KNOWING YOU’RE SAVED PART 1

August 20, 2011 at 4:06 PM (Doctrine, Knowing You're Saved)

The following blog builds upon everything I covered in my five blogs on Eternal Security. If you haven’t read them I urge you to do that now. These blogs on Knowing You’re Saved are dedicated to all God’s people who question their salvation. They’re posted with the prayer that God will bless you with the knowledge and peace of His loving, saving, forgiving hand. From His heart to yours, you can be sure you’re saved!

DELIVERANCE FROM THE TORMENT OF DOUBT AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT YOUR SALVATION

In reading through these Scriptures that we’ve just read in my previous post (Eternal Security Part 5), the thing that I’d like most for you to see is the fact that God comforts and assures His sheep of their inalienable salvation. It’s God who tells them that their salvation will never be taken away from them, no one will ever be able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand, and they will never perish. GOD, I’M SAYING, COMFORTS HIS PEOPLE WITH THE FACT THAT THEY’RE SAVED AND GOING TO HEAVEN. BRETHREN, IT’S NOT THE LORD WHO TORMENTS YOU WITH DOUBTS AND FEARS ABOUT YOUR SALVATION!

GOD’S NOT TRYING TO KEEP YOU OUT OF HEAVEN. His invitation is, always has been, and still remains, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Whosoever, my friends, means you! It includes you! God’s not trying to keep you out of Heaven. He’s trying to get you into Heaven and Calvary is the proof of that! Jesus died for you so that you wouldn’t have to spend eternity in Hell.

Your torments and doubts about your salvation come from the Devil. He’s the one who’s planting all these doubts in your mind, telling you you’re not saved or going to Heaven. Do you know why he’s doing it? Because he’s trying to render you useless as a Christian, trying to tell you you’re no good to God, so that you’ll turn your back on Him and go to Hell.

In order for you to be rid of these torments you’ve got to come face to face with the Devil, do battle against him, and silence his lying tongue. Brethren, you’ve got to fight the Devil if you want to be freed from the torments that plague your mind. If you don’t feel like fighting the Devil, ask God for the grace, willingness, and courage to fight. God promised you in Philippians 2:13 that He would make you willing and able to do His good will or pleasure. God, my friends, will give you the willingness to fight and with that willingness, He’ll give you the victory in the fight, you’ll win over the Devil and the torments will cease. But you’ve got to fight the Devil for your freedom.

Now there are any number of demons that are directly responsible for tormenting you about your salvation. You need to wait on the Lord for wisdom as to which demons in particular you’re fighting against. Here are a few of the ones that are commonly involved, and work together, in any warfare relating to your salvation, preservation, and eternal destiny.

(1) THE SPIRIT OF TORMENT IS A LYING SPIRIT.  One of the first things you should know is, if you’re a true child of God, then a lying demon will come to you at some point in your Christian life and try to convince you you’re not saved. He’ll tell you all kinds of things that may even sound good and right. But the truth of the matter is, they’re all lies. He’s lying to you because he doesn’t want you to go to Heaven. He doesn’t want you to believe you’re saved. Brethren, there’s a lying demon talking to you and he’s trying to rob you of your faith and assurance regarding your salvation. Don’t listen to him or believe him. Come against that demon in faith and in the name of Jesus. Rebuke him, tell him to shut up, then send him to the abyss where he belongs.

(2) THE SPIRIT OF TORMENT IS A SPIRIT OF UNWORTHINESS. One of the things a lying demon will tell you is that you’re not worthy of God. You’re nothing to God. God isn’t the least bit interested in you. This is the spirit of unworthiness talking to you.

While it is indeed true that we are unworthy, in and of ourselves, and that we are to have a humble view of ourselves and not be lifted up with pride; the unworthiness that’s involved here is a false humility that robs its victims of their joy (they’re not joyful because they’re just miserable, unwanted sinners); it robs them of their faith (they can’t believe God for the promises because they’re unworthy of God’s goodness); and it robs them of their victory (they live defeated lives of depression, convinced of the lie that God doesn’t love them).

The truth of the matter is, God has made us favored and accepted in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:6 once again reads, God hath made us accepted in the beloved. Do you know what accepted means? It means favored. God has made us favored in Christ, He looked upon us with favor and made us an object or recipient of His goodness and love.

There are two things about God’s favor that I’d like for you to note. First, God has already, past tense, made you favored in Christ. It’s not something that’s going to happen to you sometime in the future. To the contrary, it’s something that’s already done! You’re already favored in God’s eyes. You’re favored right now!

And second, it’s God who made you favored. You didn’t do one thing to earn God’s favor and there’s nothing you can ever do to earn it. God favored you because it was His sovereign will and pleasure to do it. While you are truly unworthy, in and of yourself, nevertheless, by God’s grace, He has made you worthy, favored, and accepted in His sight. Brethren, despite your desire to be humble in the sight of God, don’t open the door to this spirit of unworthiness. Don’t let him convince you you’re no good in God’s eyes. Believe and quote the truth of Scripture: God has made you favored in Christ. You are a favored child of God!

(3) THE SPIRIT OF TORMENT IS A SPIRIT OF REJECTION.  Another thing a lying demon will tell you is the lie that God doesn’t love you or want you, He hates you, and He’s out to damn you. This is where another demon, the spirit of rejection, comes in. This spirit of rejection doesn’t want you to know, or believe, that God loves you and has made you accepted in Christ. If the Devil can talk you into believing God doesn’t want you, then you won’t want God; it’ll be useless for you to want God because He doesn’t want you anyway (so the Devil says); so you quit walking with God, you don’t talk to Him, you turn away from Him and give up on Him.

Brethren, if you’ve received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then you need to know that God accepts you, He wants you, and it’s His will for you to spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Ephesians 1:6says God hath made us accepted in the beloved. GOD ACCEPTS YOU, NOT REJECTS YOU!

Read what Jesus promised in John 6:37, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Friend, GOD DOESN’T REJECT ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM FOR SALVATION. HE DOESN’T TURN ANYONE AWAY. AND THAT INCLUDES YOU! God’s will is to receive you, not reject you. He said if you draw nigh to Him, He’ll draw nigh to you (James 4:8). Brethren, God’s won’t step away from you when you take a step towards Him. He loves you, wants you, and accepts you.

If you find yourself constantly feeling rejected by God, then you need to know that THE FEELINGS OF REJECTION THAT YOU BATTLE DO NOT COME FROM GOD. The Scriptures that we’ve cited above make this abundantly clear. The rejection that you battle is a work of Satan and chances are, somewhere along the way, you’ve opened the door to oppression by a spirit of rejection. Repent to God for believing these lies of the Devil and for giving in to these feelings of rejection. Believe the promise of God’s acceptance. Then ask God to deliver you from this spirit of rejection.

You can get another believer to pray with you and take you through deliverance. If there’s no one around, you can address the Devil yourself and command the spirit of rejection to loose you and come out of you in the name of Jesus. As long as you resist him, the spirit of rejection cannot stay inside you. He cannot defy you and oppress you against your will. He must come out and the torments must cease. Proclaim your deliverance and confess the promise of Ephesians 1:6, God has made me accepted in the beloved. When you start to battle feelings or thoughts of rejection, send that lying, rejecting demon packing!

