TRUE GRACE

True Grace

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, ...to preach release to the captives
Luke 4:18

Do you not know.. you are the slaves of whom you obey;
whether of sin that leads to death,
or of obedience that leads to righteousness?
Rom 6:16,19



We all agree Jesus forgives us for our past sins, but did Jesus come so that we can continue to sin without guilt, or did he come to destroy our sin? Did Jesus come to set the captives free from guilt, or did he come to set us free from the bondage of sin? Did Jesus come so that we can continue to sin without guilt, or did he come to lead us to repentance and remission of sin? If knowing the truth will set you free, from what are we supposed to be set free - guilt or sin?

Doesn't a removal of guilt make sin easier for us all, allowing us to sin more without fear; so Jesus came so we can sin more, so Jesus came to promote sin? Doesn't this makes Jesus evil? Could the devil make sin any easier than the guilt-free ease of sin this false doctrine attributes to Jesus? This is a major deception. Jesus said, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34. If we are a slave to sin, he can't be our Lord. You are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness. Rom 6:16,19. What about repentance? His message was: unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:3. Certainly our sins are forgiven us while we seek to become free of sin, but we had better be sure we are repenting to work out our salvation that leads to purification and the rest, otherwise we will fall short of the mark.

Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest, that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [that the Jews in the wilderness showed]. Heb 4:11. This is a serious warning to all who call themselves Christians: to avoid losing your soul and being banned from heaven, as the Jews were killed in the desert and banned from entering the promise land because of unbelief in God's promises, you must zealously labor in faith to attain the promised rest of the spiritual Sabbath, which is union with God and entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, within you and around you. We sit down in Christ to enter the rest, to enter the rest from fighting our enemies, like Israel entered the rest from fighting and purging their land of the surrounding heathen peoples; only our enemies are spiritual: lust, rage, pride, selfishness, envy, greed, covetousness, jealousy, lying, cheating, stealing, sexual immorality, profane language, and evil thoughts, etc. Salvation is to be delivered and released from sin and be protected from evil, sanctified from our enemies of sin. Let it not be said of you: This is the rest by which you may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing; yet they would not hear. Isa 28:12.

For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. 1 Thes 4:7

You can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person..has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
[Immoral, impure, or greedy people are banned from heaven; instead they suffer Hell.]
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Eph 5:5-6
The disobedient incur God's wrath; including those who think they are Christians. Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Regarding judgment day, Christ said he would reject many who thought they were Christians, even those who performed miracles in his name.
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name,
cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Mat 7:22-23

Whoever commits sin practices lawlessness; for sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4

The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend,
and those who practice lawlessness [sin], and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:37-43.

To those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; those receive indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish; upon every soul of man who does evil. Rom 2:8-9

When I say to the righteous, that he shall surely live, and he trusts to his own righteousness and commits iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered; but he shall die for his iniquity that he has committed. Eze 33:13.
So much for grace covering all your sins until your die.

Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Heb 12:14
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Mat 5:8 (Without a pure heart, you will not see God.)

So, if we die still sinning, we are condemned. We have not received enough grace from God to free us from the bondage of sin.
That is the task - even though we are undeserving, to receive more grace - enough to be freed from sin.
To receive more grace, we must strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luk 13:24

Grace is the unmerited favor of God, God's love, therefore a gift. A gift is free, grace is free. Grace has been given to all men by the Spirit of God being poured out on all men and women, since Pentecost, 2000 years ago. By grace, we are allowed to access the power of God to become righteous, whatever our sins of the past and whatever our current problems. This righteousness from God comes [but not instantly] through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Rom 3:22-24. Eventually, but only after the work of repentance energized by faith, we can all become righteous and become justified freely by grace; for we are not deserving of the help to change we get in the process of repentance - to the contrary, our unworthiness is only highlighted by grace's revealing of our sinful nature to us.

To believe you are saved, while still immersed in sin is to ignore, disregard, and treat with indifference all the commands of Jesus, while relying on a select four verses out of thousands to support an imaginary salvation; never bothering to question how those four verses must be interpreted in conjunction with Jesus' wonderful teachings and commands. And so people expect Jesus to be their excuse for not obeying the commands that he left his glory in heaven to come to the earth to teach; and then died a horrible death, to show the extent of the required obedience that we all must have to ever please God. He will not be their excuse. He will deny all who continue to sin. Only those who do the will of the Father enter the Kingdom of heaven. Mat 7:21. Jesus said he only did as he was commanded, not his own will; Jesus only did the will of the Father. The will of the Father is obedience to his commands. You must seek, listen, obey... seek, listen, obey..... seek, listen, obey to ever be able to do the will of the Father instead of your own will.

On-Line Bible with Commentary
to Show the True Hope, the True Faith, and True Salvation.
Start with John 14 and John 17
Review the Scriptures Showing the Consequences of Not Obeying
the Voice of the Lord
Read the hidden meanings of:
The Lords Prayer
Sermon on the Mount
23rd Psalm

What Jesus made possible is: however deeply you have been immersed in sin, by faith in the name of Jesus, you have access through his imputed righteousness to the changing power of God to become pure, providing you are motivated to seek his teaching and changing grace. So everyone, through their faith in name of Jesus, can approach the throne; and through patient and persistent obedience to his spoken-to-you teachings and commands, (repentance), be changed by grace, to eventually be purified and become righteous. Just as Abraham had to be physically circumcised, we must have our hearts circumcised to be pleasing to God. As Abraham exercised his faith to leave his home for a new land - so we must lose our fleshly life and forsake the world to enter God's Kingdom. As Abraham exercised his faith by obeying God's voice, willing to sacrifice Isaac, so we too must be obedient to the voice of the Lord within. This web site shows how.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira were members of the Church in Jerusalem. Great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them who needed anything for many who possessed lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, to lay them down at the apostles' feet; and then distribution was made to every man according to his need. Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price; pretending they were donating the entire amount. Both Anianias and Sapphira were immediately slain by the Holy Spirit; in effect they were lying to God. Their death was an example that brought great fear on all the church. Acts 4:33-35, 5:1-11.
Now few would argue that these believers with great grace on them had been saved by grace if they were slain by the Holy Spirit for lying.

Grace does not make us instantly righteous, for we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Gal 5:5
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Rom 6:16,19. Obedience leads to righteousness.
Peter said: whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:35
Jesus said, as a first priority in our life, we must seek (aim at, strive after) the Kingdom and His righteousness. Mat 6:33
For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful;
but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
So we do not become instantly righteous when we say we have faith in Jesus.
We have to seek (strive after) - be disciplined - obey God - work - and wait for the hope of righteousness.

He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. Pro 21:21.
As you previously yielded your body to the slavery of uncleanness and from wickedness to wickedness;
so now yield your body to the slavery of righteousness that results in holiness. Rom 6:19.
Without holiness, no one we see the Lord. Heb 12:14.

Jesus said: Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,
you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:20
Jesus told us how our righteousness must exceed the Pharisees: to avoid committing adultery is not enough, we must not even look at a woman with lust; to avoid murder is not enough; we must not harbor anger in our hearts; it is not enough to love our brother, we must love even our enemies; we must bless those who curse us. These requirements of righteousness exceed restraint of conduct; they require a changed heart, a purified heart. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

In error the ministers of today say: "Because you have faith in Christ, even though you continue to sin, you are righteous and saved."
He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him. Pro 24:24
You will eventually curse the all the ministers who have promoted this pernicious lie.
In effect they are telling you, don't seek, don't obey, don't fear, don't strive.

