Notes From A Retired Preacher

Good News. :”Secure Forever!…” Dr. Tom Cucuzza’s Great Book Now Available as an eBook.

expreacherman — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:44:07 +0000

Great News Note from Dr. Tom Cucuzza:

Good news! Secure Forever! God’s Promise or Our perseverance? is now available in ebook form from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Other formats, such as Sony and iBook for Apple are forthcoming.

Someone responded to Bruce’s review on Amazon and said this “I really enjoyed reading your review! This book was a tremendous help in restoring assurance of my salvation. I had fallen victim to the false teaching of Lordship Salvation and experienced doubts for many years as a result. The reason is because I kept looking to my works for signs of life rather than looking to the source of life….JESUS! Dr. Cucuzza’s book really cleared up a lot of my confusion. I can’t recommend this book enough to people! There is so much confusion in churches today, and this is precisely the book people need to read! God’s grace really does transform lives ) “.

This makes it all worthwhile.

~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~~~

Here are the Links:

The Amazon Link>>: Secure Forever!..Amazon.

The Barnes and Noble link>>: Secure Forever – Barnes-Noble

Heaven, Eternal and Free << Click

Filed under: Calvinism, Christian, Christianity, Faith, Free Grace, Grace, Hope, Lordship Salvation, Reformed theology, Salvation

The Truth LIES Somewhere in Between

expreacherman — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:07:35 +0000

Author, our regular commenter, John.

All of us have to make compromises in our day to day lives. This is because our interests, and the interests of the people we are trying to influence, are often different. We usually get to what we want through negotiation.

When we go to buy a car, we want the lowest price we can get, while the seller wants the highest price he can get. The way each party goes about this varies, but a typical approach is to try to get the other guy to tip his hand and to try to keep from tipping our hand about what our bottom line really is. The reason that a negotiation is possible in this case, is because each party to the transaction has something with which to negotiate.

I recently read a fascinating article entitled Deal or No Deal – the Art of Negotiation by Drew Stevens, PhD. Here are some excerpts

The most vital idea to comprehend about negotiation is definition. Negotiation is nothing more than an exchange of ideas and values between two or more parties with different interests&

Negotiation would not exist if not for the power and the reciprocity of compromise&

It is not easy to win friends and influence decisions in negotiation, yet if we understand motives, create a thorough plan and expect the unexpected, each negotiation we have becomes easier and more effective.

One thing we must never negotiate or compromise is the purity of the Gospel message. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) We are to be stewards of the Gospel, which does not provide for compromise under any circumstances. Here’s why:

First, the Gospel belongs to God. We do not have any authority to negotiate.

Second, once it is compromised, it is no longer His Gospel. It becomes just another false gospel, which robs us of His power for living and has no saving power for the lost.

Third, it is not in our interest to compromise the Gospel.

And, last, once we compromise, it gets easier to compromise further.

So, who wants to see the Gospel compromised? I ll give you a hint he is very old, loves the art of the deal , is very subtle, wants to devour us and he would make a great used car salesman (my apologies to my Christian brothers and sisters in that profession).

How does he do it? Any way he can! Consider this adage, which I recently saw used in a discussion of faith and works by a well-meaning church (Middletown Bible Church).

“The pendulum swings, ridiculous extreme, bypassing the truth which lieth between.”

And this from Middletown Bible Church’s quote “The so called “free grace” position and the Lordship salvation position are two extreme positions. The truth is to be found somewhere in between. This is common in theology. With most areas of doctrine, there are usually extreme and unbalanced views on both sides of the truth.”

The trick here is to make us feel like outliers, or extremists, for defending the purity of the Gospel. If the truth lies between, where in between does it lie?

Here are some thoughts on the art of compromise from the word of God

Matthew 7:13-15 (NKJV) Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division.

John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Note: you will be accused of causing division and dissension by refusing to compromise – and this verse will be thrown in your face. But note that this refers only to people who cause divisions by teaching things that are contrary to sound doctrine – that is, the compromisers).

