If there is no hell...

On November 18, 2023, I saw a YouTube clip of two men, E. Dewey Smith, and Tim Rogers. Two men I never heard of before discussing the matter of hell. They concluded that hell is not a literal place, but rather hell is  based on bad choices in your life. In other words, you create your own hell here on earth. They believe this is what the Bible teaches. If that is true, then Jesus who described hell more than anyone is a liar. I want to attempt to exposit as well as I can why their and so many others view of hell is tragic. There are several implications that must be examined if hell is not a real place, but just allegory.

 

Implication #1 – If there is no hell, where did the countless souls go who died in their sins when they rejected Christ?

Implication #2 – If there is no hell, why should we believe there is a literal heaven.

Implication #3 – If there is no hell, where will the devil, the beast and false prophet, the demons and wicked angels end up at the end of time?

Implication #4 – If there is no hell, what is the purpose of the Great White Throne Judgment?

Implication #5 – If there is no hell, why believe any of the Bible is real?

Implication #6 – If there is no hell, there can be no doctrine of sin.

I only listed six. There are so many more questions I could have added.

Preachers who do not teach on the doctrine of hell are unfaithful cowards. If one does not teach all the counsel of God, especially the uncomfortable parts, you should step down from the pulpit immediately! You’re not fit to lead God’s people. We cannot teach on a curve. That person has proven that they are unfaithful shepherds. They do not love the truth or the people of God. They also do not love the unsaved.

The problem with most people is that we do not understand the Holiness of God verses the wickedness of man. These two truths we must internalize or else we will continue to minimize the realization of both at best, or totally ignore the two realities (which most of the world does now) at worst.

If we learn how depraved we are against how perfect, holy, and righteous God is, we will begin to loathe[1] ourselves and fear God in a way that is reverent. Sadly, the world reveres itself and hates God.

The following passages clearly explain the current heart condition of the unregenerate man.

Genesis 6:5, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Proverbs 20:6 says, “Most men will proclaim each his own (italics added for emphasis) goodness, but who can find a faithful man.”

Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?”

Romans 3:10-12 says, “As it is written, “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no not one.”

Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags.”

John 3:19 Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Men loved darkness rather than light because his deeds are evil.”

Matthew 23:33 Jesus talking to the religious leaders because of their evil said, “Serpents! Brood of vipers! How can you escape the damnation of hell?”

I believe God’s report on the disposition of man. Whose report will you believe my friend?

The above references clearly reveal that mankind from a divine perspective is not good but purely evil and deserving of hell. It astounds me that men who claim to be preachers of the gospel will not teach the doctrine of hell. We do not get to twist the Bible to our whim because certain texts of scripture offend us. Teaching about the reality of hell is most loving when combined with the good news that one can repent of their sins, trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ and receive eternal life and avoid hell forever; that is the best news of all time.

I will submit to the reader that if you are attending a Church that does not teach on the horrors of hell and the need for repentance because the Pastor does not want to offend anyone, you are dealing with a false teacher. A wolf and sheep’s clothing. Get far away from that place! Your eternal life depends on it.

These false teachers do not trust God or His Word to perform the conviction in a spiritually dead person’s soul. A person that is unsaved does not need to feel good about themselves; they need to feel terrible about themselves. Why? Because their lifestyle is an affront to God and the Lord’s wrath abides on them (John 3:36). Teaching the admittedly uncomfortable doctrine of hell is needed in order to incite godly fear in the sinner so that they are aware of their rebellious lifestyle against their Maker. Then the faithful preacher can soften his tone and language by sharing the good news - that God desires their repentance so that He can forgive their sins and received them into His glorious kingdom. All sinners MUST come to God on His terms. Jesus said, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).

The Pastor never does his congregants or the unsaved justice by sanitizing the message of hell by lying about it. We must share it with all its razor-sharp edges so that it cuts deep and bleeds the soul. It is designed to hurt, upset, and terrify us. It should make a person feel sick to their stomach. Once the sinner is an utter despair and they see their sin for what it really is – exceedingly and disgustingly sinful against a Holy and righteous God; if he or she has any common sense, they will cry out to God and beg for His forgiveness for their wretched lives. The wonderful thing is God is waiting with His arms open wide to receive whoever believes in Christ.

Jesus said this on Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me all who are labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and humble at heart, and you find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

 

“Who is a God like You, pardoning Iniquity, and passing over transgression of the remnant of His heritage. He does not retain anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19).

