Category: works-religion

Who Is a Sinner? #1

Friday, August 16, 2013

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV).

Behold, God’s standard of righteousness, of which we all fall short!

I recently spoke with a religious family member about her soul salvation. My question to her was simple and direct, “Do you have the assurance of going to heaven, and on what basis do you have that assurance?” After a long pause, she uttered softly, “Heaven, because I have never done anything wrong in my life.” I then politely explained to her that that was a lie—calling God a “liar” is “doing wrong” in and of itself! Additionally, I reminded her of today’s Scripture, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Oddly, she actually agreed that all have sinned (despite her earlier comments, “I have never done anything wrong”).

The above conversation demonstrates the spiritual blindness of works-religion people. Religion distinguishes between “good people” and “bad people.” As long as you attend church and submit to the denomination’s demands (rites, rituals, ceremonies, et cetera), “doing the best you can,” you are considered “good” and “heaven-bound.” “Bad” people—those going to hell—are the people outside the church membership—gang members, fornicators, thieves, drunkards, murderers, and atheists.

As the Berean Bible student knows, this system of relative morality is flawed: no human, whether religious or secular (worldly), is the standard of righteousness. There are absolute right and absolute wrong, and they do not vary from person to person. Today’s Scripture plainly shows us that we have “come short of the glory of God.” One person may appear to be better than another, but both persons are sinners when compared to the absolute righteousness of God (Jesus Christ)! The standard of righteousness is the same for everyone; every person is not an independent standard. As Paul reminded, “they…comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).

Works-religionists fail to understand that they too are sinners, but not because they commit “more heinous” deeds than others. They are sinners because their character, their nature inherited from Adam, is anti-God. That nature (sin) then produces wicked actions (sins)….

Israel, Stand Still! #10

Thursday, July 18, 2013

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!

The Old Covenant (the Mosaic Law) only condemns us as sinners—it never saves anyone, it only makes “all the world guilty before God” (Romans 3:19). In order for God to save and use Israel, He will have to make a New Covenant with them. Read Hebrews 8:7-13 (quoting Jeremiah 31:31-34):

“[7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. [8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: [9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: [11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. [12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. [13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”

This is Israel’s glorious prospect—a covenant that involves JEHOVAH working to save her from sin and Satan, just as He saved her from the Egyptian bondage. It will be an extremely intense battle, and JEHOVAH Himself will die….

NOTE: If you’re interested in “attending” a grace Bible conference via internet, the Grace School of the Bible Family Summer Bible Conference is underway through today. You can find all the details (times, topics, and preachers) at www.graceimpact.org.

The Word of God, Right Here and Out There

Friday, July 5, 2013

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105 KJV).

Whether near or far, let God’s Word illuminate your life….

The Bible says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4).

Satan is “the god of this world,” and the darkness with which he is associated is spiritual ignorance. While he knows exactly what God is doing, he wants to hide that information from us! Chiefly, he hides the Gospel of the Grace of God (Paul’s Gospel) from people: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Satan uses works-religion to deceive people into thinking that their “good” works will merit favor before God.

If someone does get saved by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ alone as his or her personal Saviour, Satan will attempt to hide God’s Word from that person using works-religion again! “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit [legalism, Law-keeping; Romans 8:15], which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:3,4).

In today’s Scripture, when the Bible says, “[God’s] word is a lamp unto my feet,” it is referring to daily Bible study for daily Christian living (practical sanctification). Moreover, the phrase “[God’s word is] a light unto my path” concerns an entire lifetime as well as eternity (soul salvation).

Let us trust Paul’s Gospel for salvation, the lamp in spiritual darkness, and let us walk by faith in the Apostle Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, the light in spiritual darkness.

Fruit to Behold in the Ages to Come

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19,20 KJV).

Remember, we will not comprehend the full impact of God’s ministry through us until eternity future….

Invariably, any King James Bible, Pauline dispensationalist has had the thought cross his or her mind, “Is this worth it?” A doubt such as this is prompted by the usual replies, “Who believes that? How could so many people be so wrong? I have been in my [denominational] church for years, and I never heard what you are teaching before! I feel comfortable in my church tradition, so do not bother me anymore with your ‘heresy!’”

In spite of all the opposition you face, you meet someone who is tired of formalism, participating in mindless rites, ceremonies, and rituals just for the sake of “doing religion.” This one soul seeks liberty from works-religion, and you have the message whereby they can be set free from the shackles of sin—the message of God’s grace to us in Jesus Christ!

