ARE "Y.O.U." REALLY SAVED? Yes, I'm talking to you "Christian Believer"!

There is a problem in the “church” of today. The divorce rate is higher in the “church” than it is in the world. Adultery abounds in the church. Pre-marital sex is the norm. Pregnant teens and unwed mothers flourish in the “church.” There is a reason for this problem. The gospel that the modern ”church” teaches is not the one that our Messiah taught. Our current theology has strayed far from that of the believers of the first century. In order to understand where our doctrines are wrong, we must examine what our Messiah originally taught and see if the apostles’ doctrine lined up with this. If the Messiah and the apostles agree, it should be obvious that it is the modern “church” and it’s theology that is in error. The first doctrine that Jesus taught was repentance. Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This was the message that John the Baptist had taught. Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This is also the same message that Peter preached when Pentecost had fully come. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Peter did not lead them in a sinners’ prayer. Just saying “I’m sorry” was not the gospel. Repentance was still the first step in the gospel of the New Covenant. The only difference was the gift of the Holy Spirit had been added. In studying the balance of scripture, we can see that Peter was not teaching water baptism for the remission of sins but repentance for the remission of sins. This is the first step in the salvation process. In order to understand this doctrine of repentance, we must first understand how the bible defines ”sin.” We will first look at Paul’s insights. Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: Paul tells us that it is God’s law that is our gauge to reveal sin. John affirms this understanding. 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. In other words, Peter was telling the people to STOP VIOLATING GOD’S LAW AND TURN COMPLETELY TO GOD THROUGH HIS MESSIAH. The physical picture of this spiritual decision was water baptism. The modern “church” has taught that God’s law was a curse and that it has been done away with, nailed to the cross. As a result, gross sin is now more rampant in the “church” than it is in the world. Is this the gospel that Jesus and the apostles taught? We will examine this in more depth later in this article. Next, let’s look at Jesus’ doctrine of being “born again.” John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Was Jesus making up a new doctrine or was He referring to the original bible (what we have erroneously called the “old testament”)? He was of course referring to the bible. As we will see, the water represents the physical repentance and obedience. Being born of the Spirit is God putting His Spirit within us. Pay very close attention as to the reason that God gives for putting His Spirit within us. Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. This first verse that speaks of the cleansing water refers back to God’s law in Numbers 19:1-13 which describes God’s commandments concerning the Red Heifer and the cleansing water that is made with its’ ashes. There is no apparent logical reason for this. This represents obedience by faith. The reason God gives for putting His Spirit in us was to transform our stony hearts into flesh, to change our spiritual nature into one of wanting to do God’s will. This is what Paul is referring to in Philippians 2:12-13. Now God is helping us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling by giving us the desire and the ability to do His good pleasure. What is His good pleasure? This last verse in Ezekiel tells us. God has empowered us to walk in His statutes, and to keep His judgments, TO DO THEM. What are these statutes and judgments? Jeremiah gives us the answer. Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. God’s law is what He said He would write on our hearts. God’s law is the statutes and judgments we are empowered to now keep. We have been told that nobody can keep God’s law. This is not what the bible teaches. Jesus’ teaching of the “born again” experience was already outlined in the prophets. What about the gospel of salvation that Paul taught? Was it a new doctrine or was it from the original bible? Of course it was from the bible. Let’s look at what Paul taught. The old English of the King James Version of the bible makes it hard to clearly see what Paul is saying so I am using the New Jerusalem Translation here. Romans 10:4 But the Law has found its fulfilment in Christ so that all who have faith will be justified. 5 Moses writes of the saving justice that comes by the Law and says that whoever complies with it will find life in it. 6 But the saving justice of faith says this: Do not think in your heart, 'Who will go up to heaven?' -- 7 that is to bring Christ down; or 'Who will go down to the depths?' -- that is to bring Christ back from the dead. 8 What does it say, then? The word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith, the faith which we preach, 9 that if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. 10 It is by believing with the heart that you are justified, and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved. It almost looks like Paul is teaching a new way of salvation here until we look at where Paul is getting his teaching from; back to the King James. We will compare one or two verses at a time. To really understand what Paul is teaching, all of Romans should be read in context. We do not have the space to deal with this here but let’s look at one previous verse. Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Here Paul informs us that, even though we are not under the law, violating the law still leads to death and obedience to God’s law still plays a major role in our righteousness. This understanding will help us understand what he is trying to teach us in chapter ten. Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Deuteronomy 30:9 And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: 10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. 11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Moses is clearly teaching obedience to God’s law here. Paul is showing us what obedience to God‘s law points to. According to John 1:1, Jesus is God’s word made flesh. God’s law was made flesh to show us clearly the example of how God wants us to live. Let’s go on with our comparison. Romans 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Deuteronomy 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Moses spoke of doing God’s law. Paul is not teaching something different. Paul is revealing what God’s law is pointing us to. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: Paul is explaining how we “choose life.” He is affirming to us that obedience to God’s law is a crucial part of “choosing life.” He is also letting us know that the next step in “choosing life” is embracing God’s Law made Flesh, His Messiah. He is explaining to us how we are to be “born again” as Jesus taught us. By the text Paul is referring to, he again is teaching us that obedience to God’s law is not an optional part of this choice for life. This will be even clearer when we look at what Jesus taught us next. Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. This account is related in Mark 10:17-18 and Luke 18:18-20 as well. This is not the answer that we would receive from any modern pastor or theologian. Could it be that they teach another gospel that is different from the one that Jesus and the apostles taught? Which commandments was Jesus teaching us to keep? He gives us the answer in Matthew chapter five. Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. All of God’s law is what we are expected to keep, down to the least jot and tittle. We do this by God’s Spirit within us. Most ministers, if they even make it, will be called “least in the kingdom of heaven.” You have a choice to make. You could be called “great in the kingdom.” Choose to teach what Jesus taught. We see here that breaking even the least commandment in God’s law and teaching that this is acceptable will get you demoted to “least in the kingdom.” It will not matter how many great works you have done for God. Teaching that God’s law has been abolished will get you cast out into outer darkness. NKJ Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Jesus tells us that He will reject these believers who are performing miracles in His name and by His Spirit because they “practice lawlessness.” A very unique Greek word is used for lawlessness here. It is the Greek word “anomia.” Nomos is the Greek word used to translate the Hebrew word Torah which is translated law in English. Anomos means without law. Anomia means to violate or abolish the law, lawlessness, or contempt of law. Though these many believers were prophesying, casting out devils, and doing many wonderful works in Jesus' name (we know that this was done by the Spirit of God because in Matt 12:26 Jesus says that Satan will not cast out Satan), they had thrown out His Law, they had rejected His words. Without the instructions of God that He spoke at Mt. Sinai, we cannot do the will of our Father in heaven. Refusing to obey God’s written instructions contained in His Law could cost you your eternity. There are two main reasons why this is true. First, if we abolish God’s law, we abolish God’s definition of “love.” Since the modern “church” has done this, it has had to make up its own definition of “love” based on 1 Corinthians chapter 13 only. This new definition of “love” is that we accept everyone who claims to be a believer, no matter what kind of sin they might be in. We overlook it and “love” them anyway. There are now homosexuals in leadership positions in some denominations. Is this what Paul taught? Eight chapters earlier we see Paul turning a brother over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his spirit might be saved in the day of Christ. He commands the believers to not even eat with the man until he repents. This is an aspect of love based on God’s law that the modern “church” has ignored for the most part. Jesus taught us in Matthew 22:36-40 that all of God’s law hangs on the two greatest commandments: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The rest of God’s law is the details of God’s complete definition for “love.” John brings this fact out in his epistle. Let’s remember God’s definition for sin through John. 1 John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. First, understanding God’s definition for sin, John tells us that he is writing us these things so we will not violate God’s law. He goes on to tell us that the person who claims to know Him but isn’t keeping His commandments is a liar. Liars have their place in the lake of fire. Next he tells us that if we keep God’s word (in context, God’s law), God’s love will be perfected in us. This is how He tells us we can know that we are “in Him.” Verse six tells us that we should follow Jesus’ example. In context, this is His example of walking in obedience to all of God’s law by God’s Spirit. 1 Corinthians 13 does indeed hold a key in understanding our passage in Matthew 7. Let’s look at the parallels. 