Sin is the Reason for the Season “Christmas”

Sin is the Reason for the Season “Christmas”

by | Dec 30, 2018 | Bible Prophecy, Daily Encouragement, Doctrine

The Christmas Story was written before time began. It is the greatest story ever told. A true story that was planned in time-past and will live on into eternity.

‘Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; ‘

Acts 2:23

The Christmas Story: The Story of God’s Plan of Redemption 

In the heart of the joyous celebration of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem’s humble manger, there lie two profound truths often eclipsed by the festivities. Firstly, Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb (the Redeemer), willingly shed His precious blood to atone for the sins of the entire world. Secondly, this awe-inspiring redemptive design was not a spontaneous occurrence but an intricately designed masterpiece preordained before the very fabric of time itself. The gravity of Christ’s purpose and the divine craftsmanship of the plan of redemption add unparalleled depth to the magnificent narrative of the Christmas Story.

 

The Reason for the Season

Sin! Yes, sin is the reason for the season. Sin is the reason for Jesus being in a manger. Sin is the reason for Jesus shedding His blood and dying on the cross. (Chiefly, it was God’s love for mankind that put His Son on the cross.) Not very Christmassy, but sin is the reason for the season. In Hebrews 10, God makes it clear why He sent His Son.

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ” Hebrews 10:5-7

God makes it clear that He sent His Son to be the supreme sacrifice for sin. Read on…

Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them ” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  Hebrews 10:8-10

God the Father took no pleasure in the sacrifices of bulls and goats. But because of what the Triune God predetermined in time past, Christ declares to the world that He, God the Son in the flesh, is doing the will of God the Father. Read on…

 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

Hebrews 10:11-12 

 

Mind Boggling 

Before time, as we understand it, the Triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) agreed on how to deal with the sin issue. (Yes, God knew before He created anything (because of His foreknowledge) that mankind would fall and sin would separate mankind from their Creator.) And it would be God the Son, Jesus Christ, who would step out and manifest Himself in the flesh to be the sacrifice that would please God the Father for the payment of sin.

 

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

II Timothy 1:9

‘Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; ‘

Acts 2:23

‘He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you ‘

I Peter 1:20

 

Scripture makes it clear that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit decided that Jesus Christ, the Son, would take on flesh to be the supreme sacrifice for all sin. God’s Word is perfect and precise. At that exact time, God sent His Son, born of a woman.

 

But when the fullness of the time has come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Galatians 4:4

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

‘who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ‘

Hebrews 1:3

 

Because God Loved Us First 

All planned before time as we know it began. That the Son, would take on flesh, shed His blood and die to pay for sin, be buried in the ground, and resurrected three days later. Never to die again. “The Gospel” Mind-boggling and impossible for any human to fully understand or explain but that’s where faith comes in. God said it, so we believe it. God did it because He loved us first and foremost. God wants us back in a relationship with Him. Stop and think about this, most of the world has no time for God. And God knows it but He still loves ALL mankind in spite of the complete rejection of everything God does for ALL. God’s unexplainable love for us.

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I John 4:10

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7 

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Ephesians 2:4-5

Who Will Believe Him?

In Isaiah 53, the “Christmas Story” is laid out clearly and in great detail. This amazing prophecy of the coming Christ was written by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before it happened.

Remember the golden rule of Bible study; who’s writing? and who is the writer writing too? Isaiah is the writer and he is writing to Israel.

Isaiah 53:1-2a

1. “Who hath believed our report?  and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 

How will believe Him?

2. For He shall grow up before Him as a tender planet, as a root out of a dry ground:…”

Now, what’s that a reference to Bethlehem.  Who would ever expect a King to be born in a stable situation down in the little, lowly town of Bethlehem?  So it’s just like a little piece of grass coming up out on the desert, insignificant and almost unknown.

Isaiah 53:2b

“…as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; (In other words, He wasn’t born there with a great crown of Jewels around His head and all the aspects of a King. No. He was in a lowly manger born in a stable.) and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” He wasn’t a great, fantastic, handsome individual that they were drawn to because of His physical attributes.

