'Cultural Christianity' Cannot Get You To Heaven

John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

I found an interesting and equally disturbing article yesterday from the CHURCH LEADERS website titled, 'The Rise Of Cultural Christianity.' Here is a quote from the article written by James Emery White on September 13, 2024:

In an earlier blog, I noted with surprise the growing number of people who grieved the loss of what Christianity has historically brought to bear on culture who, themselves, are not Christians. SOURCE

Mr. White follows this statement by giving an example of infamous avowed atheist Richard Dawkins, who has publicly mourned the steady deterioration of Christianity over the past century. That is quite amazing! I am aware of several good examples myself of what is today called 'Cultural Christianity.'

In June of 2024, singer Justin Timberlake was arrested for a DUI. The media approached singer Billy Joel, who just happened to be eating lunch at the same upscale hotel where Mr. Timberlake had eaten dinner the night before. The reporter asked Billy Joel what he thought about the arrest of Justin Timberlake. Billy simply replied in classic fashion by quoting Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Bravo Billy Joel! But the very strange thing is that Billy Joel as an avowed atheist! I found it interesting and equally frustrating that a famous atheist would quote the inspired Holy Bible which God Himself authored. Go figure!

Another example is my 83-year-old atheist neighbour, Maggie. When I first met her in early 2022 after I moved in, I gladly told her that I am a Christian. She instantly replied, “I am an atheist!” We became friends right away. I told her that our common brotherhood as humans trumped our religious beliefs. She was glad to hear that. We are both hermits...lol. We don't talk often, but I have shared the Gospel with her briefly on a couple occasions, which she strongly rejected.

I kindly tried to give her a hard copy of Michael P, Bowen's helpful book, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU,' but she refused to take it. She said her decision that there is no God was no light decision, she had taken a long time to come to her final conclusion. I am so sad for he, because the Lake of Fire will be her eternal damnation according to Revelation 20:11-15. Anyway, I mentioned Maggie because whenever I see her she asks me to pray for her. That is very interesting for an atheist to ask for my prayers to God for her. I think it is because as James Emery White wrote about in his intriguing article, praying for others is a part of our American culture. So that even atheists still want someone to pray for them. People just want to be loved.

I kindly wrote this article to emphasize the biblical truth that without being born again, no one can go to Heaven. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Increasingly we are hearing unsaved people, Christ rejecters, quote the Holy Bible, as for prayers and express their grief over the deterioration of Christendom in the United States. Only 3 in 10 Americans regularly attend church today. Sadly, today's churches are pathetic. With the sexualization of our American culture because of perverse Hollywood, the Satanic music industry and inappropriate sex education in public schools for children, our whole rotten society is collapsing in on itself. Foolish parents are ignoring the giant white elephant in the living room. I mean, look at this actual screenshot from Taylor Swift's YouTube video, "Wildest Dreams"...

Taylor Swift at 2:12 in her YouTube music video 'Wildest Dreams'

Only Satanists create and promote this kind of perverse content to minors. Why doesn't YouTube filter this? I mean, they keep filtering Bible preachers who preach hard against the sin of homosexuality, but then they allow this kind of wickedness. My friend Pastor Max D. Younce (1935-2023) in 2021 received his second threatening notice from YouTube, over his Bible preaching against homosexuality. Only one viewpoint is allowed today, which insists that you must be in favor of the demonic LGBTQ agenda, keep silent or be censored. Job 20:5, “That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?”

Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. We're seeing it everywhere today. Celebrities by the droves are speaking highly of the Holy Bible, but they are hellbound themselves. I heard inventor Elon Musk recently praising the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, but Elon himself as an avowed atheist. This is 'Cultural Christianity'

Christianity began in the New Testament with Jesus Christ and the new birth. When it went to Greece, Christianity became a philosophy. When Christianity went to Rome, it became an organization (the Roman Catholic Church). When Christianity spread throughout Europe, it became a culture. And when it came to America, Christianity became a dirty business. God never intended for Christianity to deteriorate into a career for the clergy. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When is the last time you heard any pastor, missionary or evangelist preach the truth that you cannot go to Heaven unless you get BORN AGAIN? I haven't heard any preacher in years say it! So sad. So tragic!

