Not By Works Of Righteousness Which We Have Done

Titus 3:5-7, “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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

I recently purchased The Strand Study Bible. You can purchase a cheaper used one at Abe's Books. I love it so much that I bought another one. Pastor Brad Strand was one of my favorite Bible teachers at Hyles-Anderson College in the late 1980's. I am so glad that he made a study Bible, and I cherish it. It took Brother Strand 30,000 hours over 33 years to complete his amazing study Bible. THANK YOU Pastor Strand for sharing what the Holy Spirit taught you with everyone else! I cannot recommend his study Bible enough.

I was reading Brother Strand's commentary today for Titus 3:5 and he mentions that Bono of U2 is a Christian, which compelled me to do some research online about Bono. Here is what Pastor Strand writes on page 2057:

Bono (of the band U2), one of the world's most famous rock stars, and a Christian (yes, you can be a rock star and a Christian), in an interview with Michka Assayas, a French music journalist, in March of 2004 was correct when he described the difference between Karma (works of righteousness) and grace. He said: 

You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff. (So have we all, Bono.).

Bono went on to say: 

I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep .... It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity.

Bono continued: 

But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there's a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let's face it, you're not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That's the point. It should keep us humbled… . It's not our own good works (Karma) that get us through the gates of heaven.

SOURCE: Pastor Brad Strand, “The Strand Study Bible,” p. 2057

That is very interesting and encouraging, to know that Bono is saved. You can read the preceding entire interview of Bono HERE.

Worldliness Cannot Prevent You From Going To Heaven

There are some wicked religious neo-evangelical websites which wrongly accuse Bono's faith of not being sincere, since he is worldly, but that is not the true Gospel. Case in point is the website at BereanResearch.org, who foolishly state concerning Bono's worldliness:

The bottom line is this: A person cannot profess a belief in Jesus Christ and live like the devil.  Like so many so-called Christians, Bono takes Christianity cafeteria style – he picks and chooses what pleases him and avoids what doesn’t. 

SOURCE: 'Does U2’s Bono, a professing Christian, believe the Bible?'

Liar, liar, pants on fire!!! I am so glad that Bono is a Christian. The worldly life that Bono chooses to live is a strict matter of sanctification and service (Romans 12:1), not of justification and the new birth (Galatians 3:26). If we cannot be saved by good works, then we cannot be lost by bad works. As our text passage from Titus 3:5a says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us...” Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.

The thing that I love most about The Strand Study Bible is that Pastor Strand upholds a 100% free grace Gospel. A free grace Gospel is the simplicity that is in Christ (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4). It is very easy, free and simple to get to Heaven; you just need to BELIEVE that Jesus did it all for you through the cross of Calvary, that He was buried, and bodily resurrected from the dead three days later. Believe the GOOD NEWS, Oh guilty sinner, and you are forever saved!

Bono has made it clear to the world that He believes Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah:

"[Jesus] went around saying he was the Messiah. That's why he was crucified. He was crucified because he said he was the Son of God. So, he either, in my view, was the Son of God or he was nuts. Forget rock-and-roll messianic complexes, I mean Charlie Manson-type delirium. And I find it hard to accept that whole millions and millions of lives, half the Earth, for 2,000 years have been touched, have felt their lives touched and inspired by some nutter. I just... I don't believe it."

(From an interview with Gay Byrne, RTE One, June 2013) 

SOURCE: Christianity Today, '7 Surprising Things Bono Has Said About Jesus'

Good for Bono! I rejoice with him is his sole trust in Jesus Christ and God's grace for eternal life. The way to Heaven is to wholly lean on Jesus' name, and dare not trust the sweetest frame other than Christ. 1st Corinthians 3:11 says that Jesus is the only foundation. Bono says this concerning God's saving grace:

"...I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there's a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let's face it, you're not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That's the point. It should keep us humbled. It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven."

SOURCE: Christianity Today, '7 Surprising Things Bono Has Said About Jesus'

Bono's best friend recounts how the U2 rockstar first came to faith in Jesus Christ. Amen. The only reason why any sinner has ever gone to Heaven, or ever will go to Heaven, is because that person rested completely in the finished work of Jesus Christ through Calvary's cross.

Famous Singer Bob Dylan Is Also A Born-Again Christian

Pastor Strand further comments concerning Titus 3:5 on page 2058:

Phillip Yancey in What's So Amazing About Grace? notes: 

The notion of God's love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of Karma, the Jewish covenant, the Muslim code of law—each of these offers a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God's love unconditional.

Only Christianity offers salvation via grace. Bob Dylan, another famous rock star, in an interview with Bruce Heiman, KMEX Radio in December of 1979, said: 

A religion which says you have to do certain things to get to God..., which is a religion which is by works: you can enter into the Kingdom by what you do, what you wear, what you say, how many times a day you pray, how many good deeds you may do...That type of religion will not get you into the Kingdom, that's true. ...

Again, it's not what we do (works) that gets us to Heaven, but what Christ did (grace) for us. Trust what He did, not what you do, and Heaven will be yours.

SOURCE: Pastor Brad Strand, “The Strand Study Bible,” p. 2058

Amen and amen. Boy that's great stuff! I love free grace Gospel preachers!!!

We Are Saved By God's Imputed Righteousness, Not Ours

When I bought and first opened The Strand Study Bible, I was a bit nervous, afraid that I'd find he teaches that you cannot be saved unless you turn away from your sinful bad habits, become a Christ follower, invite Jesus into your life, or some other poisonous neo-evangelical garbage from the Devil. I have been pleasantly delighted to learn that Pastor Brad Strand is 100% free grace on the Gospel, and I love the man for it!

For example: Read this wonderful exegesis he writes:

True repentance has nothing to do with “turning from sin” and everything to do with “acknowledging one's sinfulness” (Jonah 3:5). Like the thief on the cross who simply acknowledged his sinfulness (Lk 23:39-43), the only part a person has in salvation is the beggar's part.