“I, even I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).

You see by not preaching about the horrors and reality of hell, a person is not given the opportunity to experience true contrition the way God desires for them to. Their sin is not exposed because the charlatan will not teach sin since he denies the reality of hell. Sin and hell are mother and daughter; their daddy is the devil. Sin and hell are mankind’s enemies and must be stopped by the Gospel of grace or sin will abound because the preacher decided to keep silent and sleep with the enemy (hell) [Romans 5:20-21].

Paul when he was speaking to the elders of Ephesus upon his departure to Jerusalem said, “For that reason I testify to you on this day that I am innocent of the blood of all people. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose and the plan of God” (Acts 20:26-27). Paul held nothing back. That is the way all ministers of the gospel must be.

The hell the faithless preacher said does not exist will be the hell he will experience lest he repents.

Below are older articles I wrote on hell:

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2015/05/is-hell-real-place.html?view=sidebar

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-necessity-of-hell.html?view=sidebar

Here Is the link regarding the discussion between E. Dewey Smith and Tim Rogers who were talking about hell. You will want to start at the 15:40 mark of the video if you do not want to watch the entire thing which is slightly over 42 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0HKwRdS9ks

Great article and video on hell from www.gotquestions.org

https://www.gotquestions.org/loving-God-send-someone-hell.html  

Singer Tim Rogers said that Hell is an Imaginary place and a fairy tale. Check this clip out around the 33:25 mark of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrzBJTyd6hg

 

 

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[1] To read about loathing reference Ezekiel 36:24-33

Are We Experiencing the Fulfilling of Joel 2:28-31?

                                              Has God Poured Out His Spirit On All Flesh?

Joel 2:28-31 says, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions; and also, upon the servants and the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord.”

Part of these verses have been partially fulfilled, that is verse twenty-eight. Peter quoted the above verses in Acts 2:16-20 on the Day of Pentecost when about 120 believers were gathered waiting for the promise of the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, when it says your sons and daughters shall prophesy, what does that mean? Many people believe it to mean that we will be able to “decree and declare.”[1] That is a very popular phrase in the Church today. In other words, many people claim they have a new word from the Lord in addition to what God has already declared in His Word. In order to know what the scripture is saying, we must always define our terms. The word prophesy here is the Hebrew word nābu. Prophesy here simply means to speak God’s word. It does not have to include a predictive element. So, whenever someone is speaking God’s revealed Word (italics added for emphasis), they are prophesying. This can only happen by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When the text says your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions, this could be making reference to dreams and visions that the apostles saw like Peter had in Acts 10; where while he was praying, he was put into a trance, and he saw a sheet come down from heaven with animals that were unclean (Acts 10:9-16). There is also the apostle John who saw numerous visions in the book of Revelation of currents events of his time in chapters 1-3 regarding the seven Churches, and future events in chapters 4-22. In other words, the dreams had significance (e.g., Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams in Daniel chapters 2 & 4).

God’s Spirt in Old Testament times was not in or on many people. The Spirit of God could leave a person; like He did with King Saul due to his disobedience and rejection as king. (1 Sam 16:14). God’s Spirit left Samson when his hair was shaved for, he was Nazarite (Judges 16:17-20). When David sinned with Bathsheba, he in the fifty first Psalm pleaded with the Lord that God would not take His Holy Spirit away from him (Psalm 51:11). The Holy Spirit’s presence was sovereignly bestowed upon a person by God and was contingent upon that person’s obedience in order for the Holy Spirit to remain.

In these last days, God has done something new. Jesus promised to the apostles directly and all believers by extension to the present time, He would send us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit that would dwell with us, forever (John 14:16-17). Part of Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost, God’s Spirit has been poured out on all flesh. It’s not just on Kings and the nobility that have the Holy Spirit, it’s all who have placed their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life.

Ephesians 1:13-14 says when we believed we were sealed by the Holy Spirit. This means Jesus told the truth when He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit once He returned to heaven (John 14:16-17).

The last part of Joel that Peter discusses is, “I will show wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, blood, fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon into blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord.”

These supernatural phenomena will happen during the time of the Tribulation leading in to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 6:12-17 – John sees a vision of the end times. He records, “And I saw when (an angel) opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood; and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casts, her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?”’

