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Author
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Topic: Wolves in Sheeps Clothing
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Betty Louise
Advanced Member
Member # 7175
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posted
I do not believe you can lose your salvation. I believe they were never saved but looked and pretended to be saved. When Jesus saves us, His salvation is sufficient. It doesn't run out.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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becauseHElives
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Member # 87
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Betty and others....the parable is addressed to 10 virgins...
Meaning of Numbers in the Bible (# 10)
http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/10.html
The word "virgins" should immediately bring to mind the body of Christ, the church, as Paul describes it in 2 Corinthians 11:2: "I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
The word translated "virgin" here (in 2 Corinthians 11:2) is the same word translated "virgin" in the Matthew 25 parable and literally refers to "a marriageable maiden" (Thayer's).
The church is a virgin (or marriageable maiden) in the sense that she is as of yet, unmarried. We have been joined to Christ as His body (in this age), in anticipation that we will constitute His bride (in the age to come). As a virgin (or unwed maiden), we are eligible for marriage to the bridegroom, but the wedding has not yet taken place. This is the significance of the term "virgins."
Jesus' use of this word identifies the subject of the parable. It clarifies that the church alone is in view in the figure of the virgins. Only the church, the body of Christ, is presented in Scripture as unwed and therefore eligible for marriage. And it is specifically the church that is called with an offer of marriage to the bridegroom (Christ) (Matthew 22:1-14; Ephesians 5:28-32).
Therefore, regarding the identity of the ten virgins, we understand through the use of the number 10 and the term "virgins," that the ten virgins of this parable must represent the entire, complete church— every member in the body of Christ. And although not previously mentioned, we can also be certain of the identity of the bridegroom. In John 3:29, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as "the bridegroom" who "has the bride."
So returning to the parable, we have ten virgins, representing every member of the body of Christ, all having gone out to meet the bridegroom, Jesus Christ. And Jesus says that these ten virgins all had "lamps" as they went out to meet the bridegroom. And we understand that these lamps all had an initial supply of oil in them for it says in verses 7-8 that all the virgins arose and trimmed (or prepared) their lamps for the meeting with the bridegroom. But the lamps of the foolish virgins were "going out." The tense of the verb translated "going out" is present tense which means that the lamps were in the process of going out at that time. This means that the lamps of the foolish virgins did have an initial supply of oil in them. The only way their lamps could be "going out" is if the lamps were lit and burning, and the only way they could be lit and burning is if the lamps contained an initial supply of oil.
So, all ten virgins (the entire body of Christ) are seen in possession of lamps with oil. And the lamps with oil represent both the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Psalm 119:105 says: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:130 says: "The entrance of Your word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." The Word of God is represented by a lamp and the light of it. The Word of God is the source of light that illuminates the believer's path as he sojourns in this earth. It is the instrument by which the way we do walk and the way we should walk are made clearly manifest. It is in the light of understanding, imparted by the Word of God, that a believer is able to recognize where he is (in his walk before the Lord) and where he needs to go. Just as a lamp produces light for the natural man to see by, so does the Word of God produce light for the vision of the spiritual man, enlightening our minds to perceive spiritual realities.
So the "lamps" in the parable represent the Word of God. And what makes these lamps work? What substance must be present in the lamps before they will ignite and produce light? It is the oil— and oil, in Scripture, represents the Holy Spirit. We see this in passages such as Leviticus 8:10-12 where Moses anoints Aaron with oil to prepare him for his priestly ministry. And the purpose for which the oil is used reveals what the oil represents. It is said that the oil sanctifies Aaron. By comparing Scripture with Scripture, we find that sanctifying oil represents the Spirit of God. For example, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 says:
"But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."
Notice that it is the Spirit that performs the work of sanctification in the believer just as the presence of the oil upon Aaron sanctified him. We see further evidence of this in 1 Peter 1:2:
"To the pilgrims of the Dispersion… elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."
Again, we see the Spirit of God as the agent of sanctification in the believer, corresponding to the anointing oil used by Moses as the means of effecting the sanctification of the priests. And this representation of the Spirit by the oil can be further seen in 1 Samuel 16:13 in the account of Samuel the prophet anointing David as God's chosen king:
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward."
The Spirit of the Lord coming upon David as Samuel anointed him with oil demonstrates the correlation between the oil and the Spirit. Where the oil is— the Spirit is.
And this brings us back to the ten virgins, all possessing lamps with an initial supply of oil in them. Using Scripture to interpret Scripture, we understand that the ten virgins represent the church, the entire body of Christ. The lamps belonging to the virgins typify the Word of God. And the oil in the lamps signifies the Spirit of God. The picture is that of the believer in Christ, in possession of both the Word of God (the Bible) and the Spirit of God as He indwells us (1 Corinthians 3:16; James 4:5). And it is the Word of God and the Spirit of God working together that produces spiritual light in the believer, just as the lamps and the oil work together to produce a natural light for the virgins to see by. In the same way that the oil is the fuel that enables the lamps to burn and produce light, so is the Holy Spirit the energy (or source of power) that ignites the Word with life and produces spiritual light (the comprehension of spiritual truths) that the believer can walk by
And so the scene is set— we have ten virgins, all have lamps that are burning with an initial supply of oil, and all have been called at midnight to meet the coming bridegroom. It is the church, in possession of the Word of God and indwelt by the Spirit of God, that has been called to prepare for an imminent judgment which Christ will perform following His coming for the church at the rapture.
But, in verse 2 we find that there is a distinction between the virgins—five of them are called, "wise" and five are called, "foolish." And what is it that marks the difference between the two groups? Verses 3-4 tell us that "those who were foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." The difference between the wise and foolish virgins is that the wise virgins not only took their lamps that had the initial supply of oil already burning in them, but they took extra oil in their "vessels." The word "vessels" means "a pail or reservoir" (Thayer's). It is a container that is separate and distinct from the lamp. These wise virgins, who already had lamps burning with an initial supply of oil, were diligent to prepare for the bridegroom's coming by taking with them a container that held an extra supply of oil with which to fuel the lamp and keep it burning. This is what made them "wise." They were prepared with extra oil. And we have already seen that the oil represents the Holy Spirit. Every believer has the Spirit of God dwelling in them from the time of their new birth and this is represented by the initial supply of oil that all ten virgins possessed—wise and foolish alike with no distinction (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). But not every believer experiences the filling of the Holy Spirit continually within them. And it is the filling of the Holy Spirit that is represented by the extra supply of oil that only the wise virgins possessed. And we know this because (as we see later in the parable, in verse 9) the extra supply of oil could only be obtained by personal effort— it was purchased at a personal cost. This means that the extra supply of oil cannot represent the Holy Spirit as He indwells the believer for the indwelling presence of the Spirit is a free gift imparted to each believer the moment they place faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 3:14). The indwelling presence of the Spirit was purchased for every believer by the work of Christ at Calvary and is the unmerited, unconditional, permanent possession of every Christian- whether wise or foolish (John 14:16). But unlike the indwelling presence of the Spirit, the filling of the Spirit is not automatically imparted to every believer in Christ. The filling of the Spirit, like the extra supply of oil available to the virgins, can only be acquired through individual pursuit (Ephesians 5:18). It takes diligent, personal labor to experience the filling of the Spirit. And this necessary personal effort required to receive the filling of the Spirit is a reality that is consistent with what the parable presents regarding the extra supply of oil. (Note that in Ephesians 5:15-18, Paul admonishes us to walk wisely, stating that we accomplish this by being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. By showing wisdom to be the fruit of the filling of the Holy Spirit, Paul provides further evidence that the extra supply of oil which characterizes five of the virgins as wise is indeed the filling of the Holy Spirit). And the Scripture tells us precisely how a believer is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 5:18-20, Paul writes:
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Also note Colossians 3:16-17:
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Notice the similarities of language and context between these two passages. They are almost identical in their commands to use "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" to both strengthen one another and to praise God. They are also the same in their command to do all things in the name of the Lord and give thanks to God for all things. The only difference between the two passages is the way they begin. The Ephesians passage opens with the words: "Be filled with the Spirit…." And in Colossians it is: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…" The similarity of the verses indicates that the Holy Spirit, as the author, is using what He wrote in one passage to comment (or expound upon) what He wrote in the other passage. And the message conveyed by the Spirit is that in order to be filled with the Spirit, we must have the word of Christ dwelling in us richly in all wisdom.
These two passages show the vital parallel between being filled with the Holy Spirit and abiding deeply and abundantly (or "richly") in God's word. You cannot have one without the other. For a believer to be filled with God's Spirit, he must be filled with God's word. And notice in Colossians 3:16, it is specifically "the word of Christ" that is to dwell in us richly. The words "of Christ" emphasize the Messiah who is anointed Prophet, Priest, and King. In His first advent, Christ came as the Prophet. Currently, Christ ministers in the heavenly sanctuary as our Great High Priest. And at His return to the earth He will come as King. So to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, we must be diligent to study all three aspects of Christ's person and work— not just what He did in His first coming, or what He is doing today in the presence of the Father, but especially what He will do when He returns as King to establish His Kingdom. This is to be the focus of our study. And this is what the five wise virgins did— they "took oil in their vessels"— they took an extra supply of oil that was beyond that initial supply that was already burning in their lamps. They did not just have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, but they had the Holy Spirit filling them as they continually applied themselves to the deep, rich truths of God's Word. And this is why they were wise virgins— because the Word of God is the wisdom of God that makes a believer wise (Psalm 19:7; Proverbs 10:8; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2:6-7).
But note verse 3— the foolish virgins were foolish because they took no extra supply of oil with them. They took only the oil that was already burning in their lamps and did not take with them a container of extra oil as the wise virgins did. Thus, these foolish virgins were not properly prepared for a long journey through the darkness to meet the bridegroom. And so it is with believers today. Many believers have failed to adequately prepare themselves to walk in the darkness of this world while in route to the Judgment Seat of Christ. They have neglected or even rejected the Word of God and, as a result, they do not have the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives. And it is interesting that the word translated "foolish" (in reference to the five foolish virgins) is the Greek word, "moros" from which we get our word, "moron" (Thayer's). A "moron" refers to "a very stupid person" (Webster's). So these five foolish virgins were moronic (or very stupid) in their attitude as believers because they did not apply themselves diligently to the Word of God and therefore had no understanding of the future accountability that awaited them. They had no concept of Christ's future Kingdom and their responsibility in relation to that Kingdom and consequently they did not order their lives according. Their conduct did not reflect a knowledge of the awesome responsibility and privilege that has been set before the Christian today, i.e., that we are to overcome in faithful obedience and to persevere in patient endurance so that we might inherit the privilege of ruling in the kingdom of the heavens as co-heirs with Christ and as His bride. So this is the difference between the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins. The wise virgins were wise because they had paid the personal price of dwelling richly in God's Word in order to be filled with God's Spirit. Thus they had the extra supply of oil that was necessary to properly prepare them to meet the bridegroom at His coming. But the foolish virgins stupidly neglected (or refused) to do the same. Every believer has "oil" but not every believer has this extra supply of oil.
And then in verse 5, Jesus says:
"But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept."
