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K
Amen Thadeus. Obedience is not about doing good works in order to be saved. Christ paid that price on the cross. However, obedience is about trusting God. In other words, do you trust God enough to follow his instructions so that you align yourself with His will in this life. Sin, although it may be forgiven, is not in the will of God. I can not see why so many seem to struggle with this concept.
K
You have to keep in mind that Graham was an Evangelist. Although his services may have lasted a couple of hours, most of his sermons probably lasted 45 to 60 minutes, that is if everything went smoothly and on schedual (which I imagine would be next impossible trying to organize such a large event). Graham had to pack as He could into his sermons to receive maximum response to his sermons. If given the opportunity to preach to a large crowd, of course I would preach the love and the grace of God and what one must to do be saved over doctrinal theology any day.
So many hear the gospel of Christ and become believers but then have no fellowship, no local church to be taught the word and no grace and knowledge to grow in. They may read their Bibles and pray but eventually they go right back doing what they were doing having no power or love and begin to question their salvation because they are not being renewed in the spirit of their mind (Eph 4:23). The Holy Spirit becomes grieved in their life, not because of sin but because they are not being feed and nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine (1Tim 4:6). We all need to be continually built up in the faith daily just like they did in the book of Acts (they were in one accord and continued in the apostles doctrine and in fellowship, breaking bread daily).
There are others that had an emotional experience when they first believed and they are looking for that again because they associate their salvation through Christ with that experience. Then there are others that have listened to many different preachers, read many books on spirituality and have visited many churches and never seem to fit in or become settled in the faith to be rooted and grounded. They love God but they don't see any fruit and get caught up with the cares of this life. Others are dealing with their background religions that they were exposed to early in life and developed understanding that is contrary to what the scripture teach, so they are dealing with that and become confused. This is why it is so important that a believer put them self under a pastor/teacher that God has raised up and given to the church that labors extensively in the word and doctrine.
All these types of believers, and many more, gather themselves together at these crusades to get answers, to be uplifted or receive a word from God that will put them in the right direction. And the preacher has a couple of opportunities to give messages that will meet all of these needs. What takes place is that so many come forward to be saved and others to rededicate their lives hoping that something will happen to stir them up in the right direction. The Billy Graham Crusades understood that very well and was organized to get believers into good local churches. The altar call is what it is and God honored it and many became believers and many came under conviction and renewed and rekindled their love for God by receiving the love of God at those crusades.
To be very honest with you, in all the messages that I have heard come from these gatherings for the past 50 years, never once have I not heard conviction come from the pulpit. The gathering and assembly of believers is the house of God, because Jesus Christ was in the midst of His people and the word and cross of Christ was preached and many were saved and added to the church by the Lord of the harvest that compelled them to come in, that His house might be full.
There are others that had an emotional experience when they first believed and they are looking for that again because they associate their salvation through Christ with that experience. Then there are others that have listened to many different preachers, read many books on spirituality and have visited many churches and never seem to fit in or become settled in the faith to be rooted and grounded. They love God but they don't see any fruit and get caught up with the cares of this life. Others are dealing with their background religions that they were exposed to early in life and developed understanding that is contrary to what the scripture teach, so they are dealing with that and become confused. This is why it is so important that a believer put them self under a pastor/teacher that God has raised up and given to the church that labors extensively in the word and doctrine.
All these types of believers, and many more, gather themselves together at these crusades to get answers, to be uplifted or receive a word from God that will put them in the right direction. And the preacher has a couple of opportunities to give messages that will meet all of these needs. What takes place is that so many come forward to be saved and others to rededicate their lives hoping that something will happen to stir them up in the right direction. The Billy Graham Crusades understood that very well and was organized to get believers into good local churches. The altar call is what it is and God honored it and many became believers and many came under conviction and renewed and rekindled their love for God by receiving the love of God at those crusades.
To be very honest with you, in all the messages that I have heard come from these gatherings for the past 50 years, never once have I not heard conviction come from the pulpit. The gathering and assembly of believers is the house of God, because Jesus Christ was in the midst of His people and the word and cross of Christ was preached and many were saved and added to the church by the Lord of the harvest that compelled them to come in, that His house might be full.
B
And yet this was prophesied as to occur before His appearing... that it would be so bad that only a few will find the faith.
Matthew 7:13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
So what is wrong with this picture if God's House is being supposedly filled by Billy Graham's Crusade?