SOURCE: Pastor Brad Strand, “The Strand Study Bible,” p. 1939

Titus 3:5 and 7, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us... being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Romans 4:4 teaches that if salvation has ever been by works, then it was by debt and not grace.

Christians Often Use The Wrong Weapons

Ephesians 6:11-20, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

In this Scripture passage we learn of the believer's seven pieces of armour and weaponry:

1. Loins gird about with the truth
2. Breastplate of righteousness
3. Feet shod with preparation of the Gospel
4. Shield of faith
5. Helmet of salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
7. Prayer

These are our spiritual weapons of warfare.

So often as saints, we choose to use the world's inferior weapons of criticism, anger, revenge, holding a grudge, giving the silent treatment, needless lawsuits, hatred and unkindness, dishonoring the Lord Jesus Christ. May we all Walk in the Spirit to fulfill the law, by loving our neighbor as our self.

I encourage you dear reader to get busy sharing the Gospel with lost sinners. Pray for the people in your life, getting your mind off of yourself. Philippians 2:4, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Speak the truth and contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). Have faith in God (Mark 11:22b).

Even To Them That Believe On Jesus' Name

John 1:12-13, “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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

I recently explained to someone what the Bible means in John 1:12b, "even to them that believe on his name." Since we cannot see, hear or sense Jesus with our physical senses, we have no choice but to just believe ON HIS NAME. God understands this. It is perfectly fine to put your trust in the "name" of Jesus for salvation, believing that He died for your sins on the cross, was buried and then bodily resurrected from the dead three days later.

The inspired Holy Bible openly acknowledges that we cannot see God. The world was given a glimpse of God when Jesus walked this earth 2,000 years ago in Palestine. We are saved by placing our childlike faith in the only begotten Son of God...

1st Peter 1:7-9, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

I'm sure you've heard of doubting Thomas in the Bible. When Jesus raised up from the dead, He appeared to all the apostles, but Thomas was not present at that time. When Thomas arrived later He was grieved and upset that he had missed the Savior. I can only imagine how left out Thomas felt. Thomas was emotionally hurt...

John 20:25, “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he [Thomas] said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Eight days later Jesus appeared again to the apostles, and this time Thomas was present...

John 20:26-29, “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

I love that last part of the verse. Thomas refused to believe Christ had risen from the dead unless He was able to physically see and touch the Savior. Ah, but we have the blessed opportunity today to believe in Christ's death on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection three days later without seeing Him, which requires greater faith. I am one of those in John 20:29b “that have not seen, and yet have believed.” I hope you are too friend.

Hebrews 11:27, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” I love that. So often we hear unbelievers today challenging the existence of God, demanding proof (as did Thomas) before they will believe. Anyone with an honest heart knows that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Have you put your trust in Him dear friend? I did when I was 13 years old. My pastor was saved when he was just 7 years old. Pastor Steven Anderson trusted Jesus when he was 6 years old. Pastors' Jack Hyles and Curtis Hutson trusted Christ when they were 11 years old. Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold was 18 years old when he trusted Jesus as his personal Savior.

In fact, 80% of Christians get saved at or under the age of 18. By the age of 70 your chances of ever getting saved decreases down to only 4%. Luke 18:17, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” This verse simply means that you must humble yourself as a little child to admit that you cannot save yourself, and that you need Jesus to save you. Getting saved requires humility, which children naturally possess but adults don't. As we grow older we become proud.

Simply believe on Jesus' name dear reader, receiving His sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that He was buried but then resurrected physically three days later for your justification. Believe the 'GOOD NEWS' (Gospel) of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and risen, and you are saved.

Repentance And Faith

Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In theology repentance and faith are not the same thing. Yet, repentance and faith happen at the same time. You don't repent first and then have faith. Some people confuse turning away from their sinful behavior as repentance, but this is reformation. Others confuse sorrow over sins with repentance, but this is penitence. Some people confuse trying to right your wrongs (i.e., to make a mend) as repentance, but this is penance. Repentance is a change of mind toward God, as we just learned in Acts 20:21.

A helpful illustration of repentance and faith is getting on an airplane to travel somewhere. I live in the city of Pensacola. Lets say that I buy a plane ticket to Hawaii. When I get on the plane and am flying toward Hawaii, I don't have to first leave Pensacola and then make a second decision to move toward Hawaii. They happen simultaneously. Likewise, false prophets like Ray Comfort preaches that to get to Heaven, you must first commit to live a perpetual lifestyle of forsaking your sinning, and then “second” (Ray even uses this word) put your trust in Christ to be saved. Dear reader, trusting Jesus as your personal Savior is NOT the “second” thing you need to do to get to Heaven, it is the ONLY thing!!!

In the Gospel of John we find the word “believe” mentioned 85 times, but you won't find the word “repent” mentioned even once. This is simply because repentance is automatic. The Greek word for repent regarding salvation in the Bible is always either the noun form metanoia, meaning “a change of mind”; or the verb form metanoeo meaning “to think differently.” It is tragic that millions of unsaved wicked men have embellished this simple meaning to errantly teach that you have to turn from your sinful ways, experience a radical transformation of heart, or follow Christ as “Lord” to be saved, none of which are biblical.

If repentance were a separate act from faith, then John would have told us in the Gospel of John, but he didn't. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” As a general rule, you should never base a doctrine on an obscure passage of Scripture while ignoring a clear one. False prophets like to cite passages such as Acts 2:38 and Acts 20:21 in an attempt to teach that turning from your sinful bad habits is something more required to be saved then just faith in the Gospel. But those false teachers totally ignore the entire Gospel of John. The truth is that Christ died on a cross to pay our debt of sin. All that God requires of any man to be saved is to simply BELIEVE that Jesus did it all for you.

The man who believes has repented; and the man who repents has believed. Like two sides of one coin, repentance and faith are inseparable and happen at the same time. Let's go back to the airplane illustration, shall we. When a man gets on a airplane to travel someplace, he doesn't have to make two decisions; he is automatically leaving his origin as he moves toward his destination place. Likewise, the lost sinner who puts their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, has turned their back against the sins for which Christ needed to sacrifice Himself on Calvary's cross. That doesn't mean they are giving up their sinful bad habits, which would be works (Jonah 3:10); it just means they have acknowledged their sinnership before a holy God  (Romans 3:19-20). That is, you must know what you are being saved from.

