Colossians 3:24 - The Reward Of The Inheritance

Colossians 3:22-25, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

One of my favorite preachers is Evangelist Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). He was a distinguished English Christian theologian, academic and churchman. Ellicott states concerning Colossians 3:22-25:

(22-25) Compare throughout Ephesians 6:5-9. The only peculiarity of this passage is the strong emphasis laid on “the reward of the inheritance.” “The reward” is in the original, a perfect recompense or requital. The “inheritance” is exactly that which no slave could receive; only a son could be an heir (Galatians 4:7). Hence the slave on earth is recognised as a son in heaven. He “serves the Lord,” but his service is the perfect freedom of sonship.

SOURCE: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/colossians/3.htm

I love that! The Apostle Paul encourages the lowest form of earthly slave, by reminding them that in God's eyes they are SONS, and have all the same rights and privileges of inheritance as BIOLOGICAL SONS (even though they are adopted sons by faith - John 1:12; Romans 8:15). So the "reward of the inheritance" here means that even though they are mere slaves to their masters, and not qualified to be treated as sons, God will reward them for their labors as if they were sons.

I think the story of the Prodigal Son is a good example of this truth. Both were sons. Both had an inheritance coming that they were entitled to. Yet we see how one son squandered his inheritance from the father. The other worked hard faithfully and pleased his father. Likewise, all believers are justified by faith alone. We are all sons. We are all entitled to a divine inheritance. Yet, only those who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the brightness of the stars forever (Daniel 12:3). Some believers will have treasures laid up in eternity (Matthew 6:19-20), while others will have no rewards (1st Corinthians 3:15). 

The faithful son was upset with his father for throwing a party for the prodigal son who returned, killing the fatted calf and putting a ring on his irresponsible brother's finger. Who could blame the faithful son for being frustrated and peeved? Yet, we see the great wisdom of the father, which represents our heavenly Father. The Dad enlightened the faithful son that it was right and proper to rejoice that the prodigal son had repented and come back home, but he reminds his faithful son that everything he owns is his, not just a fatted calf and a ring.

Likewise, all believers are entitled to Heaven, but faithful believers will be entitled by their faithfulness to greater rewards in eternity (1st Corinthians 3:8-9). Revelation 22:12, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” This is why we must separate SERVICE from SALVATION. God rewards faithful service, but salvation is by faith alone. The beautiful story of the Prodigal Son shows us the difference in how different children are rewarded by God for faithfulness, yet both are sons who are entitled to an inheritance. 

Many believers are wasting their time, money and spiritual gifts from God here on earth, for which they will one day regret it dearly at the Judgment Seat Of Christ:

2nd Corinthians 5:9-11, “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”

This passage of Scripture is NOT about salvation. As believers we will be held accountable by the Lord for our works. Revelation 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Right now it is time to LABOR for believers. There is always much work to be done. The world is literally dying for Christians who are real, who proclaim THE TRUTH and care!

Sadly, the average Neo-evangelical church today is only concerned about making money, with no interest in soulwinning. I attended the Harvest Baptist Church on Guam for a year in 2014. They have no soulwinning program. That's the barren Bob Jones University crowd today, with their perverse counterfeit gospel of Lordship Salvation. Neo-evangelicals reject and intentionally avoid the word “soulwinning” because it is commonly attributed to Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001), who was in my humble opinion responsible for more soulwinning than any other preacher of the 20th century. The Bible says winning souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

One day the Lord will welcome every believer home, throwing a big party in Heaven, making us feel loved and welcomed. Yet, those believers who haven't been faithful to serve God won't enjoy Heaven as much as the believers who did, laboring to win souls by preaching the Gospel and laying up treasures in Heaven. If all believers will have everything equal, then what would be the purpose of laboring for Christ to earn rewards? (1st Corinthians 3:7-9). What would be the benefit of laying up treasures in Heaven? (Matthew 6:19-20). What would be the reason for counting the cost and paying the price of discipleship? Luke 14:27-28, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” This is not salvation, this is service. 

Pastor M.R. DeHaan (1891-1965) explains the difference very well:

"There is a vast difference between coming to Jesus for salvation and coming after Jesus for service. Coming to Christ makes one a believer, while coming after Christ makes one a disciple. All believers are not disciples. To become a believer one accepts the invitation of the Gospel, to be a disciple one obeys the challenge to a life of dedicated service and separation. Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Christ; discipleship comes only by sacrifice of self and surrender to His call for devoted service. Salvation is free, but discipleship involves paying the price of a separated walk. Salvation can't be lost because it depends upon God's faithfulness, but discipleship can be lost because it depends upon our faithfulness." DeHaan, M. R. Hebrews. Zondervan Publishing House, 1959 (p. 117).