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Part 2. A couple more demons to get rid of. God’s cleaning house, so don’t harbor these fugitives. Aiding and abetting are not allowed.

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ETERNAL SECURITY PART 5

August 13, 2011 at 11:17 AM (Doctrine, Eternal Security)

WHAT GOD’S DOING FOR YOU

Now the promise of God’s preservation doesn’t absolve or relieve you of your responsibility to live as sheep. Just because your salvation and place in Heaven cannot ever be taken away from you doesn’t mean you can relax and not live the Christian life or obey the Lord anymore.

To the contrary, if you’re God’s sheep you’ll live as sheep because sheep can’t do anything else but live the life of a sheep. A sheep will hear, believe, follow, bear fruit, obey, and persevere. If you’re not living the life of a sheep, then you’re not a sheep. It’s just that plain and simple.

But if you’re a sheep and if you’re living in fear and torment about whether or not you’re going to make it into Heaven, then here are some things God wants you to know. Please keep in mind, before we go any further, that the Lord’s only talking to sheep. The promise of His preservation applies only to those who are following Him. If you don’t want to live the Christian life and have no intention of obeying the Lord, then the promises and comforts that we cite here are not for you.

GOD IS EVER VIGILANT AND HE UNCEASINGLY WATCHES OVER YOU.  God has His eyes on you. He will not ever take His eyes off of you. He sees you at all times. Brethren, no demon or trial is going to come upon you without His seeing or knowing it.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:9, For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
  • Psalms 121:1-8,  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. {2} My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. {3} He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. {4} Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. {5} The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. {6} The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. {7} The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. {8} The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

GOD’S ABIDING PRESENCE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU. No matter what God allows to come upon you, He will never leave you or forsake you. He’ll never give up on you and say “I’m through with you.” As God’s sheep, God is with you to stay. He’s right by your side to protect, preserve, and give you grace. Brethren, you’re never alone to face life’s trials and battles on your own. Satan who fights against you also fights against the God who stands beside you. Know for a fact, my friends, that the Devil will not prevail against God or you!

  • Psalms 37:28, For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
  • Isaiah 43:1-3, But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. {2} When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. {3a} For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.
  • Hebrews 13:5-6, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. {6} So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU WILL NEVER COME TO AN END.  GOD WILL NEVER QUIT LOVING YOU. I know, and God knows, that you’re not perfect. None of us are. But He will keep on loving you, working with you, and preserving you. YOUR SINS OR IMPERFECTIONS DO NOT MAKE GOD QUIT LOVING YOU. Do you know why? Because His love doesn’t fail, it doesn’t come to an end.

  • Lamentations 3:21-23, This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. {22} It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. {23} They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
  • Isaiah 54:10, For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. See also Jeremiah 32:36-42.
  • Romans 8:31-39, What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? {32} He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? {33} Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. {34} Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. {35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. {37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. {38} For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GOD KNOWS HOW TO DELIVER YOU.  God knows what to do to get you out of a jam. He knows how to deliver you out of all your trials. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished, 2 Peter 2:9.  

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO KEEP YOU IN THE PATH OF LIFE.  God’s faithfulness means a lot of things, but I’d like to stress two things in relation to the salvation and preservation of the sheep. The first is, GOD’S FAITHFULNESS MEANS HE WON’T EVER ALLOW A TRIAL, TEMPTATION, OR CIRCUMSTANCE OF LIFE TO COME UPON YOU THAT WILL END UP CAUSING YOU TO TURN YOUR BACK ON GOD. The trials of life are many times hard. But you don’t ever have to give up on God because God has tailor-made each and every trial you go through to be bearable on your part! You can endure the trial! You don’t have to walk away from God because of the things He’s allowed to happen to you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 comforts us with these words, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

And second, God’s faithfulness means He’ll forgive your every sin if you repent and come to Him for forgiveness. John 1:9 assures you, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Brethren, AS LONG AS YOU’RE REPENTANT, THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS AN UNFORGIVABLE SIN. THERE’S NO SIN THAT CAN KEEP YOU OUT OF HEAVEN!

Now lest we be mistaken, this doesn’t mean it’s alright for you to keep on sinning. Please don’t go out and sin! Sinning with a high hand, or sinning haughtily, willfully and deliberately against the light you have, is a damnable sin that can keep you out of the kingdom. Read what God said in Hebrews 10:26-27, For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, {27} But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. For you to continue in sin only proves you’re not a sheep. Sheep don’t keep on sinning. They obey the Lord and bring forth fruits of repentance and righteousness.

But having said all this, the promise of God still remains for those of you who want to walk with God and obey Him, for those of you who hate sin and are grieved by it. And the promise is this. IF YOU’VE REPENTED, YOUR SIN HAS BEEN FORGIVEN. IT WON’T KEEP YOU OUT OF THE KINGDOM!

GOD’S OMNIPOTENT POWER IS WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF.  He gives you all the grace you need to endure a particular trial so that you emerge victorious and intact as a Christian. Brethren, the power to endure is not in yourself: it comes from God. And God has plenty of it to give you whenever you need it. YOU WILL NEVER FAIL OR LACK FOR THE POWER, GRACE, OR ABILITY, TO ENDURE.

  • Psalms 91:14-16, Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. {15} He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. {16} With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
  • 2 Corinthians 2:14, Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:8, And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
  • Philippians 2:13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
  • Hebrews 13:21, {God} Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

GOD WILL KEEP YOU TO THE VERY END.  GOD HAS CHOSEN AND CALLED YOU UNTO SALVATION AND HE WILL PERSONALLY SEE TO IT THAT YOU MAKE IT INTO THE KINGDOM. YOU WILL NOT FALL AWAY!

  • John 6:39-40, And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. {40} And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. {24} Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
  • 2 Timothy 4:18, And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
  • 1 Peter 1:3-5, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, {5} Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
  • Jude 24-25, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, {25} To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.

Going back to John 10:27-29 once again, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: {28} And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. {29} My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. Brethren, it is the Father’s will to hold you securely and eternally in His hand. He will not let you go. It’s His will for you to be saved. He wants you to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. And He will personally guarantee, and make sure, that you never perish. Bless God for His love and care for you!

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Knowing For A Fact You’re Saved Part 1. The remainder of my sermons on Eternal Security dealt specifically with helping God’s people—not a few—who just can’t seem to be sure about their salvation. They’re always worrying or doubting that they’re really saved. Their burden became God’s burden and mine. So I renamed the remaining messages on Security to reflect God’s message to these tormented souls. If you’re wondering if you’re really saved, these next blogs are for you. The Doctor’s in and your appointment is set for next week. No Cancellations Accepted.

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ETERNAL SECURITY PART 4

August 10, 2011 at 11:53 AM (Doctrine, Eternal Security)

WHO JESUS GAVE THE PROMISE TO

The promise of God’s unfailing preservation applies only to His sheep. Note John 10:27-28 once again, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: {28} And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Who does our Lord preserve unto life eternal? His sheep.

Now who, or what, is a sheep? How do you know if you’re one of God’s sheep? Well, the Lord tells us here in John 10 who His sheep are. Brethren, you’re God’s sheep if you meet our Lord’s criteria or description of sheep. Here’s what He said about His sheep.