The fact that all the virgins fell asleep while waiting for the bridegroom is not a sign of unfaithfulness but is rather a sign of unwatchfulness. All ten virgins slipped into a sleep-like condition so that they were not watching for the bridegroom's coming— they were not on guard for His return. However, in verse 6, at the sound of the "midnight cry" (or the warning of the Christian's impending judgment) we see a clear difference in the response of the wise and the foolish virgins. In verses 7-9, Jesus said:
"Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'"
Notice that all ten of the virgins heard the "midnight cry." This assumes that the entire church has heard the message of the coming King and is aware of their judgment that follows. And all ten virgins arose and trimmed their lamps indicating that all ten of them had lamps burning with that initial supply of oil. As the body of Christ awaits the coming of our Lord, we are all in possession of "lamps" (the Word of God) and the initial supply of oil (the indwelling Holy Spirit) that provides spiritual light. But the difference between the wise virgins and the foolish virgins is seen in the fact that the light from the lamps of the foolish virgins began to wane while on the way to meet the bridegroom because their initial supply of oil was not sufficient to equip them for such a journey. They were inadequately prepared to meet the bridegroom at his coming. Christians will need more than the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that comes at new birth if they want to be properly prepared for the midnight meeting with the bridegroom. While the indwelling Holy Spirit working through God's Word provides the believer with a measure of spiritual light, this light will fade and even extinguish if it is not constantly re-energized. This is precisely what happened to the foolish virgins whose lamps were "going out." We need to be supplied with extra oil— continually filled with the Holy Spirit through a deep and abiding presence in the Word of God if we are to have this sustained light.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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barrykind
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Member # 35
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Betty States:
quote:
The oil in the lamps represents the Holy Spirit. We cannot fill our own lamps. The only way we can get oil is to get saved. There are people who attend Church who are not saved. They appear as Christians but because they are not saved, they have no oil. Salvation is a gift from God. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot earn salvation. We can earn crowns that will be presented to us in Heaven but we can not do anything to earn salvation.
betty
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man
Notice Sister Betty that all were virgins, and also note they "trimmed" thier lamps and the "unwise" did not realize that the oil in thier lamps ran out....
So they at one time had oil..............
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
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Betty Louise
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The oil in the lamps represents the Holy Spirit. We cannot fill our own lamps. The only way we can get oil is to get saved. There are people who attend Church who are not saved. They appear as Christians but because they are not saved, they have no oil. Salvation is a gift from God. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot earn salvation. We can earn crowns that will be presented to us in Heaven but we can not do anything to earn salvation.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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becauseHElives
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Member # 87
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it is impossible to believe and not do what you say believe!
quote:
In Matt. 7 many are doing but still Christ says, "I know you not".
Drew they were doing..but they were not doing what Yahshua taught.....
12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
these are the true believers below, they are doers .....
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
the five wise virgins were also doers ....they knew to keep oil in their lamps...no matter what the oil represent it took effort on the part of the virgins to get the oil...
if you teach anything different ...you become a wolf in sheep's clothing!
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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Betty Louise
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Dr. Stanley is not the false Preacher, it is your teaching, Barry. I would imagine that you would not agree with any Preacher who did not belong to your denomination. Thankfully it is not what denomination you belong to, that determines your salvation, but whether you are washed in the blood of Jesus.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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Caretaker
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Dale it is not "doing" but "believing". The wise virgins have oil in their lamps,(oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit), the foolish do not have oil. They are both awaiting the Bride Groom.
If they truly believe in their hearts then they will produce spiritual fruit, and Christ will know them.
In Matt. 7 many are doing but still Christ says, "I know you not".
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A Servant of Christ,
Drew
1 Tim. 3:
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..
Posts: 3978 | From: Council Grove, KS USA | Registered: Jun 2002
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becauseHElives
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Who are the Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
"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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."
Here Jesus emphasized the sharp contrast between the mere talkers and the doers of His will.
There were those who were calling Him Lord and Master - who were professing subjection to Him.
Because of their mere profession, they were consequently claiming admittance into the "kingdom of heaven," yet they were destitute of piety, holiness, or being separated unto Him.
Their outward profession of Christianity - however remarkable - was not enough to bring them to heaven - that is, without being totally committed to the Truth and righteousness as revealed in His Word.
One thing that is definitely overlooked in the Christian circles of today is this fact - ministerial success is not the standard by which to judge one's relation to Christ.
There are those who are calling Jesus "Lord" and yet have not gotten the bad tree rooted up and
the good tree planted in its place...they do not have a hearty love to Christ nor a true faith in
Him...nor do they have a true concern to preach His Gospel, advance His glory, and promote His
kingdom and interest.
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
these are the wolves
They can be likened unto the Roman soldiers at the whipping post who put a gorgeous robe on
Christ, bend the knee, and then say - "Hail, King of the Jews!" That is, after they had just scourged and whipped Him!
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Caretaker
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In one of your posts I read that you don't like the warm and fuzzy, Barry.
I cannot imagine how one would be able to experience the joy unspeakable and filled with Glory, while being burdened/enchained with the yoke of bondage.
Do you ever laugh and experience such happiness in Christ, or do you ever smile and laugh?
I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth ev’ry need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.
Refrain
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory,
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
I have found the pleasure I once craved,
It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing! I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin.
Refrain
I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.
Refrain
I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o’erflowing well,
Springing up within my soul.
Refrain
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A Servant of Christ,
Drew
1 Tim. 3:
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..
Posts: 3978 | From: Council Grove, KS USA | Registered: Jun 2002
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WildB
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Carol Swenson:
 The Marks Of A Legalistic Pharisee
The traits or marks of a "Pharisee" did not originate with the Pharisees, it is just these characteristics are most clearly manifested in the Bible's account of the Pharisee's behavior. As we said these selfish tendencies which are fueled by pride are native in every human. Some, unfortunately, practice little restraint and these tendencies are often allowed to surface. Though the natural man is nothing but vain pride and bloated ego, it seems sometimes pride and conceit are most openly manifested by those who profess Christ.
The most proud, self-righteous, and legalistic, people your author has ever met have been professing Christians. Some Christians are so dogmatic in their subjective "standards" and "positions" that they, like the Pharisees, actually believe they are doing God service by compelling their "biblical" convictions on others. They are blinded by their conceit. Below we will list some of the most enduring traits of the Pharisees and detail how these legalistic tendencies are manifested among today's "Bible believing Christians."
The traits and characteristics outlined below detail many aspects of legalistic, pharisaical behavior. We are not saying that certain groups or sects of believers or even certain individuals manifest ALL of these traits, only that ALL believers manifest some of these traits to various degrees at some times in their life.
I. All Pharisees act as if they essentially have a monopoly on God's word, the knowledge of God's will, sound doctrine, and truth.
In other words, any church, school, religious association, preacher, "scholar," or any other person who believes, says, or implies one must come to them only to find what God has said (to "interpret" the Bible), what God desires for their lives, or for truth is pharisaical and legalistic.
The 1st century Scribes and Pharisees manifested this theological arrogance often. In John 9 they ridiculed and mocked the blind man who was healed by Christ by saying, "Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples," and "Thou wast altogether born in sins, and doest thou teach us?" (vs 28, 33) as if no one could have truth but them. Some of them smugly said of Christ, "This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day," so even their Creator was not included in their legalistic monopoly.
Of course, all of the present day cults (Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, etc.) claim to be God's only true "church" and insist all not joined with them are "without hope and without God," but many saved "Fundamentalist Pharisees" share a similar mentality. Some Fundamental Baptists will allow someone to be saved who is not a member of their church but will not allow them to be in the "body of Christ" or "Christ's bride" ("Baptist Briders"). We cannot delve into a treatise on this subject in this article, but these Baptists believe they and they alone are the "Body of Christ." All other "churches" including other Baptists are considered "alien."
Other Fundamentalists will allow people in other "churches" to be saved and in the "Body of Christ" but insist they must follow certain arbitrary guidelines concerning dress, behavior, associations, etc., before they can be in God's will. We will discuss these matters in following topics; we mention it here to show how these requirements are a theological monopoly.
II. Pharisees are often "hyper-seperationists" in their attitude toward others.
Since Pharisees believe they are "God's true people," they feel they must separate from all others who don't follow their "truth." True, Christians are to separate from the world, ungodliness, obvious heresy, and carnal believers, but these "sects" essentially refuse fellowship from all other believers simply because they don't go to their "type" of Fundamentalist church, keep their subjective "rules" and "laws," or idolize their favorite preachers.
A few years ago your author and his family began attending a church that he suspected was overly separative and legalistic and soon his suspicions were proved true. The pastor would routinely ridicule other Fundamentalists "without the camp" as if they were second or third class Christians (if Christians at all). He constantly tried to force his "convictions" on his people about movies, television, even radio, dress, and other things (which we concede can be used for evil, but the devices themselves are not evil) and strongly implied if others didn't live like he (claims) to live they couldn't be in God's will and God won't use them. He devoutly followed the camp meeting crowd out of Resaca, Georgia and barely tolerated the mention of any preacher or church that was not in this "clique."
The pastor apparently sensed we were not easily manipulated and we held no undue esteem for his favorite preachers or "crowd" and he appeared to only tolerate our presence. He made no attempt to visit us and inquire as to our intentions, he never talked to us about joining his church, and never checked on us when we missed a service. He finally did visit us (a couple months later) after we shamed him into it by saying we have been expecting him to come over, but he would not talk of anything of substance.
I gave him a copy of my book on marriage and divorce (From Marriage To Remarriage), fully knowing he believed differently about it, and sincerely asked him to write a paper detailing from Scripture what was unscriptural about it. He said he would but evidently didn't think it was worth his time because he never responded or proved my "errors." If I am so wrong why doesn't he show me my errors, especially after I asked him? This behavior gave me the impression that he thinks his (and his crowd's) position is not to be questioned; he is right, that's what he was taught, and that's that. Actually I think he read the book but couldn't "Scripturally" refute it. He had his "arguments" against it but no scripture, and he knew I required Scripture. These people are so "holy" and separated that they have in some ways separated themselves from God and the Bible!
III. Pharisees smugly denounce and ridicule believers who do not believe exactly as they do or belong to their "church;" they harbor a superior, condescending attitude toward others
Your author has heard legalistic pastors speak of Christians who leave their church and go to another Fundamentalist church as being "outside wallowing in the mire." They imply these believers have "backslidden" and even question their salvation simply because they don't go to "God's (their) church." This attitude comes from a pharisaical conceit and arrogance these people entertain, they actually believe all truth and godliness centers around them.
Nearly all who believe they are "God's true church" harbor a superior, condescending attitude to some degree. Your author has meet some pastors (and especially their wives) who are quite conceited in their manner. They often act haughty and superior, refuse to speak, talk down to others, harbor a condescending attitude, etc. They act as if those who don't follow them (or adore them) are beneath them. What are they other than redeemed, hell deserving "dogs" like the rest of us Christians? What leads them to think they are an elite class of superior believers? PRIDE, people. Nothing but pure, unadulterated pride. They think since they wear the "right clothes," go to the "right places," associate with the "right people," go to the "right church," etc., they are special and favored by God. Although some of the brethren seem to manifest these vain characteristics more than others, we are ALL susceptible to it, Christian. BEWARE!
IV. Pharisees have an outward show of "humility" and "consecration" while inwardly they are proud and self-righteous.
The Lord's most used descriptive term for the Pharisees was "hypocrites." He publicly branded them as outwardly beautiful "whited sepulchers" but filled with "hypocrisy and iniquity." Hypocrisy is a natural offspring of pride. Pride wants a person to look good and be "well respected" regardless of the truth and will devise all sorts of schemes and plans to make this happen. To pride "image is everything" and Christians and preachers are by no means immune.
