EO Responds To Emails
11-02-08
(EMAIL) I’m sure all the questions I’m about to ask you have been asked so you can just refer me to articles if you want. I’m sure you’re a busy man so thanks for your time.
1. The first thing that led to me understanding true repentance and turning from sin was John MacArthur’s... I am turning from my sins and I see the fruit of repentance developing in my life over the past 3 years. If John is a false teacher, and a kingdom can’t be divided on itself, then how is it that I am living in increasing obedience and love. When does a false teacher lead people to the truth?
2. Secondly, if salvation is by grace and not by works, can you explain to me how i can acquire something from God having nothing to do with anything I’ve done and then lose it because of something I’ve done? How does Sanctification work in your theology? Also, does God ever punish His children in the process? Your approach to Lev 20:10 doesn't make sense to me. What I see when I read this exegetically is sin is horrible to God and He hates it. What I don’t understand is how do you conclude that these people received spiritual death (hell); in other words, how can you comment on their spiritual condition?
3. Thirdly, what does Romans 8:29-30 mean to you?
4. Fourth, what does Paul mean when he laments doing the things he hates and not doing the things he loves? and what is he referring to by the thorn in his side?
5. Finally, Jesus says if we are angry at somebody we have committed murder. So how do you choose which sins can cost you your salvation and which can’t or when this occurs? awarding people “false teaching awards” (trophy with skull and crossbones)—what kind of heart does that come from?
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
ANSWERS: (1) The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons likewise teach repentance yet are also false teachers. MacArthur is a Calvinist. End of discussion. He, therefore, is grossly deceived about grace, final salvation, etc. BTW, John MacArthur does NOT teach you need to repent from wickedness for salvation after getting born again. Also, we do not take issue with MacArthur over repentance before getting born again. He is right on that point. The issue is: Is eternal security true? The answer is no, it is a dangerous snare for the soul.
(2) A righteous man can die spiritually because of certain sins (Ezek. 33:18; Rom. 8:13; James 1:14-16; etc.). Hence, salvation can be lost. A Christian will grow and get more sanctified as long as he keeps drawing near to God. Sanctification is NOT guaranteed. Christians can fall away, disown Jesus, etc. Christians do get disciplined, but that does not always work. Ponder what Jesus told the Laodiceans (Rev. 3:15-19). Lev. 20:10 shows it takes one act of adultery to produce a Bible-defined adulterer. Other Scriptures show such people will be damned (Rev. 21:8; 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Eph. 5:5-7; etc.). All sins are not of the same degree. See 1 John 5:16,17; etc. Spiritual death occurs in this life prior to physical death. The Prodical died spiritually through sexual sin, then later repented and got saved again (Luke 15:24,32).
(3) There is nothing in Rom. 8:29,30 that is solid support for Calvinism. You are reading into that just like Universalists read into certain Scriptures for their false doctrine. One can get justified and later Christ can be of no benefit to him (Gal. 5:2-4; 1 John 2:24-26; etc.).
(4) Rom. 7:14-25 is the sinful nature personified. That is NOT Paul. If so, he was a wicked sinner who continued to live in a vile manner, as v. 19 (Greek) says! Think! Don’t just believe the garbage you have been fed.
(5) All sins are not the same in their effect on our souls. Some sins are greater than others (Jn. 19:11). One type is eternal (Mk. 3:29), while others are not. Another type of sin is uniquely against our bodies, while other sins are outside our bodies (1 Cor. 6:18). 1 Jn. 5:16 declares there is a sin that does not lead to death while there is a sin that leads to death. Sins such as worry (Phil. 4:6), unthankfulness (Col. 2:7, 3:15; Lk. 17:11-18) and not being completely humble and gentle (Eph. 4:2) are not included in any of the lists of sins that will send people to the lake of fire, even if they were once saved. However, other sins certainly will send any people to hell if they die unrepentant, even a person who was once saved. (See 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Rev. 21:8; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5,6; Jude 7; Rev. 22:15; etc.). Our skull and crossbones award comes from a pure heart concerned for souls who have been deceived by eternal security.
Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer’s Conditional Security.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/whatsnew.htm
This book is the most exhaustive and comprehensive refutation to eternal security ever written.
Here are some questions for you http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/question.htm
Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.