SHEEP HEAR GOD’S VOICE. John 10:3, the sheep hear his voice. What does it mean to hear God’s voice? It means you recognize God’s voice. You know when He’s talking to you. You can discern and tell the difference between God’s voice and the voice of devils or deceivers.

SHEEP DON’T FOLLOW STRANGERS. John 10:5, And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers (see also verse 8). Sheep are not fooled or beguiled by the smooth words and treacheries of false prophets and teachers. They know when a stranger or deceiver is talking to them. Does this mean that a true Christian can’t ever be deceived or be misled?  Of course not. We’ve been deceived at one time or another, so we’re a perfect illustration of the fact that God’s sheep can indeed be deceived, at least for a time. BECAUSE TRUE BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S SHEEP, THEN, IN ORDER THAT THEY NOT PERISH IN DECEPTION AND PERDITION, GOD WILL OPEN THEIR EYES TO BEHOLD THE TRUTH, GRANT THEM REPENTANCE, AND RESTORE THEM TO THE TRUTH. HE’LL RESCUE THEM FROM DECEPTION.

SHEEP FOLLOW GOD. John 10:3-4, To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. {4} And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. They go where Jesus takes or leads them. They obey Him. They stay close to Him and stay in communion with Him. They have a close walk with God.

SHEEP KNOW GOD. John 10:14, I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Sheep have a personal relationship with Jesus. They commune with Him and know Him. They know His Word. Brethren, sheep are discerning. They can hear God’s voice because they know God’s voice. They know God.

SHEEP BELIEVE GOD AND HIS WORD. John 10:26, But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. Sheep aren’t gullible, they’re not easily misled, nor do they believe everyone or everything they hear, because they’re discerning and they know God. God’s sheep believe the Lord and whatever He says to them. Like the apostles, they may struggle with doubt from time to time, but they always end up believing because, in the end, they recognize the fact that God’s Word is always right and God never lies. SHEEP, MY FRIENDS, DO NOT RESIST THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD. THEY’RE NOT PLAGUED WITH UNBELIEF. THEY’RE NOT CONSTANTLY WRESTLING WITH GOD AND THE SCRIPTURES. They may not understand some part of the Word or believe it at first. They may question and argue with it. But, in the end, they end up believing it because they’re sheep. Sheep will believe God! Friend, IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS AND HIS WORD, THEN YOU’RE A SHEEP and you’ll never perish.

SHEEP ARE UNDER ONE SHEPHERD. John 10:16, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. SHEEP ARE NOT REBELLIOUS, SELF-DETERMINED, OR INDEPENDENT OF OUR LORD. They don’t seek to stray from the Lord and become their own boss. They don’t live without Christ. They stay with the Lord and abide under His lordship, rule, and authority.

SHEEP ARE IN ONE SHEEPFOLD. John 10:16, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Sheep are not independent, separatists, isolationists, or divisive. Sheep don’t argue and fight with one another and set up a thousand different sheepfolds or denominations. They gather with other sheep and abide with other sheep because they recognize each other as being God’s sheep who are under the protective care of the Master Shepherd.

SHEEP HAVE LIFE. John 10:10, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. In addition to eternal life, Jesus gives us a life that is truly worth living on this Earth. The Christian life isn’t a life of torment and drudgery. Sure, there are trials and persecutions to go through. The crucifixion of Self isn’t pleasant. And obedience isn’t always a real joy to the flesh. But in all this, there’s an attitude of joy, peace, and victory that permeates the Christian life because God gives them this abundant life. If you’d allow me to put it in my own words, sheep enjoy the Christian life. They have inward peace and satisfaction in being sheep. They don’t want to be goats. They’re happy and content, living under Christ’s authority. They like it that way and they wouldn’t give up Christ and Christianity for anything the world or the Devil can offer them.

SHEEP ARE FED BY THE LORD. John 10:9, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. When the Lord goes before His sheep He leads them and guides them to green pastures where their souls can be nourished and fattened. God, my friends, isn’t leading His people to churches where they can’t grow or where they’ll end up being deceived by false teachers and ministers. Sheep grow spiritually. They bear fruit.

SHEEP ARE KNOWN BY THE LORD. John 10:27, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Our God is an omniscient God. He knows everything and everyone. But when He says I know my sheep, that means He knows them personally, He’s involved in their lives, He’s working in their lives, He knows them savingly.

SHEEP OBEY THE LORD. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. {22} Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? {23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Friends, there are all kinds of professing Christians in this world who talk the talk. Some people who aren’t going to be in Heaven can do great things for the Lord and even work miracles. But they aren’t going to spend eternity in Heaven because they haven’t obeyed the Lord. They weren’t repentant about their sins or lusts. They didn’t give them up. Instead, they continued to do things that the Lord hates. They lived a life of sin. Brethren, IF YOU’RE NOT IN THIS NUMBER, IF YOU’RE STRIVING TO OBEY THE LORD AND HAVE GIVEN YOURSELF TO OBEDIENCE AND THE CROSS, THEN KNOW FOR A FACT THAT YOU’RE ONE OF GOD’S SHEEP. You’ll make it into the kingdom.

SHEEP WILL LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND PRODUCE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. {16} Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? {17} Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. {18} A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. {19} Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. {20} Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Brethren, IF YOU’RE LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE FROM DAY TO DAY AND ARE BEARING FRUITS OF REPENTANCE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, THEN KNOW FOR A CERTAINTY THAT YOU’RE ONE OF GOD’S SHEEP. You’ll make it into the kingdom.

SHEEP WILL ENDURE TO THE VERY END.  Jesus promised in Matthew 10:22, he that endureth to the end shall be saved. He said in James 1:12, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. He said it again in Revelation 2:10, Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Friends, IF YOU’RE ENDURING YOUR TRIALS AND STRIVING TO BE FAITHFUL, THEN KNOW FOR A FACT THAT YOU’RE A SHEEP, GOD HAS HIS HAND ON YOU, AND HE’LL NEVER LET YOU GO!

Now the comfort of the sheep’s perseverance is this: God gives them the grace and willingness to persevere. He puts it this way in Isaiah 41:10, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. In other words, those who are in God’s hand will persevere to the very end. God will watch over them, control their trials, and give them grace, so that they end up enduring without falling apart at the seams and apostatizing into perdition. Going back to John 10:28, I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.

Brethren, you need not be fearful about what might happen to you. NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YOU THAT YOU CAN’T ENDURE. NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YOU THAT WILL RESULT IN YOU TURNING YOUR BACK ON GOD AND CHRISTIANITY. GOD SIMPLY WILL NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN! HE LOVES YOU TOO MUCH! HE WON’T ALLOW YOU TO GIVE UP! HE’LL MAKE SURE YOU ENDURE TO THE VERY END!

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Part 5. God’s gonna give us gobs and gobs of verses about what He’s doing to make sure you make it to Heaven. If the Devil’s hassling you about your salvation, these verses will shut him up. Tune in and I’ll show you where the mute button is.

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ETERNAL SECURITY PART 3

August 5, 2011 at 7:56 PM (Doctrine, Eternal Security)

GOD’S PROMISE TO YOU

John 10:27-29 provides one of the greatest comforts in Scripture. God assures us, as many as believe and follow our Lord, that we won’t backslide or apostatize into perdition. We will not ever lose our salvation. For as long as we’re alive on this Earth, our Lord will keep us safe in His hands and He’ll bring us safely to glory. Note these simple truths from verse 28.