Isaiah 53:3

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; for He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”

What does that mean? God the Son in the flesh knew of mankind’s sin dilemma. He knew His chosen people would join together with the Romans and crucify Him. He knew most would reject Him. The Jews didn’t know who He was but they should have. Jesus was among His people for three years performing miracles but they were stubborn. In the upper room, there were how many that believed He was the Christ the Son of God? Only one hundred and twenty, out of how many million Jews? Remember Jesus is God He knows everything before it happens and is willing to do all this because He loves not just the Jews but all mankind. Jesus Christ would have went to the cross if there was just one human on earth.

Isaiah 53:4

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:

He was the sacrifice — not only for the whole Nation of Israel but for the whole human race.   

yet we did esteem him stricken, (beaten and misused by the Romans) 

smitten of God, and afflicted.”  

Of course, that was the work of the cross—where all the sin of the world was laid on that sinless One. 

Isaiah 53:5

“But He was wounded for our transgressions,

Sin. He became the Supreme Sacrifice.  

He was bruised for our iniquities:

He went through it all for the sins first of Israel, of course, but also for the whole human race. “the mystery” Romans 16:25″

the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes (That is the stripes of the Roman whips.) we are healed.”

Now that’s not talking about physical healing. That’s talking about the spiritual.

Isaiah 53:6a “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;…”

In other words, they just couldn’t come together and recognize who this Jesus was, born in Bethlehem, growing up in Nazareth, and now performing miracles for the last three years. They just couldn’t figure out who He was.

Isaiah 53:6b “…and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  Jesus Christ the sinless one took on the sin of the whole world.

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent so he openeth not His mouth.”

The Son of God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Who created the hill He was crucified on, created the trees for the wood that He hung on, created the men that nailed Him to the cross, but never said a word in protest. Isaiah

53:8 “He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for He was cut off (Christ would die on the cross) out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.” 

In the Old Testament who is referred to as “My People”, Israel. Remember who the writer is? Isaiah. Who is Isaiah writing too? Israel. It wouldn’t until around 40 AD that the risen Lord Jesus would reveal to the apostle Paul the “mystery” or secret of the gospel of the grace of God eleven years after Christ ascension. That now salvation is available to all the whole world apart from the law to Jew or Gentile makes no difference. Up to that point, salvation was to Jew only.

Isaiah 53:9a

“And He made his grave with the wicked,

He was buried among the lost of this world.

and with the rich in His death…”

His tomb was owned by Joseph of Arimathaea who was wealthy.

Isaiah 53:9b

“…because He had done no violence,

He had done nothing to deserve His death.

neither was any deceit in His mouth.”

He never tried to defend Himself. He stayed silent. Keep in mind the reason why God is doing all of this! Because He first loved us.

Isaiah 53:10a

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; he hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin,…

God the Father took no pleasure in any of the sacrifices prior to His Son’s perfect sacrifice on the cross. Why? Because none of those goats and bulls could take care of the sin problem. And until that perfect sacrifice was complete believers could not be in the presence of God. That perfect sacrifice was fulfilled when Christ died on the cross, was buried and was raised from the dead three days later. “It is Finished”. It was only after Christ was raised from the dead that He went into the middle of the earth and took Abraham and the rest of the saints going all the way back to Adam with Him back to heaven. Up until the cross, the saints could not be in the presence of God because full payment for sin wasn’t complete. Today, when a believer dies they go immediately to be with the Lord.  

Isaiah 53:10b

“…when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.”

Picture the suffering that Jesus went through on the way to the cross, going all the way back to the early morning hours and as He hung there in agony and shame. Yet, what was the most glorious aspect of all of God’s dealing with the human race? The resurrection! That was primary. How He arose from the dead victorious over all of His opposition. There was nothing that could take from His power and His glory when He arose from the dead. Nothing. As believers, we identify with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection! Nothing can take us from Him. 

Isaiah 53:11a

“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:…”

What were the last words Christ said on the cross; “It is Finished” Mankind has been trying to add to what Christ said ever since. By faith alone beloved. Jesus Christ did it all. His shed blood was sufficient for God the father it should be sufficient for mankind.

