C.C.R.- The truth about condemnation, conviction and repentance.

   4 But then something happened: God our Savior and His overpowering love and kindness for humankind entered our world; 5 He came to save us. It’s not that we earned it by doing good works or righteous deeds; He came because He is merciful. He brought us out of our old ways of living to a new beginning through the washing of regeneration; and He made us completely new through the Holy Spirit, 6 who was poured out in abundance through Jesus the Anointed, our Savior. 7 All of this happened so that through His grace we would be accepted into God’s covenant family and appointed to be His heirs, full of the hope that comes from knowing you have eternal life. 8 This is a faithful statement of what we believe. Titus 3:4-8 

 We are beginning a new series of study today. I want to dig deep into the Word of God and reveal the truth about condemnation and conviction and repentance. These are words many are familiar with. We hear them in church often. The real question is do we understand what these words actually mean? 

 Now, I am not referring to what we think they mean. Not referencing what tradition teaches what they mean. Rather I'm referring to what does God's Word actually teach they mean. That being said I'd like to take a little time and address the concepts of condemnation and conviction and repentance. 

The truth about Condemnation.

 I want to begin this study by revealing what the Scriptures have to say about condemnation. You see, most believers and unbelievers alike are familiar with the concept of condemnation. Many simply see it as a pointed finger of disapproval. Or someone who has their own closet full of "secret sins", looking disapprovingly at everyone else.

 Many, ministries are quick to state they aren't preaching  condemnation. That they aren't a ministry of condemnation yet, all they proclaim is a mixture of grace and Law. Their message to all is one of continued performance, uncertainty concerning relationship with God, and a conditional salvation. 

 So that there be no confusion, as to what condemnation is I want to go the Word of God as the final authority on this subject. 

 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus Romans 8:1 NLT

This is as clear as it gets. We aren't under any condemnation once we are in Christ. Someone may object to this citing the traditional King James translation of this passage. It says we aren't under condemnation only if we walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. If you walk in the flesh you are under condemnation. I even heard a minister preach this. "If you feel condemned then quit walking in the flesh and start walking in the Spirit". The truth is the oldest original manuscripts don't have that added "clause" to this passage. It is simply not the Word of God. The Word is clear we aren't under condemnation.

 Some preachers just wanted to use that "clause" to excuse their preaching of fear and judgment to their flock. They enjoy beating the sheep not feeding the sheep. I have a good question to these "ministers". If we aren't under any condemnation why try to place the people of God back under guilt or shame or some message that makes them "feel" bad?

All you have done so far is to prove we aren't under condemnation. What is condemnation defined as from the Word? Glad you asked. There are several words used for condemnation in the Greek. All of them have one common theme. An adverse or damnatory sentence. In other words, "this is it for you!" An adverse sentence means you lose. You're wrong, and you will receive the just recompense for your actions. 

 If you are ministering the Word to someone or telling them about the Lord and you are passing an adverse sentence on them you're ministering condemnation. Now if an unbeliever asks about hell and eternal separation, it doesn't mean you have passed an adverse sentence on them by answering them. Not passing judgment but there is an eternal separation for those who reject the free gift of grace, (this is the only reason, not because of some particular sin or immoral lifestyle, not advocating "sinful living" either). Let me be clear though that is not the good news and that is not what we are called to proclaim to the lost.

 If we teach Heaven beautiful, Jesus as always good, and Father God as loving and merciful we will see more lives changed and the lost running to God. No need to preach hell hot as some traditions proclaim. Scaring people to come to God only produces fearful believers. These will only participate in religious exercises (prayer, church attendance and giving) because they believe this is what is demanded of them. They also feel God is angry with them and will smite them if they don't perform these tasks well enough. 

 I'm not advocating Universalism, (I do believe in an eternal separation for those who reject grace. A gift no matter how free must still be received.) I am clearly saying though preach the good news and people will accept the Lord and not reject Him. There is no need to preach hell and you better turn or burn! Scaring the lost only works on a short term basis anyway. After they leave a crusade or church and get around their friends they will feel "comfort" and forget about eternal damnation. Tell them God loves them and that God isn't imputing their sin to them any longer then the rejection and brokenness they live with will lose its grip and they will find peace and hope. It is God's goodness that produces change.

This subject is like an onion. The more you peel back the more you see. We need to proclaim God's goodness and grace to all. This is the message that will produce the desired results of new life and changed hearts and minds. 

 We will continue looking at condemnation next time and reveal how condemnation kills and stagnates growth in Christ. I trust this message blessed you and encouraged you. Remember you aren't under any condemnation. You're in Christ and you're loved and accepted. He delights in you, let His love flow radically through you to others. 



