MaryFreeman

SHOOT'N FROM THE HIP:
Believest thou this? Can you believe it? Do you? Believe it or not.... Jesus did not come into this world to take life from you.... He didn't come to see to it that your life could not be lived abundantly (and abundantly means more than just the financial.... Do you suffer a disease? Are you broken in any way? Does it diminish the quality of your life here?).... He has never taught anyone anything by causing them to suffer....
Jesus always restored.... Always healed.... Always gave life back.... And gave His life to secure salvation.... Which brings me to another doctrine of man that is very harmful.... And potentially fatal.... The doctrine of "salvation by works".... I have always fought against this.... I will always fight against it.... And I have a purely physical reason for it.... Among a number of spiritual ones....
I did a study once on crucifixion.... And the horror of it is this.... When a person was crucified.... They were stretched beyond the natural length of their arms.... So their shoulders and elbows are forced out of joint.... And then nails (which are NOTHING like a 10 penny..... They were usually about five inches long and had the thickness of a railroad spike) were driven into the wrist (which was considered part of the hand back then)....
There is a nerve running from the hand all the way up the arm.... It is often mislabled the "funny bone".... Bump it sometime.... See if you find it funny.... It is called the Median Nerve.... The nail would pass through it.... Causing the hands to curl.... And extreme pain to run all the way up the arm of the victim.... Which made it nearly impossible to hold oneself up for very long at all....
So the victim usually had to push themselves up from their feet to breathe.... Which were folded one over the other and another spike driven into the middle of the foot.... In which is located the Perconial Nerve.... The "nail" would pass through that nerve.... Causing extreme pain to run all the way up the legs....
Breathing becomes active instead of passive.... Due to the position of the victim on the cross.... One had to push onself up on the feet.... Agitating the pierced deep Perconial Nerve.... And pull with the shoulders.... Causing searing pain from the Median Nerve.... This wore a victim out.... Eventually multiple causes would effect death.... Hours (and sometimes days) later....
And this was after being beaten and scourged (usually with a cat o' nine [a whip with nine tails.... Bone or glass imbedded in the ends] And thick wooden rods).... If the soldiers were in a good mood.... Jewish law would be followed.... If not.... Roman rules applied.... Roman rules called for whipping mercilessly.... Usually flipping the victim onto his front when there was no more untorn flesh on his back side.... The entire body being their target....
I said all that to say this....
There is absolutely nothing you could ever do to earn the rights to such a sacrifice....
NOTHING....
We must all come before a HOLY HOLY HOLY God.... Fully realizing we are sinfull and deserving of the very death His Son so willingly took in our stead.... We must come before Him just as we are.... There is absolutely no cleaning up first.... We will always miss a rather large spot....
Salvation is a free gift.... Freely effected and given while we were yet dead in our sins [Eph 2:1-9].... Causing a quickening in us.... Which brings me to yet another very destructive doctrine of man....
ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED....
Oh balloney.... This is a crock of malarkey.... The thought of anyone taking for granted the graphic depiction above.... Of anyone thinking they can claim it for themselves.... And that they are saved.... And that they will never lose it.... Thus they don't have to do anything in return.... Can then live the life they have always lived.... Is like that stuff that folks spread on their gardens to put nutrients back into the soil....
But we don't want this compost growing anything.... Sadly enough though.... It is....
THE SEEKER FRIENDLY MOVEMENT:
The seeker friendly movement.... Started by Rick Warren and his ilk.... Is a searing detriment to the Cross of Christ.... A lie specifically designed to scratch itching ears.... In this movement church leaders design their churches to resemble upscale shopping malls.... Some even have McDonalds restaurants inside them! For petes sake....
It doesn't end there.... Along with marketing all those fleshly "needs" folks think are necessary to persuade them into church.... Church leaders have actually removed all uncomfortable teachings.... Such as the one located just above where we are now.... The teaching of the free gift of God that we can do nothing to earn....
They have cut out things like repentance.... Stating that once you come to Christ there is no reason for you to go on repenting! That God does not require "saved" folk to repent! Their brand of salvation has the "done and over with" flavor to it.... The one time takes care of all attitude is so wrong.... I cannot find anywhere in the scripture that says we are forgiven for all sin past and present and future....
But I can find numerous scripture to state the exact opposite....
WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?:

Act 17:30-31 AMP
(30)
Such [former] ages of ignorance God, it is true, ignored and allowed to pass unnoticed; but now He charges all people everywhere to repent (to change their minds for the better and heartily to amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins),
(31)
Because He has fixed a day when He will judge the world righteously (justly) by a Man Whom He has destined and appointed for that task, and He has made this credible and given conviction and assurance and evidence to everyone by raising Him from the dead. [Ps. 9:8; 96:13; 98:9.]
　
SHOOT'N FROM THE HIP:
The most compelling arguments against teaching that God does not require believers to repent is found in the second and third chapters of Revelation.... In letters commanded by Jesus.... Letters to the seven churches....

