Sermon Illustrations on Salvation By Grace

He Did His Part

Luke 19:10

Man's part in salvation is running from God; God's part is saving the lost.

“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

It is a very unpalatable truth for the average natural man or woman that man is an utterly lost sinner who could never find his own way back to God. We all like to think there is something we can do to help save ourselves, whereas, according to God’s Word we are not only lost, but without ability to retrieve our condition. It is remarkable how apt some are in quick illustrations of spiritual realities, as the following instance will show.

A recent convert rose in a meeting to give his testimony to the saving grace of God. He told how the Lord had won his heart and given deliverance from the guilt and power of sin. He spoke of Christ and His work, but said nothing of any efforts of his own.

The leader of the meeting was of a legalistic turn of mind, and when the man’s testimony was ended, he said, “Our brother has only told us of the Lord’s part in his salvation. When I was converted there was a whole lot I had to do myself before I could expect the Lord to do anything for me. Brother, didn’t you do your part first before God did His?” The other was on his feet again in an instant and replied: “Yes, sir, I clear done forgot. I didn’t tell you ‘bout my part, did I? Well, I did my part for over thirty years, runnin’ away from God as fast as ever my sins could carry me. That was my part. An’ God took after me till He run me down. That was His part.” It was well put and tells the story that every redeemed sinner understands.

The Gift of God

Romans 6:23

Salvation is a free gift from God, not earned by works or human effort.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Romans 6:23

You cannot earn a gift. It would cease to be a gift if it were purchased with money, or paid for, in whole or in part, in any other way.

Years ago, a wealthy lady in New York built a beautiful church. On the day of dedication her agent came up from the audience to the platform and handed the deed of the property to the Episcopal Bishop of New York. The bishop gave the agent $1.00 for the deed, and by virtue of the $1.00, which was acknowledged, the property was turned over to the Episcopal Church.

You say, “What a wonderful gift!” Yes, in a certain sense it was, for the passing over of $1.00 was simply a legal observance. But after all, in the full Bible sense it was not a gift, for it cost $1.00; and so the deed was made out, not as a deed of gift, but as a deed of sale. It was sold to the Episcopal Church for $1.00.

If you had to do one thing in order to be saved, if you had even to raise your hand, to stand to your feet, had but to say one word, it would not be a gift. You could say, “I did thus and so, and in that way earned my salvation.” But this priceless blessing is absolutely free.

“If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6). That is what the Spirit of God tells us in the Word.

The Human Fly

Isaiah 59:5

Relying on one’s own efforts to reach God is like climbing on a spider’s web—doomed to fail.

“They … weave the spider’s web … neither shall they cover themselves with their works.” Isaiah 59:5-6

Some years ago there came to Los Angeles, the great metropolis of Southern California, a so-called “human fly.” It was announced that on a given day he would climb up the face of one of the large department store buildings, and long before the appointed time, thousands of eager spectators were gathered to see him perform the seemingly impossible feat.

But slowly and carefully he mounted aloft, now clinging to a window ledge, anon to a jutting brick, again to a cornice. Up and up he went, against apparently insurmountable difficulties. At last he was nearing the top. He was seen to feel to right and left and above his head for something firm enough to support his weight, to carry him further. And soon he seemed to spy what looked like a gray bit of stone or discolored brick protruding from the smooth wall. He reached for it, but it was just beyond him. He ventured all on a spring-like movement, grasped the protuberance and, before the horrified eyes of the spectators, fell to the ground and was broken to pieces. In his dead hand was found a spider’s web! What he evidently mistook for solid stone or brick turned out to be nothing but dried froth!

Alas, how many are thinking to climb to heaven by effort of their own, only to find at last that they have ventured all on a spider’s web, and so are lost forever.

Salvation Altogether of God

Colossians 1:12

Salvation is a gracious gift from God, not based on our efforts or worthiness.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Colossians 1:12

There is a story told of an old man who owned a little narrow lot with a poor miserable cabin on it. Lots in his neighborhood had been selling for fabulous prices and he felt that some day his place would make his fortune. By and by a millionaire came along and seeing the possibilities of that block, said, “I want the whole thing.”

He sent his agent to buy the whole block; when he came to the old man, he said, “What is the price of your place?” As the old man had waited long for this opportunity, he priced it at what he thought was a tremendously big figure. “Very well,” said the agent, “I will take it.”

“When do you want it?” the old man asked.

“In about two weeks I will be around with the deed and you can be ready to sign it. Here is a thousand dollars to bind the sale,” replied the agent.

The old man was simply delighted and thought, “Well, if somebody has bought this place who is able to pay all that money, I ought to fix it up a bit.” And so he bought some paint and went to work painting the old cabin. He bought some glass to replace the broken panes, and for two weeks he worked on the cabin. When this millionaire purchaser and his agent brought the papers for him to sign, he was so nervous about it he could hardly hold the pen. He was surprised that the purchaser did not say anything about the shack and so he said, “You see how beautifully I have painted it up and have put in some new windows. It is going to make a nice place. I hope you will be very comfortable in it.”

“Oh,” said the millionaire, “but I didn’t buy this place for what is on it, but for what I am going to put on it.”

That is how God justifies the ungodly. It is not because of what He finds in men, but He saves them for what He is going to put in them, for what He is going to do for them. When they put their trust in Him, they get everlasting life, they are justified, and all their sins are forgiven. Then God proceeds to make them fit for His own blessed presence, and when we get home to heaven, we will give Him all the glory.

Young Moody Penniless in Boston is Warned by his Sister to "Beware of Pickpockets

Ephesians 2:8

Salvation is a gift from God, received before works and not earned by effort.

I remember when I was a boy and went to Boston, I went to the postoffice two or three times a day to see if there was a letter for me. I knew there was not, as there was but one mail a day. I had not had any employment and was very homesick, and so went constantly to the postoffice, thinking perhaps when the mail did come in my letter had been mislaid. At last, however, I got a letter. It was from my youngest sister, the first letter she ever wrote to me. I opened it with a light heart thinking there was some good news from home, but the burden of the whole letter was that she had heard there were pickpockets in Boston, and warned me to take care of them. I thought I had better get some money in hand first, and then I might take care of pickpockets. And so you must take care to remember salvation is a gift. You don't work for salvation; but work day and night after you have got it. Get it first before you do anything, but don't try to get it yourself. Look at what Paul says in Ephesians: "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God"--it is the gift of God--"Not of works, lest any man should boast." There is one thing we know: We have all got to get into heaven the same way. We cannot work our way there; we have to take our salvation from God.

A Long Ladder Tumbles to the Ground

Good deeds cannot earn salvation; it must be received by grace through faith.

I remember hearing of a man who dreamt that he built a ladder from earth to heaven, and when he did a good deed up went his ladder a few feet. When he did a very good deed his ladder went higher, and when he gave away large sums of money to the poor up it went further still. By and by it went out of sight, and years rolled on, and it went up, he thought, past the clouds, clear into heaven. When he died he thought he would step off his ladder into heaven, but he heard a voice roll out from paradise, "He that climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber." and down he came, ladder and all, and he awoke. He said if he wanted to get salvation he must get it another way than by good deeds, and he took the other way.

Napoleon and the Conscript

Christ died in our place, freeing us from the law's claim against us.

There is a well-known story told of Napoleon the First's time. In one of the conscriptions, during one of his many wars, a man was balloted as a conscript who did not want to go, but he had a friend who offered to go in his place. His friend joined the regiment in his name, and was sent off to the war. By and by a battle came on, in which he was killed, and they buried him on the battle-field. Some time after the Emperor wanted more men, and by some mistake the first man was balloted a second time. They went to take him but he remonstrated. You cannot take me." "Why not?" "I am dead," was the reply. "You are not dead; you are alive and well." "But I am dead," he said "Why, man, you must be mad. Where did you die?" "At such a battle, and you left me buried on such a battlefield." "You talk like a mad man," they cried; but the man stuck to his point that he had been dead and buried some months. "You look up your books," he said, "and see if it is not so." They looked, and found that he was right. They found the man's name entered as drafted, sent to the war, and marked off as killed. "Look here," they said, "you didn't die; you must have got some one to go for you; it must have been your substitute." "I know that," he said; "he died in my stead. You cannot touch me: I died in that man, and I go free. The law has no claim against me." They would not recognize the doctrine of substitution, and the case was carried to the Emperor. But he said that the man was right, that he was dead and buried in the eyes of the law, and that France had no claim against him. This story may or may not be true but one thing I know is true; Jesus Christ suffered death for the sinner, and those who accept Him are free from the law.

Waggons Not Moved By Wind Nor Ships Drawn By Horses

Effective spiritual results require using God's power, not human effort or empty rituals.

"The wise use right means, such as will bring them to their desired end. We do not use to draw ships in the sea with horses, nor draw waggons with the wind. We must not use contrary means, nor insufficient means. We cannot go to the bottom of a well that is thirty foot deep with a line that is but ten foot." Why, then, do men try to win heaven by their own merits? This short line will never reach so far. Why do they endeavour to save souls by noise and carnal excitement instead of crying for the Spirit of God? What is this but refusing to spread the sail for the heavenly breeze, and relying upon the tramp of horses, and the strength of flesh and blood? How is it that so many look to obtain blessing through ceremonies of man's invention? This is an endeavour to move a mountain by dancing before it. If the means must be adequate to the end, then nothing short of the merits of Jesus can cause a sinner to enter heaven, and nothing but the power of the Holy Ghost can make men new creatures in Christ Jesus. If the means must be adapted to the end, then we must have mercy to comfort misery, love to rescue lost sinners, divine goodness for despairing hearts, and power from on high for souls dead in trespasses and sin. Next time we hear a man try to convert people by fine language, we shall remember Manton's saying, that waggons are not moved by wind.

Salvation, not by Works

Like a drowning man, people try to save themselves by works but only Christ saves.