These six verses fulfill verses thirty and thirty-one of Joel 2 which are for the future. Verses twenty-eight and twenty-nine were fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost and are continuing to be fulfilled today.

As an aside, the reason the world is not as bad now as it will get in the future is because God’s Holy Spirit is here through His Church. God’s Spirit dwells in every true believer. When the rapture comes and the Church is removed from the earth, Satan himself will rule this earth and God’s just wrath will fall like it never has in human history.

Where do you want to end up? None of us have much time left.

WAKE UP CHURCH!

Do this, knowing this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep (of spiritual complacency); for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed (in Christ). The night (this present evil age) is almost gone, and the day (of Christ’s return) is almost here. So let us fling away the works of darkness and put on the full armor of light. Let us conduct ourselves and honorably as in the (light of) day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision (nor even think about gratifying) the flesh regarding its improper desires.

-Romans 13:11-14 (Amplified version).

Think about it, if Paul believed Christ’s return was near 1900 years ago, how much more should we be on high alert? It is time to check ourselves, Amen?!

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[1] Decree and declare is another way of desiring to speak things into existence. Many

believe our words have creative manifesting power which they do not.

Only God has the power to create with His words.

 

Can You Teach Someone To Speak In Tongues?

 

Whether one believes tongues is for today, or if you believe the gift has ceased, no one can teach another how to speak in Biblical tongues. One can claim to teach someone to speak in the “tongues” of today because it is gibberish masquerading as authentic tongues. The word for tongues is the Greek word glossa where we get the English word glossary which means language or speech. For some bizarre illogical reason those that engage in this practice believe they are praying to God in their “heavenly or private prayer language” (1 Cor 13:1). There is no support for that in scripture.

What about 1 Corinthians 14:2?

The above verse says that those that speak in a tongue speak not unto men but unto God. Many cite this verse to prove that we can speak to God in tongues privately. There are a couple of views regarding what this verse could mean:

1.      Some scholars say the tongues spoken in verse two is a pagan Corinthian ecstatic utterance and not the genuine gift of tongues. The reason may be because of the verse that says, “those that speak in a tongue do not speak to men, but to God. (Some say that it should be translated a god instead of God). That is the opposite of Acts 2 – the speakers on the Day of Pentecost spoke in tongues so the Jews travelling to Jerusalem from different parts of the world could hear them speak the wonderful works of God. Why would the gift change from public to private use?

2.  Some believe this tongue is separate from the gift in Acts 2. All Christians can exercise this gift described in 1 Corinthians 14:2 as a private prayer language.  I disagree. Tongues have no benefit to those who hear it if it is not interpreted. That is why the gift cannot be used for private use to edify oneself. When tongues are interpreted or translated all can be edified (1 Cor 14:13).

1 Corinthians 12:30 says all do not have the gift of tongues. It does not make sense to believe someone can teach others to speak in tongues when 1 Corinthians 12:11 says it is the Spirit that distributes the gifts to all as He chooses (italics added for emphasis).

1 Corinthians 13:8 says that tongues will cease to operate. Those that are Cessationists[1] believe tongues ceased after the apostolic age. The following quotes are from men in Church history that declared the gift of tongues has ceased with the death of the apostles. I will cite the source of these quotes.

1.      Augustine (354-430) – In the earliest times, The Holy Spirit fell upon them that believe and they spoke with tongues, which they had not learned, as the Spirit gave them utterance. These were signs adapted to the time. For there was this betokening of the Holy Spirit in all tongues to show that the gospel of God was to run through all tongues over the whole earth. That thing that was done for a sign, and it passed away.[2]

2.      Martin Luther (1483-1546) – In the early Church the Holy Spirit was sent forth in visible form. He descended upon Christ in the form of a dove (Matt 3:16), and in the likeness of fire upon the apostles and other believers (Acts 2:3). This visible outpouring of the Holy Spirit was necessary to the establishment of the early Church, as were also the miracles that accompanied the gift of the Holy Ghost. Paul explained the purpose of these miraculous gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 14:22, Tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not. Once the Church had been established and properly advertised by these miracles, the visible appearance of the Holy Ghost ceased.