Here is a closing thought, from the article The Baptismal Regeneration/Believer’s Baptism Debate by Dr. J.O. Hosler

This ideal of oneness cannot be even properly attempted except through a consensus on the clarity of the saving gospel. Otherwise, we are not speaking of spiritual unity, but of mere uniformity based upon an apostate version of the gospel.

“The truth LIES somewhere in between” is just one more of Satan’s lies!

The Truth of God’s Salvation << Click

Filed under: Bible, Christian, Christianity, Danger, Faith, Free Grace, Grace, Lordship Salvation, Religion, Salvation

John Piper Speaks to 42,000+ Youth, Redefining the Plan of Salvation

califgracer — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:05:59 +0000

Source: The Christian Post, Jan. 5, 2012

Posted by CalifGracer

John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn., stood before more than 40,000 Christian college students Wednesday and told them that some of them might not be saved.

(Photo: Andrew Shepherd)

John Piper addresses the crowd at the Passion 2012 conference in Atlanta, Ga.

While speaking at the Passion 2012 conference in Atlanta, Ga., an event which was also broadcast on the Internet, Piper said some people might be deceived into believing they have received salvation because they made a “decision” when they were young, yet they still haven’t “waved the white flag of surrender” to Jesus Christ.

Piper continues:

“Believing in Jesus is a soul coming to Jesus to be satisfied in all that he is. That is my definition of faith on the basis of John 6:35. This is not…a decision,” he said. Piper gave his definition of salvation, explaining one concept in three different ways. He said that saving faith is “Seeing and savoring Jesus, being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus, and trusting Jesus,” and that those three things are “equivalent realities.” But those realities should also be apparent in our actions, Piper said, because “God did not come into the world in Jesus or create the world in order to be glorified invisibly.”

COMMENT:

It seems that John Piper knows something more about the plan of salvation than the Bible itself! He clearly promotes a Lordship Faith salvation plan which demands complete and immediate surrender along with a call to action (works-based salvation) to prove or to guarantee one’s eternal life. This is formula for a life of doubt, fear and a decimation of a believer’s assurance of salvation.

The Bible makes the way of salvation so simple, so straightforward, so clear—We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone!:

Acts 16:30-31: “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 4:5: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the 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 saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Your comments are welcome . . . .

Filed under: Calvinism, Christian, Christianity, Cross, Danger, Faith, Free Grace, Grace, HELL, John Piper, Lordship Salvation, Reformed theology, Salvation

Lordship “Salvation” Equals Lordship Probation!!

expreacherman — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:36:06 +0000

God’s Free Gift of Salvation does not exist in “Lordship Salvation”

Salvation or probation? Which of these two does God’s Word promise to everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ alone?? Salvation!! Yet according to Lordship “faith” proponents, they twist words to appear right and then it becomes Probation!

Definition of Probation: It is “the state of having been conditionally released.” (Dictionary.com)

I find no Lordship Probation folks who offer God’s Free Grace through faith alone in Christ alone — without a hitch, a misunderstanding of Grace — there is always a hitch.

These are edited excerpts from an email of an avid MacArthur/Lordship Probation aficionado.

[The believer] By receiving the imputed righteousness of Christ, while He satisfies the wrath we deserve–He receives our demerit and we receive His merit.

Right so far — and then:

Can someone who is a Christian continue in the life they once lived? No; without actually turning from sin and into righteousness, we cannot claim that we know Jesus. That is [John] MacArthur’s point: Faith that does not result in changed actions (faith without works) is not a faith that can save you…

Lordship salvation is, simply, biblical salvation: [...] if we receive Christ through faith, we will either walk in holiness and increase in our likeness to Christ (which was God’s plan before the foundation of the world, to conform us to the image of His Son), or show ourselves to not be regenerate.

[...]