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The Blessings of New Covenant Grace

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. 2 Corinthians 9:8

 In the last couple of posts I began discussing Biblical prosperity. I addressed the extreme error that poverty and insufficiency were God's best or design for His Church. I also began to address the opposite extreme of unScriptural practices concerning finances. In concluding this series I want to look at another extreme when it comes to prosperity.

 There exist the extreme of unBiblical teaching on wealth, and the corresponding works and performance based trappings that inevitably result from such teachings. I would like to briefly address  some of these teachings. I will also shine a light on the motivation of these teachings. 

The end time transfer of wealth?

 There is a certain teaching based on Proverbs 13 that in the final days God is going to plunder the sinners of their wealth and redistribute it to the Godly.

   
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.  Proverbs 13:22

Is this teaching accurate? Is it Biblical? This doesn't sound like a loving reward for the righteous to "fund" the gospel. It actually sounds more like "The Communist Manifesto". Where God Almighty strips certain rich ones of all their possessions and redistributes it to those more "deserving".  Is this the message of the gospel to the World? Get right with God or else He is going to confiscate your wealth? 

 Remember the gospel is good news. It is the goodness of God that brings repentance not badness or property confiscation. All throughout the Epistles we are never told to long after the wallets of the lost but rather their hearts and minds! We should proclaim God's love for them and see hearts changed by His love.

This teaching is an erroneous idea based on bad interpretation. Proverbs isn't referring to some end time transfer of money but rather the consequences of unGodly means of obtaining wealth. 

The Hundredfold Return

 This teaching says if you give $100 God guarantees you $10,000 in return. Simply put this teaching said God obligates Himself to return whatever you give by 100 times. This is blatant misrepresentation of God's Word. This idea is gimmickry and trickery in order to gain more funds from the saints during offering time. It is completely rooted in greed. This greed dwells within the deceived one proclaiming it and the misled ones giving in order to obtain it. 

But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Mark 4:20
  
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.             Mark 10:29-30

To properly read and understand the Word of God we must rightly divide it. We must not add to it our own idea or own view. In context of Mark 4 and Mark 10 there is never a reference about an offering giving and an expectant return of 100 times the amount given. If anyone placed a newly converted Christian into a room and said read Mark's gospel they would never come out thinking that if they give an offering to their local church that God is obligated to give them 100 times the amount they just gave. 

  Mark 4 is addressing how God's Word when planted in our hearts will grow into fruitful living, if we guard it from tradition, religion, the lies of the devil, and the World's thinking and vain pleasures. No offering taught about here. I guess to these prosperity gurus Jesus was just confused or didn't finish His thoughts. 
4 The seed the farmer is sowing is the good news, God’s word...
20 But those last seeds—those sown into good soil? Those people hear the word, accept it, meditate on it, act on it, and bear fruit—a crop 30, 60, or 100 times larger than the farmer dropped to earth. Mark 4:4,20 VOICE
 Mark 10 is about us never losing out when we follow God's plan for our life. Notice the absence of the word giving, or gave in Mark 10. It states if you left all to follow Him you will not be disappointed. 

This is where I get rather disturbed at this teaching. It places the focus of our life and faith on gaining some astronomical figure of financial blessing that God never promised. I have heard some Christians speak about their lack. I also have been guilty of this in the past, (probably more so than most). We get on our smart phone or tablet inside our air conditioned home or apartment while watching Satellite TV and text out our prayer request for deliverance from lack because we want some new gadget or bigger screen TV.  We need to focus on what God has already blessed us with and be thankful. Come to the impoverished areas in Asia where children swim in sewage to find any loose change. I believe much of the prosperity gospel is solely greed driven.

 Now with unScriptural teachings and promises what inevitably occurs is the lack of fulfillment of said promises. This in turn makes us look inwardly and try to locate where we missed it. This introspection produces failure mindsets, disappointment in God and condemnation. Let me illustrate something about faith and God's promises.
 1. To partake of the promise of the New Birth what must we do? Believe in our heart and say with our mouth (agree with God) that Jesus is Lord. We receive Him as our Lord and Father.
 2. In order to receive the fullness of the Spirit (Baptism in the Spirit), what must we do? Believe in our heart and confess with our mouth (agree with God) that we receive it.
 3. In order to receive healing what must we do? Believe with our heart and say or confess His Word is true agreeing with God it is done. 
 4. In order to receive provision financially from God what must we do? Give, and keep giving. Search your heart for hidden resentments against others. Give some more above what you gave last time. Consider your way of living each and everyday, make sure you don't ever "blow it", your "harvest" depends on it. Name your seeds and give some more. Call in your money and keep calling. I know you gave but you may not have given enough so give a little bit more. Search yourself if you have a habitual sin. God won't bless you, you filthy sinner. 