Bravo! I couldn't have said it any better. 

The Lord knows your efforts. Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” The Lord promised to reward us even for giving a cup of water in a disciple's name, not in Jesus' name. The Bible is saying that God is so ethical that He is going to reward a Christian who helps another believer, who is helping another believer, who is helping Christ. The man at the auto parts store who helps the church mechanic, who is helping his pastor, gets a reward for ultimately helping Christ. That is so awesome and wonderful. God is a good God.

Romans 10:13-14, You Don't Have To Pray To Be Saved

 We are saved by faith, not by praying. Some preachers teach that you must pray to be saved, but they are wrong in their theology. Romans 10:13 is an obscure passage, since it raises a lot of controversy about praying to be saved. A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one. We have a clear passage in the entirety of the Gospel of John, in which we find the word “believe” mentioned 85 times without any mention of “praying” or “repenting” to be saved. How ridiculous it is for any preacher to insist that a person must pray to be saved. 

The word “call” simply means that you come unto Christ to be saved, because you already believe. Romans 10:14, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” A good illustration of the way Roman 10:13 uses the word call is when my Mom used to take me with her to the grocery store. I remember as a boy often reading a sign inside the store which said: “Please call again!” I didn't understand that, because we didn't call them on the phone before we came. 

As I grew older I understood that to call simply means that we came to their store. We went to their store because my mother trusted that they would sell would she needed (food, et cetera). Likewise, we come to Jesus to be saved because we trust Him. But we are saved the moment we believe, not when we call. Preachers who insist that you must call are basing a doctrine on ONE BIBLE VERSE! 

Advocates of having to pray to be saved will run to Romans 10:13 and play it as a one-string banjo! Ignorant preachers do the same thing with Romans 10:9-10, playing this one verse as a one-string banjo, claiming that you must publicly confess Christ to be saved. The hellbound Church of Christ insists that you cannot be saved unless you publicly confess Christ. They base this heresy on obscure passages of Scripture, wrongly dividing the Word of Truth.

In Acts 10:43-44 Cornelius was saved simply by believing the Gospel as they heard Peter preach it. No one prayed. In Acts 2:41 the Bible says 3,000 people were saved when they gladly received the Gospel which they heard Peter preach. No one prayed. I cannot think of even one example in the Bible where someone prayed to be saved. Yet these ignorant and arrogant Baptist preachers today angrily get heated under the collar, insisting that you must pray a sinner's prayer to be saved the Bible way. They are foolish and wrong. But don't take my word for it dear reader. What saith the Scripture? I triple-dog dare you to show me even one place in the Bible, where someone was required to pray (or prayed voluntarily) to receive God's free gift of eternal life. I haven't found it yet.

Now, having said that, I am not saying that it is wrong to pray when someone gets saved. There is a natural desire in a person's heart when they believe on Christ that compels that to pray. It is natural to want to pray. So that is fine! If you want to pray with someone as you lead them to Christ, then do so. But please make sure that the person clearly understands that you don't need to pray to be saved, nor does God save anyone because they prayed. 

Personally I don't lead people to pray to get saved, because I've seen too many people get confused. For 7 years as a teenager I struggled to find the assurance of salvation because I kept wondering if I missed something when I prayed. I knew Christ died on the cross for my sins. I believed it! I trusted Jesus because of what He did to pay for my sins through the cross. I believed He rose from the dead, believing that I was appealing unto a risen Savior to save me. I probably prayed 50 times, at least, going through the Roman's Road again and again. 

I knew I was a guilty sinner when I got saved at age 13. But I didn't learn until many years later that I could simply BELIEVE and be saved. That truth solidified my assurance that I was 100% saved. I am against the 1-2-3, follow-me, pray this quick prayer to be saved method, because it obscures the simplicity that is in Christ (which is the Gospel). Please don't misunderstand, you CAN be saved in an instant, and KNOW beyond any shadow of a doubt that you have the complete assurance of salvation. Any theology that does not give you the immediate absolute assurance of salvation is wrong! The true Gospel always points you to Christ; a false gospel always points to you. By being led to pray to be saved at the end of every religious tract that I read, and being led to pray to be saved in every soulwinning class I ever took, and being taught to pray to be saved by every Baptist preacher I had ever heard, I WAS MISLED AND CONFUSED!!!

Again, this is not merely my opinion, this is BIBLE! John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” I could quote dozens more passages, which simply teach to “believe” to be saved. Thank you for reading my humble words. God bless you!

Does James Chapter Two Teach Salvation By Works?

James 2:14-21, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?"