Isaiah 53:11

“He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:

Because it was finished, there was nothing more that could be done.

by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many;…”

Not just Israel but the whole world. It’s important to realize at this time in Biblical history (700 BC) there is no salvation message to the Gentile world. Only after the cross could Jesus be the object of faith to the Gentile world. Christ had to keep the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. Romans 15:8

Isaiah 53:11

“…for He shall bear their iniquities.

Which Jesus Christ did when He hung on the cross.

Isaiah 53:12

12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong;

Jesus Christ will reign as King over all the nations of the earth for a 1000 years.

because He hath poured out his soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors;

The two thieves one on either side of Him.

and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” 

Jesus Christ died and paid the price for all the sin since Adam but only a remnant will believe. For the believers, Christ is our advocate before the God the Father.

There it is beloved, the Christmas Story – God’s Plan of Redemption. Written 2,700 years ago by Isaiah, fulfilled 2000 years ago and planned in eternity past by the triune God.

All the Glory to God.

Thank you for reading.

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Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Qua Non

The “Mystery” of Israel’s Temporary Blinding

The “Mystery” of Israel’s Temporary Blinding

by | Dec 19, 2018 | Doctrine

The Mystery of the Temporary Blinding of Israel

Approximately 11 years after Pentecost the resurrected and glorified Lord Jesus chose the apostle Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15,16) The resurrected Lord Jesus revealed to Paul the gospel of grace and the doctrine for the grace age Church. The Word of God refers to these new revelations as a “mystery” or secret (μυστήριον). These were secrets held in the mind of God until revealed to Paul. (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26) There were eight mysteries revealed to the apostle Paul. One of them is the “temporary blinding of Israel”. Romans 11:25

 

“The Mystery of Israel’s Blinding”

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Romans 11:25

 

The resurrected Lord revealed to Paul that this grace age is only temporary! When the final Gentile is saved, the Body of Christ will be snatched (Rapture) up into the clouds where we will meet the Lord. Where we will be with Christ forever. A short time after the Church has been taken off the scene the anti-christ will be revealed and the 7 years of Jacob’s trouble will begin.

Read Romans chapter 11 several times and you will begin to see God’s sovereignty, wisdom and unsearchable knowledge pop out. It’s absolutely perfect. God’s plans are perfect, so precise and mind-boggling.

 

Rightly Dividing the Word is Crucial

It’s important to recognize that the gospel of grace and doctrine for the Body of Christ which is His Church was NOT revealed until God called the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. ELEVEN (11) years AFTER Pentecost!!! Everything that came before was under the law and for Israel. Gentiles were NEVER under the law. (Ephesians 2:11) It’s not possible to mix law and grace.

There is much confusion and division in Christendom because the majority refuse to separate law and grace, Peter and Paul, Israel and the Body of Christ.

Thank you for reading.

Please consider sharing this post.

Mesa Bible Study

 

 

19 Biblical Absolutes, Fundamentals and Truths

19 Biblical Absolutes, Fundamentals and Truths

by | Oct 24, 2018 | Doctrine

19 Biblical Absolutes, Fundamentals and Truths

 

While doctrine is vitally important it is not a strong enough foundation to bear the weight of His glory that is about to be revealed through true unity. There are major changes in the “wind” right now. For the last several years people have started to gather around fathers instead of doctrine.

 

Bill Johnson,

Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California

 

No Doctrine is the New Doctrine

Sadly, this kind of silver-tongued devil talk, this doctrine of demons, is now normal. The “anything goes” move away from the fundamental doctrines of the Church is the narrative spreading like wild fire in the body of Christ. No longer do we (the Church) have to evangelize an ungodly world. Today believers have to explain to people inside the Church why homosexuality is an abomination to God, why women are not permitted by God to Pastor or Shepard a congregation, or why same-sex marriage is ungodly, and how it is God that established the institution of marriage.

Across the board mainstream denominations are moving toward a “social gospel” and away from sound doctrine. But isn’t this exactly what the apostle Paul said would happen:

‘Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ‘

I Timothy 4:1-3

False teachers don’t show up dressed in black come before the congregation and say “Hi I’m a messenger from Satan and I’m your new Pastor”. No, he will have the right credentials, he will know the right text, speak eloquently and use 80% truth, to get that 20% of false teaching in. Just enough to take the congregation down.