Despite all the opposition you face, you meet someone who is sick of existentialism, committing the sins of the flesh just to have a “good time in this one life.” This one soul seeks freedom from selfishness, and you have the message whereby they can be set free from the shackles of sin—the message of God’s grace to us in Jesus Christ!

Amidst all the opposition you face, you meet someone who is tired of fanaticism, seeking experiences, emotions, and encounters just for the sake of “doing religion.” This one soul seeks liberty from emotionalism, and you have the message whereby they can be set free from the shackles of sin—the message of God’s grace to us in Jesus Christ!

These precious, few souls who want to hear God’s truth make Christian service and ministry worthwhile, and for their sakes, let us continue so the remaining souls who are interested, can also become “our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing!” 🙂

Reconciliation, Imputation, and Salvation #14

Sunday, June 30, 2013

“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” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Soul salvation from everlasting hellfire is the Holy Bible’s most important doctrine, so let us be particularly careful with today’s Scripture.

Consider this simply analogy to learn how soul salvation operates. A certain project needs funding, and a wealthy investor is willing to supply the funds. However, until the funds are appropriated, the debt is still there. Likewise, a trip to heaven is expensive, and we are too poor to pay. But, Jesus Christ is righteous and He can pay that debt for us. However, until that righteousness is imputed by faith, our sin debt is still there! If we die having never trusted Jesus Christ to pay it for us, the sin debt remains, and God’s wrath against our sins is appeased by us suffering forever and ever in complete isolation in eternal hellfire.

Returning to our earlier studies about the reconciliation described in Genesis chapter 3, Adam and Eve broke their perfect relationship with their Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, by disobeying Him. They attempted to resolve their sin problem through religion (their “good” works)—they sewed fig leaves to clothe their vile bodies (Genesis 3:7). Adam and Eve finally had to come to the place to admit their sinfulness, and by faith, they accepted that blood sacrifice that the LORD God shed for their sins (verse 21).

Mankind is in the same position today. He has free will to come to God through Jesus Christ and be reconciled to God forever (2 Corinthians 5:20). Or, he can “despise the riches of [God’s] goodness and forbearance and longsuffering,” which will only “treasure up unto [him] wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Romans 2:4-6).

Dear reader, God has done everything to keep you from going to hell, but He will never take away your free will. If you want to go to hell, God will not stop you. This is how much God Almighty loves freedom….!

Reconciliation, Imputation, and Salvation #13

Saturday, June 29, 2013

“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” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Soul salvation from everlasting hellfire is the Holy Bible’s most important doctrine, so let us be particularly careful with today’s Scripture.

Let us summarize the mechanics of soul salvation:

  • SEPARATION – Sin separates man from God: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
  • GRACE – Everything God can do for you—not what you can do for God—through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
  • RECONCILIATION #1 (God’s work) – The Gospel of God’s Grace declares He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for man’s sins, to suffer His wrath against man’s wickedness: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself” (today’s Scripture).
  • RECONCILIATION #2 (man’s faith) – Each individual should trust Jesus Christ’s performance at Calvary as sufficient payment for his or her sins (PROPITIATION; Romans 3:25); otherwise, the individual will continue on his or her way to eternal hellfire (DAMNATION; Romans 2:8-11). “We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20b).
  • REDEMPTION and FORGIVENESS – Jesus Christ’s blood pays the price to free the Christian from sin’s power and penalty. “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7ab).
  • IMPUTATION – By faith, Jesus Christ’s righteousness is applied to the believer’s account. “But for us also, to whom it [righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:24).
  • JUSTIFICATION – One who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ alone as personal Saviour is now “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21b).
  • SALVATION – The Christian’s deliverance from sin, death, hell, and the lake of fire: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Let us begin to conclude this devotionals arc….

Reconciliation, Imputation, and Salvation #12

Friday, June 28, 2013

“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” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Soul salvation from everlasting hellfire is the Holy Bible’s most important doctrine, so let us be particularly careful with today’s Scripture.

“The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Romans 3:22). God’s righteousness is available “unto all,” but it is only “upon [imputed to] all them that believe.” “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). Jesus Christ died to save all, but only those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork at Calvary, are “the children of God”—justified, “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The ascended and glorified Lord Jesus Christ first committed unto the Apostle Paul—and now to us Christians—this Gospel of Grace. When the ascended Lord Jesus Christ saved wicked Saul (Acts chapter 9), He declared: “Delivering thee from the people [Israel], and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 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 26:17,18).

