Debt Paid?

 

The Bible doesn't teach anywhere that Jesus' died on the cross to pay anyone's sin debt.

 

Why did Jesus die on the cross?

 

Firstly, Jesus died on the cross in order to establish the New Covenant (Heb 9:16-17) that our conscience may be purged of dead works (Heb 9:14) in that all our works/doings be made alive through the Spirit (2Cor 3:6). Secondly, Jesus died physically that He be resurrected from the dead thus delivering His people from the fear of death (Heb 2:15).

 

Thirdly, and most importantly as it pertains to this April 7th 2023 article, is that Jesus died as an EXAMPLE to be followed.

 

The Apostle Peter taught that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps (1Pe 2:21). The example being "doing no sin,'' having "no guile" (1Pe 2:22), not seeking revenge (1Pe 2:23) and entrusting ourselves to God (1Pe 2:23). In other words, ''that we should live unto righteousness'' (1Pe 2:24).

 

Jesus ''bearing of our sin'' (1Pe 2:24) is figurative in the sense of our past life of wickedness dies with Jesus (in repentance). This is why the Apostle Paul would write...

 

Rom 6:6 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.

Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

 

Our ''old man'' is the ''old us,'' so to speak, the unrepentant sinner walking apart from a righteous life (ie. living an immoral selfish life).

 

Just like the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Paul NOWHERE taught that Jesus paid anyone's sin debt. God FORGIVES the sins of those whom truly repent, those whom both confess and forsake (Pro 28:13, Luke 15:18-21, Act 3:19) their sinful lives. No debt payment required. A debt forgiven and a debt paid for are two completely different concepts. God is willing to forgive the debt of those whom forsake their wickedness', those whom turn to FOLLOW the EXAMPLE of Jesus.

 

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

 

Even Jesus Himself associated His very death with that of being an EXAMPLE which was to be FOLLOWED wherein one would lose their old life...

 

Joh 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

 

The concept that Jesus died to pay people's sin debt is an elaborate redressing of Satan's very first lie, that one can sin and not surely die (Gen 3:4). If one believes that their sin debt is already paid for then logically that debt cannot be held due a second time and thus all accountability for ongoing sin and rebellion is thrown right out the window.

 

This one false doctrine is one of the reasons that so many church congregations are worldly and full of sin. Nice friendly people perhaps, but rebellious worldly sinners nonetheless. They never ESCAPED the corruption that is in the world through lust (2Pe 1:4) having NEVER died to sin (Rom 6:7), therefore never suffering WITH Christ and therefore NEVER ''ceasing from sin'' (1Pet 4:1), thus NEVER no longer living the rest of their time in the flesh to the lusts of men (1Pe 4:2). The sin NEVER stopped (2Pe 2:14) and isn't that exactly what we see today in the lives of most professing Christians? 

 

It's both sad and tragic.

 

Is it any wonder Jesus would warn people that in the future He would reject MANY whom profess His name as ''workers of iniquity''?

 

Mat 7:21 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.

Mat 7:22 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?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

A ''worker of iniquity'' is the very opposite of being found IN Him (ie. abiding/walking in the Spirit - Rom 8:2) without spot and blameless.

 

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

 

Therefore let us all abide and walk in love, the love of God, wherein as He is (God's character), so are we in this world.

 

1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

 

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Release from Bondage Is Connected To Forgiveness - Why The Blood?

Release from bondage is connected to forgiveness. They cannot be separated.

Redemption is inclusive of a release from the corruption that is in the world through lust. In other words a true redemption experience serves as an antidote to this...

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The law of sin and death is that if you sin you die. Spiritual death is the result of ANY act of rebellion to God, to turn from God is to turn from life and the spiritual repercussions are instantaneous.

This is why it is the Spirit of life IN Jesus Christ which sets us free from the law of sin and death.

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.

The death and resurrection of Christ MUST be connected to the "Spirit of life in Jesus Christ" ie. "BEING RAISED UP WITH HIM."

ALL substitution theories DISCONNECT the "redemptive aspect of escaping the corruption that is through lust" from the cross and instead present the death of Christ in the context of "effecting a provision."

That is why all the substitution theories are extremely dangerous. That includes Penal Substitution, Satisfaction Substitution and Governmental Substitution. All of them are false teachings and deadly.