James chapter 2 is a commonly misunderstood passage. Please carefully notice that James said that he would “SHEW THEE” his faith by works, and by works you can “SHEW ME” your faith. Clearly, James is speaking about being justified "BY WORKS" in the SIGHT OF MAN. 1st Samuel 16:7, "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." God looks at a man's heart, but since we cannot see into a person's soul, we can only judge by their works (or absence thereof). In sharp contrast to James, the Apostle Paul in Romans speaks about being justified "BY FAITH" in the SIGHT OF GOD. ...

Romans 4:1-7, "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."

Here we see the exact opposite of what James teaches. Paul shows that Abraham was saved by faith alone, and not by works in any way. If Abraham had been saved by works, then God would have OWED him salvation, and not of grace. Some preachers today foolishly claim that Old testament saints were saved by works. That is unbiblical. People were saved by faith alone in the Old Testament. So says Romans 4:6 concerning David. So says Habakkuk 2:4, Genesis 15:6, Jonah 2:9 and Acts 10:43.

So in Romans Paul is teaching about the ROOT of the believer's salvation, which is FAITH. But James is teaching about the FRUIT of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25), which is FAITH PLUS WORKS. We must always separate SERVICE from SALVATION. We are saved by faith alone; but then God wants us to serve Him with faith and works for the rest of our life, which is a matter of rewards and obedience, not the free gift of eternal life. Here are some helpful theological quotes showing the big difference between discipleship (service), and salvation (sonship).

A Christian does NOT have to follow Christ as a disciple to be saved, nor to stay saved. Eternal life is a free gift. But God wants us to depart from sin and allow Christ to live through us. Galatians 2:20-21, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." So we see here that Jesus lives the Christian life through us, if we will humble our self to search the Scriptures and live in them daily (John 5:39; 2nd Corinthians 10:5-6). Lordship Salvation is a false plan of salvation, which is caused by MIXING service with salvation. I use the words "service" and "discipleship" interchangeable. True salvation is by faith alone, which does not require service.

So remember, Paul in Romans is speaking about being justified in the sight of God BY FAITH. But James in the Epistle of James is speaking about being justified in the sight of men BY WORKS. One more thing. James 2:21 says that Abraham was justified when he offered up Isaac. That event happened in Genesis chapter 22. But the Bible says Abram (Abraham) was saved in Genesis 15:6, when he believed on the Lord. Genesis 15:6, "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." This is the Old Testament passage that Romans 4:1-5 is referring to. Isaac wasn't even conceived at the time Abraham was saved. Abraham was justified in God's sight by faith, but man's sight by works.

Romans 4:6-7, "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Paul said that the patriarchs, like Abraham and David, were “blessed” to have their sins forgiven and covered. That sure sounds like eternal security to me! If, as some false teachers like Dr. Peter S. Ruckman and Pastor Gene Kim claim, people were saved by works in the Old Testament, then no one could have known for certain they were saved. How could they have been “blessed” to know that their sins were forgiven and covered. There are problems on many levels with the whole concept of people being saved by faith plus works at any time in history.

James chapter two is very simple friend. The apostle was speaking about being justified in the eyes of our fellow man. Proof of this is read in James 2:15-16, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Our faith as professed Christians is evidenced by the way we treat others. This has nothing to do with the gift of salvation, but being justified in the eyes of other people.

I once saw a man in San Diego searching in the garbage for food. So I walked over and handed him $20 and a Gospel of John. I'll never forget what he said to me: “Thank you for being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer!” That is what James is teaching. Our faith is dead without works. What saith the Scripture? Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We are not saved by good works; but rather, we were saved unto good works. We are not expected by God to do good works to seal, validate, prove, maintain, nor keep His gift of eternal life; but rather, to lay hold (capitalize) on the eternal life which God has freely given to us by faith alone.

Does 1st Corinthians 9:26 Teach Losing Salvation?

1st Corinthians 9:22-27, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

Proponents of losing salvation and Lordship Salvation use OBSCURE passages of Scripture, like 1st Corinthians 9:27 to justify their false teachings. There is absolutely nothing in this passage to suggest that "castaway" refers to losing salvation. 1st Corinthians 9:27, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." The Gospel of John was written to tell us how to be saved (John 20:31). John doesn't mention one thing about running a race, keeping our body under subjection, persevering, repenting, nor anything else besides faith alone to receive eternal life. 

I can show the same evidence to ten different people. Five of those people will see one thing, but the other five may see something else entirely. What is the Gospel truth to one crowd of people is a foolish fairytale to others (1st Corinthians 1:18). People only see what they want to see. That is human nature. To the man with a hammer in his hand, everything looks like a nail sticking up. Honestly, as incompetent as all these internet wannabe Bible scholars are today, I would have to comment on the entire Bible to refute them, because they can literally corrupt any passage to mean whatever they want it to mean. That is not truth!