Repentance Is A Change Of Mind, Nothing More

I was so happy today when I learned that Pastor Strand is correct on repentance. It is becoming rare these days to find a Baptist preacher who is correct on repentance and the Gospel. Pastor Strand added these words to explain Bible repentance...

True repentance concerning salvation occurs whenever a person “changes his mind” (i.e., repents) concerning who he is. He is a sinner in need of salvation. According to Matthew 27:3, Judas did not repent (i.e., have regret) as to who he was (i.e., he was a sinner in need of salvation); he only regretted (i.e., repented) what he had done to an innocent man. Unfortunately, that is never enough to save a person from sin and sin's penalty (Hell). Until a person sees himself as being “sinfully” sick (Lk 5:31-32), he will never see his need for a “spiritual doctor” (i.e., the Savior). Our problem is not in what we do before God, but in what we are before God. The mistake Judas made was in “turning from his sin” (i.e., what he had done to an innocent man) instead of “changing his mind” about his sinfulness (i.e., the fact that he was a sinner in need of a Savior). Like the thief on the cross who never had the opportunity to “turn from his sin,” we, like him, can only “acknowledge our sinfulness” in order to be saved (Lk 23:40-41). True repentance for salvation occurs when we “change our mind” concerning two areas:

1. Who we are (Lk 23:39-40) — We are sinners in need of salvation (Rom 5:6-8)
2. Who Christ is (Lk 23:42) — Christ is God (Jn 5:17-18 & 8:24, 58-59 & 10:30-33) and our only Savior from sin (I Tim 3:16 & 4:10).

SOURCE: Pastor Brad Strand, “The Strand Study Bible,” p 1938-1939

Boy, that is great stuff! That is life-changing truth! I am not kidding friend. When you learn the truth about repentance and the Gospel—knowing how simple God's plan of salvation really is and that it can all be yours completely for free; and you have received that free gift of eternal life by faith alone in Jesus Christ—it will produce unspeakable joy in your soul.

1st Peter 1:7-9, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

No believer will ever find the sweet peace and joy of being God's redeemed child, until you know beyond any shadow of a doubt that your name is written in Heaven, in the Lamb's Book of Life (Luke 10:20). As an acknowledged guilty sinner, by faith I received Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for my sins at age 13. I called out in my soul to the risen Savior, casting my trust upon Him alone as my Savior. I thank God for the gift of His only begotten (biological) Son, Jesus, who with His precious blood paid my debt of sin (1st Peter 1:18-19).

God bless Brother Strand for rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Repentance And Faith Happen At The Same Time

Nowhere does the inspired King James Bible teach that you must forsake a lifestyle of sinning, nor give up your sinful bad habits, nor even “be willing” (Jack Chick's damnable heresy) to turn away from your sinful bad habits to be saved. Anyone who teaches such lies is pulling on the same rope as the Devil, and they have never been born-again by faith alone in Christ alone.

Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty!

Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith.

Turning away from sinful ways would be a work. Faith puts all of the merit where it belongs, on the object of our faith, Jesus and His work.

If to “repent” means to forsake our sinful ways TO BE SAVED, but Jesus already paid for our sins by dying on the cross, then what are we repenting from?

The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU.

I often quote those helpful statements, because they are the truth. Your sinful ways has nothing to do with God's free gift of eternal life. Certainly, once you receive Christ and are in Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:17), God is going to start dealing with your soul about the sins in your life as His redeemed child (Hebrews 12:6-8). However, this is strictly a matter of SERVICE for your Lord (Romans 12:1), and not a matter of SALVATION, which is Christ's doing alone (Galatians 3:26).

Repentance is not a separate act from believing. We don't repent AND believe; we repent TO believe. The object of repentance is to believe the Gospel. That is, you think differently to admit you're a guilty SINNER and that Jesus is the only SAVIOR, and by believing the GOOD NEWS (GOSPEL) of Christ's death, burial and resurrection you are instantly, irrevocably and forever saved (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Nothing more is required to get to Heaven. Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.

I heard a religious woman in 2021 testify that she thought she was saved, but then realized she'd never turned away from her sinning. She testified at a revival service that now she knows she's saved, because she has turned from her habit of sinning. Dear reader, she is still as lost as a moose in a caboose in a snowstorm!!! She is no closer to Heaven than she was before, all because her wicked pastor lied to her. She has been given false hope by her unsaved foolish pastor. I am talking about an independent Baptist church pastor in Texas! This is sadly happening all across the United States today. Pastors and laymen alike have been woefully deceived by the Devil. They have been lied to by infidel preachers on radio and television, from nearly every pulpit today, misled to think you must forsake your sinful bad habits or else God won't honor your faith in His only begotten Son. Nothing could be further from the truth of God's Word.

The only way to become a born-again child of God is to wholly lean on Jesus' name (Hebrews 4:10-11). Adding anything to faith cancels it! Faith in Jesus PLUS anything equals damnation in Hell forever. The promised Messiah came into the world to pay for your sins and mine, He doesn't demand that we forsake those sins in order to qualify for God's free gift of eternal life. The truth is that no one is capable of forsaking his or her sins. There is no way! You may clean up your life and reform in the eyes of men, but you are still a dirty wretched sinner and so am I. Psalms 130:3, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?”

You see, you don't get saved by doing your part to clean up you filthy ways, and then trust Christ as a secondary thing. That is a counterfeit plan of salvation which cannot produce the new birth by the Holy Spirit of God. To be saved, you must submit wholly to God's righteousness, which is by faith alone in Jesus Christ (Romans 4:1-7, 10:3-4; Philippians 3:9).

