“AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD...”

 

On August 4, 2009, George Sodini randomly killed three women and wounded nine others in a shooting spree in an L. A. Fitness Club. The following is from his blog. “Aug. 3, 2009: Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. 

Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell. Christ paid for EVERY sin, so how can I or you be judged BY GOD for a sin when the penalty was ALREADY PAID” [caps are Sodini’s].

Commit mass murder and go to heaven?! Yes! Sodini wrote, “Dec. 31, 2008: “...this guy [his pastor] teaches (and convinced me) you can commit mass murder then still go to heaven.”

It is true that eternal life does not depend on a life of “works” without sin, in which case one does not need the atoning blood of Christ (this is what Paul meant by “works” in Romans 2:4-8; 9:30-33). 

But Paul also warned his readers to be aware of God’s “SEVERITY” if they did not “continue” in his kindness (Romans 11:22). 

Likewise, He made clear to the Galatian Christians that those who practiced “works of the flesh” would “NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD” (Galatians 5:19-21). Being ONCE saved by the grace of God does NOT mean one will ALWAYS be saved regardless of how they live.

Jesus warned, take heed what and how ye hear (Mark 4:24; Luke 8:18). Satan deceives by corrupting the teachings of Jesus and the apostles in our New Testament.

Read again, Romans 11:22... A child of God is to “CONTINUE” IN HIS KINDNESS. What does this mean? Is it not a choice? Can one choose NOT to? Hear the words of the apostle Peter, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-22).

This is referring to a child of God. They can again become “entangled” in their sins. Just because some preacher may preach it is impossible, remember the reality of, and danger of FALSE DOCTRINE. Jesus also said, “…take heed that ye be not deceived” (Luke 21:8). WHY? Because it is possible to be deceived by false teaching.

“AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD...”. Was Mr. Sodini told the truth, or a lie by his pastor?

“CHOSEN AND PREDESTINED”

 

Text: Ephesians 1:1-6

Suppose an ad appeared in the newspaper announcing a cash giveaway at a certain department store. “Come and pick up your money!” the ad announced. When you arrived, there were thousands of people in the parking lot. A voice was heard over a loudspeaker calling out several names, and then the voice ceased. Finally, it was announced that those names called out had been chosen before the ad appeared in the paper. They were the only ones who would receive any cash.

Did the department store have a right to give away cash? Certainly. Did they have a right to pick out individuals to receive the cash? Yes again. But was it fair to advertise the event as if anyone could come and receive money? In a nutshell, this is the issue surrounding the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination. But in this case, we not only ask, “Is it fair?”, but we especially ask, “Is this true?”

The Calvinistic Concept Of Predestination – John Calvin was a reformer of Christianity in the 16^th century in Geneva Switzerland. He was especially sensitive to the teachings of Roman Catholicism that works play an important role in one’s salvation. He was convinced he saw an entirely different picture in the New Testament. He wrote, in book 3, chapter 21 of his Institutes of the Christian Religion: “By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen regarding every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death.”

Ephesians 1:4-5 – Paul seems to agree with Calvin. “Predestined” suggests that our destiny was set in “pre” times, i.e. before we were born. This was because we were chosen in Jesus “before the foundation of the world”. In this respect, our salvation owes only to His grace.

Romans 8:28-30 – Another passage pointed to is this, which teaches that some are “foreknown” by God, i.e. known by Him before their birth. These are predestined, called, and justified. But if a person has not been foreknown, they cannot obtain justification under any terms.

1 Peter 1:1-2 – Peter also speaks of God’s foreknowledge and His act of electing some to sanctification in the Spirit. (Israel is produced as an example of God’s election. Of all the nations on earth, God chose Israel to be His special people, simply because of His grace.)

Acts 1:16-17 – Another example is that of Judas. Could he have chosen to do differently? Or was it predetermined that Judas would fall, and nothing could possibly have been done to change the outcome?

