Does Acts 3:26 Teach Lordship Salvation? No!

Acts 3:25-26, “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”

Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) said: “A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one.” At a glance this passage may shake the faith of some free grace Gospel believers. Did we get the Gospel wrong? Is the Lordship Salvation crowd right after all? This passage from Acts 3:26 is one of their go-to Scripture passages, in the lame attempt to justify a false gospel. They do “wrest” (Greek: strebloo—to torture by the rack) the Scriptures to their own destruction. 2nd Peter 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” It is not a light matter to God that John MacArthur, Steve Pettit, Sam Horn, Marty Herron, John Piper, R.C. Sproul, Adrian Rogers, Paul Washer and countless other Calvinists, pervert the Holy Scriptures to complicate God's grace into something He never intended for it to be—hard and difficult!

So what does Acts 3:26 mean? Again, a good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one. It shows poor Bible study skills when someone bases a doctrine on one particular passage of Scripture, while ignoring the rest of the Bible. Please consider the following Scripture passages:

Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Luke 1:76-77, “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,”

Ephesians 2:5-10, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

In hundreds of Bible references throughout the inspired Word of God, we are taught that salvation is simply by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31). We trust Jesus because He died on the cross to pay for our sins, was buried, and three days later He resurrected bodily from the dead (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). The only requirement to be saved is to recognize your need as a guilty sinner for redemption (Romans 3:19-20), and that redemption is found only by faith in Jesus Christ our Savior (Galatians 3:24-26; 1st Timothy 4:10).

Acts 3:26 simply means that God sent His only begotten Son to SAVE US FROM OUR SINS. Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The Bible is not teaching in Acts 3:26 that turning away from the act of sinning is required to be saved. That would be WORKS! That would be KEEPING THE DEEDS OF THE LAW for salvation. Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” The LAW and the GOSPEL are two keys—the law is the key that shuteth up all men under condemnation, and the Gospel is the key which opens the door and lets them out. Acts 3:26 simply means that Jesus has the key to open the door, to free men from the condemnation that their sins bring upon them! Let's read our intriguing text passage again, shall we:

Acts 3:25-26, “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”

Carefully notice WHO does the turning... JESUS! Contrary to the Lordship Salvation heresy which demands that YOU turn from your sins to be saved, the Bible teaches that JESUS came to save us from our sins. The man who repents “TOWARD GOD” (Acts 20:21), has turned his back against his sins. That doesn't mean he is going to forsake them, it simply means that he has recognized his sinnership, as a guilty sinner under the condemnation of God's law, and as a needy sinner he turns to Christ to be saved by faith alone. Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” It is very important to learn in the preceding Bible passage, that the purpose of the law is not to convince men to forsake living in sin; but rather, to BELIEVE the 'Good News' (Gospel) of the Lord Jesus Christ crucified, buried and risen, to be forgiven of your sins.

In Acts 3:25, “thy seed” does not refer to the Jews (Israel), but to Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). Zionism is a doctrine of devils which has infected many churches today, removing the emphasis from THE GOSPEL, and instead placing it upon ISRAEL. God promised to bless all the nations of the earth in Jesus Christ, through the saving power of the Gospel. God sent Jesus to the Jews first with the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Jesus didn't come to tell us to forsake our sins to be saved; but rather, He came to die on the cross to pay our debt of sin, to save us from our sins, so that we wouldn't be enslaved to our sins anymore. ...

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Over and over in the Word of God, we are taught that Jesus came to SAVE US, not to reform us! Turning from one's sins is reformation, not regeneration! Let's define a few terms:

• Penitence - sorrow for one's sins
• Penance - making a mend for one's sins
• Reformation - turning from one's sins
• Repentance - a change of mind
• Regeneration - the new birth

Penitence, penance and reformation are NOT required for salvation, but may indeed accompany or follow one's faith. Carefully notice in the next passage of Scripture that as believers “WE SHOULD” live for Christ, not MUST, not WILL, but “SHOULD”...

Titus 2:11-13, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

Acts 3:26 seems like a doctrinally tricky passage, but if we compare Scripture with Scripture, and refuse to base a doctrine upon one single passage, then we can only logically conclude that this passage refers to the saving work of Jesus Christ. Acts 3:26b, “having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” It was God the Father who SENT JESUS TO BLESS YOU, in turning us from our sins!!! This is no way mandates forsaking sins to receive God's free gift of eternal life, it simply means that when God saves a sinner, He begins to sanctify that individual. No born-again believer can live in willful sin without God's hand of chastisement upon their life (Hebrews 12:6-8). God is not an absent parent, He will chastise His saints. Proverbs 3:12, “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” 

God did not save us just to rescue us from the fires of Hell. God has a plan and a purpose for our life (Philippians 2:13). The Lord said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b). God wants every believer to forsake iniquity in their life. 2nd Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” No saint can live above sin, but we can try to live above reproach, and SHOULD live for Christ. But we must never alter God's simple plan of salvation in a sinful attempt to coerce people to forsake their sinful ways. To do so guarantees a ticket to Hell! You're either 100% trusting what Jesus did on the cross to pay for your sins, or else you're not saved at all. 