Jesus told five out of seven churches of believers in Revelation that they were lost, on the way to destruction. The Smyrna believers were about to enter tribulation, whom he encouraged. Notice again! Jesus said that five out seven Christian churches of believers were on their way to Hell. Only the church of Philadelphia was doing well because they had kept [obeyed] his word with patient endurance. Massive error had already taken hold 2000 years ago, until today the false church is pervasive with grace supposedly being a license to continue to sin.

The Lord has said to me: "Where there is obedience, there is righteousness; without it, you have World War II."
Even Adolph Hitler said Jesus was his Lord and Savior. - a sinner saved by grace???? No! No! No! Sin has to go!

Little children, let no man deceive you, he who practices righteousness is righteous. 1 John 3:7

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Rom 6:16,19. Obedience leads to righteousness.
Jesus said: Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. John 8:34
Per Paul: Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 Cor 15:34
Paul is speaking to members of the church at Corinth, people who named themselves Christians - they believed in Jesus!

The fruit (effect) of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness is quietness and confident trust (unquestionable assurance) forever. Isaiah 32:17
No one of reasonable intelligence would argue that quietness and confident trust forever, (peace), is instant.

Peacemakers who sow in peace, raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:16-18

And grace does not make us instantly justified, for we seek to be justified in Christ. Gal. 2:17

It is through God's unmerited favor, grace, that we receive help in purification through repentance, which over time can result in righteousness and salvation. We approach God through faith in Christ, allowing us access to his unmerited favor, grace, to rid us of our darkness to a sinless state. True grace teaches us what to deny (repent from) and how to live, and by true grace Jesus purifies us from our lusts and affections for the pleasures of the world. Titus 2:11-14. And we seek this help from God expecting to receive it, not based on anything we have done to deserve it, but only by our faith in the name of Jesus Christ. We don't even know from what to repent, until grace shows us and teaches us.

Repentance is a humbling experience, certainly not one to claim any merit for ourselves. It is like having a disease that requires a doctor to perform surgery. If we get the surgery, we can take no pride in that. The doctor did the work. It is like that with God, except the doctor charges, and God doesn't - it is freely given by grace. For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not by yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not by works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9. Do we take pride in going humbly to God as a sinner, and asking for his help? Of course not. To ask for help is the opposite of pride.

So there is no boasting in repentance through the teachings and changings of grace; there is no boasting in being shown our deplorable condition of sin, while striving to be different in conduct with help from God. Grace will humble us to nothingness. No, the loudest boasting in "christendom" is from the "saved sinners," boasting that the false gospel of grace gives them favor with God, a special place in heaven, and a license to sin. They are hypocrites, a stumbling block, and they scatter the true sheep from Christ. A hypocrite talks about being religious, while walking in sin. Jesus addressed the hypocrites: You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. Luk 16:15. Your hearts have to be cleansed - really cleansed to purity.

This was John the Baptist's simple message of the beginning of repentance, to get ready for Jesus and the Kingdom:
Repent: think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct. Matt 3:2
Share from your excess with those who are without the necessities of life.
Be honest in all your dealings, never exaggerating or overreaching anyone.
Don't oppress people or frighten anyone, don't lie, don't want more, don't complain. Luke 3:10-14
Just following these guidelines, tax collectors and prostitutes were already entering the Kingdom of Heaven when Jesus arrived.

This site shows you how to access the grace of God to be freed from sin by repentance to truth and purity. If you want to skip the scriptures that invalidate instant salvation and read how true grace, over time with repentance, can free you from all sin, click here.

The false gospel of grace further incorrectly teaches that since grace is free, that if we do anything, even repentance or taking up our cross, we have lost our salvation by faith and grace because we are forsaking our faith and attempting to be justified by works, thereby failing to be subject to the Law. That is a ridiculous rationalization by slothful, blind guides to do nothing - leading us into the ditch of spiritual captivity, while collecting our money, which Jesus, Peter, and Paul forbid, 1 Pet 5:2, Mat 10:8. Of course we cannot be saved by works alone, but our faith must be evidenced by far more than a claim we are saved by faith, doing nothing but claiming to "being saved by grace because the Bible tells me so," (using a tiny few selected verses twisted out of context to make their false claim). Of course we are saved by grace, but after repentance and after carrying our cross in faith for a time - works through faith.

James said, "Faith without works is dead." James 2:17
James further said, "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." James 2:24
Paul said, "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12
Peter said: "Whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." Acts 10:35
Peter again: make every effort with great diligence to add to your faith virtue.. knowledge.. self control.. perseverance.. godliness. 2 Pet 1:5
Paul again: "I declared.. that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance." Acts 26:20
To those who by patient persistence in well doing, seek for glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life...glory, honor, and peace, are to every man who works good. Rom 2:7-11

Jesus said:

Unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3. (Repentance requires effort on your part.)
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Mat 16:27.
I am he who searches the minds and the hearts; and I will give to each of you according to your works. Rev 2:23
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Rev 3:19 (Zealous is -ardent desire, enthusiastic).
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." Mat 11:29
"If any man desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. Rev 3:15-16
"I have not found your works perfect before God." Rev 3:2-3. (He wants perfect works, energized by faith.)

Paul again: Charge those who are rich in this world, not to be high minded,
nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
[charge] that they do good, to become rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. 1 Tim 6:17-18
If you live in a prosperous industrialized nation, you are rich relative to the rest of the word. So be rich in good works.
Paul said: glory, honor, and peace, are to every man who works good. Rom 2:10.

God's grace and salvation are provided to create a people dedicated to good works:
That you might walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing in all things, being fruitful in every good work,.. Col 1:10
Again Paul said, "The purpose of grace.. to purify a peculiar people zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14
Paul states God's purpose in salvation: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, Eph 2:10.
Now the God of peace... Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you what is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. Heb 13:20-21.

And the words of John in Revelation: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and books were opened. And another book was opened, that is the book of life, And the dead were judged out of those things that were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead that were in them; and every man was judged according to his works. Rev 20:12-13.

Hear! Jesus said: Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter, and will not be able to Luke 13:24, Mat 7:13-14
The false gospel of grace would have you believe striving is unnecessary, yet Jesus ordered us to strive, (exert much effort/energy).
And further, he said many would seek to enter, and not be able to . They were still sinning.
Jesus replied: I tell you for certain that anyone who sins is a slave of sin! John 8:34 If you still sin, you are slave to sin, and he cannot be your Lord; for man cannot serve two masters. Luke 16:13, Mat 6:24
Still sinning, you cannot know Jesus: We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 1 John 2:3
Still sinning, you cannot love Jesus: If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. John 14:23
Still sinning, you are not a friend of Jesus: You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14
Still sinning, you cannot have been born again: Whoever has been born of God does not sin. 1 John 3:9
Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Heb 12:14
Only those with a pure heart will see God. Mat 5:8
Only those who are like him, (pure - holy - perfect) will see him. 1 John 3:2-3 (Made holy, pure, sinless by the power of his changing grace).

Gentle reader, do not despair. Once you understand how to receive true grace, you can be made sinless by the power of God. But, it is not instant, and requires you to seek with all your heart, wait in silence and in humility, listen, hear, and obey - repetitively, persisting until the end. You can have the joy of hearing your savior speak to you, teach you, help you, and love you. At the end, you will see your savior appear within you, as he joins in union with you - you can have fellowship with the Father and the son - you can have peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness - to share in the divine nature - all the wonderful promises of God are available in this life on earth, and then forever. Read John 14 and John 17 to understand the true promises of Jesus, the real hope that can release the power of God to purify your heart and soul.

