Note: Harry does not endorse the above advertisements from Geocities.

"ONCE SAVED-ALWAYS SAVED"

Yes, it is an indisputable scriptural fact, that once a person has been scripturally saved, that person has been irreversibly saved for both time and eternity.

Salvation, is a once in a lifetime, instantaneous, irreversible event. It is received entirely "BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH" and is the "GIFT" of God, i.e., as being totally apart from any form or degree of human merit; that is, "NOT OF OURSELVES" e.g. Eph 2:8,9, Titus 3:5, Rom 10:9-10, Gal 2:16,23. etc.

Salvation, is therefore in no way dependent upon performing any one of the external rites, and rituals, encountered in any one of mankind's numerous religious bodies. Salvation is indeed the free gift of God's Grace, as freely bestowed upon all who truly seek it, through unfeigned faith in Christ Jesus.


But before one can fully understand, and then accept, the fundamental scriptural fact of "ONCE SAVED-ALWAYS SAVED", one must first fully understand, and then accept, all three of the following doctrinal conclusions:

#1

"No One Ever Deserves To Be Saved (Before) They Receive It"

Ps 14:2,3 "THE LORD LOOKED DOWN FROM HEAVEN UPON THE CHILDREN OF MEN, TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY THAT DID UNDERSTAND, AND SEEK GOD. THEY ARE ALL GONE ASIDE, THEY ARE ALTOGETHER BECOME FILTHY, THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE".

Rom 3:10-12 "AS IT IS WRITTEN; THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE. THERE IS NONE THAT UNDERSTANDETH; THERE IS NONE THAT SEEKETH AFTER GOD; THEY ARE ALL GONE OUT OF THE WAY; THEY ARE TOGETHER BECOME UNPROFITABLE; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD NO, NOT ONE".

1 Kings 8:46 "--FOR THERE IS NO MAN THAT SINNETH NOT".

Ps 39:5 "EVERY MAN, AT HIS BEST (natural) STATE, IS ALTOGETHER VANITY

Who could read the foregoing related verses, and fail to see and believe, that there is no natural goodness in any natural human being, i.e. that could entitle them to ever earn, merit or deserve, eternal life.

In point of doctrinal fact, that the opposite true is stated as follows:

Rom 5:12-19 "WHEREFORE AS BY ONE MAN (Adam) SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD AND DEATH BY SIN, AND SO DEATH (both physical and scriptural death) PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED-----DEATH REIGNED FROM ADAM TO MOSES, EVEN OVER THEM THAT HAD NOT SINNED AFTER THE SIMILITUDE OF ADAM'S TRANSGRESSION----THROUGH THE OFFENCE OF ONE (Adam) MANY BE DEAD (in trespasses and sins)----THEREFORE BY THE OFFENCE OF ONE (Adam) JUDGEMEMT CAME UPON ALL MEN TO CONDEMNATION, FOR BY ONE MAN'S (Adam's) DISOBEDIENCE MANY WERE MADE SINNERS".

Yes, the foregoing verses clearly state; that the original sinful fall of Adam and Eve of Gen Ch 3, was, is, and will continue to be, genetically passed on to all of Adam and Eve's subsequent human descendants, as a totally inescapable, inherently corrupt, sinful nature. If one were to receive what one's natural human nature genetically deserves, one would deserve and receive God's eternal damnation and not God's eternal salvation! So states Rom 5:12-19 above.

Yes, the foregoing related scriptures are very clear, as to our #1 doctrinal conclusion; i.e. that Adam and Eve's Edenic fall of Gen Ch 3, produced the subsequent physical and spiritual downfall of the entire human race. Adam and Eve's newly acquired sinful natures, would be thereafter, genetically passed on to all of their subsequent descendants. Thus we should understand why Ps 39:5 states; "THAT EVERY HUMAN BEING, AT THEIR BEST STATE, ARE ALTOGETHER VANITY", and that while in that "BEST STATE", no human being could ever be declared righteous enough to stand in the Glorious Presence of their sinless Creator God.

#2.

"No One Ever Deserves To Be Saved (When) They Are Saved"

That no natural person could ever be worthy enough to receive eternal life (before), or (when), they receive it, is established in the foregoing related verses. In point of doctrinal fact, one cannot become saved, and receive eternal life, as long as one lays any claim at all to their own worthiness in this matter. Why not?

(1). Because of the genetic blanket indictment, automatically charged to all of fallen Adam and Eve's descendants, as plainly so declared in Rom 5:12-19—and

(2). Because "ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD"--Rom 3:23. and—

"THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH"--Rom 6:23; which we all personally earn.

The foregoing being true, then how can any undeserving sinner ever find God, and receive God's offer of eternal salvation? The answer is both simple and profound, as follows:

Rom 5:6-8 "FOR WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY---SO GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US". God first finds us, and then adds:

John 12:32 "AND I, IF I BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME".

So stated Christ Jesus, concerning His vicarious, sacrificial, atoning death for us; "WHEN HE THAT KNEW NO SIN, BECAME SIN, FOR US",2 Cor 5:21.

1 John 1:7 "--AND THE BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS HIS SON, CLEANSETH US FROM (ALL) SIN"

Lev 17:11 "FOR IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL"

Heb 9:22 "FOR WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD (i.e. the innocent, for the guilty), THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS OF SINS".

Gal 2:15,21 "KNOWING, THAT A MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, BUT BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS". This faith alone, is the righteousness demanded by God from every one of us It is not to be fulfilled by us, but is to be fulfilled in us, by The Eternal, Indwelling, Spirit of Christ Jesus, that God will freely give to every unsaved person, the moment they seek and accept the foregoing vicarious sacrifice Our God made for us at Calvary.

How much importance should one attach, to God's foregoing one and only way to deserve eternal life, i.e. (before),(when), and (after), one receive it?

Gal 2:21 "I DO NOT FRUSTRATE THE GRACE OF GOD; FOR IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW, THEN CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN".

In other words, if any unsaved person could ever earn, merit, or deserve to receive eternal life,(before),(when), or (after), being saved--by doing good things, then the blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus at Calvary was simply a wasted and a meaningless event!

#3

"No One Ever Deserves To Keep, Their Once Obtained Salvation".

In Gal 3:1-12, the Apostle Paul called those Galatians "BEWITCHED FOOLS", for even thinking, that one is saved by faith alone, but then must be kept saved by keeping all of the laws of Moses; which no one can ever possibly do, John 7:19.

Paul went on to say; that one is saved entirely by faith, and one is kept saved entirely by faith, and that anyone who believes otherwise, is also "A BEWITCHED FOOL".

Why so?

It is The Indwelling Spirit of Christ Jesus who alone deserved to save us, and it is The Indwelling Spirit of Christ who alone deserves to keep us saved, as also set forth by Paul in the following verses related verses:

Rom 4:25 "WHO WAS DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES (i.e. Who died to save us) AND WAS RAISED AGAIN FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION (i.e. Who arose to keep us saved).

In summation, we have found in the foregoing #1,#2, and #3, scriptural positions, that one cannot humanly deserve salvation (before) (when) or (after) one is saved! It is The Holy Spirit of The Indwelling Christ Jesus, that draws one to be saved, then saves one, and then keeps one saved--for both time, and eternity. It is Christ Jesus alone, Who deserved to do each of the above (for) the totally undeserving sinner! Or as Paul plainly states the foregoing uninterrupted, three tenses, of one's salvation--by God alone--as follows:

2 Cor 1:9,10 "BUT WE HAD THE SENTENCE OF DEATH IN OURSELVES, THAT WE SHOULD NOT TRUST IN OURSELVES, BUT IN GOD, WHICH RAISETH THE DEAD.

(1). WHO DELIVERED US FROM SO GREAT A DEATH (past tense);
(2). AND DOTH DELIVER (present tense);
(3). IN WHOM WE TRUST THAT HE WILL YET DELIVER (future tense)".

Q. Was not God unfair and unjust, when He caused the horrendous effects of the sinful fall of Adam and Eve to be genetically passed on to all of Adam and Eve's subsequent descendants, i.e. when none of us had a part in that fall?

A. No. None of Adam and Eve's subsequent descendants are ever "CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD", as were (then unfallen) Adam and Eve, at Gen 1:26,27;but we are all (procreated), IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF (fallen) ADAM AND EVE", Gen 5:3,4. Adam and Eve, not God, caused mankind to suffer the effects of their fall.

Q. But are not all of Adam and Eve's procreated descendants, also entitled to be called the sons and daughters of God?

A. No, One does not become a child of God, or a son or daughter of God, by any act of human procreation, but solely by a Divine act of creation, e.g. Gen 1:26,27; or by a Divine act of spiritual regeneration, e.g. John 1:12,13; John 3:1-8.

There are those who set forth two false scriptural teachings, referred to as The Universal Fatherhood of God, and The Universal Brotherhood of Man; their suggestion being, that inasmuch as we are (all) born children of God , that God would never send one of His children to Hell, but would universally save (all) mankind. Not because of what they believe, but because of their offspring relationship to God. But that no procreated descendant of Adam and Eve, is ever born a child of God, and that not all human beings are born scriptural brothers, is plainly so declared in the following related verses:

Rom 9:8 "THEY WHICH ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH (i.e. all of the unsaved, procreated descendants of Adam and Eve) THESE ARE NOT THE CHILDREN OF GOD".

1 John 3:8-10 "HE THAT COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL, FOR THE DEVIL SINNETH FROM THE BEGINNING. IN THIS, THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE MANIFEST, AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL".

Matt 13:38,39 "THE FIELD IS THE WORLD; THE GOOD SEED ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM, BUT THE TARES ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE WICKED ONE; THE ENEMY WHICH SOWED THEM (i.e. the latter) IS THE DEVIL".

Acts 13:10 "O FULL OF SUBTILTY AND ALL MISCHIEF, THOU CHILD OF THE DEVIL".

John 8:44 "YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER, THE DEVIL--".

Eph 2:1-3 "--AND YE (the newly saved) WERE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH", past tense.

Luke 16:8 "--FOR THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD, ARE IN THEIR OWN GENERATION, WISER THAN THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT".

The foregoing related verses prove, that the entire human race is composed of (both) the saved children of God, and the unsaved children of The Devil.

This, should lead each and every person to ask themselves; Whose child am I? i.e. as identified by Holy Writ, rather than by that of any human speculation.

While it is true, that Adam and Eve were "CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD", Gen 1:26,27; not one of Adam and Eve's subsequent descendants may lay claim to that same unique experience; for we are all procreated "IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS" of (fallen) Adam and Eve, as stated in the following verses:

Gen 5:3,4 "AND ADAM LIVED AN HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS, AND BEGAT A SON, IN HIS OWN LIKENESS, AFTER HIS IMAGE"--and he also continued to "BEGAT (numerous other) SONS AND DAUGHTERS".

1 Cor 15:49 "AND AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY (fallen Adam and Eve), WE (the resurrected saved) SHALL ALSO (once again) BEAR THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY"

Yes, at the moment of our (procreated) birth, each and every descendant of fallen Adam and Eve, are "PROCREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS" of fallen, earthy, Adam and Eve, and thus are "CONCEIVED IN (a state of) SIN", according to Rom 5:12-19. Or as it also states in 1 Cor 15:22 "FOR AS IN ADAM (i.e. as having been born into Adam's (fallen) family)--ALL DIE".

Having genetically inherited Adam and Eve's fallen, sinful nature, (all) of Adam and Eve's subsequent (procreated) descendants are born "a child of Satan", and not "a child of God". Or as stated earlier in this study--Rom 9:8 "THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH, THESE ARE NOT THE CHILDREN OF GOD".

The foregoing being scripturally true, then how does one who is involuntarily born a child of Satan, voluntarily become a child of God? In the case of the Jewish members of The House of Israel, it is as follows:

John 1:11-13 "HE CAME UNTO HIS OWN, AND HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT; BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM HE GAVE THE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD; EVEN TO THEM WHICH BELIEVE ON HIS NAME; WHICH ARE BORN NOT OF BLOOD, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN (i.e. not by any willful act of human procreation); BUT OF GOD",(i.e. solely by A Divine Act of Regeneration), as follows:

John 3:3-7 "JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM; VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU (Jews in context), EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD. NICODEMUS SAITH UNTO HIM; HOW CAN A MAN BE BORN WHEN HE IS OLD? CAN HE ENTER THE SECOND TIME INTO HIS MOTHER'S WOMB AND BE BORN?

JESUS ANSWERED; VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE; EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH, AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT. MARVEL NOT THAT I SAID UNTO THEE: YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN".

And as also affirmed by Paul, in the following related verses:

2nd Cor 15:49,50 "AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY,(the fallen image of Adam and Eve) WE SHALL ALSO (in the resurrection of the saved) BEAR THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY. NOW THIS I SAY BRETHREN; THAT FLESH AND BLOOD (i.e. all those born by fleshly procreation) CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; NEITHER DOTH CORRUPTION INHERIT INCORRUPTION".

As for the present day saved members of The Body of Christ, of Eph 1:22,23; (we) unlike The Jews, are not directed to be "BORN AGAIN", but rather to be made "MEMBERS OF A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS", e.g. 2 Cor 5:17, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:22 Col 3:9-11, Gal 3:28, Gal 3:16.

Note: Every procreated, natural descendant of (fallen) Adam and Eve, will be born, live and die, as "a child of Satan", unless and until they knowingly and willingly choose to reject their membership in the natural family of Satan, and knowingly and willingly choose to be reborn, or recreated (Supernaturally), into The Spiritual Family of God. Why so? Rom 8:8,9 "THEY THAT ARE IN THE FLESH, CANNOT PLEASE GOD", therefore, THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH, THESE ARE NOT THE CHILDREN OF GOD".

But, in spite of all of the foregoing related scriptural facts, countless millions choose to ignore, or otherwise reject, God's one and only Supernatural Way to leave the fleshly family of Satan, and to enter The Spiritual Family of God.

Many, continue to invent a multitude of fleshly ways, to supposedly justify themselves" before Almighty God, and thus earn merit, and deserve eternal life, as follows:

"The Golden Rule Way"

Under this broad, philosophical way, one supposedly strives to "DO UNTO OTHERS AS ONE WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO THEM".

This fleshly way, nowhere includes the blood sacrifice made by Christ Jesus at Calvary, and thus "FRUSTRATES THE GRACE OF GOD", by suggesting that Christ Jesus "DIED IN VAIN", Gal 3:21. Such a fleshly, bloodless way, may make one feel good, but it will never justify one before Almighty God, nor remove one from the lost, fleshly family of Satan, and transfer them into The Saved, Eternal, Spiritual Family of God".

"The Keeping of God's Laws Way"

Under this, "I'm trying to be good way", and "I'm doing my best to obey God way", these law-keepers choose to ignore and reject the following related scriptural verses exposing this unscriptural way, as follows:

John 7:19 "DID NOT MOSES GIVE YOU THE LAW, AND YET NONE OF YOU KEEPETH THE LAW".

Gal 3:11 "NO MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW IN THE SIGHT OF GOD".

Heb 7:19 "FOR THE LAW MADE NOTHING PERFECT"

Gal 2:16 "FOR BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED".

Gal 2:21 "--IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW, THEN CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN".

"The Devoutly Sincere Way"

Under this way, it doesn't really matter what one chooses to believe as long as one is deeply sincere about it. Under this way, the worshippers may indeed be devoutly sincere, while simultaneously being sincerely wrong. However, they choose to completely ignore the scriptural fact set forth by Paul in Eph 4:5, that there may only be "ONE FAITH". A fact, which would automatically contradict those who sincerely follow the well over 1,200 different faiths in view today.

But were these well over 1,200 (major) different faiths to be scripturally permissible, then this would make God the author of confusion, when it plainly states in 1 Cor 14:33 that "GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONCUSION". A doctrinal point that is stressed by Paul, in the following related verses:

1 Cor 1:10,13 "NOW I BESEECH YOU BRETHREN, BY THE NAME OF OUR LORD CHRIST JESUS, THAT YE ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING, AND THAT THERE BE NO (sectarian, denominational) DIVISIONS AMONG YOU. BUT THAT YE BE PERFECTLY JOINED TOGETHER, IN THE SAME MIND AND IN THE SAME JUDGEMENT"

--"IS CHRIST'S "ONE BODY"t;, and "ONE FAITH", of Eph 4:5 DIVIDED"? i.e. into well over 1,200 denominational bodies, and their well over 1,200 different faiths? Paul answers his own question, as follows:

1 Cor 13:25 "THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISMS (i.e. no sectarian, denominational divisions) IN THE (ONE) BODY--". Paul's answer, could be no more plainly stated.

Note: We shall discover later on in this study, that since the "RENTING OF THE TEMPLE VEIL", upon Christ's death at Calvary, Luke 23:45,"THIS SIGNIFIED A NEW AND LIVING WAY" to worship God, "IN THE HEAVENLIES", Heb 10:19,20. All earthly tabernacle (bldg) worship, earthly priests, and earthly ordinances of Divine service, were thereafter abolished, Heb Ch 9. Any and all of the latter which now appear on planet earth, are both divisive, and schismatic, and totally forbidden in the foregoing related verses--regardless of how devoutly sincere one might believe and practice--otherwise.

"The All Roads Lead to Rome Way"

Much like the foregoing devoutly sincere way, the followers of this way say, we all worship the same God, and therefore it doesn't really matter what way one chooses to express that worship. But the scriptures are not so liberal in this matter, as shown in the following verses:

Prov 14:12 "THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH".

Matt 7:13-23 "ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIGHT GATE; FOR WIDE IS THE GATE AND BROAD IS THE WAY THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND MANY THERE BE THAT GO IN THEREAT;BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH TO ETERNAL LIFE;AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT--NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME; LORD; LORD;

SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN. MANY WILL SAY TO ME IN THAT DAY; LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THY NAME? AND IN THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM; I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY".

In the foregoing verses, Christ Jesus Himself issues a dire warning, to all who would choose a wrong way to worship God, i.e. one of the many, broad, worldly ways, mentioned above. He emphasizes the "ONE FAITH","NARROW WAY", of Eph 4:5. The world's liberal views, concerning the world's 1,200 plus, numerous religious ways, do not agree with Christ's foregoing words. It is an indisputable fact, that the foregoing words of Christ Jesus, in context, state that most devout, sincerely religious, church workers for The Lord, are "WOLVES, IN SHEEPS CLOTHING", undeserving of Him, or His eternal life, and will spend eternity in the end time Lake of Fire of Rev 20:11-15. In this regard, it would behoove each and every devoutly sincere, religious, church worker, to carefully consider the foregoing verses, lest on Judgment Day, they also hear the shocking pronouncement of Christ Jesus of—

"I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY".