We need not mention all the nationally known "preachers" who "fell" once a scandal broke about them. They portrayed themselves as holy Christians others should emulate, but were actually living a lie before the public. What about all those living lies that have not yet been exposed? Sometimes it appears everybody is a hypocrite. There are preachers who preach holiness and godliness yet secretly lust after women and view pornography. There are married Christian "ladies" who in church "dress modestly and conservatively" but in public are "flirts" and little more than harlots. There are unmarried Christian young women who never miss a service and are well respected in church yet in secret they are engaged to one fellow and are "sleeping with" another. It is often a rude awakening for a new Christian, who is trying his best to live for God and do right, to find out that many of the people he admires and goes to church with are two-faced, lying hypocrites. For this reason we all must keep our eyes on Christ.
Remember the pastor above who denounced anyone having a television? He makes big boasts about not having a television yet we heard him with our own ears talking to a television advertiser about advertising his small business on local television. He was especially interested in an "NFL football package"! I guess it's all right to advertise on (thus financially supporting!) television along with beer companies and "wine coolers" as long as he doesn't have a television in his home! I fail to see how a "pastor" who is supposed to be "blameless" can justify such an inconsistency. Are not pastors supposed to be a Christian and a preacher before being a businessman?
We know of another preacher who bragged about being so consecrated that he wouldn't have a "sinful" television in his home, but whenever there was something on he wanted to watch he would go to his sister's and watch it on her TV! Hypocrites are everywhere, and if you'll look in the mirror you will find one more! Hypocrisy is something we all must constantly guard against.
I know several lost people who are more upstanding and genuine than most Christians. I have lost relatives who cuss and swear and make no claim to Christianity but they are consistent. They don't have a "phony" bone in their body. They act the same before everyone whether it be preacher or pauper and put on no "airs." And sad to say if a person really needed help they would be more likely to unselfishly help someone more than a lot of church-going Christians. Lost people are lost but they are not blind to hypocrisy and nothing alienates them much quicker than hypocrisy among church attendees. Many times when out visiting people the issue of hypocrites in the church is brought up. All one can do is point them to Christ and show how He loves them and died for them and how His offer of salvation is genuine. You will very rarely gain anything by defending a brother a lost person thinks is a hypocrite (he usually is!). Point them to Christ.
V. Pharisees desire the praise of men; they desire to be honored among themselves and held in high esteem by the public.
Pride loves praise. Often when one goes to a "camp-meeting" or "preacher convention" he hears enough preachers praising each other to last a lifetime. Usually the host pastor when introducing the "keynote speaker" will praise him to "high-heaven" as if he is the thirteenth apostle. And in turn the guest preacher will praise the pastor. It's enough to make one sick.
One word that is commonly heard around preacher conferences is "doctor." If one didn't know better he would think there are more "doctors" in some of these conferences than there are in a hospital!. Have you ever looked through a "Sword of the Lord" or other Christian paper at the "lineup" at one of the larger meetings? They are nearly all addressed as "doctor." But you know what's really interesting about this, most of them aren't doctors at all. They hold what's known as an "honorary doctorate" which is nothing more than a piece of paper. (For a more detailed examination of the "honorary doctorate" see our article "Are All Doctors Really Doctors?")
In their eyes the highest form of praise one preacher can give another is the esteemed title of "doctor" so many Christian colleges and universities have "granted" a "doctorate" to their favorite preachers as an honor. However, instead of treating the doctorate as an honor, many preachers actually treat it as if it were earned! They call themselves "doctor," sign their names "doctor," encourage others to call them "doctor," and even monogram "Dr." on their clothes. Why do otherwise sound and sensible preachers engage in such deceptive behavior? "And [they] love...greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi [Doctor, Doctor]" (Matt. 23:6-8). Pride and envy can cause the best of men to succumb to their influence.
"Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" (Pro. 27:4)
VI. Pharisees teach their man-made traditions as God's eternal laws.
Though most present day "Fundamentalist" Pharisees will concede doctrinally that a person is saved and KEPT by grace, their practice indicates otherwise. Pharisees always have arbitrary standards they essentially compel others to keep before they will acknowledge a person may be saved.
To many divorce and/or remarriage is in essence an "unpardonable sin." Even if they allow a divorced Christian to be saved in their eyes, they still treat them as a lower class of believer. No divorced person ever will be able to live up to the "holy" standards of the Pharisee, nor will the Pharisees allow them any type of ministry. We have covered this matter in much detail in our book, From Marriage To Remarriage.
Some insist if a woman (or man) doesn't dress in a certain way then her salvation is in question. Some will go as far as saying she definitely is NOT saved in spite of what she professes. They self-righteously feel their standard on dress is God's standard. This legalistic attitude is manifested in many ways.
If one does not dress in a manner that is acceptable to the Pharisees "righteous standard," they will treat the poor person as if they are a little more than a leper. Some are so righteousness they will not allow an "improperly dressed" person (Christian or not) in their presence to worship the Lord. In many of their churches one can even find signs that state "Women wearing slacks or a "pantsuit" are not permitted in the sanctuary!" These Pharisees are much too holy to allow someone with such "low standards" or morals near them. They must ban them from their presence. This is one of the most blatant manifestations of hypocrisy and legalism one can imagine. Believers who will deny a fellow believer or a person seeking salvation entrance into (supposedly) God's house and God's (perceived) presence because of their arbitrary standards. It is not a question of decency but of opinion. If the hearts and secrets of some of those who insist on such outward "rules" were revealed, they would be seen for what they really are: lying, two-faced, hypocrites.
All the Bible really says about dress in the New Testament can be boiled down to one word, "modest" (1 Tim. 2:9). Every Christian should dress and behave modestly, that is in a descent manner that does not draw attention to oneself. In many instances certain slacks can be more modest than some dresses. But we understand, the issue is not modesty or simple decency, but conformation to a subjective, humanistic standard contrived by modern day Pharisees. We know about the verses they use to justify their position, but just like any Pharisee the "law" is more important than the person. Christ said, however, "The sabbath (law) was made for man, and not man for the sabbath (law)" (Mark 2:27).
The Pharisees and their wives take great pride in their "scriptural dress" and godly manner, but they are blind to the fact they often violate the simple modesty principle. How many of you have seen men and women wear clothes that were "technically correct" (long enough, high enough, etc.), but anything but modest. Bright, flashy dresses; thick, chalky makeup; big, bouncy hair, bold, obvious jewelry, etc., that are beyond the average attire of those around them or on the cutting edge of "fashion," is not modesty. Modesty does not draw attention to itself in any manner, but these people lust after attention. Hypocrites.
VII. Pharisees seek to live off the charity of others, and believe it is the duty of others to support them.
It's sad to say but among Fundamental preachers are some of the biggest "leeches" in society. Sometimes I think the old "preacher joke," "The reason I became a preacher is I don't like to work," is more true than not. To some pastors and preachers the thought of an outside job to help support themselves and their families is an abomination. They insist it is the duty of their congregation, the government, or anyone else to support them, and they have their "proof texts" to back them up. Granted, the Bible says believers are to support those who teach them, and most believers have little problem with this. The problem arises when a pastor of a new or small church expects others to sacrifice more than the pastor is willing to. This attitude can hinder the pastor's work greatly because most people must work for their income and expect their pastor to work in some form also.
I know of missionaries who expect their monthly support to be considerably greater than that of the majority of Christians and probably greater than 95% of the people in the area of their mission field. A missionary came to a rural town here in West Virginia to start a church and required well above average monthly support claiming he needed it so he could build his church "full time" without having to work. After he got his support he then moved to the area and established a church in a building, but hardly no one came. That was over five years ago and as far as I know he still just preaches to his family. He may have the best intentions and be sincere in his mission, but people in his area of Appalachia are skeptical, independent, and have little use for a preacher that won't become "one of them." Preachers and missionaries with the best of intentions cannot expect people to listen to and respect them if they claim special privileges or act "allergic to work."
Even though the apostle Paul stated he has "power" to "forbear working" and could "live of the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:6, 14), for his testimony's sake he didn't exercise this power and worked at a public job. Unlike many today Paul believed his testimony was more important than his "rights" (1 Cor. 9:12), even rights God has "ordained." It is unfortunate that many who wish to emulate Paul won't follow him in this area. They act as if common work is beneath them ("If I don't get more support, I might have to resort to work!"), and sometimes bring other like-minded preacher friends in to make his congregation feel "guilty" ("You should be ashamed for not supporting your [lazy] pastor"). Other preachers act as if their church members belongings are their property at will. Being compulsive borrowers, borrowing anything from vehicles to pencils (only sometimes returning them), they take their congregation for granted and thus damage their testimony.
Some preachers have been known to go into a Christian's place of business and embarrass the brother by asking him to give him things (clothing, food, appliances, etc.). This places the owner in an uncomfortable situation, he's wanting to do right but feels he is being taken advantage of. Those who use God's name and word as an excuse for laziness will be little respected by their brethren and in their community.
Some evangelists driving in very expensive busses, having the best of clothes for himself and his family (much better than most Christians), boasting about having "four-wheelers," boats, a summer cottage, etc., and taking lengthy trips overseas are so caught up in their lifestyle they actually believe this "lifestyle" is normal for "someone in God's will." They behave more like "prosperity gospel" Charismatics than Bible believing Fundamentalists. They imply prosperity is a sign of God's blessing, and if you want to get in on it you can began by supporting them! Of course, they have a lifestyle to maintain.
It is not that Christians are "tight-wads" and refuse to support God's work, on the contrary Christians are usually very generous, it's they do not like to support laziness in anyone. The reason some preachers don't get the support they want is they are notoriously lazy and slothful. Many preachers are even too lazy to study. From listening to some preachers a few times one soon learns they only have a handful of original messages and just "preach" variations of them. Unfortunately, one could listen to one of these preachers five or six times and hear virtually everything of substance he has to say; the rest is just "filler." Mature, seasoned believers soon recognize this laziness and are not eager to support it. On the other hand, a preacher who is industrious and doesn't neglect study but regularly delivers vibrant, original messages will often receive adequate or even abundant support without ever asking for it.
VIII. Pharisees idolize certain leaders of their group.
One doesn't have to be a Christian very long before he realizes there are certain "patriarchs" (some call them "Protestant Popes") that rule in their little corner of Fundamentalism. To follow a man who is following Christ is a Biblical practice, but to idolize someone like some of these preachers are idolized is obviously not Scriptural. These "big boys" usually attained their status by appearing to do a great work for God, whether building a large ministry, being an accepted scholar, being a "gifted" speaker, having a "charismatic" personality, being a devout "militant Fundamentalist", etc., they are placed by their peers in the limelight of Christendom.
We are not mentioning this to make light of or demean the work of these men, many of them have been used of God to win souls and exalt Christ. However, pride loves "good press" and ego delights in being exalted and esteemed by others, so it is very easy for any believer to allow and even encourage others to think more of him than they should. The self-indulgence of allowing excessive praise of one's self will always lead to the person beginning to believe it. Pride and praise are never satisfied and feed on themselves. These men name ministries after themselves, churches after themselves, schools after themselves, Bibles after themselves, etc. as if their names convey some sort of "holiness." They love the recognition. They will even allow others to name churches after them ("Hyles" Baptist Church!). I wonder if Paul, John, or even Elijah would have allowed such practices?
It is beneficial for one to have a sort of spiritual mentor: someone who is more spiritual than yourself to look up to for advice and guidance, but one must always remember, this person no matter how spiritual, godly, or accomplished he is, he is just a man (or woman). He is to be followed ONLY as he follows Christ. To esteem him too highly is destructive for both parties. It gives occasion to the flesh (of the mentor) to glory in itself, and it also causes the less mature to have too much confidence in a mere man. It is good to "look up" to people who help one in his Christian life as long as he always looks beyond them to the Lord Jesus Christ at the same time.