The Lying Counterfeit Gospel Of Pacific Garden Mission

Acts 16:29-31, “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? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

I am alarmed at how many preachers, Bible colleges, radio stations, television channels, missionaries and so-called ministries are preaching a counterfeit plan of salvation today. Dr. Jack Hyles (1926-2001) faithfully exposes the Devil's fallacy of Lordship Salvation...

“I never thought, I'd see a day when Baptist preachers would not preach the true Gospel. Tonight, all across this nation, Baptist preachers have succumbed to the heresy of John MacArthur. I said the heresy of John MacArthur! I said the heresy of John MacArthur! And somebody that's got several thousand people to hear 'em, who can go across this country, has got to alert Baptists that we have false teachers in our midst who ​are no longer teaching and preaching salvation by grace through faith plus nothing. Folks, we're fighting for our lives tonight!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “A Vote For Preaching”

I am about to show you the damnable false plan of salvation preached on UNSHACKLED radio by the Pacific Garden Mission (PGM) in Chicago. 

The False Gospel Of Gary Reynolds

I listened to UNSHACKLED radio today, which was aired in 2023 by Pacific Garden Mission (PGM) in Chicago. The episode number is 3804, the classic story of Gary Reynolds. Here is a heretical quote from an excerpt of the program, spoken by the actor who plays Gary...

“You must believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and then acknowledge Him as the Lord of your life.” [emphasis added] —'UNSHACKLED,' episode #3804, Gary Reynolds

The PGM narrator then adds this heretical statement... 

“You can have the peace and freedom that Gary found in Jesus Christ, but you must repent and believe in Jesus as Lord.” [emphasis added]

Dear reader, that is NOT God's simple plan of salvation!!! Our text passage from Acts 16:29-31 shows the simplicity of the Gospel. We are saved by simply BELIEVING on Christ.

If believing on Jesus as your “Lord” we required to be saved, then the Bible would have said so. You simply take Him as your Savior, not your Lord (Dr. Hyles excerpt), to get to Heaven. If you have to follow Christ as the “Lord” of your life, and repent to “turn from your sins” (which PGM teaches often), then no one is saved. Those are self-righteous works (Jonah 3:10).

Jesus Christ died on a cross to pay our debt of sin. He was buried. Three days later Jesus physically resurrected miraculously from the dead. This is “the gospel”...

1st Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

I didn't see anything mentioned about making Jesus the “Lord” of your life, did you? I didn't see anything about turning from your sinful bad habits, did you? PGM makes sure to push the Lordship Salvation heresy in every UNSHACKLED episode, because they are trying to force sinners to reform and clean up your own life. They are attempting to do the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit in a believer's life (John 17:17).

Dear friend, in the true Gospel the entire burden of sin rests upon Christ alone, who died in our place on the cross; but in the Devil's Lordship Salvation lie, the burden of sin is placed upon the sinner's shoulders, because you are required to turn from your sins and follow Christ as Lord of your life to be saved. The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU. Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty! Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith.

“SALVATION is a decision to trust; SERVICE is a commitment to God to perform.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, “Works And Grace Clearly Explained”

“To add anything to salvation other than the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross is to say that His death was not sufficient payment for our sins.” —Dr. Curtis Hutson

“My sin belongs to me; my righteousness is Jesus Christ's.” —Pastor Brad Moffett

“Sound doctrine is like a sound ship. There are no holes in it.” —Pastor David Baker 

These are great quotes from godly men who understand and preach the true Gospel. PGM is messed up doctrinally. Their theology is like a sinking ship with holes in it. I absolutely hate the Devil's falsehood of Lordship Salvation with a perfect hatred, but I do not hate the deceived men and women who preach it today. My heart goes out to them because they have sincerely been tricked by the master of all deceivers, Satan (2nd Corinthians 11:13-15). All I can do is preach the true Gospel, expose the Devil's lies, and pray that someone will heed the truth. 1st Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

If you admit that you're a guilty sinner in God's sight for breaking His commandments, and you will simply receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, believing that He was buried and raised up three days later from the dead, then YOU ARE SAVED. The man who believes had repented. That is, he has changed his mind from unbelief to belief (i.e., he has turned from his dead works to faith in Christ - Hebrews 6:1). True repentance has nothing to do with “turning from sin” and everything to do with “acknowledging one's sinfulness” (Romans 3:19-20; 2nd Timothy 2:25). Like the thief on the cross who simply acknowledged his sinfulness (Luke 23:39-43), the only part a person has in salvation is the beggar's part.

Kindly said, Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago is preaching another gospel (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4) of partial faith in Christ PLUS taking Christ as your “Lord” (which implies that you must give up your lifestyle of sinning to be saved, which is works and not grace). I've listened to hundreds of UNSHACKLED episodes, so I know what they teach. A corrupt plan of salvation cannot produce the new birth.

The False Gospel of Rodney Williams

I heard another UNSHACKLED episode today, the story of Rodney Williams (Part 2), episode #2803. Here is a transcript of their doctrinally perverse phone conversation. Pastor Rodney Williams tells the stranger a counterfeit plan of salvation, giving him false hope...

Stranger: “Is this the guy who wrote a book about Meth?

Pastor Williams: Yes.

Stranger: “I need help man, I'm in so deep; so deep.

Pastor Williams: I've been there, and Jesus is the answer.

Stranger: Oh, don't be talkin' religious stuff man. 

Pastor Williams: I'm telling you the truth. Jesus saved my life. He pulled me out of the same pit you're in. He lives and He loves you. He will change your life.

Stranger: Yeah, how?

Pastor Williams: You have to put your trust in Him. Repent of your sins against God, and ask Him to save you. 

Stranger: You don't get it man, I owe people money. They gonna waste me, if I don't do it myself first. 

Pastor Williams: Satan wants you to die, and spend eternity in Hell, but Jesus died to give you eternal life, trust Him. You have to take a step of faith, and trust Him, it's the only way. 

Stranger: I been a fighter my whole life, I don't know if I can stop fighting. 

Pastor Williams: Following Jesus is not for wimps. Everyday is a battle, but the battle belongs to the Lord. He gives you the victory when you surrender your life to Him.