I read Billy Graham by the testimonies from his interviews at those links in the OP as having doubts about entering into the Kingdom of God because by that commitment to follow Christ is the knowledge of sin. It is no wonder to me why he has doubts about entering in, so discern the altar call again, bro. Even if the links are circumspect with prejudices, do consider the cause as I see it due to the altar call.
Matthew 23:12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
1 Corinthians 1: 17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Matthew 7:13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
So what is wrong with this picture if God's House is being supposedly filled by Billy Graham's Crusade?
I read Billy Graham by the testimonies from his interviews at those links in the OP as having doubts about entering into the Kingdom of God because by that commitment to follow Christ is the knowledge of sin. It is no wonder to me why he has doubts about entering in, so discern the altar call again, bro. Even if the links are circumspect with prejudices, do consider the cause as I see it due to the altar call.
Matthew 23:12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
1 Corinthians 1: 17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
B
By His grace, what I am sharing about is how we live by faith in Jesus Christ as opposing how the world lives religiously so that our faith can be seen apart from that which is in according to His Will.
John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
It is not about trying as in doing the best you can by keeping "your commitment to follow Christ" as if you can follow Him by will and by the flesh.
It is about trusting the Lord Jesus Christ in God keeping His Covenant to you to help you live as His as well as for eternal life by believing Him st His Word.
If you do not believe my words, then believe His Word.
John 6:28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 3:14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 118: 8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 100:3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Ephesians 2: 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
It is not about trying as in doing the best you can by keeping "your commitment to follow Christ" as if you can follow Him by will and by the flesh.
It is about trusting the Lord Jesus Christ in God keeping His Covenant to you to help you live as His as well as for eternal life by believing Him st His Word.
If you do not believe my words, then believe His Word.
John 6:28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 3:14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 118: 8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 100:3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Ephesians 2: 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Billy Graham's Salvation Theology is correct. We are not saved until God passes judgment on our entire life of faith and works of love. That Judgment comes, naturally, after our temporal life and in God's own good time.
A momentary utterance of faith by itself will get you no where except Hell. The Bible itself tells you this --- faith alone does NOT save. The Apostles tell you this. As does Jesus Christ Himself. And as does His Church.
So, if you still cling to Faith Alone, then you are all alone, except for the Devil.
And, BTW, in posting Eph 2:8-9, you need to post Eph 2:10 -- you know, that part which speaks of us being made for works. Otherwise, you are less than honest.
God Bless.
Amen
B
I did post verse 10.
And thus, you did not read what I had posted. You had glanced over it, expecting a general theme when I was talking about "how" we are to live as His... by faith in Jesus Christ... not only as Our Saviour, but as Our Good Shepherd... that means following Him.
Read that post again that you had so hastily read over.
Then by His grace, you will see that Billy Graham's theology is not correct at all. If not....
Well... I can see the definite influence of catholicism on your mentality and viewpoints. God will set you free from it one way or another.... as in being left behind at the rapture event for Jesus will finish His work even in you, but I hope He sets you free sooner.
And thus, you did not read what I had posted. You had glanced over it, expecting a general theme when I was talking about "how" we are to live as His... by faith in Jesus Christ... not only as Our Saviour, but as Our Good Shepherd... that means following Him.
Read that post again that you had so hastily read over.
Then by His grace, you will see that Billy Graham's theology is not correct at all. If not....
Well... I can see the definite influence of catholicism on your mentality and viewpoints. God will set you free from it one way or another.... as in being left behind at the rapture event for Jesus will finish His work even in you, but I hope He sets you free sooner.
Baruch,
quote: 'It is not about trying as in doing the best you can by keeping "your commitment to follow Christ" as if you can follow Him by will and by the flesh'.
I understand what you are saying and the point you are trying to make, but ease up. No one is trying to take away your convictions that you have from God. We are all humans, we all lack wisdom that we have to ask God for and we are not perfect in knowledge, in understanding or anything else. We grow and go on unto perfection. Wisdom is the application of knowledge and it so important how we do that. God knows how careless and immature we have been in applying knowledge especially when it comes to people. We don't stop but we do learn how to do it better with discretion and without lording it over people.
