“Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” (John 8:51)
Without question, the Word of God reveals that those who will be called God’s children are those who obey His teaching. (John 14:23-24, John 12:48-50, Heb. 5:8-9, 1 John 2:3-6) So then, the simple question that I have is, “Why is the church handing out tickets to heaven for all those who adhere to a belief system that doesn’t require obedience to His Word?” The false teaching within the church says, “As long as you ‘believe in Him’, you will be saved.” Yes, of course, there is a bit of truth to that; however, a little bit of truth leading you to the wrong conclusion is the definition of deception. What am I saying? Without a clear understanding as to what Jesus reveals “believing in Him” requires you to DO, those who simply believe in the existence of Jesus are left ignorant as to the underlying condition that must follow their profession. It is the following Him (obeying His teaching) that makes one a disciple of Christ — a child of God! (John 8:31-32) God’s Word reveals that those who obey His teaching are those who truly love Him. And, according to His Word, it is only those who love Him who will remain faithful to His Word and receive the victor’s crown. (James 1:12, 1 Cor. 2:9)
If you remove accountability and responsibility (following Him — obedience to His commands) from the full Gospel message and promise believers that they have attained salvation without following Jesus, then what motivation do believers perceive to have regarding our call to obey God’s commands? None! Removing the Truth removes the fear of the Lord — the ONLY fear that can properly motivate man born of sinful flesh to die with Christ to sin (repent) and wholeheartedly commit to walking in His Light (growing, maturing in Christ)!
Consider the difference between these two positions:
- If you “believe in Jesus,” God’s grace is enough! Jesus’ blood will cover all your willful, deliberate sin. You should strive to live a godly life, but even if you continue in your immorality, God understands, and His grace has you covered. Now go on selfishly enjoying this life and trust that heaven awaits you and all those like you who “believe in Jesus,” but reject His commands.
- If you believe God, you know that to “believe in Jesus” is to agree to die with Christ to sin (repent) and give your life to Jesus (follow Him — obey His teaching). *Understand that it is only by the grace of God that one comes to this understanding and desires to surrender their will to the Lord!
Notice that position number one requires no accountability nor responsibility, whereas the second position demands it. The “belief in Jesus” contained within the first position asserts that sin is on Jesus to cover, so long as you “allow Him to forgive you.” Goodness, if that were the case, then we need to remove about ninety-nine percent of the Truth in God’s Word. From Gen. 1:1 – Rev. 22:21, God’s Word constantly reflects the Truth regarding our responsibility to turn from sin and obey His commands. If the first position listed above is correct (which is the false teaching within the church today), then you must believe that the Bible (God’s Word) is in error! Please read all… (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:19-21, Eph. 5:5-7). Satan’s deception, however, claims that you can continue to live in these sins and enter God’s kingdom. Do you not see how this type of “belief” breeds hypocrisy and arouses the Lord’s anger? This type of belief produces “Christians” that serve as a stumbling block to the lost, rather than producing Christians that bear the fruit of His kingdom! (Matt. 21:43-44) It demonstrates a complete ignorance of God’s Word to proclaim that salvation is attained simply because you believe the same thing that the demons know to be true (that Jesus is real and He is God’s Son). (Matt. 8:28-29, Luke 4:41) The demons know that Jesus is the Christ, they simply wouldn’t surrender to Him as Lord and serve His will (follow Him). (James 2:19) So, why do you not “shudder?” (Rev. 14:7)
The deceptive salvation message heard within the church today (easy-believism) indicates that willful, deliberate sin is no longer required to be a thing of the past. So, why not simply go on reveling in our sin if this false teaching is true? What this false teaching suggests instead is that it is the “new creation” (the complete transformation — the regenerated man) that is a thing of the past! (Gal. 6:14-15, Eph. 4:17-24) No more reality to the “old self” and the “new self.” (Col. 3:5-10) Nope, just the same old guy, living with the same prideful heart, without understanding the necessity of dying with Christ to sin to be raised with Him in Spirit (born again — a baptism not done by human hands in a tub of water). (Col. 2:11-12)
This false teaching attempts to remove the reality of the power available through God’s Holy Spirit. So, what about all those who have given their lives to Jesus and experienced the freedom that only His Spirit can bring? Are they now the ones who are wacky? The Holy Spirit is being promised to millions by pastors and priests across this country. The church is telling millions that they have received His Spirit when they most certainly have not met the biblical requirements to have God’s Spirit bestowed upon them. As a result, there is no power, no freedom expressed through this false spirit, no new creation! Therefore, millions of Christians perceive this “immeasurable power” to be nothing more than a wives tale — a complete hoax! Errantly promising His Spirit where there is none is a sin with major consequences no doubt! You have wandered off the straight way, church! Teachers of this progressive, woke “way,” do you not fear 2 Pet. 2:1-22 applying to you? And to the subjects of their teaching, do you not believe that God’s wrath remains on those of an unrepentant heart (Rom. 2:5), and “His wrath is as great as the fear that is His due.” (Ps. 90:11) Without repentance, here’s what scripture says the Day of the Lord will bring… (Amos 5:18-21) Doesn’t mean much to you when, “Amos,” says it? Okay, here is the same message from the mouth of Jesus. (Luke 13:3)
You cannot believe both to be true:
- God’s children are those who obey His Word.