Stranger: I'm desperate, I'll try anything, even that!” [emphasis added]  

—'UNSHACKLED,' episode #3804, Rodney Williams (Part 2)

What you have just read is utter nonsense and damnable heresy!!! This is typical of the false teachings heard on UNSHACKLED radio. Let's examine Rodney Williams false gospel.  A complete stranger calls on the phone for help with his broken life, desperate, and Rodney tells him this garbage:

1. Trust Jesus
2. Repent of your sins
3. Follow Jesus
4. Surrender your life to Him

You cannot support the last 3 requirements with the inspired Holy Bible to get to Heaven. This is NOT God's simple plan of salvation. Moreover, Rodney didn't even mention Jesus' death on the cross, burial or bodily resurrection (which is the Gospel according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4).

I love what Pilgrim's Progress author, John Bunyan, wrote:

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —John Bunyan (1628-1688)

That is my favorite preacher quote! John Bunyan fully understood the utter importance of maintaining separation between sanctification and justification. That is, we must keep SERVICE (Romans 12:1) separate from SALVATION (Galatians 3:26). Many people have been lied to by preachers, misled to think that they are not saved unless their life has changed for the better, but that is not true. They have made the dire error of mixing works with grace. They have combined service with salvation, corrupting the Gospel and confusing people.

Pastor M.R. DeHaan Gets Salvation Right

Another one of my favorite quotes is from Pastor M.R. DeHaan (1891-1965)...

"There is a vast difference between coming to Jesus for salvation and coming after Jesus for service. Coming to Christ makes one a believer, while coming after Christ makes one a disciple. All believers are not disciples. To become a believer one accepts the invitation of the Gospel, to be a disciple one obeys the challenge to a life of dedicated service and separation. Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Christ; discipleship comes only by sacrifice of self and surrender to His call for devoted service. Salvation is free, but discipleship involves paying the price of a separated walk. Salvation can't be lost because it depends upon God's faithfulness, but discipleship can be lost because it depends upon our faithfulness." —Pastor M.R. DeHaan, “Hebrews”; Zondervan Publishing House; 1959 (p. 117)

Bravo Dr. DeHaan! I am shocked and saddened that most pastors today, including the clergy as a whole, are guilty of failing to put a difference between sanctification and justification. In so doing, they have corrupted the Word of God and cast stumblingblocks before the people. PGM and UNSHCAKLED are guilty of mixing works with grace. They are guilty of failing to differentiate between the fruit of the Spirit produced in a believer's life who Walks in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25), versus the childlike faith without works which brings salvation (Romans 4:1-7). PGM horribly places the burden of change upon the sinner, instead of wholly leaning on Jesus' name to get to Heaven. Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.

Beware Of UNSHACKLED Radio

I cannot warn you enough to avoid these false prophets, who mislead lost sinners, sending them to Hell after being given a false hope. Nobody has ever been born-again by following Christ, turning from your sins or surrendering to Jesus, PLUS trusting Christ. You can only be saved by wholly leaning on Jesus' precious name. That is, you must trust what Jesus did to pay your debt of sin through Calvary's cross and nothing more. 1st Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” There is the Gospel. Amen. What PGM is propagating is a false plan of salvation—the same lies which the religious cults teach.

RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

My Fault As A Preacher Is Caring Too Much

2nd Corinthians 8:16, “But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.”

That is an amazing passage of Scripture. The Bible teaches that God put care into the heart of Brother Titus for the church at Corinth. Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Has God put care into your heart dear friend for a group of people? God put a burden in my heart (and gave me the ability) in 2002 to start a website ministry. It has been a consuming passion ever since to work (day and night) on the ministry which the Lord has entrusted to me. Colossians 4:17, “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.”

Anybody who has been following my ministry over the years, knows that I make a fuss over little things. I pay attention to the details. For example: Take a look at this Bible verse comparison chart from Zechariah 13:6, and you tell me if I am being too picky. ... 

Do you still think I bumped my head? Only a blatant liar and fraud for a preacher would even try to defend what I have just shown you. It couldn't be more obvious that Satan is behind the modern-day Bible publishing craze in America. These corrupt Bible perversions are very dangerous, because the Bible versions you choose to use will affect your doctrine. But don't take my word for it, see for yourself in this comparison of Hebrews 6:1...

EASY-TO-READ VERSION (ERV) — “So we should be finished with the beginning lessons about Christ. We should not have to keep going back to where we started. We began our new life by turning away from the evil we did in the past and by believing in God.” [emphasis added]

Here again is Hebrews 6:1 in the beloved, correct, King James Bible . . .

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) — Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” [emphasis added]

Do you see how the new corrupt Bible versions are horribly changing theology in the churches? The King James Bible teaches that we must repent from our DEAD WORKS to be saved, but the ERV teaches that we must stop living a life of deliberate sin (evil) to be saved. These are two very different meanings. Dead works refer to the useless things you are trusting in to get you to Heaven (sacraments, turning from sins, baptism, et cetera). To be saved you must repent (change your mind) concerning WHO YOU ARE and WHO CHRIST IS. You must admit your SINNERSHIP and trust in Jesus' SAVIORSHIP.

True repentance has nothing to do with “turning from sin” and everything to do with “acknowledging one's sinfulness” (Romans 3:19-20). Like the thief on the cross who simply acknowledged his sinfulness (Luke 23:39-43), the only part a person has in salvation is the beggar's part. Salvation is a TAKE proposition, not a GIVE proposition. To be saved you must repent (change your mind) concerning those dead works which cannot save, and instead put your trust as a guilty sinner in Jesus Christ.

Most Preachers Don't Pay Attention To The Details

Your average preacher and pastor today couldn't care less about which Bible people use, but I do care. If you don't have a King James Bible, you don't have an inspired Holy Bible in the English language. All of the Devil's modern Bible revisions are corrupt.

Tragically, over 90% of pastors and preachers today preach another gospel of Lordship Salvation, or wrong repentance (aka, the heresy that you must “turn from your sins” to get to Heaven). As I just mentioned, true repentance has nothing to do with “turning from sin” and everything to do with “acknowledging one's sinfulness” (Romans 3:19-20).