Whenever you hear anyone boast that has something by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and it has no basis in God’s Word, no matter what it may be, tell them that this work is of the devil. Whatever is not from the scripture is from the devil himself.[3]

3.      Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952) – As there were offices extraordinary (apostles and prophets) at the beginning of our dispensation. So, there were gifts extraordinary; and as successors were not appointed for the former, so as continuance was never intended for the latter. The gifts were dependent upon the officers: see Acts 8:14-21; 10:44; 19:6; Rom 1:11; Gal 3:5; 2 Tim 1:6. We no longer have the apostles[4] (italics mine) with us and therefore the supernatural gifts (the communication of which was an essential part of the sign gifts of an apostle: 2 Cor 12:12) are absent.

[5]

There are many other men of faith that agree with the above, fyi.

Now because these men from the past are well respected and venerated, does not mean they are right, but I added their quotes for your consideration.

The gift of tongues in the Bible were actual languages supernaturally spoken. The speaker did not know the language. It was a miraculous sign gift – meaning since tongues were for a sign, what did it signify in the first century Church?

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:22 said tongues were for a sign to unbelievers (Especially Hebrews). Why did he say that? When an unbeliever or the uniformed entered their assembly and they heard someone speak in their native language praising God and speaking of His wonders, the uninformed or the unbeliever would realize that something miraculous was going on and declare that God was truly among them. For those that did not believe, tongues signified judgment (1 Cor 14:21).

There is this idea that those who speak, sing, or pray in tongues are more spiritual than those who do not. They believe they have reached another dimension in the Spirit higher than those of us who do not speak in tongues. If a linguist were to record what they hear at a Charismatic Church service where everyone is speaking in “tongues” at the same time which violates scripture (1 Cor 14:26-28), because they are caught up and feel they can’t speak in their native tongue anymore, how much of those “tongues” would the linguist be able to translate into an actual language? I would say the chances are slim and none. Why? The majority of what we hear is gibberish, non-intelligible speech. It’s a learned behavior that is not beneficial at best and could be very dangerous at worst as some people may be unwittingly speaking incantations or unknown curses that certainly are not from the Holy Spirit, but a demonic spirit.

Please be careful!

Remember, Paul had to write to the Church of Corinth regarding tongues and the other sign gifts because they were abusing the gifts and not exercising love to one another (1 Cor 13:1; 14:1). The gifts of the Spirit are not to be flaunted as if you acquired them on your own, but rather use them for the benefit of His body since God sovereignly granted them to the Church.

The YouTube clips below are examples of what people are doing today and saying it is the gift of tongues.

https://www.youtu2be.com/watch?v=HEvOXCMvA5E&t=15s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paXSB1g7XkM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHECI-ZHP6A&t=13s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XAK0K0z-hA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLisL4DPXCs&t=50s

 

Older blog posts I have written on tongues:

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2011/10/speaking-in-tongues-part-i.html?view=sidebar

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2011/10/speaking-in-tongues-part-ii.html?view=sidebar

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2013/07/has-gift-of-tongues-ceased-second-look.html?view=sidebar

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2017/11/is-there-such-thing-as-heavenly-language.html?view=sidebar

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2014/12/continuationism-vs-cessationsim.html?view=sidebar

 

 

 

Articles on tongues from www.gotquestions.org   

https://printer.gotquestions.net/GeneratePF?articleId=21448

https://printer.gotquestions.net/GeneratePF?articleId=60454

https://www.gotquestions.org/gift-of-tongues.html

Here are blog posts regarding who qualified as an apostle and prophet:

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2015/02/apostles-and-prophets-part-i.html

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2015/02/apostles-and-prophets-part-ii.html

 

 

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[1] A Cessationist is one that believes the sign gifts such as tongues, healings, miracles, revelatory prophecy and

Knowledge have ceased.

[2] From the book Strange Fire, John Macarthur (Thomas Nelson 2013), pg 252-253

[3] Ibid, pg 253-254

[4] The original apostles were the foundation of the church so there are no modern day apostles (Eph 2:20)

[5] Ibid, pg 260-261

Does Anyone Die Before Their Time?

 

The Bible makes it clear that everyone has an appointment with death. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we are appointed once to die and after this the judgment. Ecclesiastes 3:2 tells us there is a time to be born and a time to die. David in Psalm 139:16 said that all the days ordained for me are written in your book before one of them came to be. Job 14:5 says that man days are determined, the number of his months is with you. And you have appointed his bounds that He cannot pass. What are these verses revealing to us? Our life and times were pre-ordained and determined by God.