 Do you see the graceless way provision has been proclaimed in the Church? Should we exercise faith in believing for provision? Of course! Should we give? Absolutely, without question. However, the why we give is what is at heart. We give not to get anything. He is our Father. In the finished work He took our lack and insufficiency. We give in genuine love as a pure response to His love outstretched towards us. 

  I know this may be difficult for some to hear but we need to stop looking at Old Covenant principles of provision. The "do good get good" and "do bad get bad" life is under Law. Jesus bore our poverty on the Cross. We should be feeding our faith the Word of God on New Covenant grace. On the finished work of provision. Passages like 2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
 It is His grace that is the source of our blessing. Our actions aren't the source of our blessings. Obedience is its own reward. Why? Because if I listen to Him and follow His plans for me I will avoid the hard way or the pitfalls. 

 I know we may believe some of the ministers that proclaim this extreme prosperity are good men. I have no doubt that most are honorable men in most areas of their life. I do believe though the honor stops when they misrepresent God and the Word about money. Brother Kenneth Hagin actually pulled several of these major ministries preaching money, money all the time, aside and tried to warn and correct them. If they were so honorable in this area why the need for correction?

 To conclude, don't fall for scams and schemes and "promises" of innumerable wealth if you give a certain amount. I know of a extremely well known minister who by eyewitness account told a congregation to give to their pastor. He said the Lord told him 10 people were to give $10,000. He then said he would give the first 10 grand. At the end of the service in the accounting room the "check" the minister wrote was never signed. Dishonest? Absolutely! This is the kind of things that occur because these ministers are not willing to be corrected. They leave a trail of broken dreams, shipwrecked faith and children of God broken and condemned.
9But those who crave the wealth of this world slip into spiritual snares. They become trapped by the troubles that come through their foolish and harmful desires, driven by greed and drowning in their own sinful pleasures. And they take others down with them into their corruption and eventual destruction. 10Loving money is the first step towards all kinds of trouble. Some people run after it so much that they have given up their faith and have turned from Christ— and they will live to regret it. Craving more money pushes them away from the faith into error, compounding misery in their lives! 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Passion Translation
Trust in the finished work of provision. There is never anything wrong with God or His Word and by the Blood of Jesus nothing is unacceptable with you. Just receive His blessings. 
  
 Lets, believe and receive freely His favor. Discounts, and deals. Jobs and better jobs. Provision from unexpected sources. Open doors of blessings are yours in Him. No one is saying we're going to be millionaires but we are His kids and we will not go without. Blessings in abundance to you and your loved ones!

Prosperity: Supplying needs or satisfying greed?

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. 2 Corinthians 9:8

 We are in a new series concerning God's will and purpose and plan for our blessing and provision. As I began last week this message is the one message that seems to need much balance in the Body of Christ. One extreme view in Christian circles is God is content and pleased with your lack, misery, and complete famine. The other side takes the extreme position that Biblical wealth is defined as sports cars, flashy clothes, shiny jewelry, large houses and private planes. 
 I truly believe both of these positions are in serious error. In our last message we dispelled this first myth of extreme poverty. We saw from God's Word that He wills to supply the needs of His people. I want to dispel the other myth of extreme prosperity teaching over this post and possibly the next. 
 As a believer in Christ with a background in the Word of Faith and prosperity camps I am not unlearned in the prosperity messages. I have sat in service after service hearing a great deal about the subject of wealth and prosperity. I have heard almost every message you could on Mark 10 or Mark 4 and 3 John 2. I have heard message after message on how to sow, how to reap and who to give to, how much to give, and who not to ever give to. So it isn't that I don't have clear understanding on what prosperity teachers are saying.
 With this foundation lets examine some of the practices and teachings of the prosperity message. Note that I said the prosperity message and not Biblical provision principles. What about the practice of naming your seed?
 The Bible is clear in 2 Corinthians 9 that our offerings or donations to ministries or fellow believers can be likened to a seed that is planted in soil. I have no issue with calling an offering a seed. What then is the basis of giving a name to a seed planted or "sown"? I have heard time and again, "Got a need, plant a seed."  It is curious how no passage in the Epistles refers to our giving in such a manner. That is because the motive, the focus of that kind of giving is "self focused".  I know some who read this may get offended or upset. I understand I may be stepping on your pet doctrine. 
 If a doctrine or idea we hold to can't pass the scrutiny of Biblical evidence or confirmation then where did that idea come from? The Biblical evidence or confirmation requires in the mouth of two or three witnesses will a thing be established. Not one time is it stated to give a name to an offering to meet a need or fulfill a desire. I only see Paul seeking an offering to bless others. I never see an attached string saying I am giving this so I can have this or that. 
 We do see, in Philippians 4 that when the church partnered with Paul to fund the gospel, he reminded them that God is good and they will be taken care of as well. The point and focus of giving wasn't to meet their wants and needs. It was to genuinely support the preaching of the gospel of grace. It was a genuine motive of love. God saw their hearts and responded by saying because you will allow my blessing to flow through you I will always supply you. 
 Naming your seed is simply a man made idea to generate more offerings and larger donations. It is not found in one single passage in the New Covenant. What about these "debt breaking offerings?"