Every Bible preacher in the world should be warning lost sinners about God's coming fiery judgment upon unsaved sinners in Hell. Dear reader, you don't go to Hell because of your sins, you go to Hell because you failed to receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins. You can live the Christian life all you want, and still go straight to Hell when you breathe your last breath.\

In Matthew 7:21-23 we read a startling true story about a group of people who spent their lives on earth following Jesus. They boasted of their “many wonderful works.” They boasted that they had even cast our devils. They called Jesus “Lord, Lord” (there's the heresy of Lordship Salvation exposed in the Bible). They followed Jesus devoutly as the supreme “Lord” (Master) of their miserable lives, but Jesus denied knowing them as His redeemed sheep. Jesus tells us exactly why in verse 21, because they failed to do THE WILL OF THE FATHER. John 6:40 tells us what the Father's will is to get to Heaven. John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” Paul and Silas reiterated this truth in Acts 16:30b, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...”

We are now living in the “perilous times” foretold in 2nd Timothy 3:1-7. I've never seen so much evil and hatred against Christians as I do today in the United States. My dear ministry friend (whom I just communicated with earlier this week), Pastor David Baker, took his own life on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. I am still in emotional shock that my friend is gone. But to make matters much worse, at least 50 evil haters on Facebook targeted my Facebook page, posting laughing emojis to let me know they think it is funny that Pastor Baker committed suicide. They have no decency, love or shame!

To sink to that level of hatred, you have to be possessed by your father the Devil (John 8:44). Can you imagine someone so filled with hatred against a Christian pastor, that they think it is funny he killed himself? Woe unto those fools on Judgment Day! 1st Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

If you have never been born again dear friend, it is not too late if you are reading this blog. Simply BELIEVE that Jesus did it all for you through Calvary's cross. Make Jesus your only hope for forgiveness of sins and eternal life. All God the Father asks is that you REST in the finished redemptive work of His only begotten (biological) Son. According to 1st Corinthians 15:1-6, Jesus DIED on a cross to pay your debt of sin (and mine), and that He was BURIED, but three days later Christ RESURRECTED from the dead triumphant.

This is “the Gospel,” the Good News, by which all who BELIEVE IT are saved. The GOSPEL is the power of God unto salvation to all them who place their faith (trust, reliance) in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” BELIEVE IT, Oh sinner, and you will be saved instantly, irrevocably and permanently. You have GOD'S PROMISE of it (Titus 1:2; 1st Corinthians 1:21). Thank you for reading my blog and God bless.

Pastor Tom Stegall Exposes The Folly Of Lordship Salvation

Acts 13:38-39, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

There is not a more deadly false doctrine today than Lordship Salvation being propagated in the churches. Pastor Tom Stegall is the senior pastor of Duluth Bible Church. Brother Stegall is 100% free grace, my kind of Bible preacher. ...

True Grace Versus The Imbalance Of Legalism

This sermon is full of meat and potatoes biblical sound doctrine.

“Legalism does not make you holy, it just makes you appear holy.” —Pastor Tom Stegall, 'True Grace vs. The Imbalance Of Legalism'

The Devil has too many voices spreading lies and heresies. God's army is seeking volunteers to fight the good fight of faith. 1st Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Sadly, you'll have to look long and hard to find a courageous truth-telling pastor today who cares enough about THE TRUTH to expose the Devil's false Bible revisions, who cares enough to expose the Devil's deadly lies of Wrong Repentance and Lordship Salvation. Even worse, in most Baptist churches today you will hear a counterfeit plan of salvation preached, requiring you to be willing to “turn from your sins” to get to Heaven. Yet, no such teaching or requirement is found anywhere in the inspired King James Bible.