"The Clean Up The Pig Way"

Under this way, the person(s), for whatever reason(s), get so called fox-hole religion. They make a truly dedicated effort to "clean up their own lives", in order to forestall or avoid, God's righteous judgment of their misspent lives. They reach a point, in other words, where they can no longer live with their own Godless conduct.

This person, may then make a valiant, fleshly effort to please God, and others, by vowing to quit drinking, quit smoking, quit gambling, quit an adulterous affair, quit reading or viewing pornographic materials, etc., ad infinitum.

For varying periods of time, this attempt to clean up one's sinful pig nature,(genetically passed on by Adam and Eve to all mankind, at Gen Ch 3, as spelled out in Rom 5:12-19, may temporarily succeed; but like most well known New Year's Resolutions, such fleshly resolutions soon fall by the wayside, and the sinful, pig nature, once again rears its ugly head.

It may be during these occasional periods of self judgment and self recrimination, that one may decide to join one of the well over 1,200 different churches in view today, and to partake of their various religious rites and religious rituals, and at least to verbally agree to accept and follow that denominations particular sectarian programs.

But in the following verses, Christ Jesus aptly describes the foregoing human, worthless efforts to clean up one's sinful pig nature:

Matt 12:43-45 "WHEN THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT IS GONE OUT OF A MAN, HE WALKETH THROUGH DRY PLACES, SEEKING REST, AND FINDETH NONE. THEN HE SAITH; I WILL RETURN INTO MY HOUSE FROM WHENCE I CAME OUT; AND WHEN HE IS COME, HE FINDETH IT EMPTY, SWEPT AND GARNISHED. THEN GOETH HE AND TAKETH WITH HIMSELF SEVEN OTHER SPIRITS, MORE WICKED THAN HIMSELF, AND THEY ENTER IN AND DWELL THERE. AND THE LAST STATE OF THAT MAN IS WORSE THAN AT FIRST".

Yes, in these foregoing verses, Christ Jesus plainly declares that the clean up one's own pig nature way, by any and all acts of self reformation; is an exercise in futility. Such reforms are not to exclude salvation, but should be a reasonable" by-product of salvation, as set forth in Rom 12:1,2 that follows:

"I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE BRETHREN, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, THAT YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES, A LIVING SACRIFICE; HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD; WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE (i.e. following one's salvation); AND BE NOT (any longer) CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND; THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD".

"The Following Jesus Way"

Under this way, the person claims to be trying to live like Jesus, and thus to be worthy of eternal life by virtue of personal imitation, rather than by personal regeneration. As if anyone could ever perfectly follow, The Perfect God-Man Christ Jesus. Although anyone acquainted with the contents of Holy Writ, knows that no human being could ever truly follow The Sinless, Divinely Perfect, God-Man, Christ Jesus; nevertheless, some choose to delude themselves into believing, that they will somehow be given Godly credit, for at least trying their best to do so; but the following verses should quickly discourage such an unscriptural position:

Ps 14:2,3 "THE LORD LOOKED DOWN FROM HEAVEN UPON THE CHILDREN OF MEN, TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY THAT DID UNDERSTAND AND SEEK GOD. THEY ARE ALL GONE ASIDE; THEY ARE ALTOGETHER BECOME FILTH; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD; NO, NOT ONE".

Rom 3:23 "ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD

Rom 6:23 "AND THE WAGES OF SIN, IS DEATH".

Titus 3:5 "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE HATH SAVED US".

So much for those who would believe; that the following and imitating Jesus way, will result in Godly merit and Godly justification, as far as their personal salvation is concerned.

"The Final, Judgment Day Weigh-in, of One's Goodies, and Baddies Way"

Under this way, the person believes, that The Great White Throne Judgment of Rev 20:11-15, will simply consist of a large set of Spiritual Scales, on which one's lifetime of goodies are placed on one side of the scale, while one's lifetime of baddies are placed on the other side of the scales--and if one's accumulated goodies are found to outweigh one's accumulated baddies--then one will be told by God to enter the Pearly Gates of Eternal Life. However, if one's accumulated baddies are found to outweigh one's accumulated goodies--then The Eternal Lake of Fire will be that persons justified destination.

The fatal error of this Weigh In Way, as with all other ways devised by man, is that it, and they, choose to ignore the following singular, scriptural way, of obtaining Eternal Life--which is:

1 John 1:7 "THE BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS--CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN". Why so?

Heb 9:22 "FOR WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF (Christ's) BLOOD; THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS OF SINS".

"The Playing Church Way"

Under this way, the person chooses to join themselves to one of the well over 12,000 different churches, by at least verbally accepting its particular set of creeds, dogmas, rites, rituals, customs, sacraments, etc.

These persons are invariably told, that they have been fortunate enough to have found the one true church, that is holding forth the one true faith, and that they will be saved by belonging to this particular denomination; and many choose to believe it. From that time on they sincerely believe, that they will be given credit by God for their churchianity and their religiosity, i.e. as shown by their personal sacrifices for God, of their time, talents, tithes, etc. Which credit they will not receive of God, for the following scriptural reason:

As stated earlier in this study, when "THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS RENT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM", i.e. at the moment of Christ's death at Calvary; it states in Heb 10:19,20, that this was God's symbolic way of proclaiming (that from thereafter) there would be "A NEW AND LIVING WAY" to worship God, solely "IN THE HEAVENLIES".

Unlike the former forms of worship under The Old Testament, there would no longer be any earthly tabernacles of worship, manned by many earthly priests or clergy, performing a multitude of (symbolic) "ORDINANCES OF DIVINE SERVICE"; See Heb 9:1-10. The reality of Christ's death at Calvary, would forever replace the symbolic rites and rituals, performed in earthly buildings, by a multitude of human clergy. Thereafter, the singular heavenly Priesthood, of the resurrected, ascended, Christ Jesus, would effectually replace (all) of the foregoing earthly Temple worship of Almighty God. See Heb 9:11-28, in context, with 1 Tim 2:5.

For one to neither see, nor accept, the foregoing "NEW AND LIVING WAY" to worship God "IN THE HEAVENLIES"; nor to see, nor accept, the singular, heavenly," ONE MEDIATOR" ministry of Christ Jesus; would be to deny this dispensational change, as it is plainly so set forth, in Heb Ch 9, with Heb 10:19,20, and 1 Tim 2:5; where The Old Testament shadow was fully replaced by The Reality of Christ's "TORN FLESH", at Calvary.

No. One could not possibly be given any credit from God, for continuing to enter, and partaking of, any and all former forms of earthly worship. Why not?

Heb 9:24 "FOR CHRIST IS NOT ENTERED INTO HOLY PLACES MADE WITH HAND; WHICH ARE THE FIGURES OF THE TRUE. BUT INTO HEAVEN ITSELF NOW, TO APPEAR IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US".

Acts 17:24,25 "GOD DWELLETH NOT IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS; NEITHER IS WORSHIPPED WITH MEN'S HANDS, AS THOUGH HE NEEDETH ANYTHING". So why attend or support such?

1 Tim 2:5 "FOR THERE IS (now),(ONE MEDIATOR), BETWEEN GOD AND MAN,(THE MAN, CHRIST JESUS"). So much for any and all present time (self-appointed) clerical mediators between God and man--including that of Catholic Saints (?), the ex-virgin Mary, Priests, Rabbis, Ministers, Pastors, Preachers, Popes, Spirit Guides, and the like.

"A Head Assent, To A Historical Fact Way"

Under this way, the person states that they believe The Bible to be The Divine Word of God; i.e. that Christ Jesus was born of a virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, buried, and resurrected three days later. They believe, that "THE BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS, GOD'S SON, CLEANSETH ONE FROM ALL SIN, and that Christ Jesus now sits on the right hand of God, soon to return to reign over planet earth for 1,000 years. They also believe, that Jesus will eventually defeat Satan, judge the quick and the dead, and give eternal life to true believers. Strangely enough, Satan also believes all of the foregoing scriptural facts--e.g. James 2:19. As a head assent to a known scriptural fact, Satan of course believes about The Bible, but Satan assuredly does not believe in The Bible.

The same applies to the countless multitude of (unsaved) human beings, that also believe about The Bible, i.e. as a head assent to a historical fact, but like Satan, they also refuse to personally accept its Divine Author. Believing about The Bible is one thing; believing in The Bible--is another.

"The Professors, But not Possessors Way"

Under this way, the person joins one of the well over 1,200 sectarian denominations, has a head conversion about the historical accuracy of Holy Writ, i.e., concerning Christ Jesus, as God's only way to gain eternal life. Who then receive some form of undispensational water baptism, openly profess Christ Jesus as their personal Saviour, and even call Christ Jesus their Lord. and then proceed "TO DO MANY WONDERFUL WORKS, IN HIS NAME", e.g. Matt 7:21-23.

But in these same foregoing verses, Christ Jesus states very plainly, that on Judgment Day He will say to these extremely devout, extremely sincere, church workers, that call themselves Christ-ians, i.e. Christ-Ones; "DEPART FROM ME, YE WORKERS OF INIQUITY; I NEVER KNEW (nor accepted) YOU". In other words, "YOU ARE PROFESSORS OF ME--BUT NOT POSSESSORS OF ME". "I NEVER WAS, AND AM NOT NOW, YOUR LORD", even though you address me as such. e.g. Matt 7:21.

"The I Do My Very Best Way"

Under this way, many persons reason thusly; I'm a pretty good person. I work hard, pay my taxes, never fail to vote, attend P.T.A. regularly, try to live by the golden rule, support local charities, provide for my family, try to raise my children properly, am a good neighbor, attend and support my church regularly, do not drink, smoke, take drugs, commit adultery. And the self righteous list goes on.

As in all of the foregoing self righteous ways; on Judgment Day these persons will be busy telling God how good they have been, and how much they have done for The Lord, e.g. Matt 7:22. But we have already showed God's answer to all such claims to self righteous works, earlier in this study. Now, let us once again consider what The Word of God says about one's good works, as follows:

Titus 3:5 "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE HAS SAVED US".

Eph 2:5 "FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES;IT IS A GIFT OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST".

Rom 4:2,4, "FOR IF ABRAHAM WERE JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, HE HATH WHEREOF TO GLORY, BUT NOT BEFORE GOD.--NOW TO HIM THAT WORKETH, IS THE REWARD NOT RECKONED OF GRACE, BUT OF DEBT".

Yes, strange as it may sound, one's fleshly good works will never be reckoned for one on Judgment Day, but will be reckoned against one! Why so? The foregoing verses emphasize at least one main answer--"LEST ANYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BOAST BEFORE GOD", and thus proclaim their own self worthiness to gain eternal life. Or as it again states, in 1 Cor 1:29 "THAT NO FLESH SHOULD GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE"; a subject covered in much greater detail as this study progresses.

"The I Find God In Nature Way"

Under this way, those who may have become understandably disillusioned, with the confusing messages of the well over 12,000 different faiths in view today, profess to find their concept of Divinity, via of their isolated communing with nature. These persons not only reject man's cathedrals, man's religious rites and rituals", and man's numerous theological interpretations, but they simultaneously reject The Holy Bible, as being the inerrant, in- corruptible, verbally inspired, Word of God.

But in communing with nature, rather than turning to the plain scriptural truths set forth in Holy Writ, e.g. Matt 11:25,26, they automatically reject God's one and only way to gain eternal life, i.e. "BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH", in the shed blood of Christ Jesus, at Calvary, e.g. 1 John 1:7, with Eph 2:8,9.

Or as one common day expression states; They have chosen to throw the baby out with the dirty bath water--so to speak. They are right, in throwing out the well over 1,200 different faiths; but they are wrong, in choosing to simultaneously throw out The Holy Bible, and its "ONE FAITH", set forth in Eph 4:5; Gal 1:6-9.

In so doing, they have turned to the wholly sensuous gratification of the five fleshly senses, of sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound, as they seek to find God by communing with the awe inspiring works of nature. This may indeed arouse the lofty, sensuous, feelings of man, but such self induced fleshly feelings, are not The Divine Way", to seek, and secure, The Indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus, as required by God for man's eternal salvation. Why not? Because--

Ps 39:5 "MAN, AT HIS BEST STATE, IS ALTOGETHER VANITY", and--

John 6:63 "THE FLESH PROFITETH NOTHING".

"The Salvation By Association Way"

Under this way, a person comes to believe, that they somehow have "earned" salvation, because they belong to some religious or fraternal organization, such as The Masonic Lodge, The Eastern Star, The Elks, The Moose, or because they actively support some benevolent organization, such as The Red Cross, Gospel Missions, Good Will, etc., or simply because they belong to a devoutly religious family. In following this way, the person is deluded into thinking, that fleshly associations, are an acceptable substitute, for that which took place at Calvary, e.g.

1 John 1:7 "THAT WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF (Christ's) BLOOD, THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS OF SINS--FOR IT IS THE BLOOD, WHICH MAKETH AN ATONEMENT FOR SINS", Lev 17:11.

No, God does not save one because of what one's parents profess to believe, nor because one supports numerous charitable bodies. In 1 Cor 13:1-3 it states; that if one does not possess "LOVE" (Gr. Agape) i.e. The Indwelling Spirit of Christ Jesus, Who (is) God, and Who (is) "LOVE"; then one's many benevolent acts of "human charity", performed in the foregoing (or other) benevolent human organizations--"PROFITETH NOTHING".

On Judgment Day, one will not be judged according to how many earthly benevolent organizations one attend and supported; or whether they came from a so called religious family, but one will be solely judged, on whether or not one personally possesses The Indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus.

"The Science of The Mind Way"

Under this way, the person accepts and follows, Yoga; Transcendental Meditation, E.T.S., Far Eastern Gurus; The Church of Scientology, Voodoo, The Power of Positive Thinking; Peyote; L.S.D.; P.C.P.; Spirit Guides; and a host of other mind boggling forms of The Occult, supposedly designed to attune one's mind to that of The Divine Mind, so that one might thus find It, and themselves.

The following one verse alone, should show the utter futility of accepting and practicing any and all such fleshly ways:

Rom 8:6-13 "FOR TO BE FLESHLY MINDED, IS DEATH;---BECAUSE THE FLESHLY MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD; FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE; SO THEN, THEY THAT ARE IN THE FLESH, CANNOT PLEASE GOD"--THEREFORE BRETHREN, WE ARE DEBTORS NOT TO THE FLESH, TO LIVE AFTER THE FLESH; FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE--"--"FOR THE FLESH, PROFITETH NOTHING", as stated earlier.

In summing up the foregoing numerous man made ways (used to unscripturally circumvent God's One Way to secure eternal life, through Christ's shed blood at Calvary), let us once again consider the following dire warnings:

Prov 14:12 "THERE IS (A WAY), WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE (THE WAYS OF DEATH)".

Matt 7:13,14 "ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE, FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND BROAD IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND (MANY) THERE BE THAT GO IN THEREAT. BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND (FEW) THERE BE THAT FIND IT". BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS WHICH COME TO YOU IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENING WOLVES; YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY (THEIR) FRUITS". NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME; LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. (MANY) WILL SAY UNTO ME IN THAT DAY; LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THY NAME? AND IN THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS, AND IN THY NAME HAVE DONE MANY WONDER- FUL WORKS? AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM; I NEVER KNEW YOU. DEPART FROM ME YE THAT WORK INIQUITY".

John 4:12 "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME".

John 10:1 "VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU; HE THAT ENTERETH NOT BY THE DOOR INTO THE SHEEPFOLD (as stated above) BUT CLIMBETH UP SOME OTHER WAY; THE SAME IS A THEIF AND A ROBBER".

Eph 4:5 "THERE IS ONE FAITH--".

Acts 4:12 "NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER; FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN, GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY YE MUST BE SAVED".

So much for those who would try to be saved in and through the names and ways of Buddha, Muhammad, Allah, Confucius, The Ex-virgin Mary, The Dali Lama, etc.

Prov 20:9 "WHO CAN SAY; I HAVE MADE MY HEART CLEAN; I AM PURE FROM MY SIN"?

Jer 13:23 "CAN THE ETHIOPIAN CHANGE HIS SKIN? OR THE LEOPARD HIS SPOTS? THEN MAY YE ALSO DO GOOD THAT ARE ACCUSTOMED TO DO EVIL".

Rom 9:16 "SO THEN IT IS NOT OF HIM THAT WILLETH, NOR OF HIM THAT RUNNETH, BUT OF GOD THAT SHOWETH MERCY".

Titus 3:5 "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US".

Job 9:20 "IF I JUSTIFY MYSELF, MINE OWN MOUTH SHALL CONDEMN ME. IF I SAY I AM PERFECT, IT SHALL PROVE ME PERVERSE".

"Salvation, Is The Totally Free Gift of God's Grace"

Eph 2:8,9 "FOR BY GRACE (i.e. by the totally unmerited, unearned, undeserved, favour of God) ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES (i.e. not by anything that one might say or do); IT IS A (GIFT) OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS;LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST".

Rom 6:23 "--THE (GIFT) OF GOD, IS ETERNAL LIFE, THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD".

Rev 21:6 "I WILL (GIVE) UNTO HIM THAT IS ATHIRST, OF THE FOUNTAIN OF THE WATER OF LIFE (FREELY)".

John 10:27,28 "MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME, AND I (GIVE) THEM ETERNAL LIFE".

Most persons, of normal manners, and natural affections, would utterly reject the notion, that they would give a gift to another, with the idea in mind, that the receiver of that gift should work to pay for that gift; or that should the recipient of that gift ever offend the giver, then that gift should be returned to the giver. Yet these same persons, are quick to ascribe these same human, conditional strings, to Almighty God, in the matter of God's free gift of eternal life, to the saved children of God.

While it is true, that the foregoing human, conditional strings, may be often ascribed to the loftiest of mortal human beings; to attribute this same fickle-mindedness to Almighty God, is to attempt to bring God down to the human level; on which level of course, He is not; e.g. Hos 8:9 "I AM GOD, AND NOT MAN"; Isa 56:8

"MY WAYS, ARE NOT YOUR WAYS; NOR ARE YOUR WAYS MY WAYS".

Thus, to either state or imply, that one would give a gift to one's loved one, with the foregoing strings attached; would be to deeply impugn the motives of the giver, and would question the depth of their personal commitment to that loved one. By definition, a gift, is a gift, and to attach any other qualifying conditions, or strings, to that gift, would be to make the word gift redundant, and quite meaningless.