Our days are interwoven with the providence of God and every decision we will ever make our entire lives. God knew our lives before our conception. This is what God said to Jeremiah when He commissioned him to be a prophet, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). God mapped out Jeremiah’s life before he was conceived by his mother. Once Jeremiah’s service to God and nation of Israel was complete, he died. His days and times were predetermined by the Lord.

God through the prophet Isaiah said this, “Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient time the things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will do all that please Me, and fulfills my purpose’’’ (Isaiah 46:10, AMP).

Admittedly it is difficult to believe and accept that many people die early. There is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). There are babies that die in utero (still born). Millions of people die of disease and starvation while they are very young. Many very healthy people die every day. Thousand die in car accidents and deadly shootings. Didn’t they die before their time?

We from a human point of view we would say yes, but the Bible is clear that no one dies before their time. No one enters heaven or hell early.

Wait a minute! Please explain Ecclesiastes 7:17

Wise King Solomon is giving practical common sense counsel to his readers in Ecclesiastes 7:17. He says, “Do not be overly wicked, and do not be a fool – why die before your time?”  While it is true God has determined when we are born and when we die, it does not negate the human responsibility to live wisely – to not be bent on being evil and foolish.

So, here is a case where many would say the Bible is contradicting itself, again! Not so. The phrase, “Why die before your time is a colloquialism – it means one dies younger than we would expect from a human point of view.  A colloquialism is defined as informal, unfancy, everyday language. You can liken it to the phrase, “When it rains it pours!” When we use that phrase, we are not talking about literal rain. Rather we are talking about problems in our lives that are increasing way more than we would like them to. We are frustrated with all the trials currently in our lives.

So, when we say He or She died before their time, from the human perspective, they died too soon. We’re looking at it strictly from an age and an emotional perspective. That is an understandable and natural reaction for us. But, when we view life from a divine perspective knowing that God has our years in His hands, and knows every decision (which are not predetermined, we make them ourselves), we will ever make, then we understand that NO life no matter how mysterious, tragic and unexplainable its twists and turns is no accident, with God.

God’s ways are indeed higher than ours and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). The Apostle Paul said it perfectly:

 

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord (emphasis added), or who has been His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it would be paid back to Him? For from Him (all things originate), and through Him (all things live and exist) and to Him are all things (directed). To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen (Romans 11:33-36, AMP).

God has never been like us. We need to be more like Him (Psalm 50:21b).

What Is Moralism?

 Moralism is when someone lives by a moral code – whether Biblical or Non-Biblical. Most people in the world are Moralists. Moralists determine for themselves what code of ethics they will live by. For instance, you have many people who do not smoke, drink, or cuss. They give to the hungry, they clothed the naked, they are kind to their neighbors and members in their children’s PTA. I learned from my youngest daughter according to Tik Tok, one cannot use the word suicide for those that take their own lives, or you will get cancelled. One must use the PC phrases and words such as accidental death and un-alive[1]. Saying suicide although true is immoral in Tik Tok-ism. On a human level, moralists are great people. So, when they die will they go to heaven or hell? The non-religious moralist does not believe in a fire and brimstone hell. They have convinced themselves that a loving God would never send anyone to hell; no one is so bad that they deserve to be tortured for eternity right? So, the only conclusion for them is they would go to heaven or a better place after death. The non-religious moralist moral code is based on self-reliance.

Most people in the world’s moralism is described above; give or take a few deeds.

There is also the religious moralist. This person is often a stuck-up prudish snob and legalist. They also have a strict moral code. The problem with them is that they believe everyone has to follow their code of ethics or they can never be truly saved. Women cannot wear pants or make up in Church. If they wear a skirt, it must be below the knees. They have to make sure their pants are not too tight; not caring or realizing people have different body types.  You must speak in tongues, or you’re not filled with the Holy Spirit. If you do not tithe, you’re robbing God, and you will be broke. If you’re not in “divine health” you lack faith and must be in sin. You cannot go to the movies or listen to secular music for that is worldly. The religious moralist may or may not be saved. But because they adhere to their strict moral code of do’s and don’ts, they believe that is what the Christian life is all about.

You see the problem with both views is they focus on the externals, and not on the condition of the heart. The first group ignores God entirely and focuses on their works. Without a change of heart which can only happen when one is born again, they will never please God. The Bible says the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight (Proverbs 15:8). God is disgusted with the deeds of evil people. No matter how benevolent it seems to them, God is repulsed by them because they come from an impure heart. Their “good” deeds are the sacrifice of Cain (Genesis 4:5-7).