Does God alone make the choice on man’s salvation? Do humans have no choice in the matter? The Bible is very clear on man’s ability to choose salvation. Whatever the Bible means by “predestination” must be decided in view of this doctrine.

~ John 17:17 - We sanctified through the word that the Spirit has revealed, and through our obedience of that word.

~ Acts 10:34-35 - Peter learned, by being called to the home of a Gentile, that God shows no partiality. Anyone who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by God.

~ Acts 17:30 - Paul declared that God commands all men everywhere to repent. Why repent if we are not among the elect?

~ 2 Thess. 2:13-14 - God chooses based on those who are willing to submit to sanctification through the Spirit and belief of the truth. We receive this calling through the gospel - a calling that extends to anyone anywhere.

~ Titus 2:11-12 - The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all.

~ 1 Peter 1:1-2 – God’s foreknowledge doesn’t mean that He has Himself assigned us to whatever fate we reap. It means that He knows the past, present and future; all is clear to Him. Here, it is applied more generally, meaning that God foreknew as children all who would submit to the sanctification of the Spirit and who would obey.

~ Rev. 22:17 - The offer of the waters of life is for anyone who desires to come.

Guy N. Woods wrote: “The thoughtful reader will easily discern that election extends to character, and not to individuals. God has ordained, ‘from the beginning’, that those possessed of a certain disposition or character are elected to salvation; those who submit their wills to him, in obedience to the gospel, possess this disposition; therefore, those who obey his will are elected.” (Questions and Answers, vol. II p. 95)

Conclusion: A form of predestination in the true Biblical sense occurs every day in every large city in the world. Airlines have predetermined that certain airplanes will carry passengers to various destinations. But are individuals predestined? No, not until they board that plane. But when they satisfy the conditions by buying their tickets, they are “predestined”.

The character of the elect is described by Paul: “a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:12-13).

"But What If They Do?"

Adam Litmer shared a conversation he had with a Christian recently. This Christian was concerned about something being done in the congregation they’d been visiting. I offered a few thoughts based on the little information I was given before offering this counsel. “If you’re thinking of joining that congregation, and you’re truly troubled by this, ask the elders to sit down with you and make the Bible case. Follow along closely and see if they can.” The response is the title to this article. “But what if they do?”

My first thought was, “What kind of question is that? If they make the Bible case, just do what the Bible says.” And of course, that is the answer to which every Bible believing child of God must finally subscribe. We do what God tells us to do. While it is that simple, it isn’t always easy. Let’s think about this for a few minutes.

I know what I believe and why I believe it. Most of us do. I believe that I can make a good biblical case for everything that I do and believe. I suspect most who take the time to read this feel the same about themselves. I have had opportunity to defend the things that I believe over the years more times than I can count. You probably have, too. I have considered opposing views and shown them, at least to my own satisfaction, to be erroneous through careful use of Scripture. I’m certain you’ve done the same. Yet there have been occasions when such discussions and examinations have led to a different conclusion. I have been wrong. I need to change a belief of practice. Have you been there? This is where the challenge comes in.

 If I have held a belief or practice for a long time, it can be painful to have it proven incomplete or, more painful still, simply wrong. If the belief or practice has been held by people I hold dear, it can even be traumatic. It is the easiest thing in the world to say, “If I am doing something contrary to Scripture, you’d be a friend to point it out.” It is something else entirely when someone does and proves it from Scripture. Am I an Apollos, willing to be taught the way of God more accurately? (Acts 17:26) Am I a Berean, willing to eagerly examine Scripture to see that what I’ve been told is so? (Acts 17:10-11) Or am I more like the lawyer who, uncomfortable with being challenged, sought to justify himself before Jesus rather than change his belief and practice? (Luke 10:25-29).     

“But what if they do?” It’s not a silly question at all, is it? It’s a probing, self-revealing one. Do I love God and His truth more than I love my own cherished beliefs and/or those of my group? Do I love God and His truth enough to do what’s necessary should the Bible case really and truly be made? “But what if they do?” What a great question. How would you answer?