And since such is true on an earthly, human plane; then it would be infinitely more so--on A Divine Plane.

We mortal, human beings, give gifts to those we love and respect; and we would and should be understandably offended, if that person insisted upon paying us for those gifts, or should later on think they had to return those gifts, were a future disagreement with the gift giver ever to occur.

Yet these same persons, often misunderstand God's totally free gift of salvation, and either believe they must work to deserve it, or work to keep it, or should return it, when they fail to live up to God's righteous expectations.

So they insist upon paying for, that which God says has already been paid for in full, by the shedding of His Precious Blood, at Calvary. So it is here and now that one should forever resolve the foregoing doctrinal issue, of what Christ Jesus paid in full at Calvary for us, so that salvation could be a free gift to us.

Heb 9:12 "WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD IS NO REMISSION OF SINS"

Lev 17:11 "FOR IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL".

Acts 20:28 "THE CHURCH OF GOD WHICH HE HATH PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD".

Eph 1:7 "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS-"

Rev 1:5 "UNTO HIM THAT LOVED US AND WASHED US FROM OUR SINS, IN HIS OWN BLOOD".

Rom 5:9 "BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THRU HIM"

Col 1 :14 "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, EVEN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS

1 Pet 1:18,19 "FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YE WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS AS SILVER AND GOLD, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST; AS OF A LAMB, WITHOUT BLEMISH AND WITHOUT SPOT".

1 John 1:7 "AND THE BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS, HIS SON, CLEANSETH US FROM (ALL) SIN".

Eph 2:8,9 "FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES. IT IS (A GIFT OF GOD), NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST".

Q. Having read all of the foregoing related verses. What would (you) say is (all) that God requires, for one to receive His free gift of eternal life?

A. The one and only scripturally correct answer would be. Our acceptance of the shedding of Christ's blood at Calvary for us. Nothing more--and--Nothing less.

Q. So, how much sin did Christ Jesus leave for any human being to pay for; i.e. when it comes to receiving the free gift of God's eternal life?

A. None. Otherwise, by definition, salvation would be conditional, and not the free gift of God's Grace, as plainly so declared in the foregoing verses of Eph 2:8,9.

In summing up the above; 1 John 1:7 states that; "THE BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS CLEANSETH US FROM (ALL) SIN. So it is also here and now, that one should resolve what is meant by the word (ALL) in this verse. It is; that Christ did indeed pay the full price; for all past, all present, and yes, all future sins; and this, nearly 2,000 years before you and I were even born, and nearly 2,000 years before our yet future sins will even be committed!

Inasmuch as the shedding of Christ's blood was (all) that God required to save us, then as we shall discover later on in this study, Christ's blood is (all) that God requires to keep us saved, for both time, and eternity.

People stand and sing the old familiar gospel hymn entitled "JESUS PAID IT ALL" and truer words could neither be sung, nor spoken. These same persons sing the following words of another favorite hymn, that asks, and answers, the following salvation question of; "What Can Wash Away My Sins"? Nothing, but the blood of Jesus. And once again, truer words could neither be sung, nor spoken.

Yet these same persons, insist upon adding some form of religious rites and rituals, to the blood of Christ, either to receive, or to keep one's eternal life, once received; i.e. such as water baptisms, observance of the so called Lord's Supper, or Eucharist, tithing, keeping of abolished Jewish Laws, Judgments, Ordinances.

Yet stop and think for a moment; If you were God, how would you feel about any mortal human being, that would insist upon some other way of paying for their sins, i.e. by religious good works, rites, rituals, law keeping, etc.; when God's word plainly declares in all of the foregoing related scriptures, that all such are totally rejected by God in this matter; and that it is solely "THE BLOOD OF CHRIST JESUS, GOD'S SON, THAT CLEANSETH ONE FOR (ALL) SIN"? 1 John 1:7.

The answer of course is redundant. It should be quite obvious, that If one does not accept God's offer of eternal life, on God's terms, then one does not get it.Why not? Once again must carefully consider Paul's dire warning of Gal 2:21:

"I DO NOT FRUSTRATE THE GRACE OF GOD; FOR IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY (good works of) THE LAW; THEN CHRIST IS DEAD IN VAIN".

One should then continue to ask themselves; have I been guilty of permitting someone, or some religious sectarian denomination, to get me to add some form or degree of religious rites or rituals, to the blood of Christ Jesus, in order to be saved, or to remain saved? If so, then I also have become guilty of "FRUSTRATING THE GRACE OF GOD", through "self-righteous works of the law", e.g. Matt 7:21-23, and I also remain guilty of trying to work for, and to humanly merit, that which Christ Jesus has already worked for, and has already merited for me, at Calvary.

Yes, at Calvary, with His dying breath, Christ Jesus said, concerning the above; "IT IS FINISHED". He did not say: "I STARTED IT--NOW YOU FINISH IT"! He left absolutely nothing for any human being to do, but simply to believe and accept this, as the totally free gift of God's Grace--Eph 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; Rom 10:9-10.

As recorded earlier in Rom 5:12-19, we found that as one of the Satanic curses of their Edenic fall, Adam and Eve first became infected with the physical and spiritual, terminal disease, called SIN , and passed this terminal disease on to all of their subsequent human descendants, i.e. as our genetically inescapable, sinful natures, as defined in the foregoing verses.

Unlike unfallen Adam and Eve, who were originally "CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD"; all of fallen Adam and Eve's subsequent human descendants, would no longer be "CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD", but would thereafter "BE BEGAT (i.e. procreated) IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF (fallen) ADAM AND EVE", e.g. Gen 5:3,4; 1 Cor 15:45-49, Eph 2:3, John 3:2-6.

We, had no part in the foregoing fall, and we likewise have no part in God's remedy for that fall. Long before God created, then sinless, Lucifer, and a host of other sinless angelic beings; God, knowing the beginning and the ending of all things; predetermined, that He would, in due time, shed His Own Spotless Blood, Acts 20:28, as payment in full, for (all) of the sinful effects, which He would indirectly unleash with His creation of then sinless Lucifer. This Predetermined Divine Plan of God, is set forth by comparing Rom 8:20, Eph Ch 1, with 1 John 1:7.

It was in that dateless, pre-Adamic period, before Lucifer's fall, that God predetermined that all human beings would be totally forgiven of all of their sins, and their sinful nature,--who would be called of God, not according to their person, but according to His Eternal Purpose, i.e. who would first hear, then accept the gospel concerning God's vicarious sacrifice for them at Calvary. See Eph 1:1-14. Or as it states in Acts 20:28

"THE CHURCH OF GOD, WHICH HE HATH PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD", and "FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW, THAT YE WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS, AS SILVER AND GOLD--BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, AS OF A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH AND WITHOUT SPOT".

Yes, one need only hear and accept, the foregoing one and only scriptural way to freely gain eternal life. At that irreversible, irrevocable, moment in time and place, all of one's sins are charged to Christ Jesus, and all of Christ's Righteousness and Eternal Life, are then and there charged to the true believer.

"Cain vs. Abel"

In the following verses, we find the classic scriptural examples, of both the right way, and the wrong way, to worship God:

Gen 4:1-7 "AND ADAM KNEW EVE HIS WIFE AND SHE CONCEIVED AND BARE CAIN AND SAID;I HAVE BEGOTTEN A MAN FROM THE LORD; AND SHE AGAIN BARE HIS BROTHER ABEL AND ABEL WAS A KEEPER OF SHEEP, BUT CAIN WAS A TILLER OF THE GROUND. AND IT CAME TO PASS IN PROCESS OF TIME, THAT CAIN BROUGHT OF THE FRUIT OF THE GROUND AN OFFERING UNTO THE LORD; AND ABEL ALSO BROUGHT OF THE FIRSTLING OF HIS FLOCK AND OF THE FAT THEREOF. AND THE LORD HAD RESPECT UNTO CAIN, AND TO HIS OFFERING; BUT UNTO CAIN AND TO HIS OFFERING, HE HAD NOT RESPECT. AND CAIN WAS VERY WROTH, AND HIS COUNTENANCE FELL, AND THE LORD SAID UNTO CAIN. WHY ART THOU WROTH? AND WHY IS THY COUNTENANCE FALLEN? IF THOU DOEST WELL SHALT THOU NOT BE ACCEPTED? AND IF THOU DOEST NOT WELL, SIN LIETH AT THE DOOR; AND UNTO THEE SHALL BE HIS DESIRE, AND THOU SHALT RULE OVER HIM".

In the foregoing verses, it should be carefully noted, that both Cain and Abel were worshipping God, but that Abel's form of worship was scripturally correct, while Cain's form of worship was scripturally incorrect. In other words, in this matter of Godly worship, Abel was sincerely right, while Cain was sincerely wrong. Why so?

(1). Abel, brought a blood sacrifice of the firstlings of his flock, according to God's one and only way, set forth in Lev 17:11, and Heb 9:22, i.e. which symbolically looked forward to Christ's atoning blood sacrifice at Calvary.

(2). Cain, brought of the fruit of the ground, i.e. symbolic of all those who attempt to justify themselves before Almighty God by self righteous works, of the law, rather than by accepting as did Abel above, the vicarious blood sacrifice demanded of God, in Lev 17:11, and Heb 9:22.

In other words; Cain, chose to worship God by works; while Abel, chose to worship God by faith. God, accepted Abel's way of worship; God, rejected Cain's way of worship. Which should once again cause all professed worshippers of God to consider the following repeated verse:

Prov 14:12 "THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN; BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH".

In the foregoing classic example of faith vs. works, every person on planet earth, from the commencement of time, can be classified as either a Cain, or an Abel. Cain came to God by works, while Abel came to God by faith, and there may be no other neutral position concerning one's eternal salvation as far as God is concerned. Which leads all to the following doctrinal question? Which way am I coming to God? As did Cain, by works? Or as did Abel, by faith?

In this respect, let us now consider the following common stumbling-block, concerning the issue of faith vs. works:

"James, Chapter Two"

Satan's, well over 1,200 major denominational churches could not exist, unless their members were encouraged to perform self righteous works, in order to support their present day (undispensational) forms of building worship; i.e. with its building maintenance costs, clerical salaries, foreign mission budgets, property taxes, building insurance costs, etc.

In order to maintain all of the foregoing operational costs, incurred by "SATANIC MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS", described in 2 Cor 11:13-15, and Matt 7:15,16; the strictly Jewish contents of James Chapter Two, e.g. James 1:1, is set forth both regularly and forcefully--but superficially as well. In that it is taught quite isolated from other related scriptures, which would reveal its uniquely Jewish, dispensational program.

Yes, most, if not all false teachings, concerning faith vs. works, can be traced directly to the totally undispensational, misinterpretation, of James Chapter Two".

In this highly controversial chapter, James' repeated statement of "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD", does indeed appear to completely contradict Paul's statements of "FAITH ALONE, WITHOUT WORKS", contained in the following related verses:

Eph 2:8,9 "FOR BY GRACE ARE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES; IT IS A GIFT OF GOD; NOT OF WORKS; LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST".

Titus 3:5 "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE HATH SAVED US".

In James Chapter Two, James appears to be saying; that "FAITH, PLUS GOOD WORKS, EQUALS SALVATION".

In Eph 2:8,9, and Titus 3:5, Paul appears to be saying precisely the opposite; i.e., that "FAITH, WITHOUT GOOD WORKS, EQUALS SALVATION".

So what is the true scriptural answer, to the foregoing seemingly direct contradiction between James and Paul, on this doctrinal issue of "FAITH" vs. "WORKS"? There is a very simple, infallible formula, for arriving at the truth concerning any doctrinal question, and that is; to simply permit the word of God, to interpret the word of God, as so stated by Paul in 1 Cor 2:13, i.e., "BY COMPARING SPIRITUAL WITH SPIRITUAL". Why so? 2 Pet 1:20 "FOR THE BIBLE IS OF NO PRIVATE INTERPRETATION".

How does this effect our desire to arrive at a true doctrinal answer, to the question of "FAITH" vs. "WORKS", and James' and Paul's seeming contradiction on this issue, as shown above?

In order to do so, one must carefully consider the following scriptural facts:

(1). In Heb 1:1,2 we are told that "GOD, SPOKE TO DIFFERENT PEOPLES, AT DIFFERENT TIMES, AND IN DECIDEDLY DIFFERENT DISPENSATIONAL MANNERS".

(2). In 2 Tim 2:15 all are told by Paul "TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE ABOVE, IN ORDER THAT WE MIGHT BE UNASHAMED WORKMEN, APPROVED OF GOD".

(3). In 1 Cor 10:32, Paul tells us, that the entire human race, and all scriptures directed to the entire human race, have been divided into three, uniquely different, dispensational bodies; i.e. "THE JEWS, THE GENTILES, AND THE CHURCH", and according to the foregoing verse of 2 Tim 2:15--we are all to "RIGHTLY DIVIDE" them; or reversely speaking, we will end up "ASHAMED WORKMEN, DISAPPROVED OF GOD".

(4). According to the foregoing scriptural facts, if one does not do so, then one may end up scripturally correct, but dispensationally wrong, on any doctrinal issue. Why so? As stated above, in Heb 1:1,2—

(5). Although all scripture is written (for) you; not all scriptures are written (to) you.

And therein lies the (dispensational) answer, to the foregoing possible different doctrinal positions, as expressed by James and Paul, in James C2, and Rom Ch 4;to follow:

(1). James 1:1 "JAMES, A SERVANT OF GOD AND OF THE LORD CHRIST JESUS; TO THE TWELVE TRIBES, WHICH ARE SCATTERED ABROAD, as written solely to the then dispersed Twelve Jewish Tribes of Israel abroad, GREETINGS".

There it is for all to see and accept. The Book of James, is a strictly Jewish epistle, directed solely to "THE JEWS". Therefore, one may scripturally conclude, that although the entire Book of James was written (for) us; not one word of the entire Book of James was written (to) us, i.e. to we who are members of the separate dispensational body known as "THE CHURCH, WHICH IS CHRIST'S BODY".

(2). Thus; although The Book of James is all true, it does not contain one word of "CHURCH" truth. And therefore, to take that which was written exclusively to "THE JEWS", and to either willingly, or ignorantly "WRONGLY DIVIDE" its Jewish gospel message, to supposedly apply to either "THE GENTILES", or "THE CHURCH"; would be to willingly, or ignorantly, "WRONGLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH"--according to Heb 1:1,2 and 1 Cor 10:32. Which in turn, would make one "AN ASHAMED WORKMAN, DISAPPROVED OF GOD", according to the same verses.

(3). For one to either willingly, or ignorantly do the above; one would also have to ignore the (two) dispensational divisions, of the (two) different dispensation gospels, set forth in the following verses:

Gal 2:1-10 "THEN FOURTEEN YEARS AFTER, I WENT UP AGAIN TO JERUSALEM WITH BANABAS AND TOOK TITUS WITH ME ALSO; AND I WENT UP BY REVELATION AND COMMUNICATED UNTO THEM i.e. the Jewish Apostles, Peter,(James), and John; THAT GOSPEL WHICH I PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES. BUT PRIVATELY, LEST BY ANY MEANS I SHOULD RUN, OR HAD RUN IN VAIN. BUT OF THESE, i.e. Peter,(James), and John, WHO SEEMED TO BE SOMEWHAT IN CONFERENCE, ADDED NOTHING TO ME. BUT CONTRARIWISE. WHEN THEY SAW THAT (THE GOSPEL OF THE UNCIRCUMCISION) WAS COMMITTED UNTO ME, AS (THE GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION) WAS UNTO PETER; FOR HE THAT WROUGHT EFFECTUALLY IN PETER (and James, and John) TO THE APOSTLESHIP OF THE CIRCUMCISION, THE SAME WAS MIGHTY IN ME TOWARD THE GENTILES".

There it is. Two entirely different, dispensational gospels!

(1)."THE GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION", committed to Jewish Peter, James, John .
(2). "THE GOSPEL OF THE UN-CIRCUMCISION"--committed to Paul as "THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES", Rom 11:13. Not only the gospels (to), but the gospels (of) each different dispensational bodies.

Here it is of the utmost importance to note that in the foregoing verses, the Jewish Apostle James, the author of The Book of James; together with the Jewish Apostles Peter and John; agreed to confine their verbal (and written) "GOSPEL OF THE CIRCUMCISION", solely to "THE JEWS"; and they thereafter did so, as evidenced by the opening salutations of James 1:1, 1 Pet 1:1, Rev 1:4-6,11.

To agree to the foregoing dispensational fact, would be to "RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH".

Yes, the entire Jewish Book of James, was written in dispensational compliance to the foregoing dispensational change first occurring at Gal 2:1-10.

So how did this affect James' gospel message of "FAITH, WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD", of James Chapter Two? In order to understand the dispensational answer to this question, let us now examine a scripture written by God---solely to "THE JEWS":

Ezek 18:25 "YE SAY THAT THE WAY OF THE LORD IS NOT EQUAL? HEAR NOW O HOUSE OF ISRAEL; IS NOT MY WAY EQUAL"? In light of this verse, let us now consider the following words concerning "THE JEWS":

1 Cor 1:22 "THE JEWS REQUIRE A SIGN", i.e. as they did of Moses, in Ex 4:1-9, and Isaiah, in Isa 7:11, and of the Jewish Apostles, in Mark 16:20. And as Jesus said to "THE JEWS", in John 4:48 "EXCEPT YE SEE SIGNS AND WONDERS, YE WILL NOT BELIEVE".

There it is; "THE JEWS", ALWAYS REQUIRED SIGNS FROM GOD"; and "GOD'S WAYS BEING EQUAL, GOD ALWAYS REQUIRED SIGNS FROM THE JEWS".

In other words; "THE JEWS", were always required of God, to "SHOW" their (already inworked) FAITH; "BY, their (outward, visibly expressed) WORKS". That is precisely why in James Chapter Two, James says (to other saved Jews);

James 2:14 "WHAT DOTH IT PROFIT MY BRETHREN (THOUGH A MAN SAY HE HATH FAITH);AND HAVE NOT (the visible works of a faith filled man); CAN FAITH SAVE HIM"?

James 2:18 "YEA (A MAN MAY SAY); THOU HAST FAITH, AND I HAVE WORKS; (SHOW ME), THY FAITH, WITHOUT THY WORKS, AND (I WILL SHOW THEE) MY FAITH, BY MY WORKS".

James 2:22 "(SEEST THOU)--.

James 2:24 "(YE SEE)--.