Again, where is this substantiated by Scripture? I have been in services where a man gets up on stage and declares, 
"If you give right now your debt will be supernaturally cancelled!" 
 I have seen and know of many, many dear precious saints pull crinkled up dollar bills and grocery money and throw it on the altar and I still see them living paycheck to paycheck. I am not talking about 3 weeks I have known them, how about over 10 years Ive seen them struggle? It saddens me how some men in the pulpit manipulate and deceive saints to get them to depart from their money. These debt breaking offerings are yet another unScriptural practice to allure some to depart from money in their wallet.
 Can God cancel debts? Can God bless you to pay off debt? Absolutely! He said He would supply our needs. God is still a miracle worker. I have seen debts paid off many times. It rarely came by somebody giving me an envelope full of cash. Many times it came through diligent budgeting and Godly wisdom. 
 What about throwing money on an altar? Perhaps there is a special offering for a need or mission work. Instead of passing a collection plate a minister may say just drop your offering on the Altar and we will tally it later. That is a convenience motive. No issue there however, I do have issue with the unScriptural practice and idea that by throwing money on an Altar will make it more "anointed" and guaranteed to come back to you in greater measure. Especially so if a minister who is "anointed" walks over the money on the Altar. 
 These are just some unsound practices and man made ideas. Think of this. How do we know speaking with tongues is not some demonic activity or something unsound? Because in the Word we see more than 3 places it details this practice. How do we know we can use musical instruments in Church?  In the New Covenant book of Revelation John describes instruments in Heaven, and in the Psalms God enjoys instruments for His praise. 
 When we refuse to allow the Word of God to be the final authority in our teachings and practices we open ourselves to these erroneous practices and ideas. The truly sad part is how high minded many of these prosperity preachers can be. They almost assign themselves to some Papal level of ministry. Where because they teach something or do something it must be accepted as right without scrutiny or question because of the fact that they taught it. How dare you question minister so and so. Don't you know who he is? Is what the deceived masses will say when inquiring about the Biblical validity of any of their teachings or practice. 
 I have witnessed many so called prophecies and words from God given by some of the most well known ministers  (TV and crusade ministries) that went nowhere. I recall one such minister tell another extremely well known minister that he was supposed to build something. A second well known minister got up and "confirmed" this. Now this is witnessed by several thousand. The minister concurred. It is God to build this. Did he ever build what he was "instructed"to? No, it was never built. I guess God reserves the right to change His mind with these level of ministers. I guess it was an "optional" word for these level of ministers.
 To summarize, many have taken giving and God's promise of provision and perverted it to some greed satisfying philosophy. We need to be more Scripturally knowledgeable to avoid deception and false practices. 
 I trust these lessons will bring clarity and wisdom to an oft unbalanced subject. Next time we will discuss the greed motives even further. We will learn the truth about the "hundredfold return" teaching. We will discuss in more detail this idea that if you're not a millionaire you've missed God. We will also begin to look at prosperity through the lens of grace and not works. I pray you are blessed and comforted this week



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God's blessing, our giving and man's gimmicks

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. 2 Corinthians 9:8

 What a wonderful promise from God this passage is. We just concluded a stirring series on our eternal security in Christ. We saw how secure His hands are for our eternal destination. How much more secure are they when it comes to caring for the financial needs of His family?

 One major controversy that exist in the Body of Christ today is the issue of financial prosperity. Does God in fact promise to care for our financial need? The answer to this question is somewhat complex. Am I going to waver and say no God wants you broke because look at all the starving people groups all over the globe? We have already seen based upon the finished work of healing we can't look at the experience of others and determine God's will from that image alone.