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.…

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Those rock solid fundamentals, absolutes and sound doctrine sound really good in this dark and very cold world. What a comfort to know that our Lord Jesus Christ (The Word) will never change, He will always be faithful, Holy and Just.

‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ‘

Hebrews 13:8

Not a complete list by any means.

1. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 

2. The Gospel is that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

3. Salvation is by faith alone, believing the gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; without keeping the Mosaic law. Romans 3:21-22 Romans 4:5 Romans 8:3,4 Ephesians 2:8,9

4. We are no longer under the Law but under Grace. Romans 6:14, 2 Corinthians 3:7

5. Christians fulfill the moral law by faith in God apart from the Mosaic Law. Grace age believers are baptized by God into the Body of Christ, given a new nature, sealed and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.  Galatians 2:20-21, Romans 13:10, Colossians 2:6-7

6. Hell and the Lake of Fire are real literal places. Unbelievers will be resurrected out of hell and appear before Jesus Christ in their new bodies to face Judgement at the Great White Throne. Then cast into the lake of fire eternally separated from God. Revelation 20:13-14 Romans 2:16  Revelation 20:11-15 Matthew 13:42 Matthew 25:41

7. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission [forgiveness] of sin. Hebrews 9:22

8. Jesus Christ resurrected bodily. Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15

9. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6

10. There is no other way by which mankind can be saved but through Jesus Christ. John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5

11. The SIN Dilemma. We are sinners not because we break God’s Law, we break God’s laws because we are sinners. Romans 5:12, 18, Psalm 51:5

12. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the creator and sustainer of everything. John 1:1, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2

13. The inerrancy of the Scripture. Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20

14. The communion table is the time of reverential contemplation of Jesus Christ finished work of the cross. I Corinthians 11:26

15. God created mankind; God created male and female. . Genesis 1:26,27,  Matthew 19:4, Mark 10:6-8

16. God established the institution of marriage. Marriage is between one man and one woman. Genesis 2:22-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Hebrews 13:4-7

17. God will fulfill His promises to the Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David after the Body of Christ, His Church is Removed. (Romans 11:25) The 7 years of tribulation begins. At the end of the 7 years, Christ will defeat Satan and the 1000 year reign on earth begins.    Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 17:1-16, Genesis 26:2-5, 28:10-17, Exodus 2:24, Exodus 19:1-6,  Leviticus 26:42, Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, 2 Samuel 7:14-17, 1 Chronicles 16:14-22, Psalm 2, Psalm 89:27-37, Psalm 105:6-11, Isaiah 2, Isaiah 9:6,7, Isaiah 11:6-9, Isaiah 60:1-3, Isaiah 65:17-25, Jeremiah 23:3-6, Jeremiah 31: 31-40 (new covenant) Jeremiah 32:37-44*, Jeremiah 33:19-22, Ezekiel 16:8, Ezekiel 36:22-29, Daniel 2:44, Hosea 14, Joel 2:28-32, Zechariah 9:9-10, Zechariah 14:9*, Malachi 2:10, Malachi 3:1, Luke 1:31-33*, Luke 1:54,55, Luke 1:68-74, Acts 3:25, Acts 7:8,  Romans 11, Romans 15:8*

18. The Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27

19. Substitutionary Atonement of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:25, Romans 5:8 Thank you for reading. If you have any questions you can leave them below. Mesa Bible Study “It’s all grace or nothing at all”

How a Person is Not Saved – What the Bible doesn’t Say?

How a Person is Not Saved – What the Bible doesn’t Say?

by | Aug 6, 2018 | Daily Encouragement, Doctrine | 0 comments

How You Are Not Saved

 

It is just as important to know how a person is not saved as it is to know how a person is saved. The obvious and simple answer is rejecting the gospel. Not believing is not believing, but there is a more sinister way people are not saved. Which is, unfortunately, happening to thousands of good people every day.