But you must first be purified in this life; for of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient, Eph 5:5-6. The false gospel of grace is empty words, purposed to deceive you - to convince you to do nothing, remaining in your sins, so your soul is destroyed.

From the Voice of the Lord: "This is the day of your visitation, regarding the business of obedience feared and repentance required."

The workings of grace to teach us how to live are a process of repentance, which is not instant; the process produces purity, righteousness, and the fruit of the Spirit. The cross is obedience to work; and to those who oppose it, they are headed for destruction, for their god is their belly [their lusts and affections for the world], and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. Phil 3:18-19. For the world would have a Christ to excuse them, at no cost, to continue to live in their passions and pleasures; but those who are committed to truth, would have a Christ to change them to live pleasing to God, whatever the price.

This false gospel's fallacy is claiming that grace and salvation are the same. Instead, grace brings salvation over time and with repentance. This fallacy allows them to twist the gospel of repentance with forgiveness and remission of sins, to be forgiveness of sins only, leaving out repentance, which leaves us stuck in our ungodly, sinful nature, without salvation. You cannot continue to be a slave to sin and serve God, or even expect his approval. Rom 8:8

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." John 8:34

Jesus said, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell." Mark 9:43-47. He doesn't want us to maim ourselves. He is only illustrating how serious sin is. Jesus is desperately trying to tell us that to enter the Kingdom and escape hell, sin is not allowed, period. He knew false prophets with false gospels promising freedom to continue to sin would arise after he left. Changes in our heart through the missing cross to purity can take away the desires of the hand, foot, and eye to cause us to sin.

Everyone talks about how Jesus is so forgiving; true, but after forgiveness he says, Sin no more. Repent or perish!

To the adulteress: I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more. John 8:11
To one healed: Behold, you are made whole; sin no more, for fear something worse may happen. John 5:14

Each time you sin, you are piercing Christ within you. If you have sorrow and regret, with resolve not to repeat the same mistake again, your godly sorrow is a soothing balm to the wounds you have inflicted. On the day of the Lord, which all will experience, you will see Him whom you have pierced, and you will mourn.

Jesus came so he could destroy the devil and his works [sin] in us.
For this purpose the Son of God has been revealed [in us], that he might destroy [in us] the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Jesus told Paul he sent him : "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, release from sin's slavery, and an inheritance among those who are sanctified and purified by faith in Me."

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom 6:15

Per Paul, true grace is not salvation, but instead a soul-and-heart-purifying process that brings salvation.
Grace is defined in Paul's letter to Titus:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts,
and how to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity [lawless deeds, sin],
and purify for himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

Whoever commits sin practices lawlessness; for sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4

One who still sins might mistakenly argue they are redeemed from every lawless deed, but not that grace has purified them!
Grace brings salvation after leading to salvation, attained by a process of essential actions of repentance.
Repentance is to be in sorrow after grace shows us our condition, resolving to be different, and then conducting ourselves differently.
Grace brings salvation by teaching us what to deny, leading us to repent. By grace, we are shown our sin by the Holy Spirit.
We repent by denying ungodliness and lusts, to living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
We seek righteousness to please Him and in the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of God and Jesus with the Kingdom.
So by grace we see a problem in our heart. We repent. Then by grace, we get strength to be different - the cleansing of our heart.

By this process, we are redeemed from all iniquity and purified by Jesus to become enthusiastic workers of good.
Paul said in Eph 4:7, ‘but to everyone of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.’
and if you wish to grow up to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, you must grow in grace.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
Grace is not instant. Grace is not a one time dispensation. Grace is a process, that results in more grace.
The end of grace is to see your salvation brought to you. For the grace of God that brings salvation. Tit 2:11
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:13
He will appear the second time, not to bear sin, but to bring full salvation to those who are waiting for and expecting him. Heb 9:28

Grace is unmerited and free, salvation is not free. Salvation and the Kingdom of Heaven's price is sacrifice of self, the death of your sinful nature.

Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service and worship. Rom 12:1
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psa 51:17
For if we are dead with him, we will also live with him. If we suffer, we will also reign with him. 2 Timothy 2:11-12
So likewise, whoever does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33
He who finds his life shall lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:39
And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27

Therefore mortify [put to death] the deeds of the body that are of the earthly life: fornication, impurity, inordinate affections, evil lusts of the flesh, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Col 3:5

Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires [lusts and affections].Gal 5:24

But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God,
you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life. Rom 6:22

Jesus told us to beware of blind guides, and then told us a blind guide was any unperfected teacher; and any unperfected man could not see clearly how to take the spec out of his brother's eye, because of the log in his own eye. Luke 6:39-42. How many teachers and preachers are there out there who have not received the cleansing of soul-and-heart-purifying grace? Millions.

Instead, false prophets (preachers and teachers) have twisted grace into lies from a teaching of repentance, leading to purity, to be a license for immorality and continuing in our sinful natures with no repentance required. This perversion began 2000 years ago in the early church; Jude wrote in 1:4:

For there are certain men who have crept in unnoticed, whose condemnation was predicted long ago, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lawlessness and wantonness, a license for immorality; and deny and disown our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ.

Having crept in among the sanctified Christians, they too would be claiming to be Christians. Of course they would say that they believe in Jesus and God; but they denied the necessity of the controlling anointing of Christ's spirit to rule their hearts.They deny the necessity of Jesus to be their actual Lord and Master, perfectly controlling our thoughts, words, and deeds. To deny the Lord is to walk contrary to holiness, righteousness, and truth. To deny the Lord is not just saying that Jesus is not the Lord. One denies the Lord to be their Lord, controlling their words and deeds, by evidence of their ungodly words and deeds. Judas kissed Jesus and said: "Hail Master," and despite his words, his actions of betrayal denied Jesus to be his Lord and Master. Christendom denies and disowns Jesus too by teaching instant salvation by grace, while ignoring Jesus's teachings of salvation's exclusions, requirements, and qualifying conditions. To ignore his teachings and commands, is to deny and disown Jesus as Lord and Master. Jesus is not Lord or Master of anyone who still sins: as he said, Truly, Truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. John 8:3. If you are still sinning, you are still walking according to the ways of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air [Satan], Eph 2:2-3; Satan is your Lord.

These false Christians deny the necessity of the narrow way's result of Jesus being in total control of them, while professing the wide-easy way's false doctrine of instant salvation: Christ having paid for all your sins: past, present, and future; consequence-free sin; the licensing of immorality by the permission of grace. They deny the necessity of repentance - perfection - purity, and holiness, all made possible by carrying the inward cross of self-denial. These were fleshly men, uncrucified, without having received the Spirit of God through obedience. The false gospel of grace was being sold as salvation 2000 years ago; unfortunately false, instant salvation, has become universal, with all sects being deficit sects.

It is the Lord who is supposed to appoint by gift his preachers, teachers and evangelists, whose sole purpose is the perfection of the saints. Eph 4:-11. No unperfected person can fulfill the ministry's function, which is the perfection of the saints; any unperfected teacher or preacher is a false minister, not having been appointed or gifted by God. Jesus specifically warns us that unperfected ministers are blind false prophets: Luke 6:39-45. Any unperfected minister, by his unauthorized preaching or teaching, denies Jesus as Lord and Master.