God knows that I am not bragging, but I do have the Gospel correct, and I do know that the King James Bible is the inspired Word of God. Like the Apostle Paul, I am set for the defence of the Gospel. Philippians 1:15-17, “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.” There is nothing in this universe any more important than the Gospel, the power of God by which all who BELIEVE IT are eternally saved (Romans 1:16).

There are millions of false teachers today, who embellish, add and pervert the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their own destruction, and of those who follow them (2nd Peter 3:16-17). I have made many enemies in the Bob Jones University (BJU) camp, for preaching against their Lordship Salvation cult. I have made many enemies in the Pensacola Christian College (PCC) cult, for preaching against their damnable wrong repentance heresy. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

Somebody's Got To Care

Some of my blog, Facebook and website readers are so sick and tired of me harping on these two cults (BJU and PCC) that they no longer want to follow my ministry. That's sad but okay, because I am preaching THE TRUTH which God has put into my heart, to contend for the Christian faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). 2nd Corinthians 8:16, “But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.” God has put care into my heart concerning the Gospel and the Word of God. I am set for the defense of the Gospel and the inspired Holy Bible. Somebody needs to be a Watchman!!!

I am like a Pitbull dog wandering around a junkyard, guarding the place, biting any trespassers in the leg. A good preacher has to continually play a game of Whack-A-Mole! When another mole of false doctrine or a false prophet rears its ugly head out of a hole, WHACK with the truth of God's Word! What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace. Well, I'm not tolerating any of it. I am faithfully exposing the Devil's frauds of Lordship Salvation and Misunderstood Repentance. I am faithfully exposing the Devil's frauds of Calvinism, Zionism, Dispensationalism, Modalism, Ecumenism, Neo-evangelicalism and other heretical -isms.

I am paying attention to the details. I CARE!!! God has put care into my heart, as the Lord also put care into the heart of Titus. You either care or you don't. Many Christians today have become indifferent, not caring one way or the other. That is the fault of bad pastors who prioritize making money and growing the church, rather than preaching the inspired truth of God's Word.

Pensacola Christian College (PCC) is a prime offender, all they care about is their tens of millions of dollars in revenues, while the world goes to Hell. PCC's counterfeit plan of salvation gives lost sinners a false hope. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. Most of PCC's followers are merely living the Christian life, playing church while going through all the motions, but have never been born-again.

I am a much hated preacher, because I fuss over the little things, like teaching the proper meaning of repentance. In truth, that is a giant thing in the Lord's sight. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!! It really does. 1st Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

I admit that I live a frustrated life as a fundamentalist Bible preacher. I am always going against the common consensus of preachers, swimming up river against the flow, fighting against mainstream apostate Christendom. It gets frustrating to be kicked out of multiple churches, shunned by corrupt pastors, banned from returning, hated by Bible colleges and scorned by such fools for telling THE TRUTH. Paul had the same problem. Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” For preaching THE TRUTH, the Apostle Paul was counted by the Galatians as their enemy.

The Ungodly Harvest Baptist Church Cult On Guam

That is exactly what happened to me at the wicked Harvest Baptist Church on Guam. When I attended their church in 2014, I befriended their pastors by telling them the truth that Lordship Salvation is a counterfeit plan of salvation. I shewed them, as a true friend does, that they were teaching a misunderstanding about repentance. Harvest's senior pastor, Marty Herron, said, and I quote: “It is not enough to admit you are a sinner, you must forsake a lifestyle of sinning to get to Heaven.” Oh my God! Pastor Herron told that lie to several hundred church members on a Sunday morning in his sermon invitation. I literally went home and cried, shocked by the damnable heresy I had just heard from an unsaved pastor.

I decided to help the church, as a true friend does, so I took my own money and purchased hundreds of dollars worth of books authored by godly pastors (Jack Hyles, Al Lacy, Max Younce, et cetera). Harvest's pastors were greatly offended and showed me the door! I shook the dust off my feet as Jesus said and left that cesspool of snakes. Shame on the Harvest Baptist Church on Guam. Marty Herron resigned as senior pastor in late 2018 and is now the incompetent vice president of Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary (preacher's cemetery) in Ankeny, Iowa. Herron is still destroying people's lives, giving them false hope by preaching a counterfeit gospel of partial faith in Christ PLUS turning from your sinful bad habits. I feel like the Lone Ranger taking a biblical stand against these false prophets, as 99% of Baptist preachers today remain completely silent about heresy.

Do you care dear reader? I care because God cares. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!! A ministry friend sent me a sermon by Pastor Steven Anderson from June 11, 2006. It was preached Sunday evening. The sermon is titled "The Great Whore." Here is an excerpt that I made with Audacity, in which Brother Anderson exposes several big name Baptist pastors for wickedly bidding Godspeed to the "turn from your sins" heresy to be saved. I don't agree with all of Pastor Anderson's doctrines or methods, but I thank God for him, that he contends for the faith and exposes corrupt preachers (Titus 1:13-14).

Most Churchgoers Couldn't Care Less About Right Doctrine

The biggest problem in the Christian world today is that God's children don't care. We've become so accustomed to hearing lying preachers tell us to “turn from your sins” and “invite Christ into your life” to be saved, that it's no big deal to us anymore. Well, IT IS A VERY BIG DEAL!!! Dear reader, true repentance has nothing to do with “turning from sin” and everything to do with “acknowledging one's sinfulness” (Romans 3:19-20). Like the thief on the cross who simply acknowledged his sinfulness (Luke 23:39-43), the only part a person has in salvation is the beggar's part. ...

“More people will die and burn in Hell, because they're trusting too much!”—Pastor Jack Hyles, “Yea, Yea, And Nay, Nay!”

“Everything that's hard and complicated about salvation is God's side of it!”—Pastor Jack Hyles, “Yea, Yea, And Nay, Nay!”