It is really very simple. In James, Chapter Two, James is speaking (in context) of what a Jewish man (needed to see), before he would recognize, and accept, another Jewish persons (profession) of saving faith. You may (say) that you have saving faith, but until (I see)"THE GOOD WORKS", that invariably accompany such saving faith, then your (profession) of having that inward, invisible, faith, is "DEAD, BEING ALONE".

So says James Chapter Two.

In this respect, let us now closely examine James' question, as follows:

James 2:21 "WAS NOT ABRAHAM OUR FATHER JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, WHEN HE HAD OFFERED HIS SON ISAAC UPON THE ALTAR?

Now, let us examine Paul's response to that question, as follows:

Rom 4:1-8 "WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN, THAT ABRAHAM OUR FATHER, AS PERTAINING TO THE FLESH HATH FOUND? FOR IF ABRAHAM WERE JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, HE HATH WHEREOF TO GLORY, BUT NOT BEFORE GOD.

FOR WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? ABAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

NOW TO HIM THAT WORKETH, IS THE REWARD NOT RECKONED OF GRACE, BUT OF DEBT;BUT TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT JUSTIFIETH THE UNGODLY;HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. EVEN AS DAVID DESCRIBETH THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE MAN UNTO GOD IMPUTETH RIGHTEOUSNESS WITHOUT WORKS--".

Yes, In James, Chapter Two , James is saying what Jews needed to see, in order to justify another's claim to saving faith; i.e. "FAITH, PLUS VISIBLE WORKS".

In Romans,4:1-8 above, Paul is saying; all that God needs to see, in order to find one justified before Him, is "FAITH, WITHOUT VISIBLE WORKS". Why so?

1 Sam 16:7 "BUT THE LORD SAID UNTO SAMUEL; LOOK NOT ON SAUL'S COUNTENANCE, NOR ON THE HEIGHT OF HIS STATURE, BECAUSE I HAVE REFUSED HIM. FOR THE LORD SEETH NOT AS MAN SEETH. FOR MAN LOOKETH ON THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKETH
ON THE HEART".

It is of the utmost importance, not to permit any undispensational rabbi, priest, minister, , or reverend, to quote from the strictly Jewish Book of James, to convince you, that James' Jewish Gospel of the Circumcision now applies to us, who are now under Paul's Gospel of the Un-circumcision. It does not. Why not?

Unlike "THE JEWS", we, in this dispensation of The Mystery Church, of Christ's One Body, of Eph 3:1-10, Rom 16:25,26, "WALK BY FAITH, AND NOT BY SIGHT", 2 Cor 5:7; Unlike "THE JEWS", we do not "REQUIRE SIGNS OF GOD", and "GOD'S WAYS BEING EQUAL", God, requires no signs of us. Or as it states in 2 Cor 4:18, "WE, LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN; FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL, BUT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL".

In fact, in 2 Pet 3:15,16, Peter warns us not to twist Paul's Gospel of the Uncircumcision to "THE CHURCH", and try to make it apply to those "JEWS", who were then under Peter,(James), and John's, Jewish Gospel of the Circumcision, as follows:

"AND ACCOUNT, THAT THE LONGSUFFERING OF OUR LORD IS SALVATION, EVEN AS OUR BELOVED BROTHER PAUL, ALSO ACCORDING TO THE WISDOM GIVEN UNTO HIM, HATH WRITTEN UNTO YOU; AS ALSO IN ALL HIS EPISTLES, SPEAKING IN THEM OF THINGS IN WHICH ARE SOME THINGS HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD; WHICH THEY THAT ARE UNLEARNED, AND UNSTABLE, WREST; AS THEY DO ALSO THE OTHER SCRIPTURES, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION".

Notice once again, Gal 2:1-10, and see how Peter's foregoing warning, fully agrees with his continuing admission, of the dispensational difference between Peter,(James), and John's, Gospel of the Circumcision, and Paul's Gospel of the Un-circumcision. The latter unique dispensational gospel, which Paul describes as follows:

Gal 1:1,11,12,"PAUL, AN APOSTLE, NOT OF MEN, NEITHER BY MAN, BUT BY CHRIST JESUS--BUT I CERTIFY YOU BRETHREN; THAT THE GOSPEL WHICH WAS PREACHED OF ME, IS NOT AFTER MAN; FOR I NEITHER RECEIVED IT OF MAN, NEITHER WAS I TAUGHT IT, BUT BY THE REVELATION OF CHRIST JESUS", i.e. as described by Paul, in 1 Cor 12:1-4.

What was the basic message of Paul's foregoing Gospel of the Un-circumcision, that differed from "THE JEWS"--"FAITH, WITHOUT WORKS, IS DEAD" dispensational program, of Peter,(James), and John, as set forth by the Jewish Apostle James, in James, Chapter Two?

Gal 2:16 "KNOWING THAT A MAN IS NOT JUSTIFED BUT THE WORKS OF THE LAW BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS--".

Rom 3:28 "THEREFORE WE CONCLUDE; THAT A MAN IS JUSTIFED BY FAITH, WITHOUT THE WORKS OF THE LAW".

In spite of the foregoing dispensational truths. Men, down through the ages, have continued to try to superimpose Peter,(James), and John's, strictly Jewish Gospel of the Circumcision, upon Paul's unique Gospel of the Un-circumcision, intended solely for "THE CHURCH".

It is little wonder therefore, that these modern day, legalistic Pharisees, claim to preach "CHURCH" truths, from The strictly Jewish "FAITH, PLUS WORKS" epistles of Peter, (James), and John, as well as other pre-Acts 28:28 epistles, that also are directed solely to "THE JEWS".

The foregoing dispensational truth, is totally disregarded by those who choose to continue the strictly Jewish gospel of the laying on of hands, the anointing of the sick with oil, water baptisms, faith healers, observance of The Jewish Feast of The Passover, as the so called Lord's Supper, or so called Eucharist, Jewish Holy Days, foreign missions, the casting out of demons, etc. Little wonder then, that such continue to turn to the strictly Jewish epistle of Peter (James) and John, as well as other Jewish epistles, to supposedly set forth "MYSTERY CHURCH" truths, AND "MYSTERY CHURCH" programs.

"Whose Works Alone, Are Acceptable To God"?

John 15:1-8 "I AM THE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN; EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT (BEARETH) NOT FRUIT, HE TAKETH AWAY; AND EVERY BRANCH THAT (BEARETH) FRUIT, HE PURGETH IT THAT IT MAY BRING FORTH MORE FRUIT. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT (BEAR) FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT YE ABIDE IN ME. I AM THE VINE; YE ARE THE BRANCHES; HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT, FOR WITHOUT ME, YE CAN DO NOTHING. HEREIN IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED; THAT YE (BEAR) MUCH FRUIT--".

It is really very simple. Each and every saved person, will eventually "BEAR" the fruit of good works,(produced solely) by The Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus, Who indwells every saved child of God. So says the foregoing verses. It is Christ Jesus alone therefore, that picks the time, place, and type, of good works fruit, that He alone chooses to hang on the limb of every believer.

No place in Holy Writ, in any dispensation of time, is any "JEW", "GENTILE", or member of "THE CHURCH" of God, ever told to (produce) the fruits of good works; but simply to (bear) that which is produced in them, solely by The Indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus. Why not? As plainly so stated above, by Christ Jesus; "FOR WITHOUT ME, YE CAN DO NOTHING".

While it cannot be denied, that the unsaved masses of the world, do produce, what could humanly be classified as many social, fraternal, and religious, good works of the flesh; these multitudinous acts of human charity, are, in their final scriptural analysis, completely without Godly merit; since those performing such acts, do not possess The Indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 13:1-3 "THOUGH I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY, I AM BECOME AS SOUNDING BRASS, OR A TINKLING CYMBAL. AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE; AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS. AND HAVE NOT CHARITY; I AM NOTHING.

AND THOUGH I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, AND THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY; IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING".

Note: In the foregoing verses, the original Greek word for "CHARITY", is "AGAPE", and refers to the Godly plane of Divine Love!

Or as it states in 1 John 4:8,16 "GOD IS AGAPE", "GOD IS LOVE". And inasmuch as Christ Jesus (is) God, e.g. John 1:1-14, John 6:46, John 10:30; then one may paraphrase the foregoing verses to say: "THOUGH I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT LOVE i.e. as The Indwelling Holy Spirit of God The Son--Who is "DIVINE LOVE"; I AM BECOME AS SOUNDING BRASS, OR A TINKLING CYMBAL. AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES AND ALL KNOWLEDGE; AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS. AND HAVE NOT LOVE, i.e., The Indwelling Holy Spirit of God The Son, Who is DIVINE LOVE". I AM NOTHING.

AND THOUGH I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, AND THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED, AND HAVE NOT LOVE, i.e. The Indwelling Holy Spirit of God The Son, Who is "DIVINE LOVE"; IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING".

There it is. The foregoing verses, speak of two distinct kinds of motives behind all charitable acts. There are the countless acts of mock charity, performed solely from a human, selfish, motive, which Christ Jesus said is "TO BE SEEN OF MEN"; and there are those which are produced solely by The Indwelling Holy Spirit of God The Son, and are totally motivated by His "DIVINE LOVE".

Christ Jesus also said of the first--"VERILY, THEY HAVE THEIR REWARD", i.e. when they receive the public praise of men in such matters.

It is commonly said, that the moon shines, and so it does appear. But it is also a commonly known truth, that the moon does not shine, but is a totally dead planet, that simply reflects the light of the sun. Simply stated. The moon is not capable of producing any light of its own.

The same could be said of every human being, saved, or unsaved. We, cannot produce any light of our own, but simply reflect The Divine Light within us, which is solely produced by The Indwelling Holy Spirit of God The Son--Who is "LIGHT", e.g. John 1:4,5.

Or as Paul summed the matter up in Gal 2:20 "I LIVE, YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME".

"On No Heavenly Rewards"

One of the unscriptural doctrines being taught by undispensational churches today, is that of a supposed degree of heavenly rewards, for a supposed longevity of Christian service. Much like other false teachings, there are scriptural verses quoted to supposedly support such an unscriptural position. However, in this portion of our study, we will find that Christ Jesus Himself openly denounced such a false teaching as follows:

Matt 20:1-16 "FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO A MAN THAT IS A HOUSEHOLDER WHICH WENT OUT EARLY IN THE MORNING TO HIRE LABOURERS INTO HIS VINEYARD. AND WHEN HE HAD AGREED WITH THE LABOURERS FOR A PENNY A DAY, HE SENT THEM UNTO HIS VINEYARD.

AND HE WENT OUT ABOUT THE THIRD HOUR AND SAW OTHERS STANDING IDLE IN THE MARKETPLACE, AND SAID UNTO THEM: GO YE ALSO INTO THE VINEYARD, AND WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT I WILL GIVE YOU; AND THEY WENT THEIR WAY.

AND HE WENT OUT ABOUT THE SIXTH HOUR AND DID LIKEWISE. AND ABOUT THE ELEVENTH HOUR, HE WENT OUT AND FOUND OTHERS STANDING IDLE, AND SAID UNTO THEM. WHY STAND YE HERE ALL THE DAY IDLE? THEY SAY UNTO HIM; BECAUSE NO MAN HATH HIRED US. HE SAITH UNTO THEM; GO YE ALSO INTO THE VINEYARD, AND WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT, THAT SHALL YE RECEIVE.

SO WHEN EVEN WAS COME, THE LORD OF THE VINEYARD SAITH UNTO HIS STEWARD; CALL THE LABOURERS, AND GIVE THEM THEIR HIRE, BEGINNING FROM THE FIRST TO THE LAST.

AND WHEN THEY CAME WHICH WERE HIRED ABOUT THE ELEVENT HOUR, THEY RECEIVED EVERY MAN A PENNY. BUT WHEN THE FIRST CAME, THEY SUPPOSED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED MORE; AND THEY LIKEWISE RECEIVED EVERY MAN A PENNY. AND WHEN THEY RECEIVED IT, THEY MURMURED AGAINST THE GOODMAN OF THE HOUSE, SAYING; THESE LAST HAVE WROUGHT BUT ONE HOUR, AND THOU HAST MADE THEM EQUAL UNTO US WHICH HAVE BORNE THE BURDEN AND HEAT OF THE DAY.

BUT HE ANSWERED ONE OF THEM AND SAID; FRIEND, I DO THEE NO WRONG. DIDST THOU NOT AGREE WITH ME FOR A PENNY? TAKE THAT THINE IS AND GO THY WAY. I WILL GIVE UNTO THIS LAST, EVEN AS UNTO THEE. IS IT NOT LAWFUL FOR ME TO DO WHAT I WILL WITH MY OWN? IS THINE EYE EVIL, BECAUSE I AM GOOD?

SO THEN; THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST, AND THE FIRST LAST; FOR MANY BE CALLED, BUT FEW CHOSEN".

Yes, in the foregoing parable, Christ Jesus forever resolves the question, as to whether or not there are longevity degrees of rewards for the saved children of God.

Not so said Christ Jesus, i.e. to those claiming longevity of Christian service in these verses. Those choosing to serve God at an early age, receive no more for their longevity of service, than those coming to serve God at the close of their earthly lives. Each receive the same eternal wage--"ONE PENNY", i.e. a sum that symbolically represented, the singular reward of eternal life.

No one may deny, that the first saved mentioned above, did indeed perform many more years of Godly service, than those saved at the close of their otherwise wasted lives. But in no uncertain terms, Christ Jesus plainly denounced those who believe, that there will be either different degrees of celestial glory for the saved, or different degrees of eternal punishment for the lost. Why not?

First; there could not possibly be any degrees of heavenly perfection. Your eternal life, could never be lesser, or greater, than my eternal life. Your perfect mind, and perfect body, could never be made more perfect, than my perfect mind, and my perfect body. Both, will equally bear the precise "IMAGE" of the resurrected, glorified, Christ Jesus, e.g. 1 Cor 15:49,50. All will be given a totally incorruptible body, and a totally immortal body, e.g. 1 Cor 15:51-54. So much for the totally equal, glorified composition of our resurrected bodies.

Secondly; "GOD'S WAYS BEING EQUAL", the lost will also all receive equal punishment. Now, as to the totally equal, singular reward, that we all saved will receive:

Rom 8:17 "AND IF CHILDREN, THEN HEIRS; HEIRS OF GOD, AND JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST JESUS--". Once again, there can not be any heavenly degrees associated with our being "JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST". We will all look precisely like Him, and we will all inherit precisely that which He eternally possesses.

Or as the present day country song so suggests, When God passes out halos, and white robes, They won't be large, or small. One size will fit all.

But then others might pose the question. Does it not say in 2 Cor 5:10 "WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; THAT EVERYONE MAY RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE IN THE BODY, ACCORDING TO THAT HE HATH DONE, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD".

And doesn't the foregoing verse suggest, that inasmuch as we do not all perform precisely like in this world. That we will not all be rewarded precisely alike, in the world to come?

Examined out of full scriptural context, the foregoing suggestion might appear to be a logical conclusion, and that the foregoing verse, would indeed speak of a future, heavenly judgment, of the believer's differing degrees of works.

So what is the scriptural answer, to those who would quote the foregoing verse, to supposedly support their teachings, of different degrees of rewards, for differing degrees of earthly Godly service? Let us first note the following truth:

John 5:24 "VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU; HE THAT HEARETH MY WORDS, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME,(HATH) ETERNAL LIFE, present tense; AND SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION, will not again stand in any future, heavenly judgment; BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE".

There it is, for all to read and believe. One's eternal destiny is eternally affixed in this present life, and not following one's death, at The Great White Throne Final Judgment of (the unsaved) of Rev 10:11-15. In fact, in the foregoing verse, John plainly states; that (the saved) will never have to appear before (any) future judgment (following) their death.

There it is, for all to read and believe. At some precise point in this lifetime, each and every human being will reach their own unique crossroads of life, where they will be called in the spirit, to "APPEAR BEFORE THE (Gr. Bema) JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST". It is at that precise moment in time and place, that each human being will be faced with the following two eternal choices:

(1). To either accept Christ Jesus, as one's personal Lord and Saviour, and thereby trust in His record of perfect Godly works, to be charged to their account.

(2). Or to reject the above, and to stand on the record of their own self-righteous works, e.g., Rev 20:12.

Strange as it might seem. Those who are brought to this heavenly, spiritual crossroads, will be (then and there), irrevocably saved, or irrevocably lost, for all eternity, e.g. Heb 6:4-6.

At this foregoing "JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST", which occurs this side of the grave. Those choosing, in absentia, to eternally accept Christ Jesus, and to admit that they are indeed guilty of all of the sins laid to their account; and that God is indeed just, in demanding the death penalty for them, Rom 6:14. But who are willing to plead Nolo Contendre, i.e., No Contest, No Defense, and will by so pleading, throw themselves totally on the mercy of the court; will then and there come under the eternal salvation, and no future judgment, Godly promise, mentioned in John 5:24 above.

On the other hand, those who do not wish to "APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST", on this side of the grave, and there plead as do those in the paragraph above; but choose rather, to stand on the record of their own self righteous works, sometime following their death, i.e. at The Final Great White Throne Judgment of Almighty God, set forth in Rev 20:11-15; all will receive the eternal sentence set forth in those verses, i.e. The Eternal Lake of Fire. Why so?

Because they have chosen to by-pass "THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST", in this life; where Christ Jesus will judge one according to their faith alone; but have chosen rather, to ignore John 5:39 above, and to be judged on the record of their own self-righteous works--when it states so plainly in Gal 3:21 "--I DO NOT FRUSTRATE THE GRACE OF GOD; FOR IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW; THEN CHRIST
IS DEAD IN VAIN".

At the above time, God will say to the lost; that it was not the life that they led that God accepts, but the Perfect Life that Christ Jesus led, as reckoned by God, to the believer's account, e.g. Rom 5:10, Rom 6:11.

Q. Did Christ Jesus tell us to make our light shine, or simply to let it shine?

A. Matt 5:16 "LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, i.e. as produced solely by The Indwelling Spirit of Christ Jesus, John 15:1-8. "In Summation"

Q. Did Christ Jesus tell us to produce much fruit, or simply to bear much fruit?

A. John 15:2,8 "HEREIN IS MY FATHER GLORIFIED; THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT".

Q. May the saved, take any credit whatsoever, for any, or all, of the fruits of good works, that one might see hanging on their branch?

A. No. As stated earlier in John 15:4,5 "--AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT YE ABIDE IN ME. I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES. HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT;--FOR WITHOUT ME, YE CAN DO NOTHING".

Gal 2:20 "I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME".

Phil 2:13 "FOR IT IS GOD, THAT WORKETH IN YOU; BOTH TO WILL, AND TO DO, OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE".