IX. Pharisees "say and do not" or don't "practice what they preach."
Saying one thing and doing another is the most obvious form of hypocrisy. The Pharisees of old would place great burdens on people claiming the trial would make them more "godly" or "spiritual" like they claimed to be. However, in truth they would not consider bearing such a load themselves. As long as they had the appearance of being "spiritual," pius, devout, etc., that was all that concerned them.
Today's hypocritical Pharisees may not be as obvious in their hypocrisy, but the hypocrisy is still there. Believer it or not, some preachers will preach things they themselves have no intention of following (to some of you this may be a shock to learn, but to us who have been around Fundamentalist preachers for a while, this is common knowledge). Some essentially command their people to "tithe" yet they don't tithe themselves. Some "respected" evangelists will preach hard and heavy on "proper dress for Christian women," but their own wife and/or daughters dress like harlots away from church. Others may insist it is "wrong" to gamble but they secretly buy lottery tickets (I wonder what they would do if they won? Their "sin" would be exposed! Of course, they would justify it as "God's will"). Still others may rave and rant against television but they want to gain income from it through advertising. The list is nearly endless.
I once heard a preacher say, "Do as I say, not as I do," and I thought "If you don't do it, buddy, why should anyone else. People like this are little esteemed and little followed by someone wanting to follow the truth. As another has said, "It is amazing how easy it is for a legalist to identify wrong behavior in the lives and ministries of others while he ignores or excuses the same behavior in his life."
X. Pharisees restrain others from having or seeking true godliness.
Pharisees will often "counsel" a new Christian by saying something like, "You are now full of zeal and like to shout and rejoice but these "emotionalisms" will diminish as you become more mature." That is, the Pharisees don't want to be "showed up" by someone who thirsts for truth, knowledge, and God more than they do or openly expresses their love of the Lord, so they "encourage" them to act more "dignified and restrained." Pharisees can't stand for someone else to have the preeminence. They turn green with envy.
On the other hand some preachers try to shame or force Christians into emotional outbursts or shouting by saying things like, "You might as well shout here because we will all be shouting in heaven," "When the Lord saves you He puts a shout on your lips, if you don't want to shout you had better check and see if what you have is real," etc., but they apparently don't realize that if they get someone to shout by making them feel guilty, the shout is not real. If it is not from the heart and unto the Lord, it is hypocrisy. I am not against shouting or rejoicing, by no means, but it must come forth freely as unto the Lord, not drawn out by coercion. I'm afraid, however, from what I have observed in some churches, shouting is to some Baptists what "tongues" are for Charismatics, a means to get attention.
XI. Pharisees refuse to even consider any doctrine or biblical reasoning that doesn't conform to their position despite all indications to the contrary.
Truth, reason and sound Bible reasoning have little or no effect on a "dyed-in-the-wool" Pharisee. We get emails from all kinds of "believers" because of our web site. Many are critical of the KJB and attack our stand, others want to "correct" us concerning something we wrote in one of our articles, some want to ask us a question, and some just want to "pick a fight" and argue.
I once got an email from a fellow who insisted our position that a believer is secure in Christ and cannot loose his salvation is wrong and he sent me some links to "the truth." I checked his links, they contained the same old Arminian rhetoric I have heard for years. I wrote him back and in the course of the letter mentioned there were no "Christians" found in the Bible until Acts 11:26. Well, he took issue with this statement and wrote back telling me how I was wrong and insisted there were Christians before Acts 11. He said the terms "Christian" and "disciple" were "synonymous" and even though the term "Christian" wasn't used, all disciples were Christians.
This fellow just wanted to argue, facts that can easily be checked only got in his way. An eight year old could find the truth in minutes with only a Bible and concordance. The simple fact is the first mention of the term "Christian" is in Acts 11:26. This is not to say there were not saved people before then, only that there were no believers called Christians before then. The Holy Spirit waited until AFTER the new birth was fully established on the day of Pentecost, after the conversion of Saul (the apostle to the Gentiles) and after the conversion of Corneilus (the first Gentile convert) before He allowed this designation of believers to come about. This fellow assumes every saved person in any age is a "born again Christian" but the Bible simply doesn't support him (See our work, The Difference Is In The Dispensations).
As for the terms "Christian" and "disciple" being synonymous, I wrote the guy back and said if his contention was true then "the Pharisees must have been "Moses's Christians" as well as "Moses's disciples" (John 9:28), and John's disciples must have been "Christians" before they ever heard of Christ (Acts 19:1-7)." The Bible has a way of correcting bigots and those who adhere to assumed doctrines, but a Pharisee will not receive correction, not even from the Bible. [I also asked this fellow if he ever sinned and lost his salvation since he believed any sin would cost one his salvation, of course, he refused to answer. They never do. I have yet to have someone who believes a born again Christian can loose their salvation admit they have ever sinned and lost theirs. "Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites."]
XII. Pharisees act as if they are "favored" by God" and are allowed more liberties than the "average Christian."
They feel they are not subject to Biblical commands and guidelines that "common Christians" are subject to. Some preachers are bad about this, they act (although they will never openly admit it) because they are a preacher or pastor that they are superior to the "laity" and the Lord will allow them certain liberties (sins) He won't tolerate in others. They will preach against some vice from the pulpit to the common believer, but behave as if they are immune from the vice because of their "godly position." How arrogant of them to take credit of the grace of God, thinking their lack of chastening from God is a license to excess.
Some of the biggest gossips I have ever encountered in my life have been preachers. I have heard Fundamentalist preachers talking among themselves about other preachers and Christians something pitiful. They will spread rumors, add comments to the rumors, make "off-color" comments about others, laugh and joke about another's unfortunate situation, etc., as if it's acceptable preacher behavior. They act little different than a group of men at a poker game or bar. The only real difference is the preachers (usually) don't swear or "drink" (at least not in church).
"Preacher gossip" is a very real problem. Unfortunately, the majority of preachers I have encountered engage in it to some extent (a few truly godly preachers don't, and they are to be admired.) They get in their little groups of two or more or on the phone and simply gossip. "Did you hear about what happened to brother So-and-so?" "No, what happened?" "I heard his wife..." and on it goes. I have heard preachers refer to their conversations as "Preacher gossip." They apparently just don't feel their "gossip" is really gossip because they are "God-called preachers." They feel they are an elite class of Christian.
I personally know of preachers who can't help but repeat things told them in confidence. It seems they are compelled to tell secrets, sometimes destroying people and ministries. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made as a Christian was confiding in my "pastor" at the time. I told him some things that were somewhat sensitive in nature and insisted I did not want them repeated (it was nothing incriminating about myself only some personal matters that could be misunderstood) and he promised me, "What you told me today, brother, will not leave this room." Well, he must have called someone in the room and told them because within a few days it was the prevailing gossip in the church. As with nearly all rumors this gossip that was going around little resembled the things I told him, and added to it was pure fabrications which made me and my wife out to be "scoundrels." I traced the gossip backwards and found out he had told his family, including his daughters, who I now know are notorious gossips.
When I confronted the pastor about this matter he would admit to nothing. He would not admit he told his daughters, he would not admit they repeated anything or were inventing stories, nor would he even try to deal with the matter. This whole matter was a bitter pill to swallow for me, and I felt betrayed. I actually trusted the man, but, as they say, "live and learn." Because of the rumors and the atmosphere they created, my wife and I were essentially forced to leave the church. I had attended there for 11 years (several years longer than this pastor had been there). After we left and other members asked him why we left he more or less said, "I have no idea" and then proceeded to imply the reason was likely another person in the church to take suspicion off of him and his family. Today that church is only a shadow of what it once was, many other long-term members have left for similar reasons.
Nevertheless, the "pastor" apparently felt no guilt or remorse for his actions. After some reflection on the matter and talking to other members I realized the man was only a figurehead pastor, he more or less did what he was told by the female members of his family. For him to admit any wrong on the part of his "girls" would make his life miserable at home and destroy the image he promotes of himself and his family. So he sacrificed us and other faithful church members to protect himself and his reputation. I'm sure, however, he has convinced himself that he has done the best he could with the situation, and the Lord must approve since He still allows him to "preach" and is still "blessing" him.
How vain and shallow we humans are, it's a wonder the Lord doesn't consume us all in our conceit and vanity!
There are a few more "holy" vices found among believers like lying (for the glory of God, of course), swearing (more preachers than you realize "cuss" or swear), gambling (oh, yes) and even worse things. They have justified these actions in their minds reasoning, if they are not the "perfect will" of God, they are at least "acceptable" in his sight because they are His "chosen vessels." They seem to reason since God hasn't stricken them with some calamity they must be approved, but this is faulty, humanistic reasoning. God has made his will clear with His word; any deviation from it will have consequences.
The Scriptural Limits
Contrary to what a legalistic Pharisee would have you believe, they are not the only conduit of truth, nor are they the final authority on Christian behavior. Only the Scriptures are. I have heard preachers "milk" passages (like Deut. 22:5) and twist them drastically to "prove" their personal preference on "hair," "dress," "cards," "TV," "church attendance," "tithing," and a multitude of other subjects. If these people want to follow their own preferences on these matters themselves, fine; but when they try to force them on others and insist their standards are the Bible standards, they cross the line into legalism.
C. I. Scofield aptly said, "The church has no authority to decide questions of personal liberty in things not expressly forbidden in Scripture." It couldn't be said any plainer. If the church as body has no authority over a believer's personal liberty where the Bible is silent or not specific, how much less a group or individual? Those who think otherwise are deceived. "So then every one of us shall give account of HIMSELF to God" (Rom. 14:12).
Bible Believers
Well said.
Its real sad we even got one here that purges the Name of Jesus from any Bible text quoted.
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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Carol Swenson
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posted
Legalism Verses Liberty
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1)
One aspect of salvation that seems little emphasized today is the fact that a born again Christian is free from the bondage of sin and the "yoke" of the law. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law...," purchasing our freedom with His blood, but as it was in Galatia in Paul's day, so it is today; there are still those who wish to take a Christian's liberty from him. Liberty must be jealously protected. If not, someone will invariably try to take it from him. From the influence of some "well meaning brethren," the Galatians were considering attempting to keep the Old Testament law along with receiving the work of Christ on the cross. Their "friends" were convincing them God would be more pleased and they would be more "acceptable" if they kept His "holy eternal law." Paul, however, rebukes them for such thinking and tells them only a "fool " would willingly trade liberty for bondage (Gal. 3:1-5). "Stand fast" he adjures them.
The old ways of man die hard. Even though a Christian is free from the law and the law is to be abandoned (Gal. 3:24), the tendency remains in him to devise codes and laws beyond the clear teaching of the Scriptures for others to follow. This tendency to "judge" another's actions (or lack of them) by one's own subjective standards and imply holiness is obtained in the keeping of them is the manifestation of what we call "legalism." Legalists love to be an "authority" or judge over others.
It has been said "a legalist is someone who is just a little to the right (that is ideologically) of you," and from a strictly personal perspective this may be true. An Episcopalian may call some Presbyterians "legalists" (or pharisaical); in turn the Presbyterians may call some Baptists "legalists"; and some Baptists may call even other groups "legalists." But where is the line? What must a person believe, say or do to become a true legalist or a Pharisee from a biblical perspective? How far can a believer go insisting on "standards" or "convictions" before he infringes on another Christian's liberty? This relevant and timely topic will be the subject of the following.
