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Response to Scofield's Post #14123
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Jan 24, 2006 6:34 pm
Mood: melancholy,
359 Views
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Jesus came to pay the price for our sins. He came to be the atonement for our sins, so that when the Father looks at us, if we are Christians, we appear perfect to Him because we are covered by the blood of the Lamb.
However, the Bible is very clear that no everyone will accept what He did. He paid the price for the gift of salvation, but most people will not accept the gift that He paid so dearly for.
Matthew 7:13-15 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 which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which 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.
It is apparent that few people who will have lived on this earth before Christ comes back will make it to Heaven. Most of the people who will have lived, very sadly, will go to Hell.
Why did Jesus talk about false prophets right after about the strait gate? I think one of the reasons is because He knew that there would be many false prophets to come who would lead people through the wide gate to destruction.
I come against the spirit of deception that has settled over Big Church. I pray that eyes here will be opened to God's truth. In Christ's name, Amen!
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Why The Purpose Driven Life Should Not Be Endorsed By Christians
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Jan 24, 2006 2:47 pm
Mood: frustrated,
424 Views
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The book appeals to the flesh by not focusing on the Biblical requirement for discipleship, which is dying to self.
God drives His enemies and leads His children, contrary to what the book title suggests. Christians should be Spirit-led, not purpose-driven.
Warren asks the reader to sign a covenant before reading this book. That goes against Scripture. A covenant is a vow, and the Bible commands us not to make vows.
Life’s most important question is not, “What on earth am I here for?” as Warren states on page 9.
Warren prophesies on page 10 that the reader will be transformed if he commits to his 40-day plan. No plan can transform a person spiritually. Only God can do that.
Warren refers to “The Message” paraphrase as the Bible, God’s Word, which it is not. It fails to relate at all to the true meaning of the underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
This book encourages the reader to follow Warren’s formula for living rather than the Bible’s way of living the Christian life.
The passage on page 25 from Isaiah 46:3-4 (New Century Translation) says “I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you.” According to Warren, this verse proves that God wanted to create mankind in order to express His love. However, this passage is not addressing mankind in general or believers in the church today, but Israel exclusively.
On page 30, Warren states that "The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose" Isn’t the greatest tragedy to die as an unbeliever?
On page 34, Warren states that we will be asked on the Judgement Day the question, “What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?” The Bible never says that this question will be asked.
On page 40, it is maintained that, “The deeds of this life are the destiny of the next.” This teaches works rather than faith as being necessary for salvation. This is not Scriptural.
Warren claims on page 69 that "The smile of God is the goal of your life" The goal of our lives should be to love and glorify God and love others as ourselves.
Warren has the idea that our obedience is necessary in order for God’s power to be unlocked. He states on page 174 that, “Obedience unlocks God’s power.” This is not Scriptural.
On page 175, Warren tells us that “God waits for you to act first.” We would all go to hell if God waited for us to “act first” and seek Him.
Warren makes a major error on page 177 when he says “Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is more interested in building your character than he is anything else.” God is not most interested in building our character!
On page 193 Warren says, "God uses circumstances to develop our character. In fact, he depends more on circumstances to make us like Jesus than he depends on our reading the Bible.” This is no true. The truth of the Word shapes our character.
On page 257, Warren claims that “God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many serve you.” How many people we serve does not determine our greatness before God.
Warren claims on page 265 that "God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do" This is not Scriptural.
Warren cites the text from Jeremiah 29:11 (New Century Translation) several times in his book. It says “I know what I am planning for you ... I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.’ This verse is not informing the believer that wonderful changes will happen in his life once he lives out his purpose, as Warren would have one to believe. This text contains God's personal message to the Israelites who were enduring the Babylonian captivity.
Warren states on page 283 that "You may have been unaware that God holds you responsible for the unbelievers who live around you. He uses the verse in Ezekiel 3:18 to back up this erroneous statement, “You must warn them so they may live. If you don't speak out to warn the wicked to stop their evil ways, they will die in their sin. But I will hold you responsible for their death." However, in this text, God is directly speaking to a prophet —Ezekiel—to whom God had given a particular, unique task of communicating His Word. Using Ezekiel 3:18, Warren gives the reader the impression that if the friend, neighbor or acquaintance of a believer dies in unbelief, the believer is at fault! Of course, personal evangelism is vitally important to the spiritual life of every Christian, but the believer is not held responsible for the unbeliever's condemnation.