Prov 16:1 "THE PREPARATION OF THE HEART IN MAN, AND THE ANSWER OF THE TONGUE, IS FROM THE LORD".

Isa 26:12 "LORD, THOU WILT ORDAIN PEACE FOR US; FOR THOU ALSO HAST WROUGHT ALL OUR WORKS IN US".

Note: There are only five places in the entire Bible which mention plural rewards, and in each instance, they refer to the gifts and rewards presented to pagan Kings, Astrologers, Magicians, Soothsayers, in payment for their having committed UN-Godly acts, as follows:

Num 22:7 "AND THE ELDERS OF MOAB, AND THE ELDER OF MIDIAN, DE- PARTED WITH THE REWARDS OF DIVINATION IN THEIR HAND, AND THEY CAME UNTO BAALIM AND SPAKE UNTO HIM THE WORDS OF BALAK".

Isa 1:23 "THY PRINCES ARE REBELLIOUS, AND THE COMPANION OF THEIVES; EVERY ONE LOVETH GIFTS, AND FOLLOWETH AFTER REWARDS. THEY JUDGE NOT THE FATHERLESS, NEITHER DOTH THE CAUSE OF THE WIDOW COME UNTO THEM".

Dan 2:2-6 "THEN THE KING COMMANDED TO CALL THE MAGICIANS, AND THE ASTROLOGERS, AND THE SORCERERS, AND THE CHALDEANS, FOR TO SHOW THE KING HIS DREAM; SO THEY CAME AND STOOD BEFORE THE KING--. IF YE SHOW THE DREAM, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF, YE SHALL RECEIVE OF ME GIFTS AND REWARDS AND GREAT HONOR--".

Dan 5:13,17 "THEN WAS DANIEL BROUGHT IN BEFORE THE KING--THEN DANIEL ANSWERED AND SAID BEFORE THE KING; LET THY GIFTS BE UNTO THYSELF, AND GIVE THY REWARDS TO ANOTHER; YET WILL I READ THE WRITING UNTO THE KING, AND MAKE KNOWN UNTO HIM THE
INTERPRETATION THEREOF".

Hos 2:12,13 "I WILL DESTROY HER VINES AND HER FIG TREES WHEREOF SHE HATH SAID;THESE ARE MY REWARDS THAT MY LOVERS HAVE GIVEN ME--AND SHE WENT AFTER LOVERS, AND FORGOT ME, SAITH THE LORD".

In the foregoing verses, we find that on every occasion that the plural word rewards is used. It is used to describe evil persons, performing evil acts, for evil motives and ungodly gain.

Now let us notice, that in Christ and Paul's messages to the saved, that their heavenly reward is always stated as being singular, and never stated as being plural, e, g, as follows:

Matt 5:12 "--FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN".

Matt 10:41 "HE THAT RECEIVETH A PROPHET IN THE NAME OF A PROPHET, SHALL RECEIVE A PROPHET'S REWARD; AND HE THAT RECEIVETH A RIGHTEOUS MAN, IN THE NAME OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN, SHALL RECEIVE A RIGHTEOUS MAN'S REWARD".

Mark 9:41 "FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL GIVE YOU A CUP OF WATER TO DRINK IN MY NAME, BECAUSE YE BELONG TO CHRIST, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU; HE SHALL NOT LOSE HIS REWARD".

1 Cor 3:8 "--EVERY MAN SHALL RECEIVE HIS REWARD".

Col 2:18 "LET NO MAN BEGUILE YOU OF YOUR REWARD".

Col 3:24 "THE REWARD OF THE INHERITANCE".

1 Tim 5:18 "THE LABOURER IS WORTHY OF HIS REWARD".

Heb 2:2 "RECOMPENSE OF REWARD"

Now let us notice, that The Eternal Crown, which each saved, resurrected, child of God will receive, is also a singular crown, as follows:

1 Cor 9:25 "AND EVERY MAN TAHT STRIVETH FOR THE MASTERY IS TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS. NOW THEY DO IT TO OBTAIN A CORRUPT- IBLE CROWN. BUT WE, AN INCORRUPTIBLE"

1 Thess 2:19 "FOR WHAT IS OUR HOPE, OR JOY, OR CROWN OF REJOICING? i.e. Christ Jesus, in context.

2 Tim 4:8 "HENCEFORTH, THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME, A CROWN OF RIGHT- OUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE SHALL GIVE ME AT THAT DAY; AND NOT TO ME ONLY, BUT UNTO ALL THEM ALSO THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING".

James 1:12 "BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION; FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM".

Rev 2:10 "--BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE".

Rev 3:11 "BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH THOU HAST, THAT NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN".

Note: Here it is imperative to note; that the multiple crowns of the singular Christ Jesus, is the saved person's plural rewards, e.g. as follows:

Rev 19:12 "HIS EYES WERE AS A FLAME OF FIRE, AND ON HIS HEAD WERE MANY CROWNS--".

1 Cor 1:30,31 "BUT OF HIM ARE YE IN CHRIST; WHO OF GOD, IS MADE UNTO US WISDOM, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND REDEMPTION; THAT ACCORDING AS IT IS WRITTEN. HE THAT GLORIETH, LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD".

Q. Inasmuch as we have already proven, that it is The Indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus alone, that produces any and all of the fruits of good works; that He alone hangs on the branches of the saved child of God; then how can anyone, saved, or unsaved, claim to earn, merit, or deserve any credit whatsoever, for having themselves somehow helped to produce them?

A. The scriptural answer is; that no one, saved, or unsaved, may take any credit whatsoever, for that which Christ Jesus alone, deserves all the credit, as shown in the foregoing verses of 1 Cor 1:30,31.

"On Our Being Accepted, In The Beloved"

Eph 1:6 "TO THE PRAISE OF THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE, WHEREIN HE HATH MADE US ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED".

When one of our sons or daughters marries, and brings their outsider mate into our family circle, generally speaking, we accept this sometimes total stranger into our family circle. Not because that person may in any way merit, or even deserve that fleshly honour, but simply because he or she has been "ACCEPTED IN OUR BELOVED", i.e. by having become an in-lawed, legal member of our household .

In the same sense, but on an infinitely higher Godly plane, the same occurs, Spiritually speaking, when we, outside of the Spiritual Household of God, become lawfully and spiritually wed, to The Son of God, as follows:

2 Cor 11:2 "FOR I HAVE ESPOUSED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, THAT I MAY PRESENT YOU AS A CHASTE VIRGIN TO CHRIST JESUS".

Having become in-lawed to God, The Father, by our spiritually wedded union to His Son, Christ Jesus, we become "ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED"! Not because we deserve to be so, but because we are both legally and spiritually entitled to be so.

In our fleshly families, separation and divorce commonly occur, thus severing the human legal ties, in which we were accepted in the world's beloved. But such is never the case, when one is spiritually married to The Son of God. That this spiritual union can never be dissolved, as far as God, The Father is concerned, is plainly so stated by Christ Jesus, as follows:

Matt 19:3-11 "THE PHARISEES CAME UNTO HIM, TEMPTING HIM, AND SAYING UNTO HIM. IS IT LAWFUL FOR A MAN TO PUT AWAY HIS WIFE FOR EVERY CAUSE? AND HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM; HAVE YE NOT READ, THAT HE WHICH MADE THEM AT THE BEGINNING, MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, AND SAID; FOR THIS CAUSE SHALL A MAN LEAVE FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE UNTO HIS WIFE, AND THEY TWAIN SHALL BE ONE FLESH?

WHEREFORE, THEY ARE NO MORE TWAIN, BUT ONE FLESH. WHAT THEREFORE (GOD) HATH JOINED TOGETHER, LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER. The operative word being (GOD).

THEY SAY UNTO HIM; WHY DID MOSES THEN COMMAND TO GIVE A WRITING OF DIVORCEMENT, AND TO PUT HER AWAY? HE SAITH UNTO THEM; MOSES, BECAUSE OF THE HARDNESS OF YOUR HEARTS, i.e. because of your unsaved hearts, SUFFERED YOU TO PUT AWAY YOUR WIVES; BUT FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO.

AND I SAY UNTO YOU; WHOSOEVER SHALL PUT AWAY HIS WIFE, EXCEPT IT BE FOR FORNICATION, AND SHALL MARRY ANOTHER, COMMITTETH ADULTERY; AND WHOSOEVER MARRIETH HER WHICH IS PUT AWAY, DOTH COMMIT ADULTERY--".

In the foregoing verses, Christ Jesus is referring to two different kinds of marriages, i.e. as follows:

(1). The earthly, legal marriage of the unsaved, by unsaved men.

(2). The heavenly, spiritual marriage of the saved, by Almighty God.

In the first instance, Christ Jesus is simply stating; that what man has so joined together, in a strictly fleshly union; man can also fleshly separate.

In the second instance, Christ Jesus is simply stating; that what God has so joined together, in a heavenly, God approved, spiritual union; no man can fleshly separate. Once married to Christ Jesus, always married to Christ Jesus. A perfect example of the eternal security of the saved. Why so?

God, recognizes no man made marriage by the first.

God, recognizes no man made divorce by the latter.

Q. Where does it plainly state; that God does not approve of any form of divorce?

A. Mal 2:15,16 "--THEREFORE, TAKE HEED TO YOUR SPIRIT, AND LET NONE DEAL TREACHEROUSLY AGAINST THE WIFE OF HIS YOUTH. FOR THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL SAITH, THAT HE HATETH PUTTING AWAY. THEREFORE, TAKE HEED TO YOUR SPIRIT, THAT YE DEAL NOT TREACHEROUSLY".

Q. What is an indissoluble, God-recognized marriage?

A. In Gen 3:16, as a direct result of Adam and Eve's Edenic fall, God then and there established the (saved) husband, as the spiritual, patriarchal head, of the saved household of God. That such is to continue in this dispensation as well, is also stated by Paul, as follows:

Eph 5:22,23 "WIVES, SUBNIT YOURSELVES UNTO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS, AS UNTO THE LORD;FOR THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF THE WIFE, EVEN AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH AND HE (Christ) IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE BODY. THEREFORE, AS THE CHURCH IS SUBJECT UNTO CHRIST, SO LET THE WIVES BE TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS, IN EVERYTHING.

HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES, EVEN AS CHRIST LOVED ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY IT AND CLEANSE IT WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD; THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF, A GLORIOUS CHURCH. NOT HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE OR ANY SUCH THING; BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH. SO OUGHT MEN TO LOVE THEIR WIVES AS THEIR OWN BODIES. HE THAT LOVETH HIS WIFE, LOVETH HIMSELF; FOR NO MAN EVER YET HATED HIS OWN FLESH, BUT NOURISHETH AND CHERISHETH IT; EVEN AS THE LORD, THE CHURCH.

FOR WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, OF HIS FLESH, AND OF HIS BONES. FOR THIS CAUSE SHALL A MAN LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL BE JOINED UNTO HIS WIFE, AND THEY TWO SHALL BE ONE FLESH. THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY, BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.

NEVERTHELESS, LET EVERY ONE OF YOU IN PARTICULAR, SO LOVE HIS WIFE AS HIMSELF;AND THE WIFE, SEE THAT SHE REVERANCE HER HUSBAND".

Yes, the only God recognized marriage is that set forth in the foregoing verses. It is not one performed by any earthly, self appointed, self ordained, priest, rabbi, minister, or so called reverend. There are none such, in this dispensation of The Mystery Church, of Eph 3:1-10, Rom 16:25,26, Heb Ch 9, Heb Ch 10 with 1 Tim 2:5. The one and only, God recognized marriage, is one that He alone performs, e.g. Matt 19:3-11; in which, but once in a lifetime, God physically and spiritually unites (two saved members, of the opposite gender), in The Spiritual Body of Christ Jesus.

As stated earlier, there is never to be a God recognized divorce, in the foregoing God recognized earthly and heavenly union. Which leads us to the following one and only possible scriptural conclusion:

(1). Once married to one another, in Christ—

(2). Always married to one another, in Christ—

(3). Therefore; Once Saved--Always saved! It is just that simple. It is just that profound.

"On Fulfilling The Laws of God"

Having discussed the foregoing scriptural doctrine, concerning faith vs. works; and having accepted the Apostle Paul's foregoing doctrinal conclusion, of Rom 3:28 "THEREFORE WE CONCLUDE, THAT A MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WITHOUT THE DEEDS OF THE LAW"; one might understandably ask the meaning of Paul's following words, which may seem to say just the opposite:

Rom 3:31 "DO WE THEN MAKE VOID THE LAW, THROUGH FAITH (alone)? GOD FORBID; YEA, WE ESTABLISH THE LAW".

There are many modern day, Pharisaical legalists, who would change the foregoing word "ESTABLISH", to "ENFORCE", or to "OBSERVE. The Holy Spirit of course inserted the proper Gr. word, estomem--"ESTABLISH", as in the KJV et al. Why so?

(1). All human beings, are to "ESTABLISH THE LAW", by the admission of their having broken that law, and that they are therefore justly condemned by that law. e.g. Rom 6:14.

(2). Christ Jesus, agreed to "ESTABLISH THE LAW", by walking in perfect obedience to God's law, and by enduring its penalty of death, for all those who could not possibly keep it, e.g. John 7:19, compared with Rom 8:3,4.

Inasmuch as we have already established, that one's salvation, and continued salvation, does not depend upon the keeping of God's righteous laws; then all should ask the next doctrinal question posed by Paul, in the following verse, of Gal 3:19;

"Wherefore Then Serveth The Law"?

In other words. Since God did not give His Law, as a means of either receiving, or retaining one's salvation; then Why did God give us The Law? What scriptural purpose was served thereby?

In context, Paul proceeds to answer his own question, as follows:

Gal 3:19b "IT WAS (ADDED), BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS (TILL) THE SEED (Christ Jesus in context) SHOULD COME": and "FULFILLED" it for us, at Calvary; "TAKING IT OUT OF THE WAY, AND NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS", Eph 2:14,15, Col 2:14, Rom 10:4.

Gal 3:24 "WHEREFORE, THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER, TO BRING US TO CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH". How did God's laws do?

Rom 3:19,20 "NOW WE KNOW, THAT WHAT THINGS SOEVER THE LAW SAITH, IT SAITH TO THEM WHO ARE UNDER THE LAW; THAT EVERY MOUTH MAY BE STOPPED, AND ALL THE WORLD MAY BECOME GUILTY BEFORE GOD. THEREFORE,, BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW THERE SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT, (FOR BY THE LAW, IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN)".

Rom 7:7 "NAY, I HAD NOT KNOWN SIN, BUT BY THE LAW; FOR I HAD NOT KNOWN LUST, EXCEPT THE LAW HAD SAID; THOU SHALT NOT COVET".

Rom 5:20 "MOREOVER, THE LAW ENTERED, THAT THE OFFENCE MIGHT ABOUND--", i.e. more laws, equals more offences, and more burdens of guilt, for having broken them.

All of the foregoing Godly reasons, for God having given His laws, may be summed up in the following analogue:

(1), For by the thermometer, is the knowledge of fever.

The thermometer, does not cause the fever.
The thermometer, does not cure the fever.
The thermometer, simply lets one know that they have a fever, that indicates that one is sick, and one needs to find a physical remedy for that sickness.

(2). "FOR BY THE LAW, IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN"

The law, does not cause the sin.
The law, does not cure the sin.
The law, simply lets one know that they have the deadly disease called Sin, and one needs to find the scriptural remedy, for that otherwise terminal disease.

Q. What was The Ten-Commandment, Letter of The Law of Moses, which entered for the first time in biblical history, at Mt. Sinai, Ex Ch 19?

A. This unique set of laws, was but one portion of the well over 660 commandments, judgments, and ordinances, which made up The Old Testament Covenant of Law, that was then and there entered into, solely between the newly created Jewish nation of Israel, and Jehovah God.

(1). The Ten-Commandments Decalogue, was to govern Israel's moral lives, Ex Ch19-20.

(2). The Judgments, were to govern Israel's social lives, Ex 21:1-Ex 24:11.

(3). The Ordinances, were to govern Israel's religious, ceremonial lives, Ex24:12-31:13

Note: Despite much teaching to the contrary, by 7th Day Adventists, et al; the foregoing three functions of the Law of Moses, were inseparably, and interchangeably referred to as:

"THE LAW"--Gal 3:19, John 7:19.
"THE HANDWRITING OF ORDINANCES"--Col 2:14, Eph 2:15.
"THE LAW OF MOSES"--John 7:23.
"THE OLD TESTAMENT"--Heb 9:15.
"THE OLD COVENANT"--Heb 8:13.
"A KILLER"--2 Cor 3:6.
"A YOKE OF BONDAGE"--Gal 5:1, Gal 5:24.
"A SCHOOLMASTER"--Gal 3:24.
"A MINISTRATION OF DEATH"--Rom 7:5, 2 Cor 3:7-16.
"A CURSE"--Gal 3:10-13.
"A BLINDING VEIL"--2 Cor 3:14.
"A MOUTH STOPPER OF BOASTERS"--Rom 3:19,20.
"A WORKER OF WRATH"--Rom 4:15.
"A SHADOW OF REALITY"--Heb 7:22, Heb 8:5, Heb 9:9, Heb 10:1.
"A FRUIT UNTO DEATH"--Rom 7:5-14.
"A COMMANDMENT UNTO DEATH"--Rom 7:9.
"A TABLE OF TESTIMONY"--Ex 31:18.
"A TABLE OF STONE"--Ex 31:18.
"A MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION, BETWEEN JEWS AND GENTILES"--Eph 2:14
"AGAINST US"--Col 2:14.
"CONTRARY TO US"--Col 2:14.
"AN ENEMY"--Col 2:14.

Q. Was any Gentile, of any dispensation, ever to be placed under the foregoing Old Testament, Covenant of Law, that God made with the newly created Nation of Israel?

A. No. As follows:

Deut 5:1-3 "AND MOSES CALLED ALL ISRAEL, AND SAID UNTO THEM; HEAR O ISRAEL, THE STATUTES AND JUDGEMENTS WHICH I SPEAK IN YOUR EARS THIS DAY; THAT YE MAY LEARN AND DO THEM.

THE LORD OUR GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH US IN HOREB. THE LORD MADE NOT THIS COVENANT WITH OUR FATHERS, BUT WITH US, EVEN US WHO ARE ALL OF US HERE ALIVE THIS DAY".