  • God gives us eternal life. He cannot damn us and save us at the same time. He either does one or the other. John 10:28 makes it very clear what the Father’s wishes and will are with respect to us: it’s His will to give us eternal life, not eternal death or damnation. He wants us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven!
  • We are in God’s hands. God has His hands on us. Even though we’re still on this Earth and can’t see His hands around us, nevertheless we’re in His hands. And that, my friends, spells security and safety. We’re not on our own!
  • No one can pluck us out of God’s hands. There are all kinds of men, demons, and adverse circumstances of life that would love to get their hands on us and bring us down into perdition. But the good news is, they can’t! Hallelujah! They can’t get their hands on us because they can’t get their hands on God! Like flies or bees on the attack, God just brushes them aside. He’s keeping us. He’s holding on to us. And He’s not going to deliver us into their hands! Thank you, Father, for your hands!
  • We shall never perish. Do you know what never means? It means it’s won’t ever happen. We face all kinds of trials and persecutions in this life. Some of us wonder or worry if we truly are going to make it all the way through life, enduring and being faithful as a Christian. We wonder if we’re really going to Heaven when we die. But the promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13 is, WE NEED NOT WONDER OR WORRY AT ALL BECAUSE GOD WILL PERSONALLY SEE TO IT THAT THERE’LL NEVER COME A TIME, OR A TRIAL, OR A DEMON, OR A PERSECUTOR, THAT WILL CAUSE US TO TURN OUR BACKS ON GOD SO THAT WE END UP IN PERDITION. FRIENDS, THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN! God said, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. In other words, they shall never perish.

Brethren, God Himself will not take our salvation from us! He requires a lot of us. He takes all kinds of things away from us: things like resentment, pride, selfishness, unforgiveness, a critical and unloving attitude, worldliness, the love of money, things having to do with the occult, and many more. But the one thing HE’LL NEVER TAKE AWAY FROM US IS OUR SALVATION. Do you know why He won’t take it away from us? Because that’s not His will, that’s not what He wants to do! IT’S HIS WILL FOR US TO BE SAVED AND HE’S DEVOTED HIMSELF TO MAKING SURE WE DON’T EVER LOSE OUR SALVATION. HAVING ETERNAL LIFE, BRETHREN, MEANS WE’LL NEVER PERISH. IT’LL NEVER HAPPEN! HELL, MY FRIENDS, IS ONE THING WE NEED NEVER WORRY OR FRET ABOUT! WE’LL NEVER GO THERE! THANK GOD!

The promise of John 10:27-29 is, God will personally see to it, and make sure, that we enter into Heaven. He’s guaranteed us that we will not ever lose our salvation, nor will we spend eternity tortured and pained in the fires of Hell. As sheep, we don’t have to be doubtful or uncertain about where we’ll spend eternity. We don’t have to wonder or worry if a trial, temptation, or circumstance of life will come about that will cause us to lose our faith in God, turn our backs on Him, and end up losing our salvation. Brethren, this will never happen! God will never allow it to happen! GOD HAS DEVOTED HIMSELF TO OUR SALVATION. HE HAS DEDICATED HIMSELF TO OUR PRESERVATION. AND HE’LL PERSONALLY DO EVERYTHING THAT’S NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE WE END UP IN HEAVEN.

Brethren, you can know with absolute certainty where you’ll be going when death comes or when the trumpet of God sounds out the rapture’s call. If you don’t know where you’ll be spending eternity, if you’re not sure; it’s my prayer that you’ll know it by the time you’re finished reading these blogs. God gave them to me—and you as well—for this very purpose. It’s your Father’s will to comfort and assure you of your eternal salvation that will not ever be taken away from you.

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Part 4. I’ll be looking at who Jesus gave this promise of eternal security and preservation to. How can you know the promise applies to you? Gosh, I’m so excited, I’m on the edge of my seat. If you hear a thud, come and pick me up, okay? You are a pal!

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ETERNAL SECURITY, PART 2

August 3, 2011 at 9:18 AM (Doctrine, Eternal Security)

SOME WHO LOSE THEIR SALVATION WERE NEVER TRULY SAVED

While Scriptures comfort us with the truth that the sheep will never perish, we nonetheless also see in Scripture that many professing Christians will end up perishing in perdition. How can this be? The answer is two-fold. SOME PROFESSING CHRISTIANS END UP LOSING THEIR SALVATION IN THE SENSE THAT THEY WERE NEVER REALLY SAVED TO BEGIN WITH.

1 John 2:18-19 explains what, at first, seems like a real contradiction or paradox, Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. {19} They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. In other words, some professing Christians or churchgoers were never truly sheep, or saved, to begin with.

A lot of people profess to be Christ’s, or Christians, but were never regarded as such by Christ. He never considered them His, nor did He ever regard them as true Christians or saved. Matthew 7:21-23 makes this very plain.  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

These people professed to be Christians. They called Jesus Lord. They prophesied and worked miracles in Jesus’ Name.  They actually did miracles! They did a lot of good works for Christ. But Jesus said to them, I never knew you.  Why did He say that? Because they never gave up their sins. They continued to live in sin. They lived a double life of hypocrisy.

Professing Christians can believe in Jesus and work miracles. But they’re not true Christians. And the proof of that is, they continued to live a sinful life. Brethren, you’re a true Christian if you live a righteous life. GENUINE CHRISTIANS DON’T LIVE SINFUL LIVES. Yes, they can sin. And they do sin from time to time. But they don’t live for sin. They don’t live to sin. They don’t live like heathens. They don’t live sinful lives.

If a person isn’t saved in God’s sight, then they don’t have any salvation to lose. They were never truly saved. Thus, a professing Christian can lose his or her salvation only in the sense that they thought, they believed, they were saved and had salvation. In losing their salvation they lost what they thought they had, but never really, truly had to begin with.

Closely related to this is the fact that many people truly believe in Jesus, but their faith is not a saving faith. James 2:19 is relevant here. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. Demons believe in God. They know there’s a God. They know there’s a Heaven and Hell. They’re believers, if I may use the term loosely. But they’re not saved because  they persist in their anti-God behaviors or activities. Their faith, or what they believe, doesn’t change them: it doesn’t change the way they live, think, or act.

In much the same way, many people believe in Jesus. They believe the facts and doctrines relating to Jesus. But they’re not saved because, like demons, they continue to live self-willed, sinful lives just as Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:21-23. The point is, many people truly believe. But theirs is not a saving faith. Faith without acts—in this case, faith without a transformed, holy, obedient life—is dead. It’s faith, but it’s dead. And being dead, it has no power to give life or save.

SOME WHO LOSE THEIR SALVATION WERE INDEED TRULY SAVED

While some professing Christians were never truly saved to begin with, we nonetheless also see from the Scriptures cited in our first blog post that some Christians were indeed truly saved but they end up losing their salvation. How? We showed you how. By tampering with the Scriptures (God will take away his part out of the book of life); by being spiritually fruitless (every branch in me); by becoming lukewarm (I will spue thee out of my mouth); by not enduring to the end (If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth); by reverting to works salvation (ye are fallen from grace); by committing the unpardonable sin; and by apostatizing (those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift).