Observe what happens when the cry rises at sea, "A man overboard!" With others on deck, you rush to the side; and, leaning over the bulwarks, with beating heart you watch the place where the rising air-bells and boiling deep tell that he has gone down. After some moments of breathless anxiety, you see his head emerge from the wave. Now, that man, I shall suppose is no swimmer; he has never learned to breast the billows; yet, with the first breath he draws, he begins to beat the water; with violent efforts, he attempts to shake off the grasp of death, and by the play of limbs and arms to keep his head from sinking. It may be that these struggles but exhaust his strength, and sink him all the sooner; nevertheless, that drowning one makes instinctive and convulsive efforts to save himself. So, when first brought to feel and cry, "I perish!" when the horrible conviction rushes into the soul, that we are lost; when we feel ourselves going down beneath a load of guilt into the depth of the wrath of God, — our first effort is to save ourselves. Like a drowning man, who will clutch at straws and twigs, we seize on any thing, however worthless, that promises salvation. Thus, alas! many poor souls toil, and spend weary, unprofitable years, in the attempt to establish a righteousness of their own, and find in the deeds of the law protection from its curse. Dr. Guthrie.

Self-Righteousness, Petal

Clinging to our own works endangers our soul, unlike trusting Christ's grace.

The greatest step to heaven is out of our own doors, over our own threshold. It hath cost many a man his life when his house was on fire, a covetousness to save some of the stuff; which venturing among the flames to preserve, he has perished himself. More have lost their own souls by thinking to carry some of their own stuff with them to heaven, — such a good work or duty, — which they, like lingering Lot, have been loath to leave, and have themselves perished. Gurnaff.

Self-Righteousness, Folly of

Trusting in our own righteousness is futile; only Christ offers true shelter and salvation.

A Chinese convert, says Dr. Medhurst, illustrates this as follows: "How can a man trust in his own righteousness? It is like seeking shelter under one's own shadow: we may stoop to the very ground, and, the lower we bend, we still find that our shadow is beneath us. But, if a man flee to the shadow of a great rock or a wide-spreading tree, he will find shelter from the noonday sun. So human merits are unavailing, and Christ alone is able to save to the uttermost those who come unto God by him."

The Nobleman'S Mistake

A nobleman wrongly thought his wealth and charity could buy him heaven.

The late Rev. C. J. Latrobe visited a certain nobleman in Ireland, who devoted considerable sums to charitable purposes; and, among other benevolent acts, had erected an elegant church at his own expense. The nobleman, with great pleasure, showed Mr. L. his estate, pointed him to the church, and said, "Now, sir, do you not think that will merit heaven?" Mr. Latrobe paused for a moment, and said, "Pray, my lord, what may your estate be worth a year?" "I imagine," said the nobleman, "about thirteen or fourteen thousand pounds." "And do you think, my lord," answered the minister, "that God would sell heaven, even for thirteen or fourteen thousand pounds?"

Impious Epitaph

An epitaph wrongly claims a man’s good works made heaven indebted to him.

The following epitaph is inscribed upon a monument in one of the Roman Catholic chapels, in the city of Cork:—"J. H. S 465 Sacred to the memory of the benevolent Edward Molloy, the friend of humanity, the father of the poor; he employed the wealth of this world, only to procure the riches of the next; and leaving a balance of merit on the book of life, he made heaven debtor to mercy. He died 17th October, 1818, aged 90. R. J. P." How daring the impiety of making the Creator debtor to his creature!

Salvation, by grace

2 Samuel 9

David's kindness to Mephibosheth illustrates salvation as unmerited grace to the helpless.

Story of David and Mephibosheth illustrates salvation by grace. Grace comes to the helpless, those "sold under sin." Invites us to place of peace and satisfaction. Feasts us at God's table. Keeps our lame feet out of sight

Salvation, Not of our own merits

Luke 15:11

Entrance to the Father's house is by grace, not by works or merit.

The father did not condition his son's home coming upon his going to work. He may have worked afterward, but not to obtain entrance to the father's house

Title To Heaven

Entrance to Heaven is granted only through faith in the blood of Jesus.

—A man dreamed that he stood beside the gate of Heaven, when the spirit of a rich man came and sought admittance on the ground of his wealth and fame. He was reminded that those things belong to time only, and turned away in despair. Another sought entrance on the ground of his integrity, but was repulsed by the angel, saying, “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified.” A third pleaded his denominational zeal, but was refused with the remark, “There is no name given under Heaven, or among men, whereby we must be saved, but the name of Jesus.” At length, a spirit came, crying, “The blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin.” To it the gates of Heaven flew open and the angel said, “An abundant entrance is ministered to you into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Mclean’S Testimony

Relying solely on free grace, not works, is the way to eternal glory.

As McLean approached his end, he said: “I am gathering together all my prayers, sermons and good works, and am going to throw them overboard and swim to glory on the plank of free grace.”

Romans 4:1-8; Titus 3:5, 8; Ephesians 2:8-9

Romans 4:1

Human effort without God’s life-giving power produces no real spiritual progress or salvation.

Many people are working and working, as Rowland Hill said, like children on a rocking-horse — it is a beautiful motion, but there is no progress. Those who are working for salvation are like men on a treadmill, going round and round and round; toiling and toiling and toiling; but nothing comes of it all. There is no progress, and there cannot be until you have the motive power within, till the breath of life comes from God, which can alone give you power to work for others.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8

Salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned or bought.

Remember, salvation is a free gift, and it is a free gift for us. Can you buy it? It is a free gift, presented to “whosoever” will accept it.

Suppose I were to say, I will give this Bible to “whosoever” will take it; what have you got to do? Why, nothing but take it. But a man comes forward, and says:

“I’d like that Bible very much.”

“Well, didn’t I say ‘whosoever’ will can have it?”

“Yes; but I’d like to have you mention my name.”

“Well, here it is.”

Still he keeps eyeing the Bible, and saying, “I’d like to have that Bible; but I’d like to give you something for it. I don’t like to take it for nothing.”

“But I am not here to sell Bibles; take it, if you want it.”

“Well, I want it; but I’d like to give you something for it. Let me give you a cent for it; though, to be sure, it’s worth about five dollars.”

Suppose I accept the cent; the man takes up the Bible and marches away home with it.

His wife asks, “Where did you get that Bible?”

“Oh, I bought it.”

Mark the point; when he gave the penny, it ceased to be a gift. So with salvation. If you were to pay ever so little, it would not be a gift.

Does Eternal Life Depend On Proving Worthiness?

Adventists speak out of both sides of their mouth. On the one hand they want to be considered orthodox evangelicals, but on the other they follow the teachings of Ellen G. White, who wrote, "Jesus has purchased redemption for us. It is ours but we are placed here on probation to see if we will prove worthy of eternal life." Eternal life depends on proving worthiness.

Five Lessons From Kennedy's Letter To the Pope

Amos 4:12

We didn’t know about ‘the letter’ until the body of Senator Edward Kennedy was being laid to rest at the Arlington Cemetery. The American President knew about the letter because he hand-delivered it to Pope Benedict XVI less than 50 days before Senator Kennedy died.

Senator Edward Kennedy was a man of significant influence for almost half a century in the United States of America. His brother President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Earlier, one of his siblings, Joe Kennedy lost his life in World War II. Another brother, Robert F. Kennedy died from an assassin’s bullet during his 1968 bid for the White House. Much more recently, just thirteen days before his own death, his sister Eunice Shriver died. She was the founder of the Special Olympics.

Many books have been written about deaths and tragic mishaps occurring within the family circle of America’s best known family – the Kennedy’s. Senator Kennedy himself survived a plane crash suffering a broken back. He survived a car accident that claimed the life of a friend. He was the rock at numerous Kennedy family funerals. He survived many personal issues and family troubles.

On May 20, 2008 Mr. Kennedy faced another major hurdle – a brain tumor. Was it another one of those difficult hurdles to overcome or would it be the brick wall that allows no escape? Sadly, it proved to be the immovable and insurmountable barrier. He left this life for eternity on August 20, 2009.

As the late Senator Kennedy faced his own mortality and thought about ‘what comes after death’ he wrote a letter to Pope Benedict XVI. Time was short. He requested the President of his country to hand-deliver it to the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

In the letter, Kennedy acknowledged that he was preparing for the next passage of life. He had made many appearances around the world over his lifetime – at political rallies, with world leaders, for charitable and humanitarian causes, etc. But now he was facing his first appearance on the stage of God’s eternal theatre. In preparation for the event, he turned to the Pope for his prayers and intervention. He wrote:

“Most Holy Father, I asked President Obama to personally hand-deliver this letter to you. I am writing with deep humility to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines ....”

“I was diagnosed with brain cancer more than a year ago, and although I continue treatment, the disease is taking its toll on me. I am 77 years old and preparing for the next passage of life...”

“I have been blessed to be part of a wonderful family. Both of my parents, particularly my mother, kept our Catholic faith at the center of our lives...”

“I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith I have tried to right my path. I want you to know Your Holiness that in my nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I have worked to welcome the immigrant, to fight discrimination, and expand access to health care and education. I have opposed the death penalty, and fought to end war. Those are the issues that have motivated me...”

“I also want you to know that even though I am ill, I am committed to do everything I can to achieve access to health care for everyone in my country. This has been the political cause of my life ....

“I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic Your Holiness. And though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith. I ... would be most thankful for your prayers for me.” (1) (2)

During the 50 days after Mr. Kennedy wrote his letter, I hope he found the peace and forgiveness that comes from knowing Christ as his personal Savior. It’s too late now to get a message to Mr. Kennedy. We can only pray that God will comfort his family as they mourn his loss. But it’s not too late for you to benefit from the lessons that can be learned from Mr. Kennedy’s letter.

Lesson #1: Prepare today to meet your Maker.