Deut 4:7,8 "FOR WHAT NATION IS THERE SO GREAT, WHO HATH GOD SO NIGH UNTO THEM, AS THE LORD GOD IS IN ALL THINGS THAT WE CALL UPON HIM FOR? AND WHAT NATION IS THERE SO GREAT, THAT HATH STATUTES AND JUDGEMENTS SO RIGHTEOUS, AS ALL THIS LAW WHICH
I SET BEFORE YOU THIS DAY"?

Deut 7:6 "FOR THOU ART AN HOLY PEOPLE UNTO THE LORD THY GOD. THE LORD THY GOD HATH CHOSEN THEE TO BE A SPECIAL PEOPLE UNTO HIMSELF; ABOVE ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH".

Ps 147:19,20 "HE SHOWETH HIS WORD UNTO JACOB; HIS STATUTES AND HIS JUDGEMENTS UNTO ISRAEL. HE HATH NOT DEALT SO WITH ANY NATION; AND AS FOR HIS JUDGEMENTS, THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN THEM".

Rom 2:14 "FOR WHEN THE GENTILES, WHICH HAVE NOT THE LAW--".

Q. Does the foregoing, mean that Gentiles were never to be under law to God?

A. No. The answer to this question, is found in the completion of the foregoing verse, as follows:

"FOR WHEN THE GENTILES, WHICH HAVE NOT THE (Mosaic) LAW; DO BY NATURE, THE THINGS CONTAINED IN THE (Mosaic) LAW; THESE, HAVING NOT THE (Mosaic) LAW, ARE A LAW UNTO THEMSELVES; WHICH SHOW THE WORK OF THE (Mosaic) LAW, WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS.

THEIR CONSCIENCE ALSO BEARING WITNESS, AND THEIR THOUGHTS THE MEANWHILE ACCUSING, OR ELSE EXCUSING ONE ANOTHER". All Gentiles are subject to the law of human, conscience, e.g. Rom 2:14,15 above, and Rom 1:19,20.

All human beings, be they Jew or Gentile; at time of birth, are automatically and genetically placed under the following blanket indictment of the entire human race: "WHEREFORE, AS BY ONE MAN, SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN;AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED; FOR UNTIL THE (Mosaic) LAW, SIN WAS IN THE WORLD; BUT SIN IS NOT IMPUTED WHEN THERE IS NO (Letter of) THE LAW.

NEVERTHELESS, DEATH REIGNED FROM ADAM TO MOSES; EVEN OVER THEM THAT HAD NOT SINNED AFTER THE SIMILITUDE OF ADAM'S TRANSGRESSION--".

While not being placed under The Old Testament, Covenant of Law, which God made exclusively with The Jewish Nation of Israel, at Mt. Sinai, Ex 19:1-8; "NEVERTHELESS" all unsaved Gentiles, from Adam, until this present day, were, and are also placed under the following common laws of God, affecting all mankind:

"THE LAWS OF ONE'S PERSONAL CONSCIENCE"--Rom 2:15.
"THE LAWS OF ONE'S FLESHLY MIND"--Rom 7:23.
"THE LAWS OF NATURE"--Rom 2:14.
"THE LAWS OF SIN AND DEATH", Rom 5:12-21; Rom 8:2.
"THE LAWS OF SINS IN THE MEMBERS"--Rom 7:25.

Although not then "WRITTEN AND ENGRAVEN ON TABLES OF STONE", --"NEVERTHELESS", all Gentiles were, and are, consciously aware of moral right, and moral wrong, and have the God inbred capacity to know one from the other. So states Rom 1:18-20, and Rom 2:14,15.

In Gal 3:19, the Apostle Paul said that the foregoing Old Testament, Covenant
of Law, was "ADDED" to something. Let us now determine, when it was added; why
it was added; to whom it was added; to whom it was not added; to what was it
added; to what was it not added; when it was abolished, and why it was abolished.

Q. When was The Old Testament added?

A. The Old Testament, Covenant of Law, was added, at Mt. Sinai, Ex19:1-8 approximately 2,500 years after the creation of Adam and Eve, e.g. Ex 19:1-8.

Q. Why was it added?

A. At Mt. Sinai, the newly delivered children of Israel, rejected Gentile Abraham's Gospel of The Un-circumcision, i.e. The Gospel of the Gentiles, which was in effect from Adam until Mt. Sinai; saying instead. "GIVE US THE LAW, AND WE WILL KEEP IT", e.g. Ex 19:1-8, Deut 5:27. It was then, after being placed under this unique set of laws, that the (then) Gentile children of Israel, became the newly created Jewish Nation of Israel, Deut 27:9.

Q. To whom was it added?

A. Solely to the foregoing newly created Jewish Nation of Israel, e.g. Deut 4:1-8, Deut 5:1-3, Ps 147:19,20.

Q. To whom was it not added?

A. It was never added to any Gentile, of any dispensation, e.g. Rom 2:14,15, compared with the foregoing verses of Deut 4:1-8, and Deut 5:1-3.

Q. To what was it added?

A. It was added to God's already existing laws mentioned earlier, i.e. The Laws of Nature; The laws of the Fleshly Mind; The Laws of Human, God Inbred Conscience; The Law of Sin and Death, which entered at the fall of Adam and Eve; which likewise brought in The Law of Sin in the Members, and God's Numerous Oral laws, making known The Unchanging Will of God, in every dispensation.

Q. To what was it not added?

A. Gal 3:17 "AND THIS I SAY; THAT THE (Abrahamic Covenant of Promise), THAT WAS CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST; THE (Old Testament, Law of Moses, given at Mt. Sinai, solely between God and The Jewish Nation of Israel), WHICH WAS 430 YEARS AFTER (Abraham's Covenant of Promise). CANNOT DISANNUL THAT IT SHOULD MAKE THAT PROMISE OF NONE EFFECT".

Basically speaking, the foregoing verse states that, although at Mt. Sinai, God was about to (temporarily) replace The Gospel of the Un-circumcision (i.e. as set forth in Abraham's Gospel of the Grace of God, e.g. Gen Ch 12); with Moses' Gospel of The Circumcision (i.e. The Gospel of The Law of God); God's Law, was never there intended, to set aside, disannul, or make of none effect; the doctrinal fact, that salvation, to both Jews and Gentiles, would always be "BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH, WITHOUT THE WORKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, MOSAIC, COVENANT OF LAW; e.g. Rom 3:29,30; Rom Ch 4; Gal Ch 3; Rom Ch 10; Rom 11:5,6; Gal 2:16,21.

Simply stated; God's Law, can never replace God's Grace; nor can Law and Grace ever be co-mingled, as a way to gain eternal life, as shown in the foregoing verses.

Q. When? Why? By whom? And by what single act?, was the foregoing law abolished?

A. It occurred, at Calvary, when having completely "FULFILLED" the law, FOR all man - who could never keep it for themselves, (John 17:9); Christ Jesus, having endured the death penalty of that law for us, 2 Cor 5:21; is said to have "BLOTTED OUT THE HANDWRITING OF ORDINANCES THAT WAS AGAINST US; WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US; AND TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS". Eph 2:14,15; Col 2:14, thus we may conclude:

Rom 10:4 "THAT CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW, FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH".

Q. Why was the foregoing Old Testament, Covenant of Law, that God made exclusively with The Jewish Nation of Israel, at Mt. Sinai; to be abolished at Calvary?

A. Rom 8:3,4, "FOR WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO; IN THAT IT WAS WEAK THROUGH THE FLESH; e.g. John 7:19; Matt 26:41; GOD, SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH, AND FOR SIN; CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH. THAT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US--i.e. but not fulfilled by us. Why not?

John 7:19 "DID NOT MOSES GIVE YOU THE LAW, AND NONE OF YOU KEEPETH THE LAW".

Heb 7:19 "FOR THE LAW MADE NOTHING PERFECT; BUT THE BRINGING IN OF A BETTER HOPE DID; BY WHICH WE DRAW NIGH UNTO GOD", e.g. Heb 9:11-28. Why so?

Heb 10:1-4 "FOR THE LAW, HAVING A SHADOW OF GOOD THINGS TO COME, AND NOT THE VERY IMAGE OF THE THINGS; CAN NEVER, WITH THOSE SACRIFICES, WHICH THEY OFFERED YEAR BY YEAR; CONTINUALLY MAKE THE COMERS THEREUNTO PERFECT. FOR THEN, WOULD THEY NOT HAVE CEASED TO BE OFFERED? BECAUSE THAT THE WORSHIPPERS ONCE PURGED, SHOULD HAVE HAD NO MORE CONSCIENCE OF SIN.

BUT IN THOSE SACRIFICES, THERE IS A REMEMBRANCE AGAIN MADE OF SINS, EVERY YEAR.

--AND EVERY PRIEST STANDETH DAILY, MINIISTERING AND OFFERING OFTENTIMES THE SAME SACRIFICES--WHICH CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY SINS. BUT THIS MAN, AFTER HE HAD OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOREVER, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD".

In the foregoing verses, we find that salvation, under The Old Testament, Covenant of Law, was indeed conditional, i.e. "IF, THOU KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS". The priestly animal sacrifices merely Heb Kaphar, i.e. covered the believer's sins on a yearly basis. Those under the law, were thus continually on probation, while those of us under the dispensation of Grace, are freely, and unconditionally, pardoned. Not because we deserve it, but because Christ Jesus deserved if for us.

Heb 8:6 "HE IS THE MEDIATOR OF A BETTER (New) COVENANT, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED UPON BETTER PROMISES".

Note: The entire Jewish epistle of Hebrews, is an affirmation of the foregoing related verses, i.e. setting forth the good things under The Laws of Moses, but the better things, under this dispensation of The Grace of Christ.

God's Grace, and God's Law, are always said to be diametrically opposed to each other. Much like oil, and water, they may never be co-mingled, nor superimposed upon each other, as plainly so stated in the following verse:

Rom 11:6 "AND IF BY GRACE, THEN IS IT NO MORE OF WORKS. OTHER- WISE, GRACE IS NO MORE GRACE. BUT IF IT BE OF WORKS, THEN IS IT NO MORE GRACE; OTHERWISE, WORK IS NO MORE WORK".

God's Law, is always associated with Moses, and works; while God's Grace, is always associated with Christ Jesus, and faith.

Thus, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to fully understand The Law of Moses, without also fully understanding The Grace of Christ.

Q. But if one could, and did, perfectly keep the laws of God, could not one be saved in so doing

A. Yes. Gal 3:21,22 "IS THE LAW THEN AGAINST THE PROMISES OF GOD? GOD FORBID. FOR IF THERE HAD BEEN A LAW GIVEN, WHICH COULD HAVE GIVEN LIFE; VERILY, RIGHTEOUSNESS SHOULD HAVE BEEN BY THE LAW; BUT, THE SCRIPTURE HATH CONCLUDED ALL UNDER SIN, e.g. Rom 3:23; THAT THE PROMISE BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, MIGHT BE GIVEN TO
THEM THAT BELIEVE".

John 7:19 "DID NOT MOSES GIVE YOU THE LAW, AND NONE OF YOU KEEPETH THE LAW".

Rom 3:23 "FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD".

Rom 6:23 "AND THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE (GIFT) OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE, THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD".

Q. May any form or degree of law keeping, ever be attributed to one's faith?

A. No. Gal 3:12 "THE LAW, IS NOT OF FAITH".

Q. Why is one placed under the curse of God, if one attempts to justify themselves before God, by performing the works of the law?

A. Gal 3:10 "FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW, ARE UNDER THE CURSE. FOR IT IS WRITTEN. CURSED IS EVERY ONE THAT CONTINU- ETH NOT IN (ALL) THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO DO THEM". Or as James aptly said:

James 2 :10 "FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL". So much for Roman Catholicism's false teachings, concerning the so called degrees of venal, and mortal sins, i.e. little, and big sins.

Sin, is sin, as far as God is concerned. Be they so called small sins, or larger sins! By thought, word, or deed; by acts of commission, or acts of omission; be one saved, or unsaved, it is impossible for any human being to keep (all) of God's laws, and to break even one, is to break all--so says James 2:10.

That is precisely why Christ Jesus came; to keep (all) of God's laws, for us, and to endure the penalty of death, that each of us have rightly earned, by breaking them, e.g. Isa Ch 53.

But until one sees and accepts the foregoing scriptural facts; concerning the dispensational difference between The Jewish Dispensation of Law, and The Church's' Dispensation of Grace. Then one will never see, nor accept, the dispensational difference between the Jews' on again, off again; God loves me, God loves me not (conditional) salvation, under The Laws of Moses; and our once saved, always saved, unconditional salvation, under The Grace of Christ; e.g. Gal 1:6-9.

Note: Among the well over 1,200 undispensational churches in view today, many claim to set forth our dispensational gospel of Eph 2:8,9, "FOR BY GRACE ARE WE SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF OURSELVES; IT IS A GIFT OF GOD (NOT OF WORKS), LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST"; yet each and every one of these unscriptural sectarian divisions of Christ's One Body, make the same fatal error, of adding some form or degree of abolished Jewish, or pagan rites and rituals, to Paul's exclusive Grace message of Gal 1:6-9. Where Paul plainly warns all--"I MARVEL, THAT YE ARE SO SOON REMOVED FROM (THE GRACE OF CHRIST), UNTO ANOTHER GOSPEL, WHICH IS NOT ANOTHER. BUT THERE BE SOME THAT TROUBLE YOU, AND WOULD (PERVERT) THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. BUT THOUGH WE, OR AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL UNTO YOU, THAN THAT WHICH WE HAVE PREACED UNTO YOU; LET HIM BE ACCURSED.

AS WE SAID BEFORE, SO SAY I NOW AGAIN; IF ANY MAN, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL UNTO YOU, THAN THAT YE HAVE RECEIVED (than that solely of The Grace of Christ, as being totally apart from the works of the laws of Moses), LET HIM BE ANATHAMA-MARANATHA" i.e. accursed of God. It would be well to note, that both they who preach, and they who follow such preachers, are equally accursed of God; i.e. for adding the works of water baptisms, communion services, laying on of hands to ordain or heal, collection and/or paying of tithes, and a host of other undispensational ordinances of so called church services--to The Grace of Christ.

Here again, it is well to note; that the differences, between all of the foregoing man-made undispensational churches, in view throughout the entire world today--are more visible--, --than real. In spite of what they may claim to the contrary, (all) add works to Grace. Christ Jesus, defines them as follows:

Matt 15:6-9 "YE HAVE MADE THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD OF NONE EFFECT, BY YOUR TRADITIONS. YE HYPOCRITES, WELL DID ISIAIH PROPHESY OF YOU, SAYING; THIS PEOPLE DRAWETH NIGH UNTO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONOURETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEARTS ARE FAR FROM ME. IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN".

And as the Apostle Paul further describes them as follows:

2 Tim 3:5,7 "HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS--EVER LEARNING, BUT NEVER ABLE TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH"--FROM SUCH, TURN AWAY.

In summing up the question of works, or faith plus works , being the way to please Almighty God, is set forth in the doctrinal answer Christ Jesus gave to His disciples, when they asked the following related question:

John 6:28,29 "THEN SAID THEY UNTO HIM; WHAT SHALL WE DO, THAT WE MIGHT WORKS THE WORKS OF GOD? JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM; THIS, IS THE WORK OF GOD. THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT". In 1 Thess 1:3, and 2 Thess 1:11, Paul calls all such works; "THE WORK OF FAITH, AND THE LABOUR OF LOVE".

"On The So-called Insecurity of The Saved"

Let us now carefully examine, the scripture verses oft quoted by those who would either ignorantly, or intentionally teach, the conditional, insecurity of the saved, in Christ Jesus. Vatican Rome, is fond of quoting the following verse, to strike fear in the hearts of those who would stray from the Catholic priesthood etc.:

Luke 9:62 "AND JESUS SAID UNTO HIM; NO MAN, HAVING PUT HIS HAND TO THE PLOUGH, AND LOOKING BACK, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD".

In the foregoing verse, in context, Christ Jesus is warning all of us, of the eternal difference between the placing of one's good intentioned hands on the figurative gospel plough, but then refusing to plough, because of some thing, or someone, that is given priority over one's personal commitment to Christ Jesus. Placing one's hands on the figurative handles of the plow, is one thing, said Christ Jesus; plowing, is another. In the foregoing verse in question, we find, a not fully committed, qualifying, would be follower of Christ; who when the so called chips are down, he finally refused to let Christ Jesus have the ploughing priority, over his personal life.

Such foregoing persons, are much like the Jewish spies of Kadesh-Barnea, Deut 1:19-26, who crossed over into The Promised Land, and grasped, i.e. laid their hands on the fruit of the land--but then, turned back, due to the lack of a full commitment to God's scriptural program for National Israel. They too, laid their hands on the figurative plough, but then refused to plough; another classic example, of incomplete obedience to the Divinely revealed will of God.

Such, are not fit to inherit The Promised Land, said Christ Jesus. Why not?

One must not only come out of Egypt's spiritual bondage; cross over Jordan, and grasp its promised fruits; but one must then possess the land. One must not only put one's hand on the plough, but one must then plow!

"Enlightenment, Is Not Salvation"

Let us now examine another scriptural passage, which is often used, to supposedly prove the insecurity of one's salvation, as follows:

Heb 6:4-6 "FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHT- ED. AND HAVE TASTED OF THE HEAVENLY GIFT, AND WERE MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD, AND THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME; IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING THEY CRUCIFY UNTO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME".

The difference, between the foregoing "ENLIGHTENED" ones, and those going on to an eternal salvation experience, is set forth in the following related verses:

Heb 4:1,2 "LET US THEREFORE FEAR, LEST A PROMISE BEING LEFT US OF ENTERING INTO HIS REST; ANY ONE OF YOU SHOULD SEEM TO COME SHORT OF IT. FOR UNTO US WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED, AS WELL AS UNTO THEM, i.e. them of Heb 6:4-6 above. BUT THE WORD PREACHED, i.e. of Enlightenment; DID NOT PROFIT THEM; NOT BEING MIXED WITH (final, saving) FAITH, IN THEM THAT HEARD IT".

Note: It should be carefully noted, that taken in full context. It is never said, that those receiving the full "ENLIGHTENMENT" of Heb 6:4-6, that they were ever thereafter saved. In point of doctrinal fact, it does say--they had not as yet received "THE THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION", Heb 6:9.

These, were simply those, who had gone along so far, with The Holy Spirit's gift of "SCRIPTURAL ENLIGHTENMENT"; even so far as having "TASTED THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME"; but then had, as stated in Heb 1:1,2 above; "STOPPED SHORT OF", having made a full faith commitment to The Gospel concerning Christ Jesus.