“Hunger for the Word?”

Terry Wayne Benton shared this interesting reality from an experience in China. He wrote: In China Christians have to find secret ways to meet and some travel two hours to get to a private home to meet with other Christians. One female disciple asked, “Why doesn't everybody in America go to church?” She thought everyone who has such freedom to assemble, mostly conveniently, would take advantage of such a tremendous opportunity. What she didn't realize is that Christians in America do not have the same hunger as those who hunger for the privilege in China. 

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). You have to first “taste that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1-3). These want to keep feeding their souls with the good word of God and fellowship with others. The girl in China hungers for fellowship with other disciples. Here it is often taken for granted to the point that the hunger is gone. If you are not first driven by your own hunger, you will find other things to replace the void left in your heart. If that void is filled by Jesus, you find ways to do what you want to do, and that is by life or by death to magnify the name of Jesus (Philippians 1:20). The freedom to assemble in fellowship with the Lord’s church does not create the hunger. The hunger must first be in the heart so that you long to find ways to assemble, not find excuses not to. We are thankful for those who have the hunger here and all over the world. May their tribe increase!

THE DILEMMA OF PRESUMPTUOUS PREACHING

There are several people in the Bible who heard the gospel, yet refused to acknowledge what was preached to them about Jesus. We never read in scripture as to whether these people EVER DID acknowledge what Peter stated of Jesus in Acts 2:36. So we are left to wonder: did they ever accept Jesus as the Christ?  Let us examine some of these and learn some valuable lessons for ourselves.

#1—Felix – In Acts 24:24-27, after Paul reasoned of “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.  At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. While Felix heard Paul repeatedly, the subsequent meetings were NOT as the initial meeting, for Felix’s reason for continuing to meet with Paul was in hope of receiving money from Paul.  A question left unanswered: Did Felix ever obey the gospel? While it may be likely that Felix never did accept Christ, THE SCRIPTURES ARE SILENT ABOUT IT. However, the scriptures condemn the sin of presumption (Psalm 19:13; cf. Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 1:43; 17:12-13; 18:20, 22). 

#2—Those of Athens – In Acts 17:32-34, we read, “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.” Three responses: some began to sneer…others said, “we shall hear you again...some…believed”.

A question left unanswered: What of those who sneered or did as Felix, “sought to find a more convenient time”...DID THEY ever obey the gospel? Scripture is silent! It is presumption to affirm either way with certainty. 

#3—King Agrippa – In Acts 26:28, we read, “Agrippa replied to Paul, In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”

NOTE: In all 3 of these examples the issue is the same: BECOMING A CHRISTIAN! (Acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Christ is to become a follower of Christ ~ Christ-like)

#1 ~ Paul spoke to Felix “about faith in Christ Jesus”; about “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come”. These matters pertained to Felix becoming a “CHRISTIAN”.

#2 ~ Those in Athens heard about “the resurrection of the dead”. In Acts 17:18 they heard of “Jesus and the resurrection”.  Specifically in Acts 17:30-31 they heard of their need to repent and of the Judgment Day. All of these subjects are crucial to one’s decision in becoming a CHRISTIAN”. So, Agrippa replies to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” A question is left unanswered: Did Agrippa ever become a Christian? The scriptures are silent on the matter.  I can presume, reasoning it is likely; perhaps...but the scriptures condemn presumption.

While these 3 examples may have resulted in wasted opportunities, we must never presume the conclusion. But let us notice an example of one who did NOT defer his opportunity.

The thief on the cross: In Luke 23:39-43). One of the two thieves said to Jesus, “remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” Jesus answered, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” The bible is clear as to where this thief will be in eternity; no dispute (to my knowledge) about the matter.  However, a similarity exists between THIS case, and the others.  There is a “PRESUMPTION” made in preaching from this example!  The presumption is that this thief was NOT baptized!  Preachers have been telling their audiences an answer that God did not reveal in the Bible about this thief. In their presumptions, they have caused people to do as Felix, the Athenians, and Agrippa did - - - delay their decision to become a Christian until a “convenient season”. The ‘PRESUMPTOUS’ statement they heard from their preacher, “The thief on the cross wasn’t baptized”.  How do they know? Revelation or presumption?

