Saturday, November 28, 2009

Salvation By Works Destroys Faith and Grace.

Romans 4:14 – 16a “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: (15.) Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (16.) Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed…”

Beloved as we continue to slowly march through the book of Romans we indeed find so many wonderful truths. This week we saw very clearly how the idea of salvation by works of the law totally destroys two very important ingredients of salvation; Grace, and Faith. Paul has went into great detail about how Abraham was justified in God’s sight and he has concluded it was by faith Romans 4:13 “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” The main point here includes Abraham being justified through circumcision and the law, but Abraham was not circumcised until he was 99 years old after he was already justified and the promise made to him and his seed (his seed includes all of the elect of God not just Israel), and as far as the law is concerned it did not exist until some 400 years later as I understand it.

In Ephesians 2:8 - 9 we read “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9.) Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Both grace and faith are involved in salvation and both are a gift from God. If grace is an unmerited favor then it is a gift and not earned and faith is a gift from Christ Jesus. With this all being said God said “For by grace are ye saved through faith...” and the fact that Paul spoke of in Romans chapter 4 is that both grace and faith are destroyed by the very thought of salvation by works. First let us look at grace Paul said in Romans 4:4 “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” In other words, if salvation is by works, including circumcision or works of the law then grace is dead or a non-factor in salvation. How can anything be given as an unmerited favor if it is earned by any kind of work or effort on our part. The two simply make no sense together. Works for salvation not only destroys grace but the entire writings of Paul and the rest of the bible. Second let us look at faith, in Romans 4:14 “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:” Not only is grace made of non-effect but so is faith. Faith is dead because if you believe in salvation by works than where is faith and what is faith? Faith is believing that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and how is that possible if we do not believe it. Faith is also believing that the payment Jesus made on Calvary’s cross was sufficient payment of our debt and by it God would count us as just and righteous people. Works for salvation also destroys Ephesians 2:8 - 9 and makes it worthless at best and a total lie at worse. How can God tell us works is not a part of salvation and then command us to earn it by works and how can God tell us salvation is of His unmerited favor and then command us to earn it? Is God that confused or is His word so confusing that man cannot understand the reality of salvation? How about the promise God made to Abraham? Isn’t it also destroyed? Paul said it was “…and the promise made of none effect:” verse 14. God promised Abraham that his faith was sufficient to be righteous and to all of them that would believe after him so isn’t that also destroyed? If Abraham was justified by his works then where was the law, and where was his circumcision? Neither was a reality until long after his salvation. Salvation is no more of works than it is of money because if you can earn it then why can’t it be purchased?

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Greed!

1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Beloved, we live in a time when greed is the number one cause of our world’s problems. While this is not a new problem it is worse than ever and only getting even worse. It seems to me that the great economic crises we are in today came about as the results of greed. Companies wanting more and more and doing just about anything to everything to gain money until the piggy bank went broke and we now see the results. Churches are not exempt from this, greed as you can also see by looking at them and seeing the funds needed to support their programs. Pastors’ are being hired not as God has set them in place but rather to gain attendance and to bring in money to build their empires. Our government is not exempt either they continually tax and spend like they have unlimited resources. Greed is defined as “excessive or rapacious desire, esp. for wealth or possessions” and I believe this sums up what I have tried to say thus far.

The Lord said “For the love of money is the root of all evil…” not the money but rather the peoples love for it. How does a Pastor of a large church get a larger church? Bring in more money. How does a CEO get a larger company? Bring in more money. How does a Politician win re-election? Bring more money to their state. As unfortunate as it is, it is called greed, we never have enough. The Lord did not say that “some evil” is brought about for mans love of money but rather “all evil” has a money and a greed as its root. One source put it this way in describing greed “an all-consuming desire for more than one needs or deserves” and I agree. The Lord never planned for His churches to beg and plead for money nor did He ever plan for His churches to be greedy. The Lord never planned for His Under-Sheppard to beg and plead for money nor did He ever justify His Pastors to take more from His churches than they needed. 1 Timothy 3:3 "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;" Those that do have failed to comply with their requirements as ordered by the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord also commanded Deacons to be like minded in this department. 1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;” Money and the love for it and the greediness for it has caused much havoc in a lot of churches today. I believe this is a greater problem today than we all are wiling to recognize. Beloved we as Christians are to be more like the Lord Jesus with no place to lay our head. How many times does God warn against the rich and the wealthy and speak about the blessings of the meek and poor. However I am convinced that some of us would be more like the young rich man and refuse to sell what we have and give it to the poor rather than be more like Jesus and give all we have for others even if they are undeserving.