Having come to the personal faith crossroads of their lives, they had lain their hands on the gospel plough, but had then, refused to plow.

Once again, in Heb 6:4-6, carefully note; that it does not say, "IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO ONCE SAVED", as some would falsely so read these words; but it does say, as The Holy Spirit so worded it; "IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ONCE ENLIGHTENED".

When one receives the Holy Spirit's gift, of a full "ENLIGHENMENT", of our proper dispensational message of The Grace of Christ, but chooses not to mingle that "ENLIGHTENMENT" with saving faith in Christ Jesus. Then it is no longer possible for that person to ever become saved--or, Once Lost-Always Lost. So states Heb 6:4-6, with Heb 1:1,2, above.

Christ Jesus, is simply saying to the man of Luke 9:62, who said; "LORD, I WILL FOLLOW THEE WHITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST , BUT FIRST--I have another more pressing personal priority. That he is like those, who after having been invited to The Bridal Feast of The Son of God, said. We would like to attend your wedding feast, and honour you--"BUT FIRST"--we have certain personal things to attend to, that are of a more personal importance to us. All of the above, were willing to place their hands on the plough; but none were ready to start plowing.

"The If Scriptures"

Let us now examine the so called, conditional, If scriptures, concerning one's salvation, as follows:

Heb 3:14 "FOR WE ARE PARTAKERS OF CHRIST, IF, WE HOLD THE BEGINNING OF OUR CONFIDENCE STEADFAST UNTO THE END".

Col 1:21 "IF, YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, WELL GROUNDED AND SETTLED, AND BE NOT MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL WHICH YE HAVE HEARD".

2 Pet 2:20 "FOR, IF, AFTER THEY HAVE ESCAPED THE POLLUTIONS OF THE WORLD, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR CHRIST JESUS, THEY ARE OVERCOME AGAIN. THE LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING".

In order to understand, the Holy Spirit intended meaning of the word "IF", in the foregoing related verses, it is imperative to note; that the original MSS, containing these verses was written in Greek, which contains numerous shades of meanings of our English word "IF", i.e. as follows:

(1). IF--Gr Ean, means: If so be that, if perchance, if haply.
a.--Ean, followed by the indicative mood, or present tense, means; to express the condition simply, without any reference to its being decisive by experience, or by the event, i.e. as in John 5:15.
b.--Ean, followed by the subjunctive mood, means to express a hypothetical, but possible condition, contingent upon circumstances which the future will reveal.

(2). IF--Gr Ei, means to put the condition simply.
a.--Ei, followed by the optative mood, expresses an entire uncertainty, a mere assumption or conjecture of a supposed case, i.e. as in Acts 17:2 and 1 Pet 3:14.
b.--Ei, followed by the indicative mood, means this is a hypothesis, but may assumed to be an actual fact, and no doubt being thrown upon the point in question, i.e. as in each of the foregoing IF verses, listed above, and as aptly represented in 1 Cor 15:12-18. In simple words, this IF, never questions the fact in view.
c.--Ei, followed by the subjunctive mood, means the same as 1b above, except that the condition is set forth with more certainty, as being more dependent upon the event, e.g. 1 Cor 14:15, or as in the following examples:

Acts 5:38,39 "IF, THIS COUNCIL OR THIS WORK BE OF MEN, i.e. a result that is yet to be seen, as in 1b above; BUT IF, IT BE OF GOD, i.e. which I assume to be the case.

John 13:17 "IF, YE KNOW THESE THINGS, i.e. as in 2a, which I assume to be a fact, HAPPY ARE YE IF, YE DO THEM, e.g. 1b above, a result which remains to be seen.

Having shown some of the shades of Greek meanings of the English word IF, let us now note how the word IF, is used in the following verses:

Col 2:20; 3:1 "IF, YE BE DEAD WITH CHRIST--and IF, YE BE RAISED WITH CHRIST". In both instances, the IF, is that set forth in 2a above, i.e. which assumes the stated hypothesis to be an accepted fact.

Col 3:13; 4:10 "IF, ANY MAN HAVE A QUARREL AGAINST ANY--and "IF, HE COMES TO YOU, RECEIVE HIM"; In both of these instances, they come under 1b above, which indicates an uncertainty, which can only be ascertained by later events.

Col 1:33 "IF, YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, GROUNDED AND SETTLED, AND BE NOT REMOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL--"; In this instance, this IF verse is misused, by those who would teach that one's salvation is a conditional, on again, off again, "IF, YE ENDURE TO THE ENDURE TO THE END", questionable event. Not so. This IF, Gr Eige, is derived from 2b above.

Without belaboring the point. It should now be obvious; that in each case where the foregoing IF verses appear in Holy Writ, one may resort to any reliable Greek-English Lexicon, to determine the true meaning of the IF in question. In closing this IF usage, and misusage, consider the following IFS:

1 Cor 15-12-19 "NOW IF CHRIST BE PREACHED, THAT HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD--" -

"BUT IF THERE BE NO RESURRECTION NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD--".

"--IF SO BE THAT THE DEAD RISE NOT"--.

"AND IF CHRIST BE NOT RAISED--".

"IF IN THIS LIFE ONLY WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST''".

In each of the foregoing verses, the IF, is that of 2b above, and is not questioning the fact of the posed hypothesis; or as we could well add: "AS HE CERTAINLY DID; and "AS THERE CERTAINLY IS", and "AS THEY CERTAINLY DO", and "AS HE CERTAINLY WAS", and "AS WE CERTAINLY HAVE".

"On Working Out One's Own Salvation"

Phil 2:12 "WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING". In this instance, one need only continue to read the next explanatory verses:

Phil 2:13 "FOR IT IS GOD THAT WORKETH IN YOU, BOTH TO WILL, AND TO DO, OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE".

Prov 16:1 "THE PREPARATIONS OF THE HEART IN MAN, AND THE ANSWER OF THE TONGUE, IS FROM THE LORD".

Prov 16:9 "A MAN'S HEART DEVISETH HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD DIRECTETH HIS STEPS".

Luke 12:11 "AND WHEN THEY BRING YOU NTO THE SYNAGOGUES, AND UNTO MAGISTRATES, AND POWERS; TAKE YE NO THOUGHT, HOW OR WHAT THING YE SHALL ANSWER; FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT SHALL TEACH YOU IN THE SAME HOUR, WHAT YE OUGHT TO SAY".

1 Cor 15:10 "--I LABOURED MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN THEY ALL; YET NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS WITH ME".

Gal 2:20 "I LIVE, YET NOT I; BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME".

John 15:5 "FOR WITHOUT ME, YE CAN DO NOTHING". Thus, in the opening verse in question, Paul is speaking of reverential fear of Almighty God, and not a fear of somehow being unable to hang on to his salvation, i.e. as shown in Paul's opening verse of Phil 1:6 "BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING; THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU (of salvation), WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS". That should be long enough for anyone.

In the foregoing verse, Paul says that it is Christ Jesus, that not only begins the good work of salvation in the life of the believer, and it is Christ Jesus, that finishes the good work of salvation in the life of the believer. How long does Christ Jesus perform the good work of salvation in the life of the believer? From when He starts it, until the day He returns, and finishes it. And again, that should be long enough for any one!

Paul confirms the foregoing, uninterrupted continuity, of one's salvation by Christ Jesus, when he also states as follows:

Heb 12:2 "LOOKING UNTO JESUS; THE AUTHOR, i.e. beginner, AND FINISHER, i.e. ender, OF OUR FAITH".

1 Pet 4:19 "LET THEM THAT SUFFER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD, COMMIT THE KEEPING OF THEIR SOULS UNTO HIM, AS UNTO A FAITHFUL CREATOR".

2 Tim 1:12 "FOR I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, AND AM PERSUADED, THAT (HE) IS ABLE TO KEEP THAT WHICH I HAVE COMMITTED UNTO HIM, UNTIL THAT DAY".

2 Cor 1:9,10 "BUT WE HAD THE SENTENCE OF DEATH IN OURSELVES, THAT WE SHOULD NOT TRUST IN OURSELVES, BUT IN GOD WHICH RAISETH THE DEAD. WHO DELIVERED US FROM SO GREAT A DEATH, AND DOTH DELIVER. IN WHOM WE TRUST THAT HE WILL YET DELIVER".

This three tense, continuity of one's salvation in Christ Jesus, is as follows:

1. God, delivered us from the penalty of sin.
2. God, is delivering us from the power of sin.
3. God, will eventually deliver us from the very presence of sin.

"On Sinning Before, and After, One Is Saved"

Now let us pose and answer the basic question, most asked (of those), who claim to believe in the eternal security of the saved; (by those), who do not so believe.

Q. Since you claim, that once you have been saved, you can never lose your salvation, does this not mean that you thereby are claiming a license to sin?

A. No. Paul plainly states, in Rom 6:1-16,"WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN? SHALL WE CONTINUE IN SIN, THAT GRACE MAY ABOUND? GOD FORBID. HOW SHALL WE THAT ARE DEAD TO SIN, LIVE ANY LONGER THEREIN?

Paul goes on to say; that the believer, is reckoned by God, to have already been (positionally) slain, buried, and resurrected,--not like Christ Jesus--but with Christ Jesus. And that the believer, is therefore no longer subject to the laws of Moses. But is thereafter subject to the Grace of Christ.

But Paul also goes on to say, in vs. 15; "WHAT THEN? SHALL WE (claim a license to) SIN, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE? GOD FORBID. RECKON YE ALSO YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN, BUT ALIVE UNTO GOD, THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

(LET NOT) SIN THEREFORE (REIGN) IN YOUR MORTAL BODY; THAT YE SHOULD OBEY IT IN THE LUSTS THEREOF. NEITHER (YIELD) YE YOUR MEMBERS AS INSTRUMENTS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO SIN; BUT (YIELD) YE YOURSELVES UNTO GOD, AS THOSE THAT ARE ALIVE FROM THE DEAD; AND YOUR MEMBERS, AS INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO GOD.

KNOW YE NOT, THAT TO WHOM YE YIELD YOURSELVES SERVANTS TO OBEY, HIS SERVANTS YE ARE TO WHOM YE OBEY; WHETHER UNTO SIN UNTO (physical) DEATH, OR OF OBEDIENCE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS--BEING THEN MADE FREE FROM SIN, YE BECAME THE SERVANT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. I SPEAK AFTER THE MANNER OF MEN, BECAUSE OF THE INFIRMITY OF YOUR FLESH; FOR AS YE HAVE YIELDED YOUR MEMBERS SERVANTS TO UNCLEANNESS, AND TO INIQUITY UNTO INIQUITY; EVEN SO NOW, YIELD YOUR MEMBERS SERVANTS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO HOLINESS.--WHAT FRUIT HAD YE THEN, IN THOSE THINGS WHEREOF YE ARE NOW ASHAMED? FOR THE END OF THOSE THINGS IS (physical) DEATH".

In the foregoing verses, Paul is simply saying to the saved. That since you are now a saved child of God, you should do your best to act like a child of God. Or as Paul also stated in Rom 12:1,2 "I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE BRETHREN, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD; THAT YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES, A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD--WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE. AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD; BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED, BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD". Why so?

Gal 6:7-9,"BE NOT DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED; FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, i.e. be they saved, or lost; THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP. FOR HE THAT SOWETH TO THE FLESH, i.e. be they saved, or lost; SHALL OF THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION; BUT HE THAT SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT, SHALL OF THE SPIRIT REAP EVERLASTING LIFE. AND LET (US) NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING".

Q. What did Christ Jesus say about the continuing temptations of the saved?

A. Matt 26:41 "WATCH AND PRAY, THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION; THE SPIRIT INDEED IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK".

Q. What did Paul say about the continuing sins of the saved?

A. In the following related verses, Paul speaks of himself in this matter, i.e. when lost Saul had his name changed to saved Paul, and found himself to then (simultaneously) possess two entirely different natures! Although saved, Paul still possessed his lost fleshly mind, while also being given, The Indwelling Spiritual Mind of Christ,1 Cor 2:16. Like all newly saved persons, Paul also became one of the only true schizophrenics, i.e. with co-existing, dual personalities, which Paul describes as the "I (fleshly) SAUL", and the "I (spiritual) PAUL", as follows:

Rom 7:15-25 "FOR THAT WHICH (I Saul) DO, I ALLOW NOT; FOR WHAT (I Paul) WOULD, THAT DO (I Saul) NOT; BUT WHAT (I Paul) HATE, THAT DO (I Saul).

IF THEN (I Saul), DO THAT WHICH (I Paul) WOULD NOT; (I Saul) CONSENT UNTO THE LAW THAT IT IS GOOD. NOW THEN, IT IS NO MORE (I Paul) THAT DO IT, BUT SIN THAT DWELLETH IN MY (Saul, and Paul's) FLESH.

FOR (I Paul), KNOWETH THAT IN (Me Saul); THAT IS IN (My Saul's) FLESH, DWELLETH NO GOOD THING; FOR TO WILL IS PRESENT WITH (Me Paul), BUT HOW TO PERFORM THAT WHICH IS GOOD,(I Saul) FIND NOT. FOR THE GOOD THAT (I Paul) WOULD DO, (I Saul) DO NOT; BUT THE EVIL WHICH (I Paul) WOULD NOT, THAT (I Saul) DO.

NOW IF (I Saul), DO THAT WHICH (I Paul) WOULD NOT; IT IS NO MORE (I Paul) THAT DO IT, BUT SIN THAT DWELLETH IN ME.

(I Paul), FIND THEN A LAW; THAT WHEN (I Paul) WOULD DO GOOD, EVIL (I Saul) IS PRESENT WITH ME (Paul); FOR (I Paul) DELIGHT IN THE LAW OF GOD, AFTER THE INWARD MAN (Christ Jesus).

BUT (I Paul) SEE ANOTHER LAW IN MY MEMBERS; (I Saul), WARRING AGAINS THE LAW OF MY (spiritual) MIND (of Christ); AND BRINGING ME (Paul) INTO CAPTIVITY TO (Saul's) LAW OF SIN, WHICH IS IN MY (fleshly) MEMBERS.

O WRETCHED MAN THAT (I Saul) AM; WHO SHALL DELIVER (Me Paul) FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH?

(I Paul), THANK GOD, THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD; SO THEN WITH THE (spiritual) MIND, (I Paul) SERVE THE LAW OF GOD; BUT WITH (I Saul's) FLESHLY MIND, THE LAW OF SIN".

The foregoing, never ending warfare between the flesh, and The Spirit, that coexist solely in the minds and bodies of all the saved, is again identified by Paul, in the following related verse of Gal 5:17 "FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, AND THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH; AND THESE ARE CONTRARY, THE ONE TO THE OTHER; SO (like I Paul above), YE CANNOT DO THE THINGS THAT YE WOULD".

To use a well known cinematic similarity; the saved alone (simultaneously) possess the two split personalities referred to as Dr. Jekyl, and Mr. Hyde, in the movie by the same name. The saved are (simultaneously) possessed by The Indwelling Spiritual Mind of Christ, and the fleshly mind of Satan, as follows:

1 Cor 2:16 "--BUT WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST".

Rom 8:7,8 "BECAUSE THE FLESHLY MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD; FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE".

In the foregoing related verses, Paul says that the saved win some, and lose some, of the never ending inner and outer battles, between the flesh and The Spirit, e.g. Rom 7:15-25, and Gal 5:17.

Paul also said of the saved; Rom 6:14 "FOR SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU; FOR YE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE"; and of the saved, in Gal 5:16 "--WALK IN THE SPIRIT, AND YE SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH".

It is not that the saved suddenly become sinless, said Paul; but that with the newly acquired power of The Indwelling Spirit of Christ Jesus, the saved can indeed sin less, if they basically follow the above verse of Gal 5:16.

It is not that the saved no longer sin, said Paul, in Rom 7:15-25, Gal 5:17, but that they may no longer be charged thereby; e.g. Rom 8:33 "WHO SHALL LAY ANYTHING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD'S ELECT? IT IS GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH. Why so?

Rom 6:6,7 "KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM; THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED. THAT HENCEFORTH, WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN (or be charged with sin), FOR HE THAT IS DEAD, IS FREE FROM SIN".

No, said Paul, you cannot charge a dead person with anything, so "LIKEWISE, RECKON YE ALSO YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN; BUT ALIVE UNTO GOD, THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

In John 2:1, John is writing to the saved brethren, when he said; "MY LITTLE CHILDREN, THESE THINGS I WRITE UNTO YOU THAT YE SIN NOT; AND IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, CHRIST JESUS, THE RIGHTEOUS".

In this verse, John is dealing with the question of what happens when the saved person sins? Do they lose their salvation, and thus need to be saved again?

No, said John. When the saved persons sins; Satan, as the untiring accuser of all sinners, Zech 3:1,2; appears before The Heavenly Judgment Seat of Christ,2 Cor 5:10, and demands the death penalty for the saved sinner, by quoting Rom 6:23a which states, "THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH--".

It is one each and every occasion of these Satanic accusations, that the believer's permanent heavenly advocate, i.e. Attorney, Christ Jesus, rises to our defense, by simply quoting the remainder of Rom 6:23b, which states, --BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE, THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD", something which Satan intentionally omits. How do we know this heavenly scene to be so?

Heb 9:24 "FOR CHRIST IS NOT ENTERED INTO THE (earthly) HOLY PLACES MADE WITH HANDS, WHICH ARE THE FIGURES OF THE TRUE; BUT INTO HEAVEN ITSELF, NOW TO APPEAR IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US".

Yes, as the heavenly Attorney for the accused child of God, Christ Jesus then simply points to the heavenly record, when this saved child of God appeared in absentia, on this side of the grave, and accepted the shed blood of Christ Jesus, as payment in full for (all) of their, past, present, and future sins, e.g. 1 John 1:7, Acts 20:28, 1 Pet 1:18,19.

God then says: Case dismissed. "FOR WHO SHALL LAY ANYTHING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD'S ELECT"?

How good it is for the saved to fully realize, that our Heavenly Attorney, Christ Jesus, never has, and never will, lose a single heavenly case for the saved!

"Liberty vs. License"

Q. Although we have shown, that the saved child of God is no longer under The Ten-Commandment-Letter-of-the-Law-of-Moses, Rom 2:14,15, Rom 6:14, Rom 10:4;
is the saved child without law to God?

A. No. 1 Cor 9:21 "--BEING NOT WITHOUT LAW TO GOD, BUT UNDER THE LAW TO CHRIST", or as it goes on to explain in Rom 8:2 "FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS, HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH".