• EPHESUS: The enduring church.... This church toiled daily for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.... And yet He called them to repentance [
  

• Rev 2:5].... Because they have abandoned their first Love.... Which caused them to stop doing the works they did previously.... And He warned this assembly that if they did not repent and do this that He would remove their lampstand....
  
• SMYRNA: The afflicted church.... They were persecuted and slandered by those who say they are Jews.... This is one of only two churches who are not commanded to repent.... Because they have done nothing to repent for!
• PERGAMUM: The church situated in the city where satan sits enthroned.... Yet still clinging to the name of Jesus.... Still they are called to repentance.... Why? For accepting the teachings of Baalam and the Nicolaitans.... Keep the Nicolaitans in mind....
• THYATIRA: The loving and faithfully serving church.... Who are called to repentance for tolerating "the woman Jezebel".... And commanded to hold fast to what they have....
• 
  SARDIS: The dead church.... Looks a lot like seeker friendly churches.... Doing a lot but not meeting any of Gods requirements....
  
• PHILADELPHIA: The church of the open door.... This church is the only other church not called to repentance.... They have guarded and kept the word of God with patient endurance.... And so they will be kept out of the "hour of trial" which is coming (the tribulation) to test the inhabitants of earth....
• LAODICEA: The indifferent church.... This church cares more about ice cream socials than evangelism.... Potluck dinners have superceded missions.... And the next Christmas play matters more than community outreach.... They have grown fat and rich with material wealth.... And have no need (so they say) of a Savior or a hard to hear Gospel.... They teach watered down vagueness.... Encourage behaviors not taught in the bible.... And turn the blind eye to sin....

Remember what I said about the teachings of the Nicolaitans? They remind me sharply of ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED.... Below is an excerpt of an article defining the teachings of the Nicolaitans.....

The doctrine of the Nicolaitans appears to have been a form of antinomianism. (Antinomianism: A belief that is based upon a recognition of the mercy of God as the ground of salvation, but it makes the fatal mistake that man can freely partake in sin because the Law of God is no longer binding. It held the truth on the gratuitous reckoning of righteousness; but supposed that a mere intellectual "belief" in this truth had a saving power....
Nicolaitans of the 2nd century seem to have continued and extended the views of the 1st century adherents, holding to the freedom of the flesh and sin, and teaching that the deeds of the flesh had no effect upon the health of the soul and consequently no relation to salvation.)