The term "atonement" appears ONCE in the New Testament.

Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

The word for "Atonement" is...

katallagē
From G2644; exchange (figuratively adjustment), that is, restoration to (the divine) favor: - atonement, reconciliation (-ing).

The word is more correctly translated RECONCILIATION as it is translated everywhere else in the New Testament.

Clearly the rendering of it as "atonement" in Romans 5:11 is a result of theological bias in favour of a Substitution View.

Substitution teaches that the "exchange" by which one is "brought back into divine favour" is a result of a PROVISION. That is a lie.

The real "exchange" by which one is "brought back into favour" is a result of TRANSFORMATION. That is why Paul writes...

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
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.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The basis or reconciliation and thus the just forgiveness of sins by God is in accordance with REDEMPTION IN CHRIST by which one enters into a MANIFEST STATE of wholehearted obedience to God, quickened by the Spirit, a walk unto righteousness in accordance with will of God. Hence...

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The false teachers butcher the Bible in order to deceive the simple into TRUSTING IN A PROVISION and whether they append obedience or not as a condition is irrelevant because the obedience they speak of is in the context of being "morally influenced" instead of being "totally transformed." How do we know this? Because they ALL teach EASY FORGIVENESS AFTER REGENERATION.

None of these wolves are warning people about the danger of rebellion after a real salvation experience. To them rebellion is addressed by some kind of "sorry" by which one is able to go back across the salvation line they believe in. Thus they can believe that one can go back and forth multiple times between being saved and not saved. It is a lie.

This is why wolves like Charles Finney, whom so many foolishly uphold as a sound teacher, would write the following...

QUOTE He who does not habitually overcome the world, is not born of God. In saying this, I do not intend to affirm that a true Christian may not sometime be overcome by temptation; but I do affirm that overcoming the world is the general rule, and falling into sin is only the exception. This is the least that can be meant by the language of our text, and by similar declarations which often occur in the s, Bible. Just as in the passage: "He that is born of God doth not commit sin, and he cannot sin because he is born of God." Nothing less can be meant than this--that he cannot sin habitually--cannot make sinning his business, and can sin, if at all, only occasionally and aside from the general current of his life. In the same manner, we should say of a man who is almost universally truthful, that he is not a liar. I will not contend for more than this, respecting either of these passages; but for so much as this I must contend, that the new-born souls here spoken of do, all of them, habitually overcome the world. The general fact respecting them is, that they do not sin, and are not in bondage to Satan. The affirmations of Scripture respecting them must, at least, embrace their general character. END QUOTE

If that quote does not reveal to someone that Charles Finney was a false teacher then nothing will. People emotionally attach themselves to their theology idols and simply refuse to count it all like dung.

If one does not have a love of the truth THEY WILL be deceived.

Don't be one of them.

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

A redemption from ALL INIQUITY and being made PURE is the key. Without that as a foundation of righteousness then all is in vain. Don't be deceived.


Why The Blood?

Why is the blood of Christ necessary?

The answer is simple...

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Jesus died for the CAUSE that our consciences be purged of dead works that we may serve God in an acceptable manner. Dead works is everything that is done apart from God, sinful deeds and deeds which are vain.

Rom 12:1  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.
Rom 12:2  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.

We are to present ourselves as LIVING SACRIFICES, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD. In order to do this we have to have our conscience purged of the dead works, works which are not rooted in a living sacrifice, not rooted in holiness, and therefore not acceptable unto God.

Jesus, due to this, is the mediator of the NEW TESTAMENT and where a testament is there must be the death of the testator. In other words the death of Christ is what ESTABLISHED the New Covenant as a manifest reality, the death of Christ brought the New Covenant into reality. We are therefore enjoined into covenant with God by the blood of Jesus Christ, the blood that was shed on our behalf.

When we enter into covenant with God via the blood we are approaching God in a NEW AND LIVING WAY. We are not approaching God via the Old Covenant sacrificial system, ordinances, rules and regulations. Instead we are approaching God in a "new and living way" which is exclusively of the heart, this why we read...

Heb 10:1  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.
Heb 10:2  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Heb 10:3  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
Heb 10:4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Heb 10:5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Heb 10:6  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
...
Heb 10:9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10  BY THE WHICH WILL WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE OFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST ONCE AND FOR ALL.
...
Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with  A TRUE HEART in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

We therefore approach God with a TRUE HEART.

