As I write this post hurricane Irene is crashing into North Carolina and Virginia. It is hoped that she will lose some of her steam but the threat of storm surge and massive rain are still the big threats of this storm. This is the sixth hurricane or tropical storm named Irene. Irene comes from a Greek word, Eirene, which means "peace". I don't know how much peace she will bring to the east coast but I do know that peace is possible between a human being and their maker. Check this Bible verse out...
King James Version (KJV)
Romans 5
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Remember the word "justified"? That's right, we can be declared righteous by God by faith and because of this marvelous transaction we can have "peace" with God! The choice is pretty stark, you can face the hurricane of God's wrath or experience the peace with God and the peace of God...by faith! Do you have peace today? Do you need God's forgiveness? Trust in Jesus.
On July 5, 2011 Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her little girl, Caylee Anthony. Most people were quick to point out that an acquittal in the American judicial system is not a declaration of innocence but merely a determination that the accused was not guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt". Most arrogant Americans even argue that, if she did the crime, she could never be forgiven. Can Casey Anthony be forgiven? Let me begin answering that question by saying that Casey was found not guilty by a jury of her peers. The entire fire power of the Orlando prosecutor's office was leveled at her and she was acquitted. Get over it. I don't know whether she did it or not, I'm not God. But here is the answer to the question "can she be forgiven"? Yes!! A thousand times yes!! The Bible is full of known murderers who were forgiven, David is the best example, he was an adulterer too! Let me go on to say that Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, the BTK strangler in Wichita and multitudes of others can all be forgiven. The real question is "could you be forgiven"? Does that offend you? We are all desperately wicked (at least that's what Jeremiah said). Yes, we can be forgiven and even better we can be "justified". Now there is a great King James Bible word! Here is a verse where it is used...
Romans 3:28
King James Version (KJV)
28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
A man (any man or woman, boy or girl) can be justified by faith (believing in Jesus Christ as Savior). Do you know what justified means? Dr. Strong in his complete concordance of Biblical words says the actual Greek word translated "justified" means [rendered righteous, to declare one to be righteous]. That is infinitely better than acquitted. While Casey will never be regarded by the American public as innocent the God of the universe says we can be declared "righteous" by placing our faith in Christ. We can avoid the eternal penitentiary called Hell by having faith in Jesus. No sinner no matter how vile is without hope as long as they have breath. Do you need to be justified? Trust Jesus today.
Sadly, in my many years of pastoring churches I have found that I am increasingly hard pressed to find a gospel tract that actually gets the gospel right. One of the favorite gospel false additions that is so dear to the self righteous, Lordship salvation minions is the command to "repent of your sins" if you want to be forgiven. Let's examine this false claim. First, a defintion...repent (found 23 times in the New Testament) is a translation from the Greek word "metanoeo". The word means in a literal sense "to think differently to reconsider" (Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). It is implied in the very act of believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior that you would have to think differently about some things. You would have to change your mind about your condition (I am a sinner), you would have to reconsider your previous opinion of Christ (He really is God, He really did die and raise from the dead to pay for my sins). No where does it say that you must turn away from your sins in order to be forgiven (that is a work!!). In fact, no where in the New Testament can you find the phrase "repent of sin" or "repent of your sins". Another compelling argument against the false claim of repentance of sins for forgiveness is found in the gospel of John. Now John is a wonderful book. All seekers and new believers should read it. It is loaded with one syllable words and is very easy to understand. It tells us about Jesus Christ and the fact that He is God incarnate who came to rescue us from our sinful estate! In John 20:30-31 we are given the purpose of the book's writing, here it is...
John 20:30-31
King James Version (KJV)
30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
There you have it, the purpose for the book of John is that the reader might read the story and after reading John's account he/she might come to faith in Christ! It is the only book in the Bible that expressly says the whole reason for it's existence is to get you to Believe in Christ. Now here is the kicker. No where in John do you find the words repent, repentance, repented, repentest, repenteth, repenting or repentings. Do you think that John just made a big mistake? Maybe God just overlooked that important detail? No!! The only way a person gains forgiveness from sin and eternal life is by BELIEVING on Christ. Don't miss heaven because of the boneheads that insist on adding instructions to God's simple plan! I do believe there is a place in the Christian's life for ridding his life of sinful practices but that is part of sanctification (the Christian walk)and having good fellowship with God it is not required to initially become a forgiven child of God. Paul warned against adding requirements to the true gospel in the book of Galatians and we'll deal with that later. Do you need to be forgiven and know that Heaven will be your destination? Trust Christ today!