As we see in John 10:28 quoted previously, God’s sheep will never perish. Since the sheep will never perish, since God gives them eternal life and no one will ever take it away from them; then the only logical implication or conclusion we’re left with is this: those who were truly saved but who nonetheless end up losing their salvation were not sheep. They were saved, howbeit temporarily, but they were not sheep. Don’t ask me how that can be because I don’t have the answer right now. Instead of trying to figure out how a person can be saved and still not be a sheep, I’m going to spend my time finding out how I can be a sheep. I want to know for a fact that I’m a sheep. If this is your heart’s desire, come along with me and let’s follow the Good Shepherd.

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Part 3. Now comes the good part. Eternity security is God’s promise to the believer. Everybody wants in on the promise, so it’ll be a sell-out crowd. Come early if you want a seat. If you’re late you’ll have to tear the roof apart. [Bring money to pay for repairs.]

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ETERNAL SECURITY PART 1

July 29, 2011 at 9:39 AM (Doctrine, Eternal Security)

GOD’S PROMISE

John 10:27-29, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: {28} And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. {29} My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

INTRODUCTION

The doctrine of eternal security is the fifth of Calvinism Five Points, also known as ‘the perseverance of the believer’. In Baptist circles, this doctrine of eternal security, or the eternal preservation of the believer, is also known by the popular maxim, ‘once saved, always saved’. The maxim is a great source of encouragement to those of us who are truly God’s sheep and who trust Him to preserve us our whole life through and usher us safely, gladly, to Heaven’s shores.

Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous, sinning brethren among us, falsely-so-called, who use these words of our Lord to give themselves a false sense of security. They think they can keep on sinning and live any ole way they please because they can never be lost or damned. Yet, that is the farthest thing from the truth. The promise of the Lord’s preservation, as we shall see, is not given to sinners—be they professing Christians or downright heathen.

The doctrine of eternal security, simply stated is this. GOD PRESERVES THOSE WHO PERSEVERE. AND THOSE WHO PERSEVERE DO SO BECAUSE THEY ARE PRESERVED BY GOD.

IT’S POSSIBLE TO LOSE YOUR SALVATION

Before I get to the promise of God’s preservation and the eternal salvation of the believer, I’d like to bring the balance of Scripture into focus and let you know that it is indeed possible for a professing Christian to lose his or her salvation. Scriptures make this clear and the point is beyond debate. If you know what factors lead to the loss of salvation, you’ll guard yourself from them and thus assure yourself that you won’t lose your salvation.

HOW SALVATION IS LOST

(1) BY LIVING A LIFE OF SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE. Matthew 7:21-23 tells us, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. {22} Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? {23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(2) BY BEING SPIRITUALLY FRUITLESS. Jesus warns us in John 15:2, Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away (see also Luke 13:6-9, Matthew 25:14-30).

(3) BY BECOMING SPIRITUALLY LUKEWARM, whereby you’re not on fire for the Lord, but then, you’ve not gone back totally to the world. Revelation 3:15-16 reads, I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

(4) BY TAMPERING WITH SCRIPTURE. Revelation 22:19, And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

(5) BY REVERTING TO WORKS SALVATION. Those who want to work for their salvation will end up losing it if they persist in works-salvation. Galatians 5:1-4 warns us, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. {2} Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. {3} For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. {4} Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. A professing Christian can lose his or her salvation.

(6) BY DEPARTING FROM THE TRUTH. 1 Timothy 4:1 warns us, 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 (see also 2 Timothy 4:2-4).

(7) BY NOT ENDURING OR ABIDING TO THE VERY END. Jesus said in Matthew 10:22,  he that endureth to the end shall be saved. He went on to say in John 15:6, If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Revelation 3:5 continues along this line, He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (see also Matthew 10:33). Verse 11 goes on to exhort us, Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

(8) BY COMMITTING THE UNPARDONABLE SIN. Matthew 12:31-32, Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. {32} And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

(9) BY APOSTATIZING. Hebrews 6:4-6, For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, {5} And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, {6} If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Part 2. If God’s sheep can never perish, and if some Christians end up perishing; we have a real paradox here. How we need God’s wisdom and understanding! Stay within ear’s reach of the school bell and when classes resume I’ll clear up the air with the Bible’s version of Glade. You’ll understand the paradox in no time.

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THE UNPARDONABLE, UNFORGIVABLE SIN PART 4

July 19, 2011 at 10:12 AM (Doctrine, Unpardonable Sin)

HOW TO AVOID COMMITTING THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

Like the Scribes and Pharisees, it’s possible and easy to be mistaken in your judgments or accusations against a person. Remember from our Scripture text that even though you’re not out to blaspheme the Holy Spirit, you can end up doing just that when you make a false accusation of demonic oppression and activity against someone you don’t like or agree with. Here are some admonitions to help you not commit the unpardonable sin.

1. Maintain A Christlike Spirit As You Contend Earnestly For The Faith And The Truth. The religious leaders were interested in preserving Judaism from false messiahs. While they were envious of Jesus’ following amongst the multitudes and jealous of His power and miracles; they also wanted to spare the multitudes from following someone they thought was a false messiah. They were against Jesus and they stooped pretty low when they accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebub himself. Their opposition to Jesus in the name of Judaism was tainted and corrupted by false accusations and a bad heart.

Brethren, IN YOUR EFFORT TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE THE PURITY OF THE GOSPEL AND THE FAITH, DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO HAVE BAD THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES ABOUT PEOPLE YOU THINK ARE WRONG. It’s easy to start hating someone you don’t agree with. It doesn’t take any effort at all to be malicious and vindictive towards someone you perceive as an enemy. That’s why you’ve got to take it easy, slow down, and get a hold of yourself. DO A LOT OF SELF-EXAMINING BEFORE YOU SCRUTINIZE AND SLANDER SOMEONE. Keep a tight lid on your lip. Remember, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a sin that’s spoken. MEASURE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THE WORDS THAT HURT OTHERS CAN ALSO HURT YOU AND GET YOU IN TROUBLE WITH GOD.

Spiritual things are spiritually discerned (see 1 Corinthians 2:14). Like the religious leaders, when you’re motivated by jealousy, animosity, resentment, pride, or a host of other ungodly emotions; your ability to discern spiritual things is hampered and you don’t think very well. A bad heart makes for bad vision, spiritually speaking. Keep your mouth shut and your accusations to yourself until you can think and see clearly again.

Contend for the truth, my friends. I’m all for that if you do it in love and with a Christlike spirit. Just keep your emotions and tongue under strict control. Don’t lie! Remember that the primary intent of blasphemy is to slander or defame someone’s name, character or reputation. Brethren, WHEN YOU’RE OUT TO SLANDER, RUIN, HURT, OR DISGRACE SOMEONE; WATCH OUT BECAUSE LIES AND BLASPHEMY ARE CLOSE AT HAND.

2. Don’t Be Quick, Thoughtless, Or Indiscriminate In Charging People With Being Oppressed And Working Under Demonic Power. There are demon-oppressed people in this world. There are false prophets and deceivers working under demonic power. Some of them go to churches and are a part of a local church.

WHEN IT COMES TO A PROFESSED FOLLOWER OF JESUS, YOU’D BETTER HAVE ALL THE FACTS RIGHT BEFORE YOU START ACCUSING HIM OR HER OF WORKING BY DEMONIC POWER OR INFLUENCE. DON’T FABRICATE CHARGES against those who you deem enemies of the church and the truth.