Most of the NT verbs pertaining to the believer are in the active voice, which means that the subject of the sentence (the believer) initiates the action of the verb. Even the verb 'believe' is in the active voice. That is not putting emphasis on the will of the flesh or the will of man but rather the heart response to what God initiates to man. If the verb was in the passive voice, then the man would receive the action of the verb. Your phrase 'your commitment to follow Christ', is a request for those that have heard the message. They can act upon that request and with their heart believe and commit to follow Christ. They can also reject that request and remain in unbelief. Which is better, to believe and commit or to remain in unbelief? God will respond according to the receptivity of their heart. The parable of the sower in (Luke 8) reveals the condition of the soil of the heart that received the seed and the fruit it produces. The problem was not with the seed but with the condition of the heart.
John 2:23-25 'Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man'.
Interesting passage. Along with that, we commit our way unto the Lord ... and He shall bring it to pass (Ps 37:5). We commit ours works unto the Lord so that our thoughts will be established (Prov 13:6). God is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him (2Tim 1:12). So asking someone to make a commitment to follow Christ is not evil and the Holy Spirit is quite capable to teach them through the cross and the scriptures.
quote: 'It is not about trying as in doing the best you can by keeping "your commitment to follow Christ" as if you can follow Him by will and by the flesh'.
I understand what you are saying and the point you are trying to make, but ease up. No one is trying to take away your convictions that you have from God. We are all humans, we all lack wisdom that we have to ask God for and we are not perfect in knowledge, in understanding or anything else. We grow and go on unto perfection. Wisdom is the application of knowledge and it so important how we do that. God knows how careless and immature we have been in applying knowledge especially when it comes to people. We don't stop but we do learn how to do it better with discretion and without lording it over people.
Most of the NT verbs pertaining to the believer are in the active voice, which means that the subject of the sentence (the believer) initiates the action of the verb. Even the verb 'believe' is in the active voice. That is not putting emphasis on the will of the flesh or the will of man but rather the heart response to what God initiates to man. If the verb was in the passive voice, then the man would receive the action of the verb. Your phrase 'your commitment to follow Christ', is a request for those that have heard the message. They can act upon that request and with their heart believe and commit to follow Christ. They can also reject that request and remain in unbelief. Which is better, to believe and commit or to remain in unbelief? God will respond according to the receptivity of their heart. The parable of the sower in (Luke 8) reveals the condition of the soil of the heart that received the seed and the fruit it produces. The problem was not with the seed but with the condition of the heart.
John 2:23-25 'Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man'.
Interesting passage. Along with that, we commit our way unto the Lord ... and He shall bring it to pass (Ps 37:5). We commit ours works unto the Lord so that our thoughts will be established (Prov 13:6). God is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him (2Tim 1:12). So asking someone to make a commitment to follow Christ is not evil and the Holy Spirit is quite capable to teach them through the cross and the scriptures.
Eric51,
At the cross, all the disciples forsook the Lord Jesus Christ who walked with Him for (3) years. They did not come back, Jesus had to go out and get them because they were confused, fearful and in unbelief. Peter denied Him three times and then went back fishing with (6) other disciples. Some troopers they were. Did they lose their salvation and have to get it back? I don't see any of them repenting of their forsaking and denial of their savior Jesus Christ? Peter did not know how to love Christ and had not been converted yet to be able to strengthen the brethren (Luke 22:32, John 21:14-18). But you probably take converted to mean salvation in that context, but you are wrong as you are about many things!
Paul told Timothy in (2Tim 4:16) that all men had forsaken him except Luke in (v/11). Even Titus, his entrusted friend and labourer in the gospel, had left him to do his own thing. Do you think that any of these men lost their salvation? You probably do. I suppose that you think of yourself to be one of the very few that enters in at the straight gate and actually makes it into the kingdom. You must be one of those (5) good virgins with their lamps full. You must be doing a heck of a job maintaining your salvation to make sure you keep your reservation in heaven. No rain checks for you. Salvation is not a gift given by God to be maintained. It has been imputed to us as a gift of God's righteousness that God maintains and keeps and all we have to do is believe. All things are possible only believe (Mk 5:36, Mt 19:26).
If it was our job to maintain salvation we would blow it everytime we has a thought outside of the will of God or one that did not come from the Holy Spirit of God. God maintains His own life that He imputes to us by grace and through faith. So when we fail we are confident that he keeps what He has given us. We confess the sin, get restored and go on by faith. We can do it that way because we have been justified by Christ. We will never be restored by the work of repentance but we will be restored by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ. And that my friend is the good news of the gospel that we are to preach to every creature. That is our great salvation from our our great Lord and Savior.