The second group, the religious moralist, are guilty of combining genuine faith and tradition. Their theology is a hybrid of faith plus works. This makes for a Good Catholic, but a bad Christian. Paul rebukes the Galatians for this behavior. In Galatians one we read, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel (italics added for emphasis), which is not another; but there are some (the religious moralist) who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you that what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9).

Paul also had to rebuke Peter to his face regarding his hypocrisy; stating that Gentile Christians had to obey the laws of Moses in order to be saved. In verse sixteen of Galatians 2, Paul told Peter that no man is justified by the works of the law.

Faith in Christ alone is what justifies us.

The child of God must be moral and holy for the Lord commands that we are (Lev 11:44; 19:2; 1 Pet 1:16). Morality and holiness is post salvation. Living a sanctified life is a true mark of a genuine believer. It is allowing our light to shine so that men may see our good works and that we glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

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[1] The word un-alive is a euphemism for death.

What Does It Mean To Judge?

 

Judge definition:

A: a public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court

B: one appointed to decide in a contest or competition: UMPIRE

C: one who gives an authoritative opinion

D: CRITIC

 

One of the Greek words for judge is anakrino. It means to examine, investigate, to question.

The world always says that “Only God can judge them!” That's from the Book of Tupac! If they really knew what the judgment of God entails, they would never say that. For some reason, people (even professing Christians) say that we are not to judge. The scripture often sited is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not lest you be judged.” If you isolate that verse, then you have a leg to stand on. But Jesus makes that statement based on the following verses. You see, one has to read the entire text to understand the context.

This is what He says starting with verse two, “For with judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you meet, it shall be measured unto you. And why behold the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but not consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, let me cast out the mote (speck) in your eye and lo, the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of your eye, and then you can see clearly to cast out the mote that is in your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:2-5).

You see the point Jesus was making? You cannot help someone with their problem, if you have a bigger problem than they do. That makes one a hypocrite. Jesus said in John 7:24, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment (italics mine).  What is the point Jesus is making in Matthew and John’s gospels, we judge based on verifiable facts, not on appearance, and not hypocritically (Romans 2:1).

Where we are commanded to judge

In John 4:1 the apostle commands us to test the spirits for many false prophets have come into the world. What determines a false prophet? Someone who speaks lies in the name of the Lord and one who teaches false doctrine. We are to call that out as heresy. Why? Because if we don’t, many people will be deceived and led astray. So, this a Biblical mandate to judge. Paul in Titus said one of the qualifications of an elder is to be able to teach sound (or healthy) doctrine both to exhort and convict or rebuke those who contradict (or speak against, Titus 1:9). What does that mean? We have to examine and make a decision (i.e. judge) the false doctrine that we hear. How? Through the lens of scripture.

We are to judge not condemn

Believe it or not there is a difference. Judging involves drawing conclusions after examining the facts. Detectives, lawyers, private investigators must make judgments. Why? Because they are fact finders. What people mean when they cry out, “Don’t judge me” is they do not want someone to pass sentence on them as if they are a judge in a court of law. So many people that do not want to be judged are always judging themselves. Those who hate God love to judge that God is a monster because He allows evil. Progressive Christians are saying for God the Father to send Christ to die is cosmic child abuse. Or they judge the Bible saying it condoned slavery or the denigration of women. Are these not judgments – unrighteous judgments at that?  That is judging and condemning. Something man does not have the right to do unless they are indeed a judge and passing sentence on convicted criminals.

Again, we judge unrighteous when we criticize someone with a problem, and we have a bigger problem than them; that’s hypocritical. We also judge unrighteous when we make rash decisions without examining and gathering all the facts of a matter.

As an apologist we MUST judge everything against the Word of God. If what was said or done is against the word of God, we rebuke it. This must always be done in love and truth (Ephesians 4:15). Judging is always going to come across as harsh so we need to be as tenderhearted as we can. The writer’s intent is to always point all to the truth of God’s Word and not share my opinion only.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.                          

- 1 Peter 3:15

 

What Is A Christian?