 

‘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 

A Person is Not Saved if:

 

They believe the gospel of the grace of God. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

and…then add:

 

  • They believe that Water Baptism is required for their salvation
  • They believe that they must produce good works for salvation
  • They believe that they must join a Church for their salvation
  • They believe that they must walk an Isle for salvation
  • They believe they must repent before believing the gospel for salvation
  • They believe that they must ask Christ into their heart for salvation
  • They believe that they must persevere to end for their salvation

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 

Galatians 1:9 

 

 

The Gospel  “Good News”

 

Before we move on let’s look at the clearest definition of the gospel in Scripture.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein you stand; By which also you are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

The verse above is the gospel, the good news, the ONLY way to heaven. The gospel is really simple and clear and all mankind will be judged by this gospel. 

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Romans 2:16

 

 

Tradition Tells God – It’s Not Finished!

 

The gospel of the grace of God is so clear and simple. But men in all their foolishness and tradition come along and corrupt the gospel. (Colossians 2:8)

It’s amazing that we have a clear record of the horrifying torture and death that Jesus Christ experienced. Taking upon Himself the wrath from God the Father to pay the sin debt on our behalf. Fulfilling everything the Father demanded, therefore, God reconciled the whole world back to Himself. That’s why God says over and over it’s a FREE GIFT!

Yet mankind comes along and says “that’s great Lord I appreciate that you died for my sins, was buried and rose again three days later. But I don’t think you really finished it! I can do the rest.

 

I’ll start off with repenting because you can never be too sure if Your blood covered everyone? Right? So, under my own power I will repent then you can step in with the whole cross thing.”

 

Next, I’ll get water baptized because it makes me feel like I’m participating in my salvation. Also, my pastor says Baptism is my first step of obedience. Even though there is NO Scripture support for it and I know it’s just a Church tradition.

 

‘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 

 

 

The Apostle Paul Warned the Church

The apostle Paul warned that when he was taken off the scene that “savage wolves” will come in not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:29) He goes on to say “And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:30)

The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to warn the elders and the Church (even for us today) of what will happen as soon as he was gone to be with the Lord. No doubt it did happen, as a matter of fact, Paul’s message was attacked and his character slandered as soon as his ministry began.  (Romans 3:7,8; 2 Corinthians 11:4, 11:13)

For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

Romans 3:7-8

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

2 Corinthians 11:13,14,15 

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Timothy 4:1

 

 

Ministers of Light in a Church Near You

It is no different today. When you teach or preach a free grace message. You will be accused of preaching grace means a license to sin. (Antinomianism)

A well-known preacher of days gone by had it right when he said;

“If your preaching of the gospel of God’s free grace in Jesus Christ does not provoke the charge from some of antinomianism, you’re not preaching the gospel of the free grace of God in Jesus Christ.”

― David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

 

 

Satan, being who he is, is always behind the total destruction of everything God does and says. The Devil has his ministers of light (2 Corinthians 11:14,15) corrupting the gospel of grace to this very day! Scoffing at free grace and accusing those that believe that salvation is faith in the gospel alone plus nothing of Antinomianism. These Pastors, Theologians, are at a Church near you, some covert and some more overt than ever with their seducing spirits and doctrines of demons poisoning the Truth. (1 Timothy 4:1; Galatians 1:6,7) 

 

 

A More Sinister Way A Person is Not Saved

 

Not being saved is not being saved. But when you have a Pastor or Denomination that preaches the true gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) but adds their Denomination’s traditions as a requirement for salvation you have a more “Sinister Way A Person Is Not Saved”.

 

There are many mainline denominations that proclaim “by grace alone”. They even say openly that salvation is by grace through faith alone. But…what they don’t push is their tradition that you also need to fulfill in order to REALLY BE SAVED.

For instance, on the front end, it’s all about by God’s grace through faith alone. Then the individual is hit with a truckload of tradition. Like baptism, perseverance, producing good works, repenting, church membership or anything else that the modern-day Judaizer wants to add. All the things the modern-day Judaizers decided they need to do to please God. It’s no different today than it was in Paul’s day.

 

ANYONE OR ANY CHURCH THAT SAYS OH YEAH, OF COURSE, WE BELIEVE THAT YOU’RE SAVED BY FAITH ALONE…BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO DO___________…?  FOR SALVATION IS PREACHING A FALSE GOSPEL! RUN FROM THAT CHURCH. THEY ARE SATAN’S MINISTERS OF LIGHT BROUGHT INTO DECEIVE YOU JUST ENOUGH SO THAT YOU THINK YOU’RE SAVED BUT YOU’RE NOT. 