It is the Lord who is supposed to send the workers to the fields of harvest, Mat 9:38, but today's ministers have not been appointed nor have they been sent by direct orders; they are man-appointed, man-taught, and man-sent, and as such they are not Christ's. Instead, they are Satan's ministers transformed to appear as ministers of righteousness, 2 Cor 11:14-15.

Peter even warned us to be careful with Paul's letters, the false gospel's source, (which was Romans, see below), that they were easily misunderstood:

even as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as he does in all his letters, speaking in them of these things. There are some things in his letters that are hard to understand, which those who are unlearned and unstable wrest [twist] to their own destruction, as they also do the other scriptures.

Therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also, being led away by the error of the wicked, fall away from your own steadfastness. 2 Peter 3:15-17. The error of the wicked is to think wickedness (sin) is excused by grace. (If you only partially read Romans, you can easily misunderstand grace, thinking you need do nothing but have faith in Jesus; but if you look at the whole letter, as it was intended to be read, you know you have to kill your sinful nature to be pleasing to God. Look at Paul's Romans 8:8, Romans 8:13, Phil 2:12, Galatians 5:19-24, 2 Cor 7:1,1 Thes 4:7, 1 Cor 15:34, and I declared.. that they should repent, turn to God, and do works consistent with repentance. Acts 26:20 if you have any doubt.)

And Peter later described such men again:

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority, [such as the Apostles who tried to correct them]. 2 Peter 2:10
....Then continuing with 2 Peter 2:13
And [they] will receive the reward of unrighteousness, like those who count it a pleasure to carouse in the day time. They are spots and blemishes, reveling in their own deceptions while they feast [hearing the Word spoken in fellowship] with you. Having eyes full of adultery [lovers of money, not God], who cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls. They have exercised their heart in covetous practices, they are cursed children, who have forsaken the right way and have gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, [who preached for money, which Peter prohibited]. Who was rebuked for his iniquity by the dumb ass speaking with a man's voice forbidding the madness of the prophet. [Fox said his era's ministers' spiritual progress was less than that of Balaam's ass because the ass spoke the Word of the Lord, but the ministers could not even hear the Lord's voice, much less speak the Word of the Lord; they could only quote the Bible; exactly like the ministers today.]

These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those [lustful desires of sinful nature] who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 2 Peter 2:12-19 (And Jesus said, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34)

And Paul also spoke of false Christians who opposed the crucifixion of the sinful nature:
Brothers, be followers of me, and observe those who walk after the pattern we have set, so as you have us for an example. For many walk, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you weeping, who are the enemies of the cross of Christ; their end is destruction, their God is the belly, and whose glory is their shame, and they think on earthly things. Phil 3:17-19

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die;
but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13
As long as we live in our sinful nature, we are unruly and incapable of being ruled, controlled, or led by a Lord or King.
So, if you want Jesus to be your Lord and King, you must put to death your selfish, sinful nature by repentance to purity.

The Amplified Bible expands the wording:
For if you live according to the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the Spirit you are putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the deeds prompted by the body, you shall live forever. Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Rom 8:13-14
To be Spirit Led is the first (of two) tests of assurance of future salvation to come.

To call or confess Jesus is Lord is not enough.
Even the demons called Jesus 'Son of the Most High God,' falling down at his feet, begging him to have mercy. Luke 8:28,4:41,Mark 5:7,3:11,Mat 8:29
To say you have faith in Jesus is not enough.
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say,
“You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! James 2:17-19
Whatever you have been taught: Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with hell will not stand. Isa 28:18

You are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness. Rom 6:16,19
If we are slaves to sin, he can't be our Lord. You cannot serve two masters. Mat 6:24,Luke 16:13
We are incapable of being controlled or ruled until our sinful nature is destroyed, at least enough to be Spirit led. Rom 8:13-14

And, Paul says, let's get on with the job of putting to death the sinful nature with its filthiness - on to perfecting holiness.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
No instant salvation here. This is repentance that leads to perfect holiness! Jesus wants to make us like Him, holy in this life.
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6
Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Heb 12:14

Jesus said: He who overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son. Rev. 21:7
And John said, I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one." 1 John 2:14. Being strong and overcoming the devil takes effort and is not instant.

For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes...You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline. Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons. Heb 12:6-8
To be disciplined and scourged by God is the 2nd assurance of future salvation to come.
For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

In 1 Peter 1:5-7 he says: [You] "through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." No instant salvation here - griefs and trials and salvation that is revealed in the last time; as Jesus returns - the revelation of Jesus Christ - the Kingdom - his return. Salvation's completion and entering the Kingdom of Heaven coincide in time.

For the time has come that judgment must begin with the household of God. And if it first begins with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous can barely be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners? Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:17-19. "Barely be saved" and "suffering" don't sound like instant righteousness or salvation.

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thes 5:8. Even those who already have the gift of love are to hope for salvation! Does this sound like instant salvation? From Peter we know that love is the last step in the process of Christian growth:
For this very reason, make every effort with great diligence through your obedient faith to develop virtue,
and to virtue knowledge,
and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7

Paul is saying salvation comes after the gift of love which is the last step in Christian growth according to Peter. No instant righteousness or salvation here. Lots of Christian growth is necessary before salvation! "Make every effort" sounds like work to me!

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Mat 11:29
Oxen were yoked to pull a wagon - work; sounds like work, not instant salvation.

Be watchful and keep awake, and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Rev 3:2-3. Jesus expects works, perfect works! This should end any 'works' arguments. Jesus not only want works, he want the works to be perfect!

Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matt 3:10
When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified,
and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. John 15:8
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience [patience], kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness [or meeknes] and self-control. Gal 5:22-3
He has defined the acid test of a true believer, a true follower of Christ, to produce fruit, and much fruit!
Fruit is the product of repentance. John the Baptist said, Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Mat 3:8

Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, who stand forth without repentance! (from the Lord 10/25/06)

We can't have it both ways. False, instant grace/salvation does nothing and receives nothing. From above :
No holiness - without holiness, no man will see the Lord - no salvation.
No scourging from God, no correction - you are illegitimate, not true sons - no salvation, no Kingdom
No suffering and griefs in all kinds of trials, (tribulation) - no salvation, no Kingdom.
No overcoming the devil and sin, you are still a servant of sin living in the flesh - no salvation, no Kingdom.
No putting to death the misdeeds deeds of the body, not living forever as a Son of God - no salvation, no Kingdom.
No presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice to God - no salvation, no Kingdom.
No working out your salvation with fear and trembling - no salvation, no Kingdom.
No denying yourself, and picking up you cross daily, no being Christ's disciple - no salvation, no Kingdom.
No Taking his yoke and learning - no rest, no peace, no salvation, no Kingdom.
No perfect works, remembering the commands you have heard and repenting - no salvation, no Kingdom.
No fruit of the Holy Spirit -not a true follower, no salvation, no Kingdom.
Grace works to salvation; grace is not salvation.

But all of these things are possible and even promised by God,
if we seek God's grace and help through repentance.

He is extraordinarily patient toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Francis Howgill, a martyred minister of Christ, states the dangers of the false gospel of grace:

Many have been talkers of grace in this professing age, who have neither known of what they spoke, nor have informed the minds of men where grace was to be waited for, nor how grace might be known, nor how, nor what the operation of grace was; but have cried up, in their own imaginations: "We are justified by His free grace from all sin, past, present, and to come;" and, in this conceit, thousands have been led into the pit of darkness; imagining that they were justified by the free grace of Christ, while they were out of the fear of God, which it would have taught them; and while they heeded not this grace, but got into conceit, carelessness, and presumption; and so pretended justification while they were the servants of sin and bond-slaves to corruption - that is, all of you who have been preaching free grace in words.