[If] one would claim Christ as Savior, they MUST (my emphasis. JW) also submit to Him as Lord and actively seek, by the power of the Spirit, to rid their lives of the sins they once walked in.

[...]

Thank God there are men like John MacArthur who are challenging the absurd notion that God’s grace doesn’t demand our obedience. … I pray that God would stir in the hearts of everyone who would call upon the name of the Lord, that they would turn from their sins and live, not be lulled into complacency by the promises of false teachers who suggest that God’s grace will cover those who don’t actually follow Him.

So this person infers — No follow (works), no Grace. Therefore he says the pure words of the God of salvation by Grace issues a caveat. Lordship Probation folks would erroneously have God say, “I’ll give you the ‘gift’ of salvation but you must work for it, follow, toe the line in order to have or keep that ‘gift’,”

A gift is NOT a gift if it has strings attached.. ie Santa will bring you a gift IF you are a good little boy. or “IF you sign up 10 subscribers to Sword of the Lord, we will send you a FREE gift, a camera. (I actually questioned this gimmick many years ago). These are not GIFTS but rewards for work done. BIG difference.

For a waste of time on your favorite Internet search engine, enter the search term, “grace obedience” and see how many searches come up proclaiming that God’s Grace DEMANDS obedience. That statement is not true but that indicates the state of “religion” these days. My search revealed fifteen million returns, many of which (I did not check them all) duplicate the following entries:

God’s grace is not dispensed apart from an instruction that REQUIRES both understanding and obedience.

and:

Through God’s grace, the gift of eternal life is given to those who demonstrate their faith in God by their obedience and repentance.

Thus we see so many Lordship Probation folks even ignorantly follow the Arminianism of John Wesley who stated, “that without the perseverance of good works, one may ‘fall and … finally… perish forever,‘”

All of this falls in line with Calvinist, Lordship Probationist John MacArthur who says:

“Let me say again unequivocally that Jesus’ summons to deny self and follow him was an invitation to salvation, not . . . a second step of faith following salvation.” (Dr. John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus What is Authentic Faith? pp. 219.)

“Salvation is for those who are willing to forsake everything.” (MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, p. 78.)

“This is what Jesus meant when He spoke of taking up one’s own cross to follow Him. And that is why he demanded that we count the cost carefully. He was calling for an exchange of all that we are for all that He is. He was demanding implicit obedience–unconditional surrender to His lordship.” (MacArthur, Hard to Believe, p. 6.)

I pray we as fellow believers in God’s Free Grace will be able to withstand the onslaught of the Lordship Probationists and continue to “contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Saints.” Jude 1:3

God’s Salvation is Absolutely FREE << Click

Filed under: Bible, Calvinism, Christian, Christianity, Danger, Faith, Free Grace, Grace, John MacArthur, Lordship Salvation, Salvation

Standing on God’s Promises

califgracer — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:17:35 +0000

There are so many great promises in Scripture that give us hope for eternity and strength for each day. Here are a couple of my favorite Scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24:

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also WILL DO IT.

John 10:27-30

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man 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.

Listen to this song by the late great tenor Tony Fontane and then give us some of your favorite promises from the Bible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZuwrIyWAuk&feature=related

Blessings on you all and a Happy New Year!

Bruce

Filed under: Free Grace

The Savior Whom I Cursed For Years!!

expreacherman — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:00:12 +0000

By Jack Weaver

Can the God of the universe rescue a man who, for years, cursed and ridiculed His Son, Jesus Christ?

This is a special time of year for me — not necessarily the day of celebrating Christmas but the season of remembering the Birth of the Christ, the God Man, the only Savior, God in the Flesh whom, for years, Jack Weaver the atheist, proudly and openly cursed and blasphemed.

I thank God when at Christmas in 1964 someone cared enough to share with me the Gospel of God’s Grace and Salvation in Jesus Christ alone. It was Good News to me — which I had never heard. That night I understood the Gospel and without hesitation I trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior and passed from the deserved sentence of eternal death to the blessings of eternal life.