Defining The Terms
Before we go on we need to define and explain our terms. Many Fundamentalists when confronted with the term "legalism" (or "legalist") quickly insist it only applies to lost people who seek salvation by works of the law. Though it can mean this, "legalism" is not limited to this narrow definition as any dictionary can attest. A more common and accepted term among Bible believers for groups that teach salvation by works is "cult" instead of legalist. The Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Mormons, and other groups who teach salvation by works are routinely known as "a cult."
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition defines "legalism" as, "strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious moral code." Nearly all other dictionaries define it much the same (some do add as a second definition, "the belief of salvation by good works").
By the above definition it is completely accurate for us to use the term "legalism" (or "legalist") in this article as, "conformity to arbitrary moral codes, rules, or laws to remain in God's will, favor, or blessing after one receives Christ." In other words a believer who insists other believers must follow his or his group's subjective standards before they can live a life pleasing to God is a "legalist." They insist one must follow their "legal" code of behavior to remain in God's will.
We are not saying by this that a professing, born again, "Fundamentalist" who believes in salvation by grace but preaches conformity to his arbitrary "standards" to remain in God's will is a legalist to the extent Jehovah's Witness or other cultists are, but only that any compelled conformity to "laws," rules, or codes to remain in God's favor beyond the clear teaching of the Scriptures makes him a "legalist." He simply teaches or implies his own rules and regulations are "biblical" and others must adhere to them to be "godly." They could be called "Christian Legalists" since they are believers.
A "Pharisee" (or "pharisaical behavior") in this article refers to someone who, whether publicly or privately, manifests the negative or ungodly characteristics of the Pharisees as described in the Scriptures. Typically a Pharisee is someone who is more concerned with the outward "image" or the appearance they portray rather than true godliness and consecration of the heart. Christ characterized them as "hypocrites." Unfortunately, many of the traits of the Pharisees have endured the centuries and are quite obvious among many believers today.
When we speak of "liberty" or "Christian liberty," we are referring to the liberty or freedom every true Christian inherently has by being in Christ. "Liberty" is commonly defined as, "freedom or release from slavery, imprisonment, captivity, or any other form of arbitrary control." "Christian liberty" refers to a Christian's release and separation from sin, death (ultimately), hell, Satan, and the curse of the law by the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has freed us FROM the things that previously bound us, not IN them so we can continue to sin. Freedom FROM sin should not be twisted to mean freedom TO sin. Though with his liberty a believer can choose what he will do, unless he chooses within the realm of truth and righteousness, he places himself back into a form of bondage. True freedom is only found when one willingly places himself in subjection to God.
Must Liberty Be Protected?
Since man's creation it has been his nature to seek what he perceives to be freedom. Eve, thinking her and Adam were in bondage by not having a "knowledge of good and evil," exercised their "choice" and ate of the forbidden tree. The Serpent represented the tree as the source of freedom from their restraints but in fact it was the source of their ultimate bondage. By exercising their freewill, but in the process disobeying God, they became joined to sin and death and placed themselves under the subjection of the Serpent. Therefore, just having a freewill and the ability to choose is not the same as being free. Adam's choices became greatly restricted once he disobeyed. To truly be free one must have a source of liberty (God) and exercise their freewill within the parameters of that liberty (God's word and will). It has often been said, "with freedom comes responsibility."
Since the fall of Adam, however, an ugly side has been manifested in man's quest for freedom, in pursuing their own liberty many attempt (and often succeed) to steal it from others. Cain took his brother Abel's life thinking that would free him from the reproach of Abel's righteous life, but he was mistaken. Cain was marked for life for seeking his freedom at the expense of another or seeking it from the wrong source. Joseph's brethren, wanting to free themselves from his presence and influence, stole Joseph's freedom by selling him into slavery. However, while in bondage and even in prison, Joseph was more free in his heart than his brethren who were bound by the guilt of selling him. True liberty is more an attitude than a physical reality.
Human history is filled with accounts of individuals and groups of people stealing liberty from others. From physical bondage (such as slavery) to "intellectual bondage" (Catholics who deny their people access to the Scriptures, etc.), many feel it is their "duty" to suppress (for their "best interest," of course) the freedom of others. This is the very reason liberty is to be jealously guarded. In Galatians 5:1 Paul says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Paul wrote the book of Galatians to explain to the Galatians the preciousness of the liberty they have in Christ. There was a group of Jews ("well meaning," of course) who were insisting the Galatians must keep the law to become and remain a Christian. Paul spent six chapters explaining to them how they are free in Christ and cannot be perfected by the bondage of the Mosaic Law. He told them they were "foolish" for so readily giving up the liberty they have in Christ and "not obey[ing] the truth" (Gal. 3:1). Their "well meaning" Jewish "friends" were in fact "false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage" (Gal. 2:4).
The Pharisees are the most notorious advocates of bondage found in the Bible. Christ said of them, "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers" (Matt 23:4). They developed legalistic, man-made traditions such as meticulous hand washings and tithing of flower seeds which placed great burdens on the gullible and impressionable public. Christ held these self-righteous hypocrites in the utmost contempt. He directed towards them some of the most scathing words in the Scriptures. As we said many of the traits of the Pharisees can be found among professing believers today, and the legalism of those who promote them is what we are going to concentrate on in the remainder of this article.
21st Century Pharisees?
If modern terminology was used during the first century, the Pharisees could have easily been considered "Bible believing Fundamentalists." They had the right "Bible," believed their Bible was the very word of God and took it literally, spent countless hours reading and studying it, believed the promise of the coming Messiah, believed in angels and the spirit world, and held to every other fundamental doctrine found in their Scriptures. To the Jewish public they were devout, dedicated, godly, and "orthodox," each a model or example for the common believer. Ironically, when the God they claimed to serve came to them in person they didn't recognize Him, and in less than four years they were so opposed to Him they directly caused His death! Their "godly" and "devout" appearance did not reflect the truth.
Even though they had a reputation of being extremely consecrated and devout, Christ reserved for them His most searing remarks and criticism. He sternly and publicly rebuked them for their pious attitude and hypocritical behavior while He exercised kindness, grace, and compassion towards those who were publicly branded as "sinners." Where did the Pharisees go wrong? They had the right God, Bible, heritage, and "doctrines," but what power or influence lead them astray? What caused them to be so harshly castigated by their Creator?
The answer, of course, can only be found in the Scriptures. The Pharisee's besetting sin was a vice that originated long before man came on the scene, that is, PRIDE. Pride and envy (Pro. 27:4) are probably the most consuming and destructive vices one can entertain. Their first victim was not even a man but no less than the anointed cherub Lucifer, "son of the morning" (Isa. 14:12)! Lucifer's new found pride blinded him to the point that he thought he could be like "the most high" (Isa. 14:14). His five "I will[s]" found in Isaiah chapter 14 expose Lucifer's pride and arrogance for all creation to see. Apparently, the Lord revealed these heavenly events in his word so man could read and learn of pride's destructive power (Pro. 16:18). From cherub to human, all who allow it to thrive ultimately suffer.
Every person is susceptible to pride. Since the fall there is an inherent desire in man to exalt himself or make himself appear better than he really is. That pride is always present, however, does not mean a believer must let it have its way. All true Christians have a new nature (actually Christ's own righteous nature) that is NOT susceptible to pride, and when they follow it pride is not in the picture. But believers also still have the old Adamic nature they were born with and pride is very much at home with this "old man," and whenever this nature is followed, pride is always manifested in some form.
Nearly every sin a person can commit has its roots in pride. If one lies it's because pride is afraid of the truth; if one steals it's because pride wants something; if one curses it's because pride says "I can say what I want"; if one exalts himself it's because pride loves the attention; if one is a religious hypocrite it's because pride wants to appear "godly." For all practical purposes the terms "pride" and "self" are interchangeable. It has often been said "self-preservation" is the strongest human trait and man will resort to nearly any means to protect himself. Likewise, when one is protecting his reputation or "image" before others, pride will resort to desperate measures to keep his bloated ego from embarrassment.
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barrykind
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Wolf #3-Josh McDowell
Here is what they selling to the Modern Churches, in the Name of Christ! Smooth and flattering speech designed to deceive the hearts of the simple minded.
Birds of a feather flock together:
- Once known for his apologetics (e.g., Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Answers to Tough Questions, and Reasons Skeptics Should Consider Christianity -- three of the more than 30 books McDowell has authored or co-authored), McDowell years ago converted to a different gospel, one that "sells better": the humanistic gospel of self-love/self-esteem. Rather than his former message, i.e., that the evidence for Christianity demands that lost sinners repent and believe in Christ, his new message can best be summarized as: (a) poor self-image, rather than sin, is the cause of man's problems, and (b) improved self-image reduces or eliminates man's problems. (Confirmation of McDowell's adherence to this new gospel was evidenced on his television program on TBN ["Issue of Truth," 5/13/94]: "... self-image is one of the greatest crises we face in the 20th century," says McDowell.)
McDowell's espousal of this false gospel has been massive. In his 35-plus years of "ministry," since graduating from Wheaton College and Talbot Theological Seminary (1964) (all of which has been affiliated with the ecumenical, psychologically-oriented Campus Crusade for Christ; he also heads the Josh McDowell Ministry International), McDowell claims to have given over 18,000 talks to over eight million high school and college students on over 900 campuses in 84 countries. And what was the primary message of these talks? -- On the 12/12/93 John Ankerberg Show, McDowell gave a testimony as to why the Scriptures are important to him -- Josh said the Scriptures have shown him "how to love myself in a Biblical way."
- McDowell's most popular book, Why Wait?, is a polemic for good self-image/high self-esteem as the primary motivating force for sexual abstinence before marriage. According to McDowell, why should teens wait until marriage? -- because sexual activity before marriage will cause one to have low self-esteem later in life. McDowell gives only brief lip-service to God's commands concerning sexual purity. Evidently, a desire to please God and to obey His commands is not a strong enough motivation for Christian teens, but instead, a dose of the world's "What's in it for me" philosophy (humanism) is required.
- McDowell has devoted two other entire books to helping Christians develop their self-image, self-esteem, and sense of self-worth: Building Your Self-Image (Tyndale:1978) and His Image, My Image (Here's Life:1984).
In His Image, My Image, McDowell presents three psychological essentials for a normal person: (1) a sense of belonging (acceptance by others); (2) a sense of worthiness (feeling good about oneself); and (3) a sense of competence (confidence in oneself). He didn't learn these ideas from the Bible, but from humanistic psychology. In fact, most if not all of the heroes and heroines in the Bible lacked everything that McDowell says we need. [McDowell still promotes these teachings via an audiotape message he sells on his Internet web site (12/26/01).]
- McDowell supports psychology's self-esteem, self-worth, self-acceptance teaching with a blasphemous paraphrase from the Living Bible: "I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ's have been given to Him" (Eph. 1:18, LB). Elaborating on McDowell's erroneous interpretation, he is clearly saying that we should feel good about ourselves because God was enriched through gaining us as His children! The context of Eph. 1:18, however, is all about the blessings we receive from God, not the blessings He receives from us. Clearly, the "riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" refers to what God has given the saints, not to an inheritance the saints have bequeathed Him. Nowhere in the Bible is God enriched by man. It is man who is always benefited by God. Common sense makes that clear. God, being infinitely rich and needing nothing, cannot be enriched by anyone or anything.