This past Sunday I was sitting at my computer and noticed a story about a stunt pilot who had just died hours before in a bizarre stunt show accident. Since I live just a few miles from where this happened it really got my attention. Someone actually got the whole thing on video and loaded it on youtube, it was a gruesome and sobering thing to watch. As I watched the plane loop and dive in the air I couldn't believe the events to follow. On his last vertical climb something went terribly wrong and the plane began to head straight to the pavement nose first. The plane hit with an abrupt explosion and then the whole pile of debris burst into flames. The whole thing lasted just seconds but it reminded me of something I've read in the Bible many times...
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Our lives loop and soar and then one day all of us will be gone and it will all seem like a whisp of vapour appearing then disappearing just as suddenly. If we are going to leave this world as a forgiven person we must tend to that matter right now, while we are alive and our minds are lucid. Have you trusted Jesus as your Saviour? Do it now while there is time!
So far we have covered the erroneous terms of being forgiven which have been ..."say a sinner's prayer" and "give your heart to Christ". The third false instruction that many preachers and christians will ask a seeker to "do" is to "surrender your life to Christ". There are two reasons that I want to mention (there are actually many more!) as to why this is totally fraudulent in securing forgiveness. First, acquiring forgiveness from sin and gaining eternal life is a result of receiving not giving, this is a recurring theme in the Scriptures and will be a recurring theme for me as well. Here is what the Bible says in just two places...
John 1:12
King James Version (KJV)
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Ephesians 2:8-9
King James Version (KJV)
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
It is very clear that we become forgiven, saved children of God by receiving a gift. Imagine how ludicrous it would be if you decided to give me a brand new BMW sportscar. It is an outstanding gift and I'm really blown away by your generosity. The next week I mail you a $20.00 bill because I feel indebted somehow. I continue to send you monthly payments of $20 to ward off doubts that you might decide to take it back. All I have done is thrown a ridiculously inadequate insult in your direction. I just need to accept the gift and enjoy it! Christ has provided us a gift that could never be deserved or secured by anything we could possibly do. You just need to enjoy it, say thanks regularly and be the best Christian you can be. The second reason that "surrender" is not a way to be forgiven is that it is very vague in it's instruction. How could I possibly surrender all of my life and life actions, thoughts and emotions to God? What if I have a bad day, week or month do I lose my forgiveness? Isn't it arrogant to think that it is even possible to do this? By the way, a third reason this is a bad instruction for personal forgiveness is a familiar one...it's not in the Bible. Do you need forgiveness? Trust in Christ work on the cross today?
It's very likely that at some point in time you have heard this appeal given at a church by some preacher as a condition for forgiveness of sins. So why am I listing this action as a way NOT to be forgiven? Because it is not found in the Bible. Go to one of my favorite Bible study tools...www.blueletterbible.com and do a search of the King James Bible (yeah, that's right, I'm a KJ guy!) the phrase is not in the Bible and neither is the concept as it pertains to forgiveness. Notice this statement by the wonderful AWANA organization...
The Scriptures never tell us to give our heart to Christ. Such an invitation implies some effort on our part. We are not saved by giving God anything, but rather by receiving His gift of eternal life (Eph. 2:8-9). Remember also that the human heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). Romans 10:10 tells us that with the heart man believes unto righteousness, but the nonbeliever is unable to give his heart to God. Some use this Scripture, however, with the idea that the unsaved person is making a decision of his will to accept Christ. Even so, this invitation contains very confusing terminology that does not clearly present the truth of the gospel.
Giving our heart to Christ is absolutely one of the most confusing things you could ever instruct someone to do. Does God want the muscle mass of tissue that beats in my chest? No. The word "heart" is a word that refers to our mind, will and emotions. It is with these God given instruments that we "believe". Again, the only requirement that the New Testament asks of us in order to be forgiven is "faith/to believe" (almost 200 times in the King James Bible). We must be clear when we tell people how to be forgiven and ambiguous statements like the subject of this post is very confusing, especially to children.
As I have already stated in previous posts the one and only term or requirement for you to be forgiven is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
"The precise instant when a person is saved (granted eternal life with God in heaven) is when in that nanosecond of time he genuinely decides (act of will) to trust only in Jesus Christ and what Christ has done on the cross and in nothing or no one else". —Lewis Sperry Chafer, D.D., Litt.D., Th.D., late Founder, President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary
Unfortunately, fallen man has an innate desire to add to the simple plan of God for our salvation and forgiveness. One of those unfortunate additions is a demand by many for a lost seeker to say a "sinner's prayer". The first reason that I would give you as to why this sinner's prayer is not required is because it is simply not found in the Bible. Remember the Philippian jailer? He asked Paul "what must I do to be saved?" and what did Paul say? Did he say "pray the sinner's prayer"? No! He said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The second reason I would give is that demanding someone say a prayer is implying that God is not propitious (willing to save). God is very willing, even anxious to save and forgive.