True - alēthinos - G228
From G227; truthful: - true.

In other words...

1Jn 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

We come clean with God in repentance and yield wholeheartedly to God and by doing so we ENTER INTO COVENANT BY THE BLOOD and it is through this means that our hearts are sprinkled from an evil conscience, our bodies figuratively washed with pure water.

This cleansing is designed to be a ONCE AND FOR ALL cleansing whereby the believer has been redeemed from ALL INIQUITY and MADE PURE and are thus zealous for righteousness.

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

It has NOTHING to do with trusting in some kind of abstract provision which Jesus somehow brought into reality via the cross.

Jesus WAS NOT your substitute. Jesus DID NOT bear the full wrath of God. Jesus DID NOT pay your sin penalty. Jesus DID NOT bring satisfaction to the honour of God via being a substitute for the dishonour wrought by sin. Jesus DID NOT die as a substitute for the penalty that the moral law of God be upheld.

Jesus DID die that He might redeem us from ALL iniquity an make us PURE. That is why He died. He brought into effect the New Covenant and tore the veil in order that people would DIRECTLY approach God via the "Temple of the Heart" and therefore worship God in Spirit and Truth.

Jesus PURCHASED US with Hid blood. He DID NOT purchase some kind of provision wrought by Him being a substitute. That is a lie from the pit of hell designed to lure people away from the REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST.

Redemption IN Christ

We are justified freely by the redemption that is IN Christ. Not by "trusting in a provision."

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Redemption involves a RELEASE FROM BONDAGE, a BEING SET FREE.

Redemption - apolutrōsis - G629
From a compound of G575 and G3083; (the act) ransom in full, that is, (figuratively) riddance, or (specifically) Christian salvation: - deliverance, redemption.

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

It is OBEDIENCE FROM THE HEART which sets us free, not "trusting in a provision." WHOLEHEARTED OBEDIENCE TO GOD is wrought through GODLY SORROW WORKING REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION.

2Co 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2Co 7:11  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

This is a REPENTANCE NOT TO BE REPEATED, hence one is to be brought into a SALVATION NOT TO BE REPENTED OF, a salvation NOT TO BE TURNED AWAY FROM. This is why we are given this warning IMMEDIATELY AFTER the cleansing of Hebrews 10:19-22...

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

The wolves simply do not understand this "once and for all cleansing" which is why they imply a sin/repent cycle and the subsequent easy forgiveness. Look around who is teaching a "once and for all cleansing not to be repeated" as the salvation experience? Practically no one is, that is how deceived the world is regarding repentance, faith, salvation, grace and the forgiveness of sin. These folks do not under understand regeneration for if they did they would contend earnestly for endurance in the faith and would never imply easy forgiveness or repeated rebellion (even occasional) by Christians.

Pure means pure.

Mat 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

1Ti 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Pure hearts do not willfully sin. Willful sin voids the cleansing via the blood and a second repentance is not something easily to be found which is why Peter gave the warning...

2Pe 2:20  For if AFTER THEY HAVE ESCAPED the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21  For it had been BETTER for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Compare...

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the KNOWLEDGE of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

to

2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

to

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the KNOWLEDGE of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Knowledge - epignōsis - G1922
From G1921; recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement: - (ac-) knowledge (-ing, -ment).

Knowledge is a dangerous thing because with it comes accountability. It is no small issue to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, be sanctified by the blood, and then turn away from that, count it as cheap and rebel once again. Don't be deceived into taking the forgiveness of God for granted, the forgiveness of God is not something to be trifled with. Substitution theories insidiously and subtly imply easy forgiveness.
Please consider.




Scott

The Parable of the Sower and the Hearts of Men

Jesus told his disciples...

Mar 4:11  And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mar 4:12  That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

The parables were a means to both veil and reveal truth. To those whom are given to know, the truth, and to those whom it is not given, mystery. A mystery is less likely to be opposed or manipulated because it is difficult to be offended by that which is vague or unknown. This is one reason that I believe that the Gospel parables we have with us today are accurate representations of those presented 2000 years ago. I also believe that the parables offer us validity that the message of the Gospels is divine in origin because they conceal and reveal deep truths which penetrate to the foundation of our souls.

In Luke we read...