I receive many emails from doctrinally confused people, because they are reading what false teachers say online. I am glad to answer questions, to feed Jesus' sheep from the inspired Word of God. Dear reader, if that is you of whom I speak, you will continue to go in circles as long as you let the heretics lead you into their false teachings. Instead, I would listen (or read) the Gospel of John 25 times, and use that as a benchmark, since John wrote it to tell us how to be saved. 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 "race" in 1st Corinthians 9:26 simply refers to living the Christian life. We have a duty as believers to run the race that is set before us. God did not save us just to eat, drink and be merry until we die (although God does want us to enjoy life too). God saved us so that we would follow Him as our Lord (Romans 14:9). I am not speaking about the gift of eternal life here, which is by faith alone. Hebrews 12:1, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," This is sanctification, not salvation. God saves a man, and then the indwelling Holy Spirit uses the inspired Word of God to sanctify him (John 17:17). But if that believer chooses to walk in the flesh and not the Spirit, they will languish in immaturity and not grow (Luke 8:11-15). That is why Paul called the believers at Corinth "babes" in 1st Corinthians 3:1. They were immature in the Lord, but they were saved. They were not following Christ as "Lord."

In 1st Corinthians 9:24-25, Paul plainly states that the "prize" for running the race faithfully is an incorruptible crown, not salvation. It is a sin to add to the Scriptures what it doesn't say. There is nothing in this passage teaching that we must run a race to be saved. In fact, living the Christian life is the fastest way to go to Hell, if a person substitutes that instead of faith alone in Jesus Christ. This is what happened in Matthew 7:21-23. They boasted of their “many wonderful works” done in Jesus' name, but they had never wholly leaned on Jesus' name. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born-again.

I kindly recommend friend (if you are unlearned doctrinally) that you read more of what accurate preachers like Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) preach, rather than listen to the heretics which abound on the internet. Here are some great articles on salvation...

http://www.jesusisprecious.org/sermons/printed/curtis_hutson/simple_salvation.htm

https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/BTP/Dr_Curtis_Hutson/salvation_crystal_clear.htm

Also, here is a great chapter from Pastor A. Ray Stanford's (1916-2012) book: "Handbook Of Personal Evangelism." The chapter is called: "Eternal Security"...

http://www.freegraceresources.org/pe02.html

http://www.freegraceresources.org/pebook.html

Dr. Steve Pettit is an accursed false teacher today, president of Bob Jones University, who teaches that the "reward" for "running the race" is eternal life itself. Pettit is a devil-dog preacher! I say that kindly, but truthfully.

If salvation could be lost, then the Bible would have come right out and directly told us, not leave it to assumption. The Lord would be a bold-faced liar, if "everlasting life" meant anything other than life that lasts forever. John 6:47, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." The Holy Bible doesn't say temporary life, nor probationary life, but eternal life. If saved, always saved!

What Does Hebrews 10:26​-​27 Mean?

Hebrews 10:26-27, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”

Can a Christian lose salvation? No! It is God's salvation (Philippians 3:9).

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” —Hebrews 10:26​-​27

Admittedly, Hebrews 10:26​-​27 seems to teach losing one's salvation is possible at a glance, i.e., if we take just those two Scriptures by themselves.  However, consider verse 29:

“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

What genuine believer would consider the blood of Jesus an "unholy thing"?  Clearly, to me, the context of these Scriptures is speaking about an unsaved person who treads under foot the precious blood of Jesus.  Also, notice verse 26:

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.”

The Bible speaks about “receiving the knowledge of the truth”; but this is not the same as receiving Jesus Christ as one's Savior.  Rocker, Ozzy Osbourne, has the knowledge of the truth; but he spits on it and deliberately rejects it...

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Basics/men_who_rejected_jesus_christ.htm

I think Hebrews 10:25 can best be interpreted by shedding the Light of 1st John 2:19 upon it:

Hebrews 10:25, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

So, I think, clearly, these Scriptures are warning the unsaved, many whom attended church for a while, that their day of reckoning is coming. To evidence my teachings here as truth, please consider that these Scriptures MUST be reconciled with the rest of the Bible, with such Scriptures as:

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.”

Here we see the term “the gift of God.” If living in sin could cause a person to lose their salvation, then where does the term “gift” become meaningful? It could not. By every definition the word “gift” means that there are no strings attached; you simply take God's gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life by trusting Jesus Christ:

John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15, 17-18), which is obtained by simply receiving it...