Fake preachers who teach that you must trust Jesus, but you must also pay the “cost” of surrendering everything to Christ as “LORD,” are of the Devil. They say, “LORD, LORD,” but they do not the will of the Father, which is to believe on the Son of God and nothing else (John 6:40). Evangelist Steve Pettit says it will cost you. Dr. Pettit is a false prophet!!! Pastor Paul Washer says God's free gift will cost you! He is a theological liar! Pastor John MacArthur says God's free gift will cost you! Dr. MacArthur has been inspired by demons! Did you know that these heretical men are all in agreement with the cult of the Jehovah's Witnesses? It is true! The JW's falsely teach:

“Salvation is a free gift from God. It cannot be earned. Yet it does require effort on our part.” —What Must We Do To Be Saved? - Watchtower

That is exactly what Steve Pettit, Sam Horn, Marty Herron, R.C. Sproul, Ray Comfort, Adrian Rogers, Kirk Cameron, Harvest Baptist Church on Guam, Moody Bible Institute, Bob Jones University, and other hellbound Calvinists and heretics are teaching nowadays!!! YOU DON'T HAVE TO TURN FROM YOUR SINS TO BE SAVED, JESUS CAME TO TURN YOU FROM YOUR SINS, BY HIS SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS!!!

The ungodly proponents of the Lordship Salvation heresy, need to stop perverting the Gospel of free grace in order to force people to try to forsake their sins, and allow God to raise His children! Eternal life is the free gift of God, which you simply receive by faith. Getting saved is free, easy, simple and instantaneous if you want it oh sinner! John 11:25-26, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” This verse simply means that we have eternal life abiding in us, because we are alive in Christ by believing in Him. Do you believe dear friend?

The Story Of Cornelius Shows The Simplicity Of Salvation

Acts 10:1-4, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.”

I love the story of Cornelius in the Bible. Cornelius was a good man—a religious man—who feared God, prayed, fasted and gave alms to the poor; yet, he was a lost man without Jesus Christ. This is a very important lesson to learn. You can be a devout religious person all your life, yet still go to Hell to burn when you die, to suffer forever for your sins. Sin must be paid for (Romans 6:23; 5:12). Jesus warned that in the future, many religious people will not be allowed into Heaven. Matthew 7:22-23, “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.” They followed Jesus as their sovereign Master, even calling Him “Lord, Lord.” This is the error of the proponents of Lordship Salvation today, who believe that salvation requires full surrender to Christ's Lordship. Yet, Jesus will one day say to them the horrifying words, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

In Matthew 7:20-21 we read what they did wrong to miss Heaven, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.” The will of the Father is to submit to His righteousness, through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:2-4, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” The Old Testament LAW shows humanity our sinfulness and need for redemption, and then brings us to CHRIST to be saved by God's grace (Galatians 3:24-26). 

Let's read about Cornelius' conversion:

Acts 10:39-44, “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.”

When a person gets saved, God's Holy Spirit comes inside their body to indwell them (1st Corinthians 3:16-17; Romans 8:9; 1st John 3:24). That is why we just read that the Holy Spirit fell upon them that heard the Gospel Peter preached, because they BELIEVED it! This is why the apostle Paul asked in Galatians 3:2, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Paul had been informed that a religious cult infiltrated the church at Galatia, teaching another gospel of keeping the deeds of the law for salvation (Galatians 1:6-9; 3:1-3). So Paul writes to them, asking them how they got the Holy Spirit. Was it by works, or by the hearing of faith? I love that phrase... THE HEARING OF FAITH. This shows the simplicity of salvation. 

If you read the beautiful story of Cornelius, you'll find that the apostle Peter never tells them to do anything to be saved, He simply told the GOOD NEWS of Jesus who died on the cross, was buried, and physically resurrected.

Carefully notice that:

• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to follow Jesus.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to surrender all to God.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to get water baptized.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to make Jesus his Lord.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to join a church.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to get religion.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to publicly confess Christ as his Savior.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to invite Jesus into his heart.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to start a relationship with Jesus.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to change his life.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to turn away from his sins.
• Peter didn't tell Cornelius to forsake the world.

In fact, Peter DIDN'T TELL CORNELIUS TO DO ANYTHING!!! Peter simply told the story of Jesus of Nazareth, Who went about doing good and healing the sick, but the unbelieving Jews had Him crucified on a cross for our sins. Jesus bled and DIED on the cross. He was BURIED. And then Christ miraculously RESURRECTED bodily from the dead three days later. This is “the Gospel” [i.e., Good News] according to the Holy Scriptures:

1st Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

In Acts 10:30-45 Peter said that anyone who believes on the name of Jesus, Who died on the cross for our sins and raised up the third day, shall receive a pardon for their sins. That was the simple Gospel message, which Cornelius simply and quietly BELIEVED and was immediately saved. Amen!!! Whew, that's good stuff! Peter never told Cornelius to do anything to be saved, he simply preached the Gospel of Christ's death on the cross for our sins, His burial, and bodily resurrection the third day. The very moment that Cornelius believed, he was forever born-again and saved. The hardest part about salvation for people to understand is that you get it by DOING NOTHING!!! You simply REST COMPLETELY in the finished work of Jesus Christ, and then God does the saving... ALL OF IT!!!

The only “work” that we can do to be saved is to run to Jesus as our Savior. We do this by believing that Jesus is Who He claimed to be... THE CHRIST! John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” Believe the Good News of Christ crucified and risen! John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” There is absolutely nothing that we can do to save ourselves, or even help save ourselves. We are all dirty, filthy, sinners, in need of the Savior. Jesus paid our debt of sin. Christ paid a debt that He did not owe, because we owed a debt that we could not pay. Praise God, JESUS PAID IT ALL!!! If you receive the Gospel as full-payment for your sins, you are saved.