- Regardless of which of the Bible versions a true Bible-believer might choose to use, all can agree that The Living Bible is not an acceptable "translation." In July 1996, the New Living Translation (NLT) by Tyndale House Publishers came out as a remake of Kenneth Taylor's The Living Bible, which first appeared in a complete Bible in 1971 and which has sold more than 40 million copies. The advertisements tell us that "The New Living Translation provides a wonderful balance of readability and authority. ... due to the careful work of 90 leading Bible scholars, it is accurate to the original Greek and Hebrew text." The cover jacket of the NLT contains enthusiastic recommendations by Billy Graham, Bill Hybels, and Josh McDowell, and was featured positively in the 10/28/96 edition of Christianity Today in an article, "The Living Bible Reborn."
In truth, the NLT is a more worthless version than The Living Bible ever was. It is, again, a paraphrase, like The Living Bible, but its updating of the language and phrase additions make a mockery of the Word of God. Nevertheless, McDowell says, "Nothing illuminates the way God wants us to live more than the Bible. The New Living Translation is an excellent way to communicate God's truth to people of all ages and spiritual backgrounds."
- Referring to Building Your Self-Image, psychologizers David and Karen Mains say, "... author Josh McDowell uses this book to describe his own battles with self-esteem and to provide practical and powerful answers to others who lack self-confidence" (2/93, The Chapel Newsletter). The following excerpts are from Chapter one of this book:
(a) "Yet each of us also carries another portrait with us, a picture far more important than any in our wallet. Psychologists have a name for it. They call that mental picture of ourselves, our self-image. ... there's always the person whose self-image is bent all out of shape, like a photo carried too long in a wallet."
(b) "The person with a healthy, positive self-image tends to be out in front in the race of life. Whether we like it or not, our mental self-portrait, that self-image, has a tremendous bearing on our emotional and spiritual well-being."
(c) "Research has shown that we tend to act in harmony with our mental self-portrait. If we don't like the kind of person we are, we think no one else likes us either. And that influences our social life, our job performance, our relationships with others. ... That is why one writer styled the new insights about self-image 'the most important psychological discovery of this century.'"
(d) "When did you get your mental portrait of yourself? How was it shaped? ... For all of us the foundation begins to be laid the moment the doctor places us in our mother's arms. ... By the age of five or six our self-concept, the person we think we are in relationship to others, is so firmly established that we will resist efforts to change it."
(e) "... your self-portrait ... You can change it. You can develop a more accurate and healthy view of yourself. ... The good news of the tremendous worth we have in God's eyes can light up our inner self-portrait."
(f) "Those of you who know me or who have read my biography, A Skeptic's Quest, know what a pitiful foundation for a good self-image was laid in my life. If I let those experiences shape my view of myself, I would be overflowing with rage. ... I now see myself more as Jesus sees me. More and more I like what I see in my self-portrait."
(g) "You can have your self-image reprogrammed through understanding and applying Biblical principles. I want to help you see yourself as God sees you. I want to help you discover who you are, the special individual you have been created to be in the eyes of God (Rom. 12:3)."
(h) "The good news of the tremendous worth we have in God's eyes can light up our inner self-portrait."
- Another McDowell book, The Secret of Loving, perhaps best details his philosophy of self-love/self-esteem; Chapter 3, "A Proper Self-Portrait," contains the following key humanistic teachings (All emphases added):
(a) "This image (what psychologists call our self-image) alone daily determines how you and I perceive ourselves before other people ... the opinions we hold of ourselves affect everything we do ... It's the way you think of yourself deep down inside ... that motivates your actions" (pp. 21-22).
(b) A clear presentation of McDowell's "shopping mall" theology -- "You are special also because you are of great value and worth to God. ... The value or worth of an object is usually determined by the price one is willing to pay to purchase or redeem it. It couldn't be more true for you and me ... I am worth the price God paid for me, which was 'Jesus' ... the real basis for a healthy self-image is to understand and accept the value God has placed on you. ... Christ's loving actions on your behalf have demonstrated and documented forever the great value you have to God" (pp. 24-25). (First emphasis in original.) [This "shopping mall" theology -- that the value of an object is equal to the price paid for it -- has become quite a popular concept among the psychologizers in today's professing church. This "theology" goes something like this: "The death of Christ on the cross is God's price tag on the human soul; it means we really are somebodies, that we are of great value to God. After all, why would God pay such a great price if we're not worth it?" On the contrary, the Bible teaches that Christ didn't die for somebodies but for sinners. The price He paid on the cross does not establish my personal worth, but instead was required to meet the claims of divine justice. In fact, the greater the price, the costlier my sin, not the greater my worth! That the sinless Son of God had to die upon the cross to redeem me is not anything that should make me feel good about myself, but instead humbled and ashamed, for it was my sins that nailed Him there. How could that fact possibly build up my self-esteem? (Adapted from Beyond Seduction.)]
(c) According to McDowell, unconditional love and acceptance by others is essential to the development of a good self-image, but even more important is to accept yourself because, after all, "God can accept me just the way I am." (p. 27) "God's love, you see, is unconditional and His acceptance is unconditional" (p. 30). (See Brownback, The Danger of Self-Love, pp. 109-116, and Bobgan, Prophets of PsychoHeresy II, pp. 91-96 (reissued as James Dobson's Gospel of Self-Esteem & Psychology), for a proper, Biblical analysis of so-called unconditional love and acceptance.)
(d) McDowell's teaching on self-appreciation seems to epitomize what Paul was warning against in 2 Timothy 3:2 -- In the last days, men will be lovers of themselves. -- "I can go back to the motel room, look in the mirror and say, 'McDowell, you're cool! I like you. ...' When one has a healthy self-image, you can do that" (p. 31).
(e) It's okay for a Christian to buy flowers for himself or herself just, "Because I like myself ..." McDowell then relates the story of being away from home, buying himself five dozen flowers, placing the flowers all over his room, "And every time I look at a dozen flowers, it's going to be God saying to me, 'Josh, I love you. Josh, I accept you. Josh, I forgive you. Josh, as the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Josh, you're special!' I'll look at each dozen flowers and hear God saying, 'Josh, you're of great value. I created you in My image. Josh, you're unique'" (p. 34).
(f) McDowell recommends two books as "further helpful resources," both of which teach a self-love gospel: Bruce Narramore, You're Someone Special and Verna Birkey, You Are Very Special (p. 34).
[These gross heresies in The Secret of Loving (some would say blasphemies) make an utter mockery of the doctrines of grace and redemption! "The old rugged cross" has been robbed of both its shame and its glory. The cross is now viewed from the selfish prospective of what it did for me and what I get out of it. McDowell's teaching on self-love/self-worth/self-esteem/self-ad nausea does epitomize what Paul was warning believers against in 2 Timothy 3:2 -- "In the last days, men will be lovers of themselves." This certainly does give new emphasis to the concept of narcissism! (See The Danger of Self-Love; The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image; and Beyond Seduction, pp. 146-189; for a Biblical analysis of the so-called "self-worth" issue.]
- On 3/6/93, the First Baptist Church of Stanton, Michigan sponsored a massive "Christian rock" party. It was attended by more than 1,300 teens, and included sensuous dancing and lewd behavior during the party activities. The party was part of a national teen evangelism project (called "Operation Powerlink" -- billed as "the world's largest pizza party") sponsored by Sonlife Ministries and Josh McDowell Ministries. An estimated one million teens participated in the nationwide event connecting thousands of youth groups through a live, one-hour cable presentation. The presentation, called See You at the Party, aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). McDowell's organization was expecting 150,000 "conversions" from among the nearly one million teenagers attending three-hour pizza parties at locations across the continent.
The "party" had a definite ecumenical and charismatic flavor, with 60 participating denominations. TBN, a hyper-charismatic, predominately blasphemous "Christian" TV network, "aired a one hour special in connection with the party [which] included a simultaneous broadcast via satellite linking teens from across the country," including the Stanton party. The special featured CCM artists Petra, Michael W. Smith, and Carmen, "along with dramatic vignettes and the testimony of Josh McDowell."
One observer at the Stanton "party" reported that the live band's "music was so loud that it hurt to breathe," and that it "was just like any other rock concert" with rising smoke, an elevated rotating drum section, and an incredible light show. [The female vocalist in the band even taught the crowd "dance moves to make with God"!] The associate pastor at the Stanton GARBC-affiliated church defended the "party" on the basis that (a) the church youth group had grown from 25 to over 100 in two months since the church "began playing Christian rock at their youth activities"; (b) there were "decisions" for Christ at the party [15 out of 1,300 in attendance]; (c) the GARBC seminary nearby had supported and commended the "party" by sending 50 students as counselors; and (d) the church was experiencing the beginnings of a mighty revival. (Reported in the July-August 1993, Fundamentalist Digest.) [On a number of occasions socialist radical Tony Campolo has also been a speaker with McDowell at "Christian" rock concerts around the country (1/25/94, A Christian View of the News).]
- McDowell is also into "Christian" rap music for winning teens to Christ. On his 10/28/94 "Issue of Truth" program on TBN, McDowell had as guests three "Christian" gangster-rapper kids, who redefined their "music" as "hip-hop." They said they were previously bad guys, but now they "hip-hop for God." They also said that they let their clothes identify them with other hip-hoppers, not their Christian walk -- "That's the beauty of it. No one knows we're Christians, until they hear our music." McDowell also boasted that his 13 year-old daughter's favorite music group is DC Talk, another "Christian" rap group (6/10/94, TBN -- "Issue of Truth").
This should not be surprising when one considers whom McDowell has employed as his publicist/public relations man -- Fred Baye. Baye also represents the following people and/or groups: Jake "the snake" Roberts, a professional wrestler; Rebecca St. James, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Michael W. Smith, pop/contemporary "Christian" singers; John Schlitt, "Christian" rock soloist for the band Petra; Petra; Wellington Boone, writer/charismatic evangelist/reconstructionist/Promise Keepers conference speaker; DC Talk and the Newsboys, "Christian" rappers; and neo-evangelical psychologizers Billy Graham, Luis Palau, Pat Robertson, Jack Hayford, and Bill Bright. (Documented from the 12/26/01 Fred Baye & Company Internet web site.)
- The co-host of McDowell's "Issue of Truth" 30-minute television show aired on TBN is Steve Arterburn, a codependency guru and co-author of Toxic Faith. Arterburn is the CEO of New Life Treatment Centers (codependency treatment centers now affiliated with the Minirth/Meier Clinics), and teaches many of the same concepts as non-religious codependency guru John Bradshaw, only dressed up in Christian terminology. [Bradshaw is an unbeliever who defines codependency as the internalization of shame, and blames it in part on Christians who teach doctrines of original sin, total depravity, and eternal punishment, adding that a Christian's problem results from "toxic shame" rather than sin. This theory holds that virtually everyone in the country is a product of a "dysfunctional family," a whopping 96% of us, and that we have all experienced some form of traumatic abuse as children. In turn, this childhood "abuse" inevitably results in some form of adult dysfunctional behavior -- often some form of addiction -- the solution for which is a concerted effort to "heal the inner child" through 12-Step programs. This is the same John Bradshaw who "heartily recommends" Love is a Choice: Recovery for Codependent Relationships, a best-selling "Christian" recovery book which Frank Minirth and Paul Meier co-author with Robert Hemfelt (of Serenity Bible fame).]