It is disheartening when I walk into a Baptist church for the first time, like the corrupt Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola, and I see poisonous Chick Tracts on display. Pastor Bill Adams (their senior pastor) is not fit to be a pastor. He is theologically incompetent, hateful and woefully lacks compassion for hurting people, which is regrettable learned firsthand when I attended their cult for seven months. Smyrna Baptist Church is pulling on the same rope as the Devil by promoting Chick Tracks and their wrong view of Bible repentance. You get saved by trusting Christ who died on the cross to pay your debt of sin, you don't get saved by reforming your life (which is self-righteousness). Shame on Jack Chick and any church who supports that deadly garbage!

BEWARE of Lordship Salvation, which teaches that faith is not enough to be saved. Lordship Salvation adds making Jesus the “Lord” of your life, so that you'll give up your sinful bad habits and follow Christ. This is service (Romans 12:1-2), not salvation (Galatians 3:26). It is slavation! Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.

Ray Comfort Requires Keeping The Law To Be Saved

Hebrews 4:10-11, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

This is THE SAME damnable heresy that is being shamefully taught at Pensacola Christian College (PCC). PCC invited and honored false prophet Ken Ham, who also teaches this damnable heresy that you must turn from your wicked ways to get to Heaven, which is really being required to KEEP THE LAW to be saved. These false prophets, and corrupt Bible colleges like PCC, MUST be exposed because RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!

I typed out this helpful commentary just now from The Strand Study Bible (page 2132) for 1st John 5:13a, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;”

5:13a There are two reasons why people need to “rethink” the Deity of CHRIST (that believe on the name of the Son of God):

1. It is a necessary part to salvation (Jn 8:24)

God tells us that there are two areas in which we must repent if we are to be saved: (1) we must change our minds as to who we are (Lk 5:31-32 & 13:1-5 and Mt 27:3). We are “sinfully” sick and in need of the Savior and cannot save ourselves (Rom 3:10, 23); and (2) We must change of minds as to who CHRIST is (Mt 4:13-17 & 11:20-24, Mk 1:15, Acts 3:12-19 and Acts 2:38). He's God (Jn 8:24, 58-59) and our only Savior (Acts 4:10-12).

Bible repentance is NEVER to turn away from your sinful bad habits, which would be human REFORMATION, not REPENTANCE. Pastor Strand is correct, we must repent (change our mind) about TWO things to be saved: (1) Who WE ARE; and (2) Who JESUS IS. We are Hell-deserving guilty SINNERS (Revelation 21:8), but Jesus is the crucified and risen SAVIOR (1st Thessalonians 4:14). That is the simplicity of the Gospel—you just have to stop trying to save yourself by WORKS (Hebrews 4:1); and rest in the finished sacrifice of Jesus which He made through Calvary's cross (Hebrews 4:10-11), so that Jesus could apply His precious shed blood to the Mercy Seat in Heaven in the presence of God the Father (Hebrews 9:12, 22-24; 10:1, 12:24).

Ray Comfort False Gospel Given To Millions

What Ray Comfort, Ken Ham, Jack Chick, Pacific Garden Mission's UNSACHKED, Bob Jones University (BJU), and Pensacola Christian College are preaching is something entirely different, where you are required to be willing to KEEP THE LAW in addition to childlike faith in the name of Jesus.

PCC is a cult today! Here is page 62 of the “John & Romans” booklet, which Campus Church delivered right into my mailbox last year. It tells the reader that to be saved you must make a mental check to forsake your sinning:

“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.”

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

Do you still think I bumped my head? PCC has MUCH blood on their incompetent hands for preaching a counterfeit plan of salvation. PCC's Campus Church mailed this damnable corrupt booklet to 50,000 homes in Pensacola! PCC must be held accountable for perverting the Gospel of free grace, for leading souls into Hell. I am not just barking up an empty tree here folks! If we could stop sinning on our own, we wouldn't need Jesus (Galatians 2:20).