I may be the black sheep of the family for stepping on preacher's toes, but so be it. Somebody needs to contend for the Christian faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). I had excellent teachers (Jack Hyles, Curtis Hutson, Harry Ironside, Max Younce, Hank Lindstrom, Ralph Yankee Arnold, et cetera) who all preach a simple free grace Gospel without works. They all rightly teach to wholly lean on Jesus' name to get to Heaven, not partial faith in Christ PLUS something more. I thank God for these godly men who preach the truth.

It is tragic that over 95% of professed Christians today are primarily concerned about making more money. They will deny that serious charge against them, but their unwillingness to contend for the faith and lack of fighting the good fight of faith indicts them. I'm talking about the cult at Pensacola Christian College. I'm talking about the cult at Bob Jones University. All of these institutions preach a counterfeit gospel of Lordship Salvation, not a free grace gospel without works. Sadly, hardly anyone in the religious racket cares anymore, and that's really was it has become today, a horrible racket. Today's Bible colleges are illegal enterprises in God's eyes because they pervert the Gospel and give lost sinners false hope.

There Has Always Been Only One Gospel

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 1:6-7 that there is only one Gospel, not two or three. Everyone saved in the Old Testament was saved by faith alone in Christ alone (Acts 10:43). Abraham was saved by faith alone (Genesis 15:6). Abraham was saved by the same Gospel. Galatians 3:6-8, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”

Moses preached the same Gospel that Paul preached, one of remission of sins through faith alone in the Messiah (Hebrews 4:1-2). The prophet Habakkuk said, “the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4b).

Isaiah preached the same Gospel. Romans 10:16, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”

Romans 4:4 tells us that if at any time salvation had ever been by works, then it was of debt and not grace. Dear friend, God has never at any time in human civilization owed anybody eternal life. If anyone has ever been saved, or ever will be saved, it is only because of the precious blood of the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world (John 1:29; 1st Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 7:14). Romans 4:3-4, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” You get saved by believing the GOOD NEWS (i.e., GOSPEL) that Jesus died on a cross to pay for your debt of sin, He was buried and then He bodily resurrected from the dead three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4).

Sadly, that is not what is being taught in over 95% of churches, Bible colleges, Christian radio stations and televisions channels today. My biggest fault (which is not really a fault) is that I care too much, that I make a fuss over little things, and that I refuse to shut up for God. So please pardon me if my truthful preaching offends you, it is only because I love you with Christ's unconditional love and want to help you.

My “fault” for which I was driven out of the Harvest Baptist Church on Guam by their wicked pastors, and banned from returning, is that I cared enough about them to befriend them with THE TRUTH. My “fault” for which I was mistreated by Pastor Jeff Redlin at Campus Church and driven away, and then banned from returning to Pensacola Christian College's campus, is because I cared enough to befriend them with THE TRUTH. Telling the truth is the quickest way to be counted as the “enemy” and banned from attending a church. Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”

Whereas 99% of preachers today are careful what they say to protect their career and future financial security, I am going to preach THE TRUTH even if it means losing everything, and I have lost nearly everything for telling THE TRUTH. John the Baptist was a man of conviction and it cost him his life, literally. When John preached against Herod's sins (Matthew 14:3-4; Mark 6:18), Herod's wicked adulterous wife Herodias had John murdered. Woe unto her in the fires of Hell! If God allowed John the Baptist (the greatest man ever born among women - Matthew 11:11) to be martyred, then who am I to escape persecution for my Christian faith and truthful preaching (2nd Timothy 3:12)? It is my privilege and joy to preach the Word of God.

Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

The Satanic Plan Of Salvation At Pensacola Christian College

I never thought that my worst enemies would be neo-evangelical churches like the wicked Harvest Baptist Church on Guam, and neo-evangelical Bible colleges like Pensacola Christian College (PCC). What PCC is teaching today is not fundamentalism, it is neo-evangelical garbage! 

On page 62 of the “John & Romans” booklet which Campus Church at PCC delivered to my home's mailbox in November of 2023 (I live in the city of Pensacola), it teaches this damnable false doctrine to get to Heaven:

“I repent of my sins. I realize that sin is something that God hates and I no longer want to hold onto sinful bad habits in my life.” [emphasis added]

SOURCE: “John & Romans,” Campus Church at Pensacola Christian College, p. 62

I was shocked on page 60 when I read PCC's counterfeit plan of salvation. What I am about to show you is straight from Satan dear reader:

“REPENTANCE — Now is the time to turn from your sin and embrace God. The act of turning away from sin is called 'repentance.' This word implies an inward decision to follow and obey God's will instead of your self-serving sins. It means changing your mind about sin and seeing it as something that grieves God. The Bible says that God patiently waits for all people to make this decision.”

SOURCE: “John & Romans,” Campus Church at Pensacola Christian College, p. 60

Do you still think I bumped my head? I've been exposing the cult at Bob Jones University (BJU) since 2014, and now I have been exposing the cult at Pensacola Christian College (PCC) since 2021. By God's grace, I will continue to expose these wicked organizations.

The quotes that I just shared with you from PCC's Campus Church are NOT part of the Gospel which the Apostle Paul preached in 1st Corinthians 15:1-4...

1st Corinthians15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

There you have it! The “Gospel” is the “GOOD NEWS” that Jesus Christ DIED on a cross for our sins, He was BURIED and after three days He physically RESURRECTED from the dead. In Paul's Gospel (which Paul said he received directly from Jesus in Galatians 1:12), did you see anything that reads: “follow and obey God's will instead of your self-serving sins.” No, that is not what Paul taught. So why is PCC and their Campus Church promoting this filth? Why does the Sword of the Lord wickedly advertise PCC in their paper?

The only requirement to believe the Gospel is to know why you need to be saved? You need to know what you're being saved from. You are a guilty sinner, and so am I. No one has ever lived who didn't sin (Romans 3:10-23), except Jesus (Hebrews 4:15). He is the perfect sinless Lamb of God (John 1:29). The Bible teaches and warns that the wages we earn from our sinning is death (Romans 5:12, 6:23). This includes a second death in Hell, fire and brimstone forever (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). If you admit by faith to God that you are a guilty sinner deserving of Hell, then that is all you need to know to believe the GOOD NEWS that Jesus Christ died on a cross to pay for your sins, was buried and three days later He bodily raised up from the dead for your justification. BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS, oh sinner, and you are saved!