"Men are not saved by asking God to be good, or merciful, or propitious; they are saved when they believe God has been good and merciful enough to provide a propitiating Savior. The sinner is saved, not because he prevails on God to withhold from him the blow of judgment that is due him for his sin, but because he believes that that blow has fallen on his Substitute." --L.S. Chafer
Many people have prayed a sinner's prayer but they are saved and forgiven because they believed not because they said a prayer. Do you need God's forgiveness? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Can One Be Saved Without Prayer?
In the Bible there are many cases of sinners who prayed like the thief on the cross or the publican in the Temple. In fact, Romans 10:13 says:
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Many people believe that a sinner cannot be saved without a period of prayer, without consciously calling on God. However, the Bible does not say that a sinner must pray in order to be saved. In fact, immediately following the verse in Romans 10:13 is an explanation which shows that calling on God is an evidence of faith in the heart and that it is really faith which settles the matter. Read it again.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?"—Romans 10:13,14.
The Lord encourages the sinner to pray, and the Lord hears and answers the sinner's prayer if that sinner trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation when he prays. He heard the prayer of the thief on the cross, of the publican in the Temple, of blind Bartimaeus. But the Scripture says, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?" Certainly every one who is to be saved must believe. Prayer is evidence of faith. No matter how long one prays, if he does not trust in Christ, he can never be saved. If he trusts in Christ without conscious prayer, then he is saved already. There is just one plan of salvation and just one step a sinner must take to secure it. That step is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! Some way we preachers have left the impression on this poor world of sinners that God is hardhearted and that it takes many tears and loud cries and long periods of sorrow before He will hear and save the sinner. We have left the impression that God does not care whether sinners are saved or not, and that sinners must some way touch the heart of God and get Him ready to forgive. What a slander on a good and holy God who "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Man's sins are already paid for, God's wrath is already turned away from any sinner who wants to be saved. Both the Father and the Son are a million times more anxious to save every sinner than the sinner can be to get saved! Thank God, I do not have to beg God to forgive my sins. He will do it the minute I am willing to trust it with Him. -- Dr. John R. Rice, What Must I Do To Be Saved?
The word "forgiven" is found only 42 times in the entire Bible but as I pointed out in the previous post there are other synonyms used that convey the same idea such as...saved, redeemed, cleansed, pardoned and several others. A classic case of a simple question followed by a simple answer is found in Acts 16 where we read that Paul and Silas had been locked up in jail for preaching the good news and doing the work of God. Late at night the Lord miraculously sets them free and a frantic Philippian jailer who is fearful that he will be put to death for allowing a prison escape on his watch runs up to Paul and Silas and asks the world's most important question. Here is the passage...
Acts 16:25-34
King James Version (KJV)
25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Notice a few things in this account. The jailer asked a simple question "What must I do to be saved?". He received a simple answer "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". This is one of the great passages in all of the Bible and all of literature in describing how to be forgiven...believe on Christ! Notice verse 34 says he was believing and all his house was believing. They were all gloriously saved, forgiven, redeemed, rescued and pardoned because they believed on Christ. It is simple to believe, but it is not easy. Too often this free grace explanation of how to be forgiven is called "easy believism" but it is not easy and this grace is not cheap. Christ lived a miraculous sinless life, he was crucified, buried and then rose from the dead. It requires a sincere belief and trust in what He did to be sufficient payment for your sins. Believe on Christ today!
When I did some research on the subject of forgiveness I was astounded that over a million Google searches every month are for the keyword phrase "how to be forgiven". The fact that you are reading this article means that you are part of the Google research and very possibly you are burdened with guilt and a desire to be forgiven yourself. The Bible is still the most read book in the world and I can tell you that I have found within it's pages the story of One (the only one!) who can forgive sin...any sin. That person of course is the incomparable Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ! The apostle Paul gives us a summary of the good news or "gospel" in First Corinthians chapter 15, verses 1-4..."1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures "
Notice that Paul said you could be "saved" (another word for forgiven) by "receiving" this simple message! What does it mean to receive this good news? Look at the Gospel of John chapter 1, verse 12, for the answer..."But as many as received Him, the same gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that "believe" on His name. The good news is that you can know how to be forgiven simply by believing that what Jesus did on that cross 2000 years ago is enough to pay for your sins. Sounds incredible doesn't it? It is and it is the only way on this green earth that anyone will ever be forgiven. Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? You've got a decision to make!
When I did some research on the subject of forgiveness I was astounded that over a million Google searches every month are for the keyword phrase "how to be forgiven". The fact that you are reading this article means that you are part of the Google research and very possibly you are burdened with guilt and a desire to be forgiven yourself.