At the cross, all the disciples forsook the Lord Jesus Christ who walked with Him for (3) years. They did not come back, Jesus had to go out and get them because they were confused, fearful and in unbelief. Peter denied Him three times and then went back fishing with (6) other disciples. Some troopers they were. Did they lose their salvation and have to get it back? I don't see any of them repenting of their forsaking and denial of their savior Jesus Christ? Peter did not know how to love Christ and had not been converted yet to be able to strengthen the brethren (Luke 22:32, John 21:14-18). But you probably take converted to mean salvation in that context, but you are wrong as you are about many things!
Paul told Timothy in (2Tim 4:16) that all men had forsaken him except Luke in (v/11). Even Titus, his entrusted friend and labourer in the gospel, had left him to do his own thing. Do you think that any of these men lost their salvation? You probably do. I suppose that you think of yourself to be one of the very few that enters in at the straight gate and actually makes it into the kingdom. You must be one of those (5) good virgins with their lamps full. You must be doing a heck of a job maintaining your salvation to make sure you keep your reservation in heaven. No rain checks for you. Salvation is not a gift given by God to be maintained. It has been imputed to us as a gift of God's righteousness that God maintains and keeps and all we have to do is believe. All things are possible only believe (Mk 5:36, Mt 19:26).
If it was our job to maintain salvation we would blow it everytime we has a thought outside of the will of God or one that did not come from the Holy Spirit of God. God maintains His own life that He imputes to us by grace and through faith. So when we fail we are confident that he keeps what He has given us. We confess the sin, get restored and go on by faith. We can do it that way because we have been justified by Christ. We will never be restored by the work of repentance but we will be restored by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ. And that my friend is the good news of the gospel that we are to preach to every creature. That is our great salvation from our our great Lord and Savior.
B
And yet you led to this conclusion.
Now how can I ease up?
I understand that God has to cause the increase, but by His grace, the exposure of dead works by the light of scriptures should be done as long as He is willing for me to do this as I trust Him to lead me elsewhere since I trust Him to direct my footsteps and take me Home for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb whin it is time.
I do not see a massive move of correcting believers when they bear false witness of themselves and lord over others by condemning them as if they are not believers or saved at all by a standard they are not able to keep themselves.
No good tree will proiduce a bad fruit as in the means of this altar call is all bad and not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as that little leaven leavens into a whole lump for the wrath of God to fall on the sons of disobedience. Jesus said it was of evil. Matthew 5:33-37 as verse 36 says why.. for taking on any work that is His.
If this be considered evil...
James 4:13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
So under the commitment to follow Christ... one sins twice by when they did not do good at any time... thus breaking their commitment to follow Him, and they sin thrice when they bear false testimony of themselves that they have ckept it. Then they sin more when they judge others by a standard they are unable to keep.
Where is the faith in Jesus Christ to live this christian life by the grace of God?
Now how can I ease up?
I understand that God has to cause the increase, but by His grace, the exposure of dead works by the light of scriptures should be done as long as He is willing for me to do this as I trust Him to lead me elsewhere since I trust Him to direct my footsteps and take me Home for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb whin it is time.
I do not see a massive move of correcting believers when they bear false witness of themselves and lord over others by condemning them as if they are not believers or saved at all by a standard they are not able to keep themselves.
No good tree will proiduce a bad fruit as in the means of this altar call is all bad and not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as that little leaven leavens into a whole lump for the wrath of God to fall on the sons of disobedience. Jesus said it was of evil. Matthew 5:33-37 as verse 36 says why.. for taking on any work that is His.
If this be considered evil...
James 4:13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
So under the commitment to follow Christ... one sins twice by when they did not do good at any time... thus breaking their commitment to follow Him, and they sin thrice when they bear false testimony of themselves that they have ckept it. Then they sin more when they judge others by a standard they are unable to keep.
Where is the faith in Jesus Christ to live this christian life by the grace of God?
B
Actually, the last statement is the opposite of everything you had posted up to that last point. I cannot see how making a commitment to follow Christ can not be seen as a response of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man.
The problem here is making a commitment to follow Christ is to save oneself by keeping it, thus labouring in unbelief. Either they believe or they don't. By believing, they are sealed with the promise of the Spirit. There is no altar call for this promise to occur. Acts 10 testifies of how Gentiles had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit way before anyone knew they had believed.
