God's Imputed Righteousness By Faith

Romans 4:6, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God IMPUTETH righteousness without works.”

What in the world does that big word mean . . . “IMPUTETH”? The word “impute” means “to pass to one’s account, to count over.” It means that God places His righteousness upon our record when we trust upon Christ for salvation. God placed all of our sins upon Christ on the cross. Romans chapter four speaks concerning Abraham, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was COUNTED UNTO HIM for righteousness” (Romans 4:3). 

The word “counted” in Romans 4:5b comes from the Greek word logizomai, which means to “take an inventory.” It is the same exact Greek word as is used for “imputeth” in Romans 4:6. Abram [Abraham] believed the Gospel and it was IMPUTED [COUNTED] UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!!! If you took a piece of paper and drew a line down the middle, listing all your sins on one side and all of Jesus' righteousness on the other, you'd have an inventory. Imputation is God taking all of our sins and placing them upon Christ, and taking all of Jesus' righteousness and transferring it to us. This happens by faith alone.

What a beautiful truth! Abraham was not saved by good works; but rather, he believed God and was saved by Christ’s righteousness. Christ’s perfection was imputed (placed) on Abraham’s record in Heaven. God the Father viewed Abraham thereafter as having the righteousness of Christ. What an awesome Savior!

Abraham believed God concerning the coming Messiah Who was to save His people from their sins . . . “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Why was Abraham able to simply believe God in place of merit or good works? It's simply because Jesus paid the price for mankind's sins. You see, Abraham could NOT please God in his own self-righteousness, nor can we (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:3-4; Titus 3:5). No matter how much good we may do here on earth, our sins are still recorded in Heaven. Our sins must be washed away, permanently removed!

This is why Jesus came to earth to paid the price for our sins with His own precious blood . . . “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1st Peter 1:18-19). All mankind is corrupt and destitute of God. Even in our sincerest efforts, humanity is tarnished with the curse of sin and rebellion.  We need HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. We are saved by Jesus' righteousness through faith in the Gospel. Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

We read in Romans 4:8, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not IMPUTE sin.” Not only was Christ’s righteousness imputed (counted) to Abraham’s record, but Abraham’s sinful record was imputed to Christ. Literally, Jesus became as sin for us and died a sinner's death . . . “For HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2nd Corinthians 5:21). Amen!

We read concerning Abraham . . .

“And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was IMPUTED to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be IMPUTED, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:22-24). 

This is a beautiful passage of Scripture, teaching that God is willing to IMPUTE Christ's righteousness to us as well, just as He did to Abraham, if we'll simply believe on the Lord... “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

These Scriptures were written for us, that we might also have Christ’s righteousness imputed to our record, and our sins imputed to Christ’s record. He who knew no sin, became as sin, that we who knew no righteousness could be made the righteousness of God in Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:21). What a wonderful truth! To think that Jesus would actually bear our sins upon Himself and sacrifice His precious blood for our sins—we are not worthy. Thankfully, God looked beyond our faults through His love and saw our need . . . “ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

I cannot express in Words how much I thank the Lord for what He has done for a sinful worm like me. We're all wicked sinners in God's eyes. Do you realize all that you will miss if you reject Christ as your Savior? Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15; 6:23), which anyone may have simply by acknowledging their guilt of sin and believing on the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness . . . “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). It is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved, so that God the Father may view us as having the righteousness of Christ which is imputed unto us at salvation . . . 

Romans 4:6, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God IMPUTETH righteousness without works.”

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was IMPUTED unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23). Would you like to be the friend of God? It all begins when you receive Jesus as your Savior. Jesus earnestly wants to impute your sin to His record and impute His righteousness to your record. All you must do to be saved is come to God as a needy sinner (Romans 3:19), and believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again for your sins ('The Gospel' - 1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Simply receive the GOOD NEWS! Our best self-righteousness is filth to God (Isaiah 64:6). We need GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS, that is, Christ's imputed righteousness (Matthew 6:33; 2nd Corinthians 5:21). Oh how foolish is the world today! Billions of unsaved religious people are headed for the Lake of Fire!

A demon's favorite activity is to make an unsaved person feel religious. Religion is the worst thing that ever happened to this world, because Satan uses it to blind men (2nd Corinthians 4:4). Religion says that everything is okay while a person is headed for Hell forever. My friend, everything is wrong if you've never been born-again. You need He Who is the beginning, Jesus, born in you (Revelation 1:8). That's what it means to be “born again”... being born anew by the Holy Spirit of God, by the seed of the Word of God (1st Peter 1:23b).

No amount of personal effort can ever undo your sins. Isaiah 64:6 proclaims that even our BEST efforts are vile filth to God. We are sinful by nature, by behavior, by motive and even by virtue. James 2:10 teaches that to commit even one sin is to become guilty of all in God's sight, because even one sin makes us unfit for the kingdom of God. That's why God sent His only begotten Son into the world to pay for our sins by His death on the cross. If you'll simply receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, you are saved!!!