- God’s children need not worry about obeying God’s commands because they are already forgiven if/WHEN they sin (reject Jesus).
One of these is God’s Truth, and one reflects the underlying false teaching within the church today. So, which do you BELIEVE?
Do you want to know what the epitome of a stumbling block would be? Hypocrisy such as this:
Claiming that if you, “believe in Jesus,” then you can live as immoral a life as you choose and still go to heaven. BUT, if you do not, “believe in Jesus,” you can live as moral a life as anyone other than Jesus Himself lived and still GO TO HELL! This is complete ignorance, utter stupidity! I suppose that if you did not know the Word of God, or if you did not believe that God is Just, then you might be able to believe something like this if you thought that God does show favoritism. But if you know His Word then you most certainly know that He indeed does not! (Rom. 2:6-11) Therefore, where would the justice be in this type of position? There would be none! And that is because this is not the way that it works, according to scripture! (Matt. 7:21-23, Matt. 25:31-46) Biblical “belief in Jesus” is to live a holy life, to follow His teaching wholeheartedly! (Heb. 12:14, Matt. 5:48, 1 Peter 1:13-15) Therefore, claiming to “believe in Jesus” yet reject His commands, fits the description perfectly of those who believe that they can enter through the wide gate, climb in by some other way, rather than by obeying the Truth in God’s Word! (Matt. 7:13-14, John 10:1-2) For sure, “The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.” (Gal. 5:7-12)
We know that God’s Word is Truth; that is if you believe that God’s Word is Truth. (John 17:17) So, if you drop the accountability and responsibility referenced in His Word, do you think that you will be found to have a saving faith in your heart — a saving faith given by the grace of God to those who accept the very commands delivered through His Word? (Heb. 4:2) Do you think that your level of “belief in Jesus,” will be commended by God if you reject the business end of His Word (responsibility)? If you “believe in Jesus” but reject His commands, the reality is that you are rejecting Jesus all while you worship Him out your mouth. Thus, confirming that the prophet Isaiah was right about you… (Matt. 15:7-9) You cannot maintain that “salvation is attained” by simply believing IN God rather than by believing God (believing what God says), and yet still claim to believe His Word is Truth! Again, you cannot continue to allow sin to reign in your life, believing that you can place the onus on Jesus to cleanse you, and meanwhile claim to believe that the Word of God is Truth! You cannot give your life to Christ and still find greed, lust, envy, and selfish ambition defiling your heart; you can however accept Satan’s deception (“accept Christ as your Savior”) and CONTINUE allowing all these sins to reign in your heart!
“Accepting Christ as your Savior,” a fancy word salad that does indeed contain some partial Truth; for sure you must accept that Jesus is Lord to receive salvation. However, what “accepting Christ as your Savior,” does not address is the essential component of receiving the Holy Spirit (and a new heart). Again, accepting that Jesus is the Messiah a great start, but what simply “accepting Christ as your Savior” does not address is the missing ingredient, the essential component, to your salvation… are you then going to give your life to Christ, follow Jesus (obey His teaching)?