Preparing for the next passage of life at the age of seventy seven is a risky time to prepare; but let’s face it – it’s better to prepare at that stage of life than to never prepare. The Bible says: “Prepare to meet your God.” Amos 4:12.

Friend, are you ready to die? Or do you have some unattended business to clear up between you and your Maker before you go out to meet Him?

Lesson #2: You have failed according to God’s standards.

Dear Mr. Kennedy was not the only imperfect human being nor was he the only one who had fallen short of God’s holy standards. The Bible is clear – not one person on this planet measures up to God’s righteous requirements. Read Romans Chapter 3 - we are all sinners! No one has any ‘goodness’ to offer God to gain His favor.

Mr. Kennedy was preparing for death and he was facing his own guilt over failures in his life. What about you? Have you faced the guilt of your sins?

Lesson #3: Doing your best is not the way to get eternal life and heaven.

It is tragic that religion teaches that doing our best will help us find favor with God. Religion (not the Bible!) teaches that our human efforts will influence God’s decision as to whether you go to Heaven or Hell after you die.

There is no question that Mr. Kennedy worked hard and long for legislation he thought would benefit the people of his country and the people coming to his country. He succeeded in having over 500 bills he authored turned into law. What do you have on your list?

The Bible is clear – when God grants eternal life He gives it as a gift - not a reward for accomplishments on earth. “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. We are saved through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. “It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Lesson #4: Your record of sinful failures and your guilt can be completely removed.

I would have loved to have whispered in Mr. Kennedy’s ears that regardless of his failures in the past the Bible says: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His (God’s) Son, cleanses us from ALL sin.” 1 John 1:7

Every one of your sins can be forgiven. Christ died for your sins and took all the punishment. Now God can offer you, free without charge, the complete forgiveness of all your sins the moment you trust His Son as your own personal Savior. But you must accept!

Lesson #5: There is only one mediator between you and God. Go to the right one.

There’s nothing wrong with asking others to pray for you. What is wrong is when you think that someone else can mediate on your behalf in helping you find favor with God. No human being, regardless of their status, can do that for you.

No religion on earth has the power to forgive sins. Forgiveness is through Christ alone. There’s no other way to atone or make amends for your sins. “Through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you and by Him, everyone who believes is freed from everything...” Acts 13:38, 39. “There is salvation in no one else...” Acts 4:12

“There is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Prepare today. Let us know if you have repented of your own sin and trusted Christ as your personal Savior.

________

(1) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/29/AR2009082902702.html?sid%3DST2009082902515&sub=AR

(2) Bold font for emphasis supplied by www.heaven4sure.com

*

[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #3042]

Salvation — God's Side and Your Side

Isaiah 53:6

Your salvation involves God as well as you. This truth is clearly disclosed in the Scriptures.

THE FACT OF SIN

The basic fact every person must face as he considers his spiritual relationship to God is that of sin. Every human being is conscious of sin to some extent, although some may not want to openly admit it. When a person wants to pray or turn to God in time of need, the inborn consciousness of sin and unworthiness almost immediately arises within him. How can one who is so full of sin gain an audience with God? How can a sinner experience fellowship with the Holy One? These are the first questions that come to the mind of the seeking soul.

The consciousness of sin is not merely the result of childhood training, nor does it come only to those who read and know the Bible. Even in heathen lands, men and women experience that same consciousness of sin when they desire to approach God. Pagan religions are characterized by unceasing attempts to atone for sin and to appease the displeasure of their gods. People everywhere are conscious of sin.

THE PROBLEM SIN CAUSES

You, too, must come face to face with this unalterable fact of sin, if you haven’t already. As you consider the matter of your salvation — your being reconciled with God — you will undoubtedly become conscious of the wall of sin between you and God. Your conscience, common honesty, the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit and the Bible itself tell you that you have sinned (Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:10,23). The Bible’s testimony concerning sin is universal, indicting and indisputable.

Within the human heart there arises a corresponding consciousness of the holiness and justice of God. God is pure, holy, righteous and just; therefore He cannot tolerate sin. As the great, just Judge, He cannot ignore the guilt of human sin.

GOD’S LOVE FOR HUMANITY

That God loves all people, even though they are sinful, is also beyond dispute. The love of God is one of the main themes of the Scriptures. God loves the entire human race — every descendant of Adam. God loves you because you are a human being; nothing else is required to qualify you for a place in His love. When all human loves are exhausted or withdrawn, you can still rest on the fact that God loves you (Jer. 31:3; John 3:16; Rom. 5:8).

In addition, God is a God of mercy (Ps. 103:17). Mercy and love always go together. One cannot exist without the other. Mercy always desires to forgive and constantly pleads for leniency, exoneration and pardon for the guilty soul.

God is both a God of justice and a God of mercy. But how can He exercise both in dealing with sinners? God’s justice requires that punishment be given for sin; yet God’s love pleads for the sinner’s pardon. How can God both punish and pardon sin? How can He be both just and merciful to us who are sinful?

GOD’S SOLUTION

Thank God, He has yet another divine attribute — wisdom. God’s infinite wisdom, stimulated by His holy love, solved this great problem and provided a way for our salvation. The answer was the cross, where God gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die in the place of guilty sinners, paying in full the penalty of their sins. Sin was not ignored, it was punished (Isa. 53:6; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18). On the cross Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), indicating that the necessary judgment of mankind’s sins was finished. Because the price was paid, mercy could now be extended to sinful people!

At the cross both God’s justice and His mercy were operative. His holiness (which required the just punishment of sin) was satisfied, and His mercy (which desired man’s pardon) was also satisfied. At Calvary the power and wisdom of God were both demonstrated (1 Cor. 1:18-25).

Only Christ’s death could provide our salvation. The cross is God’s side of salvation — it was all God’s doing. The gracious act of a just and loving God furnished a righteous way of salvation for sinful and guilty humanity. Salvation is primarily the work of God — the operation of His own wisdom, love and grace.

YOUR SIDE OF SALVATION

Although Christ died for all mankind and paid for everyone’s sins, people are not automatically saved. Every individual must play a simple and minor, yet very important, part in salvation. Each person must accept by simple faith what Christ did for him on the cross. All he must do is believe, accept, trust and receive what Christ has done in his behalf. Our part of salvation is just faith — simple, childlike, trusting faith (Acts 16:31). Nothing more is needed. nothing less will suffice, nothing else will do.

WHAT FAITH INCLUDES

Faith involves knowledge, or understanding and comes in response to what we hear or learn. You cannot believe something about which you know nothing. Saving faith requires knowledge and understanding of Christ’s work on the cross. An individual may hear that Christ died for his sins, but he does not have saving faith until he realizes that Christ completely paid for all his sins, once and for all, and he can do nothing but personally accept that fact.

Anyone who hears the gospel and really understands that salvation is now a finished work of Christ on his behalf has laid the groundwork for saving faith. Such knowledge is the first element of faith.

I will never forget the night when saving faith became mine. A man had dealt with me long and faithfully, pointing me to the cross and Christ’s invitation to come and be saved, but all I could see was my sin and unworthiness. He prayed, and I tried to, but I left the meeting that evening in spiritual darkness and misery. After reaching home, however, the truth that Jesus Christ had actually paid the penalty for all my sins suddenly became clear! They were answered for! They were atoned for! He died for me — for my sin! I understood for the first time the divine plan of salvation. Faith was dawning. I now knew what Christ had done on the cross of Calvary.

Faith also involves decision. Once the fact of Christ’s work on the cross is understood, the individual must decide either to repent of sin and accept Christ or to reject the plan of salvation. This decision of faith must be made after the knowledge of salvation is grasped. Many people have lived in Christian homes and have heard the gospel all their lives; yet they have never made that personal decision to accept Christ. They must do this, or they will not be saved.

The decision to accept Christ involves repenting of sin. Everyone who understands a degree of spiritual truth knows that following Christ means forsaking sin. The necessity of repentance keeps many from accepting Christ.

A PERSONAL DECISION

When you understand what Christ did for you on the cross and know that to accept and follow Him means repentance and turning away from sin, you must personally decide what you will do. The mind must be enlightened and the will exercised — faith involves both the intellect and the will. What will your choice be as you consider Christ’s sacrifice for your sin? This is your personal responsibility.

You must accept what Christ has done in order to be benefited by it. It does no good to get the best physician and to secure an expensive remedy if you do not take it. Likewise, the faith you may have in an airplane will not get you across the ocean unless you actually board it; then the faith you previously expressed goes into action. Similarly, faith in Christ must involve action; you do not really trust Him until you rely entirely on Him for salvation.

Have you accepted Christ, repenting of your sins and sincerely determining in your heart to follow Him? If not, this decision faces you now. What is your reaction to the fact that He died for you and now pleads with you to come to Him for full and free forgiveness? What is the answer of your will to the knowledge you now have of the Savior and His work on the cross? This is the decision of all decisions — to personally accept Christ as your Savior — for it determines your eternal destiny. If you have accepted Christ and repented of your sin, your salvation is forever sealed.

WHAT SAVING FAITH IS

Faith is just believing the promises of God’s Word. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16: 31) and, “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This truth is also stated in John 1:12 and 5:24.

Will God keep His word? Will Christ fulfill His promises? Our salvation depends on His trustworthiness. So faith, in the final and simplest analysis, is believing the promises of God’s Word and acting on them. If we do not rely on His promises, we can have no sure hope. But if the Bible is true, our salvation is secure.

Faith is a matter of adhering to the one and only hope of salvation, the crucified Christ. You may not understand all the spiritual significance of the cross or all the theological explanations about the atonement. But you know that Christ paid for your sins at Calvary, and you know this alone is your hope of salvation. To that crucified and resurrected Savior you cling in earnest, simple faith.

Two lines from the hymn “Rock of Ages” well express what true, saving faith is: “In my hand no price I bring, / Simply to Thy cross I cling.”