The writer will begin by saying what a Christian is not. A person is not a Christian because they are religious (See Acts 17:22)[1]. A person is not a Christian because they attend Church. It does not matter if they attended the same Church for fifty years, serve as a deacon, teach Sunday School, or is involved in the homeless ministry, feed the hungry and visit convalescent homes. A person is not a Christian because they are a gifted singer that leads the choir (good lookin out Gee)! A person is not a Christian because they can play an instrument or multiple instruments on the praise team. A person is not a Christian because their Father is a Pastor, and their Mother is an Evangelist. Proxy saves no one. A person is not a Christian because they “feel Jesus in their heart.” Salvation is never based on our subjective sentimental feelings. A person is not a Christian because they have been water baptized. Baptism has never saved anyone. A person is not a Christian because they wear a crucifix around their neck and kisses it. You’re not a Christian because you have graduated from Seminary or Bible College. A Church cannot make someone a Christian just like someone standing in a garage will not make them a Mercedes Benz.

All the above are charitable deeds, but they are works of the flesh that can never save the soul. The Bible declares that no works of the flesh can justify us or make us right with God (Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16).

The word Christian was not given to believers by believers. It came from the Greeks. Believers in Christ were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). They mostly meant it as a pejorative. The only other times the word Christian is used in scripture is Acts 26:28 when King Herod Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian,” and in 1 Peter 4:16.

A Biblical definition of Christian is one who belongs to the party of Christ or one who is a disciple of Christ. Now, back to the question. How does one become a Christian? A person is saved upon hearing the gospel message and has repented of their sins and has placed their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

To repent means to change your mind. We agree with God that our sins are egregious in His sight. All sin must be judged and punished. Worst of all sin breeds death (Romans 6:23). When one places their faith in Christ substitutionary atoning sacrifice, He takes away their sin, thus forgiving them and grants them His righteousness. This results in the sinner receiving eternal life. But in order for us to be made alive, Jesus had to die. Why? Because he bore our sins on the tree (1 Peter 2:24).

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Believers realize that salvation has nothing to do with anything they have done, but with all that Jesus has done. Titus 3:4-7 says, “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is gift of God not of works lest anyone should boast.”

Man is completely impotent in this process. The grace and faith are gifts that are given to the redeemed sinner to empower them to believe. The Prophet Jonah said it best, “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9).

Another passage that describes true conversion is Romans 10:9-10, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Romans 4:24b-25 says Jesus was raised from the dead who was first delivered up because of our offences and was raised because of our justification. Did you catch that reader? Jesus HAD to die because of our sin, and He HAD to raise from the dead in order for us to be justified before God the Father. The famous hymn “Jesus Paid It All” is true.

What a Christian does and must develop into

True believers work out their salvation daily (Philippians 2:12-13).

They endure numerous trials realizing tribulation builds character (James 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:1-6)

They always pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

They study the Word to show themselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15)

They fulfill the great commission to preach the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)

They fight against their sin and are broken when they are defeated by it (Read Romans 7, entire chapter)

They pickup their cross and live a life of self-denial (Matthew 16:24-25)

They are continually confessing their sins, not for salvation but for ongoing fellowship with the Lord and continual cleansing and righteousness (1 John 1:9)

They exhibit the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

They support their brothers and sisters caught in sin without judging them realizing their own propensity to sin themselves (Galatians 6:1)

They are always forgiving others realizing Christ has forgiven them (Ephesians 4:28-32)

They desire to live peacefully with all people and refuse to take personal vengeance (Romans 12:17-21)

They love and pray for their enemies (Matthew 5:44)

They remain morally and sexually pure (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)

They boldly defend the Word of God and rebuke those who contradict it (Titus 1:9)

They hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6)

They realize that being a witness for Christ could mean their death (Acts 1:8). The word witness in Greek is Martus or Martur where we get the English word Martyr. Yes, the cost of discipleship is very high.

 

 They long for the Lord’s return (Revelation 22:20)

Sadly, the “Christianity” that many have embraced is cultural and social, but not biblical or salvific. A lot of people like a lot of things they see in Christendom like feeding the hungry, visiting the sick or being kind to the homeless. This makes us feel good about ourselves. But, when it comes to living a holy life, defending the faith, rebuking false teachings, or submitting to the Lordship of Jesus and sharing the gospel they are not

committed. Only those who do the will of the Father will ever reach heaven. Pretenders will be left out (Matthew 7:21-23).

We perform good works because we are saved. We do not perform good works to get saved. If unrepentant vile sinners can merit salvation by what they do, then God the Father was most cruel in sending Jesus to be beaten and crucified, shed His precious blood and die for nothing.

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[1] The word religious in this passage is where we get the word superstitious. It means fear of gods or demons