Christ's righteousness has been imputed to your record, and your sins have been imputed to Him by faith. That is salvation! Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt of sin we could not pay. The sinless Lamb of God was crucified for you and me, and His blood shed for our sins. It's all paid in full. Amen! Eternal life is a free gift based upon the PROMISES of God (Titus 1:2), not a reward dependent upon the performance of man (Ephesians 2:8-9). You simply receive the gift of eternal life by faith in THE GOSPEL, you don't hope to merit eternal life by working for it.

There's only two religions in the world: DO and DONE. Most religions teach that to get to Heaven you must DO this and DO that, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ simply says that it's already DONE. Jesus has paid for our sins with His precious blood. 1st Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

What precious assurance knowing that God has placed Christ's righteousness upon us, and has laid our sins upon His Son (2nd Corinthians 5:21). Romans 8:32, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” 1st John 3:5, “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” What an awesome God!

Infant Baptism Is Unbiblical

Matthew 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Nowhere in the Holy Bible was an infant ever water baptized. When Jesus was water baptized, we read that He “WENT UP STRAIGHTWAY OUT OF THE WATER.” Jesus was baptized by total immersion under water, and then John the Baptist lifted Him up straightway out of the water. Baptism by sprinkling is unbiblical. Baptism is one's public profession of faith, not a part of getting saved. Martin Luther (1483-1546) and John Calvin (1509-1564) were religious contemporaries, who both taught the heresy of infant baptism. Martin Luther was an unsaved heretic, who taught that a person could not be saved without being water baptized, which you can read in his catechisms.

John Calvin did not teach Baptismal Regeneration, as did Mr. Luther, but Mr. Calvin was wrong on the Gospel, teaching Lordship Salvation. There are many heresies in churches today regarding water baptism. Biblically, we are commanded to be baptized, but only as a profession of one's faith, and always AFTER a person is born-again (not as a part of saving faith). Pastor Max D. Younce provides the following helpful exegesis from the Bible concerning infants being baptized:

II. INFANT BAPTISM A. 

Origin of Infant Baptism: Where did this damnable doctrine of baptizing infants ever come from? Your Catholic and Lutheran organizations, both, try to convince their parishioners that this is what God's Word teaches. The problem is, nowhere in the Bible can you find one verse that even hints that babies are to be baptized; nor, find that one infant that Paul, the other apostles, or anyone ever baptized! 

Should one desire to know the truth about who dreamed up this infant baptismal regeneration, which has deceived millions into eternal damnation; you might go to the Catholic organization for their answer. I would suggest you examine the Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 319, Paragraph 1252, "Infant Baptism," which reads as follows: 

"The practice of Infant Baptism is an immemorial TRADITION of the church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the Second Century on, and it is quite possible, that from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole "households" received baptism, infants may also have been baptized." 

In reading their statement, it reveals that infant baptism is a TRADITION; therefore not found anywhere in the Word of God! The words "quite possible" and "may also" show they are grasping at straws to try to give some kind of authority to an unscriptural TRADITION! 

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." - Colossians 2:8 

"Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." - Proverbs 30:6

SOURCE: Pastor Max Younce - 'A Biblical Examination Of Baptism,' p. 5

If you believe the Bible there is no controversy! Amen! As Dr. Younce teaches, there is nothing taught in the Bible about baptizing babies. A baby is not old enough to comprehend sin and the Savior, so they are much too young to be saved. Young children certainly can be saved, once they reach the age of enlightenment (which varies from one child to another). I encourage you to listen to these helpful MP3 sermons by Pastor Younce...

Infant Baptist Refuted | Part Two

The Simple Plan Of Salvation That Jesus Offers To All

John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” 1st Corinthians 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” 1st Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

Again and again in the precious Holy Scriptures we are simply taught to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, believing that He died on Calvary's cross to pay for our sins, was buried, and then bodily resurrected three days later for the justification of our faith. Nothing more is required. I just showed you numerous passages from the inspired Word of God. Yet, mankind is incurably religious! There are many false prophets today, who insist that faith alone is insufficient to save.

Men Complicate God's Simple Plan Of Salvation

The eleventh Mormon president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Harold B. Lee (1899-1973), offered this heretical admonition to Latter-day Saints:

“In one sentence, repentance means turning from that which we have done wrong in the sight of the Lord and never repeating that mistake again. Then we can have the miracle of forgiveness.” ('Ye Are the Light of the World: Selected Sermons and Writings of Harold B. Lee,' 1974, p.321).

Oh my! What a big lie! Dear reader, what you have just read is another gospel, not the truth as taught in the inspired Holy Bible. Repentance does not mean never repeating the same wrongs and mistakes again! Sadly, Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago teaches this same perverse Mormon theology on their Unshackled radio program. For example: In UNSHACKLED program #3589 (aired in 2020), a woman named Debbie Brooks meets with a religious friend named Sharon:

SHARON: Trusting Jesus is the only thing that can make a difference in my messed-up life.  

DEBBIE: I keep hearing that in church, but I don't get it—how something that EASY can be a life-changer.  

SHARON: Oh Debbie, it's not easy—believing in Jesus means repenting and asking forgiveness for all the old ways, and then GIVING THEM UP FOR GOOD. When you find the COURAGE TO DO THAT, He'll help you CHANGE YOUR LIFE.  

DEBBIE: Huh, well, I'll have to think about it. 