_________________
(EMAIL) .... “True Christian” would be hesitant to do the things that are of “Sin,” simply because of the conviction of the Holy Spirit that is on “every true believer,” and sometimes we “undermind” Him, not quenched, since He could never be quenched, and we fall into sin. If we sin, that faithful saying on 1John 1:9 is there to remind us of how to deal with it. We are prone to sin because we are not yet in our glorified body. I hope you don’t sin, but if you do, you know where you are going if you are truthful to your words, you will have eternal damnation as I think that you are convicted by your word. And If you say that you don’t sin, please look back at the book of first John , that if you say that you don’t sin, that you’re a liar. Also, too when my God and Savior Jesus Christ said, “It is Finished,” those words mean that I do not have to do anything. Maybe you owe to revisit the subject about the Divine Decree, so you may know that everything that is going to happen, just like this conversation, is going to happen, just like the saved ones are foreknown. Please think more seriously that maybe your name is not written in the Book of Life.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
To say a true Christian would be “hesitant” to sin is to say nothing relevant to the issue and to miss the point. The point is: A true Christian (a righteous person) can die spiritually. This is fact and you have been deceived to reject this. Please read this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/spiritualdeath.htm
All sins are not the same in their effect on our souls. Some sins are greater than others (Jn. 19:11). One type is eternal (Mk. 3:29), while others are not. Another type of sin is uniquely against our bodies, while other sins are outside our bodies (1 Cor. 6:18). 1 Jn. 5:16 declares there is a sin that does not lead to death while there is a sin that leads to death. Sins such as worry (Phil. 4:6), unthankfulness (Col. 2:7, 3:15; Lk. 17:11-18) and not being completely humble and gentle (Eph. 4:2) are not included in any of the lists of sins that will send people to the lake of fire, even if they were once saved. However, other sins certainly will send any person to hell if they die unrepentant, even a person who was once saved. (See 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Rev. 21:8; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5,6; Jude 7; Rev. 22:15; etc.).
Please consider getting our 801 page book refuting eternal security entitled, “The Believer’s Conditional Security.” There is MUCH in it that can help you better understand this salvation related subject. http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/whatsnew.htm
This book is the most exhaustive and comprehensive refutation to eternal security ever written.
Remember Gal. 6:8,9 is a SALVATION passage not a rewards passage. GOD BLESS YOU.
_____________________
(EMAIL) ... At Fatima, Mary appeared to three children at a humble Holcomb Oak bush. I am assuming it is a weed with little use at best, for the Lord needs nothing of the world of man. At Lourdes, she had appeared to the child Bernadette (who could not even remember the Roman catechism) at a city dump. In both places she demonstrated no desire to have any direct interaction with Roman ecclesiastical leadership or participate in any of the edifices they had created.
At Fatima, before Mary appeared, an Angel met the children and told them to pray a lovely little prayer. “My God I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you.” he told them to partake of the Lord’s supper. When Mary came, she asked the children to say the Rosary. It is a very complicated mental exercise requiring one to imagine events in our Lord’s life while one recites the Angel’s greeting to Mary in Nazareth, some praises of Mary and a request for protection. The rosary is much like the Hebrew sacrifices of old- a spiritual exercise that strengthens the mind and heart. It is not a vain repetition when done in private. It can be a very spiritual communal activity if all approach the event humbly and thankfully.
I found it strange that we were now praying to Mary for aid but looking at the condition of Christ’s Church and the way Roman and Protestant leaders have ravaged it, I can understand why God would not want to allow any Church leaders to use traditional activities to establish power and authority. Mary must lead us if we are to escape the conflict Roman and Protestant ecclesia has created and still exists to a degree today.
I pray that we will all follow Mary to Christ. I was angry and deeply saddened by Pope Benedict’s curt and cavalier dismissal of the Protestant request for clarity and reformation as being in error and not worthy of discussion. If the Protestants can unite and follow Mary, we have hope that those that call themselves the Roman ecclesia will follow Mary to our Lord. Your Brother in Christ,
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
The Mary of Catholicism is NOT the Mary of the Bible. In your email you wrote, “I pray that we will all follow Mary to Christ,” and also mention the Fatima visions. Perhaps you are not aware that the Fatima visions do NOT point people to Christ but instead to MARY! In that vision, Mary (really a demon) states that she is our “refuge” and “the way” to God. That can NOT be the Mary of the Bible. That is what the devil wants us to believe.