No works of yours, no matter how good they may be, can pay for sin. Only Jesus Christ, who died, rose again and lives forever, is able to save you. Thank God that your salvation does not depend on you but on Christ, and then trust Him.

*

[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #4243]

Too Easy! [2 versions]

Ephesians 2:8

When "Betty Crocker" first introduced her cake mix, women simply didn't believe a dry mix, in a small box, at a reasonable price would make a cake. The company modified its claims and told women they must add an egg. They believe it - sales skyrocketed.

When Parker Pen Company introduced the first ball-point pen, they asked just 29 cents (Gillmartin's note: I believe this was the price, at least it was a very small amount). Sales were horrible. On the advice of a consultant they made the price over a dollar - sales soared.

Commentary: How many times will we discuss the Good News of Jesus Christ and see people cling to their unbelief because it sounds too easy. Human nature seems to insist on the appearance of great value where there is none and great poverty where there is vast fortune.

______________________

Source/Attribution: John Gillmartin; SIEW

=========================================

I read about an instant cake mix that was a big flop. The instructions said all you had to do was add water and bake. The company couldn't understand why it didn't sell -- until their research discovered that the buying public felt uneasy about a mix that required only water. Apparently people thought it was too easy. So the company altered the formula and changed the directions to call for adding an egg to the mix in addition to the water. The idea worked and sales jumped dramatically.

That story reminds me of how some people react to the plan of salvation. To them it sounds too easy and simple to be true, even though the Bible says, “By grace you have been saved through faith...; it is the gift of God, not of works” (Eph. 2:8-9). They feel that there is something more they must do, something they must add to God's “recipe” for salvation. They think they must perform good works to gain God's favor and earn eternal life. But the Bible is clear -- we are saved, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). Unlike the cake-mix manufacturer, God has not changed His “formula” to make salvation more marketable. The gospel we proclaim must be free of works, even though it may sound too easy.

R.W.D., Daily Bread, June 2, 1992

*

The Doubts of Mother Teresa

Joel 2:17

The recent revelations of Mother Teresa’s spiritual struggle should remind all believing Christians that our faith is in Christ -- not in our feelings.

The disclosure of previous secret letters from Mother Teresa indicates that she was deeply troubled by doubts and a sense of Christ’s absence. The fact is that many Christians struggle with doubt. Indeed, the most thoughtful believers are most likely of all to understand what is at stake, and thus to suffer pangs and seasons of doubt.

Doubt can be healthy. It can drive believers to a deeper knowledge of what we believe and a deeper embrace of the truth of the Gospel. It can deepen our trust in God and mature our faith. At the same time, doubt can be a form of sin ... a refusal to trust God and his promises.

This can also be the root of depression, especially spiritual depression. I would not presume to read Mother Teresa’a heart or soul, but I can reflect on the questions raised by her experience.

The Christian Gospel is the good news that God saves sinners through the atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ -- his cross and resurrection. Salvation comes to those who believe in Christ -- it is by grace we are saved through faith.

But the faith that saves is not faith in faith, nor faith in our ability to maintain faith, but faith in Christ. Our confidence is in Christ, not in ourselves.

There is a sweet and genuine emotional aspect to the Christian faith, and God made us emotional and feeling creatures. But we cannot trust our feelings. Our faith is not anchored in our feelings, but in the facts of the Gospel.

As an evangelical Christian, I have to be concerned that part of Mother Teresa’s struggle was that she did not consider herself worthy of salvation. She was certainly not worthy of salvation. Nor am I. Nor is any sinner. The essence of the Gospel is that none is worthy of salvation. That is what makes salvation all about grace. As the Apostle Paul taught us, the wonder of God’s grace is that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.

Our confidence is in Christ, not in ourselves. We are weak; He is strong. We fluctuate; He is constant. We cannot trust our feelings nor our emotional state. We trust in Christ. Those who come to Christ by faith are not kept unto him by our faith, but by his faithfulness.

I possess no ability to read Mother Teresa’s heart, but I do sincerely hope that her faith was in Christ, and not in her own faithfulness.

*

[Original illustration at this number was deleted for being obsolete]

The Holy Club

Ephesians 2:8

"God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." -- Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

THE HOLY CLUB

Charles Wesley and two friends began a small Christian group at Oxford University in 1728. John Wesley, who had already graduated from Oxford, returned the following year as a tutor and assumed its leadership. Oxford students made fun of the group, referring to it as the “Holy Club” or “Methodists.”

The focus of the Holy Club was on religious self-discipline. Exhorting each other to live piously and do good works, they were motivated by the belief that they were working for the salvation of their souls.

George Whitefield was the first Holy Club member to question their practices. His solution, however, was to try to become a new creation through further extremes of self-denial. During Lent in 1735 he only ate a little course bread with tea. By Holy Week he was so weak that he could not study or even walk up a flight of stairs. After hitting bottom, he later wrote, “God was pleased to remove the heavy load, to enable me to lay hold of his dear Son by a living faith...”

On May 5, 1735, Whitefield wrote a letter to John Wesley, attempting to share what had happened to him. It would be three more years before the Wesleys found His gracious arms.

REFLECTION

Have you ever found yourself trying to earn your salvation? Salvation is a gift to be received from God, and there is nothing we can do to earn it. Good works do not lead us to Christ — it is out of our relationship with Christ that good works flow.

________

Adapted from THE ONE YEAR® BOOK OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten (Tyndale, 2003).

*

[Original illustration at this number duplicated material in HolwickID #16682]

Reluctant Free Gifts From A Pastor

Acts 2:38

I had hoped to illustrate the availability of God's gift of salvation. “Whoever wants this beautiful Christmas poinsettia may have it,” I said to my Sunday morning congregation. “All you have to do is take it.” They stared at me. I waited. And waited.

Finally a mother timidly raised her hand and said, “I'll take it.” “Great! It's yours.” That's what I wanted; quick and easy, and on with the application of my sermon, but to my astonishment, she nudged her son and said, “Go get it for me.”

“No,” I said. “Whoever wants this gift must come and get it personally. You can't send a substitute.” She shook her head, not willing to risk embarrassment. I waited again. It was a gorgeous flower, unusually large, wrapped in red cellophane with a gold satin ribbon. It was set in front of the pulpit to brighten our small sanctuary during the holiday season. Several people had commented on how beautiful the plant was. Now it was free for the taking. Someone snickered, “What's the catch?” “No catch,” I replied. “It's free!” No one moved. A college student asked, “Is it glued to the altar?” Everyone laughed. “It is not glued to the altar. Nor are there any strings attached. It's yours for the taking.” “Well,” asked a pretty teenager, “can I take it after the service?” I shook my head, though I was tempted to give in. “You must come and get it now.”

Today is the day of salvation, I thought as I marveled at the power of passive resistance. I was beginning to wish I'd never started the whole thing, when a woman I'd never seen before stood up in the back. Quickly, as if she were afraid she'd change her mind, she strode to the altar and picked up the plant. “I'll take it,” she said, as she returned to her seat carrying the free gift, I launched with enthusiasm into my text, Romans 6:23. “The gift of God is eternal life. Believe. Receive. It's free!”

When the service had ended and most of the people had gone home, the woman who claimed the poinsettia came to the platform, where I was picking up my Bible to leave. “Here!” She held out her hand. “This flower is too pretty to just take home for free. I couldn't do that with a clear conscience.” I looked down at the crumpled paper she stuffed into my hand, it was a ten-dollar bill.

__________

Source: The Funnies, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/andychaps_the-funnies

*

Justice and Virtue

When poor judging or refereeing denies an athlete his rightful victory, fans readily sympathize with his hurt. After all the effort and the pain that goes into preparing for competition, it is no doubt a disheartening sight to find limited judgment, or worse, dishonesty robbing the reward.

Although such a loss is merely part of athletic competition, it points to how important being just really is. This truth is one of the most pertinent in any civilized society. Was it not Plato who said that justice is the firmest pillar of good government? His student Aristotle went even further. He said: “Justice is not part of virtue, it is virtue entire, nor is the contrary injustice a part of vice but vice entire.”

One does not have to fully agree to note the power of what is being said. Justice is virtue entire? Being just is the sum and substance of good morality? Well, think about this. Suppose you say you love somebody but you are unjust in your dealings with them. How would that person respond to your words, “But I love you”? Or what if you tell somebody that you will always speak the truth, but that there are times you will be unjust in dealing with the truth? You see the point, don't you? Justice is an intrinsic part of virtue.

God in His nature is pure and just. His justice meets the demands of the law that must be met if you and I are to be recipients of His mercy.

To the Christian Good Friday is a very special day because on that day two thousand years ago, a pure and just God paid the penalty for our separation from Him and made the way to be forgiven and to live in a loving relationship with Him.

There is one verse in the Bible that occurs three times: once in the book of Hebrews to the Hebrew church, once in the Book of Galatians to the Asian church, and once in the Book of Romans to the European church. Each time it is a thought quoted from the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk. The verse says simply: “The just shall live by faith.”

What this really means is that perfection cannot get us into heaven, but our faith in the Perfect One can. His justice comes hand in hand with love. And neither ever violates the other.

________

*

Dispensationalism and the Gospel

John 3:18

The doctrine of Dispensationalism has many supporters and many objectors. While some objections are raised on reasonable theological grounds, some are raised on a misunderstanding of what Dispensationalism actually teaches. Some of these objections are really objections to ultra-dispensationalism, and some are objections based upon a misunderstanding of the facts.

Recently, some have raised objections concerning Dispensationalism's treatment of the Gospel. Some would imply or state that Dispensationalism is a corruption of the Gospel, and that a person cannot possibly be a Dispensationalist and be a Christian at the same time. Of course, this is absolute nonsense, and it weakens the arguments against Dispensationalism to make such ridiculous assertions! In this article, we will address the notion that Dispensationalism teaches different methods of salvation in different dispensations. We will look at some of the real causes of the objections that have been raised. We will see how Dispensationalism is in fact helpful in the presentation of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. And finally, we will have a personal note.