That is backwards heresy folks! God does not require you to give up the old sinful ways to receive His free gift of eternal life. Salvation is a take proposition, not a give proposition. It is tragic that in an effort to market and create further interest in their Unshackled series, that Pacific Garden Mission has stooped to the theological level of MORMONS! Again, here is what Harold B. Lee falsely said: 

“In one sentence, repentance means turning from that which we have done wrong in the sight of the Lord and never repeating that mistake again. Then we can have the miracle of forgiveness.” ('Ye Are the Light of the World: Selected Sermons and Writings of Harold B. Lee,' 1974, p.321)

That is exactly what PGM heretically preaches:

“ SHARON: Oh Debbie, it's not easy—believing in Jesus means repenting and asking forgiveness for all the old ways, and then GIVING THEM UP FOR GOOD. When you find the COURAGE TO DO THAT, He'll help you CHANGE YOUR LIFE.” —SOURCE: program #3589 (aired in 2020), a woman named Debbie Brooks

I am not trying to be unkind or rain on anyone's parade, but the Bible clearly defines THE GOSPEL in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 as three things: Christ DIED on the cross for our sins, He was BURIED, and then after three days Jesus bodily RESURRECTED from the dead for our justification. There is no requirement to repent from the old sinful lifestyle, and commit to never commit those sins again. Such a requirement would cancel eternal life being a gift, and instead make it a trade, or an exchange of sorts. We are warned repeatedly in the Word of God about false prophets creeping into the church (Jude 1:4), bringing in a damnable heresies to deceive the simple:

Romans 16:17-18, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

Nearly every heretic that I know, who preaches Lordship Salvation, is getting paid a 6-digit salary. Evangelists' Sam Horn, Steve Pettit and Marty Herron all get paid lucrative 6-digit salaries as the executives of Bible colleges. Dr. John MacArthur has a net worth of $14 million. Ray Comfort takes in 4$ million each year. Ken Ham's Answers In Genesis takes in $37 million a year. This is disgusting! As we just read, they serve their bellies, not the Lord Jesus Christ. They do not speak THE TRUTH, because they are not righteous men. Proverbs 12:17, “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.”

The Simple Gospel

The following is a beautiful quote from Michael P. Bowen, shewing forth THE TRUTH of righteousness, by preaching the Gospel of free grace:

Jesus Christ offers a very different plan of salvation. Jesus said that the will of the Father was for everyone to recognize Christ as the Messiah and to believe on Him alone for the gift of everlasting life. “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40). To make it ever more succinct, Jesus then said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47). The gospel message is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we believe that Jesus died for us and came back to life three days later, He knows it — He knows all of your thoughts — and He knows the very instant that you believe His gospel message.  

The instant you believe His message, Jesus saves you. Time and time again we see in the bible that when people heard this message, they “believed.” When they believed, they were saved that very same instant. They did not pray prayers of salvation asking Jesus into their hearts. They did not commit their lives to the Lordship of Christ. They did not determine to follow Him all the days of their lives in obedience to His Lordship or to the practice of discipleship. They simply believed on Christ alone as their savior. 

It doesn’t matter how successful a ministry is, or how beautiful and satisfying their particular plan of salvation may be. If what they say about salvation does not match with what Christ said about salvation, their plan is counterfeit and falls under the label of an “accursed message.” Galatians 1:8-9 says, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I I Never Knew You 59 now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” 

If you were to have asked Paul how to be saved, he would have told you the same thing he told the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31, “...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...” And if you were to ask Jesus Christ how to be saved, He would tell you the same thing that He told Nicodemus in 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.” 

Jesus said “believe.” Believe means to “trust.” The object of this trust is His gospel message. Reader, please understand that you must be “as righteous as” Christ is righteous, that you must be cleansed of your sins in order to enter heaven, that you must “change your mind” about Christ and trust in Him alone to save you. It’s not about committing your life to Him. It’s not about doing anything for Him. It’s about what He did for you by His death and subsequent resurrection from the dead. Christ alone paid for your sins, and the instant you believe His plan of salvation, He saves you, forever and forever. It is your choice. If you believe Jesus Christ ALONE as your savior, you will be saved. If you choose to believe a counterfeit version of the gospel message that includes any works or behavioral changes on your part, you will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgement and this will be your fate:

Revelation 20:11-15, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

SOURCE: Michael P. Bowen, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU,' chapter 5, pp. 58-59 

Amen! Michael is right, you have to be as holy and perfect as Jesus to enter into Heaven. Obviously that is impossible. I want to repeat that last portion, in larger font, because I really want you to understand these truths of the Gospel:

Jesus said “believe.” Believe means to “trust.” The object of this trust is His gospel message. Reader, please understand that you must be “as righteous as” Christ is righteous, that you must be cleansed of your sins in order to enter heaven, that you must “change your mind” about Christ and trust in Him alone to save you. It’s not about committing your life to Him. It’s not about doing anything for Him. It’s about what He did for you by His death and subsequent resurrection from the dead. Christ alone paid for your sins, and the instant you believe His plan of salvation, He saves you, forever and forever. It is your choice. If you believe Jesus Christ ALONE as your savior, you will be saved.

Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life, without ever being born-again. God will not save anyone who is trying to be saved, He will only save those who are trusting His only begotten Son to be saved. Salvation is not achieved, it is received by faith! Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith. To God alone be the praise and glory. Jesus is precious!!! 