Luk 8:5  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luk 8:6  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
Luk 8:7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Luk 8:8  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things,
he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Luk 8:9  And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

So we have Jesus presenting a mystery to the hearer, a mystery presented as a parable, a teaching intended to reveal and conceal. Jesus reveals the meaning of this parable to his disciples...

Luk 8:11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Luk 8:12  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luk 8:13  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luk 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

If we look briefly in Mark we can see how Jesus premised the understanding of all His parables upon an understanding of the parable of the sower.

Mar 4:13  And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
The parable of the sower is therefore very important and here is why. I believe it is because of this one statement...

Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Specifically...

AN HONEST AND GOOD HEART

Notwithstanding that the notion of "an honest and good heart" destroys the false doctrine of "birth depravity" (inability doctrine), but it reveals to us that the Word of God can only take root in those whom have honest and good hearts. Those by the wayside, those upon the rocks, those among the thorns are all representative of those whom have a deceptive and evil heart. Fruit is brought forth by those with an honest and good heart.

Therefore it would be prudent to consider how does one obtain an honest and good heart? It is very simple. We just have to be completely honest with ourselves and let the root of conviction wrought by our conscience take hold. If we do that then we can do this...

Jas 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

An honest and good heart brings forth the desire to abide in the truth. An honest and good heart necessitates the forsaking of all unrighteousness and a recieving of the truth within. Hence we are to lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and recieve meekly the word within which is what saves our souls. We open our hearts to God who then indwells us with His Spirit and energises us to walk in love and purity before Him. This is the new birth and this is real salvation.

The seed, which is the word, can only take root within those who wholeheartedly recieve it. Without a wholehearted reception of the word within it is only a matter of time before either doubt, temptation, or the cares of this world draw us away from God.

This is why Satan attacks the repentance message. This is why all the false religious sects and denominations and the false theological framework which underpins them attack the repentance message. The good and honest heart is a fruit of genuine repentance, a repentance wrought through a godly sorrow which brings such a crisis, such conviction to the soul, wrought through complete honesty as to one's selfishness before God, an honesty to the true evil of what one has done (to
thesmselves, to others and to God) and how foolish one has been in allowing themselves to be decieved into such a state.

This conviction wrought understanding brings with it a motivation for righteousness, a true purging of iniquity from the heart, bringing with it the possibility to wholeheartedly yield to the grace of God in recieving the word within. This conviction brings us into possession of the good and honest heart, the fertile soul in which the seed of God can grow.

Deceptive theology will always compromise the notion of the honest and good heart, and in so doing an individual can be subtly deceived into a state of assurance whilst they lay by the wayside, upon the rocks, or among the thorns. We have to make sure that we are rooted in both the understanding and possession of an honest and good heart and that we remain diligent that we remain rooted in such. If we do this we will not only live but live abundantly.

Receiving Jesus

“Have you received Jesus?” is a common question asked within evangelical Christianity. Yet what does such a question actually mean? To the average professing Christian it is simply a question referring to whether an individual has received the package or made their arrangement with God.

Modern professing Christianity has reduced the Gospel message down to a provision or a package. One simply confesses they are a sinner and then all they need to do is accept or “receive” Jesus into their heart, trusting that He died on the cross for them and that all their sins are forgiven.

Yet what does the Bible actually teach?

In the Gospel of John the following is written...

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

This passage clearly states that those who received him (Jesus) that God gave them power to become a son of God.

James made an interesting comment on receiving when he wrote...

Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Thus in order for one to receive the implanted word one must lay aside their evil deeds. This tenet is evident through the scriptures.

Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

The laying aside of all sin and rebellion towards God does not save someone but rather puts them into position where they will yield to God's instruction. Just as a wild horse must be broken before it will submit to a rider a rebellious sinner must also be broken.

This occurs in repentance through a true godly sorrow which works a true change of mind (repentance) allowing a real conversion (change of action/direction) to take place.

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Thus in order to receive Jesus one must truly repent and forsake their wrong doing.

Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Act_3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

The refreshing wrought by the Holy Ghost is the power that God grants to those who come to Him via repentance and faith. This is the power of God by which we may become a son of God and we find ourselves back where we started in John chapter 1.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

We then use this power to walk in victory as Paul teaches in Romans...

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

If we are indeed led by this Spirit we become a son of God having overcome the world.

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

God bless.