This is such a beautiful passage of Scripture in Acts 10:30-45. The Apostle Peter never told Cornelius to do one thing to be saved. Peter never told Cornelius to “turn away from sins” (a popular heresy taught in today's apostate churches). In fact, Peter never mentioned the word “repent” to Cornelius. You won't find even one mention of the words “repent” or “repentance” in Acts chapter 10. Could the Bible be any clearer that the man who believes has repented? I think not. Peter just shared the 'Good News' of Christ crucified and risen the third day; Cornelius believed and was saved. It's that simple to be saved. For many of you, this truth has no doubt opened your eyes to the level of doctrinal corruption in today's churches. Anytime you hear someone telling you all the different things you must do to be saved, you know they are deceived by Satan! Just believe and the work is done!

Problem With Eternal Security Is Problem With Gospel

John 6:47-50, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.”

If you have a problem with eternal security, you have a problem with the Gospel. I thank God that I am on the right side of truth. There is much debate in the churches today regarding how to be saved. As an independent fundamentalist Baptist preacher, and moreover a born-again Christian, I am particularly concerning about my own Baptist camp. Tragically, the Devil has crept many tares (unsaved people) into the churches, bringing in a counterfeit gospel of turning from sins and Lordship Salvation to receive God's free gift. Something is wrong with most of our churches; they are sick, they are compromised, they are complicit, they are indifferent and they are dying. 

In our text passage Jesus said that He is the “BREAD OF LIFE.” Whosoever eats the bread come down from Heaven will never die. I love that! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Nowhere in the inspired King James Bible are we taught that we must live a certain way to get to Heaven. When should a person KNOW that they have eternal life? At one point in your Christian life can a person KNOW that they are saved. Dear reader, you should KNOW IMMEDIATELY when you get saved, that you have eternal security. It is very important that you understand dear friend, that eternal security and eternal life are not two separate teachings in the Bible, they are one and the SAME doctrine! When you accept Christ you have eternal life. The moment you have the Son, you are saved forever! The Son and eternal life are THE SAME. You cannot have the Son without having eternal life!!! To have the Son is to have eternal life!!! You can and should KNOW that you have the guarantee (the PROMISE) of eternal life immediately upon accepting Jesus as your Savior!

I am heartbroken as I hear popular and trusted preachers corrupt the Gospel. Case in point is Dr. Steve Pettit (president of Bob Jones University since 2014), who denies the doctrine of eternal security. On January 26, 2020 at BJU, he told 2,700 students:

“You can't just speak about getting saved, and you accepted Christ, and then that's it! There is a justification; There is a sanctification; There's ultimately a glorification, and though there are three parts, they are all part of the whole, and you cannot separate them. In order for you to qualify for the award, you have to get into the race, you have to stay in the race, and you have to finish the race. If you want to win, you have to run to the end; and winning in the Christian life is everything, because if you lose—if you don't finish—you lose everything—you lose your SOUL. And so, the Christian race is the life of faith that begins, is run, and is finished when we cross over into Heaven!” —Dr. Steve Pettit (“What Does It Mean To Run 'The Race'?” - 11:34)

Dr. Pettit is a false prophet, who teaches that you CANNOT KNOW you are 100% saved, until you finish the race when you get to Heaven. There are no Biblical requirements or stipulations on how you have to live to get to Heaven, otherwise salvation cannot be by God's grace! Mr. Pettit further heretically states: 

“So when we talk about 'The Race,' what are we talking about? We're talking about beginning and salvation, and then running the race through pursuing holiness and ministry, and service to others. But then let me say, that number three: This race HAS TO be faithfully run to the finish! You HAVE TO finish. Salvation is not just a past reality—“I GOT SAVED,” but is a future destiny! The race is not completed until you cross the finish line at death. What is this race—it is the race as we are running as we are headed toward Heaven.” —Dr. Steve Pettit (“What Does It Mean To Run 'The Race'?” - 10:27)

That is a corrupt plan of salvation, which superficially professes the simplicity that is in Christ by faith alone, but then perverts the Gospel by requiring discipleship in order to be saved. Salvation must be by grace and by grace alone!!! God's grace is UNMERITED. If you cannot say, “I HAVE IT,” then you don't understand or posses it! You and I do not understand that God does not see the way we see. It sounds logical that we should have to be willing to turn from our sins to be saved, but that is not how God sees it. We cannot save ourselves. Eternal life is the free gift of God, and there are no obligations, conditions or stipulations. Simply receive His gift by faith, by placing your childlike trust (reliance) in the risen Savior's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins. It's that easy and simple!

Beware of anyone who questions or denies the Bible doctrine of eternal security. 

“Being saved is not something that you perform, it is something that He performs.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, a great quote from the awesome sermon, “Raised For Our Justification”

Salvation Doesn't Require Leaving All To Follow Jesus

Matthew 19:21-30, “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”

This is one of the most misunderstood passages in the Holy Bible. A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one. In the following quote from Evangelist Paul Washer, who is a heretical Calvinist (and so also is Steve Pettit, Sam Horn, Marty Herron, Bob Jones University, Moody Bible Institute, Pacific Garden Mission's Unshackled, Ray Comfort and John MacArthur), he perverts the Gospel by applying Matthew 19:27 (“we have left everything and followed you”) to redemption.