Looking back I realize that even while I was verbally abusing Him, He loved me and had me in His mind. I was part of that “world” for whom He gave Himself to be crucified on the cross of Mount Calvary. Then Jesus was buried and rose from the grave for me, thereby inviting me to choose to believe in Him alone as my Savior — securing my eternity with Him in Heaven. (John 3:16)

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

And I look back and remember cursing God and Jesus Christ, He is the one who now, by His Word and my decision, has rescued me from an eternity in Hell. I am grateful beyond any words I can muster. No one deserves such Love, especially me — but His undeserved yet free Gift of Love is still available to you and anyone.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [substitute atonement] for our sins. 1 John 4:10

Dear friend, as you read this you may not be sure of your eternal destination. Please simply put your trust in Jesus Christ, God in the Flesh, believing His sacrifice for your sins at Calvary and His resurrection from the grave is all sufficient to satisfy God’s demands upon you. If you do so Scripture says you have everlasting Life. (John 3:16). God’s Gift, your decision.

We pray you will have a blessed Christmas time all the time — and thanks so much for your friendship and the opportunity you give us to fellowship with you..

Eternal Life – The Greatest Gift Ever << Click

Filed under: Bible, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, Faith, Free Grace, Grace, HELL, Religion, Resurrection

Peace on Earth or Personal Peace — Without The God of Peace? Reference: Lordship “Salvation” and Christmas.

expreacherman — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 01:44:26 +0000

Updated: I am indebted to good friend bro. David Wyatt who, early on, caught an erroneous statement at the beginning of this article. I have edited my error. Of course our Savior, Jesus Christ is addressed as the Prince of Peace in the beautiful prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, one of the greatest OT prophecies in God’s Word of the birth of the Messiah, The Savior, Jesus Christ:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Jesus is also addressed as The God of Peace, The Lord of Peace, the Prince of life and the Prince of the kings of the earth. And we know from Scripture that Jesus Christ brings eternal Peace to any and all who trust Him alone for their eternal life. Do you have that Peace?

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [...] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:11,14

Jesus said:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3

Now, what Peace have we here???

Lordship Salvation,
Commitment Salvation,
Bi-Lateral Contract “Salvation,”
Calvinism,
Arminianism,
the “Social Gospel,” etc.

These are all UNCERTAIN messages with no Peace, no root of a Free Grace Gospel, no Grace life and no future. Most are “feel good” poor imitations of the True Gospel and more than likely are inventions in the minds of unknowing, deluded or devious teachers.

We must be aware. Their dangerous lies are here in brief – there are more. I encourage you to comment or elaborate:

Lordship Salvation, [If I am not living the "Christian life" according to "my teacher's" prescription or satisfaction, I have no salvation, no peace.]

Commitment Salvation, [If I haven't turned from my sin, turned my life over, given my life, committed my life, etc to Christ according to "my teacher's" conditions, I am not "saved" and have no peace according to his definition.]

Bi-Lateral Contract “Salvation,” [God makes a Bilateral (two way) Contract with me for my salvation. My end of the deal is -- I agree with Him that I will keep that contract in order to secure my salvation. If I break my part of the contract, all HOPE is gone, I have no peace.]

Calvinism, [If I happen not to be "chosen, predestined or elected" by God for salvation, I am condemned to Hell for all eternity. I have no choice to believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ. My eternity is already determined, I have no peace.]

Arminianism… [I may believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior but I can never really, really be sure I am indeed "saved" or maybe I need to get "saved" again and again -- until eventually I end up in either heaven or hell -- no peace. (That's probation, not Salvation).]

The “Social Gospel,” [We drill water wells in foreign places and bake yummy pies and cookies for little old ladies. We feel good and they feel good. (But we don't know -- that we can never be as "good" as we can possibly be. Without the Gospel of God's Grace alone by Faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, we can never be "good enough." Hell is our eternal destination. No Peace.]