The Scribes and Pharisees didn’t like Jesus. They didn’t agree with Jesus. But the fact that they didn’t like Jesus or agree with Him didn’t automatically mean He was demon-oppressed! Friends, JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T LIKE SOMEONE OR DON’T AGREE WITH HIM DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN HE’S A TOOL OF SATAN. HE MAY WELL BE WRONG. BUT HIS BEING WRONG DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MAKE HIM OPPRESSED. DON’T DEMONIFY A BELIEVER OR MINISTER UNLESS YOU KNOW BY THE SPIRIT THAT THERE’S DEMONS INVOLVED.

By our standards today, we can be reasonably sure in saying many of the Scribes and Pharisees had spirits of legalism, religiosity, false piety, spiritual pride, and deception working in, and through, them. But it’s interesting to note that Jesus didn’t go around accusing the religious leaders of being oppressed! The only time He brought up the fact of demonic oppression was when He was ready to cast the demon out of a fellow, or shortly thereafter. The records speak for themselves. Jesus didn’t go around calling people oppressed or possessed. He did something about it. He cast these demons out. Friends, if you’re not planning on casting a demon out, don’t be so eager to demonify a believer or accuse him or her of being demonically oppressed. It may be true. They may well be oppressed. But some things don’t need to be said until, or unless, an exorcism is in the works.

(3) Get Your Theology In Line With The Scriptures Before You Accuse A Person Of Speaking and Working Under The Inspiration And Power Of Satan. The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub. But they were wrong because their theology was wrong. Satan doesn’t cast out Satan. Their accusation against Jesus was made on wrong or errant theology.

To avoid making the same mistake as these Scribes and Pharisees you need to do some thinking and studying before you make accusation against a servant of God. If you were one of these religious leaders, you should have asked yourself if the Devil is capable of casting demons out of demon-oppressed people. Does the Devil do that sort of thing? Is the Devil  involved in deliverance? You see, to discern if a person is ministering by the Spirit of God or by a demonic spirit, you’ve first got to know what the Spirit of God can say and do and what He can’t. You’ve got to know what the Devil can say and do and what he can’t. YOU RISK COMMITTING THE UNPARDONABLE SIN WHEN YOU FAIL TO DISTINGUISH THE WORKINGS OF THE SPIRIT FROM THE WORKINGS OF THE DEVIL. Keep what’s of the Spirit, of the Spirit; and what’s of the Devil, of the Devil. Don’t mix them up, otherwise you’ll be in a heap of trouble.

It’s time for lab. Let’s get personal and practical. Two professing ministers of God are saying the exact same thing—let’s say they’re both teaching Divine healing. Two professing ministers of God are doing the exact same thing—let’s say they’re both casting demons out of the oppressed. You look at both of them and you decide one of them works by the Spirit of God and the other, by a demonic spirit. The question is, How did you arrive at that conclusion or judgment? What reasons, evidence, or criteria did you use to make that judgment? What grounds did you base your discernment on?

Go back to our Scripture text. The disciples of the Pharisees cast demons out of people and Jesus did too. The Pharisees had to decide if Jesus was casting demons out by the Spirit of God or by the power of Beelzebub. Do you know what they based their judgment and accusation on? Well, it wasn’t based on right theology because Satan cannot cast out Satan. Their judgment and accusation were based on the fact that they didn’t like Him, they didn’t agree with Him, He wasn’t a part of their religious clique, He didn’t observe their man-made laws and traditions, He didn’t do things their way, He was cozy with publicans and sinners, He wasn’t separate from the common people, and a host of other reasons.

You see, brethren, the things that these religious leaders based their judgment and accusation on weren’t adequate or sufficient to support the kind of judgment or accusation that they were making. All their reasons centered around Jesus. But what they failed to see was that these many, varied reasons for accusing Jesus of working by the power of Beelzebub centered around them: their jealousy, envy, hatred, and pride.

Friends, WHEN YOUR JUDGMENTS OR DISCERNMENT ARE BASED ON VILE EMOTIONS OF THE FLESH, YOU DON’T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON. Before you accuse somebody of working by demonic power, you’d better be sure that the Devil is capable of saying the things this person is saying and capable of doing the things this person is doing. If, as in deliverance, the Devil doesn’t say and do those things, then don’t ascribe the words and works of the Spirit to a demonic spirit because that’s blasphemous. HAVING A RIGHT HEART AND THEOLOGY WILL KEEP YOU FROM COMMITTING THE UNPARDONABLE, UNFORGIVABLE SIN. May God bless you and keep you in His love and His truth.

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THE UNPARDONABLE, UNFORGIVABLE SIN PART 3

July 15, 2011 at 9:20 PM (Doctrine, Unpardonable Sin)

COUNSEL TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE THEY’VE COMMITTED THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

If you believe you’ve blasphemed the Holy Spirit, consider carefully the three things that constitute the unpardonable sin. (1) Was the person you were accusing a true minister or servant of God acting at the time under Divine inspiration, anointing, or power? It’s true that ordinary believers can be oppressed by a demon or demons. It isn’t blasphemous or unpardonable to say a believer is oppressed in some matter or area of their life. THE BLASPHEMY OCCURS WHEN A TRUE BELIEVER HAS SPOKEN OR WORKED UNDER THE SPIRIT’S POWER AND YOU CHARGE THAT AS BEING A MANIFESTATION OF DEMONIC POWER OR ACTIVITY.

Remember, Jesus just got done ministering by the Spirit when He healed the blind and mute demoniac. If there hadn’t been a healing or deliverance, there wouldn’t have been an unpardonable sin committed. BLASPHEMY OCCURS IN THE CONTEXT OF A MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT’S POWER OR WORK. IF THE PERSON YOU ACCUSED WASN’T SPEAKING OR MINISTERING BY THE SPIRIT AT THE TIME YOU ACCUSED HIM, THEN YOU HAVEN’T COMMITTED THE UNPARDONABLE SIN.

(2) Did you accuse the person of having, and working by, a demonic spirit? If not, you haven’t committed the unpardonable sin. You may have said a lot of bad or mean things about that person. That’s lamentable. But it isn’t unpardonable! Remember, the unpardonable sin is when you accuse someone who’s ministering by the Spirit that he’s ministering by a demonic spirit. If you made no such accusation, you’ve committed no such sin. IF YOU DON’T REMEMBER MAKING SUCH ACCUSATION, CHANCES ARE, YOU HAVEN’T BLASPHEMED THE HOLY SPIRIT.

You see, generally speaking, when you commit a sin you know what the sin is. You know what you did. For example, when you steal money you know what you stole and you know that you’ve stolen. If you didn’t steal money do you accuse yourself of having stolen money? Of course not! You don’t accuse yourself of doing things you never did.

Suppose the Devil tells you, you stole money. Do you believe his accusation? Of course not! You didn’t steal it, his accusation is a lie, so you don’t pay him any mind. Now suppose somebody accuses you of stealing money. Do you believe that person’s accusation? Of course not! You didn’t steal a thing. The accusation is false and a lie.