Jesus Christ first entrusted the “word of reconciliation” (today’s Scripture) to Paul. Acts 26:18 affirms Paul had to preach to the Gentiles so they could receive forgiveness—they did not receive forgiveness until they believed the Gospel of the Grace of God that Paul preached. Forgiveness must be imputed by faith: every verse in which Paul mentioned forgiveness, it involved God forgiving Christians, or Christians forgiving Christians—“the world” is absent from Romans 4:7; 2 Corinthians 2:7,10; 2 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:13; and Colossians 3:13.

Beware! “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself” (today’s Scripture) and forgiveness IN Christ are indeed separate issues: the heretical dogma of universalism—that all will make it to heaven eventually—is obviously unscriptural.

Now, let us begin to summarize soul salvation….

Reconciliation, Imputation, and Salvation #11

Thursday, June 27, 2013

“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” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Soul salvation from everlasting hellfire is the Holy Bible’s most important doctrine, so let us be particularly careful with today’s Scripture.

Romans 3:20-28 best explains justification: “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. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

Man cannot be made right in God’s sight (justified) through his so-called “Law-keeping,” but the Bible says, “his faith [in Jesus Christ’s righteousness] is counted [imputed] for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

Forgiveness and righteousness are offered to all through the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary, but those merits are of no benefit to an individual unless he or she trusts that Gospel of the Grace of God. Paul never wrote that the whole world is forgiven—“reconciled” (today’s Scripture) and “forgiven” are different. Only believers are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:13). Once an individual hears that Jesus Christ offers to pay for and forgive his or her sins, that person is expected to trust it unto forgiveness and justification….

Reconciliation, Imputation, and Salvation #4

Thursday, June 20, 2013

“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” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Soul salvation from everlasting hellfire is the Holy Bible’s most important doctrine, so let us be particularly careful with today’s Scripture.

Satan had already declared war on his Creator God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, mankind, the Lord’s ally, willfully switches sides and becomes Satan’s servant by submitting to his will! Sin infiltrates planet earth, as it had the heavenly places sometime earlier.

Adam and Eve know they are now in a major dilemma. Genesis 3:7 says they, in a feeble, desperate attempt, try to cover their sins by gathering fig leaves and sewing them to make aprons for their now naked bodies (the first act of religion, or as a dear Christian brother calls it, “Operation: Fig Leaf!”). In the coolness of the day, as the voice of the LORD God rings out, Adam and Eve flee and hide amongst the trees (verse 8). Sinful man cannot and will not approach his righteous Creator God, so man’s Creator will come and find him!

After the LORD God brings Adam and Eve to accountability, He declares to Satan, the serpent: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (verse 15). We will discuss this important verse later, but let us focus on verse 21 for now: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” The LORD God graciously provided a solution—a blood sacrifice—to Adam and Eve’s sins, for their attempt to “cover up” their own sins with fig leaves was useless! Note that they never asked for His help either.

Some 4,000 years later, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That love that sent Him looking for Adam and Eve, motivated Him to come seek us “hiding amongst the trees,” and to offer another blood sacrifice—Himself….

Never Look Back

Monday, April 29, 2013

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Philippians 3:7,8 KJV).

I was recently encouraged to hear two dear brothers in Christ discuss their transition from being denominational preachers to grace preachers. The Apostle Paul summarized his in today’s Scripture.

Saul of Tarsus was a religious zealot: he was a religious leader of Israel, a wealthy Pharisee (Jesus had condemned Pharisees as self-righteous and greedy.) Jesus Christ and His Jewish believers were a threat to Saul’s religion; thus, Saul mercilessly hunted down and dragged these Messianic Jews to prison. In Acts chapter 7, through the prophet Stephen, the Holy Spirit pleaded with Israel’s leadership to accept Jesus as their Messiah. Alas, unbelieving Israel stoned Stephen to death—Saul witnessed it with pleasure! (Saul was highly influential in Israel’s fall before God.)

God’s wrath on wicked Saul of Tarsus, the whole world, and especially Israel, was swiftly approaching. Just before that wrath fell, God’s grace and peace interrupted it.

In Acts chapter 9, once Saul thought he had arrested every Jew in Jerusalem who had believed Jesus was Messiah, he headed north to Damascus to arrest Messianic Jews there. Before he reached Damascus, he personally met the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ and was never the same again! He trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, and he quit his silliness in religion. For the next 35 years, he preached the grace of Jesus Christ, the Person he had so vehemently opposed.

Once he made the transition from the traditions of men to the message of God’s grace to us in Christ, Paul lost his fame and fortune (sounds familiar, huh?). His salary as a denominational leader dwindled, his “friends” scattered, and he was branded a “heretic” (sounds familiar, huh?). So what! In his own words, that was all “but dung” (today’s Scripture)—he “won Christ,” and never looked back… May we follow his ensample. 🙂