Warren cannot claim his book to be a Scripture-only approach to living the Christian life. Throughout the book, Warren supplements Scripture with psychological principles and speculation, as well as known New Age principles.
Warren emphasizes that believers should refuse to let anything divide them and castigates any judgmental believers or those critical of the beliefs, actions or teachings of others. In other words, he believes "love" and "unity" should take precedence over "doctrine" and "purity" in the church. This is a serious flaw. God never asks us to put our personal holiness and the purity of His church below unity of the body. Sometimes these more important issues demand separation or a word of reproof and rebuke, which then leads to broken fellowship and disharmony at times.
Warren claims believers are not to judge or criticize another believer who is ministering "in faith and from sincere conviction.” Sincerity cannot be the test of truth, however! The Word of God is our measuring stick. If a person is spreading false teachings, no matter how sincere they are, they must be admonished. If they don’t return to the truth, they are to be shunned.
According to Warren, believers have been placed on the earth to fulfill five purposes. He writes, " [God] has clearly revealed his five purposes for our lives through the Bible" (p. 20). These purposes, according to Warren, are to bring enjoyment to God (p. 63), to learn to love others (P. 125), to become like Jesus Christ (p. 171), to serve God (p. 231) and to fulfill one's mission (p. 281). The Bible only declares one purpose for mankind's existence: to glorify God. This is man's purpose. From the beginning of a believer's spiritual life in Christ until he is with Jesus Christ forevermore, he is to live "to the praise of [Christ's] glory" (Ephesians 1:6,12,14). Throughout all eternity God's children will glorify Him (Rev. 4:11). Because the believer is "bought with a price," he is commanded to "glorify God in [his] body, and in [his] spirit" (1Cor. 6:19-20). This is man's sole purpose and reason for existence.
One should be concerned when any book makes a claim, which Warren does, "This book will change your life!" There is only one book that will change your life and that's the Bible.
Rick Warren states that you can best understand Scripture by reading as many different translations as possible. This approach uses many different "opinions" to define the meaning of God's Word rather than a thorough exegetical study of the verse(s).
Warren states that the reasons why he uses so many versions of the Bible and sometimes quotes only part of a verse are to avoid missing nuances and shades of meaning and to "see God's truth in new, fresh ways." However, his second reason contradicts the first. If you look at objective truth in new, fresh ways, you are almost surely introducing additional nuances, and shades of meaning.
Warren encourages us to look for new ideas. We are not to do that, however. We are told to look for the objective truth in Scripture and to apply those to the situations we are placed in. The Bible contains objective truth, which is inspired by God, sufficient, and authoritative. While the application varies, the meaning remains the same.
The book overlooks the fact that an unbeliever does have an identity, as well as a purpose in his life outside of a relationship with Christ. That in fact man's purpose, nature, and identity is hostile to God, fallen, and totally depraved apart from salvation.
The book glosses over, minimizes, or ignores realities such as the seriousness of sin before a holy God, the need for salvation, that God is righteous, just, holy, etc.
The book does not maintain a distinction between believers and unbelievers. Promises that apply only to believers are stated as if they apply to both. Unbelievers can become deceived and believe they are saved, when they have not heard the gospel, which does save.
On day seven Warren gives a magical prayer for the reader to recite in order to receive salvation. It says "Jesus, I believe in you and I receive you." To that he adds, "If you sincerely meant that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God!” This is not just a watered down gospel, it is a false gospel, which is no gospel at all!
Warren's "rules for growth" tell us to "never criticize what God is blessing." That implies that church growth proves God's delight in human methods, which isn’t Scriptural.
The book cancels God’s call to "be on guard" and to discern deception.