A Common Mistake Made By Scholars On Repentance

Mark 1:14-15, “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

This passage of Scripture is often cited by the proponents of Lordship Salvation, who errantly claim that faith is not enough to be saved. They say in addition that a person must be willing to commit to “turn from their sins,” as a prerequisite to receiving God's free gift of eternal life. Nowhere in the Holy Bible are we taught that we must forsake our sinful ways to be saved. I hear that shameful junk theology preached on Unshackled, a popular radio program produced by the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. It is another gospel!

Here is a helpful quote from evangelist and author, Michael P. Bowen, from his excellent book titled: “I NEVER KNEW YOU!” . . .

In Mark 1:15, Jesus said, “...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” That “repent” is translated as “change your mind” about Jesus being the Messiah, to trust upon Him alone, not upon the law of Moses or by any combination of faith plus good works. A very common mistake made by bible scholars today is to apply the English definition of repent, which is completely different from the Greek definition. The English definition means to turn from sins, to feel remorse or sorrow for sins, etc., whereas the Greek definition simply means to have a change of mind from one thing to a different thing. In context, Christ is saying to trust Him rather than to trust in self efforts or discipleship because these things, as wonderful as they are, will cancel out His grace according to Galatians 5:2, which states, “Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.” 

In context, Paul equates circumcision with “keeping the law” which erroneously caused people to assume they could earn their way into heaven by doing good works and avoiding sin. You can trust Christ with all of your might and do your best to turn from you sins and still end up in the lake of fire. That is shocking! You can do your best to trust that Jesus died for you, that He rose from the dead, and try your best to live a good, holy life and “still” end up dying in your sins because you have not placed your trust “alone” (apart from turning from your sins) in what He did for you. The sad thing about adding “self efforts” such as turning from your sins to Christ’s plan of “trust only” is that, while it sounds right, it sounds good, and it feels right, it is not the gospel message that Christ has so plainly given to us in His bible. Jesus said in John 3:16 that “whosoever believeth in Him” would be saved. He did not say “whosoever believeth” and turn from your sins. He did not say believe and be willing to turn from your sins. He did not say believe and follow Him in obedience “in order to” have everlasting life, nor did He ever imply such things when He spoke of salvation.

The Greek word for “repent” in Mark 1:15 in the King James Bible is metanoeo, which means, “to think differently.” This is the verb form of the word. The noun form is metanoia (“a change of mind”). Repentance is a simple change of mind. It DOESN'T mean to “change your hearts and lives,” which is exactly what the corrupt Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)  says!!! . . .

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) — Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” [emphasis added]

EASY-TO-READ VERSION (ERV) — Mark 1:15, “He said, “The right time is now here. God’s kingdom is very near. Change your hearts and lives, and believe the Good News!” [emphasis added]

WICKEDNESS!!! That is wrong, wrong, wrong! Repentance is “a change of mind,” not “a change of heart and life.” You cannot show me anywhere in the Bible that says to “turn from sin” or “repent from sin” to be saved. Acts 20:21 speaks of “repentance toward God,” not from sin. We are saved by BELIEVING, not repenting. Yes, repentance is necessary for salvation, but to “repent” simply means to change your mind so that you will believe the Gospel. You don't have to change your own heart and life, as a requirement to be saved. That would constitute “works.” Rather, it is the indwelling Holy Spirit that comes into a person at the time of salvation that changes one's heart and life, over time as they grow in grace, by nurturing on the milk of the Word (1st Peter 2:2). 

The Bible warns men in 2nd Peter 3:16-17 about tampering with the Word of God if they are not qualified, not knowing what they are doing, lacking the proper skills for “rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2nd Timothy 2:15). Therefore, they commit “the err of the wicked” (2nd Peter 3:17). Every foolish pastor today who uses, tolerates and supports the Alexandrian Bible revisions (i.e., all the modern Bible versions) will give account to God for gross theological incompetence one day, and receive no rewards for their counterproductive labors, if they make it to Heaven at all. This is a very serious matter folks!

As I have warned you before from the Holy Scriptures, so warn I you again (all you corrupt independent Baptist pastors, perverse Bob Jones University professors, puppet Pensacola Christian College puppets, non-denominational, et cetera), “beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness” (2nd Peter 3:17b). Sadly, I have found that often church congregations control the pastor. They hire a slackdog ecumenical pastor from the get-go, expecting apostasy from the very beginning, and that's what they get. We've got a bunch of sissy-britches, pantywaist, Caspar Milquetoast, neo-evangelical yuppie type pastors today, who stand for nothing, roll over for anything, and haven't a clue as to what is wrong with the modern Bible revisions! God help us to weed out these parasites and spray them with the inspired Word of God!

I have been preaching the King James Bible since I was a teenager! I was saved at age 13. I have never used any other Bible than the King James Bible, and I am SOOOO GLAD for that! I haven't been messed with by these modern Devil's Bibles! The very heart of my ministry for Christ is to proclaim the verbal inspiration of God's very pure Word! If the foundation is shaky, then the whole structure will be compromised! According to 1st Corinthians 3:11, the “foundation” of Christianity is “JESUS CHRIST,” Who is “THE WORD OF GOD” (John 1:1-3, 14; Revelation 19:13). 