1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy (Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name?), and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains (have we not cast out demons in your name and done many wonders in your name?), but have not love, I am nothing (I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness). If we abolish God’s law, we are nothing. We cannot love God or one another by His definition of love. Making up our own will never work. The second major reason that we must keep God’s law if we want eternal life is that obedience is required to perfect our faith. We can see that Paul actually taught this if we know what to look for. The first verse we have already looked at. Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Let’s look at some others. Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. We know from some of Paul’s other writings that we cannot be justified by the works of the law. Obviously doing the law is different from trying to be justified by works of the law. As we study, we will see that it has to do with the order and motives of our obedience; it has to do with whether we are in the Spirit or in the flesh. Let’s look at some of Paul’s other writings. Romans 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Here again we see that the commandments contained in God’s law were actually ordained to life. The sin that they pointed out is what brought death. Paul tells us that God’s law is holy, the individual commandments are holy, just, and good. Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. This is the key to understanding God’s law. The law is spiritual; a carnal man could never keep it. We must have God’s Spirit within us; God’s law must be written on our hearts to be able to truly keep it. This is the main purpose of the Holy Spirit as God told us through Ezekiel. Let’s look at the famous verses about salvation by grace and see what Paul really taught. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. I have never heard this last verse taught in the context of salvation by grace. Every minister I have ever heard has stopped with verse nine. Paul went on in verse ten to explain that the works that could never get us “born again” are the same works that we are expected to walk in once we are “created in Christ Jesus.” If we study Paul’s other writings we will find that the majority of the time he is referring to the “works of the law.” Keeping God’s law is impossible in the flesh and could never get us “born again” even if we could keep it flawlessly. It was never designed for this. It was given to a people already walking in covenant with God. It is only for God’s covenant people. In Roman’s chapter four Paul tells us that Abraham was saved “by faith” and not “by works.” This is obviously a true statement. What Paul does not tell us there but alludes to in Ephesians chapter two is what James teaches us in the second chapter of his epistle. James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 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? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 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. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 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. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. According to Hebrews 12:2, Jesus is the author and the perfecter of our faith. Does this mean that we have no part to play in this? The answer lies in who Jesus gives this faith to. Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Paul tells us that God has given every man the measure of faith. No man will be able to stand before God claiming that he never had a chance. John 1:9 tells us that Jesus has given light to every man that comes into this world. He also tells us that the way that leads to salvation is straight and narrow and there will few that will find it. All have this chance. Few will choose to pursue it. Every man must choose to act on the faith that God gives initially. Every man must also choose to walk in obedience to God’s law so that his faith will be perfected. If he chooses not to, according to James, his faith will die. “Faith without works is dead.” He did not say that it was never really faith. James plainly explains that faith must be perfected by good works of obedience or it will die. Paul gives us a stern warning about those who refuse to love God’s law. To understand it we must first understand God’s simple biblical definition for “truth.” Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Psalm 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. God did not tell us through David that His law was “a truth.” He did not tell us that His law was part of His “truth.” He tells us through David that His law is “the truth.” “Truth” does not change. It is absolute. God makes it clear here that His law, sometimes called “the law of Moses,” is His definition of “truth.” With this understanding, let’s look at Paul’s warning. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Anything other than God’s truth is unrighteousness. Doctrines of demons abound in the “church” today. Only those who are diligently seeking will actually find the straight and narrow path. The rest will be lost. We must receive the love of the truth. We must reject the lie of the enemy before it is too late. We must love God’s law. This was the testimony of the early believers. This should be our testimony too. Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: Let’s look at one other scripture in Revelation chapter 22. Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Do not be one of these who loves the lie that Satan has spread throughout almost the whole church. Instead be a lover of God’s law. The truths that we have studied are not being taught in the modern “church.” This is why sin abounds. This is why few will find that “straight and narrow path.” God will hold the ministers to a much higher standard. Please prayerfully study out these truths for yourselves. Show yourselves approved unto God. Rightly divide the word of truth