At first glance, Matthew 19:21-30 can seem frightening to a free grace believer, shaking our faith and making us question if perhaps we were wrong. It sure does seem like Jesus is teaching Lordship Salvation, doesn't it? Dear reader, nothing could be further from the truth. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Carefully notice in Matthew 19:27 that the Apostle Peter is BOASTING of his own good works, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” 

You must keep in mind that Jesus just rebuked the rich young ruler for trying to earn his way to Heaven. The Lord wasn't giving that young man a plan of salvation (as the Lordship Salvation crowd foolishly think), Jesus was using the law the way it was intended to be used, to show the young man that he was NOT GOOD ENOUGH to get to Heaven by his own merit. When the Lord told him to go sell everything he owned, and give it to the poor, the rich young ruler went away very sad. The Lord afterwards told his DISCIPLES that it would be easier to thread a needle with a camel, than for a rich men to go to Heaven. The disciples responded by asking in verse 25, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied by saying that it is IMPOSSIBLE with men, but with God all things are possible (John 1:12-13). 

The context of this seemingly difficult passage is very clear—no one can keep the law to be saved, salvation is of the Lord, it is the free gift of God. We must remember that Peter is still ignorant of theology, and is asking ignorant questions. The Lord had just told the young man to go sell everything he owned, and give it to the poor, if he wanted to perfectly keep the law of Moses to be saved. So now Peter is thinking, “Hey, I've given up everything, so what am I going to get out of all this?” The Lord beautifully responds by assuring the disciples, that in addition to their salvation (which is by faith alone), they will inherit all things as God's child, and also be rewarded by God for their sacrificial service for Him (Matthew 10:42; 1st Corinthians 3:6-9). Revelation 21:7, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Romans 8:32b promises that in addition to His only begotten Son, God will give the saints “ALL THINGS” in eternity. That is what Jesus was teaching His disciples in Matthew 19:21-20. It is sad that the advocates of Lordship Salvation pervert this passage, as they wrestle the whole Bible, to their own destruction: 

2nd Peter 3:16-17, “As also in all his [Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”

Please do not be led away with the error of Bob Jones University, which has been infiltrated and taken over by infidels. I hope by God's grace dear friend that I have made Matthew 19:21-30 easy for you to understand. The very fact that Peter is boasting of following Christ, ought to tell us that this cannot be the way of salvation, because it would contradict Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is by grace through faith WITHOUT WORKS! The Lordship Salvation gang (i.e., Calvinists), all twist and pervert the Holy Scriptures. The Bob Jones' camp are arrogant beyond belief today, stiffnecked and full of sinful pride. Their leaders all get paid lucrative 6-digit salaries (including Steve Pettit, Sam Horn, Marty Herron and John MacArthur). Dr. MacArthur's net worth is $14,000,000. Spiritual crime pays well! Their arrogance will cease when they stand before God someday (Hebrews 9:27). Lordship Salvation is a perversion of grace, and is not the Gospel taught in the Gospel of John.

When Jesus spoke with the rich young ruler, He was talking with an unsaved person; but afterwards the Lord spoke with His disciples, who were already saved by faith. So we need to keep this in mind when interpreting such Scripture passages. To whom was the Lord speaking, to the saved or unsaved? In the case of Matthew 19:21-30, Jesus was speaking to the saved. It is gross theological incompetence for anyone, like Paul Washer, to apply this passage to the free gift of eternal life, which is received by faith alone in the dear Savior.

In closing, if you'll go back to view the photo and quote I shared with you earlier by Evangelist Paul Washer, you'll see that he says salvation requires following Jesus “AT ALL COSTS.” Dear reader, Jesus paid your debt of sin on the cross with His precious blood, because you owed a massive debt that you simply could not pay! THERE IS NO COST TO RECEIVE GOD'S FREE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE!!! Paul Washer is a dingleberry for a theologian! If you and I were to pay for our own sins, to repay the wages of sin that we owe, we'd have to burn and suffer in the torments of Hell-fire forever and ever. If you don't understand that, it is only because you fail to grasp just how holy and righteous God is, and how much He absolutely cannot allow or tolerate sin (1st Corinthians 6:9-11; James 2:10).

The full payment for your sins has been made dear friend (1st Peter 1:18-19). Your gift of eternal life is waiting for you to come get it, which is wrapped in the wonderful package of Jesus Christ! With mere childlike faith, if you'll simply come to God as a needy sinner, receiving Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, believing that He was buried, and three days later physically resurrected from the dead, you will be immediately and permanently saved! This is “The Gospel” (1st Corinthians 15:1-4), by which we are saved, to them that believe (Romans 1:16). You have God's Word on it! John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Salvation Is Either By Grace Or Works, But Not Both

Romans 11:1-6, “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

I love that passage of Scripture. The apostle Paul is writings to the Gentile believer at Rome. He teaches them about Israel. God has not cast away His people. In 586 BC, God delivered Israel into the cruel hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. It was the third and final invasion of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. 

War is a cruel thing! I have studied war much throughout history, crying often as I read about the atrocities inflicted by one human being against another. Most of the Jewish men were slaughtered by Babylon when Jerusalem was conquered. The people were tortured and killed by the sword. Many of the women and girls were gang raped by the soldiers. Their homes were burned to the ground. Several thousand surviving Jews were taken captive as slaves, marched 400 miles east to Babylon. These type of brutalities exist in all wars. During World War II, between 1945 and 1949, over 125,000 women were brutally raped, many of whom commit suicide. Some were forced by their own fathers to commit suicide, in disgrace and shame. Over 10,000 German women in Berlin died as a result of sexual abuse by soldiers. This is the ugly reality of the human race at its worst without God! 