One might just as well make the case with Felix, those in Athens, and Agrippa, that, at some later date, all became a Christian.  I could preach that none of them ever did.  But what would it be based upon ~ DIVINE REVELATION or PRESUMPTION? Compare:

·         Baptism is not essential because the thief wasn’t baptized.

·         Baptism is not essential because Agrippa wasn’t baptized.

·         Baptism is not essential because some in Athens weren’t baptized.

DOES THE BIBLE DECLARE ON ANY OF THESE? 

FINAL OBSERVATIONS: Agrippa said he was 'almost persuaded' to become a Christian. Did Agrippa believe? (see v. 27) Is one saved at the point of faith? If so, was Agrippa a ‘saved’ person? (Remember his question…) Now, for those who preach by making assumptions, here is their dilemma: Agrippa is a saved believer, who was almost persuaded to become a Christian, yet wasn’t ever baptized to show it. One would have just as strong a case by presuming that the thief WAS baptized.  However, his proof is the same as their proof: PRESUMPTION! Do you see what presumptuous preaching accomplishes? Some individuals in Athens believed. DIVINE REVELATION so declares. Were those who believed, saved? If so, they were saved believers, yet never baptized to show it That is the dilemma of presumptuous preaching.

“UNACCUSTOMED TO THE BIBLE”

 

“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” (HEBREWS 5:8-14)

Notice from v. 12, that in stating that they HAD BECOME dull of hearing, it is necessarily implied that they were not always that way. HOW had they become "dull" in their hearing? The answer lies in what was stated in v. 14, about their “powers of discernment”. To be able to “discern”, it takes “practice”...constant practice. In all that is involved in this, the simple idea, is that of constant bible study.

When your “powers of discernment” aren't “trained”, the result is inevitable that you will BECOME “dull of hearing”; and as the writer said, when you become dull of hearing, distinguishing right from wrong is difficult.

The area most affected by “dullness” concerns the role of man’s obedience in his salvation. This significance is seen in mentioning the example of Jesus and His obedience. Re-read vss. 8-9. Obedience was “learned” through suffering, and is related to, and necessary to “perfection”

Having been “trained”, they could now understand the significance of Christ’s obedience and of how His ‘perfection’ came through His sufferings. More importantly, they could understand how obedience is connected to the sinner’s salvation from sin.

However, when one's “powers of discernment” aren’t “trained”, the connection of obedience to salvation is hard to explain. What about YOU; do you have difficulty seeing the connection of obedience to salvation?

Give prayerful thought and study to what is said in verse 9 of Jesus, “...having been made perfect, He became to all those who OBEY Him the source of eternal salvation...”. More importantly, give prayerful thought and study as to whether you have obeyed what He has commanded of you.

“DO YOU KNOW THE CONDITION OF YOUR TENT?”

 

“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. For He maketh sore, and bindeth up; He woundeth, and his hands make whole. He will deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he will redeem thee from death; and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. At destruction and dearth thou shalt laugh; neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field; and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. AND THOU SHALT KNOW THAT THY TENT IS IN PEACE; and thou shalt visit thy fold, and shalt miss nothing. Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of grain cometh in in its season. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.” (Job 5:17-27).

The words of Eliphaz, while intended to convince Job of his need to confess his own sins, were true in terms of what he said concerning Jehovah. Has God ever delivered you from trouble? Can you identify with the many situations mentioned by the Temanite? If not, then you have the answer to why happiness is not present in your life. However, if you can relate, you understand why God’s correction is a blessing (Psalm 94:12); and why it imparts wisdom (Psalm 119:71). This wisdom removes all doubt as to whether God delights in you (Proverbs 3:11-12).