DISPENSATIONALISM AND SALVATION

First, we must deal with the suggestion that Dispensationalism teaches different methods of salvation in different dispensations. We cannot speak for every person who has ever claimed to be a Dispensationalist. Perhaps some have stated of implied such a thing. But this does not represent the mainstream of Dispensational thought, and has not for many years. The words of H.A. Ironside, a well known and much loved Bible teacher, should be sufficient to state the mainline Dispensational viewpoint. Here is what Ironside said prior to 1938 (i.e., over 60 years ago!):

Let one point be absolutely clear: NO ONE WAS EVER SAVED IN ANY

DISPENSATION ON ANY OTHER GROUND THAN THE FINISHED WORK OF

CHRIST. In all the ages before the cross, God justified men by

faith; in all the years since, men have been justified in exactly

the same way. Adam believed God and was clothed with coats of

skin, a picture of one becoming the righteousness of God in

Christ. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for

righteousness. Nevertheless, afterwards he was circumcised; but

that circumcision, the apostle tells us, was simply a seal of the

righteousness he had by faith. And throughout all the Old

Testament dispensation, however legalistic Jews may have observed

the ordinance of circumcision and thought of it as having in

itself some saving virtue, it still remained in God's sight, as

in the beginning, only a seal, where there was genuine faith, of

that righteousness which He imputed. (Wrongly Dividing the Word

of Truth, p.57,58)

Needless to say, the person who claims that Dispensationalism teaches different methods of salvation in different dispensations completely misunderstands the point of Dispensational doctrine! Dispensationalism is not about the method of God's salvation, but the methods of God's testing of man. In each Dispensation, God gives a different set of instructions. The instructions are for pleasing and obeying God, not for obtaining salvation. In each dispensation, man proves that whatever the circumstances, he is unable to please or obey God.

Furthermore, those who claim that Dispensationalists teach different methods of salvation in different dispensations confuse holy living (i.e., simple obedience) with imputed righteousness. Perhaps this is easy to do since in this dispensation, what is required by God of man in the dispensational test is also that which is required by God to provide salvation (i.e. to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour). In most of the dispensations, what is required of man will simply be some form of holy living, but it doesn't impute righteousness! The only thing that dispensational obedience will do is prevent extra unrighteousness from occurring. In every dispensation, man still carries Original Sin. Dispensationalists understand that obedience in a dispensation does not wipe away Original Sin. We understand that obedience in a dispensation does not impart forgiveness. And we understand that in every dispensation, perfect obedience was impossible. Yes, Dispensationalists believe that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, in this dispensation and in all dispensations.

DISPENSATIONALISM AND CALVINISM

So we have seen that mainstream Dispensationalism does not teach that salvation is obtained on any other basis than the finished work of Christ, in this dispensation and in every dispensation. So why do some people get so upset about the Dispensationalism and the Gospel? Evidently, some who hold to Calvinistic doctrine have decided that Dispensationalism is somehow linked to Arminian doctrine, thus making our grasp on the Gospel somehow suspect. This is another ridiculous assertion, raised because many churches that hold to a Covenant theological view also hold to Calvinism. In their minds, because they tend to hold both of these doctrines, anyone who opposes one also opposes the other. In other words, this objection is based upon guilt by association! The simple fact is that people who hold to Dispensational doctrine are free to adopt a Calvinistic, Arminian or middle-of-the-road position as they choose. Believing Dispensational doctrine does not force a person into any of these theological camps. I have personally encountered believers who have been very Calvinistic, very Arminian and very middle-of-the-road all in the same church and all holding firmly to Dispensational doctrine.

DISPENSATIONALISM AND THE TRUE GOSPEL MESSAGE

To this point, we have defended Dispensationalism by showing that it teaches a single method of salvation, and is not linked to either the Calvinistic or Arminian theological camps. But what positive effects does it have in the preaching of the Gospel? If we consider the three foundational principles upon which Dispensationalism is built, we will see that far from corrupting the Gospel, Dispensationalism defends the Gospel! These foundational principles are literal interpretation of the Bible, a distinction between the Church and Israel, and an emphasis on the Glory of God.

The first foundation of Dispensationalism is literal interpretation of the Bible. Literal interpretation is absolutely essential for the clear and correct understanding of the Gospel. Consider for moment a few verses of Scripture, and the potential effect if a person does not take them literally:

Romans 3:23 - “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Isaiah 64:6 - “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our

righteousnesses are as filthy rags;”

Romans 6:23 - “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is

eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

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.”

John 3:18 - “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that

believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Obviously the Gospel cannot be preached clearly and correctly, and cannot be understood and received effectually unless literal interpretation of the Bible is used. We should be on our guard against any systems of theology that reject literal interpretation!

The second foundation for Dispensationalism is a distinction between the Church and Israel. First Corinthians 10:32 says, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:”. There is a great distinction in Scripture between the Church and Israel. This has a powerful effect in the content of our Gospel. There are some who are presenting the “prosperity gospel” which in effect says, if you obey God, material blessings will result. Obviously this comes from confusing Israel with the Church. While Israel had spiritual blessings, their blessings were primarily physical. On the other hand, while the Church has physical blessings, our blessings are primarily spiritual. This “prosperity gospel” is taken to ridiculous heights, reducing the Almighty God to no much more than Santa Claus.

Making a clear distinction between the Church and Israel also helps when some would muddy the waters through judaizing (i.e., trying to make Old Testament Law apply to Christians in the current dispensation). Making a distinction between the Church and Israel will help preserve our Gospel message from those who would make Sabbath keeping, animal sacrifice or dietary laws part of the message of salvation.

The third foundation for Dispensationalism is an emphasis on God's Glory rather than man's salvation as being God's ultimate purpose. You may ask, how does this contribute to the Gospel message? First, it helps remind sinful man that he will someday glorify God, either in His Divine Mercy as Saviour, or in His Divine Justice as Judge. This is a fearful and powerful message! This emphasis on God's Glory also helps lift the burden in evangelism off of us. Oh yes, we are still required to preach the word, to witness, to show forth the way of salvation! But God Himself in the One who obtains the results. A Dispensationalist knows that God is Glorified EVERY time the Gospel is preached, and we do not allow ourselves to become discouraged if we are being faithful in preaching the Good News but go through a “dry spell” when we see few souls saved.

PERSONAL NOTE

Finally, a personal note. The author of this article has been associated with churches that teach Dispensationalism for more than a decade. Never once have a heard it stated or even implied that people in previous dispensations were saved on the basis of anything other that the finished work of Christ. Salvation by grace through faith has been the cornerstone of all the churches I have attended. We believe it, we teach it, we preach it and we have staked our eternal destiny on it. To say that Dispensationalism teaches a different gospel, that Dispensationalism corrupts the Gospel, or that a person who holds to Dispensational doctrine cannot be truly born again, not only ignores our doctrine and practice, but is simply untrue.

*

Roman Catholics vs. the Bible

2 Timothy 3:16

What would you do if you found out many of the teachings of Roman Catholicism stand in opposition to the Bible? Would you choose to believe the Word of God or the words of men? It is impossible to believe both Catholicism and the Bible, the infallible Word of God. (Paragraph numbers in parenthesis are from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994).

AUTHORITY

Catholicism teaches the Church has authority over Scripture. The manner of interpreting Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgment of the Church ... to the Pope and to the bishops. (100, 119).

The Bible teaches Scripture has authority over the church. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).

JUSTIFICATION

Catholicism teaches man is justified repeatedly by sacraments and works because he loses the grace of justification each time a mortal sin is committed. The sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification (1446).

The Bible teaches man is justified once by faith because justification provides a permanent right standing before God and results in glorification (Romans 8:30). “To the man who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

REGENERATION

Catholicism teaches baptism of water is the sacrament of regeneration (1213). The water of Baptism truly signifies our birth into the divine life (694).

The Bible teaches man is regenerated at the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Cor. 12:13). “From the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13).

SALVATION

Catholicism teaches man is saved by meriting the graces needed for salvation. We can merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for the attainment of eternal life (2010).

The Bible teaches man is saved by God’s unmerited grace. “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” (Eph. 2:8-9).

Catholicism teaches man is saved by good works. In this way they attain their own salvation and cooperate in saving their brothers (1477).

The Bible teaches man is saved for good works. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).

Catholicism teaches man is saved only until the next mortal sin is committed. Those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell (1035).

The Bible teaches man is saved for all eternity. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Eph. 1:13-14).

Catholicism teaches salvation is offered through the Church. Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Church is necessary for salvation. Anyone refusing to enter it or remain in it cannot be saved (846).

The Bible teaches salvation is offered to those outside the church. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making His appeal through us, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

Catholicism teaches some sins are purified by the fires of Purgatory. They undergo purification in Purgatory, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven (1030-31).

The Bible teaches that all sins are purified by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

SAINTS AND PRIESTS

Catholicism teaches man becomes a saint only if the Pope canonizes him. This occurs when he solemnly proclaims that they practiced a heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God’s grace (828).

The Bible teaches man becomes a saint when the Holy Spirit baptizes him into the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-12).

Catholicism teaches every man needs a priest for salvation. Catholic priests guarantee that Christ is acting in the sacraments which are necessary for salvation (1120-29).

The Bible teaches every Christian is a priest and a member of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

THE LAST SUPPER

Catholicism teaches the Lord’s Supper is a sacrifice. The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice...the same Christ who offered Himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and offered in an unbloody manner (1367).

The Bible teaches the Lord’s Supper is a memorial. “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:24-25).

Catholicism teaches Catholics receive Jesus physically, frequently, in the stomach. The body, blood...soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ...is truly, really and substantially contained in the Eucharist (1374-78).

The Bible teaches that believers receive Jesus once, spiritually, in the heart. “God...put his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Cor. 1:22).