Your covenant with death will be annulled,
and your agreement with hell will not stand.
Isa 28:18


Paul says: If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin??Absolutely not! Gal 2:17. So Christ did not come so we could sin guilt free, and we must seek to be justified in Christ.

When we believe in the "false gospel of grace with nothing required of us," all the scriptures about repentance, putting to death self, seeking, striving, listening, obeying commands, getting a new heart and mind, purity, perfection, losing your life to save your life, being without sin, holiness, and living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, have to be ignored; or we have assume that we are pure and perfect, which is make-believe and hypocrisy in its worst form.

Paul says, "if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." We can't put to death the deeds of the body to purity by ourselves, no matter how hard we try. How do we learn to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world? How do we cleanse ourselves and prepare to receive the glorious Christ and his Kingdom in our hearts? We need help. We need God to help us, and there is nothing we can do to deserve this help. We need the unmerited favor of God, grace.

The method is to go to God yourself because everyone already has His Spirit within them by grace. You have no need of any teacher but the anointing within you. You sit quietly and whenever you think, you think on the name of Jesus. This is how we learn from Him, get cleansed by Him, be led by Him, and come to know Him. He said: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." He is the Light, he is the Word, and he has sent us the Spirit of Truth to teach us. If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:20. Eventually you will hear Him. He has a soft voice; that is why it is written, "Be still and know that I am God." He will tell us things about Himself. He will encourage us. He is kindness. He will tell or show us things about ourselves; some will be things that are ugly. Christ the Light will show us all the hidden lusts, affections, and pride in our heart. But since he is our friend, we know that he is showing them to us for our own good. So we listen and watch. And we don't run, we stand before the Son of Man. And we repent of what he shows us. And sometimes he gives us commands. We are hearing the Word of God, the living Word. As we hear the Word of God, [Jesus speaking through the Spirit] our faith will increase by leaps and bounds; and keep increasing - if we obey his commands, and show him we love him by being obedient. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27

For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and does [practices, obeys] them, I will show you what he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built or founded on a rock. Luke 6:47-48

He can't make it any plainer! He said: come to me, listen to My words (not the Bible), and do [practice] them.
To do them, is to obey; and when you obey them, you have received Christ by recognition and obedience.
From this sure foundation he builds true faith and hope which purifies you.

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:22-23

These above two teachings of Jesus are the core message of this web site:
1) Come to him, Listen to his words, do the words he gives you - obey his commands.
2) If you Love Jesus, you will obey him. The Father then loves you, and he and Jesus come to you and make their home with you;
and their home is the Kingdom of God within you.
He will appear the second time, not to bear sin, but to bring full salvation to those who are waiting for and expecting him. Heb 9:28

Write what you hear down in a notebook; review your commands periodically so you don't forget one, and keep repenting. Rev 3:2-3

Jesus said, Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes,
but strive and work and produce rather for the food which endures unto life eternal. John 6:27
His words that you hear and obey are the Bread from Heaven, spiritual food that leads to life.
The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life-giving. John 6:63

This is how to obtain the Kingdom of God while on earth! He, with his Kingdom to give you, Awaits You to Come!

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

So,seek, listen, obey... seek, listen, obey..... seek, listen, obey... Keep doing this, and Christ will lead you through repentance to purity, truth, and the Kingdom.
He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him! Heb.11:6
(Diligence is defined as continually attending to and striving to achieve a goal; laboriousness; perseverance.)

Jesus said, Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him. Luke 8:18

Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27
At judgment, Jesus said he would reject many who called him Lord and had even performed miracles in his name
by telling them plainly: 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! Mat 7:21-23
Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.' John 8:34
But, if we listen to him, obey him, abide in him, and are purified by him; we don't sin and he knows us.
The foolish virgins without oil in their lamps, said: Lord, Lord, open to us. (without abiding in Him, in his Light and Word)
Jesus replied: Truly I say to you, I do not know you. Without abiding in Him, he doesn't know us.
John says: we are coming to know Him, if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments).
The only way you can keep his commands is to listen to his voice, hear, and obey - until you have crucified the sinful
nature within you. For you cannot love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, until you have been given a new heart and mind by the love of God, received from Him over time, as you abide in his Word and Light, with obedience.
If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32
So if the Son liberates you, then you are really and unquestionably free. John 8:36
Jesus came so he could destroy the devil and his works [sin] in us.
For this purpose the Son of God has been revealed [ in us], that he might destroy [in us] the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. John 18:37

Sitting, thinking on the name of Jesus and waiting quietly on the Lord to speak to us, by his living Word, or reveal to us, by his Light, what is in our heart is not what our flesh wants to do. Instead of sitting quietly each day waiting on the Lord, our flesh wants to sleep, or worry, or plan our day, or think about something, or do something, - anything. Our mind will race through many subjects in desperation to save itself, (whoever loses his life will preserve it). The following is the missing cross of Christ:

■seeking the Kingdom of God, as your life's first priority, is an act of repentance - a cross to your selfish will
■turning away from evil, as you understand it, is an act of repentance - a cross to your selfish will
■you don't want to sit quietly every day to listen and watch, but you repent and do - a cross to your selfish will
if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:20

■you don't want to obey his commands that you hear, but if you repent- it is a cross to your selfish will
■you don't want to forgive injustices done to you, but if you do repent and forgive - it is a cross to your angry self
■you don't want to admit and regret what the Light shows your condition to be, but if you repent - it is a cross to your will
(this is the place where you get changed, where your peace increases; in the Light)
■you don't want to give to others from your excess, but if you repent from your selfishness and give- it is a cross to your will
■you don't want to defer (deny self) to others, rather than insist on your way, but if you repent and defer - it is a cross to your will
This is the Inward Cross of Self-Denial

If any will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

The cross (denying yourself) must be taken up daily to succeed; the cross is the power of God to you, which is foolishness to others. Belief in the true gospel is the power of God.

This is the beginning of the cross. There is also suffering with the cross, for when you have been prepared sufficiently by his grace and teachings, you will enter tribulation, to further the death of your sinful nature. Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Pet 4:1-2.

For more understanding on the necessity of learning in silence,
see George Fox's outstanding writing on Why Silence? (also on the side bar)

See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for more. (also on the side bar)

Read the Bible to keep your hopes high, (Psalms - John - Peter); but while reading the Bible, don't expect to hear.
Remember what Christ said about the Bible teachers and students in his day:
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and they are those that testify of me.
But you are not willing to come to me, that you might have life. John 5:39-40
Read some of George Fox's writings in this site. And don't forget to give, especially to the poor. Defer. Be kind.

Keep doing this on a daily basis, and you are "putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the deeds prompted by the body." You will change, maybe not as fast as you want to, but you will change. You will get less angry. You will have less desire for things. You will want to spend more time with Him and less time with worldly pursuits. He will give you personalized commands to be obeyed. Your desires for the world will melt as your love for Him increases. You are learning by grace how to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. You will see your deficit sect's activities as a waste of time because nobody else shares your hope and faith in the true gospel, the power of God; and the evidence of your faith in Christ, to lead you out of darkness to a sinless state, is for you to cease association with such people. If you stay, you will either lose your peace or lose your integrity. You will have to quietly leave your deficit sect to hear Christ's teachings. He will not build on top of false teachings. (See Sect's Services for more.) And you won't tell people your hope unless asked, because you haven't been instructed to by Him, and you're not ready yet to reach to the holy part of your listener which can hear. This is the cross. The cross is the power of God - repentance with remission of sin through grace. Belief in the true gospel, and the cross to realize the promise, releases the power of God to purify you and make you one with Him. See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for more details, including necessary suffering.