Did you know that the Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Moonies and others all claim to have visions from God? Yet all those visions contradict the visions in the other groups. In other words, the Marian visions in Catholicism contradict the Mormon visions and those contradict the SDA visions, which contradict the Moonie visions!!! This is proof that God is NOT the only source of visions. The devil can produce visions too (2 Cor. 11:14).
It is also contrary to God’s will and commands to pray (recite) the rosary. Please read this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/rosary.htm
Please be assured that Mary is NOT “our life, sweetness or hope.” To believe she is, instead of God WITHOUT MARY TOO, will land you in the fiery furnace. May that not be the case.
Please read through the New Testament and change accordingly. Read it without preconceived ideas and accept what it says. Your SOUL is in danger.
GOD BLESS YOU.
__________________
(EMAILS) I don’t know who you are or what Bible you have been reading, (I came across your site by accident) but you might want to review the text.
You don’t appear to know what you are talking about .... or, you have had an NDE and you went to hell, and are looking for a reason why. You need to pray for love in your life and spend less time thinking about the devil. You weren’t created to focus on him. You were created to focus on love. Do that, and you can’t go wrong.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
What we do, out of obedience to God, is spread the message of the Lord Jesus and his apostles. Because they mentioned the devil, we do too in the same way. They were motivated by love to speak the disturbing truth and we do the same. When God’s truth goes forth false doctrine and sin are exposed. That enables people to change for the better or get a harder heart by rejecting the truth. Hopefully, in your case it will be the former. Remember Biblical salvation comes only to those who turn from their sins and place a submissive faith in Jesus for their salvation. This is a heaven or hell issue. GOD BLESS YOU.
____________________
(EMAILS) Each week I listed to about two sermons from your Feed the Sheep mini sermons. I’ll not forget you, and soon in the future, will send you a love offering.
Keep up the good work! There are many out there that want to destroy you work for the Lord. The are tools of Satan, and I’m well aware of their intentions.
Please keep in touch!
(RESPONSE) Yes, the forces of hell hate us and our holiness-endurance message. Remember the devil was the first eternal security teacher (Gen. 3:4). Some of his servants are opposed to us because they are jealous, others out of doctrinal ignorance. Regardless, people hate us and malign us and our message, which really is not original with us, but with the Lord Jesus and his apostles.
GOD BLESS YOU.
_________________
(EMAILS) I need your help. Big time.
I stumbled upon your page a few weeks ago. I am currently attending a Baptist church in _____. I have been here for 6 months and I was never happier in my life due to the love shown to me. Before, I was in a ________ cult, where love didn’t exist. Only greed, business, and emotion.
I thought I was home and I thought I would never leave. But I guess I was wrong. Obviously Calvinism is taught, but not so much that they say we can go ahead and sin and do what we want. Instead, they teach a very moderate version of eternal security. I am in limbo here. Seriously. There are certain verses I just DON’T UNDERSTAND. It doesn’t get into my head how God could adopt someone and then drop someone. But whatever. I guess it is true.
But I have an ever worse problem. I read your page on baptism. But I have been talking to the Church of Christ people and I am nearly convinced that it is true—that I must by faith get into the water and let God do His stuff.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
Regarding the problem with eternal security, we have plenty to help you—2 books and online teachings http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/cat1c.htm
The baptism problem with Church of Christ is somewhat common. They are a CULT and think that even we are unsaved even though we were water baptized!!!!!! They are a group you need to stay away from, just like the eternal security Calvinist church you recently found. What you need on water baptism is found here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/baptism.htm
Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm
GOD BLESS YOU. Heb. 3:14.
___________________
(EMAIL) If someone where a “carnal” Christian... and realized that they weren’t as they should be and were trying to get their life in order... and got caught up in a deliverance ministry... and watched as the spirits overtook them... then had a vision of being cast out of heaven... and their physical appearance has changed... and a spirit of torment taunts them day and night... would it be safe to assume they have fallen apostate?