Proverbs 12:17, “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.” I absolutely love that Bible verse. He that SPEAKETH TRUTH sheweth forth righteousness!!! We've got a bunch of unrighteous preachers today, speaking lies from the pulpit. Anyone who says that the King James Bible is “not inspired” is a false prophet! Anyone who says that you must be willing to “turn from your sins” to be saved is a false prophet! Anyone who says that there is “more than one English Bible” is a false prophet! God's Words are exact. There are not paraphrases and different “versions” that best fit your perverse lifestyle! God wrote His Word and gave it to mankind—we either obey God's Word, or we change it, pervert it and disobey it! I choose to obey the King James Bible! You can have all the Devil's Bibles that have been tampered by pseudo-scholars!

Repentance in the Bible is a simple change of mind. The object of repenting is believing, which tells us what we need to change our mind about to be saved. Repentance is thinking differently about whatever has been hindering you from coming to Christ to be saved. John 3:20, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” Carefully notice that the Bible doesn't say: “he that turns from his sins” comes to the light; but rather, it says: “HE THAT DOETH TRUTH” cometh to the light! 

And again we read in 2nd Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” Please notice again that repentance is NOT FROM SINS, but it is “TO THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TRUTH.” Boy I love that!!! The man who repents toward God (Acts 20:21) has changed his mind, acknowledging THE TRUTH that he is a needy sinner, and is then saved by believing THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL!!! It is that simple dear friend.

The Simple Childlike Faith Of John 3:16

John 3:14-18, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 3:16 is at the heart of every soulwinning preacher. I learned this Bible verse early on as a child. John 3:16 is the heart of the Word of God. 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.” There is no greater truth in all the universe than John 3:16. The Gospel of John is God's Gospel tract. 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.” The purpose for which God authored the Gospel of John is to convince you, the reader, that Jesus is “THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD,” and that by simply believing with childlike faith, you will be instantly, irrevocably and forever saved.

There are some devils in our nation's church pulpits today; such as, Dr. John MacArthur. On September 25, 1990 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Brewer, Maine (Pastor Larry Pawson), Pastor MacArthur was involved in a question and answer session, which was publicly taped. During that session he said the following heresy about child salvation:

“Now let me say this and I don’t want you to panic when I say it. Saving faith is an ADULT ISSUE. Saving faith is an ADULT EXPERIENCE. Salvation is an ADULT EXPERIENCE. Am I saying that a child cannot be saved? I’m saying that salvation is a conscious turning from sin to follow Jesus Christ with an understanding of something of the sinfulness of sin, its consequences and something of who Jesus Christ is, what He has provided and that I’m committing my life to Him. At what point can a child understand that?... I tell parents that salvation is an adult decision... There is no illustration in Scripture of childhood salvation. There is none. People want to throw the Philippian jailer and his household; well that’s talking about his servants so there is no reference there about his children. So there is no such thing as a childhood conversion.” —Dr. John MacArthur

Pastor MacArthur does err, not knowing either the power of God or the Scriptures. Salvation is not an adult experience, it is offered to all. Jesus said in Mark 10:14b, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” The Bible calls Mr. MacArthur a liar! Whereas John MacArthur says children cannot be saved, Jesus said such is the Kingdom of Heaven. Children CAN be saved. 

Paul said that his friend Timothy was saved from childhood by the Scriptures. 2nd Timothy 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” In Mr. MacArthur's complicated plan of salvation, a child cannot be saved (nor an adult for that matter). In God's plan of salvation, anyone at any age can be saved by faith alone. You just need to see yourself as a needy sinner, and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Who died on the cross, was buried and physically resurrected three days later. That is the Gospel, or Good News (1st Corinthians 15:1-4).

John 3:16 is very simple. 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.” If you believe oh sinner, you are saved!!!

The Right Path For The Christian Believer

2nd Timothy 3:12-17, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

I learned the truth I am about to share with you from my friend, Pastor Steven Barnes. This is good stuff! Here goes:

• Doctrine shows us what IS the right path.
• Reproof shows us when we're LEAVING the right path.
• Correction shows us how to RETURN TO the right path.
• Instruction shows us how to STAY ON the right path.

I never forgot that practical truth, which is very helpful to remember. The inspired Word of God is ALL WE NEED! One of the reasons why preachers are so messed up nowadays is because they listen to other preachers, like Dr. John MacArthur and Evangelist Ray Comfort, instead of SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES (John 5:39). I heard a Christian lady testify in church that she led three co-workers to the Lord earlier that week. The foolish pastor scolded her, saying: “Well, we don't really know if they got saved, we're going to have to watch their life and see if they change.” Dear reader, that is the Devil talking! That is another Gospel. That is not what the Scriptures teach!!!

The Apostle Paul told Timothy that he had known the Holy Scripture from a child. This Bible passage evidences the simplicity that is in Christ. Getting saved is so simple that even a small child can be saved. I was saved at age 13, as was Pastor Curtis Hutson. Dr. Jack Hyles was saved at age 11. Pastor Steven Anderson was saved at only age 6. Praise the Lord! Any child who understands that he or she is a sinner, and understands that Jesus died on the cross to pay for those sins, can be saved. This is the childlike faith of 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.”