John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” 

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 nothing in John 3:16 about living a consecrated life to get to Heaven. I could go on and on with examples. I have written many articles on my “False Doctrines” page exposing the ridiculous foolishness and self-righteous hypocrisy of the Lordship Salvation heresy.

The writer of Hebrews (which I think was the Apostle Paul) addresses Israel. The writer addresses his Jewish brethren, warning them to make sure of their salvation in chapter 10, as did Paul to the churchgoers at Corinth, which the following verse confirms:

2nd Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate.”

The Jews are God's chosen people; but tragically, very few of them are God's children, i.e., saved and on their way to Heaven. As believers WE SHOUD live for Christ; not MUST (that is works); not WILL (that would be Calvinism). Titus 2:12, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Do Christians always obey God's Word? No, we sure don't! That is because we are still trapped in the body of this death. That is why Paul said in Romans 7:24, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” In the next verse Paul lifts himself up and proclaims: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:25). So remember, WE SHOULD live a sanctified life for God, as we allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to live through us (Romans 8:9; Galatians 2:20; 5:22-25).

Also, carefully consider the word “adversaries” (enemy) in Hebrews 10:27. Again, the context of this Scripture passage is speaking about the unsaved—those who tread under foot the blood of Jesus. The plainest teachings in the Bible proclaim that eternal life is a “free gift” (Romans 5:15; 6:23), which cannot be merited in any way (Romans 10:3-4). Salvation is obtained only by the IMPUTED righteousness of Jesus Christ, i.e., we need HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS to enter into God's Kingdom:

Romans 4:5, 22-25, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him [Jesus] that justifieth the ungodly [you and me], his faith is counted for righteousness... And therefore it was imputed to him [Abraham] 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; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

Conclusion

There is absolutely nothing in the Bible which teaches that a Christian can ever lose salvation. Eternal life is a free gift, which Jesus paid for, and is ours to keep simply by believing on Christ with a childlike faith. A person who claims that they “used to believe” on Christ, but no longer does, is a liar. That's the same lie as someone who says, “I used to love you.” No you didn't! Love never fails. The world's synthetic type of love may fail, but God's love never fails. One who genuinely believes on Jesus, as the Christ, will never stop believing on Christ. Oh sure, they may go through a time of depression like John the Baptist did (John had heard a rumor that Jesus wasn't the Christ, which made him doubt, Luke 7:17), or curse the name of Jesus like Peter, but their salvation will never be in jeopardy and cannot be lost. How can we lose by bad works what we didn't earn by good works? It is impossible. 

Please don't misunderstand, I am not promoting Calvinism. I adamantly believe that all five tenets of Calvinism are of the Devil. Calvinism is another gospel. In fact, Lordship Salvation is nothing more than Calvinism repackaged. I believe what Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) believed—in the perseverance of the Holy Spirit, not the perseverance of the saints. Calvinism teaches that if a person is saved, they WILL persevere in works, holiness and growth in grace until the race is finished. Professed believers who indulge in adultery and other horrible sins are accused of never having repented of their sins, and assumed lost. This Calvinist heresy of “The Perseverance Of The Saints” is absolute junk theology!

What saith the Scripture? Acts 13:39, “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Romans 5:20, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

The spiritual birth is as irreversible as the physical birth. You don't just get “unborn.” People may turn away from the philosophy of Christ, or from religion or church membership, or even from living for God; but a truly born-again individual cannot lose the gift of God, which was given to them by faith alone, thus counting their faith for righteousness (Romans 4:5). Christ's righteousness was imputed to their record in Heaven the moment they were saved (2nd Corinthians 5:21), so that they don't need any self-righteousness to get into Heaven. No amount of personal sin can undo the righteousness of Jesus Christ which is imputed to every believer by faith at the time of salvation. 

Does this give us a “license to sin”? Yes, ​in a sense, ​because we are saved permanently; but it doesn't give us God's permission to sin​:​

Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

Every believer will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ for the good and bad done in the flesh (Romans 14:12; 2nd Corinthians 5:10). But a consecrated life of holy living has absolutely nothing to do with the gift of eternal life which is by faith alone in Christ Jesus. ​ Salvation is by faith only; but service is by faith plus works. That is what James is teaching in James chapter 2, “faith without works is dead.” James is speaking about Christian service to the Lord.​ In Romans, the Apostle Paul is speaking about salvation, and makes it very clear that we are saved “without works” (Romans 4:5-6). This is salvation, by faith alone.

Evangelist Billy Sunday (1862-1935)

Does 2nd Thessalonians 2:13 Teach Calvinism?