CONDEMNATION

Catholicism condemns with over 100 anathemas those who believe the Bible instead of the Canons of the Council of Trent. These condemnations are still in effect today.

The Bible condemns anyone who perverts the Gospel including the Roman Catholic clergy. “If we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Gal. 1:6-9).

SUMMARY

These are just a few of the teachings of Roman Catholicism that are opposed and contradicted by God in His Word, the Bible. They demonstrate how the traditions of men can nullify and oppose the Word of God (Mark 7:7-13). True saving faith is granted by God as people hear and believe His Word (Rom. 10:17). Eternal life can be received only as a gift of God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Accordingly, we must come to the cross of Christ with empty hands of faith, leaving everything behind, except our sins (2 Cor. 5:21).

________

Proclaiming the Gospel, PO Box 940871, Plano, TX 75094

www.pro-gospel.org

Bible quotes: The New American Bible for Catholics.

Catechism references: Catechism of the Catholic Church, @ 1994 by the United States Catholic Conference.

*

[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #11996]

Balancing Accounts

Romans 3:23

My grandmother died of cancer. During the final weeks of her life we tried to buy time with her by making her get out of bed and walk around the house to keep up her strength. She hated doing this. There was only one thing that made her want to get out of bed. She was absolutely determined that she would balance her checkbook before she died. You would think this would have been a simple task since she had been in and out of the hospital for several months, making very few purchases. In spite of this, it took her hours. On the last night I spent with her, I remember watching her drag herself out of bed to sit at her desk and work by the glow of a lamp. Finally, at 5:30 a.m. she triumphantly announced that she had done it; all her accounts were in order. I heaved a sigh of relief and went back to sleep.

The next day she jokingly said to me, “I will be so glad to get to heaven where there's no more math!” Although those of us who enjoy math would beg to differ with this pronouncement, it set me thinking. Will there be accounts to balance after we die?

Have you ever found yourself in the trap of comparing all the good things you've done with all of the bad, as if these were deposits and withdrawals that must somehow neutralize each other? Even if you have lived a “relatively good” life, it would be terrifying to appear before God, who is perfection, and try to justify yourself on the basis of your own good efforts. We were born into this world owing a tremendous debt and it just keeps growing; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It is futile to try to pay the debt of our sins with our own good intentions; it would be like trying to pay off a national debt with a retirement stipend.

I am glad to say that God does not expect us to pay for the debt of our sins ourselves. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, but he took our punishment to make us right with God. God's Word says, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is as if we appear before God, owing Him a great debt, only to have Jesus hand Him a check for the whole amount. God looks at us as if to say, are you willing to receive this payment on your behalf? Our nod of acceptance is the nod of faith.

Even if you grasped this truth long ago, perhaps, like me, you find yourself falling back into the “accountant” mindset. You may feel that you are unworthy of God's favor and you have to keep trying to earn it. The waters of your sin may run very deep. Yet no matter how deeply you have sinned, there is no way it could surpass the depth, height, and breadth of God's forgiveness because He is infinitely merciful. Frederick William Faber wrote, “There's a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea; there's a kindness in his justice which is more than liberty.”

Christ is waiting with a check written to your account. If you've never reached out your hand to receive it, do it now. Or, if you've re-opened the account books, determined to right them yourself, close them in faith that your debt has been paid.

My grandmother died peacefully, content that, not only were her earthly affairs in order, but her eternal affairs were settled as well. This confidence was not based on anything she had done; she based her confidence on the wideness of God's mercy. He Himself is our peace.

________

How Will You Fare In God's Accounting?

In 1958 it was bought at an auction for around $125. In late 2017 the painting was auctioned again - for $450 million. That is pretty profitable! I am referring, of course, to the painting “Salvator Mundi” by Leonardo da Vinci.

What did da Vinci himself value? In 1495 he wrote down a list of things he wanted to do. He wanted to learn hydraulics so he could design a canal. He wanted to do a pencil drawing of Milan. And he wanted to learn math from Luca Pacioli.

Today, Luca Pacioli is celebrated as the most famous accountant who ever lived. He popularized what is known as double-entry bookkeeping. With this system, every transaction is recorded twice. If you sell a widget for a dollar, you must account for both the widget and the dollar. This allows very complex transactions over long periods of time to be kept in balance.

The BBC calls it one of the 50 things that have been most important in shaping the modern economy. If you use QuickBooks, you owe some gratitude to Mr. Pacioli.

Many today take a QuickBooks approach to spirituality. They add up how nice they are, how decent, and then subtract some of their lesser qualities. If the ledger comes out on the positive side, they get to go to heaven.

Paul says God uses a different accounting method to reach his decision. With this method, many will end up looking like the Enron Corporation. How will you fare when you stand before Him?

________

Adapted by Rev. David Holwick from "Is this the most influential work in the history of capitalism?" by Tim Harford, BBC World Service, 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy, October 23, 2017; .

Sermon: Get It Right!

1 Timothy 4:1

Sermon in 1 Timothy series - Clean Up the Church, #9. 1 Timothy 4:1-8

GET IT RIGHT!

=============

I. Spiritual Warriors?

II. Some will abandon the faith.

A. Christians have known this for centuries.

B. There have been many waves of apostasy in the church era.

III. Paul's harsh description of the false teachers.

A. They are liars, plain and simple. 4:2

B. Deceiving spirits. 4;1

C. Hypocrisy and seared consciences. 4:2

IV. He-Man spirituality.

A. The false teachers presented a demanding religion. 4:3

B. Strictness is not what we would expect from the false teachers.

C. The asceticism in Paul's churches.

D. Do we see any of this today?

V. Why asceticism is dangerous.

A. It leads to false pride.

B. We can make it into a way of earning salvation.

C. It misconstrues something that God made for our good.

VI. We have an alternative.

Salvation According To God's Mercy

Luke 18:14

Let us quote from the Roman Catholic Council of Trent: “If anyone says that justifying faith is nothing else than confidence in divine mercy, which remits sins for Christ’s sake, or that it is this confidence alone that justifies us, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA” (Sixth Session, Canon 12).

The Roman Catholic Church places an anathema, a divine curse to damnation in hell, upon anyone who says that justifying (saving) faith is confidence in the divine mercy of God to save a repentant sinner. Further they divinely curse anyone who says this appeal to God’s mercy alone justifies man. That is, the Catholic Church curses the biblical doctrine of saving faith apart from sacraments or works.

Justification is an act of God whereby He declares a sinner not guilty of sin and perfectly righteous in His sight. This is the sinner who repents from his sin (turns from sin to God with a change of mind and heart about sin resulting in a change of life) and who trusts in Christ alone and His finished atonement upon the cross as the full satisfaction for all his sin. God imputes (credits) the righteousness of Christ to the believer. Justification comes by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, and without sacraments or works. It is by the merit of Christ alone and His finished payment for the sin of mankind upon the cross.

Roman Catholic theology and doctrine denies salvation comes by God’s mercy upon sinners without sacraments and good works. But we read in Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Salvation is according to the mercy of God, through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit which is the new birth – being spiritually “born again” through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross as the full payment for our sin. Jesus said being spiritually born again is the requirement for heaven. (John 3:3, 7). It is at the moment of saving faith in the divine Person and finished sin-atoning cross-work of Christ that God justifies the repentant sinner. The person is spiritually reborn as a child of God and as a new creation in Christ Jesus. Further, he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and sealed forever as an adopted member of the family of God. Once saved, the born again believer is eternally secure “in Christ” and can not lose his salvation. All this is the good news of the gospel.

Salvation has to be by the mercy of God towards sinners who claim the blood of Christ as the sole merit for their sin atonement. There is no sacrament, nor good work, nor righteous deed that we could do to become acceptable to God. Being sinners by nature, thought, and deed, we are all unclean in the sight of God. There is nothing we can do to change that – no good works and no sacraments can perfect us for heaven. God says we are unclean sinners, and nothing unclean can enter into His holy presence. All our attempts at righteousness deeds are tainted by sin and therefore considered as “filthy rags” before Him: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith without works: “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.” Salvation is a gift of God from His love and mercy upon us. It is only by His mercy and because of His love, not through baptism, sacraments or the will or doing of man: “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:16)

If we contributed anything to our salvation, we would have something to boast about in heaven. But such is not the case for salvation is a gift from God by His grace (His love and mercy) which precludes any sacrament or good work we could do. In Roman Catholic theology, grace is some sort of supernatural help that is “infused” into the faithful through sacraments, which then supposedly enables people to perform works of merit before God. But “grace” in the Bible is God’s favor upon sinners apart from any merit in us. As we have seen, we are all unclean in His sight no matter how many sacraments or good works we can perform. Grace can not be mixed with works, for grace and works can not co-exist. Any attempt to add works (and sacraments are works) to grace, destroys grace. (Romans 11:6)

The Apostle Paul admonished the Galatians whom he called “foolish” for listening to certain Jews called “Judaizers” who were teaching the people they had to add the law (works) to the gospel of grace alone that had been preached to them. In Galatians Chapter 1, we have a biblical “anathema” (divine curse) against those who would deny the biblical Gospel of grace by attempting to add works. (Galatians 1:8 and 1:9) He says it twice, so we should pay attention. And we should trust only in the Bible, the only divinely inspired and authoritative Word of God, rather than trusting in the councils and catechisms of the Catholic Church which are the words of men. The fact is that the false gospel of Roman Catholicism that teaches salvation by sacraments and works is under God’s divine curse. Romans 4:5 clearly says that the righteousness needed for heaven comes “to him that worketh not, but believeth.”