Since 586 BC, Israel has no longer existed as a sovereign nation. God divorced Israel because of her habitual adultery with false gods (Jeremiah 3:8). The apostle Paul teaches in Romans 11:1-6 that God has not abandoned His people, but has made a way to come back, but only through faith. Elijah was depressed and thought he was the only saint left in the land, but God told Elijah that He had 7,000 more saints, who had not bowed their knee a whoring after Baal. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” Jesus didn't say you must be willing to “repent of your sin” to have eternal life, he simply said to BELIEVE ON ME!!! Do you believe dear reader? Is all your hope in the finished redemptive work of Christ? Mine is! If I go to Hell it will be Jesus' fault, because I am completely trusting Him, because He died on the cross for my sins, was buried, and physically resurrected 72 hours later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). That is “the simplicity that is in Christ” (2nd Corinthians 11:3b). It is simple, easy and free to be saved. To “be saved” is synonymous in the Bible with being “born again,” “redeemed,” “converted” or “a child of God.” If you are saved, you are a redeemed saint of God. Amen!

We're not saved by works, nor are we kept saved by works! God's gift is salvation, not probation! The only kind of life God gives is eternal life, not temporary life or probationary life. I am heartbroken as I hear popular and trusted preachers corrupt the Gospel. Case in point is Dr. Steve Pettit (president of Bob Jones University since 2014), who denies the doctrine of eternal security. On January 26, 2020 at BJU, he told 2,700 students:

“You can't just speak about getting saved, and you accepted Christ, and then that's it! There is a justification; There is a sanctification; There's ultimately a glorification, and though there are three parts, they are all part of the whole, and you cannot separate them. In order for you to qualify for the award, you have to get into the race, you have to stay in the race, and you have to finish the race. If you want to win, you have to run to the end; and winning in the Christian life is everything, because if you lose—if you don't finish—you lose everything—you lose your SOUL. And so, the Christian race is the life of faith that begins, is run, and is finished when we cross over into Heaven!” —Dr. Steve Pettit (“What Does It Mean To Run 'The Race'?” - 11:34)

Dr. Pettit is a false prophet, who teaches that you CANNOT KNOW you are 100% saved, until you finish the race when you get to Heaven. There are no Biblical requirements or stipulations on how you have to live to get to Heaven, otherwise salvation cannot be by God's grace! Mr. Pettit further heretically states: 

“So when we talk about 'The Race,' what are we talking about? We're talking about beginning and salvation, and then running the race through pursuing holiness and ministry, and service to others. But then let me say, that number three: This race HAS TO be faithfully run to the finish! You HAVE TO finish. Salvation is not just a past reality—“I GOT SAVED,” but is a future destiny! The race is not completed until you cross the finish line at death. What is this race—it is the race as we are running as we are headed toward Heaven.” —Dr. Steve Pettit (“What Does It Mean To Run 'The Race'?” - 10:27)

That is a corrupt plan of salvation, which superficially professes the simplicity that is in Christ by faith alone, but then perverts the Gospel by requiring discipleship in order to be saved. Salvation must be by grace and by grace alone!!! God's grace is UNMERITED. If you cannot say, “I HAVE IT,” then you don't understand or posses it! Anyone who clearly understands what Christ did on the cross will not have a problem with eternal security. When they understand THE GOSPEL, they will not have a problem with eternal security! Eternal security is not a separate doctrine from salvation, IT IS SALVATION!!! Those who do not know they are saved forever, usually do not know they were saved to start with! If you've ever been saved, you still are saved!!! No amount of fear, worry or doubt can nullify your eternal life!!! IF SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED!!!

Romans 11:1-6 teaches that God has reserved a remnant of Israel, all born-again Jews, saved by faith alone. No unsaved Jew will ever enter into Heaven, and no believing Gentile will ever enter into Hell. The Bible teaches that Jews and Gentiles alike are saved by faith. Gentiles are adopted into Abraham's seed. Literally, if you are saved as a Gentile, you are a spiritual Jew. ...

Galatians 3:26-29, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

It matters not whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, the Messiah Himself said: “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN” (John 3:7). My mother was Swedish. My father was English. “Stewart” is an English name. As far as I know, I am fully a Gentile; yet the Bible says I am of the seed of Abraham, because we share God as our heavenly Father. Romans 2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” 

The Bible is so simple. God's promise of blessings ALWAYS followed a line of faith in the Bible, and so it is the same today. Many Jewish people think they are guaranteed eternal life merely because they are biologically, to some extent, Jewish. But the Bible says one is NOT a Jew, who is one OUTWARDLY, but INWARDLY, by faith in Jesus Christ. Do you have the only begotten Son of God dear friend? If you do, you have eternal life; if you don't, you don't have life, but the wrath of God abideth on you (John 3:36). 1st John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” I love that! JESUS IS THE TRUE GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE!!! Jesus is God and eternal life!!! You cannot accept Jesus Christ and not have eternal life, it is IMPOSSIBLE!!! 

“Being saved is not something that you perform, it is something that He performs.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, a great quote from the awesome sermon, “Raised For Our Justification”

What If I Am Not Saved?

Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

I am going to share with you my personal testimony, and battle with the assurance of my salvation for seven miserable years. I don't remember the exact age that I was saved, but I think I was 13. I remember a place, a sermon, my heart's conviction from the blessed Holy Spirit, I knew was a needy sinner, and I placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I didn't think at the time to write down the date, or take notice of how old I was. You don't think about stuff like that unless someone tells you to write it down. That's why I think it's a good idea to tell a new convert to write down the day they got saved, so years later they can reflect back with that knowledge. I was between 12 and 14, that's all I remember as far as my age. I tell everyone I was 13. 

I had prayed a prayer years earlier when I was about 6-7 years old in kindergarten. I didn't really get saved at that early age, but I thought I had in my mind. I was water baptized following this superficial profession. I had been having learning difficulty in public school, so my parents enrolled me into a Christian school. Then I went back to public school for 2nd grade, Christian school for 3rd and 4th, public school for 5th and 6th, and then ultimately a Christian school from 7th grade through high school. I love my parents for enrolling me into the Christian school at a local Baptist church, without which this blog and my online ministry would not exist. I owe it all to my parents, my pastor who led me to the Lord, Pastor Jack Hyles, and most of all my wonderful God and Savior. Being away from the evils of public school kept me out of a lot of trouble as a teenager in Chicago (despite all the trouble I still got into...lol). I strongly encourage all parents to get your kids into a Christian school.

Growing up I had attended several churches; including the Methodist Church, non-denominational, the Salvation Army and Baptist churches. It wasn't until in a fundamental soulwinning Baptist church that I first felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit, where the Gospel was presented. I remember it was on a Sunday morning. I'll never forget what the preacher said. He said if you don't have the Holy Spirit convicting you about sin in your life, then you're not saved. Boy I was scared. I knew God was talking to my heart that morning through the sermon. For the first time in my life I was convicted about my sins.

I had never felt conviction up until that day. I never even thought about the Bible, nor the things of God (and I attended Sunday School regularly). I was used to hearing Bible stories. There was something about that sermon which God intended for me. God convicted me and I got saved. I was too shy to walk an isle. The best I knew how I called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ from my pew and asked Him to forgive my sins and save me. I remember my face being red and my hands griping the pew in front of me, as I was a bit overwhelmed with conviction, emotion and fear.

Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) has a similar salvation testimony as I do. Brother Hutson was saved at age 11, but he couldn't remember the date that he was saved, and he went through years of uncertainty as I did. Here's an awesome sermon by Dr. Curtis Hutson titled, 'ASSURANCE.'

Seven Years Of Uncertainty And Fear As a Teenager

After church that morning, I had fear in my heart on the way home while riding the church bus. I had tears in my eyes. I was afraid of going to Hell. I went home and for the first time in my life began to read the Word of God. I started with a King James Bible (and I thank God I've learned the truth that the King James Bible is the true inspired Word of God). I'll die believing and preaching from the inspired King James Bible! I read Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and then got bored with the Mosaic Law (being your typical teen), so I jumped ahead to the more exciting New Testament. But I was hungry to learn the truth of the Bible. I was reading all the little commentary notes in my “Open Bible” (it was a Nelson study Bible). I remember my mother saying: “You've changed.” I'm fairly certain that I was about 13-years of age, being in 7th grade. I was saved, but I couldn't find any assurance!

The Holy Spirit had come into my body and soul to stay, because I was saved (1st Corinthians 3:16-17). I was a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26). However, I lacked the assurance of my salvation and wouldn't find peace for another seven miserable years. I used to cry in Christian school on Monday, after hearing a sermon on Sunday about Heaven or Hell. I'd hide my tears thinking, “What if?” “What if I go to Hell?” “What if I didn't have enough faith to be saved?” “What if I missed something and didn't pray right?” “What if, what if, what if?” I must have read at least 50 different religious tracts. After reading each one, I'd pray the sinner's prayer. At home I'd fall on my knees and beg God to show me if I was really saved or not. I'd go through the following mental steps time and time again, trying to settle the matter...

1. Do I know that I'm a sinner? ... Yes!
2. Do I believe that there is a penalty for sin in Hell fire forever? ... Yes!
3. Do I believe that Jesus is the Christ who died, was buried and bodily resurrected three days later? ... Yes!
4. Will I believe on the name of Lord, trusting His work of redemption as payment for my sins? ... Yes, yes, yes!

I'd mentally assure myself that God cannot lie and since I obeyed the Bible, I am saved, case closed. Yet, I couldn't deny what I felt in my heart, that is, fear, mental anguish, worry, uncertainty and misery. I was so sad and scared. It was a very lonely feeling! No matter what mental process I went through in an attempt to settle the matter, it wasn't settled!

It didn't help my fears, when I heard sincere preachers say things like:

• “Just take God at His Word!”
• “Don't insult God by questioning your salvation!”
• “Fear only comes from the Devil!”
• “If you don't know you're saved, you're not!”
• “If you worry, then that's not faith and something is wrong!”

I was terrified and all these statements from preachers only made it worse. Although some of those statements are true, they don't help a person obtain the assurance of their salvation. What I needed was knowledge of the truth! I was just ignorant of what God expected of me to be saved. I was saved, but didn't know if there was more required of me.

Eventually, at age 17 I finally couldn't take it anymore and went to my pastor for counseling. After four years of worry, fear, tears, mental anguish and sadness, I wanted help to find out if I was saved or not. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. As you can imagine, I was very apprehensive, because everybody thought I was saved all those years in our Christian church and school. No one ever questioned my salvation. I was worried what people would think about me. What would my pastor think? What would my friends think? But alas, I decided that I didn't care what people though, I wanted to get the assurance of my salvation. I didn't want to worry anymore. I desperately desired to settle the matter once and for all.