My preaching will likely continue to hare lip every dog in the county, but so be it. I am telling THE TRUTH. Thank you for reading my blog. Jesus is precious!!!

I Still Sin A Lot And Am Worried I Might Not Be Saved

Romans 10:12-15, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”

Many people have been lied to by preachers, misled to think that they are not saved unless their life has changed for the better, but that is not true. One of my favorite quotes is from Pastor M.R. DeHaan (1891-1965)...

"There is a vast difference between coming to Jesus for salvation and coming after Jesus for service. Coming to Christ makes one a believer, while coming after Christ makes one a disciple. All believers are not disciples. To become a believer one accepts the invitation of the Gospel, to be a disciple one obeys the challenge to a life of dedicated service and separation. Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Christ; discipleship comes only by sacrifice of self and surrender to His call for devoted service. Salvation is free, but discipleship involves paying the price of a separated walk. Salvation can't be lost because it depends upon God's faithfulness, but discipleship can be lost because it depends upon our faithfulness." —Pastor M.R. DeHaan, “Hebrews”; Zondervan Publishing House; 1959 (p. 117)

If I were to ask you the question dear reader—Do you know for sure that if you died today, would you go to Heaven?—what would your answer be? If I were asked that same question, my answer would be—I know I am saved because my only hope for forgiveness of sins and eternal life is what Jesus Christ has already done through Calvary's cross to pay for my sins. I realized as a 13 year old boy that I was a guilty sinner in God's sight, and by faith I received what Christ did to pay for my sins on the cross. I am only trusting upon Jesus' death on the cross, His burial and physical resurrection from the dead three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). That is all that I am trusting in to get me to Heaven. If you're answer is different, then you need to get saved friend.

Your behavior, sins and feelings have nothing to do with being saved. You are either solely trusting what Christ did to pay your debt of sin through Calvary's cross, or you're not. Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith. Turning away from sinful ways would be a work. Faith puts all of the merit where it belongs, on the object of our faith, Jesus and His work. The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU.

“Sound doctrine is like a sound ship. There are no holes in it.” —Pastor David Baker

I say “through” because Jesus after He raised up from the dead, still needed to take His literal liquid blood to Heaven to sprinkle upon the Mercy Seat in the presence of God the Father on our behalf (Hebrews 9:12, 22-24; 10:1-4, 12:14). Redemption wasn't “finished” on the cross, for Christ hadn't even died, been buried or resurrected yet. When Christ said “it is finished” (John 19:29-30), He was referring to all the Messianic prophecies concerning Himself up until that point, right after He uttered the words “I thirst” (thus fulfilling Psalms 69:21).

Your behavior, sins and feelings have absolutely nothing to do with being saved. You are either solely trusting what Christ did to pay your debt of sin through Calvary's cross, or you're not. Many people are trusting Christ PLUS something else, and they are not saved. You must put your trust (reliance) upon Jesus only, believing that He is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God (John 20:31). I again recommend that you read Michael P. Bowen's helpful book, "I Never Knew You."

Many people are trusting Christ PLUS something else, and they are not saved. You must put your trust (reliance) upon Jesus, believing that He is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God. I again recommend that you read Michael P. Bowen's helpful book, "I Never Knew You."

I encourage you to listen several times to the Gospel of John, which is God's Gospel tract.

The sins of bitterness, gossip, lust, hate, drunkenness, worry, gluttony, hatred, covetousness and other vices are something that every believers struggle with. Even the best Christians still sin every day and struggle with the sinful flesh. We all have a Skeleton Closet of sins that we don't want other people to know about. That doesn't mean you're not saved. Faith is the only righteous thing that anyone can do to be saved.

You cannot turn away from your sinning and neither can I or anyone else. You might be able to reform and clean up your life, so that you feel more self-righteous and others may think you are a good person, but you still sin and are a sinner. We are saved by trusting in Christ's righteousness, not ours. That is critically important for you to understand. Every Christian should memorize this Bible verse from Philippians 3:9, "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" You need HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!!! That is, we are saved by God's imputed righteousness (Romans 4:4-7). By the way, all Bible citations are ONLY from the inspired King James Bible, because all of the modern revisions are corrupted by Satan.

You need to understand that eternal life is a "FREE GIFT" (Romans 5:18) from God. A gift cannot be merited, earned or deserved in any way. Salvation is not a reward, it is a gift for the guilty. You may say that you still sin horribly and worry you're not really saved, but that is exactly who Christ died for, "THE UNGODLY" (Romans 5:6-9). Please don't make the common foolish mistake of looking at your behavior, instead of trusting completely in what Jesus has already done through the cross to pay your massive debt of sin.

The way that you choose to live as a saint is a separate matter of service (Romans 12:1), not salvation (Galatians 3:26). How you choose to live as a born-again believer will determine your rewards and happiness in Heaven, but it has nothing to do with getting saved, which Christ alone did for you, paying for your ticket to Heaven with His precious blood (1st Peter 1:18-19).

I also encourage you to look up these Scripture passages that I have shared with you and memorize many of them. You'll never be able to settle the assurance of God's salvation if you are not familiar with the Word of God. I know I am saved because I can stand upon the promises of God in the Holy Bible. But I have memorized hundreds of Scripture passages in my 43 years as a born again believer since age 13, which help me immensely.

If you still have doubts, pray and ask God to give you the peace you seek, by helping you to understand His great plan of salvation. As long as you associate the new birth with your change of behavior, you will remain confused and worried. One thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other. If I offer you a gift, but then require you to live a better life to keep it or to prove that it actually is yours, it wouldn't and couldn't truly be a "gift." Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9 teach us that eternal life is the "gift" of God. You simply TAKE a gift.