2nd Thessalonians 2:12-14, “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Does 2nd Thessalonians 2:13 teach Calvinism? At a glance it sure seems like it. But the answer is a bold, “No, absolutely not!” Pastor Max Younce offers these helpful words of exegesis in his excellent book titled: “Not Chosen To Salvation”:

II Thessalonians 2:13,14 - Called By The Gospel = Drawn By The Cross

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (13) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 2:13,14

You see, predestinationalists are as excited over the words "chosen" and "election" as the Church of Christ are over water! They will swim through rivers, lakes and oceans of grace, faith and free will to stop at a rill of baptism and election for salvation. One would have to throw out the last half of Verse 13 and all of Verse 14 in order to "squeeze out" the doctrine of "election to salvation." On page 33 of Mr. Nettleton's book, Chosen To Salvation, he comments upon these verses by saying:  

"God decides to have spiritual children and chooses from among the sons of men certain individuals and saves them. This is election. It is a mystery, but a fact to be believed." 

"A fact to be believed" only if you disregard the Bible. Now notice that the believer is chosen to salvation on the basis of two things: 

1. One of them is God's part: "...through sanctification of the spirit." 

2. The other is man's responsibility. "...belief of the truth." 

Verse 14 tells us how we are called, 

"Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

The Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and it is by this that He calls all to be saved. Notice again in John 12:32: 

"And I (Christ), if I be lifted up (crucified on the cross) from the earth, will draw all men unto me." 

In John 4:42 it is made clear that His will is to see everyone saved: 

"...for we have heard him (Christ) ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." 

If we would read all of 2 Thessalonians 2, we would find that this is speaking of the 7-year Tribulation Period when after the 3 1/2 years the Anti-Christ exalts himself in the Jewish Temple and declares himself to be God (Verse 4). Then in Verse 10, those that perish do so because of a decision they make. Verse 10: 

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not (i.e., they would not believe) the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 

Then in Verse 11 and 12 God states He will send "The lie." This is the Anti-Christ whom they will believe since they willfully rejected the truth. Notice Verses 11 and 12: 

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (11) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (12) 

Remember, Christ died for the sins of the world, therefore everyone is invited to come and believe in Christ. John made it perfectly clear that "whosoever" may come. Notice in John 11:25 and 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?"

SOURCE: Pastor Max D. Younce; “Not Chosen To Salvation,” pp. 89-91 

Calling Upon The Name Of The Lord In Romans 10:13

Romans 10:12-14, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”

Pastor Max D. Younce of the heritage Baptist Bible Church in Walnut Grove, Minnesota has written a helpful commentary on Romans 10:12-14 which is tremendous...

V. Interpretation – Romans 10:12-14.

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” (Romans 10:12)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)

The word “call” in these verses is not to obtain salvation, as those invited to call are already saved as Verse 14 states.

“How then shall they call on him (Christ) in whom they have not believed?... (Romans 10:14a)

May I also point out concerning the word “saved” in Verse 13? A lost person never has to call, or ask the Lord to save them. Their salvation is already completely paid for. You never have to ask the Lord to do something He has already done for our salvation. The Lord is asking you to come to Him by faith and receive the peace of knowing you have eternal life, and to rest in His promise that you will never experience the flames of Hell. Two verses of Scripture will substantiate this briefly.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5:1)

Now that one is a Christian, they are invited to receive an additional rest and peace in their life. This invitation is given in using your life for Christ. The invitation is given in Matthew 11:29,30.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (29) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

In Romans 5:1, we have received salvation and the peace with God. Now in Philippians 4:4-7 one can have the peace of God in serving Him.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (4)

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (5)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (6)

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

1. “Save, Saved, Call, and Ask” – Have Different Applications According to Context.

Now, after taking a brief venture down a tributary, we will return to our main concern in Verses 12 to 14. The words “save, saved, call, and ask” are used with different applications according to the context of the verse.

a. Save From Drowning.

Here is one of the many examples where the disciples woke up the Lord and asked Him to save them from drowning in the storm.

“And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. (24) And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.” (Matthew 8:24-25)

b. God is Rich to Give Wisdom. – James 1:5, 6.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (5) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (James 1:5-6)

c. “Let Your Requests Be Made Known.” – Philippians 4:6,7.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (6) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

d. “Whatsoever We Ask…” – 1 John 3:21,22.

“Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (21) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” (1 John 3:21-22)

e. “Ask Anything According to His Will.” – 1 John 5:14,15.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (14) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

f. “Come Boldly to the Lord in Time of Need.” – Hebrews 4:15, 16.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (15) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Note: “Saved” in Verse 13 is the Greek “sozo” and may also be translated as “deliverance” from DANGER, persecution, suffering and etc. as the context warrants.