When I explained the situation to my pastor, he made a classic mistake that so many preachers make by saying: “If you don't know if you're saved, then you must not be.” That's simply not true. There are many doubting believers who are saved, but as babes in Christ they are ignorant of the Scripture. So my pastor sincerely led me in a sinner's prayer. The next week I was water baptized for the second time in my life, but I was terrified getting into the baptistery, because I still didn't know if I was saved or not. Now (I thought to myself) I'd really look stupid if I went to my pastor, after he thinks I just got saved. I figured if he couldn't help me the first time, then he wouldn't be able to help me the second time either, so I didn't go back.

As I stepped into the baptistery water, all I could think about was Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Was I going to be damned for getting baptized, while still having doubts and fears in my mind and heart about being saved? Was my lack of assurance, in fact, unbelief that would get me damned to Hell? I was water baptized with a worrisome heart, having lingering doubts about my salvation, and I was terrified. What was I going to do? Not knowing that you're saved and on your way to Heaven is one of the most miserable feelings in the world.

I was already saved, but I didn't have peace about it. I had prayed a sinner's prayer at age 17 (but I had already been saved since I was age 13). When I was 13 I didn't pray audibly. I simply believed in my heart for Jesus to forgive my sins. From that moment until this day in 2020, I've felt the blessed presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. That is because the Holy Spirit came to live inside me, the very second that I got saved. Romans 8:9b teaches that every Christian is indwelt by “the Spirit of Christ.” The moment you personally receive Jesus as your personal Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside your body.

You, dear saint, are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1st Corinthians 3:16-17; 1st John 3:24). This is why Christians ought not smoke, drink or abuse their health with junk food and drugs. You are the house of God! God doesn't dwell in a big church building with stained-glass windows, plush carpeting and padded pews; but rather, He lives in you as a true believer in Christ Jesus. Religion superficially worships God in vain in their church buildings and manmade traditions (Matthew 15:7-9; Mark 7:9-13), but Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within the breast of every believer (Luke 17:21). 

Never Assume Someone's Unsaved Because They Have Doubts

It is cruel to tell someone that they must be lost, simply because they don't know for sure they're saved. My situation is a perfect example of why this assumption should never be made. By attempting to lead a person to the Lord who is having doubts, you still haven't addressed their underlying fears, concerns and worries. The worst thing you could ever do to someone having any kind of problem, is to offer them a false hope. By telling someone that they need to get saved to remove their doubts, you're only slapping a temporary patch over a long-term problem, thus forcing them to suffer in continued fear, unanswered questions and endless worry. 

I know the utter misery of not knowing whether or not I'm going to Heaven or Hell. It is a frightening thing to read Scripture passages; such as, Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” and not know for certain you are okay with God. I had already prayed the sinner's prayer at least 50 or more times. I had read through dozens upon dozens of religious tracts. I couldn't stop worrying and I felt bad about myself for having doubts. 

One of the main reason why I couldn't settle my salvation was because of poorly written tracts. Every single tract that I read directed me to PRAY A PRAYER. That really confused me. I love something that I read recently by Dr. Bob Jones Sr. (1883-1968):

“'Pray to be saved. Ask the Lord to save you.' This is what I heard a minister say to a convicted sinner who came forward for prayer at the close of an evangelistic service. Nowhere in the Bible are men told to pray to be saved. There are examples where men did pray and were saved. Men are told to repent, to believe, to obey the Gospel, but the Bible never says to pray for salvation. It does say that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, but nowhere does the Bible command men to pray to be saved. I think I know why, God, who made the human heart, knew that it was not necessary to tell convicted sinners to pray. If a sinner can see Jesus Christ on the cross, it is as natural for him to pray as it is for birds to sing or flowers to bloom. 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.'” —Dr. Bob Jones Sr., “Comments On Here And Hereafter,” chapter: Prayer And Praise, page 163; Bob Jones University Press, Inc., © 1942

I so much love Brother Jones for saying that! I wish I had learned that truth as a teenager, back when I was struggling to find the assurance that I was saved. What I needed as a teenager was some good (doctrinally sound) books on salvation, which I didn't know existed. This is why I am a firm believer, that every church ought to provide free books to help mentor God's flock. I recommend the 'Sword Of The Lord,' who publish numerous books and booklets available on the subject of SALVATION to help new believers.

Doubts are not evidence that a person is not saved. Although some Christian workers and pastors may feel that the safe approach is to lead the person to the Lord, doing so will not remedy the underlying fears, uncertainty and doubt caused by ignorance of the Scripture regarding salvation. We need to teach them Bible truths about eternal security, which is our assurance of salvation. This is why I have published this blog article, to help others who are struggling with the assurance of their salvation to find peace. By God's grace, I have also written a 42 chapter book about my experiences and all I learned, called: 'SALVATION.'

The Epistle of 1st John was written so we can KNOW that we are saved (1st John 5:13). The Bible teaches that a couple of the ways that we know we are saved is if we, love one another, and desire to keep God's Commandments with gladness. These are NOT requirements to be saved; but rather, evidences that we are saved. These are the FRUIT of genuine repentance. Faith is the ROOT (Genesis 15:6). A changed life is the FRUIT (result) of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and not a part of the ROOT of saving faith (Romans 4:5-6). 