  That being said one must not also conclude that God guarantees everyone will live in a mansion and drive a fancy sports car. The promise of provision the Word of God declares is one that needs much balance. Why is this? Is it because God is a stingy Father? Is it because He is like some cosmic "sugar daddy"?  The answer is no to both of these concepts. So why the need for balance? Because all through the Earthly ministry of Jesus and throughout the New Covenant Epistles we see much warnings about material possessions. 

 Money has the uncanny knack of trying to gain control and become the singular pursuit of our life. We all have potential to abandon love and mercy and forsake all others in the pursuit of wealth. Jesus knew this and gave much warning about wealth. So is wealth evil and wrong? Of course not. It is only an object. It is the value we place upon it that makes it dangerous.

 Lets answer the basic question. Is it God's will or plan that we prosper financially? I believe the Word is clear.

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

  The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. 3 John 2

 The Word is pretty clear. God's design is to care for the natural and material needs of His people. How then do we define this care? Is it everyone is going to live in a mansion and be a millionaire if they just have enough faith? I believe many have taught this. What is the results of this type of extreme emphasis? Many have shipwrecked their faith trying to attain a level of wealth promised to them by men and not the Lord.

 Our introductory text and foundation passage is the true definition of prosperity. God wants your needs met so you can be a generous blessing to others. If you make $30,000 a year and can live on $28,000 comfortably you have more than enough to bless a local shelter or an overseas missionary. You can help support a local church preaching the goodness of God. You have fulfilled the promise of God in 2 Corinthians. 

 Now, I am not suggesting God can't get more into your hands through favor and generosity of others. He can and will bless you. If we stop looking at what we don't have and focus on what we do we will rejoice seeing how blessed we really are. Some people on Earth can't even shower in clean water. How thankful are you when you got out of the shower today? Puts prosperity on a different perspective doesn't it?

 With the established truth that God's design is our blessing I want to dispel some of the destructive gimmicks men have come up with to depart you from your money. I will not hold back on my concern for error in the Charismatic and Faith circles. I love all my Word of Faith brethren, I still believe much of the faith teaching I received from Brother Kenneth E. Hagin. I am just rejoicing many in the Faith camp are embracing the gospel of His grace and rejecting the error of works based salvation and trying to earn God's goodness. 

 What about, naming your seed teachings? What about the hundredfold return? What about debt free offerings? What about throwing money on an altar? What about giving money personally to a preacher in order to activate what he/she just preached? I will discuss all of these issues in the next few blog posts. 

 I trust you will be blessed by these teachings on His goodness and balanced truth of His blessing on our life. Let me conclude by stating emphatically just because we question much of the prosperity teaching that has infiltrated the Body of Christ doesn't mean that we are rejecting the truth that God want's to care for the needs of His people. 

 May God's best be yours, rest in His goodness this week.

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Can we lose our salvation if we deliberately sin?

 Our sins are washed away and we are made clean because Christ gave His own body as a gift to God. He did this once for all time.    Hebrews 10:10

  In these last few articles we have been in a series entitled "Loving it, leaving it, losing it". We are concluding it today. Allow me again to explain the title. Loving it, because we love our eternally secure salvation Jesus purchased for us. Leaving it because many religiously concerned folk believe we can forfeit a free gift or freely walk away from our new identity. Losing it, because some religious tradition bound folk believe that we can sin away God's grace.

  Today I want to elaborate on one of the main passages that religion cites that we can just sin away His grace. I want to answer the concerning questions some have. What about Hebrews 10:26?

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  Hebrews 10:26-31

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. Hebrews 10:26 NLT 

  This one passage has troubled so many. What if I have willingly or deliberately sinned? Then am I lost forever? Am I the one who has "trodden under foot" the sacrifice of Christ with my performance? Have I sinned just once to much? Is this sin I just committed gotten me removed from God's family? Doesn't seem to convey any good news to the hearer of this passage. 

  Now, Law minded legalistic believers will revel in passages such as this. They make statements like, "God wants you holy not happy." "Strong warnings are really preaching the gospel." "We need more preachers telling it like it is!" "Minister so and so is letting those sinners have it!"

  Is this the message Jesus came to bring? Is this the message of the New Covenant? The sad part is the delusion religion is trapped in. Their eyes are oblivious to the damage this type of preaching does to folk. The Word declares the strength of sin is the Law not grace preaching. When some folk believe their sin has insulted the spirit of grace and there is no more sacrifice for their sin they give themselves over to living a more sinful life. Why? Because they are already lost (in their minds) so what is the point of going further? 

 This is the danger of legalism. We have perpetuated traditions of men not rooted in the Word and caused so many to stumble and go further into bondage of addictions and bad habits. Religion just surmises that the person quit Jesus and wanted sin and darkness more. So we let people go instead of rescuing them with the truth of His grace.

