things that are biblical, but how can we possibly have a clear heart about things until we do?
“Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” 2 Samuel 15:6
Traditions of Mere Men are Meant to be Broken – Rooted Out
A reading of the Gospels reveals to us that Jesus often upset the religious bafoons of His day by breaking their foolish, man-centered, Christ-denying traditions. Their foolish traditions trumped divine truth.
“For laying aside the commandment (Word) of God, ye hold the TRADITION of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” Mark 7:8
Do you know what Jeremiah 1:10 says? This verse gives us extremely valuable and necessary insight into the order and workings of the LORD.
“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10
What is the LORD’s order of working in our hearts?
- “to root out”
- “to pull down”
- “to destroy”
- “to throw down”
- “to build”
- “to plant”
First we should diligently examine why we do what we do. All teachings and practices must be acid tested against Holy Writ (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). Questions to explore:
- “What did the early church do” is a very good starting question.
- And, “What do we see the apostles and Christ doing”?
- “What does the Bible teach?”
Your Prayer: Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come to You in the name of Jesus, asking that You would please begin to purge out any notion or philosophy or belief in this life You gave that is not of You – that is not according to the whole counsel of Your written Word. Please make me Your authentic disciple. Root out all from my life that does not glorify You and fill this vessel with the fruits of Your righteousness to bring glory to You and to serve others as unto You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Articles
The One Essential to Victory [podcast]
Victory is at hand!! This message is at the heart of the original Gospel message Christ and that His apostles gave. Yet, this is seldom if ever heard today. Victory awaits you!!!!! God desires to give it to you!!!! You be careful though saint. Be not deceived. Get this truth in your heart and life and God will raise you upward to the victory that brings Him glory and where you belong. Paul said that there are many “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18-19) Discover who they are and what is divinely required for you to be blessed with victory in this life and in eternity with Christ!
The Victory is in Jesus [podcast]
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Apostate Modern Church Exposed | Beware of the BUZZ WORD Bandits [podcast] | Preach the Word | Wolves Exposed | Church Membership Exposed | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich Podcasts | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ


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