- An excerpt from McDowell's 1994 book, Right From Wrong -- What You Need To Know To Help Youth Make Right Choices, was featured in a cover story in Dr. James Dobson's 11/94 Focus On The Family magazine. In his 2-page article, McDowell mentions sin only twice. And he mentions not at all either the Lord Jesus Christ or the necessity for repentance. McDowell does mention a 1994 survey he took of 3,795 kids (ages 11-18), from 13 denominations, in which they were asked 193 questions. More than 80% said they attended an "evangelical church" weekly, and 86% said they had made "a commitment to trust Christ as their Savior and Lord." Citing a number of worldly activities these young people engage in, McDowell says this reveals "that many of our kids are not adopting our value system at all." He asks: "What is happening to our kids?" Well, the answer here is painfully obvious, yet it seems not to have dawned on McDowell. The so-called "evangelical churches" are not producing real Christians! These kids are lying.
McDowell is also big on "honesty" -- which he never defines. He says we have to teach our kids that being "honest" gives them "unbroken fellowship with God." But, it doesn't! Sin is what broke this fellowship, and only faith and repentance will restore it. McDowell says nothing about being born-again. What Josh McDowell and his ilk must face is a very unpleasant truth: Their kind of preachy, feel-good-about-yourself moralizing is not working, has not worked, and never will work, because it is not the Gospel. [McDowell then appeared on Dobson's 11/15/94 FOTF radio program to promote the book and his latest youth campaign -- "Right from Wrong."] [McDowell continues to be a regular on Dobson's radio program, his latest area of expertise being how to "rescue the next generation" from the "cultural gap" between parents and youth (10/1-10/2, 2001, FOTF radio).]
- McDowell is also very ecumenically-minded. He was a speaker at the 55th annual NAE convention in 1997. He gave 12 keys to networking. He said that he is now working with 50 denominations in order "to resource families and reinforce the crumbling foundation of our young people." He added, "We are all in the same boat. Unless we start rowing together we will all sink separately."
In 1996, Campus Crusade invited Russian Orthodox theologians and Russian doctors and professors to participate at a cult seminar, along with Josh McDowell and Ron Enroth. McDowell told Christianity Today that opportunities exist for Protestant and Orthodox Christians to work together on right-to-life, youth, and family-related issues. (Source: What in the World, Vol.16, No.7.)
In 2000, McDowell was part of the ecumenical Billy Graham Amsterdam 2000 extravaganza, where he taught a workshop on family relationships.
- McDowell is a member of COR (Coalition on Revival), a Reconstructionist/Dominionist organization dedicated to a social gospel/activism agenda that proposes to impose Biblical standards (e.g., Old Testament law) on unbelieving peoples and institutions. Though McDowell is no longer a Steering Committee member of COR, he has signed its Manifesto. COR has stated that "Unity of the Body of Christ in any city as non-optional," thereby making it necessary to "rebuild [a] city's entire society upon the Bible." COR says that its founding documents (see below) were created "to give the Church a proper foundation," and that "no denomination, church, organization, or mission can completely fulfill its God-assigned tasks unless it stands firmly on the biblical truths represented in these documents ... the Church must stand on these truths or remain ineffective" (July 1997, "The Vision for the Coalition on Revival").
As an indication of what the people affiliated with COR believe, the following is from a brochure announcing the 12th Annual Northwest Conference for Christian Reconstruction. Does this not sound like a different gospel? (All emphases added):
"The Christian Reconstruction movement believes that the Bible contains not only a message of personal salvation through the blood of Christ shed on the cross, but also a comprehensive law structure which is alone able to provide a just basis for society. It is committed to the view that sovereignty and thus government belong to God, and that all delegated government, whether to family, church or state (civil government), is to be exercised in obedience to the law of God's covenant. Furthermore, salvation involves every aspect of man's life and thus also the relationship she sustains to the world around him. The exercise of dominion in accordance with the terms of God's covenant is therefore basic and vital to the Christian faith. To neglect this is to deprecate the extent of Christ's victory at Calvary."
That McDowell has no problem identifying with this movement is a bit disconcerting to say the least. (For details of COR's unbiblical strategy for "taking the world for Christ," see COR' documents titled A Manifesto for the Christian Church, Forty-two Articles of the Essentials of a Christian World View, and Twenty-five Articles of Affirmation and Denial on the Kingdom of God. These three documents, along with COR's 17 Sphere/World View Documents, make up what COR calls its "20 COR World View Documents.")
- McDowell appears to have also thrown-in with the charismatic fasting and revival crowd. Campus Crusade founder Bill Bright fasted 40 days during the summer of 1994, during which he claims to have received a "prophecy from God" that a mighty revival is coming. He then issued a call for hundreds of liberals, charismatics, and new-evangelicals to gather in Orlando 12/5/94-12/7/94 to fast and pray for revival. An Invitation Committee made up of a hodgepodge of 72 liberals, new evangelicals, and charismatics was formed. Included were: Robert Schuller, Charles Colson, E.V. Hill, Jack Hayford, James Dobson, W.A. Criswell, Charles Stanley, Paul Crouch, Luis Palau, Bill Gothard, Pat Robertson, Kay Arthur, and Larry Burkett. CCC's Bill Bright cites "a great sense of urgency to link arms and unitedly call upon God for help in the spirit of King Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20)." This ecumenical "linking" is in the "spirit of Jehoshaphat" indeed, but the Jehoshaphat of 2 Chr. 18 (instead of 2 Chr. 20) where he "linked" with wicked King Ahab and incurred the wrath of God. [Another three-day "Fasting & Prayer" conference was held in 11/95 in Los Angeles; it attracted 3,500 "evangelicals" and charismatics. The Invitation/Host Committee for this event included most of those listed above, plus Dick Eastman, Chuck Smith, Bill McCartney (Promise Keepers), Tim and Beverly LaHaye, Shirley Dobson, Paul Cedar (E-Free), Ted Engstrom (World Vision), Joseph Stowell (Moody), and Joseph Aldrich (Multnomah). A third conference was held 11/14/96-11/16/96 in St. Louis. New additions to the Host Committee included Max Lucado, Henry Blackaby, Loren Cunningham (YWAM), Greg Laurie, Dennis Rainey, Randy Phillips (Promise Keepers), Josh McDowell, D. James Kennedy, Howard Hendricks, and Neil Anderson. (Conferences have been held every year now, but there is an uncertain future with Bill Bright's August 2001 retirement from Campus Crusade, and his 2003 death.)]
- Promise Keepers is the gigantic new (1991) "men's movement" among professing evangelical Christians. Its roots are Catholic and charismatic to the core. PK's contradictory stand on homosexuality; its promotion of secular psychology; its unscriptural feminizing of men; its depiction of Jesus as a "phallic messiah" tempted to perform homosexual acts; and its ecumenical and unbiblical teachings should dissuade any true Christian from participating. Promise Keepers is proving to be one of the most ungodly and misleading movements in the annals of Christian history. Nevertheless, Josh McDowell is a promoter of this ecumenical, charismatic, psychologized men's movement as evidenced by his speaking at PK events and by his writing numerous daily "devotionals" for publication in PK's bi-monthly Men of Integrity ("your daily guide to the Bible and prayer").
Head hunters and scatters, Matt12:30, describes this group. They walk as enemies of the Cross of Christ, their god is their belly, they glory in their shame, and their mind is on earthy things. Phil 3:18-19. To them the Gospel is up for grabs. Just another money-making 'gimmick' designed to promote their latest book, tape, seminar or broadcast. They 'moralize' to appease the simple minded which they 'lay in wait to deceive!' Thus 'Many follow their destruction ways and because of whom the way of Truth will be blasphemed.'
According to the working of Satan these men have propagated a FALSE Gospel message to the entire world. With all unrighteous deception they 'network' among those who are perishing because they WILL NOT receive a LOVE of the Truth! (2Thess2:1-12) For this reason God has sent upon them STRONG DELUSION that they would 'believe' a lie and be condemned with all who reject the 'Doctrine' which is according to godliness. (1Tim6:5) McDowell and thousands of others like him are products of the 'Laodiceian' era. They are 'rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing' BUT 'wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked' in God's sight. Sadly they have lost their 'ears to hear' and refuse godly instruction.
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
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posted
wolf #2-Charles Swindoll
They DENY the Lord who bought them!
False teachers like Charles Swindoll no longer have to 'secretly' bring in their destructive heresies. They own the platforms! With deceptive words and smooth speech they exploit you and blaspheme the way of Truth. Following is one of the slickest of them all. He's polished and well placed and many consider him a scholar in biblical studies. But he has overthrown the faith of many and lead them into the error of the wicked. You need only read for yourself to see the Mr. Swindoll preaches a 'cheap' and watered down message promoting the sin religion.
In his book Demonism (Multnomah Press, 1981), Swindoll promoted the unscriptural idea that a child of God can be indwelt by a demon. He wrote: “Can a Christian Be Demonized? -- For a number of years I questioned this, but I am now convinced it can occur. If a ‘ground of entrance’ has been granted the power of darkness (such as trafficking in the occult, a continual unforgiving spirit, a habitual state of carnality, etc.,), the demon(s) sees this as a green light okay to proceed. Wicked forces are not discriminating with regard to which body they may inhabit. I have worked personally with troubled, anguished Christians for many years. On a few occasions I have assisted in the painful process of relieving them of demons. The alien, wicked spirit certainly cannot claim ‘ownership’ of the Christian. He is still a child of God. But while present in the body (perhaps in the region of the soul) the evil force can work havoc within the life, bringing the most extreme thoughts imaginable into his or her conscious
Chuck Swindoll has been the president of Dallas Theological Seminary since 1994. Prior to that he was the senior pastor of First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California, for 24 years. Because of his books and radio messages, Swindoll is an extremely influential New Evangelical leader.
In typical New Evangelical fashion, he recommends and uncritically quotes from the books of a wide variety of false teachers. Swindoll devoted an entire edition of his Insights for Living publication (April 1988) to uncritical promotion of the German neo-orthodox Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Swindoll calls Bonhoeffer “a saint bound for heaven”; but this “saint” promoted the “de-mythologizing” and questioning of Scripture. Cornelius Van Til documented Bonhoeffer’s dangerous theology in The Great Debate Today. Swindoll has also uncritically praised the Roman Catholic Mother Teresa who taught that Hindus and Buddhists can go to heaven by their own faith. In his book The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, Swindoll quotes Robert Schuller with no qualification, in spite of the fact that Schuller preaches a false gospel of self-esteem.
Chuck Swindoll is an ecumenist who has spoken at Promise Keepers conferences and other forums that bring together Protestants, Baptists, Catholics, Charismatics, etc. In November 1996, he spoke at apostate Baylor University, which is home to many modernists who question and openly deny the infallibility of the Holy Scriptures. At the July 1994 Promise Keepers conference in Boulder, Colorado, Swindoll entered the stadium on a motorcycle to the blaring strains of the rebellious rock song “Born to Be Wild.”
In his book Grace Awakening, Swindoll teaches that fundamentalists who strive for doctrinal and moral purity are legalists who need to learn grace. He claims that it is legalistic to make prohibitions against immoral movies, dancing, etc. Actually Swindoll redefines grace as a form of license. Biblical grace teaches us “to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts” and calls upon us to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). To live in such a manner requires constant judgment and the most extreme caution pertaining to all forms of entertainment, etc. We are to love not the world neither the things that are in the world. That is a VERY narrow walk. Calvary Contender editor Jerry Huffman observes that Swindoll’s book leaves “the impression that rules or restrictions upon the believer steal from him the exuberance and joy of the Christian life and relegate him to a morbid and dreary existence.”