 

WARNING! ADDING ANYTHING TO THE GOSPEL WILL CONDEMN YOU

Two crucial points must be made!

First, in Galatians chapter one the apostle Paul warns that adding anything to the gospel of grace makes it a false gospel. It wasn’t that the Judaizers came into the church at Galatia with a whole new gospel (Galatians 1:7) but that they were adding “things to do” (the law) to the gospel of grace, making it a false gospel.

Secondly today, many churches are no different than the Church in Galatia 2000 years ago. Many Pastors proclaim the gospel, believing by faith alone, but they add their own caveat or their denomination’s “traditions” to the gospel, making it a false gospel.

Teaching a person that salvation is by faith alone and then sneaking in that they must be baptized, persevere, produce good works or do anything else but believe by faith in the gospel is heresy and damnable to those that teach it and condemnation to those that believe it.

The devil is smart, subtle, and more cunning than mankind could ever be, but that’s why we have the Word of God. That’s why the apostle Paul warned the church in Galatia twice (which is also a warning for us today) that if anyone even an angel from heaven preaches any other gospel to you than what we (Paul) have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8,9) 

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:8

 

He then repeats his warning again in verse nine.

 

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9

 

Twisting Scripture

One of my favorite bible verses is Romans 1:16. Because it clearly demonstrates to anyone reading it how a person is saved. Plus, it shows how God is crystal clear and never makes anything confusing. It always amazes me how difficult it is for so many pastors and theologians to interpret this simple verse. This is how many pastors interpret Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who repents, is baptized, is regenerated (before you can actually believe), believes, perseveres, produces good works, or whatever the tradition is for that particular denomination.”

 

Of course, that’s not how Romans 1:16 is interpreted. So why does Paul leave out all the necessary things we must do to be saved? If there ever was a place where Paul needs to mention everything a person must do to be saved it’s here in Romans 1:16.

Considering in the next couple of verses he describes the wrath God pours out on those that reject the gospel. Do you think it’s possible that Paul just forgot to mention EVERYTHING? Is the rest of the message only available to pastors and theologians that read Greek and have seminary training? Is Romans 1:16, 1 Timothy 1:16, Romans 3:21-24 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, not inspired by the Holy Spirit?

No, God didn’t forget to mention it, no you don’t even need a High School diploma to understand (1 Cor 1:27), and yes all Scripture is inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Paul never commands that you must repent first, be baptized, and keep the law or that you have to persevere for 2 years, 5 years, or 15 years than really, really believed, nor does he mention that you’re on the clock for good works. If you don’t start producing good works in let’s say two months you never really, really believed that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again three days later.

Really, does any of that sound like a free gift, like grace? Of course not. It’s the sound of man’s pride being taken over by their sin nature that was never nailed to the cross with Christ. 

 

 4 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

How about this bible verse in Galatians 2:20 & 21;

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 

“for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain”

 

That’s very strong language! But ignored by most in Christendom by continuing to frustrate the good news of the grace of God.

Now let’s go back to Romans 1:16, and correctly interpret this powerful and crystal-clear verse. No interpretation is needed right? You believe you are saved.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

God Knows No One is Fooling Him

God knows if you truly believe or not. (2 Timothy 2:19) Do not be fooled by anyone teaching to be saved one must believe by faith and  _____________________ , you can fill in the blank. No matter how many doctorates they have, how many books they’ve written, how big their congregation is, or how great of a speaker he is. If you’re in a church and that Pastor is a woman then you’re already in the wrong place. (1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Corinthians 14:34) If someone is preaching a gospel other than the gospel defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, or if they are preaching the true gospel but adding ANYTHING to it for salvation they will be cursed by God and the people hearing it will are condemned. 

 

Conclusion

As believers, we must realize that the gospel described in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 is not a suggested gospel, it’s not a place for pastors to start from, to turn into whatever one feels like or mold to fit “man’s tradition” or theology.

Everything we do as Christians begins and ends with the gospel of grace; Christ Crucified, Buried, and Raised again 3 days later. It’s important we know the true gospel and the doctrines tied to the gospel for us today.

 

Thank you for reading.

Mesa Bible Study

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