“Yes, Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of the universe, and, of course, we believe that He is Lord. However, to believe that in order to be saved one must make Him the Lord of his life is just another form of salvation by works.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Lordship Salvation - An Enemy of Soulwinning”

Does Colossians 1:23 Teach Lordship Salvation?

Colossians 1:20-23, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”

Brother Lester Roloff (1914-1982) said: "The great need of the hour is preaching preachers!" The Apostle Paul said the same thing in 1st Corinthians 15:2 as he did in Colossians 1:23. 1 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:"

Paul said they would be saved by faith in the Gospel, "if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." Paul has preached the Gospel to the churches of Galatia, but later they were "bewitched" (Galatians 3:1) by a cult which had infiltrated the churches, teaching that keeping the deeds of the law is necessary to be saved. That effectively is exactly what Lordship Salvation does. Paul was simply warning them that one can only be saved by THE GOSPEL. 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." I love that advice! 

The proponents of Lordship Salvation always use obscure passages of Scripture to support their Strawman Lordship Gospel of partial faith in Christ plus works. Yet they ignore entire books of the Bible, like the Gospel of John. John has been rightly called "God's Gospel tract." 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." The purpose for which John said his gospel was written is to convince the reader of these things (that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and that by believing we are saved). 85 times we find the word "believe" mentioned in the Gospel of John, yet not once doe we find the word "repent." Continuous believing is not required to be saved, but a one time event. Receiving God's gift of eternal life is a new birth, not an ongoing process that requires your effort (that would be works).

Repentance is necessary for salvation, but it facilitates believing. We are saved by believing. Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) said repentance and faith are two parts of one step to be saved. Lordship Salvationists teach that you must repent AND then second, believe. The Bible teaches that we repent TO believe. Repentance is simply a change of mind regarding THE TRUTH. 2nd Timothy 2:25, "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" So here we see that repentance is "acknowledgment of the truth," and not turning from sins. Repentance is a change of mind concerning the truth. The Old Testament LAW law shows us the truth that we are guilty sinners (Romans 3:19-20), and then brings us to CHRIST to be saved by grace through faith alone (Galatians 3:24-26). We are saved by believing the truth (Good News) of the Gospel.

So with the Gospel of John in view, Paul could only have meant that to be saved a person must believe the Gospel. False prophets are always creeping into the churches. I am shocked that Bob Jones University now preaches hardcore Lordship Salvation. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. (1883-1968) would blow the college to smithereens if he could, because infidels are robbing people of their faith.

I think BJU today is a good illustration of the meaning of Colossians 1:23, they have moved away from the hope of the Gospel. As Dr. Hutson said earlier, we must never use an obscure passage of Scripture to contradict a clear one! The Gospel of John is 100% clear that salvation is by faith alone. John 6:47, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." Advocates of Lordship Salvation and the heresy of “turn from your sins” to be saved, wrestle obscure passages to their own destruction, while ignoring hundreds of passages which plainly teach salvation is solely by faith. 

Carefully notice in Colossians 1:23 that Paul didn't say they were saved, he says "ye are saved IF." At the end of the verse Paul says, "which ye have HEARD." He didn't say "that ye BELIEVED." That is important to see. They heard the Gospel, but they are only saved IF they BELIEVE it. Carefully notice that the following passage from Galatians explains Colossians 1:23... Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” 

They were REMOVED (an exchange) from the hope (or expectation) of the Gospel (Good News of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and bodily risen). Colossians 1:23, “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” That is what Paul means in Colossians 1:23. Paul is warning the reader not to be led astray by another gospel.

Dr. Law And Dr. Grace

Galatians 3:22-26, “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

God made two great divisions to His blessed Word: LAW and CHRIST! (or respectively, LAW and GRACE). The LAW shows a person their sinnership and guilty condition (Romans 3:19-20; 7:13), and then brings that person to Jesus Christ to be saved by grace through faith (Galatians 3:24-26). Brother Lester Roloff called them: Dr. Law and Dr. Grace. Dr. Law diagnoses you with the cancer of sin, which is terminal (Romans 6:23a, “For the wages of sin is death”). Then he sends you to go see Dr. Grace (Who is Jesus) and he is a miracle worker, let me tell you! This guy is such an amazing Doctor, that He can just speak the word and you are healed! Romans 6:23b, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

“Yes, Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of the universe, and, of course, we believe that He is Lord. However, to believe that in order to be saved one must make Him the Lord of his life is just another form of salvation by works.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Lordship Salvation - An Enemy of Soulwinning”

This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. Oh how plain and simple the Scriptures are! In verse 26 we plainly read that the LAW brings us to Christ, “THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH”!!! Could the Bible be any clearer? I think not. Where in the world do the Lordship Salvation crowd get their teachings? They sure don't get their doctrine from the Holy Bible. You cannot show me one verse that says to surrender all to Christ, turn from your sins, or follow Christ as “Lord” to be saved. The Bible simply teaches to believe.