The foregoing are only a handful of the riches that are extended to all Christians in Verse 12. It all begins with His first “rich” gift of salvation to anyone who will receive it by faith.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (4) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (5) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (6) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (7) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (8) Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Most every Christian has sung a very familiar song found in our Hymnals, “Count your blessings, Name them one by one, Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.”

Should each Christian practice this, it would eliminate a lot of discouragement, hopelessness, frustration, and heartache. Our previous blessings do not have to stop, unless we stop serving the Lord. Let us keep the Lord’s blessings coming.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:2)

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7)

The Often Misunderstood Parable Of The Sower And Seed

Mark 4:14-20, “The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”

The parable of 'The Sower And The Seed' is often misunderstood. There are four groups of seeds. Only the first group is unsaved. The same parable is told in Luke 8:11-15. The Word of God is the seed. The first group doesn't get saved, because the Devil captures the seed away.The other three groups got saved, because the Bible says the seed began to grow. 1st Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." The seed in the parable is the Word of God. Mark 4:14, "The sower soweth the word."

The goal of the parable is not salvation, but soulwinning. The second group never matures because they have shallow roots. The third group never mature to bear fruit because they are choked by the cares, riches and pleasures of this world. But the fourth group gladly receive the Word, and obey God's commandments, bringing forth some 30, others 60, and some 100 souls saved. Mark 4:20, "And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

Evangelist Ray Comfort interprets this passage wrong on his website. Here is Ray's unbiblical answer to the question:

Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?

... We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and until we forsake them through repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ ...

If belief is all that is necessary for salvation, then the logical conclusion is that one need never repent. However, the Bible tells us that a false convert "believes" and yet is not saved (Luke 8:13); he remains a "worker of iniquity." Look at the warning of Scripture: "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth" (1 John 1:6). The Scriptures also say, "He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them [repentance] shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). Jesus said that there was joy in heaven over one sinner who "repents" (Luke 15:10). If there is no repentance, there is no joy because there is no salvation.

SOURCE: http://www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/browse.shtml

Ray is wrong! He teaches that a person can believe, but still not be saved, if they continue living in sin. That is of the Devil. A person who believes is saved, period. John 6:47, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." As we read in Ray's previous quote, he says Luke 8:13 refers to a person who believes, but is not really saved because of sin in their life. That is junk theology of the worst sort!

Also, notice that Ray cites 1st John 1:6 to support his heresy. But carefully notice that the subject is "fellowship," not sonship (salvation). No Christian can live in willful open sin and have a close fellowship with God, but that has nothing to do with receiving the free gift of eternal life by faith alone (Galatians 3:26). Mr. Comfort is woefully ignorant of the Bible, wrestling the Scriptures to his own destruction, and those who follow his theological lies. Pastor Curtis Hutson gets repentance 100% correct in this helpful written sermon titled, "Repentance: What Does The Bible Teach?"

What Does "Ordained To Eternal Life" Mean?

Acts 13:46-48, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you [the Jews]: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”

I found this commentary by F.B. Meyer (1847-1929), a famous Baptist pastor in England, who offers this helpful commentary on our passage from Acts 13:48...

Acts 13:38-52JEWS REJECT, GENTILES ACCEPT, THE GOSPELThe doctrine of justification by faith, so closely associated with the work of Paul, is here stated for the first time. In Jesus there is forgiveness. For those who trust in Him, past sins are absolutely put away, never to be named again, never to be brought up at any future judgment day. Our record is as clear as the sand which has been swept smooth by the ocean waves. We are not only forgiven, but justified. We are treated as though we had never sinned, and are justified from all things. It is a present fact. You may not feel justified or forgiven, but if you are trusting in Jesus, you are at this moment as certainly and as fully justified as have been the saints in heaven. Pride, as well as jealousy of the Gentiles who were crowding into the fold, stirred the Jews to antagonism, but they could not eradicate the seed which had been so profusely scattered. Large numbers believed, and as they experienced salvation in Christ, they discovered that they were in line with an eternal purpose. This is the meaning of ordained in Acts 13:48. If with such slight opportunities, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:52, should we not possess the same experience? [emphasis added]

Paul and Barnabas taught the Gentiles that the Jews were chosen by God to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. The Bible says in our preceding text that the Gentiles were glad to hear this, and they glorified the Word of God, and as many as were "arranged in an orderly manner" to be saved, believed. I think that simply means that God already knows everyone who will be saved in advance. Taken by itself, this verse can be wrestled to teach Calvinism, but if we look at other Scriptures, we see that the word "whosoever" is repeatedly used concerning salvation (e.g., John 3:16; Revelation 22:17). The word "whosoever" appears in the New Testament 93 times. 