And the way of peace have they not known: Romans 3:17

With such false beliefs, how is it possible anyone can ever have the Peace that Passes all understanding

Just maybe this is the reason we witness so many depressed, un-peaceful and unhappy people at this glorious time of year when we celebrate the marvelous Birth of our Savior.. The Only Savior, the God of Peace, Jesus Christ.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:1

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

How You May Have that Peace of God Which Passes All Understanding. << Click

Filed under: Atheism, Bible, Calvinism, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, Faith, Free Grace, Grace, HELL, Lordship Salvation, Reformed theology, Religion, Salvation

Helpful Sinners, Helpless Sinners and Help for Sinners

expreacherman — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:27:36 +0000

Below is an insightful article, written by John, an occasional writer and frequent commenter on this web site. John is a successful gentleman with a wonderful family who was trapped in the Lordship “salvation” mess for many, many years — but finally, about a year ago January 2011, it dawned on him that God’s salvation “is a Gift!” He then trusted Jesus Christ alone as his Savior.

~~~~~~~~00~~~~~~~

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

When we are confronted with the fact that we are guilty sinners, accountable to God for our sins, there are a variety of common, inappropriate responses that stand in the way of salvation. Among them are attempts at denial, rationalization and compensation. Each of these responses inhibits the receipt of God’s provision for salvation, set forth clearly in Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Helpful Sinners

Perhaps the most beguiling of these is compensation. Compensation is the attempt by the helpful sinner to restore his broken relationship with God. I will use the following definition of compensation from Dictionary.com:

3. something given or received as an equivalent for services, debt, loss, injury, suffering, lack, etc.; indemnity: The insurance company paid him $2000 as compensation for the loss of his car.

Compensation, not Christ, is the cornerstone of the faith for much of the professing Christian community. The forms of compensation range from the performance of works, to the promise of works or to the evidence of works being brought into the equation of eternal salvation.

But, the Bible tells us that God will not accept our help in saving us:

Isaiah 64:6 But we are like an unclean thing, and all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.…

Following is some of the non-Biblical compensation jargon of false gospels for the helpful sinner:

The Lord helps those who help themselves
Salvation is free, but it will cost you everything
Surrender all or not at all
Repent of your sins to be saved
Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior
Turn your life over to Jesus
Put Christ on the throne of your life
Turn from your sins to God
Get on the straight and narrow
Confess Christ publicly
Make a personal commitment to Christ
Count the cost
Give your life to Jesus
Take up your cross and follow Jesus to be saved

God does not want our help in saving us. He does not need our help. He will not accept our help. Neither does he want, need, require nor accept our help in keeping ourselves saved.

Helpless Sinners

The only appropriate response to the conviction that we are alienated from God by sin is to realize that we are helpless sinners. The jailer in Acts 16 knew he was helpless:

Acts 16:29-30 Then he called for a light and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said. Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Note that in their response to the jailer, neither Paul, nor Silas introduced any of the false aphorisms set forth above. Instead, they told the jailer only this:

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Until one realizes that God does not require, want, need, nor accept his help in saving or keeping him saved, he does not apprehend God’s Free Grace.

Help for Sinners

Once we realize we are helpless sinners, there is help. Everything necessary for our salvation has already been done. We need only to trust in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

The Only Way of Salvation in its Simplicity << Click

Filed under: Atheist, Bible, Christian, Christianity, Free Grace, Grace, Hope, Lordship Salvation, Reformed theology, Religion, Salvation

Why a “Good Boy – Bad Boy” Lordship “Salvation” Is a Lie

expreacherman — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:44:50 +0000

By Jack Weaver

Does Lordship “salvation” (LS) teaching deter folks from trusting Christ as Savior? I believe so. If one must work, work, work to gain “salvation” and then work, work, work to keep it.. there’s no wonder that kind of “salvation” would be rejected — it is asking the impossible.