1st Corinthians 6:9-11, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

Many people misunderstand the preceding Scripture passage. You don't go to Hell because you won't quit your sinning, you go to Hell because you reject Jesus as your Savior. Pastor Jack Hyles wrote a helpful book titled: 'Enemies Of Soul Winning.' One of my favorites is chapter 4, 'Misunderstood Repentance.' If you get repentance wrong, it's like the buttons on a shirt while getting dressed—if you get the first button wrong, then all the others buttons will be wrong too! 

We are living in apostate times today! I am shocked at the junk theology which has slowly crept into the churches. Many pastors have succumbed to the heretical teachings of Pastor John MacArthur, who has done more than anyone to destroy soulwinning churches! Likewise, if you watch and listen to Evangelist Ray Comfort, he never praises the Lord for the people he led to Christ. That is because in Ray's mind you cannot know for certain you are saved, not until your life is finished, conditional on whether you continue believing and repenting. Sadly, Dr. Steve Pettit (president of Bob Jones University) has also succumbed to this doctrine of devils, befriending and bidding Godspeed to John MacArthur.

We've got a bunch of quack doctors in our churches, rescue missions, ministries and Bible colleges today! Instead of Dr. Law bringing sinners to Dr. Grace, they are being brought to Dr. John Calvin (1509-1564) to be experimented on in a theological lab called a seminary! There is no deadly curse like the false gospel of Lordship Salvation. I thank God for Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001), who was 100% Free Grace Theology, and made this great statement:

“Yes, Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of the universe, and, of course, we believe that He is Lord. However, to believe that in order to be saved one must make Him the Lord of his life is just another form of salvation by works.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Lordship Salvation - An Enemy of Soulwinning”

Amen and amen! Dr. Law has diagnosed every human being with terminal cancer, as a result of the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). No one can escape death! We are all sinners by nature and by choice. Although some people manage to live above reproach, no one can live above sin! Romans 3:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Dr. Law has diagnosed you my friend, and the news is very bad. If you haven't been to Dr. Grace yet, you very much need to go see Him as soon as possible. His official name is Jesus. The faithful Old Testament prophet Isaiah foretold of His coming 700 years later:

Isaiah 53:5-6, He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

What a glorious Savior!!! If you haven't been to these doctors yet dear friend, now is the time. You need to realize that you are a dying sinner, on your way to Hell. And then you need to heed Dr. Law's advice and go see Jesus Christ, who is THE GREAT PHYSICIAN, to be healed of all your iniquities and receive God's free gift of eternal life. ...

Mark 2:15-17, “And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

He is waiting for you oh wretched needy sinner! The blessed Savior, Who has the nail-scared hands and feet, is lovingly waiting to embrace you with His love and give you eternal life. All you need to do is trust in Him! John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” 

What Repentance Is Not

Matthew 27:3-4, “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.”

The Bible says Judas “repented” of his sins, but he went to Hell anyway. Judas even returned the 30 pieces of silver, he was a changed man! Yet he perished in his sins and went to Hell forever. Dear friend, you don't get saved by turning from your sins, which is a very popular heresy today in many churches. This is largely because of today's theologically corrupted Bible colleges, like Bob Jones University, which influenced thousands of churches through their graduates.

Bob Jones University is pulling on the same rope as the Devil! Here is a deceptive quote from their college's website:

With regard to the doctrine of Soteriology: 

We believe Scripture teaches that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph. 2:4–10; Rom. 3:21–26; Titus 3:5) and apart from any human work of righteousness (Phil. 3:9). God offers this salvation freely to all men who are willing to repent and turn from their sins (Acts 3:19, 17:30) and place their full faith and trust in the atonement Christ made by His finished work on the Cross (Luke 24:46–48, Heb. 9:11–15, 10:10–14). [emphasis added] 

SOURCE: BJU Statements of Faith

Where does the Bible predicate getting saved on being willing to turn from sins? John 3:20-21, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” The Bible doesn't say HE THAT IS WILLING TO FORSAKE SINS comes to the light; it says HE THAT DOETH TRUTH cometh to the light. Getting saved is a matter of acknowledging THE TRUTH of the Gospel, and not of turning away from sins. 2nd Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

You cannot show me one verse from the inspired King James Bible that teaches for a person to “turn from sins” or “repent of sins” to be saved. I triple-dog dare you to find it if you disagree! You won't find it! Acts 20:21 teaches repentance “toward God.” Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Carefully notice that repentance is not FROM SINS, but TOWARD GOD! You don't get saved by repenting, you get saved by believing; but repentance facilitates believing. Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) helps explains what repentance is in the Bible:

“Repentance is the very opposite of meritorious experience. It is the confession that one is utterly without merit, and if he is ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'who gave himself a ransom for all.' Here is firm footing for the soul who realizes that all self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation.” —Harry A. Ironside; 'Except Ye Repent,' pg. 36

I love Brother Ironside! Consider further the following awesome quote by Harry Ironside (which John MacArthur would NEVER share with you)...

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past … 

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.” [emphasis added]—Pastor Harry A. Ironside, from the awesome tract: 'What Is The Gospel?'

Hooray, Dr. Ironside gets it 100% correct!!! Read how Pastor John MacArthur tries to put Dr. Ironside in his “turn from your sins” false repentance camp, but Mr. MacArthur is a theological liar!