The cross is the beginning of being a disciple and the beginning of salvation. The cross is only obedience; and to those who oppose it, they are headed for destruction, for their god is their belly [their lusts and affections for the pleasures of the world], and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. Phil 3:17-19

And Christ's blood sacrifice is what allows you to come back every day to wait on Christ's teachings, even when you have been disobedient or done something stupid. Grace is unmerited; so matter how dumb you have acted or how disobedient, you can come back. Because he is your friend, and as long as you are sorry and willing to try again, he forgives you. Part of the cross is to suffer supernatural tribulations and hardships. Then he will test you. And when he trusts you, he will give you more of his Spirit. As you are seeking purification, your failures are not counted against you. He understands that until you are purified you will of course have failings, and these do not grieve Him - as long as you pick up your dropped cross and shoulder it again. And your sorrow for failures is a soothing salve to him.

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—Rom 6:6

From George Fox:

...grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, who would teach them to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly and godly in this present world. So that every man and woman might know the grace of God, which had appeared to all men; which was saving, and sufficient to bring their salvation. This teacher, the grace of God, would teach them how to live, what to do, and what to deny; it would season their words, and establish their hearts.

So all people (in that which is called the whole Christendom) come to the light that Christ Jesus has enlightened you with, that with it you may see your salvation, and know Christ your Teacher, your captain of your salvation, and the grace that comes by him, that brings your salvation, which grace teaches us, which is sufficient in weakness and temptation that brings salvation, and by it are we saved; and it teaches to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly and righteously; and this is our Teacher which brings salvation. Therefore have all the loins of your minds girded up to wait for the grace to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ; mind Peter's exhortation.

Now they that turn from the grace into wantonness [unrestraint], and walk despitefully against the Spirit of God, set up teachers according to their own hearts' lusts, and such are always learning under them, being unable to come to the knowledge of the truth, and so go into and remain in the earthly lusts, ungodliness, and into temptations, and weaknesses where there is mourning and complaining, and where the mourners are many; therefore come to the grace of God, and that is it which will let you see your ungodliness, unrighteousness, lust of the world, and unsoberness; that is your Teacher at all times; which will bring salvation if you mind it, and regard it, and take heed unto it; but if you turn it into wantonness [unrestraint], the swift judgments of God will come upon you.

Therefore mind the grace of God, the Teacher at all times which brings salvation; by which you may see your salvation; by which you may see your salvation brought; for the mighty day of the Lord is coming upon all the unrighteousness of men; the Lord God his Son is appearing towards you; who has all power in heaven and earth given to him, who is the King of kings, the Lord of lords. Therefore mind and receive the light with which he has enlightened you, that you may receive him. Set open your gates that the King of Glory may come in, who stands at the door and knocks; turn to the light, and you open the gate, where the entering of the King of Glory is seen. And come off all the barren mountains that are in the fall out from God’s image, life, and power, come from all the wells without water, and tempests and clouds without rain which wander about. Come to the light, and receive the light, that in the light you may receive Christ, and become his sons; that through that you may see the morning star appear where the Sons of God sing together. For woe is to the world which lies in wickedness, for the Lord is come to judge it; and to give all Men the reward according to their works, whether they are good, or whether they are evil: And with the light you may every one know whether your works are good, or whether they are evil, for that which may be known of God is made manifest in you, which God has showed to you, when you do the thing that is unrighteous or worthy of death; by that of God in you, you can tell.

And when you go from that of God within you, you do not glorify God, as God, but you are strangers from his life; and strangers from the covenant of life; and peace which is in Christ; and so come your foolish hearts to be dark fed and filled with unrighteousness, and upon such come God's judgments and wrath.

Now they who are made free from the wrath which is to come, they are come to that of God in them; to the light, and so see Christ the covenant of peace, who destroys the devil, and takes away the enmity which is between them and the Lord, through which comes the wrath, woe and misery; by which light, (Christ, God's covenant), man is brought into Peace with God, and saved from the wrath to come, from all the false ways, teachings, false worship, false churches, commands, traditions, rudiments, will-worships, inventions, handy works, worship, lip service, to the light and Spirit of God in your own particulars, that by it you may turn to God, and worship him in Spirit; and walk in the Spirit, Christ Jesus, who was before sin was. For since the beginning that man fell from God, from his power and image, have all false ways, false worships, false churches, been set up; even by that Spirit and power, and wisdom that is out of the Truth, below, which has killed about them. So there is a way in which is the life, and he is the light which enlightens you. Therefore come to the light, and you come to the way, which was before the power of death was, whose name is Christ, and such as are out of the light, are out of him in the ways of death and darkness and captivity; for as the outward Jews were in captivity under Pharaoh so the inward Jews in the Spirit, are in captivity in spiritual Sodom and Egypt, which do not mind the leadings of the Spirit and do not hearken to what it says; for every one must hearken and hear what the Spirit said to the churches, and not to hearken and hear a visible thing; and in that they would edify, build, join, unite, and come into Fellowship.

If you are a sect's teacher or a preacher, you won't be able hear, because you are in captivity, having led others into captivity, Rev 13:10. To be able to hear, you have to stop teaching or preaching until you are perfected, adjusted, and set to rights by Christ. Luke 6:40. See Teachers and Preachers for more detail.

The End of the Process of Grace, which Brings Salvation

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:13.
So grace is brought to you at the end, the revealing of Christ within a man.

But he who perseveres and endures to the end will be saved. Mat 10:22
(The end is Christ's appearance in you, which is the end of grace's bringing salvation to you.)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Tit 2:11

He will appear the second time, not to bear sin, but to bring full salvation to those who are waiting for and expecting him. Heb 9:28
Notice he appears to bring salvation. But he doesn't bring salvation to the whole world - only to those who are waiting for and expecting him.
Notice, he only appears to those who are waiting for him - not to the whole world. He appears within those who have obeyed him.
(He, who has been hidden, is revealed; the revelation of Christ, within the purified believer -bringing salvation.)


When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone with this hope purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
If Jesus appears to the whole world, how could anyone be like him when he appears?
The deficit sects teach that you don't have to be pure, you don't have to be perfect, you don't have to be holy.
No one is even trying. No one knows how. So no one would be like him, if he appeared as they teach.
But if anyone has the hope of seeing their savior, they will purify their hearts, by faith and grace, to see God.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Mat 5:8
He appears to the purified heart of a believer - he is seen. This is his second coming - to the purified heart.
To be purified, you must come to him, listen for him, hear him, and obey him - repetitively, over time.
You are purified by faith in Jesus - faith in his convictions being true, and faith enough to obey his commands.

For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 2 Cor 4:6

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Pet 4:1-2. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom 8:18

When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Col 3:4
When Christ appears in you, bringing his kingdom, you will appear there also - in the kingdom within you - in glory.
How are you going to appear in glory, unless it is inside of your heart, to your mind's eye? Hidden from the world.
Other than the fruit of the Spirit, the world does not see Christ; for such a person's life is hidden in Christ Jesus. Col 3:3

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him," John 14:20-23.
So he only appears to those who have heard him speak commands to them, and have obeyed him.