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
The person you described can get his/her life straightened out. Ponder the mess a person can get in at James 5:19,20 yet return to salvation. Also, please read this http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/backslider.htm and http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/newconverts.htm GOD BLESS YOU.
___________________
(EMAIL) The ___________ family living in _____________ has struggled for years to find a local congregation with sound Biblical Doctrine and harder yet to find those willing to contend for it. Our last group, _____________ in ______________ asked us to leave because we did not agree with them that Eternal Security Churches share the same Gospel of Salvation as we do. Imagine that! These people actually defend Eternal Security people as Saved Christians even though they know and believe they can fall from Salvation. They see them as simply being IGNORANT of the whole TRUTH but actually share the same Gospel. Your document on UNITY very much blessed me! THANK YOU for being some of the only people we know who hear God the way we do....We sometimes think they are no others but us. This can be over bearing at times despite our knowledge of persecution, discipline and perseverance. 1 THESS 2:8
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
We are VERY SORRY for the trouble from your former church. We are in a deep, dark, thick apostate time. FEW are seeking God and striving to please Him.
One of the common desires of people who contact us is to have Christian fellowship from others in their area who are serious about God. The people who have contacted us over the years come from MANY different backgrounds .... Perhaps you might try placing an ad in the local paper stating you are seeking serious Christians for fellowship who likewise hate and oppose eternal security. Maybe someone will respond and you could then check him/her out. That is just a thought. Who knows, maybe it might help to some degree, but be careful.
May God help us all as the days get darker. Remember as that occurs our departure and home going gets closer.
GOD BLESS YOU both. Rev. 21:4.
_________________
(EMAIL) I have left the church I was attending when you first heard from me a few months back. I had never heard of once saved always saved in my entire life. I left a Baptist church when I was fifteen—attended a Pentecostal holiness for 45 years, same pastor, when he left the church broke up. I had a hard time finding a church in this area and then one Sunday morning I was listening to the radio—liked what I heard and then this once saved always saved deal comes up. DO I OWE THIS PASTOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I HAVE LEFT? Am I letting God down by just moving on without an explanation? Please e-mail me at your earliest convenience. I thank God for your boldness and you have truly been a blessing to me and my family. I look forward to hearing from you.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
It would be nice to write your former pastor and tell him why you have left, but it probably will make no difference as far as him changing. Probably a more fruitful thing to do is write some of the people who attend there who you would talk to and maybe were friends with and cite the Scriptural reasons why you have left. You might also phone them and tell them verbally.
May God give you peace and wisdom.
GOD BLESS YOU. Rev. 21:4.
_________________
(EMAIL) I started going to church after my Christian wife left me for adultery. I was not a Christian at the time although I had been to church numerous times and even believed in God. My wife never came back to me and I never saw her again or my ___ children.... I stopped going to church and started to hate my wife, church and God. I became an angry man and very immoral. I have been intimate with more than a hundred women and for ten years I have been addicted to pornography. I am severely damaged goods. As to my childhood, well like many it was horrific and we will not go there. Three days ago I decided to turn back to God as I felt I had a one way ticket to hell. It is easy to fool yourself into believing your hatred is righteous and that your sin will be forgiven in heaven, that you are addicted or you have a demon. In my family the women were witches and there is always the feeling satan has a special hate for me, especially as I have been approached on numerous occasions by cults to join them. I now know from reading your writings that I am not saved while I am in deliberate sin and I was tormented that God/Jesus/Holy Spirt would never take me back, but now I have the truth. I have made my final decision to give up my sin and follow God. Hell is not worth the price of admission. Thank you for help.
(RESPONSE) Greetings in Jesus’ name.
I’m very sorry for the pain you have experienced and caused for others. When a person initially comes to God, his sins are forgiven and he becomes a new creation. It is a MIRACLE how He changes a person. Consider what he did for the Apostle Paul who persecuted Christians before he became saved, then God changed him into the champion example of a Christian.
As you draw near to God he will draw near to you and your thinking will become wholesome and pure. You can yet do MANY things that will be pleasing to God and helpful to people around you. The blessings will splash back on you. Please read this important information for new converts http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/newconverts.htm
Please consider signing up for our weekly email teachings, updates, etc. If interested, you can do that here http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/contact.htm
Please keep in touch. GOD BLESS YOU. Heb. 3:14.