| |
Lately I’ve been exposed to people who believe everyone will be saved, or at least all the “good” people will be saved. This lie of Satan disturbs me because it will cause so many to miss eternal life. Some would say, everyone has the right to their own belief. But what we believe is not the issue, what is True is the issue. And what is True is found in the Words of the One who is Truth. Therefore, let us look at what Christ Jesus has said regarding who gets saved. Since there is much that He says, we will look at just three statements here.
In John 17, Jesus prays as He prepares to complete His mission. In verse 12 He prays, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
Here Jesus states that Judas is lost, which means that not everyone is saved.
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Here Jesus says there are more who are lost than are saved. All there more reason for us to seek the Truth.
In Matthew 7:21-23 He goes on to say, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
This is scary! Here Jesus tells us that there will be people who believe superficially in Jesus even though they are able to prophesize, cast out demons and work various wonders, yet they have not trusted in Jesus and have no relationship with Him that they may receive eternal life (be saved). Just because someone says they believe in God, or even that they believe in Jesus, be careful to compare what they say to the Bible. Deceivers will even be able to perform signs and wonders. I hope you will read these chapters in full. Matthew 7 has example after example on how to know someone who is saved verses one who is not.
Some might say that if not everyone is saved then Jesus failed in His mission. Misquoting scriptures like this one. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14
Recall the Passover, when the tenth plague was coming. God provided a way for Israel’s firstborn to be saved, by killing the spotless lamb and putting its blood on the door posts. It was a salvation for all firstborn, but was only in effect for those who applied the blood. So it is with eternal life. Jesus indeed completed His mission as Savior of the world, but only those who apply the blood He shed will be saved. This He proclaimed when He gave what we call the Last (or Lord’s) Supper or Communion.
Paul told the Corinthians that anyone who partakes of this in an unworthy manner is guilty of killing the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27) and bring judgment upon themselves (1 Corinthians 11:27).
Scripture is clear that not everyone will be saved, but only those who have given their life over to Christ. Please do not be deceived, but study and know the whole Word of God.
|
| |
|
| |
Recently a presidential hopeful made the statement that they were going to heaven because Jesus died for their sins, they did not believe it was the only way. Being a good person would get you to heaven as well.
This is a lie with which Satan has infected the body of Christ! Hearing this statement from someone claiming to be a Christian, tears at my heart. They are, by making such a statement, calling God a liar, a sadist and a murder!
Jesus, who is God, (John 1, John 10:30, John 17:22) said “No one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) Therefore, to say that there is any other way is to call God a liar. In addition, before Jesus went to the cross He begged the Father that if there was any other way for people to get to heaven to let Him not go to the cross. There wasn’t, but if there is, then God lied.
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines a sadist as one who delights in cruelty. If God did not let Jesus out of going to the cross when there was another way, then God is a sadist, sending Jesus (His own Son) to the cross just to see Him die! That is indeed cruel!
It also means that God is a murder, killing Jesus when it was not necessary. God would be breaking His own commands.
Why would anyone want to follow a God who is a lair, a sadist, a murder, and does not follow the commands He makes? I wouldn’t and I don’t. God, as the Bible describes, is Truth itself (or Himself). He does not lie, does not tempt, does not sin, in fact He cannot!
Believe God alone! He has told us that it is through Jesus alone that we can be reconciled to Him and go to heaven. End of discussion.
Marlin Diekfuss
|
| |
|
| |
In Kids' Creek, we make learning about Jesus fun. On a typical Sunday, we cover the same topics as the adults. On our special event days, we step away from our regular routine to review our lessons. With every review, we split up into teams and lovingly compete in a sports themed game. We've played table top football for our Bible Bowl II, bowled our way through the Tournament of Champions, and shot paper basketballs into trashcans for our NRC Playoffs. By using these events, our kids not only reinforce the information covered in the last month, they also learn about supporting others. We have more events planned throughout the year. Come join us for fun, food, and friends. We look forward to meeting you.
|
| |
|
|