 Now lets explore this passage further. Is the writer stating that if we "deliberately" sin we are lost forever? Absolutely not! The truth is each and every sin one commits is a willful or deliberate sin. If not what are you saying? Are you under the control of something else? Does satan so dominate Christians that he can literally make them do something they have no desire to do? 

 We know that's not possible because James details what happens in the process of sin. We are tempted or enticed by our own desire. If we give in then we have sinned. So the enticement comes from our own desire. These desires would be those in our thinking we have not yet renewed with the Word. This then removes the idea we can unwillingly sin. 

 What then is the portion of Scripture teaching? First, context is key. If we would just interpret the Word in context we would have more truth instead of so much tradition in the Body of Christ. As Pastor Prince says so often, when we take a text from it context we are only left with a con. 

 What is the context of Hebrews 10? First, the context is the entire Epistle. It is an Epistle written to the Hebrews, not to the Church. It is addressing two types of Jews. Ones who have received Jesus and are being persecuted for it by their brethren. It is also written to Jews who have heard the truth of Jesus and the New Covenant and have not yet made that full commitment to trust in Christ from their heart. 

 Secondly, it is in context of the entire tenth chapter. In the beginning of this chapter the writer is line upon line teaching about the New Covenant and Jesus once for all sacrifice for all sin. The writer goes into great detail to reveal that the Old was fulfilled in Christ and with the sacrifice of Christ the New has come. 

 Then the chapter goes into encouraging others into fellowship and acceptance of the New Covenant, ( The writer uses the word we throughout the chapter because the writer was obviously a Jewish believer and is identifying with his fellow Jewish brethren.) Now we get to Hebrews 10:26. What it's admonishing is Jewish brethren to fully receive this New Covenant and one time sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and not to reject it. If you reject this New Covenant and rather put your trust in temple sacrifices and afterwards decide to sin there is no more sacrifice for your sins. Therefore, you would be lost.

 If Jesus was the once for all time sacrifice, what possible sheep or dove or any other animal would cover anyone's sin today? Obviously, no animal sacrifice would be acceptable. If you trusted in temple sacrifices you would be rejecting Jesus offering and insulting the spirit of grace saying Jesus blood wasn't enough. That the Old Covenant sacrificial system is better. This is what the writer is warning against. Trust in Jesus one time offering for sin don't reject it for if you do, no other sacrifice can save you or cover your sins.

  To further illustrate the writer isn't referring to Christians, look at the last statement of the chapter ten.

³⁹ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39

Drawing back conveys the one who has heard the truth of the New Covenant and Jesus once for all time sacrifice and has rejected it. Believing unto the saving of the soul means to fully commit to Christ and put all our trust in Him from our hearts.

  This understanding sets men free from fear of losing their salvation. Is this passage then teaching if you sin you've lost your salvation? Unequivocally, without hesitation no!  In the New Covenant He said He would remember your sins and iniquities no more. So if He is not remembering our sins why then would our sin, no matter how willing cause us to lose our salvation now? The Word of God doesn't contradict itself. We can however take away a great truth to live by from this passage.

 Our salvation is through Christ alone. His blood and one time sacrifice for sins was enough. No amount of performance or good deeds on our part will count us worthy to receive anything. It is truly, Jesus plus nothing!

  In conclusion, can we ever leave or lose our salvation? Lets, quickly review what we've learned to answer this. We have seen from the Word that Jesus guaranteed our eternal security because we are forever in His hands and nothing can ever take us out. We can't leave or walk away from our salvation because by virtue of the new birth Jesus abides in us and His life is flowing through us. The new heart cannot choose to abandon God because God Himself abides in it. Also, Jesus is faithful even when we are faithless. We can't sin away His grace because where sin abounds grace much more abounds. We cannot exhaust His supply of grace and forgiveness. So can we leave it or lose it? Absolutely no, not ever! We are eternally secure in Christ. Rejoice in this glad news.

 I trust this study has blessed and strengthened you in your walk with God. Abandon yourself in Him. It is a finished work. We are forever forgiven, righteous, cleansed and accepted in Him. Let's further this grace awakening. It is all about Him! 

Can we exhaust His supply of grace and forgiveness by our sins?

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.  Hebrews 7:25 Amplified

  We are in a series entitled "Loving it, Leaving it, losing it". We are studying our eternally secure relationship with God our Father. We have already proven with Scripture that our salvation is eternally secure. In the last few post, I revealed how we can't "leave" our salvation as many teach today. Now with this article and the next, I want to answer the objection that we can lose our salvation by our sinfulness. 