The Bible is God’s divinely inspired, infallible, and only authoritative Word given to humanity. The Scriptures clearly teach salvation for sinners who repent and trust in Jesus and His finished atonement upon the cross for the satisfaction of all our sin. Our salvation is based on the merit of Christ alone and His shed blood. Sacraments, good works, or anything we could do play no part in our being saved. Salvation is by God’s grace alone, His unmerited favor towards undeserving sinners apart from sacraments or works. By contrast, the fallible words of men which is the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, the Catechism published in 1994, reveals what Rome teaches is necessary for salvation and heaven. Below is a partial list of Rome’s requirements for their “salvation by works gospel” from the Catechism. Here is just some of what Rome says is necessary for salvation:

1. Being a member of the Roman Catholic Church (CCC paragraph # 846)

(As Rome teaches a false Gospel of works salvation, those in the RCC actually remain lost and in bondage)

2. Rome teaches there is no salvation outside of the Roman Catholic Church (816)

(True biblical salvation is only outside the RCC)

3. The sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church are necessary for salvation (1129)

(Biblical salvation is not based on sacraments but on the grace of God through faith alone in Christ alone)

4. The seven sacraments are needed for salvation (15)

(The Bible has two sacraments: believer’s baptism which follows salvation and is not a cause of it, and holy communion which is a remembrance of the finished cross atonement, not a continuation of it where sins are expiated as the Mass falsely teaches)

5. Baptism is necessary for salvation (1257)

(Biblical baptism is for believers, not babies).

6. Priests are necessary for salvation (to dispense “grace”)

(987)

(There is no need for human priests as Jesus is our great high priest and His cross sacrifice ended the sacrificial system)

7. The Mass is necessary for salvation (1405)

(Christ is bodily present in heaven until He comes again, He does not appear as a wafer on the Catholic altar. The cross finished the sin atonement)

8. Penance is necessary for salvation. (980)

(Repentance is needed, penance profits one nothing)

9. Confession to a priest is necessary for salvation (1460)

(Only God can forgive sins, not man)

10. The intercession of Mary (969) and the intercession of the saints (1434) are necessary for salvation (Jesus is the only Mediator, not Mary, nor saints. Saints are living and dead believers)

11. Purgatory is necessary for salvation (1030)

(Purgatory is a 12th-century invention of Rome, there is no such place. At death, the saved immediately go to heaven; the lost immediately go to hell)

12. Obeying the Ten Commandments are necessary for salvation (2068)

(The law shows us our sin and brings us to Christ to be justified by faith (Gal. 3:24) “A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. By the works of the law, shall no flesh be justified.” (Rom. 3:28, Gal. 2:16)

We could mention even more works required by Rome for salvation such as “prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial, fasting, almsgiving, reconciling with one’s neighbor, tears, the practice of charity”. (1460, 1434) “Communion with the dead” (958) even though the God forbids the practice of necromancy as such is a pagan practice of the occult. (Isaiah 8:19) We could also mention Rome’s demand of allegiance to her Pope to secure one’s salvation. As well as practices of pure superstition as indulgences, visits to holy shrines, saying the rosary, lighting candles, wearing scapulars, miraculous medals, prayer cards, statues, the sign of the cross, holy water, incense, etc. etc. etc.

Rome even teaches that men can attain for themselves their own salvation by “making one’s life holy” and “carrying out the mission entrusted to them by God.” (1477) This is how the so-called saints got to heaven, and in fact according to Catholic theology, they had an excess of merit that is available to all in a vast “treasury of merit”. This “treasury of merit” contains the “prayers and good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and those of the saints. The pope supposedly has the power to dispense the treasury’s overflowing merits of Mary and the “saints” to the faithful to help them shorten their time in so-called Purgatory. One wonders why the Pope if he is so caring, does not right this moment empty Purgatory by conferring this supposed excess merit of Mary and the saints to those suffering in the purgatorial flames? And why then if the Pope has such power, do all the Popes also supposedly go to Purgatory when the die? Why is the death of any Pope quickly followed by multiple Masses to help shorten his time in Purgatory?

Clearly, the whole idea of a “treasury of merit” besides being unbiblical, is purely fiction. It’s also interesting to note that many of the so-called “saints” of Roman Catholic history are also purely fictional, as are the often “miraculous” and mystical stories associated with these people who never really existed. As for those Catholic “saints” that did historically exist; well, sadly they are not in heaven as they were trusting in Rome’s false works system of salvation. A “saint” in the Bible, is a spiritually born again believer who has been saved by God’s grace without sacraments, through faith in the divine Person and finished atoning work of Jesus. A believer becomes a “saint” in God’s sight at the moment of salvation and are living believers. Paul addressed the living “saints” in the areas he was writing to. (Eph., Phil. 1:1)

So we have demonstrated how Roman Catholicism denies the biblical gospel of salvation by grace without sacraments, through faith without works, in Christ alone and His finished atoning work. Rome adds other mediators in Popes, Priests, Mary, “saints” and the church herself as the “dispenser of all graces.” Rome heretically denies the finished atonement of the cross, teaching it is perpetually continued in the sacrament of the Mass where it is claimed “the work of our redemption is carried on.” (1405) This is a blasphemy against heaven of course, as our Lord said He finished the redemption of mankind upon the cross (John 19:30, 17:4). To say that the atoning work of Christ continues in the Mass is to say that He did not rise from the dead and ascend into heaven, for the Lord’s resurrection from the dead was the evidence given to man that God the Father had accepted the perfect cross sacrifice of His Son for the sin of humanity. The Bible says Christ was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25) He took all our sin upon Himself and His righteousness is now available to those who place their trust in Christ and His finished satisfaction for sin fully accomplished at the cross at Calvary. This is why Catholics are not saved. They are trying (in vain) to do by sacraments today what God has already done at the cross two thousand years ago.

Amazingly, Roman Catholic doctrine says that Jesus Christ, almighty God, the very Lord of glory, “bows His head in humble obedience” (see Note 1 at the end of this article for the full quote) to the command of a Catholic priest (a sinful man) and then He appears as a piece of bread on Catholic altars thousands of times a day all over the world. The “consecrated” wafers, now supposedly and mystically changed (by what Rome calls “transubstantiation”) into the body, blood and divinity of Christ (1373) are to be consumed by the faithful as a grace unto eternal life (1392) and to be actually worshipped by the people (1378). Unfortunately for Rome, these heresies of the Mass are easily contradicted by biblical truth.

The bread and wine do not become the real body and blood of Christ but are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus given for us on the cross. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25) Christ is bodily present in heaven having “offered one sacrifice for sins forever” (Hebrews 10:12-13), not “wholly and entirely in every fragment” of consecrated bread and wine in every Roman Catholic Church all around the world (1374). To worship a piece of bread can only be considered idolatry. God forbids the worship of any object, even those intended to represent Him. (Exodus 20:4-5, Isaiah 42:8).

Rome points to John Chapter 6 where Jesus says “Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up the last day.” (John 6:54) But are those words to be taken literally or figuratively? If we put the verse in context we can see Jesus is presenting an illustration about trusting in Him for salvation. The day before, He had fed the crowd of five thousand by a miracle division of five loaves and two small fishes. So then he taught them the illustration: that as their forefathers had been fed in the wilderness by manna sent from heaven by God, He was the bread of life which came from heaven. Jesus uses the figurative language of eating and drinking, associating that physical need with the spiritual need of believing in Him for eternal life: “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) He says clearly that those who believe on Him have everlasting life. (John 6:40, 47) Physical eating and drinking is useless, but the spiritual trusting in Jesus for salvation is what is in view here. He says “It is the spirit that quickeneth (gives life in the new birth); the flesh (eating and drinking) profiteth nothing.” He then says in the same verse that His words are to be taken spiritually: “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

It’s interesting to note that in John 4:14 Jesus says that “whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” So why does Rome take the words of Jesus in John 6 literally, but not His words in John 4? Why does Rome teach her people that they must eat Christ’s flesh and drink His blood to get eternal life, but they don’t have to drink His water? But then again, any study of Roman Catholic doctrine reveals that not only does Rome contradict the Holy Scriptures, but they often contradict their own teachings!

It doesn’t seem to bother Rome that they are teaching cannibalism if the wafer is the actual body of Christ. And the drinking of blood is not only of the occult and pagan, but forbidden by God. (Lev. 17:11) Obviously, God would not instruct something be done that He had already forbidden. If Catholics who so want to work themselves into heaven through sacraments and religious ritual would look a bit earlier in John Chapter 6, they would see that the people had asked Jesus that same question: “Then they said to him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” (John 6:28) The Lord’s reply is the same consistent teaching from Genesis to Revelation as to human responsibility in salvation: “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29)

So clearly the wafer of the Mass is a false Christ which Jesus warned would come into the world. (Matthew 24:24) Consider also the warning of the apostle Peter who Rome erroneously claims was the first Pope. (There is no such person or office of Pope in the New Testament Church, nor any person nor office of priest, as Christ’s perfect, complete and finished sacrifice on the cross put an end to the need for human priests and further sacrifices. Hebrews Chapters 9 and 10). Peter warned of the coming Catholic Church which would rise in the latter 4th century: “There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (1 Peter 1:2) The Catholic Popes and magisterium are clearly “false teachers” who promote “damnable heresies” and they speak evil of the truth – the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone.

Remember as we began this article that Rome curses to hell anyone who says justifying faith is confidence in the mercy of God to save a repentant soul. I guess they are unfamiliar with the account in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus told of a man who placed his confidence upon the mercy of God: “The publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)

Look what the Lord Jesus says about this man who put his confidence upon the mercy of God:

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.” (Luke 18:14)

Justified! This man was justified Jesus said! This man knew there was nothing he could do for salvation but cast himself upon the mercy of God, and God justified him on the spot! At that moment of justifying faith, God credited (imputed) the righteousness of Christ to the account of the man who repented (he “smote his breast”) and declared him not guilty, but righteous in His sight. The eternal destiny of the man was changed at that moment of salvation, from hell to heaven and he was now clothed in the righteousness of Christ! Salvation is not a lifetime of sacraments and good works and trying to be a good person, but happens in an instantaneous moment in time when a sinner repents and trusts in Christ alone for the forgiveness of all his sin.