The false teaching within the church today directed to all those who “believe in the existence of Jesus” says, “You believe what is required to be saved! You are now a child of God and you now live with His Spirit! Now go about your life knowing that no matter what you do, Jesus covers all your sin.” Detestable! But what does Jesus say? (Matt. 10:22) So what about you? Is your life over? Have you reached, “the end?” If not, then I say, chase after God like you are not already sitting there with the crown on your head! (1 Cor. 9:24-27) Have you heard the bell ring? If your life ain’t over, then why have you stopped “working out your salvation with fear and trembling?” Seek Him with ALL your heart, hunger for the Lord like your salvation depends upon it. Because the truth is, that it does! (1 Cor. 15:2, Rev. 21:7-8)
And the point is not to expect to live without sin, the point is to desire to grow in His image such that your love for Him does not allow any room for sin in your heart. Sinning is siding with the enemy; it is the willful act of desiring evil (Satan) over good (Jesus) in that area of your heart. Growing in your salvation means to allow God to refine your heart such that there is no longer any room for sin in that area that is currently left unrepentant. But how does one grow, when there is no motivation to do so? Whether or not you are content with the sin in your heart reveals whether or not you have a genuine love for God in your heart. Do you believe that you are saved, therefore holding onto a little pride, envy or selfish ambition is of no big concern to you? Then, according to God’s full message of Truth, here’s what you will hear… (Matt. 25:12, James 3:16)
You cannot live on this side of eternity and be without sin, but you will not spend eternity with God in heaven if you are content with that sin! (1 Cor. 15:33-34) Earnestly seeking God and allowing Him to refine your heart is the cardinal trait of a genuine believer. Being content with your sin (rejecting God’s Word) is the cardinal trait of a false disciple. Persevering through trials (struggling against sin) is how we grow, learn, strengthen our faith, and ultimately heal. This is the “suffering” that has been granted to you on behalf of Christ. (Phil. 1:29, 1 Peter 4:1) However, without effective discipleship and understanding the role of perseverance, we fail to grow spiritually and eventually allow the cares of this world to prevent His Word from being fully nurtured in our hearts. (Matt. 13:16-23) As a result, instead of being healed, we remain living through our wounds, in bondage to sin and eventually we fall away. (Heb. 5:11- 6:1-8) The one-sided “grace” filled deceptive message heard within the church today essentially eliminates this vital growth process (discipleship) and therefore produces “Christians” that remain ignorant of God and void of His Spirit. You do not receive the Spirit of the Lord by accepting Satan’s deception! And you cannot remove, disregard, or reject the Truth that does not align with your pastor’s deception and yet still claim to believe in and accept the full, One true Gospel message!
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end leads to death.” (Prov. 16:25) This proverb sums up this progressive church movement so prevalently heard today all too well. How easy is it for those of an entitled generation, such as we live in today, to buy into this hyper-grace perception of the Almighty God? “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thess. 1:8) Do you believe this to be Truth? “And to whom did God swear that they would never enter His rest if not those who disobeyed?” (Heb. 3:18) Do you believe this to be Truth? “To the Jews who believed Him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32) How about this, is this what you believe? Again, it is not about being without sin, it is about being willing to give your heart fully to the Lord for Him to refine that sin and enable you to grow in His image, to mature in Christ, to come to know Him. But Christians today believe that they have already attained salvation via a deceptive church belief system, therefore the scriptural motivation to earnestly seek the Lord has been removed from their teaching.
As believers, Jesus is our hope; but obedience to His Word is our responsibility, not a hope. Obedience is not a work, rather it is the consequence of the union that the one living with the Spirit of the Lord brings. You do not obey to become a child of God; you obey because you are a child of God. Obedience does not earn you the crown of life, but you will not receive the victor’s crown without it. For sure it is by grace that you are saved. But if you think that you can reject the Word of God and lean on His grace, beware that you are about to fall on His stone! (Matt. 21:44) Understand that obedience does not come before the faith, before receiving His Spirit. However, obedience does follow a sincere profession. Are you faithful to His Word? Are you earnestly seeking Him and allowing Him to refine your heart? Do not be content in your sin, do not let the enemy win. Seek His Light, follow Him; repent and Live!
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“Believing in Jesus” and “believing Jesus” are related but not synonymous is explained in detail in this blog. Clearly, “believing Jesus” is the better path–difficult but much more rewarding!! Thank you; well written.