Luk 8:17 For nothing is secret that shall not be revealed; nor secret which shall not be known and come to be revealed.
Luk 8:18 Therefore be careful how you hear. For whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have.
Its good of you read the Bible, but be careful how you hear the word of God, especially from all the false teachers and ministries today!
Unraveling The Truth!
What does the Bible Really teach about Faith, Grace, Repentance, Forgiveness, Judgment and Salvation? Are their MANY Ways to God or One exclusive ‘NARROW’ Path that leads to eternal life? What does it mean to ‘Believe’ on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved? Does the Bible define the Fundamental principles of following Jesus in clear, precise language or allow everyone to draw their own conclusions about what it means to serve God?
In the following study we will unravel the mystery surrounding these vital issues for anyone willing to Seek God’s Truth with an open mind and yielded heart, apart from preconceived notions, doctrinal views or denominational background. However you must approach God on His Terms, realizing that He is NOT asking for your opinions in these matters, but only your obedience to what He has said. Most of you will be LOST before you begin because you cannot put aside what you ‘think’ you already know.
Enlightenment comes with humility. Those of you predisposed to ‘private interruptions’ will have Great Difficulty finding the Truth. But God has NOT hidden His Truth or made it complicated to unravel. He merely requires that you submit to HIM, believe that He is, and that He rewards those who will Diligently Seek Him out! Let us proceed.
Repentance: (The Mandate for Genuine Salvation)
Godly Sorrow for sin as compared to the Sorrow of the World
Your DEEDS must Prove your Repentance, a turning and changing of mind and heart
Repentance produces: Diligence, Clearing, Zeal and Vindication!
The forsaking of sin is an absolute necessity in True Biblical Repentance
Saving Faith Cannot originate in a Divided heart still addicted to sin
The Following Scriptures PROVE the importance and necessity of Real Repentance:
testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ
Acts20:21
First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. Acts26:20
and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke26:47
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 2Cor7:10-11
John the Baptist came preaching Repentance, (Matt3:1-3, Mark1:4) Jesus followed with the SAME Message, (Matt4:17, Mark1:15) The Apostles also followed suit, (Acts2:38-39) NO ONE can Receive or Believe in Christ, with saving faith, who has not first Repented of their sin in the manner described in the Bible. (See Luke19:1-10 for an example of true repentance according to Jesus!)
What is Repentance is NOT!
Biblical Repentance is NOT an Apology for sin or for being ‘sinful’
It is NOT merely admitting to God you’re a sinner
It is NOT Repeating words and expecting forgiveness
Godly Sorrow for sin has NOT occurred in a heart that remains unchanged & in bondage to vile affections and evil dispositions. (Thus Saving Faith cannot take hold in such a person!)
"Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." Rev3:2-3
Faith, Grace and Works: (The many aspects of saving faith)
Faith is Obedience from the heart, (prepared by godly sorrow & repentance)
Faith Produces Purity, Diligence and sincerity of heart
Faith Upholds & Establishes the Law of God!
Faith Works by Love & has Victory over the world, flesh and devil!
The Following Scriptures illustrate the Absolute Necessity of Obedience from the heart to be saved!
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; Rom1:1-6
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe (OBEY!) the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John3:36
And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." Acts5:32
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, Heb5:9
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Rom6:15-18
In the Bible Saving Faith also Produces PURITY of Heart:
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart 1Pet1:22
He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts15:9
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1John3:3
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ Col2:11
The Examples of Faith in the Bible Produce the WORKS of Faith:
They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the WORKS of Abraham. John 8:39
and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the STEPS of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. Rom4:12
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was WORKING together with his works, and by WORKS faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by WORKS, and not by faith only. James2:21-24
Those who are of the Faith of Abraham (Saving Faith!) WALK in the STEPS of Faith, DO the WORKS of Faith (Obedience & Purity) and FOLLOW the Example of Christ!
Saving Faith Upholds & Establishes the Law. (it does not violate it daily in thought, word & deed)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Rom8:1-4
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill Matt5:17
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. Rom3:31
The Working Principle behind Faith is LOVE and the Result is Victory over the world:
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Gal5:6
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1John5:4-5
The POWER behind Faith is GOD! (But He requires that you OBEY & Exercise faith to be saved!)
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the WORK of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2Thess1:11-12
remembering without ceasing your WORK of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father 1Thess1:3
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the POWER of His might Eph6:10
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that WORKS in us, Eph3:20
The LAW of Faith: (Rom3:27)
Eliminates the Boasting of men
Works Redemption of the soul from the corrupting influence of sin
Turns on an OBEDIENT heart yielded to God through repentance
Hungers after heart holiness and Righteousness of life!
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. Rom3:27
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Heb6:15
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: Heb10:35-36
By faith Abraham OBEYED he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. Heb11:8
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith 2Peter1:3-5
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matt5:6
What Faith is NOT:
Faith is not merely Trusting in Christ or Receiving Him into your heart
Faith is not Trusting that Christ Obeyed for you or that His Accomplishment will be Transferred to you
3) Faith ALONE will NOT Save the Soul! (James2:23-24)
Redemption Through Grace:
Salvation is a FREE GIFT apart from any WORKS of the Law
It is Purchased by the BLOOD of Christ, through His Death on the Cross
God Accepted His Sacrifice as Atonement for the sins of mankind and raised Him from the Dead to confirm His Deity!
Now all who ‘Believe, Obey, Follow and endure’ can inherit Eternal life in Christ.
Here is what the Bible has to Say:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph2:8-10
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1John2:1
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished Rom3:25
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matt7:13-14
What Exactly is GRACE According to the Bible?
The POWER of God unto Salvation!
The POWER of godliness and self-control!
The POWER of Purity and Obedience to the Truth!
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus2:11-14
so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.Titus3:7
Grace can be Received in Vain! (To no effect, without purpose, if you fail to WORK!)
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in VAIN. 2Cor6:1
I am afraid for you lest I have labored for you in VAIN! Gal4:11
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in VAIN. 1Cor15:1-2
God Will NOT allow Grace to be Abused! (It is NOT License for immorality!) Jude3-4
Sinning against the Grace of God will Disqualify you from the Kingdom!
The Bible Lists Several sins that will Keep you OUT of the Kingdom if not forsaken
Grace Promotes Godliness & Self-Control, Purity and Obedience!
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Gal5:13-26
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God .Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. Eph5:3-7
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1Cor6:9-11
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people. "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb10:26-31
Word of Advice on the issue of Grace:
Allow the Word to speak for itself. Many Great swelling words of emptiness have been spoken on this subject to accommodate man in his sin. The Doctrine of Grace is the DOCTRINE ACCORDING to Godliness! (1Tim6:3-5) The PURPOSE of the Commandment is LOVE, PURITY & SINCEREITY of Faith (1Tim1:5) Anyone who teaches otherwise is ‘destitute’ of the Truth & does not know God! No matter if they appear to you as lambs, RUN from them as you would Wolves!
The Righteousness of Faith, Rom1:17
Faith is Credited to you as Righteousness if you OBEY and DO what God has said to DO!
He who DOES what is RIGHT is Righteous
Submitting to the Righteousness of Faith is DOING & OBEYING God’s Will
Abraham was Declared Righteous by a Faith that OBEYED!
Righteousness as Defined in the Bible:
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1John3:7-10
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3John11
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is WHY "it was credited to him as righteousness." Rom4:19-22