The false gospel that Ray Comfort, Ken Ham, BJU and PCC preach gives you nothing but a burden. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Jesus gives rest; Ray Comfort gives you a heavy burden to bear (by trying to stop sinning to get to Heaven). How is the latter a free gift? The reason why PCC has been corrupted is because they refuse to contend for the faith.

Quotes From Pastor Hank Lindstrom

Pastor Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008) was the founding pastor of Calvary Community Church in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Lindstrom taught theology at Moody Bible Institute for 14 years, back when they were a solid Bible college. Sadly, today Moody has turned neo-evangelical largely. Dr. Lindstrom preached a free grace Gospel, which is so refreshing, considering that most pastor nowadays have bought into the Lordship Salvation lie.

“Nothing in my future can ever affect the salvation that I have... Once you trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are eternally secure!” —Pastor Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008), a quote from the classic MP3 sermon titled, “How Permanent Is Your Salvation?”

“Salvation is based upon purely what Jesus Christ has done. And if you've trusted Jesus Christ here, you're saved forever! Nothing in your life, nothing in your death, angels, principalities, nothing—nothing in your future—could ever undo that relationship that has been made when you trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. And there are many people who are confused over this whole thing.” —Pastor Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008), a quote from the classic MP3 sermon titled, “How Permanent Is Your Salvation?”

“There are many people who name the name of Jesus Christ, who are not saved, because they're trusting in living the Christian life, or in their works, or in some efforts that they're doing, in order to obtain their salvation.” —Pastor Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008), a quote from the classic MP3 sermon titled, “How Permanent Is Your Salvation?”

You Don't Have To Repent “Of Your Sins” To Be Saved

John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

I love this verse! How can anyone think they need to repent of sins for salvation when Jesus took away the sin of the world? JESUS PAID IT ALL!!!

You cannot show me one verse from the inspired King James Bible that says to repent “of your sins” to be saved. Acts 20:21 speaks of “repentance toward God.” 2nd Timothy 2:25 speaks of “repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” To be saved you must repent (change your mind) concerning two things: 1) WHO YOU ARE, and 2) WHO JESUS IS. You must change your thinking to agree with God that YOU ARE A SINNER, and that JESUS IS THE CHRIST.

Simply receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that He was buried, but then physically resurrected the third day. This is “the gospel” by which all who BELIEVE IT are saved. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” To “the Jew first” simply means chronologically. God gave the Gospel to Israel first, with the hope that the Jews would be His ambassadors to the Gentiles (Exodus 19:5-6). Sadly, Israel rebelled against God's plan, turning to false idols instead to worship (Ezekiel 14:5). So, God divorced the nation of Israel, as a business deal gone bad. God turned to the Gentiles instead to preach the Gospel to the world, and so it still is today in 2024.

The Devil is a liar (John 8:44). Satan knows that if he can embellish God's simple plan of salvation, by requiring you to make an effort to reform (clean up your life of sin) to get to Heaven, then he has succeeded in blocking you from the new birth, which is by faith alone. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul meant in Galatians 5:4 when he wrote, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Some foolish Bible students misinterpret this verse to mean that you can lose God's free gift salvation, but that is not true.

The adage “ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED” is 100% biblical! If you can lose eternal life by not doing something right, then it couldn't be a free gift, and it is YOU who are trying to save yourself. So many people get confused and have much difficulty understanding the biblical concept of God's grace, because all their life they've associated morality with going to Heaven. It is very hard for them to grasp still going to Heaven, while continuing in a perverse lifestyle of sinning. Yet, that is exactly what we all do, isn't it. There is none good, no not one (Romans 3:10).

Jesus is the Lamb of God who died on a cross to pay our debt of sin, so that by His sacrifice we could be made the righteousness of God through faith in Him (2nd Corinthians 5:21).