Please don't misunderstand the Epistle of 1st John. The key verse is 1st John 3:24, “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” The evidence that we are saved is the blessed indwelling Holy Spirit. If you have Him, you know Him! I have met unsaved Roman Catholics who are sweet, honest and good people. So looking at someone's life is not a reliable way to determine if they are saved. The Epistle of 1st John is for YOU, the individual, to help determine if you have the Holy Spirit in you. I cannot look at you, or anyone else, and determine if someone is saved by the life they live. God is not saying in 1st John that you are not saved if you live in sin, He is saying you are not saved if you don'y have the Holy Spirit in you.

“Just Enough” Faith Is All You Need To Be Saved

God sent a dear man of God who used to preach week-long revivals at our church. I'll never forget something he taught us about Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” He asked, “How much faith does a person need to be saved?” Romans 10:13 answers this question... JUST ENOUGH! If you have “just enough” faith to call upon the name of the Lord, then you will be saved. All God requires is that we obey His Word. It matters not how many doubts you have, just so long as you act upon the faith. All the faith you need to be saved is “just enough” to call (appeal) upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This truth greatly helped me, but I still had worries and doubts concerning all my other questions... WHAT IF? WHAT IF? WHAT IF?

The Promises Of God

One of the most important truths to bare in mind is that salvation is based upon the PROMISE of God. All of the false religious systems in this world are rooted in self-righteous works and uncertainty. Basically you do your best and hope it all works out okay! As Bible-believing Christians we don't have to live with fear, uncertainty or doubt. I've learned that salvation is a PROMISE from God, and that means I can KNOW (beyond any shadow of a doubt) that I am saved. Eternal life is a PROMISE from God. Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” God wants us to have sweet assurance and peace that we are saved and secure. God made us a PROMISE.

But He went further, reminding us in Titus 1:2 that God cannot lie. But He goes even went a step further and informs us that He made this promise of eternal life before the world began. What precious truths! God PROMISED us eternal life in Christ Jesus, a promise that He made before the world was ever created, and God wants us to keep in mind that He never breaks a promise! Brother, that's eternal security!!! If you have been struggling with the assurance of your salvation, I am confident that some of these truths will help you immensely to find the sweet peace and harmony of soul that God wants us all to have. Eternal life is not a reward for good behavior; but rather, it is a gift from God to ungodly sinners, paid for by Jesus' precious blood!

No matter how ungodly you may be, God will forgive you of every sin and declare you justified (Just-If-I'd) never sinned (Romans 4:5-6). All you have to do is cease from your own religious and self-righteous labors; and instead rest upon the PROMISE of eternal life by faith in Jesus, the Christ, Whom God the Father sent into the world to save men from their sins (Luke 19:10). Jesus DIED, He was BURIED, and He ROSE again three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). If you receive the gospel as payment for your sins, then you are saved eternally my friend. I trust that I will meet you in Heaven someday.

I haven't doubted my salvation in well over 20-years now. I fully understand the gospel and what God DOESN'T require of me for salvation. Most religions mislead people to think that God requires a bunch of things from them to get to Heaven. The truth is that the Bible says Jesus paid our sin debt because He loves us, and eternal life is a free gift at no cost, no obligation, nor burden to the recipient. Jesus paid it all! The burden of salvation rests upon Christ, Who bore our sins at Calvary on the cross.

I learned over time that it didn't matter what I could or couldn't remember from years past. Salvation is NOT an experience. Salvation is a new birth, a second birth, a spiritual birth; which is as irreversible as the first physical birth. What matters is that I have faith in my heart NOW, today. I am saved now this minute. I can say with total confidence that I am saved. Biblical salvation is instant and immediate. It is not a process. Eternal l life is a gift from God.

Although I had asked the Lord to save me at least 50 times during a 7-year period, I was saved the first time! At the very moment at which I believed on Jesus Christ to forgive my sins, I was saved eternally. All the other times I prayed a sinner's prayer out of ignorance. Although I was confused back then as a teenager, not being able to see the forest for the trees; in hindsight today I KNOW that I was saved as a young teen. It was like a light switch was flipped in my life. I've felt the strong presence of God's Holy Spirit in my life ever since that morning when I prayed in my heart for the Lord to save me.

I believed on Christ that Sunday morning. I knew that I was a guilty sinner. I knew that I wanted to go to Heaven. I knew that Jesus died, was buried and rose again three days later for my sins. I placed my trust in the Lord the best I new how, receiving the gospel as payment for my sins, and Jesus saved!!! Thank you Lord for dying for my sins and shedding your precious blood!

BEWARE of any false gospel which places the burden of salvation upon the sinner to change, amend his ways, make a commitment, fully surrender to Christ, stop sinful bad habits, forsake the world, or turn over a new leaf. These things are all appropriate in their own respective places; but when added to the gospel they constitute a perverted and corrupted FALSE GOSPEL of self-righteousness! In salvation, the total burden rests upon Jesus Christ! Upon trusting Jesus Christ, anything other than instant and immediate eternal life is a false gospel of self-righteous works!

We are saved by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., Christ's righteousness, and not our own self-righteousness. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see; When I look upon His face, the one Who saved me by His grace; And when He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land; What a day, glorious day, that will be!

Thank God for His precious gift of eternal life, through faith in the gift of His dear Son!

“The Devil's children are always religious people!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, a quote from the sermon titled: “The Sin Question And The Son Question”