To all those who are greedy and refuse to reverse your thinking, you will face Jesus Christ someday and pay account for your greediness. To all of those companies who have lied, cheated, stole from you customers you will also pay account to Jesus Christ, and to our Governmental bodies you also will pay account to Jesus Christ. Pastors and churches do not think just because you do things in the name of Jesus and call it righteousness that it is; you too will not escape the judgment of Jesus Christ. I believe as Pastors and churches we may have learned too much from the secular world. Beloved all I ask is that you think about it.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

The Biggest Lie in Religion

Romans 4:2 - 5 “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3.) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4.) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5.) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Last Wednesday night we looked into this passage of scripture (as we are going through the book of Romans on Wednesday nights). As I prepared for my lesson last week I was wondering how Paul, but much more God could be so pacific in the scripture on salvation and how it could be such a stumbling block to mankind in the world of religion. Most and almost all other denominations outside of Baptist teach some sort of works for salvation and after reading this passage of scripture one must wonder why. Why must their salvation include a work on their part, isn’t it possible that the blood of Jesus is enough to cover our sins? If you compare this passage of scripture to Ephesians 1 – 2, and Acts 16 among so many more God makes it certainly clear how one is saved and He never includes works on our part. I find it very necessary to say this even though it may unset so many, to believe that salvation is anything outside of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is to believe a lie. It is too important to miss on this point; it means eternal damnation in the eternal lake of fire. I do not say “lie” in order to boast of the gift that God has given to me and neither do I say it to insult anyone else, but rather to call a spade a spade and to call works for salvation what it is, a lie. Many people will stand before Jesus Christ at the great white throne and wonder what went wrong 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.” I would to God that person is not you.

Paul in Romans goes to great lengths and repeatedly confirms that works is absolute not a part of salvation. He has argued almost ever argument that the Jews cast his way, step by step he has proven his point to them. The Jews just could not understand how wrong they were on the law and salvation. Paul used there great leader Abraham and how as great as he was, he was not saved by his works or his greatness for God but rather his faith was counted for his righteousness before God. Paul said in verse 2 “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.” Since our works are accounted to our goodness and sometimes even our greatness they belong to us; but salvation is by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8 – 9. Paul went on in verse 4 “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” The word “reckoned” means – concluded – meaning if salvation is of works it is not of grace but rather of a debt which is earned, as a paycheck is earned. Now my question is; is my paycheck I receive on Friday given to me from my boss because I earned it or because of his grace to me? Grace here means unmerited favor so if I earned my paycheck then it cannot be given as a gift because my boss gave me what I earned instead of an unmerited favor. 1 + 1 no more equals three than grace + works equal unmerited favor. The word “unmerited” means – undeserved or unearned – how could salvation be the gift from God if it is earned through works? You may ask could it not include works and faith. Paul gives you an answer in verse 5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” But to him who worketh NOT but has faith; it is that faith and not his works that is counted as rightiousness before God. And as Paul said this is “reckoned” or “concluded”.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

All of Mankind Lives by God’s Calendar.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 2 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (2.) A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;”

As we (mankind) live our days on this earth we must understand our days are numbered by the Jehovah God. Mankind does everything to extend their live because their greatest fear is death, and if I were lost it would also be my greatest fear because of eternal damnation in the lake of fire, however on the positive side saved people doesn’t have this fear because God has promised us eternal life. Most people today fail to understand this because most churches and pastors fail to preach about our Sovereign God that has so wonderfully made us and everything else in existence and controls His creation. Some are so much controlled by deceived minds that they think of God as small and truly irrelevant and insignificant in our lives, that God truly has no control at all, but I say search the scripture and you will see a whole different God. Some of these weak pastors say that God cannot change mans will and man must change his own will, but I say where is that scripture found? The scripture never tells anyone to choose Christ, The scripture never tells anyone to make a decision for Christ, and the scripture never tells anyone to pray to be saved. These are man made myths used by weak pastors interested in building numbers instead of preaching the true gospel. The bible leaves us no doubt; God saves sinners as He chooses, His will was predetermined before the world and man cannot change His mind nor His will. Ephesians 1:11 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” As it is with salvation so is it with death; it at God’s chosen time. We cannot change God’s mind or His will.

The writer of Ecclesiastes said “To every thing there is a season…” the word “season” means - an appointed occasion – therefore we see that to everything - the whole – there is an appointed time, a time to be born and a time to die and no matter what, we cannot over ride God’s chosen will. Job 14:4, 5 "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. (5.) Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;” If God has set the course of mans life then what would convince man that he has to power to over ride God’s authority or will? I say it would be the great liar himself Satan. I have heard all of the arguments against this and they do not hold water. You cannot prove God’s determined will a lie by killing yourself because you do not know what God’s calendar has been set for your life, nor can it be proved wrong by young people dying or by abortion, who can prove these also were not God determined will.

With this understanding I trust the Lord and have faith in Him. The Psalmist wrote in Psalms 55:23 "But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.” I know that when my days have expired my life on this earth will expire no matter what I do to extend it. Now please understand this is not an excuse not to take care of oneself or to abuse our life standards. Some will say “if God has set my life a limit then why should I care about exercising of etc. well beloved we do not want to live a life of sickness or pain because we failed to care for our health. God also gave us a mind to think with so please use it and work to stay healthy but with this in mind, God has set our limits and we cannot pass them.