So what’s the point? The point is, you don’t believe an accusation made against you when you didn’t do it. The accusation is a lie. And just because someone’s accusing you of doing something doesn’t mean you did it. To be sure, as the years pass, you don’t always remember details. You don’t remember everything you said or did in connection with a certain event. But if you’ve ever battled condemnation for past sins you know that when it comes to sin, the Devil doesn’t let you forget. The gory details are as fresh in your mind today as they were the day you committed the sin. The point is, when it comes to sin, the Devil and your human mind are very good at remembering details!

Brethren, IF YOU BELIEVE YOU’VE COMMITTED THE UNPARDONABLE SIN, BUT CAN’T REMEMBER EVER COMMITTING IT; YOU HAVEN’T COMMITED THE SIN! YOU WOULD REMEMBER IT IF YOU DID! People and the Devil may tell you you’ve committed the unpardonable sin. But if you don’t remember ever committing it, the accusation—like stealing money—is a lie.

(3) Now if you indeed accused a servant of God of ministering by a demonic spirit, you need to ask yourself two questions. (A) Did you know what you were doing when you made the accusation? You see, it’s possible to say and do the wrong things sincerely out of ignorance. Ignorance is lamentable. But it isn’t unforgivable. In writing of his past life as a blasphemer and persecutor of the church, Paul nevertheless obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13). Like Paul, you can be sincerely convinced you’re right about the things you’re saying and doing and still be dead wrong because you’re ignorant and in unbelief about the truth. Brethren, if you were sincerely ignorant and wrong about the false accusation you made against a true minister of God, confess your sin to God and make the necessary apologies. Ignorance is forgivable and God forgives you.

A second question you need to ask yourself if you believe you’ve blasphemed the Holy Spirit is this. (B) What was your motive for making the accusation? Were you sincerely trying to take a stand for the truth and warn God’s people about someone you believed was wrong and a deceiver? Or were you jealous of the guy and your sole intent was to discredit him and make him look bad?  Saying false, wrong things about a guy and dragging him through the mud are truly lamentable. But they’re not unforgivable. If you didn’t accuse him of speaking or working by a demonic spirit, you haven’t committed the unpardonable sin.

BLASPHEMY OCCURS WHEN YOU, LIKE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, ARE MALICIOUS AND INTENT ON TAINTING OR DESTROYING THE NAME, CHARACTER AND REPUTATION OF A PERFECTLY GOOD SERVANT OF GOD. THE CONDITION AND MOTIVE OF YOUR HEART HAS A LOT TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT YOU ACTUALLY COMMITTED THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN.

In their unbelief and opposition to Jesus, the Scribes and Pharisees were hardened to Him. They didn’t have the least bit of regret or conviction for the things they said about Him. They were not interested in believing, following, or supporting Him. They were not sorry about all the false things they said about Him and all the bad things they did to Him. They had a hard, evil heart. Jesus said so. Right after telling us about the unpardonable sin Jesus went on to say in the same time context, Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. {34} O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. {35} A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things, Matthew 12:33-35.

The evil accusation that the Scribes and Pharisees made against Jesus came from their evil hearts. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is spoken from an evil heart. Brethren, if you’re not like the Pharisees and Scribes, IF YOU STILL HAVE A HEART FOR JESUS AND WANT TO SERVE HIM, THEN YOU HAVEN’T COMMITTED THE UNPARDONABLE SIN. Those who commit the unforgivable sin have no interest in following or serving Jesus. If you committed the unforgivable sin you wouldn’t be concerned about it. You wouldn’t be bothered, convicted or be thinking about it. You’d forget it. If you’re bothered, convicted, or sorry about it, then, believe me, you haven’t committed the unforgivable sin.

Having said that, let me hasten to say that if you’re bothered by persistent thoughts of having blasphemed the Holy Spirit; then there may well be a lying, deceiving spirit of condemnation, torment, or unbelief that’s trying to cut you off from the Lord. Demon spirits are involved whenever thoughts of condemnation, rejection, and unforgiveness nag and bombard your mind. Come against the spirit by name, command them in Jesus’ Name not to speak to you anymore about this false charge of blasphemy. Settle it in your heart that you haven’t committed the unpardonable sin, refuse to entertain the thought again, then continue your walk with the Lord.

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Part 4. This final installment contains practical admonitions to help you not commit the unpardonable sin. This is a must-read for all zealous defenders of the faith and the truth. P.S. No mud and rope allowed in the auditorium.

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THE UNPARDONABLE, UNFORGIVABLE SIN PART 2

July 12, 2011 at 8:18 AM (Doctrine, Unpardonable Sin)

There are three things that make up the unpardonable sin: (1) the person against whom accusation is being made; (2) the accusation itself; and (3) the falseness of the accusation. Let’s look at each of these.

1. THE PERSON BEING ACCUSED. But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow (Matthew 12:24a). There are two things that you should be aware of here. First, when the religious leaders committed this sin they were talking to the people about Jesus. They weren’t talking to Jesus, nor were they talking to the invisible Personage called the Holy Spirit. Their object and intent was not to blaspheme the Spirit. They didn’t start out their encounter with Jesus by saying, “O.K. guys, let’s blaspheme the Holy Spirit.” You see, from their point of view, they were out to discredit Jesus as the Messiah because of what the people around them were saying and wondering about Jesus being the possible Messiah.

So what’s the point? YOU CAN BLASPHEME THE HOLY SPIRIT EVEN WHEN YOU AREN’T TALKING DIRECTLY OR PERSONALLY TO HIM. YOU CAN BLASPHEME THE SPIRIT WITHOUT EVEN HAVING HIM IN MIND.

These religious leaders didn’t like Jesus, nor did they agree with Him. But, and this is my second point, the fact of the matter remains the same: Jesus was a Man of God and the Spirit of God was working through Him. It’s important for you to understand this truth—that Jesus was a true Man of God—because when you understand that, you’ll understand that the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit applies primarily to an accusation made against a true minister of God. I believe it applies as well to those who operate in the gifts of the Spirit, particularly the gifts of revelation, utterance, or miracles.

In effect, THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT IS COMMITTED WHEN FALSE ACCUSATION OF DEMONIC ACTIVITY IS MADE AGAINST ANY BELIEVER WHO’S FUNCTIONING OR MINISTERING UNDER THE SPIRIT’S INSPIRATION, ANOINTING, OR POWER.  You see, it isn’t blasphemous to accuse a false prophet, deceiver, or minister of Satan of speaking or working by demonic power. It’s true. Satan’s ministers work under his demonic power. Brethren, it isn’t blasphemous to say it. The unpardonable sin applies only when false accusation of demonic activity is made against a true minister or servant of God.

2. THE ACCUSATION.  This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils (Matthew 12:24). Remember what blasphemy means. It means to say something that’s untrue in order to slander a person’s character or reputation. Jesus was working or ministering by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Scribes and Pharisees said He wasn’t. They accused Him of ministering by demonic power.

Like these religious leaders, YOU BLASPHEME THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN YOU CHARGE AND ATTRIBUTE THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE THE WORK OF A DEMONIC SPIRIT. In effect, you’re denying that it’s the Holy Spirit working through an individual. You’re accusing that person of having a demonic spirit and of working by demonic power. When you make this kind of accusation against a true minister or servant of God, you’re not only slandering or defaming his character and reputation: you’re slandering the Holy Spirit who’s working in and through Him. You’re disgracing the Holy Spirit of God by accusing Him of being a devil!