I found this article I wrote refuting the heresy of predestination. Pastor John MacArthur heretically teaches that God chooses who will be saved. It blows my mind that Dr. Steve Pettit and Bob Jones University bid Godspeed to Dr. MacArthur. Acts 13:48 simply means that God in His foreknowledge KNEW ahead of time, from the beginning of the world, who would be saved, but God did not choose them to be saved. I found this helpful page which shows the Greek meaning of “ordained,” and shows other Scripture passages in which it is used, like Romans 13:1.

Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) made this excellent statement: “A good rule to follow when interpreting the Bible is to never use an obscure passage to contradict a clear one.” I've noticed that the entire world of Lordship Salvation and Calvinism is nothing more than a house of cards, built upon OBSCURE passages of Scripture taken out of context. Acts 13:48 is one of their go-to verses, which is obscure (i.e., we don't know exactly what it means). But if we examine the rest of the Bible, then we see that God does not choose anyone to salvation. God knows in His foreknowledge who will believe, and He chooses them because they first chose Him. God predestinated them, not to salvation, but to be conformed into Christ's image. Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” The Bible is very clear, isn't it. Men complicate things, not God.

“If you believe only what the Devil believes, you have no more faith than the Devil!” —Pastor Ralph "Yankee" Arnold, a quote from the sermon titled: “The Damnable Doctrine Of The Devil”

I like something that Pastor Ralph 'Yankee' Arnold said:

Calvinism lie = They believe, because they were chosen;

The truth = We were chosen, because we believe!

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.

Evangelist Jack Chick Gets Luke 13:1-5 Wrong

Luke 13:1-5, “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

On cartoonist Jack Chick's website, there is a section titled “God's Plan Of Salvation.” This same corrupt plan of salvation is printed on the last page of every Chick Tract published. At the top of the webpage is the slogan, “Chick Tracts GET READ!” They sure do (about 800,000,000 of them), which is the problem, and the reason why I am typing this article to warn fellow Christians (and unbelievers too), that Chick Tracts have a wrong view of the Gospel. 

According to Mr. Chick, it is not enough to believe that Christ DIED on the cross for your sins, He was BURIED, and then bodily RESURRECTED three days later. This is “the Gospel” (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). In addition, Mr. Chick says that you must also be willing to turn away from your sinful behavior, as a prerequisite to believing the Gospel. Nowhere in the Scriptures are we taught to “turn from sins” to be saved. Am I wrong for telling THE TRUTH? Am I wrong for pointing out THE TRUTH that Jack Chick is perverting God's plan of salvation? I THINK NOT!!! Galatians 4:16,“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”

Jack Chick (1924-2016) quotes Luke 13:5 on his website, in a failed attempt to justify his Strawman heresy that you must “be willing to turn from sin” (which he errantly considered to mean “repent”) to be saved. Kindly said, Jack Chick took Luke 13:5 out of context to create his own pretext, to support his heresy. Pastor Curtis Hutson explains Luke 13:5 and gets it 100% correct:

In Luke 13:5 Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” The context of this verse shows that they needed to repent or change their mind regarding punishment and sin. In this passage, Christ was talking to good people who believed that people suffered only because of their sins, and they concluded that those in Galilee whose blood Pilate mingled with sacrifices and those on whom the tower of Siloam fell were greater sinners because they died such horrible deaths. Jesus contradicts the thinking of these self-righteous people and tells them that they need to repent or change their mind and see themselves as sinners, too, or they will perish in their own self-righteousness. 

One does not have to know the Greek language to see that “repent” in this passage does not mean feeling sorry for or turning from sin.

SOURCE: Dr. Curtis Hutson, 'Repentance: What Does The Bible Teach?'

So we see that it is very easy to take a passage of Scripture out of context. Bible repentance is simply the owning of one's sinnership—a change of mind—which facilitates believing the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified on the cross for our sins, buried and bodily resurrected the third day, so that we are immediately justified by faith alone.

Consider the following helpful quote by the mighty man of God, Dr. Harry Ironside (1876-1951):

“Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership—the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word.” 

SOURCE: 'Except Ye Repent,' by Dr. Harry Ironside, chapter 3

This is vastly different than actually attempting to cease from one's sinful behavior to be saved, which is a false gospel. Pastor Ironside is correct—repentance is simply realizing that one is a needy sinner in God's sight. This is why we need the blessed Saviour! Thankfully, Jesus paid the full price of our sins with His own precious blood (Romans 5:9; 1st Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 9:12; Revelation 1:5). We are saved by the blood of the crucified One! Glory I'm saved!!!