You may read more at http://www.wordoftruthradio.com/questions/38.html
The truth of the matter is that seeker friendly churches are destructive and deadly.... They are anti- Christ and anti- Christian.... And have quickly asserted themselves as the apostate that will cause the great falling away.... In fact only about 10 to 20% of these "mega churches" attendees are the unsaved....
These "churches" and their leaders are robbing true churches of their congregations.... Mostly because true churches preach the truth straight from the word of God.... Are evangelistic in nature and mission minded.... Committed to reaching their communities through outreach programs.... And strapped for the cash to doll themselves up like these mega churches do....
And yet these same churches are rich in the saving power of God.... Filled beyond the brim with the Holy Spirit of God.... And submitted and yielded to Jehovah Ropha.... Those same attributes of Jesus Christ's ministry on earth can be found at these churches.... And these churches prove themselves adept at the maturing and equipping of the saints to go into the world and preach the true Gospel....
Folks there is no such thing as once saved always saved.... It isn't true.... And it isn't new.... It is centuries old and has been tried before.... The true church threw it down.... Jesus detests it.... It's time to throw it down....
And the same with the equal and opposite ditch of performance based salvation.... A death such as the one Jesus suffered was the only death sufficient to pay for sin past.... When we come to God and humble ourselves.... When we accept the freely given gift of salvation.... When we walk in it by faith.... It is counted to us as righteousness.... We do have it.... It does belong to us.... We cannot lose it....
But we can indeed deliberately walk away from it.... Because it is not a prize.... It isn't goods and services to sell.... It is a process which we step into and walk out daily.... And we can step out of it....
WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?:
Heb 10:26-31 LITV
(26)
For if we arewillfully sinning after receiving the full knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice concerning sins,
(27)
but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and "zealous fire being about to consume the adversaries." Isa. 26:11
(28)
If anyone did not regard the Law of Moses, that one dies without pities on "the word of two or three witnesses," Deut. 17:6
(29)
how much worse punishment do you think will be thought worthy to receive, the one trampling the Son of God, and having counted common the blood of the covenant in which he was sanctified, and having insulted the Spirit of Grace?
(30)
For we know Him who has said, "Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." Deut. 32:35, 36
(31)
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
　
SHOOT'N FROM THE HIP:
How very scary it is to even think of turning aside from the truth.... That we can do nothing to earn salvation.... That we must accept and believe in the Son of God.... That we must put our faith and trust in Him alone for our salvation.... That we must present our bodies a living sacrifice to Him.... That we must put off the old man.... That we must walk in newness of life.... That we are commanded to quit sinning....
Just think of where NOT doing these things puts us.... And there are some who have stepped aside and cannot be restored....
WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?:
Heb 6:4-9 LITV
(4)
For it is impossible for those once having been enlightened, and having tasted of the heavenly gift, and becoming sharers of the Holy Spirit,
(5)
and tasting the good Word of God, and the works of power of a coming age,
(6)
and having fallen away, it is impossible for them again to renew to repentance, crucifying again for themselves the Son of God, and putting Him to open shame.
(7)
(For the earth drinking in the rain often coming upon it, and producing vegetation suitable for those for whom it is also worked, receives blessing from God;
(8)
"but bearing thorns and thistles," it is deemed unfit and near a curse, of which the end is for burning.) Gen. 3:17, 18
(9)
But, loved ones, even if we indeed speak so, we have been persuaded better things concerning you, even holding fast salvation.
SHOOT'N FROM THE HIP:
If I were to add emphesis to this passage the whole thing would be huge bold italicized underlined words.... Because everything in it says that once saved always saved is nonsense.... And that salvation by works is its equal and opposite nonsense.... I cannot emphesize enough the truth found in these verses.... You cannot lose salvation but you can fall away from it.....
Which means you have it already.... Without doing a thing to earn it.... Without getting cleaned up first.... Apart from your own righteousnesses..... Which are as filthy rags.... And bring me to the most misused passage of scripture in the performance based salvation camp....
WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?:
Jas 2:14 AMP
(14)
What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]? Can [such] faith save [his soul]?
SHOOT'N FROM THE HIP:
The easiest way to interpret this verse is "Talk is cheap".... "Actions speak louder than words" is another way.... One cannot win souls to Christ and practice pure religion by merely saying "I believe"..... Not all who cry "Lord Lord" will enter the Kingdom of God.... You aren't proving anything to God.... Or to men.... It is by our good works that we prove we pack the power of God in our lives.....
This does not prove anything the performance based salvation proponents wish us to believe.... In fact.... It is those who were already on the road of salvation.... Those who already claimed belief in Christ.... Whom James was speaking to.... He even mentions himself....
WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?:
Jas 2:18-20 LITV
(18)
But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith out of my works.
(19)
You believe that God is One. You do well; even the demons believe and shudder.
(20)
But are you willing to know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?
SHOOT'N FROM THE HIP:
Someone once said that you cannot rightly divide the word of truth by pulling out one verse to prove a doctrine.... And that if that were the case she could find a verse or two that will prove Jesus Christ was the leader of a gang of horse thieves.... I found that hillarious.... And true.....
The true reading of James matches perfectly with what Jesus says.... That we will know the followers of Jesus by the fruit they bear.... You can know who is really walking in salvation and working it out with fear and trembling by what they do in life.... In other words.... They are proving they already have it.... Contrary to the belief that this passage is stating they are in the process of earning it....
I cannot stress enough that doctrines of men tend to pick out a few truths and wrap them in error as a woman wraps her fine china in newspaper.... In the end.... Something always ends up busted.... But when you wrap that fine china in bubble wrap.... It stays preserved.... Whole and blameless.... Consider the Holy Spirit your bubble wrap....
Read the truth of God in it's entirety.... Read it literally.... And allow the Spirit of God to bring revelation knowledge to you.... Let it change you..... Get that word down deep where it can live and work and change....
WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?:
Heb 4:12 LITV
(12)
For the Word of God is living, and powerfully working, and sharper than every two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of both soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge of the thoughts and intentions of the heart;
SHOOT'N FROM THE HIP:
Living and powerfully working.... The amplified says it like this:
Heb 4:12 AMP
(12)
For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
You get that word of God in you and let it dig around deep in the innermost reaches of you.... Watch it change you.... I once said to someone that there is not a day that goes by that God does NOT change SOMETHING about me.... I am not the same person I was yesterday.... The truth is that Jesus Christ is in the life changing business.... If He is allowed to He will perform exactly the way He did when bodily present....
There is no change in Him.... No shadow of turning.... If someone says to you that your illness or your physical impairment is the will of God.... If someone says it was Gods will that your child die in a car accident.... If someone tells you that you must earn salvation..... If someone tells you repentance is unnecessary.... Or that holiness is unnecessary.... Or that all sin is forgiven no matter when it was committed..... Or any one of hundreds of thousands of doctrines of men....
THROW IT DOWN....
Because there is nothing more detrimental to you than broken cisterns.....
Jer 2:13 LITV
(13)
For My people have done two evils:(1) they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, to (2)hew out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Emphasis mine)
In the end.... We cannot be saved by works.... Salvation is a free gift given by God in His grace.... The just shall live by faith.... We cannot live in sin.... We are not meant to be broken and crippled and sick.... We cannot prove we are followers of Christ by merely stating it.... We must be doers of the word and not hearers only.... The church of Philadelphia will be caught up out of the hour of trial.... Jesus is coming back very soon.... And soon death itself will be conquered.... And that's the Gospel truth....