Only a devote OSAS preacher could believe a truly Spirit filled, redeemed person could be possessed by a demon. WHERE in Scripture has this occurred? Notice he doesn't site a single incident out of the Bible to back up his outrageous claim. But he makes certain that the 'possessed' person is 'Still a Christian' As outlandish as this sounds, it certainly stands to reason given his views on security. If you can 'deny Christ' and remain saved, why not be demon possessed and wallow in all sorts of wickedness and remain heaven bound!
The ecumenical spirit further proves he has known the depths of Satan. Rather than defend the truth and risk alienating himself from popularity, embrace all teachings and be a man pleaser. Is it any wonder why none of these men will preach repentance, godly sorrow for sin and the Narrow Way to eternal life? The Promise Keepers incident is par for the course of modern day religion.
Here's a movement based on the eternal security message, promoting a moralistic lifestyle, WITHOUT a Sound Biblical base. Much like Rick Warren's 'Purpose Driven' series, it sounds good and creates a lot of hype, but is based entirely in error. Present are a group of so-called believers struggling with some kind of 'inner lust' and told by these 'spiritual leaders' they have to come to grips with their sinfulness, join a group and learn to deal with it. Rather than give them the plain a simple truth of Scripture, that those who do such things WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom, they are duped into thinking they have accomplished a great task by showing up at the conference, making a promise and returning to their various churches.
It stands to reason that ANYONE who preaches a sound, bible based Gospel message today is considered a 'legalist.' We're reached what is so well described in 2Tim chapter 3, truly the professing Christian crowd is everything Paul outlined in the first few verses of that chapter.
They love pleasure, money, fame, popularity, they are without self-control, they despise anything that promotes godliness and obedience to the truth. Yet they possess that 'form of godliness' without the power, 'always learning' but NEVER able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 'Deceived and being deceived' as verse thirteen says.
Could these men really believe what the Bible has to say about purity, conduct and obedience? It appears they have written their own bible and preach the devil's message. Could any of them ever be awakened to the awful danger they are in? Only God Knows.
Further Evidence that Swindoll preaches the Devil's Gospel, click here to listen1....Listen2
If there is any doubt after hearing these clips that Swindoll is a total apostate you must have personally bought into the devil's lie that you can 'sin' and NOT die!
The focus is always on 'how much sin can I commit and still make it into heaven!' And the answer is ALWAYS the same! Since Christ has 'already' forgiven your 'past, present and future' sins in advance, you can sin with 'impunity' and not worry about it! You may doubt because your soul is destitute of any significant change, but because your 'repeated' those words one time in the past, you're SAFE and secure forever no matter what!
Like the thief on the cross, you're guaranteed paradise as a reprobate sinner who never did a decent thing in your life. ONLY problem is, YOU'RE NOT the thief on the cross and you MAY NOT have an opportunity to truly repent moments before you die, as he did.
A loose attitude about sin will serve to harden your heart against the truth, THIS Scripture warns against most clearly, Heb12:14-17. The 'Bitter root, springing up to defile the heart' The RISK, 'Falling Short of the Grace of God!' But does Swindoll (or any like him) warn you about this possibility? NEVER!
They leave you with the impression that sin isn't so bad and there's really nothing you do about it anyway (because no one is perfect) therefore don't worry about it, that VACANT feeling you have inside is just human doubt and Christ will be there to save you in spite of your vileness because of Grace.
After all, Christ only came to 'forgive' your sins, not CHANGE your Nature....according to Swindoll. But this is another LIE out of the Pit! Problem is however, if you look at MOST professing Christians today, this would have a ring of truth to it.
FEW who 'accept Jesus as their personal savior' manifest any change in their personal behavior. They remain vile, corrupt and filled with doubt. But IF Jesus is unable to Change the nature of a sinner, WHY does Scripture so clearly say that He can?? Effort is required on our part, that is certain, but the POWER necessary to bring about the change is imparted by God.
To imply that a redeemed soul must live under the influence of his vile nature until he dies is one of the worst distortions of Grace Satan ever invented. Such a notion has hardened more hearts and seared more conscience than any false doctrine of the occult could ever imagine. Millions set in churches today with a false sense of security based on the presumption that men like Swindoll have a 'special' insight into Scripture most of us are lacking. But in reality the Scripture identifies these men exactly.....
"They promise you liberty, while they themselves are slaves to corruption!"
2Pet2:19. Only those who follow these blind guides could fail to see this clear distinction.
The New Covenant PROMISES a transformed Nature! Heb 8:8-13. This was present even in the Old Testament, Ezk36:25-27, The Lord said He would sprinkle clean water on you and you shall be clean from all filthiness.
He will put His Spirit within you and give you a NEW HEART, then you will KEEP His Commandments and WALK Worthy of His Kingdom! All things become NEW, Paul said in 2Cor5:17, You will be renewed in the spirit of your mind in His imagine of righteousness and true holiness, Eph4:22-24.
(Does this sound as though 'imputed' righteousness is merely a cloak to cover our sinfulness?)
You can now Put off the old man and Put on the New, Eph4:22, Col3:8. You can Make your Calling and Election Sure, by ADDING to your faith through His exceeding Great and precious Promises!
2Pet1:3-11. You can be 'Sanctified' COMPLETELY (through and through!) and preserved BLAMELESS at the coming of the Lord by His Grace....1Thess5:23. Through faith WORKING by love, Gal5:4, your heart can be PURIFIED of sin, 1Pet1:22, and you can have VICTORY over your worldly lust! 1John5:4.
THESE are the 'some' of Promises of Scripture. The blind guides will only 'twist' them to their own destruction and the destruction of others. If you want to live in bondage to your sinful nature, no one can stop you (not even God) but if you are SICK and disgusted with the blind guides leaving you destitute of truth, TURN to Jesus now.
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
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posted
Charles Stanley
a wolf in sheep's clothing!
Stanley Quote:
The debate is over whether or not a man can be on his way to heaven one minute and on his way to hell the next. To answer that question, we must understand exactly what sends a person to hell. As we have seen, sin alone is not enough. . . . It takes more than simply sinning to get to hell. . . . It is not lying, cheating, stealing, raping, murdering, or being unfaithful that sends people to hell. It is rejecting Christ, refusing to put their trust in Him for the forgiveness of sin"
This is in DIRECT Contradiction to Bible Truth. Paul himself said many times, "Let NO ONE DECEIVE YOU! The wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God." But that isn't enough for most people. They would rather put their trust in a 'Wolf' and be lead by the hand down the road to perdition than search the Scriptures for themselves and find the truth. The Truth is NOT difficult to understand....here are just a few passages that refute the statement above and expose this Wolf for what he is....
"If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live" (Rom. 8:13).
"Do you not know that the wicked will NOT inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9,10).
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will NOT inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21).
"For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person -- such a man is an idolater -- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore, do not be partners with them" (Eph. 5:5-7).
"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those that practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).
Stanley Quote:
"... there are Christians who show no evidence of their Christianity
Really! That's NOT what the Bible says. In fact it says the every opposite. IF a person failed to bring forth the proper fruit of his repentance and subsequent redemption, his faith is labeled 'counterfeit' and without effect! Paul frequently pleaded with the believers to beware least they 'receive the grace of God in vain!' 2Cor6:1. As many are doing today thanks to Wolves like this one teaching a deceptive message to multitudes of 'faithful' listeners. Again, read the simple truths contained in the Word of God and see for yourself that true Christianity is NOT a spectator sport!
"You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness" (Rom. 6:18).
"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him" (Tit. 1:16a).
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" (Jam. 2:14).
"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 Jn. 2:3,4).
"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very beginning" (1 Jn. 3:7,8).
"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother" (1 Jn. 3:10).
Stanley Quote:
"When He died on the Cross, He took care of all of our sin. You say, 'You mean to tell me that if a person takes their own life, after all these things that you just talked about, all these sins, that that person is forgiven?' Yes! A believer who commits suicide is 'already forgiven'. Now I didn't say it was going to be good for him, but he is forgiven in advance. Pardoned of that sin. No matter what you do as a Child of God, you are forgiven. Murder, stealing, adultery, worshiping idols....all forgiven in advance!"
Makes you wonder how many people have actually 'pulled the trigger' on themselves, believing what these wolves have to say. What a travesty. A perfect example of the 'way of truth being blasphemed' 2Pet2:2, by covertness and deceptive words. This 'already forgiven' theme doesn't follow Bible Truth, but most of the wolves preach it, mainly because it keeps the people happy and coming back for more. Financially it's MUCH more beneficial to tell someone they can sin their way to heaven as long as it keeps them a 'contributing' member of the church. The fact that Jesus died for 'all sin' doesn't translate into 'License' to sin for His followers. Continuing in sin is the chief factor in hardened hearts, seared conscience, defiled testimony and falling short of the Grace of God. The Bible warns repeatedly about it in some of the following passages...
"For if we sin willfully after we have received a knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." Heb 10:26-27
"Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God, on those who fell, severity, but toward you, goodness, IF you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." Rom 11:22
"To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Rom 8:6
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning!" 2Pet2:20
"let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, least anyone fall after the same example of disobedience." Heb 4:11
"Whoever hates his brother is a murderer and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." 1John3:15
NONE of these passages are difficult to understand. The meaning is not hidden in some 'theological' interruption. DON'T fall for the double-talk and deceptive speech of the wolves! The Bible is VERY Clear about the consequences of continuing in sin and the Spirit of God provides everything you need to live a godly and self-controlled life in Christ. 2Pet1:3-11.
Stanley Quote:
"Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy. Believers who lose or abandon their faith will retain their salvation. A Christian who at no point in his entire life bore any eternal fruit would remain secure in Christ!"
Pretty outrageous, isn't it? No wonder the churches are full up of people with no intention of Obeying God or KEEPING His Commandments. NOTHING in Scripture could be more clear than the Absolute necessity of CONTINUING in the Faith and ENDURING to the end! But these wolves would have you believe that a 'moment' of faith placed in the finished Work of Christ at any given juncture of your life is all you need to secure your eternal inheritance. Live like the devil, in abject unbelief, without worry, just put your trust in the 'preacher/teacher' and all will be well. Wake up before it's too late!
"eternal life to those who by Steadfast Endurance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality, but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath." Rom 2:7
"My mother and brothers are those who hear the Word of God and KEEP it!" Luke 8:21
"More blessed are those who hear the Word of God and KEEP it!" Luke11:28
"If you love Me, KEEP My Commandments!" John14:15
"You are My friends IF you DO whatever I command you." John15:14
"Do you see that faith was working together with his works and by WORKS faith was made perfect!" James2:22
"But do you want to know, O foolish man that faith WITHOUT Works is dead!" James2:20
"And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we KEEP His Commandments and DO those things that are pleasing in His sight." 1John3:22
"These things I have written to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may CONTINUE to believe in the Name of the Son of God." 1John5:13
"But he who endures to the end will be saved." Matt10:22
It may be convenient now to follow the likes of Charles Stanley and others like him, but at the Great Judgment you will have NO EXCUSE. A child could understand our Lord, "KEEP, holdfast, practice, obtain, be diligent, fight, endure be Steadfast!" He DID NOT make it Difficult! The problem lays within yourself. You have no love of the truth, but rather love unrighteousness, God then sends you a 'Strong Delusion' so that you will believe a lie and perish. This is why millions of professing Christians can not understand the Simplicity that is in Christ. That KEEP means to Holdfast and Continue means to endure. Anyone could easily find these truths and obey them, but their desire is to please self and follow the wolves. There's no shortage of false teachers who will tickle your ears with what you want to hear, but it won't be long before you must give an account of things done in the body to HIM who sits on the Great Throne.
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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