Like the Scribes and Pharisees, you’re not intending to slander the Spirit. You don’t have Him in mind. All you’re doing is accusing someone of working under demonic power or activity. But the truth is, as God sees it, when you accuse a true man of God of working under demonic power you are, in effect, accusing the work of the Holy Spirit through him to be the work of a devil. In other words, the Spirit of God in him is really a demonic spirit instead. YOU COMMIT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN WHEN YOU CHARGE A TRUE SERVANT OF GOD TO BE POSSESSED BY A DEMONIC SPIRIT: HE’S WORKING THROUGH THE INSPIRATION AND POWER OF A DEMONIC SPIRIT.

3. THE FALSENESS OF THE ACCUSATION.  Lastly, the unpardonable sin involves an accusation that isn’t true. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? {27} And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges (Matthew 12:26-27). The accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub was not true. The Scribes and Pharisees either fabricated this untruth, or else they really believed it in their hearts. Whatever the case might be, the accusation was not true.

You see, their disciples were casting out demons too and the Pharisees didn’t have any problem with that. They didn’t accuse their disciples of working under demonic power. But when it came to Jesus doing the same thing, they treated Him differently. They accused Him of being a tool of the Devil.

In a situation like this, only one of three possibilities or choices is true: (1) all exorcism is by the power of God; or (2) all exorcism is by the power of Satan; or (3) some exorcism is by the power of God and some is by the power of Satan.

Since the disciples of the Pharisees were involved in exorcism, it is clear the Pharisees didn’t believe that all deliverance is by the power of Satan. Simple enough. Let’s scratch out (2).

That done, we’re faced with two possibilities: (1) either all exorcism is by the power of God, or else (3) some of it is by God’s power and some by the Devil’s power. You see, the Pharisees were faced with these two possibilities. Since they didn’t like or agree with Jesus and were envious of Him for amassing such a huge following among the people,  they could not bring themselves to admit that God could work through Jesus. The only choice they had left was, God casts demons out when He does it through our disciples, but when someone else does it Satan is behind it.

But their charge against Jesus was wrong on two counts. First, Satan doesn’t cast demons out of people. And second, the disciples of the Pharisees would testify against them and object to the notion that the Devil was the power behind deliverance. They, Jesus said, shall be your judges (Matthew 12:27).

Brethren, DON’T MAKE ACCUSATIONS BASED ON ENVY, HATRED, OR WRONG THEOLOGY BECAUSE IT CAN GET YOU IN A LOT OF TROUBLE. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, in conclusion, is when you accuse a true servant of God of doing something by demonic power when, in reality, that isn’t the case at all. It’s the Spirit of God working or speaking through him.

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Part 3. If you believe you’ve committed the unpardonable sin, this next one’s for you. God wants you here. He’s saved a seat for you. It’ll be your D-Day and V-Day over the Devil’s lies concerning you. (P.S. Deliverance and Victory achieved only if seat is warmed.)

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THE UNPARDONABLE, UNFORGIVABLE SIN PART 1

July 8, 2011 at 11:07 AM (Doctrine, Unpardonable Sin)

All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. {32} And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Matthew 12:31-32

 INTRODUCTION

There is one, and only one, sin that can never be forgiven. It is the unpardonable, unforgivable sin. This sin is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. To knowingly commit it even once is to be damned for a lifetime and eternity.

Unfortunately, the Devil likes to run with these words of our Lord. He tells some of God’s people that they’ve committed the unpardonable sin, God will never forgive them, they’re damned for all eternity without any hope of salvation or Heaven. Tragically, some of God’s people believe these lies of the Devil and they end up living very confused, miserable, and tormented lives. It’s really no way to live.

If you believe you’ve committed the unforgivable sin, or you don’t know what this sin is, these blog posts are for you. Let me begin by setting the historical context for you.

THE CONTEXT IN WHICH THIS SIN IS COMMITTED

Matthew 12:22-23,  Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.  (23)  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

One day, some people brought a man to Jesus for help. The man was blind, mute, and demon possessed. Jesus cured him on the spot and, in a single marvelous moment, the man was able to see and speak. Well, as you could no doubt imagine, this miracle caused quite a stir among the people who were standing by. It got them thinking about who Jesus really was. Obviously, He was no ordinary man. Many of them toyed with the idea that Jesus might just possibly be the Son of David, that is, the promised Messiah.

Matthew 12:24,  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. There were Pharisees in the crowd that day. In Mark’s account of this same incident, there were Scribes there as well (Mark 3:22). Now the Scribes were the official copiers of Holy Scripture. They were the only ones authorized to make hand-written copies of sacred Scripture. Because of their official duty, they were also experts in the law. They knew the law better than anyone else did. So, naturally, the opinion of these experts concerning Jesus’ identity would carry the most weight.

Well, when the Pharisees and Scribes heard the people hailing Jesus as the possible Messiah, this just roused their dander. They hated Jesus. They didn’t believe Jesus was the promised Messiah at all. To the contrary, they felt Jesus was a law-breaker, a deceiver, and worst of all, Beelzebub himself (see Matthew 10:25). And who is Beelzebub? He’s the prince of devils, namely, Satan Himself. In other words, “Jesus is not the Messiah! This supposed Messiah is a demoniac! He’s the Devil incarnate!” Thus, while many of the people called Jesus the Son of God, Messiah, and Great Prophet; the Jewish religious leaders themselves proclaimed Him to be the Devil himself. By accusing Him thusly, the Pharisees sought to quench the people’s excitement and turn them away from following or exalting Jesus as the promised Messiah of Israel.

Matthew 12:25-29,  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:  (26)  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?  (27)  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.  (28)  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.  (29)  Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

The charge of the Pharisees and Scribes, however, is utterly incongruous or incompatible with reason. Satan doesn’t cast out Satan. Satan, Jesus tells us plainly, is not in the business of casting demons out of demon-possessed people.  He would be working against himself if he did this. And this is something that Satan just doesn’t do: he doesn’t work against himself! Truth be told, DELIVERANCE OR EXORCISM IS NOT SATAN’S ENTERPRISE, WORK, OR MINISTRY. RATHER, IT’S A MINISTRY AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING THROUGH HUMAN VESSELS.

In countering the Pharisees’ and Scribes’ accusation concerning Him, Jesus proceeds to tell us about the unpardonable sin. Matthew 12:30-32,  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.  (31)  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  (32)  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BLASPHEME THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The unpardonable, unforgivable sin is when a person blasphemes the Holy Spirit. Great! What does that mean? Well, the word blasphemy in the Greek text of the Scriptures means to revile or reproach, to calumniate or make false and malicious statements so as to slander or defame someone’s character or reputation. In our day, to blaspheme a person would be to drag his name through the mud and say all kinds of ridiculous things about him, even lies, to make him look really bad. To blaspheme the Holy Spirit, then, is to disgrace or dishonor the Holy Spirit by saying false things about or against Him.

Coming Up On My Next Blog Post, Part 2. I’ll take an in-depth look at the sin of blasphemy against the Spirit. It’ll be so clear and simple that you’ll see quite clearly what this sin is really all about.  Fogged up about it? Drop on by. My Scriptural version of Windex will have you seeing clearly in no time.

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