Warren seems to say, "don't touch God's anointed," but no leader is so "anointed" that his teaching is beyond Biblical accountability. We Christians are to judge the teachings presented to us.
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He Is God
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Jan 21, 2006 4:30 am
Mood: ecstatic,
281 Views
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He Is God
He is the First and Last, The Beginning and the End!
He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of All!
He is the Architect of the Universe and the Manager of All Times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...unmoved, unchanged, undefeated, and never undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings peace!
The world can't understand Him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and the people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, the New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!
He is Light, Love, Longevity, and Lord.
He is Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Powerful, and Pure.
His ways are right,
His Word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the Wisdom of the Wise, the Power of the Powerful, the Ancient of Days, the Ruler of Rulers, the Leader of Leaders, the Overseer of the Overcomers, and Is to Come. And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size:
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the Way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me home!
He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing, for GOD Is!
I love the Lord and thank Him for all that He has done in my life; therefore I'm passing this on.
Author Unknown
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Response to Neet2005's Post, # 13598
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Jan 20, 2006 11:40 am
Mood: contemplative,
315 Views
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Anita,
I have a couple of questions for you concerning your blog article called PEOPLE GET READY, JESUS IS COMING.
In it you said that, "God cannot forgive our trespasses if we cannot forgive others (Matt. 6:14-15) which releases us from the domination of evil in our hearts and seals us; thus we are a "peculiar" people (different in nature than the rest of the unforgiving world) and a special people all His own".
Further down in the article you state that, "I would be failing to let my light so shine if I did not share with you the most important thing that qualifies us for the Blessed Hope, FORGIVENESS - completely, totally, entirely, absolutely, unconditionally, thoroughly, positively, perfectly, purely, conclusively FORGIVE."
Since you believe in Universalism - that everyone who ever lived, is living now or will live before the Lord comes back - what happens to the people who don't forgive others? It says in the passage that you refer to above that God will not forgive us if we don't forgive others. How does that fit into your theology of Universalism? If God can't forgive some people, then how can He let them into heaven? Also, if He can't let them into heaven, then where do they go? One more thing, if He can't let them into heaven, then that proves your theology to be false, doesn't it?
Just some questions for you.
Be blessed!
Jean
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In Response to Neet2005's Post , Post #13600
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Jan 20, 2006 10:50 am
Mood: hopeful,
304 Views
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Anita,
I think you are misunderstanding what you are seeing here. I don't see people here launching personal attacks against you or anyone. I see people here contending for our very faith. Yes, I have seen your name mentioned here in the blogs, but I don't believe it was to be mean to you. I think it was to warn others not to buy into your false teaching about Universalism. You see, this doctrine that you are perpetuating here is not just a minor doctrinal difference that we should be able to agree to disagree with. Universalism rips at the very fabric of our faith. It must not be tolerated, because people's very faiths are at stake.
I have nothing against you personally and I don't think anyone else here does either. I don't even know you on a personal level. I do know my Bible, though. I also love my Lord with everything in me, and I will not sit by and allow His Word to be trampled under foot by false teachings. The Lord has called me to be a watchman. I am to sound the alarm whenever I see false teaching. What people do when I sound my alarm is up to each individual, but I must be faithful to my calling and sound it. That is all I am trying to do with your teaching on Universalism. I am not trying to hurt you. I am only trying to help you see the Truth and to help prevent you from spreading your falsehoods onto others here at Big Church. If you have taken it in a different light, then I am sorry that you misunderstood.
Be blessed!
Jean
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Test All Things
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Jan 19, 2006 6:51 am
Mood: contemplative,
261 Views
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As we approach these final days before Christ returns, I think it is very important for us to heed the command in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." The days are becoming dark and dangerous, my friends and we need to be alert so that we are not deceived.
There are so many denominations today that it is hard to even keep track. There are even numerous sects within each denomination. There are also churches within each denomination that don't believe in the doctrines of that denomination but still choose to align themselves with that denomination anyway. Finally, there are people in each church that don't believe at all as that church does.
My advice to you is not to trust someone's doctrine just because they come in the name of a denomination or even church that you have known to be trustworthy in the past. That just doesn't work anymore. Don't even trust everything one person tells you anymore just because you were able to trust their words in the past. We are to test everything, every time!