  Now let me begin with stating adamantly, I am talking about His grace. Not an excuse to enjoy and indulge in sin. If you truly know and understand grace you know sin is not part of our new identity in Him.
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:14
  Grace is the only way out of habitual sins and poor choices. The Law and moral codes and rules never produce the desired results of upright living. Only His grace does that. 

The Big Guy upstairs with the spiritual eraser

  Many times I have heard from religious traditional ruled believers that we can sin so much He will erase our names out of the Book of Life. To prove this, they site the book of Revelation.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5

You see? It's right there. You can have your name removed for not overcoming. Is this really what this is teaching here? 

   Allow me to ask this. Who are the overcomers? Saved folk who just have it all together perfectly? Those who worked so hard they overcame the temptations and pitfalls of this life without sinning? Our perfection didn't save us. If we can take credit for any part of our salvation then we will have a place to boast. This cannot be the proper interpretation. Look at 1 John 5.

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5

  Who are the overcomers? Those who have received Jesus in their hearts. Revelation 3 is not a warning but rather a promise of assurance. Religion with the judgment and quick to condemn view of God turned a wonderful promise into a terror-filled warning passage. 

   Yea but what about Revelation 22:19? This is referring to unsaved false teachers trying to subvert the Scriptures. You can read here for more. New Covenant believers in Christ aren't removing or changing Scripture. Rejoice He isn't erasing any believer out of the Lamb's Book of life. It doesn't matter how many sins you've committed since you became a believer in Christ. He will never erase your name. This is the good news. We are sealed unto the day of redemption, not until the day we sin too much.

Hogs and dogs returning to mud and vomit

One of the most go to verses to challenge our eternally secure salvation is 2 Peter 2:20. In fact, this is one of those verses in the past I would use to justify a belief in a conditional salvation. It sounds very scary and tends to promote the idea we can sin away God's grace.

20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.         2 Peter 2:20

 Doesn't this passage make it seem like if we get caught up in a sin from our past again and repeat it then we are lost and can never be saved again? The idea promoted by tradition is that some have a knowledge of God, and are overtaken by pollutions of the World system from their past. Because they can't overcome the sin and temptations they've returned to the former life and are now unsaved. 

  I've even heard it said to new converts, if you leave the church and start drinking or cursing then you like a pig have returned to mud, you have gone backward on God and you need to come and get saved again. Is this the right way to understand this passage? I believe the Word of God in context will provide the truth to understand this passage.

  First, context is key. In context 2 Peter chapter 2 is detailing the depraved deception of false teachers and false teaching. So if the context is false teachers, why then would Peter change suddenly and refer to believers sinning so much they lose their salvation? 

  Secondly, having a knowledge of God doesn't equate one having received salvation. Many religious organizations have a limited knowledge of God. Some are always knocking on doors on Saturday mornings passing out literature. 

  Thirdly, where in the Word of God are God's people ever referred to as dogs and hogs? Never, we are the sheep of His pasture. We are His sheep. His sheep hear His voice. So what does this imply? A pig in mud is in its natural state. It is also natural for a dog to return to its vomit. Peter is illustrating a false conversion. No nature change has occurred. 

  It is only natural that an unregenerate man would return back to what is "normal" to him. Hearing just a portion of the gospel and rejecting its complete work in your life and, not following through with a trusting heart of faith will produce a hardening of the heart. It makes a lost one pursue the sin nature even more. This is the picture Peter is painting. This is not teaching believers are overcome and lost because they are struggling with the same sin.

Forever forgiven

We must not forget this vital New Covenant truth. We are forever forgiven. We can never exhaust His grace and goodness. We can't sin away His love and forgiveness. 

  I used to struggle to believe that a certain sin that had me in bondage would one day exhaust His forgiveness. What a weight of burden to try and carry around. I thank God for a revelation of grace. I now know and rest in the truth that we can never out sin His love.

  When you realize how much we are forgiven and that we are a righteous new creation in Him we will overcome any sin or temptation.  Let these words of the Lord comfort you.

20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. Romans 5:20

  The more we miss it the more grace is given us to overcome that junk. His love never fails even when we fail or are unfaithful. 

  I trust this post has encouraged you and comforted you. Rest in His great love for you. I pray His love and mercy overtake you this week.

Is continuing in faith a conditions based salvation?

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.  Hebrews 7:25 Amplified



Conditions. We encounter them in our daily lives on a frequent basis. For instance, you are free to drive on the roadways. You must not though go above a certain speed limit. This condition is so strict it has become law and is enforced as such. Some conditions are beneficial. Such as speed limits, and laws we have in place for business and consumer transactions. 