Read what Dr. Ironside said in his Gospel tract, ANOTHER GOSPEL? ...

“When anyone comes promising salvation to those ‘who make full surrender' of all that they have to God, and who 'pay the price of full salvation' he is preaching another gospel, for the price was paid on Calvary's cross and the work that saves is finished. It was Christ Jesus who made the full surrender when He yielded His life on Calvary that saves us, not our surrender in any way to Him.” —Pastor Harry A. Ironside, from the Gospel tract: 'Another Gospel'

Repentance is NOT a change of lifestyle. I think Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) of the Moody Memorial Church said it very well...

“Repentance is the very opposite of meritorious experience. It is the confession that one is utterly without merit, and if he is ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'who gave himself a ransom for all.' Here is firm footing for the soul who realizes that all self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation.” 

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside; 'Except Ye Repent,' pg. 36

Clearly, Ironside taught Free Grace Theology. Sadly, Moody Bible Institute today (72 years later after Dr. Ironside's pastorate) has become doctrinally corrupted by false prophets such as Dr. John MacArthur (they publish all of MacArthur's new books and have honored him at their Founder's Week for decades). MacArthur plainly teaches a false plan of salvation.

We are saved by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (that is, Christ's robe of righteousness), and not our own. I try to live upright because I love my Lord and don't want to grieve Him. I fail horribly sometimes, and it makes me mad at myself, and I get up and ask God to help me to do much better. That's how the Christian life is lived, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Even the best Christians are still sinners who battle daily with the flesh.

The word “repent” (metanoeo, such as in Mark 1:15, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel”), simply means “a change of mind.” I think Michael P. Bowen, in his excellent defense of the Christian faith titled, I NEVER KNEW YOU, says it best:

I am at eternal odds with the false, counterfeit messages of salvation-by-works that are taught from virtually every pulpit today, on every television channel, and on every Christian radio station; however, I am not at eternal odds with the individuals who preach these counterfeit messages. My heart literally goes out to all of them because they simply do not understand Christ’s plan of salvation. They have been lied to by a crafty enemy named Satan, whose sole aim is to take as many people with him to the lake of fire as he can possibly manage to steal away from God using a counterfeit plan of salvation that appears so real, so genuine, and so holy that few ever realize they have been deceived by it. Oh reader, so many of today’s professing Christians who think they are going to heaven when they die are not going to make it to heaven as they had assumed because they’ve been lied to by today’s error-filled gospel messages.

SOURCE: Michael Patrick Bowen, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU,' pg. 17; © 2009.

A tree without fruit is still a tree with roots. This is evidenced by the parable of the sower and the seed in Luke 8:12-15. Of the four groups, only the first are unsaved, because the Devil removed the seed from their heart before it could sprout into new life. The second and third group represent believers who never mature to bear fruit (leading others to Christ). They never mature into fruit-bearing Christians because of shallow roots, or because they are choked by the cares, riches and pleasures of this life. Ah, but the fourth group mature, having an honest heart, keeping the Lord's Word, bearing much fruit unto Christ (John 15:1-7). Just because the second and third groups don't bear fruit doesn't mean that they are not saved, as Ray Comfort and David Cloud errantly teach.

Repentance is not turning from sins. Let's examine these terms, shall we:

• penitence = sorrow for sins
• penance = trying to make a mend for sins
• reformation = turning from sins
• repentance = a change of mind
• regeneration = the new birth

Penitence, penance and reformation are NOT repentance! To “repent” simply means that you have changed your mind from WRONG THINKING to believing the Gospel. A person is saved by BELIEVING, not by repenting; but no one has ever believed who didn't repent (i.e., think differently). Repentance is looking up to God and admitting that you are a needy sinner, and then faith is placing your confidence in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Repentance and faith are inseparable. Salvation is like electricity, which requires both voltage and current to exist. Current is the measure of the flow of electricity in a conductive material. 

Put another way, picture a garden hose. The water pressure (usually about 30 psi in a home) is like the voltage. The flowing water is like the current. You couldn't water your garden without both water and water pressure. Likewise, salvation requires both repentance and faith; but repentance is not turning from your sins, nor being sorry for them, nor trying to live a better life to make up for them, it is admitting that you are a needy sinner, and what you need is Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Faith is believing on Him! No one ever got saved who didn't admit he is a dirty sinner.

You've got to know what you're being saved from. That is why God made two great divisions to His blessed Word: LAW and CHRIST! (or respectively, LAW and GRACE). The LAW shows a person their sinnership and guilty condition (Romans 3:19-20; 7:13), and then brings that person to Jesus Christ to be saved by grace through faith (Galatians 3:24-26). Brother Lester Roloff called them: Dr. Law and Dr. Grace. Dr. Law diagnoses you with the cancer of sin, which is terminal (Romans 6:23a, “For the wages of sin is death”). Then he sends you to go see Dr. Grace (Who is Jesus) and he is a miracle worker, let me tell you! This guy is such an amazing Doctor, that He can just speak the word and you are healed! Romans 6:23b, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

“Yes, Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of the universe, and, of course, we believe that He is Lord. However, to believe that in order to be saved one must make Him the Lord of his life is just another form of salvation by works.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Lordship Salvation - An Enemy of Soulwinning”