So this goes to the glory of God which man has no part in glorying in himself by leading someone to make a commitment to follow Christ by word and deed. All credit goes to Billy Graham for "leading those people to the Lord", but he didn't. No man can come to the Son unless it is the Father that draws him: John 6:44, but by leading them to make that commitment to follow Christ, Billy Graham gets the credit of making religious christians... and saving them by leading tham to make a commitment to follow Christ to save themselves so as to have that assurance of salvation that they are saved.
Billy Graham is a modern day example of a Pharisee. He himself is not entering in, and he suffers not anyone else to enter in either. Even he doubts he would enter in. I know God will deliver him, but it is written that it is better to tie a millstone around your neck and cast yourself into the sea than to cause any of the little ones to go astray. He did many by that religious altar call.
And the condition of the soil determines how that seed is recieved... religiously... or by faith.
As 2 Timothy 1:12 uses the term "commit" to mean "entrust"as in "He will", it is all on Jesus.
Commitment means what a man makes to God like a vow declaring, "I will", thus it is all on the man.
If we commit our way unto the Lord as in we are entrusting our way to Him, then the term commitment cannot be use for it does not mean the same thing.
Jesus did not entrust himjself unto men because he knew all men. No matter how much the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak therefore no one need to testify of man in his commitment to follow Christ for we should all know what is in man.. sin in the flesh.
If we deny ourselves, and live by faith in the Son of God, then we can become witnesses of Him through our faith. If we speak of ourselves in our commitment to follow Christ, then we become false witnesses of ourselves and bearing testimony of what man or a believer cxan do by the flesh and will of keeping His commitment to follow Christ.
Christianity is not a religion of what man can do, but a relationship based on trust on what Christ can do. That is the only way we can get to know Him and most importantly of all...
...unless we become as a child in receiving the Kingdom of God, we shall in no wise enter therein. So what can a child do but trust the Lord?
But the commitment to follow Christ is not of faith and those that do it, must live in them and by it no flesh shall be justified for there will be the knowledge of sin as no flesh shall glory in His presence.
There is no easing up on this apostate religious call of salvation when one looks to making a commitment to follow Christ and keeping it is the means for salvation & justification. RED FLAG
May God cause the increase to any that still hears.
The problem here is making a commitment to follow Christ is to save oneself by keeping it, thus labouring in unbelief. Either they believe or they don't. By believing, they are sealed with the promise of the Spirit. There is no altar call for this promise to occur. Acts 10 testifies of how Gentiles had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit way before anyone knew they had believed.
So this goes to the glory of God which man has no part in glorying in himself by leading someone to make a commitment to follow Christ by word and deed. All credit goes to Billy Graham for "leading those people to the Lord", but he didn't. No man can come to the Son unless it is the Father that draws him: John 6:44, but by leading them to make that commitment to follow Christ, Billy Graham gets the credit of making religious christians... and saving them by leading tham to make a commitment to follow Christ to save themselves so as to have that assurance of salvation that they are saved.
Billy Graham is a modern day example of a Pharisee. He himself is not entering in, and he suffers not anyone else to enter in either. Even he doubts he would enter in. I know God will deliver him, but it is written that it is better to tie a millstone around your neck and cast yourself into the sea than to cause any of the little ones to go astray. He did many by that religious altar call.
And the condition of the soil determines how that seed is recieved... religiously... or by faith.
As 2 Timothy 1:12 uses the term "commit" to mean "entrust"as in "He will", it is all on Jesus.
Commitment means what a man makes to God like a vow declaring, "I will", thus it is all on the man.
If we commit our way unto the Lord as in we are entrusting our way to Him, then the term commitment cannot be use for it does not mean the same thing.
Jesus did not entrust himjself unto men because he knew all men. No matter how much the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak therefore no one need to testify of man in his commitment to follow Christ for we should all know what is in man.. sin in the flesh.
If we deny ourselves, and live by faith in the Son of God, then we can become witnesses of Him through our faith. If we speak of ourselves in our commitment to follow Christ, then we become false witnesses of ourselves and bearing testimony of what man or a believer cxan do by the flesh and will of keeping His commitment to follow Christ.
Christianity is not a religion of what man can do, but a relationship based on trust on what Christ can do. That is the only way we can get to know Him and most importantly of all...
...unless we become as a child in receiving the Kingdom of God, we shall in no wise enter therein. So what can a child do but trust the Lord?
But the commitment to follow Christ is not of faith and those that do it, must live in them and by it no flesh shall be justified for there will be the knowledge of sin as no flesh shall glory in His presence.