This mystery .. is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27

The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,
Nor will people say, Look! Here! or, See, there!
For behold,the kingdom of God is within you and among you. Luke 17:20-21
The kingdom and Christ are within, waiting to be revealed at the time grace brings salvation.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Tit 2:11-13

I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 2 Cor 6:16

The end of grace is to bring the completion of salvation, at the second appearance of Jesus Christ, but only within those who have purified themselves and who have been looking for the blessed hope of this coming.

No, his appearance is not a physical return to the earth. His second appearance in glory, with his Kingdom, is in the hearts of those believers who have crucified their sinful nature, preparing the way of the Lord, to take up the throne in their purified hearts, cleansed of all sin, there to be their King for the rest of their lives on earth, and then forever. See The Second Appearance of Jesus for more information.

You must have fellowship with Christ in his sufferings; 1 Pet 4:12-13
if you will reign with him, you must suffer with him; 2 Tim 2:12
if you will live with him, you must die with him; 2 Tim 2:11
and if you die with him, you must be buried with him, Rom 6:4
and being buried with him in the true baptism, you also rise with him. Col 2:12

There must be "a coming into his death, a suffering with Christ;" and this is of necessity to salvation; and not temporarily, but continually: there must be a "dying daily."

The key phrase here is "grace can help you as long as you keep trying." Prize your time. Spend it well. Time goes quickly. Remember you are taking a course that will affect you forever. Do not neglect so great a salvation. It deserves at least an hour a day of solitary quiet time waiting for and listening to your savior and teacher. And as he draws you to himself, spend more time. The more time you spend waiting on him, the faster you will hear, see, and change; and then enter the Kingdom of Heaven, paradise.

Objection 1: How could all this be true, when the whole world believes differently?

Answer 1: The whole world follows a false religion, just as it was predicted in the Book of Revelation. These 30,000 so-called Christian sects are Babylon painted to look like Zion, deceiving all the nations into her spiritual adultery and fornications. The whole world follows this beast with horns like a lamb, with many names, and power given him to extend his authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. The deficit sects pretend that Christ is their husband; but these false churches are the whore of Babylon, which substitute superstitious ritual for obedience to Christ's commands to repent, his teachings, his requirements, his warnings, his required holiness, his gospel, his Kingdom, his promised freedom from sin, and his cross of self-denial - the Missing Cross to Purity. This mystery of iniquity is permitted by God to test the elect's commitment to truth. (See Babylon and Apostasy for the details).

Objection 2: But Christ said: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. The cross is not easy; to forsake everything is not easy, to lose your life is not easy, and to suffer is not easy. What should I believe?

Answer 2: He calls those who have sickened of the worldly life and the pig fodder of its supposed rewards; as he told me: No one can come to me, unless they have had a life-shattering experience. Coming to him in this life to be purified is very easy, compared to being purified in Hell, (See Is There Hope for All?). You will be purified here voluntarily, or there, involuntarily. While here on the cross, you have his encouragement, his forgiveness, his constant help, and his arranging the world around you to speed your progress. Your cross is a picnic in the park, compared to His cross. The end result of the cross is freedom, peace, and rest - a rest from the labors of the world; to sit down in Christ, following his promptings and guidance, propelled by the power of the Holy Spirit, comforted by his peace, love, and joy. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Without a pure heart, you will not see God. The cross is the only way. For many walk, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you weeping, who are the enemies of the cross of Christ; their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and whose glory is their shame, and they think on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven; from where we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our vile body, so that it may be transformed to be like His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself. Phil 3:18-21. Gentle reader, since a promise of entering into his rest still stands, let us fear, lest any of you should come short of it. Heb 4:1. Let us get on with the task of going to and waiting on the Lord, so that he can perfect holiness in us - all done by grace.

See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for more information on how to hear, see, and be changed.

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Here the arguments for the false gospel of grace are exposed. The error is looking at only a few of the verses in Paul's lengthy letter to the Romans, ignoring the whole of the letter. Here is how they did it, starting with Romans 3:10

"There is no one righteous, not even one; Romans 3:10
there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. Romans 3:11
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Romans 3:12
(No one is righteous, no one decides to seek God themselves; God draws us to Himself. Therefore, no one can boast. )

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans 3:20
(We cannot obtain righteousness by following the Law.)

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. Rom 3:21
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, Rom 3:22
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom 3:23
Correct, righteousness comes through faith in Jesus; no matter what you have done, righteousness is available through faith,
but this is not instant righteousness, as they incorrectly assume.

Paul clarifies: for we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Gal. 5:5
Paul further: You are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness. Rom 6:16,19
And Jesus said, But seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness. Mat 6:33
So, by faith we are given the right to approach God, seeking his grace; but we are not instantly righteous.
Otherwise, we would not be told to seek, wait, obey, and hope for righteousness.
And Paul: Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1 Cor 15:34
These blind guides want to rest on the "imputed righteousness of Christ" to us, based on our faith; as it was with Abraham.
True, Abraham received imputed righteousness even before he was circumcised. True, our faith is imputed righteousness.
But he went on to be circumcised, just as we must receive the spiritual circumcision- our heart circumcised from sin.
As Abraham exercised his faith to leave his home for a new land - so we forsake the world to enter God's Kingdom.
As Abraham exercised his faith by obeying God's voice, willing to sacrifice Isaac, so we too must be obedient to the voice within.
We can't just sit around celebrating our imputed righteousness, which only gives us the right to approach God for help.
No, we must go to Him to receive his cleansing grace to become righteous- the fruit of which is peace;
and the effect of righteousness is quietness and confident trust forever. Isaiah 32:17
Imputed peace, quietness and confident trust forever is the make-believe instant righteousness of make-believe Christians.
So, this is the test: You are righteous and justified, if you have the peace that passes all understanding; quietness and confidence forever.


Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Rom 3:24
But this access to God does not make us instantly justified, for we seek to be justified in Christ. Gal. 2:17

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Rom 11:6
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
It is faith and grace that saves. We are not saved by works, but by grace resulting from our faith in Jesus. Very true!
But slaves of depravity twist grace to be instantly complete and to justify DOING NOTHING - even repenting!
Per Paul: Grace teaches what to deny and how to live in a godly way that leads to purity. Titus 2:11-14
These whitewashed false prophets have the audacity to claim that the cross and repentance is 'works.'
Going beyond ridiculous, they tell you that if you do anything, you will loose your salvation by falling under the law.
This is a malicious distortion of the truth, dreamed up by lazy, evil men, devoid of any sense of godliness.
Works without faith in Christ count for nothing with God. But works energized by faith in Christ are essential.
Paul said, I declared..that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26:20
The cross is only obedience, and those who oppose it are headed for destruction, for their god is their belly. Phil 3:19
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe, and tremble.
Are you willing to be shown, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:19-20
Paul further said, "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12
Again Paul said, grace results in a people zealous for good works. Titus 2:14
Jesus said, unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:3. Repentance requires effort on your part.
And, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Rev 3:19 (Zealous is: ardent desire, enthusiastic).
Jesus further said, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. Mat 11:29
Jesus said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
Jesus said, I have not found your works perfect before God. Rev 3:2-3. Jesus wants perfect works.
Jesus said, Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes,
but strive and work and produce rather for the food which endures unto life eternal. John 6:27
James said: You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:24
So works are essential to realizing righteousness, purity, salvation, and the Kingdom - given to us by faith and grace.
Paul again: I declared.. that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26:20

The blind guides say that since grace is free, there is NOTHING you need to do for salvation. Free is free.
I say, true; grace is free, but salvation is not. Salvation comes by the long process of the gifts of grace with faith that is evidenced by works, starting with repentance. We are saved by grace, as the sinful nature dies on the cross; and our death is not evidence of being worthy of God's gifts - no, just the shame of being so unworthy.