1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to "Test everything. Hold on to the good." 1 John 4:1 says, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
We need to be so very careful during these final days of this world as we know it. We need to know the Bible inside and out so that we are able to test words against it, our sure measuring stick. We need to pray about each new teaching that comes along, that the Lord would show us the Truth about it. What will happen if we don't? We will be open to deception that can sweep us away and shipwreck our faith! I don't want to see that happen to any of us!
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Eternal Security
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Jan 14, 2006 5:04 am
Mood: contemplative,
312 Views
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There has been a debate going on here in Blogland about the teaching of Eternal Security. I have responded to a couple of the blogs about this subject, but thought that I would add an article to my own blog stating my opinion on this subject.
Disclaimer: this is only my opinion based upon the light that God has granted me so far. I only see "as in a mirror dimly" just like everyone else on this earth. I do not claim that I am infallible in any of my beliefs and I would be extremely nervous about someone who does.
I don't think a Christian can lose their salvation, but I do think that they can give it or throw it away. People are talking in Blogland here about how dangerous the teaching of Universalism (that every person who ever lived is going to heaven)is. I feel that the Eternal Security teaching is dangerous, also. If I know that I am saved no matter what, because I said the prayer of salvation at one time, then I would no longer have to work out my salvation with fear and trembling as the Word says to do. I could do whatever I wanted, treat others any way I pleased and I would still go to heaven. That just isn't so. The Word says that not every one who calls Christ "Lord, Lord" will enter heaven, only those who do His will. That is a pretty strong statement that bears some meditation.
Hebrews 10:26-39 says this:
"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.' But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."
The following phrases stick out to me:
"only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God"
"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed"
That sounds pretty severe to me. That sounds like Hell to me.
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Beware of tpsloveu00!
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Jan 12, 2006 3:31 pm
Mood: disappointed,
265 Views
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This member is posing as a dentist from Kansas, but he is really just another Nigerian trying to scam Americans. Please, beware!
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Tithing Is Not Biblical!
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Jan 12, 2006 4:25 am
Mood: contemplative,
337 Views
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It is the beginning of a new year and tithing always seems to be on the lips of ministers at this time of year. I guess they want to see if we will make it a new year's resolution to give more money. I don't believe in tithing, though. I don't find it anywhere in the new testament. I also don't believe in it because I believe that God calls us to a higher calling in everything in the new covenant.
As it says in Matthew, chapter 5, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." And further down in the chapter, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
So, what is our measuring stick to be now for giving unto the Lord. I believe that we don't give at all. Now before I am stoned for heresy, hear me out. I believe that everything we own belongs to God, our bodies, our material possessions, our time, our very lives and our money. So, it is not a matter of how much money we give away. It is a matter of what the Lord allows us to keep. Believe me, if we all looked at it that way, we would be giving a lot more than 10%!
Maybe that is why we tend to just want to limit ourselves with tithing? We don't want to give too much. Just a thought. As for me, I want to make everything I am and everything I am at God's disposal. That is my reasonable act of worship, as far as I am concerned. What about you?
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Send Us Some Persecution, Lord!
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Jan 11, 2006 9:52 am
Mood: thoughtful,
240 Views
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I was just adding a comment to a member's blog and thought I would make a post of my own about what I wrote.
I pray for persecution in our country. I know that probably isn't a popular notion, but I think that persecution is just what we need. It separates the chaff from the wheat. It also makes the lukewarm among us stand up for our Lord again and get excited.
People generally think the sin of Sodom was homosexuality. Yes, that sin was present, but that sin was a symptom of a much deeper sin. In Ezekiel 16:49-50, the Word says, "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen." Now, that sounds alot like America to me. How about you? I have heard people say many times that if God does not destroy America, He is going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.
I don't want God to destroy us. That is why I am praying for persecution - so that the people in this country can repent of their sins before God and stop Him from destroying us.
Amen!
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To link to this blog (reallysaved) use [blog reallysaved] in your messages.
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