There is no easing up on this apostate religious call of salvation when one looks to making a commitment to follow Christ and keeping it is the means for salvation & justification. RED FLAG
May God cause the increase to any that still hears.
quote: 'So this goes to the glory of God which man has no part in glorying in himself by leading someone to make a commitment to follow Christ by word and deed. All credit goes to Billy Graham for "leading those people to the Lord", but he didn't. No man can come to the Son unless it is the Father that draws him: John 6:44, but by leading them to make that commitment to follow Christ, Billy Graham gets the credit of making religious christians... and saving them by leading them to make a commitment to follow Christ to save themselves so as to have that assurance of salvation that they are saved'.
We all know that all credit and glory belongs to God.
ICor 3:7-9 'So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building'.
So if God gave any increase at those meetings, so be it! And if someone wants to give the Billy Graham Crusade credit for the increase, so what, we know who gave the increase and they shall be rewarded according to their labour. By calling Billy Graham a Pharisee, you are way off the wall. He is a sinner just like you and I are. He has his shortcomings and imperfections because he is a man and has his humanity just like you and I. If you want to judge him for being human, go right ahead. But if want to judge his message and the method that was used in bringing people to the altar for salvation and discipleship, you better be careful with what you have to say. If God raised up that ministry (and He did) and you attack that ministry, you are going against what God has raised up. God will not take that lightly. You should reconsider what comes forth out of your mouth (Mt 12:37, Eph 4:29).
We all know that all credit and glory belongs to God.
ICor 3:7-9 'So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building'.
So if God gave any increase at those meetings, so be it! And if someone wants to give the Billy Graham Crusade credit for the increase, so what, we know who gave the increase and they shall be rewarded according to their labour. By calling Billy Graham a Pharisee, you are way off the wall. He is a sinner just like you and I are. He has his shortcomings and imperfections because he is a man and has his humanity just like you and I. If you want to judge him for being human, go right ahead. But if want to judge his message and the method that was used in bringing people to the altar for salvation and discipleship, you better be careful with what you have to say. If God raised up that ministry (and He did) and you attack that ministry, you are going against what God has raised up. God will not take that lightly. You should reconsider what comes forth out of your mouth (Mt 12:37, Eph 4:29).
B
And yet you are taking their words lightly and by the words of their mouths to discern the action taken, you should be finding it apostate.
You had tried to put another poster in here in another thread on the spot by questioning about what commandments of Christ he was to keep for the assurances of salvation and yet, you fail to see how the commitment to follow Christ is a yoke that demands that... which is being made for what purpose and to be kept for what purpose? For the assurances of salvation.
Nobody is going to wake up from finishing it by the flesh if no one says not to do circumcision.
So if you spoke against one poster for trying to finish it by the flesh for the assurances of salvation in keeping all the commandments Christ has taught... then what do you think a commitment to "follow Christ" is going to mean?
One time I had seen a preacher on television say that the just shall live by faith and by their commitment to follow Christ. I would call that adding to God's words and being double-minded in our walk with Christ.
You had tried to put another poster in here in another thread on the spot by questioning about what commandments of Christ he was to keep for the assurances of salvation and yet, you fail to see how the commitment to follow Christ is a yoke that demands that... which is being made for what purpose and to be kept for what purpose? For the assurances of salvation.
Nobody is going to wake up from finishing it by the flesh if no one says not to do circumcision.
So if you spoke against one poster for trying to finish it by the flesh for the assurances of salvation in keeping all the commandments Christ has taught... then what do you think a commitment to "follow Christ" is going to mean?
One time I had seen a preacher on television say that the just shall live by faith and by their commitment to follow Christ. I would call that adding to God's words and being double-minded in our walk with Christ.
Baruch,
I wish you well, but you have gotten very strange in your zeal and I hope you can find some kind of rest for your soul. You really need to be in a ministry that has a balance in their teaching, ministers grace and is motivated by the love of God. Walking in the light of the love of God will always produce joy and peace in the mind and heart as good fruit. I pray that you will have that good fruit in your life and that you will learn to rest in the love of God.
I wish you well, but you have gotten very strange in your zeal and I hope you can find some kind of rest for your soul. You really need to be in a ministry that has a balance in their teaching, ministers grace and is motivated by the love of God. Walking in the light of the love of God will always produce joy and peace in the mind and heart as good fruit. I pray that you will have that good fruit in your life and that you will learn to rest in the love of God.
- Status