I remember hearing this phrase while growing up in Calvinism: “Good boys go to Heaven and bad boys go to Hell.” Therefore, I pose a question: Is Lordship “salvation” simply a twisted manifestation of that old phrase preached for so long in so many religions?

“Salvation is for those who are willing to forsake everything.” (MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, p. 78.) [Be a good boy/girl or else -- my comment]

“Let me say again unequivocally that Jesus’ summons to deny self and follow him was an invitation to salvation, not . . . a second step of faith following salvation.” (Dr. John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus What is Authentic Faith? pp. 219.) [Be a good boy/girl or else -- my comment]

“As I see it, a lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron; there’s no such thing. To put it plainly, churchgoers who are “lukewarm” are not Christians. We will not see them in heaven.” (Crazy Love, Francis Chan, pp. 83-84.) [Be a good boy/girl or else -- my comment]

Those are quotes from Pastors who appear to be sophisticated pushers of the same old lie, “Good boys go to Heaven and Bad Boys go to Hell.”

How can anyone who honestly studies the Bible in context:

believe the “good boy, bad boy” syndrome to be true?
have any doubt about their salvation — that God freely gives eternal life when by Grace, through faith we believe in the Savior Jesus Christ — He is all sufficient. He has done it all!!

The only answer to those questions is, “They are victims of a lie.”

This Bible verse is one of the first and most thrilling that I studied in depth not long after trusting Christ as my Savior. Here, Christ is speaking:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28

Even on the surface, it is comforting, but let’s dig a little deeper. Read this and rejoice with me!

The word “Never” is one word made up of a Greek compound adverb comprised of five Greek words: ou me, eis, ho, aion. (These are from Strong’s Greek/Hebrew to English Dictionary)

Ou me – a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all, by no means, neither, not at all, in no case (no wise).

Eis – for any intent, purpose, never perish, any place, time or purpose.

Ho – Male, female, neuter, anyone, he, she or it,

Aion - any age; in perpetuity, by implication the world; eternal, forever more, from the beginning of the world, without end.

Review: “Shall NEVER PERISH, not at all, by any means, never, not (at all), in no case (no wise), any place, time or purpose, whether male, female, neuter, anyone, he, she or it, at any age; in perpetuity; by implication the world; eternal, forever more, from the beginning when the world began, without end“ POWERFUL !!

Perish is the Greek word, apollumi, meaning – to destroy fully (reflexive to perish, or lose),destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.

NEVER PERISH!!

That was an exegesis of only one single Bible verse out of hundreds in which God promises Free eternal life. Now, we who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our Savior can take further comfort knowing that we:

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5

How can any “honest” Lordship “salvation” proponent believe in their own lie, or in anything less than the total, eternal sufficiency of our Salvation in Jesus Christ alone?

Amazing IS God’s Grace.

Heaven Is Absolutely Free! << Click

Filed under: Bible, Calvinism, Chan, Christian, Christianity, Conservative, Danger, Faith, Free Grace, Grace, Hope, John MacArthur, Reformed theology, Religion, Salvation

Am I Thankful?

expreacherman — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:40:37 +0000

Yes, I am thankful to the Lord for much.

That my eternal life does not depend upon my behavior before, during or since my decision to trust Christ alone as my Savior.
That by God’s Grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone as my Savior is wholly sufficient for Eternal Life..
That I have wonderful friends who visit and join together in this ministry to challenge and encourage us.
That someone cared enough about me that he explained the Gospel so clearly that even I could understand and trust in Christ for my salvation.
That, in spite of my health and age, I am still able to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
That the Lord invites us to serve Him by His Grace — not by threats, force or intimidation.
For my Sweetheart wife Shirley, whom the Lord provided to me 8 1/2 years ago.

And too much more.. Thanks to all of you.

If you wish please share that for which you are thankful. Duplicates as well as original thoughts are welcome.

Eternal Life is God’s Free Gift,

Filed under: Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, Free Grace, Grace, Hope, Religion, Salvation, Thansgiving