An awful result, not only here, but concerning many other anathemas by Rome, is that Catholic theology has cursed the very Word of God, and God Himself. The Council of Trent directs over 100 anathemas (divine curses) at clear biblical doctrine. Here it is the Lord Jesus who repudiates Catholic teaching. Above we’ve quoted or referred to the biblical writings of Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, John, Peter and Paul. The divine Author of the Bible is the Holy Spirit. The Roman Catholic Church curses them all to hell fire damnation! It’s not easy to write those words, but what else can we conclude when the teaching of Jesus and the Bible directly contradicts the doctrinal Canons of the Catholic Church?

By way of conclusion, let’s briefly return to the passage in Luke 18 where Jesus tells of the man who was justified by trusting in the mercy of God. Jesus told this parable to the Pharisees who were the leading religious leaders of Israel and as Verse 9 says, they were men “which trusted in themselves, that they were righteous.” The Pharisees two thousand years ago; and Roman Catholics today, are trusting in themselves for salvation. They are trying to gain God’s acceptance by keeping the law, doing good works, going to church to receive sacraments and perform religious ritual, etc. But Jesus teaches that salvation is not to be found in religious ceremony. It is not a work of man, but a work of God. It is a spiritual work in the human heart when a sinner repents of sin and receives by faith alone the Person of Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, trusting in His finished atonement of the cross for the full forgiveness of his sin.

In the story, there were two men who went into the temple to pray, the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee stood listing all he was doing to gain God’s acceptance and go to heaven: “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:11-12) He considered himself a just man, not a sinner as other people, including the publican who was a tax collector working for Rome and therefore despised by the Jews. As religious ritual, he fasted and he gave money to try to please God. The Catholic Church sells salvation for money: by charity to the church, money given for Masses, and by selling indulgences which are supposed t o reduce the amount of time the Catholic must spend suffering in Purgatory after death. Such a doctrine is not biblical for upon death the believer is immediately in heaven and the lost are immediately in hell. (Luke 16).

In contrast to the Pharisee and Catholic who are seeking heaven by religious ritual, sacraments, law keeping, their own good works, charity, indulgences, etc., the publican repented of his sin and cast himself upon the mercy of God and he, said Jesus, was justified (saved). In their religious systems of good works, the Pharisees then, and Catholics today, are self righteous, trusting in what they are doing, rather than relying in faith alone in Christ alone. The Apostle Paul contrasts the seeking of righteousness (salvation) by the law (works) which is what the Jews were doing then, and what Catholics are doing today; to God’s righteousness which is by faith alone in Christ alone:

”But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 9:31-32, 10:3-4)

Our prayer for Catholics is that they come to understand that only the Bible is infallible, not popes. Only faith in Christ without human effort or sacraments is the correct response to salvation freely offered by the grace (unmerited favor) of God. Justifying faith is exactly confidence in the divine mercy of God which does remit sins for Christ’s sake, as we have seen, and in direct opposition to Romans Catholic doctrine. Rome’s anathemas have no effect upon Bible believers, but she will be judged by the Word of God and her own curses will be heaped upon her own head for all eternity. Believing the biblical Gospel of salvation by God’s grace and mercy is the issue. Reject the Catholic false teaching of sacraments, ritual, penances, indulgences, pope s, priests, purgatory baptism, masses, etc. Works, water and wafers can not save. Only Christ can save the sinner. He is the end of all religious systems of law and works, and offers freely as a gift His righteousness to those who believe.

Notes:

(1) Amazing words of blasphemy which bear the Pope’s Imprimatur (seal of approval): “When the priest announces the tremendous words of consecration, he reaches up into the heavens, brings Christ down from His throne, and places Him upon our altar to be offered up again as the Victim for the sins of man. It is a power greater than that of saints and angels, greater than that of Seraphim and Cherubim. The priest brings Christ down from heaven, and renders Him present on our altar as the eternal Victim for the sins of man-not once but a thousand times! The priest speaks and lo! Christ, the eternal and omnipotent God, bows his head in humble obedience to the priest’s command.” (“The Faith of Millions - The Credentials of the Catholic Church) We’ve seen that Christ can not be offered up as a “Victim” by a Catholic priest as He “offered one sacrifice for sins forever and then sat down at the right hand of God.” Once He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. He was once offered. (Heb. 10-12, 9:26, 28)

(2) There are only two religions: Biblical Christianity as presented in God’s Word which teaches salvation by God’s grace without human works. And that of Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. which all present the words of men and teach salvation by works. We’ve focused on Roman Catholicism in this article, but all people trapped in a system of works salvation need to hear God’s truth of biblical salvation as freely offered in His gospel of grace.

________

For additional information and helps, please consider the following:

“The Gospel According to Rome” - James G. McCarthy, “Roman Catholicism” – Loraine Boettner

“A Woman Rides The Beast” – Dave Hunt, “Preparing Catholics For Eternity” – Mike Gendron

“Understanding Roman Catholicism” – Rick Jones, “Heresies Of Catholicism ... The Apostate Church” – John Schroeder, “Is Rome The True Church?” – Norman L. Geisler & Joshua M. Betancourt

www.pro-gospel.org (Proclaiming the Gospel - Mike Gendron)

www.thebereancall.org (Dave Hunt)

www.reachingcatholics.org (Sharing biblical salvation)

www.gty.org (Grace to You – Dr. John MacArthur)

Ten Myths About Becoming A Christian

Evangelist Luis Palau gives ten myths about becoming a Christian:

1) Myth #1: Being Born in America Makes You a Christian.

He says he has met people who told him, “I was born in America, so of course I am a Christian. What do you take me to be, a heathen?” The truth is that they could be a lot of things.

Others have said: “I’ve been a Christian all my life; I was born in a Christian home” or “in the church.” But since when does where you’re born determine what you are? Being born in a stable doesn’t make you a horse. Be thankful for where you were born and for the family and church in which you were reared. But don’t assume that automatically makes you a Christian. God has no grandchildren.

2) Thinking Positively Makes You a Christian.

Some people also think that if you have an optimistic outlook on life and smile a lot, you’re somehow a Christian. It doesn’t work that way.

3) Living a Good Life Makes You a Christian.

Living a clean and moral life doesn’t make anyone a Christian. Many atheists live a decent, straight life.

Anyway, how good is “good”? That is the real issue. Most people have a warped idea of the true standard against which our goodness should be measured.

4) Going to Church Makes You a Christian.

Last Sunday four out of 10 Americans went to church. But does that mean that all these people are Christians? Of course not.

Even some thieves go to church. Some people go to church because it’s a social habit. Others attend because their family makes them go. At the encouragement of a minister, they may even go to special classes for baptism or membership.

5) Giving to Others Makes You a Christian.

Many of us were taught since childhood to give a portion of our income to charity or to the church. Whether rich or poor, we feel it’s our “Christian” duty. Even Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, says he feels a “duty to do something” so that “in some way I can make life a little less stinking for some people.” So he donates part of his wealth to worthy causes. And that’s commendable. But that’s not what makes somebody a Christian.

6) Receiving a Sacrament Makes You a Christian.

Maybe you were baptized as a child or young adult. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a Christian. Many violent inmates in penitentiaries were baptized years ago. But few people would consider these inmates Christians. Taking communion doesn’t make you a Christian either.

You see, both baptism and Communion are biblical. God commands Christians to observe these ordinances. But receiving either one won’t make you a Christian.

7) Believing in God Makes You a Christian.

Eight out of 10 people in America say they believe God exists. But are they all Christians? Colonel James Irwin, remembered for his Apollo 15 moon mission, told Palau that while he was in the Middle East, a Muslim leader said to him, “You talk about God so much -- why aren’t you a Muslim?”

Belief, on its own, makes no difference. That is why belief, by itself, doesn’t make someone a Christian.

8) Talking about Jesus Christ Makes You a Christian.

Many people talk about Jesus Christ and even speak well of Him. They may be teachers, ministers, church leaders, or just ordinary people. But they may not even believe that the Bible’s message about Jesus is true.

Some actually have a distorted view of Jesus that fits their own way of thinking, rather than seeing the Jesus of history and the Bible. And that disqualifies them from calling themselves real Christians.

9) Praying Makes You a Christian.

Certainly Christians pray. But someone can pray and still not be a Christian. Hindus pray all the time. Muslims pray five times a day.

10) Reading the Bible Makes You a Christian.

Of course Christians love the Bible. Some of us read it daily. But just reading the Bible doesn’t mean you are a Christian.

Read the Bible all you can. It explains how to settle this issue once and for all. Since it’s God’s Word, not man’s, we can trust it completely. But remember just reading the Bible won’t make you a Christian.

The Chief Objections To Lordship Salvation

Mark 1:4

Dr. Ernest Pickering on the concept of Lordship Salvation:

“One of the chief objections to the notion of ‘Lordship salvation’ is that it adds to the gospel of grace. It requires something of the sinner which the Scriptures do not require. The message of salvation by grace proclaims to sinners that they may receive eternal life by FAITH ALONE whereas the message of ‘Lordship salvation’ tells sinners they must be willing to give up whatever is in their life that is displeasing to God. At the point of gospel presentation they do not know what things those are, nor does the personal worker seeking to point them to Jesus know. There is a vast and significant difference between BELIEVING on Christ for salvation and LEARNING from Him as our Lord....

“None of us are happy with shoddy, fleshly, and disobedient Christians. But the remedy for this condition is not found in changing the terms of the gospel. Well over 100 times in the New Testament, we are told that salvation is by faith or through believing. It is a very serious matter to add an ingredient to the gospel of salvation which is not found in the New Testament....

“Our task is to keep preaching the plain, simple gospel of free grace. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to produce in true believers those qualities of righteousness which we all devoutly long to see.”

*

[Original illustration at this number was added to HolwickID #28656]