Conditions can be productive in a proper setting. In relationships however, they can stagnate growth. It feeds the what can I get out of this mindset too many have in our dealings with one another. We see it in marriages today. I will love you if you never gain this much weight. Or, I will care for you if you do this for me. If you don't meet the conditions then its goodbye, you're no longer welcome. 

Is this how God our Father relates to us? Is His love and salvation a conditional based relationship? We should know the word for love in the Greek language describing God's love is agape. It's His divine love. It is a love without conditions. His love is without conditions, yet so many attribute conditions to the salvation He purchased for us. If His love is unconditional what makes us believe His salvation is now conditional?

We have been in a series of articles studying our eternal security in Christ. Titled, "Loving it, Leaving it, Losing it". We've seen 7 proofs of a completely secure salvation. Now we are finalizing the "can we leave this salvation by our free will?" portion. There is one passage in Scripture that religion and tradition ruled minds have attributed with a conditions based salvation. Colossians 1:23:
if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Is this indeed a conditional salvation statement? I submit to you that this interpretation is faulty. Hailing from a Word of Faith background this passage brings out a truth that many in the Body of Christ fail to grasp. That truth is feeding your faith, growing up spiritually. 

Paul is not instructing the Colossians about a conditional salvation. He is referencing a conditional growth principle. Look, if you never eat right, exercise to your ability, and get proper rest what will the end result be? You will not be in the best healthy condition that you could be. In the same manner Paul is teaching about growing up spiritually speaking.  

Let me say it this way. Paul was already informing the Colossians of their position in Christ. You're already righteous, forgiven and made holy. Now you must continue growing in faith to walk out the benefits of this position we have in Him. We have to walk out and mature into the benefits and blessings Christ already purchased for us. In other words become established in these truth of who you are. 

We must advance in faith in order to be settled and grounded in these truths. We must become established in the truth that we are righteous in Christ. We must become rooted and unmovable that we forgiven of all our sins. We feed our faith by feeding on the Word of God on an ongoing basis. It isn't works or performance based to feed your natural body. So it is the same with your spirit man. Feed your faith the Word of God on our righteousness in Christ. Feed on the Word that reminds us we are in a New Covenant and that the dictates of Law are no longer ruling over us. I believe a better translation to this passage is in the Passion translation.
23 Continue to advance in faith, assured of a firm foundation to grow upon. Never be shaken from the hope of the gospel you have believed in. I preach this glorious news all over the world.
Colossians 1:23 Passion translation

We advance in faith and growth because religion and tradition and the enemy wish to remove this hope of our everlasting salvation and relationship with God. We stand our ground and aren't moved by the accusations of the enemy and religion.
"This once saved always saved theology is creating a false hope!"
"This eternal security doctrine is allowing for just anyone to be saved!"
"This once saved always saved message produces license to sin!"
"Teaching once saved always saved means we have no free will and grace is now bondage!"

All lies and distortions from the enemy. Can we walk away and forfeit our salvation? Absolutely not! It is an impossibility. I've just dealt with all these passages that seem to indicate we can return the gift of salvation. We've seen beyond doubt with rightly dividing the Word the true understanding and meaning comes forth.

I would like to address all those who have been wounded by the "unfaithfulness" of some believers. Our eyes aren't on someone else but on Jesus and His faithfulness. Some have chosen a certain person as a role model and when they don't fulfill our expectations of perfection we adopt this view in our hearts that folk can walk away. The truth is not what we can always see but what He has promised. He who began the good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

6 I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious expression of grace in your lives will faithfully continue the process of maturing you through your union with Him and will complete it at the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Philippians 1:6 Passion translation

This is why we can't leave it or even lose it! He will continue that process of maturing us. It may not come on our timetable but it will happen because the Word cannot lie! 

This passage alone silences these grace critics. This grace is not bondage because you can't walk away. This grace is who you are now. It is like saying the skin on my body not being able to separate from my skeletal structure is bondage. It is who you are. You are born with muscle and bone and skin. It makes us who we are. When we are born again, this grace and salvation is now a part of who we actually are. We can't remove it. To remove it would make you not be you anymore. Remember the New Creation is a species that never before existed. A human possessing the righteous nature of God, no longer separated from God. A partaker of His divine nature abiding within. A person where God almighty dwells within. How can we "walk away" from our very existence? 

I will conclude this series in the next post or two dealing with 2 Peter 2:20 and Hebrews 10. I will be addressing the sin issue. Can we sin away this grace? Some believe we can. We will in detail address this.

I pray this article blessed you and strengthened your walk with the Lord. May His richest peace and blessing overtake you.











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