In Gal 3:1-10, the Apostle Paul called those Galatians "BEWITCHED FOOLS", for even thinking; that the saved, had to add The Law of Moses, to The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, in order to be free from The Law of Sin and Death.

And in the following related verses Paul said: 2 Cor 3:6 "WHO HATH MADE US ABLE
MINISTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT; NOT OF THE LETTER, BUT OF THE SPIRIT. FOR THE LETTER KILLETH, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE".

Rom 7:6 "BUT NOW, WE ARE DELIVERED FROM THE LAW, THAT WE SHOULD SERVE IN NEWNESS OF SPIRIT, AND NOT IN THE OLDNESS OF THE LETTER".

Yes, the saved, willingly place themselves under a much higher law to God, than that of The Old Testament Covenant of Law; i.e. The Law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus. Why so? "FOR THE LETTER KILLETH, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE".

The latter law, governing the saved, is basically stated in Gal 5:1 "STAND FAST THEREFORE, IN THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HATH MADE US FREE; AND BE NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN WITH THE (Old Testament, Letter of the Law of Moses) YOKE OF BONDAGE, e.g. 2 Cor 3:6-18.

1 Pet 2:16 "AS FREE, AND NOT USING YOUR LIBERTY FOR A CLOAK OF MALICIOUSNESS, BUT AS A SERVANT OF GOD".

Gal 5:13 "FOR BRETHREN, YE HAVE BEN CALLED INTO LIBERTY; ONLY USE NOT LIBERTY FOR AN OCCASION TO THE FLESH; BUT BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER".

1 Cor 6:12 "ALL THINGS ARE LAWFUL UNTO ME; BUT ALL THINGS ARE NOT EXPEDIENT. ALL THINGS ARE LAWFUL UNTO ME; BUT I WILL NOT BE BROUGHT UNDER THE POWER OF ANY"

1 Cor 10:23 "ALL THINGS ARE LAWFUL UNTO ME; BUT ALL THINGS ARE NOT EXPEDIENT. ALL THINGS ARE LAWFUL UNTO ME; BUT ALL THINGS EDIFY NOT".

There it is, for all the saved to see and accept. Liberty from the law, is no excuse to break it. Our liberty in Christ, is not a license to sin. Although we are not under the letter of the law, we are nevertheless to live under The Spirit of the law. We no longer obey the laws of God, because we are under "THOU SHALT NOT", but because we now love the things God loves, and now hate the things God hates! Why so? Because "WE (now) HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST", dwelling eternally within us, e.g. 1 Cor 2:16, Phil 2:5.

Let us now consider the Apostle Paul's following answer, to those who should know the biblical difference, between Liberty and License:

1 Cor 8:8-13 "MEAT, i.e. the things we say, do, or think, COMMENDETH US NOT TO GOD; e.g. Titus 3:5. NEITHER IF WE EAT ARE WE THE BETTER; NEITHER IF WE EAT NOT ARE WE THE WORSE. BUT TAKE HEED, LEST BY ANY MEANS, THIS LIBERTY OF YOURS BECOME A STUMBLING BLOCK TO THEM THAT ARE WEAK.

FOR IF ANY MAN SEE THEE WHICH HATH KNOWLEDGE, SIT AT MEAT IN THE IDOLS TEMPLE;SHALL NOT THE CONSCIENCE OF HIM WHICH IS WEAK, BE EMBOLDENED TO EAT THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE OFFERED UNTO IDOLS? AND THROUGH THY KNOWLEDGE, SHALL THE WEAK BROTHER PERISH, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED?

BUT WHEN YE SIN SO AGAINST THE BRETHREN, AND WOUND THEIR CONSCIENCE, YE SIN AGAINST CHRIST.

So how does Paul sum up the matter of Liberty vs. License?

WHEREFORE, IF (my actions) MAKE MY BROTHER TO OFFEND; I WILL EAT NO FLESH AS LONG AS THE WORLD STANDETH".

No, the saved should never permit any person, or religious body, to put them back under the letter of the law of Moses. "WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE", Rom 6:14. To permit this, would rob us of "THE PEACE WHCH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING", which belongs eternally to those who are in Christ Jesus, and who should continually enjoy "THE PERFECT LIBERTY" that He has given to all the saved children of God. Just don't abuse it, said Paul, in 1 Cor 7:31 "AND THEY THAT USE THIS WORLD, AS NOT ABUSING IT; FOR THE FASHION OF THIS WORLD PASSETH AWAY".

Q. What will God do to those saved persons who do use their liberty in Christ, as a license to sin, and abuse the world?

A. If they will not cease to do so, and truly repent thereof, 1 Cor 5:5 "DELIVER SUCH A ONE UNTO SATAN, FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FLESH, THAT THE SPIRIT MAY BE SAVED IN THE DAY OF THE LORD JESUS".

In the foregoing scriptural reference, taken in context. The saved are told to rebuke their fallen saved brother in Christ, and to disassociate themselves from him. This led to the man's repentance; whereupon the saved group were told to forgive him, take him back into fellowship with them, and to cancel the former group decision to turn his fleshly body over to Satan.

Note: It would be here well to note, that had the saved man persisted in his adulterous, incestuous relationship with his father's wife. Then God said to turn him over to Satan, to take his fleshly life--but that his spirit would remain saved, until the day of Christ Jesus.

Which leads us to the related truth, set forth in 1 Cor 11:31,32 "FOR IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES, WE SHOULD NOT BE JUDGED; BUT WHEN WE ARE JUDGED (by God). WE ARE CHASTENED OF THE LORD--THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE CONDEMEND WITH THE WORLD".

No, God never condemns the sinning saved person, as He does the lost; but simply chastens them according to that which they justly deserve, as follows:

Heb 13:5-11 "AND YE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE EXHORTATION WHICH SPEAKETH UNTO YOU AS UNTO CHILDREN. MY SON, DESPISE NOT THOU THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN THOU ART REBUKED OF HIM; FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVETH, HE CHASTENETH AND SCOURGETH EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVETH. IF YOU ENDURE CHASTENING, GOD DEALETH WITH YOU AS WITH SONS. FOR WHAT SON IS HE WHOM THE FATHER CHASTENETH NOT. BUT IF YE BE WITHOUT CHASTISEMENT, WHEREOF ALL ARE PARTAKERSM, THEN ARE YE BASTARDS, AND NOT SONS. FURTHERMORE, WE HAVE HAD FATHERS OF OUR FLESH, WHICH CORRECTED US;AND WE GAVE THEM REVERANCE. SHALL WE NOT MUCH RATHER BE IN SUBJECTION UNTO THE FATHER OF SPIRITS, AND LIVE? FOR THEY, VERILY FOR A FEW DAYS, CHASTENED US AFTER THEIR OWN
PLEASURE; BUT HE, FOR OUR PROFIT, THAT WE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF HIS HOLINESS.

NOW NO CHASTENING FOR THE PRESENT SEEMETH TO BE JOYOUS, BUT RATHER GRIEVOUS. NEVERTHELESS, AFTERWARDS IT YIELDETH THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO THEM THAT ARE EXERCISED D THEREBY.

Deut 8:5 "THOU SHALT ALSO CONSIDER IN THINE HEART, THAT AS A MAN CHASTENETH HIS SON, SO THE LORD GOD CHASTENETH THEE".

2 Sam 7:14 "I WILL BE HIS FATHER, AND HE SHALL BE MY SON. IF HE COMMIT INIQUITY, I WILL CHASTEN HIM WITH THE ROD OF MEN, AND WITH THE STRIPES OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN; BUT MY MERCY SHALL NOT DEPART AWAY FROM HIM".

Rev 3:19 "AS MANY AS I LOVE, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN. BE ZEALOUS THEREFORE AND REPENT".

From all of the foregoing related verses, we find that God's chastening of the saved child of God, is never punitive, but is entirely corrective, and edifying, and profitable unto them, in due time.

In our own human, fleshly families, we have children who not only obey and please us, but who often disobey and grieve us, by their rebellious conduct. But how utterly absurd it would be, to even suggest, that the moment our child disobeys us; that we would immediately file a legal action against that child, to disown that child! Chasten? Yes. Disown? Never.

We fleshly parents repeatedly warn our disobedient child, and should the child persist in ignoring those warnings; then we may be finally forced to chasten the child--as we deem necessary--for the good of the child. And on a much higher heavenly plain, the same may be said of "OUR FATHER, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN--".

The fact remains, that regardless of what our child has done, or has not done, or the degree of our child's rebellious conduct; he or she is always our child, and we would never (normally) deny this historic fact.

Yet these very same parents, are quick to accuse the God of Perfect Love,1 John 4:7, of disowning His spiritual children, and of sending them to the eternal lake of fire, when they also fail to fully keep His righteous laws.

Yet the truth of the matter is very simple, and also very profound; Once one has become a spiritual child of God, i.e. by an act of supernatural regeneration or by an act of supernatural creation, John 1:11,12, and Eph 2:10. One could no more become unregenerated, or uncreated, out of God's spiritual family, than one could become unborn, out of one's earthly, fleshly family--regardless of one's occasional misconduct.

The following verses, spell God's unqualified attitude of Eternal Fatherhood, towards His saved, but imperfect children:

Ps 103:8-14 "THE LORD IS MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS, SLOW TO ANGER, AND PLENTEOUS IN MERCY. HE WILL NOT ALWAYS CHIDE, NEITHER WILL HE KEEP HIS (corrective) ANGER FOREVER. HE HATH NOT DEALT WITH US AFTER OUR SINS, NOR REWARDED US ACCORDING TO OUR INIQUITIES; FOR AS THE HEAVEN IS HIGH ABOVE THE EARTH, SO GREAT IS HIS MERCY TOWARD THEM THAT FEAR HIM. AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST, SO FAR HAS HE REMOVED OUR TRANSGRESSIONS FROM US.

AS A FATHER PITIETH HIS CHILDREN, SO THE LORD PITIETH THEM THAT FEAR HIM; FOR HE KNOWETH OUR FRAME; HE REMEMBERETH THAT WE ARE DUST".

No, God does not look for, nor expect, sinless perfection from His saved children. As Christ Jesus said in Matt 26:41,"THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK". But when the saved child of God, is "HID IN CHRIST", Col 3:3, God cannot see our continued fleshly filthiness, because we are covered with the cloak of Christ's Perfect Righteousness.

Q. Does God also chastise the unsaved?

A. No. Job 21:7-9 "WHEREFORE DO THE WICKED LIVE, BECOME OLD, YEA ARE MIGHTY IN POWER. THEIR SEED IS ESTABLISHED IN THEIR SIGHT WITH THEM, AND THEIR OFFSPRING BEFORE THEIR EYES. THEIR HOUSES ARE SAFE FROM FEAR; NEITHER IS THE ROD OF GOD UPON THEM".

The answer is again very simple, even from a human point of view. We might not like what the neighbor's rowdy children do; and they may indeed deserve to be corrected, or punished, for their rowdy conduct. But, legally speaking, they are not our children, and we have no legal right to correct or punish them!

The same holds true on a much higher Godly plane, where the children of Satan are concerned. For as it plainly states in Rom 9:8 "THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH, THESE ARE NOT THE CHILDREN OF GOD", and God does not legally, nor spiritually, recognize them as such. Therefore, God does not correct, nor punish--the neighbors children, and therefore calls them "BASTARDS", in Heb 6:8.

"The Eternal Seal of One's Salvation"

Even the unsaved business world recognizes a seal, as the sign of a finished transaction. For example, when the deed to real property takes place, the requirements are:

(1). A meeting of the minds.

(2). A signed, sealed, and delivered property deed, transferring ownership. The seal, being the sign required to denote a finished transaction.

Once again, but on a much higher heavenly plane; the same may be said of God's deal of eternal salvation of the saved. The Seal of The Holy Spirit, is the sign of a finished transaction between God and the saved, i.e. as follows:

2 Cor 1:21-22 "NOW HE WHICH STABLISHETH US WITH YOU, IN CHRIST; AND HATH ANNOINTED US, IS GOD. WHO HATH ALSO SEALED US, AND GIVEN US THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS".

Eph 4:30 "AND GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, WHEREBY YE WERE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION". Which alone proves the uninterrupted eternal, continuity, of one's salvation, from when it is signed, and sealed by The Holy Spirit of God, until the end time redemption of our physical bodies, at Christ's return, "WHO WILL CHANGE OUR VILE BODIES, THAT THEY MAY BECOME FASHIONED LIKE UNTO HIS GLORIOUS BODY".

2 Cor 5:5 "IN WHOM YE ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION. IN WHOM ALSO, AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, YE WERE SEALED, WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE; WHICH IS THE EARNEST (down payment deposit), OF OUR INHERITANCE, UNTIL THE (above) REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION".

God, "REMEMBERING THAT WE ARE DUST", agreed, that no human being could ever "KEEP THE LAW"--either before, or following their salvation, e.g. John 7:19.

So, upon the very moment of one's salvation, God chose to seal the deal, for both time and eternity! It is just that simple. It is just that profound. God knew, that "OUR SPIRITS ARE WILLING, BUT THAT OUR FLESH IS WEAK". So God made our salvation, not dependent upon our faithfulness, but upon His faithfulness, in Christ Jesus, e.g.1 Pet 4:19, 1 Thess 5:24, 2 Thess 4:4, 2 Tim 2:13. One's salvation, does not depend upon the life one leads, but solely upon the perfect life Christ Jesus led, imputed to the believer's account, e.g. Rom 5:10.

"How Long is Eternal, Everlasting Life"?

John 3:36 "HE THAT BELIEVETH ON THE SON (HATH) EVERLASTING LIFE".

John 5:24 "HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME,(HATH) EVERLASTING LIFE; AND SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION, i.e. will not have to stand in the final Great White Throne Judgment of Rev 20:11-15, BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE".

John 10:28-30 "MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME, AND I GIVE UNTO THE ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY SHALL NEVER , thereafter, PERISH. NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN, ever again, PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND. MY FATHER WHICH GAVE THEM ME IS GREATER THAN ALL, AND NO MAN IS ABLE TO PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY FATHER'S HAND.

I, AND MY FATHER, ARE ONE, are one and the same God".

In each of the foregoing salvation scriptures, we find that the moment one is saved, they receive the seal of The Indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus, as a sign of a finished transaction, and that one's salvation is thereby made "EVERLASTING", and "ETERNAL". One need only ask themselves; How long is "EVERLASTING LIFE"? and How long is "ETERNAL LIFE"? Or did God mean one is to receive "CONDITIONAL LIFE", dependent upon the believer's ability to hang on and endure to the end? And that should the believer ever again sin against God, by thought, word, or deed; by acts of commission, or acts of omission; then that person would lose their eternal seal of salvation, and its guarantee of "EVERLASTING", "ETERNAL" life. Ridiculous, to say the least.

Q. Then may the saved (know), beyond any shadow of doubt, that they are saved, and that their salvation is both "EVERLASTING", and "ETERNAL"?

A. Yes. Ours is not a think so, hope so, guess so, or maybe so, salvation. Ours is a scripturally guaranteed know so salvation, as follows:

Rom 8:16 "THE SPIRIT ALSO BEARETH WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT, THAT WE (ARE) THE CHILDREN OF GOD".

1 John 3:24 "AND HEREBY WE (KNOW) THAT HE ABIDETH IN US, BY THE SPIRIT WHICH HE HATH GIVEN US".

1 John 4:13 "HEREBY (KNOW) THAT WE DWELL IN HIM, AND HE IN US, BECAUSE HE HATH GIVEN US OF HIS SPIRIT".

1 John 5:9-13 "IF WE RECEIVE THE WITNESS OF MEN, THE WITNESS OF GOSD IS GREATER;FOR THIS IS THE WITNESS OF GOD, WHICH HE HATH TESTIFIED OF HIS SON. HE THAT BELIEVETH IN THE SON OF GOD, HATH THE WITNESS IN HIMSELF---THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MIGHT (KNOW) THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE".

In this foregoing verse, the infallible proof that one has eternal life--and can (know) it; is to be found in that which is "WRITTEN UNTO US", i.e. in The Holy Bible. If one believes what it plainly states about the eternal security of the saved, then one can indeed (know) that their salvation is "EVERLALSTING", and "ETERNAL". Now consider, what John says about those, who refuse to take The Holy Bible's word on this matter:

1 John 5:10,11 "HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT GOD, HATH MADE HIM A LIAR; BECAUSE HE BELIEVETH NOT THE (written) RECORD THAT GOD GAVE OF HIS SON. AND THIS IS THE (written) RECORD;' THAT GOD HATH GIVEN US (ETERNAL LIFE), AND THIS LIFE IS IN HIS SON". Salvation, is indeed the gift of God—

Rom 11:29 "AND THE GIFTS AND CALLING OF GOD ARE WITHOUT REPENTANCE".

"In Summation"

There is not one word, line, verse, chapter, or book, in the entire Bible, that teaches, or even implies, that once a person has been "EVERLASTINGLY", and "ETERNALLY SAVED", and then "SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, UNTIL THE DAY OF THE REDEMPTION" of their fleshly body; that that person could ever lose their salvation--for any reason(s). Therefore one may scripturally conclude. That "Once Saved-Always Saved", is a once in a lifetime, irreversible, irrevocable, free gift of God's Grace, through one's faith in Christ Jesus.

"The Saved, Surrender Their Free Moral Agency"

Rom 8:35 "WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? SHALL TRIBULATION, OR DISTRESS, OR PERSECUTION, OR FAMINE, OR NAKEDNESS, OR PERIL, OR SWORD? AS IT IS WRITTEN, FOR THY SAKES WE ARE KILLED ALL THE DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER. NAY, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUER- ORS, THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US, FOR I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME, NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD". We can no longer even separate ourselves from Christ Jesus. There it is, for all the saved, and unsaved, to read and accept: Once a person has been joined to Christ Jesus; there is nothing internal, external, infernal, or eternal, that can ever again separate the believer from Christ Jesus, Our Lord.

God said it. We should all believe it. And that, should settle it.

"THE END"

Wellington

Harry's Web Site: http://www.cybertrails.com/rdivbible/

Harry's Rightly Divided Bible: The Rightly Divided Bible

The invitation is open to call, write, E-mail, or visit--anytime.

Yours, In Christ's One Body

biblew@cybertrails.com

NEW ADDRESS!
Harry T Wellington
405 S Brassie Dr
Payson, AZ 85541
Ph 1-928-474-0398 (Please note: Some callers may have to use the *82 prefix; some may not, for some strange reason.)

CLICK HERE to learn more about Harry Wellington

Return to Index of Harry Wellington's Writings


You are visitor number to view this page