Remember, Jesus told his disciples to preach repentance with remission of sins. Luke 24:47
False grace/salvation, keeps the forgiveness and ignores repentance; the blind guides don't even know how to repent.
That is what this web site is dedicated to teaching: how to receive conviction requiring repentance, and how to receive the cleansing, changing grace that leads to purity and the Kingdom of Heaven, paradise while on earth.

Paul again: What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Romans 6:15
So grace, is not a license to continue to sin. We are not condemned while we are waiting to be cleansed,
but per Paul again, we have to continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

Per Paul again: But thanks be to God that though you were previously the slaves of sin, you have obeyed from the heart the fullness of teaching given to you. Roman 6:17
(he is talking to people then free from sin, having obeyed the doctrine that made them free from sin)
Having then been set free from sin, you became the slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:18
by obedience to the doctrine referred to in 6:17, they were made free from sin and became slaves to righteousness.
But now being made free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have the reward of holiness, and at the end, everlasting life. Romans 6:22. You cannot serve God unless you are free from sin. Everlasting life comes after you have produced fruit to holiness.

And finally Paul says it all in conclusion:
For if you live after the flesh, you will die;
but if you through the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13-14
and Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
So there it is: perfecting holiness. I can't imagine a stronger requirement than to be perfectly holy.
This is not make-believe christianity, this is the real requirement of being a Christian.

Paul again, speaking to mature Christians who have been set free from sin and are enjoying holiness:
But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God,
you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life. Rom 6:22

Paul's patient teachings, explaining in detail how salvation works, have been twisted into the devilish doctrine of instant salvation.

So the false grace/salvation doctrines are based on "cherry picking" a few verses from the Bible about grace and twisting them to mean salvation, while ignoring the preponderance of other verses throughout the Bible that totally change their meaning considered alone; by promoting "instant salvation by faith and grace," they excuse evil to be good, they make black white; and they ask you to pay them money for their error, even when they are specifically forbidden to take money. 1 Pet 5:2. And Acts 20:29-31 tells us: Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them. They were taught by Bible Colleges rather than by Christ himself. See a few of George Fox's writings on these blind guides. Instant grace is the broad way that leads to destruction, vs. the narrow way that is contracted by pressure that leads to life, which few will find.

The world wants a Christ that excuses them to live their life as they choose; that is why the false, instant grace/salvation has swept the deficit sects - false teachers telling them what their itching ears want to hear: relax, just say you believe in Jesus, get washed by water, and by magic you are reborn, free to continue your 'new life' in sin - but assured of escaping Hell and going to heaven when you die. Relax, relax, grace, grace. Didn't your common sense tell you the false, instant salvation your preacher sold you was at least a little suspicious?

Let everyone who names the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. 2 Tim 2:19

Caution: "Destined to Reign" by Joseph Prince - Gladys Russel

Caution: "Destined to Reign" by Joseph Prince
I recently became aware of a young man in our congregation who is involved in the vilest of sexual addictions, yet considers himself a believer who has no qualms at all about admitting his sins and the pleasure that he gets from them. He has no concerns about his salvation either as he has received assurance from a new (?) doctrine that has been popularized by the book by Joseph Prince called DESTINED TO REIGN. It was probably no coincidence that a friend sent the book to me to look at. My curiosity and concern was definitely piqued.

As prudent Christians, many evangelicals realize that we are very possibly in the end times that Jesus talked about in Matthew 24. Knowing this, we need to be all the more aware of deception in our church and in doctrine. Remember Jesus himself said in Matthew 24:24 “For false Christ’s and FALSE PROPHETS will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Again in 2 Thessalonians 2:11&12 Paul says, “And for this reason God will send them a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie and they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Even during the busy Christmas season, I could not keep away from this book and the theology it promotes. While there are too many ideas to expound on here, the main ideas seem to be 1) Nothing but blessings for the believer, 2) No longer a need to be concerned about God’s judgment as Grace has done away with the law 3) All sin, past and future, was forgiven at the cross for the believer and 4) repentance and confession of sin is never necessary.

BLEST BELIEVERS
In Chapter 1, I learned that God has called us as Christians to be a success, to enjoy wealth, to enjoy health, and to enjoy a life of victory. As soon as we understand his principals , we will see how easy and effortless the Christian walk really is. Prince uses Romans 5:17 …“For by one man‘s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through one Jesus Christ” He then states that the word reign used here comes from the word basiluo (Greek) translated to basilica in English.. Since, he says, basilicas were used as law courts, that means we would have a kingly rule. Well, that’s a stretch to begin with. A basilica is simply a style of building that makes it good for any assembly including meeting places, law courts, funeral homes and often churches. Adam Clarke, translating from the original Greek, along with any major Bible Scholar I am aware of takes this scripture to mean that we will reign over death as a result of Jesus death and resurrection..
Prince fails to mention what Jesus says to expect if we follow him.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” and again in Luke 6:22 Jesus said, “Blessed are you when men hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and caste your name as evil for the Son of Man’s sake.

Jesus also said in Luke 9:23 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” In Matthew 7:14 Jesus said , “Narrow is the gate and DIFFICULT is the way which leads to life and few there be that find it. And in Luke 9:25 Jesus warns about riches saying, “For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost.” !st Peter 3:17 “For it is better , if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

In Revelations 6:9, John says “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained.”

Living in a country with abundant wealth such as Singapore (where Prince lives) or the United States certainly makes it more plausible for persons whether Christian or simply diligent citizens to have a measure of wealth, But, is that God’s plan for everyone who loves him? Certainly and clearly it is not. In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 19:23 that it would be harder for the rich to get into heaven, and in Luke 18;24 he again lamented about how hard it would be for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus calls us to be willing to give up everything, including our life, to follow Him. Paul, himself, who wrote Romans 5:17, was often beaten, shipwrecked, and finally martyred. (Prince foolishly states that Paul’s thorn could not have been illness--he fails to note in Galatians 4 : 13-14 Paul clearly states he was sick with an infirmity of the flesh). Christians are daily persecuted and martyred around the world for the sake of their faith and the very survival of Christianity depended on the martyrs who came before us. Reigning might sound good for itchy ears but it isn’t what we are guaranteed in this present life.

A GOD OF MERCY ONLY--(New Revelation)
On page 32 Prince reveals his belief that God is continually restoring his truths to the church and the revelation of the finished work will continue to get stronger. Any time new revelation is taught, we must be reminded of how often this has been the basis of new cult’s such as Mormonism, Jehovah‘s witness, Christian Scientist etc. This new revelation of Prince’s continues to be the gift of righteousness to reign in life. I.e., more grace and less judgment. The loving and merciful side of God is always emphasized in Prince’s teaching.

While Prince speaks much of the fact that the new covenant does away with the old covenant , he fails to distinguish between the commandments which are still in effect and the ceremonial law that was necessary only until Christ became the sacrifice. Paul was often speaking to new Christians/Jews who kept going back to ceremonial law. --after all as Jews that was very natural for them and , no doubt, they still had many friends who were still in ceremonial law. Paul confirms this in Galations 4:10 when he says “You observe days and months and seasons and years.

As for the commandments, read Matthew 19:17-21 when Jesus clearly told the rich young man he should keep the commandments if he wanted to enter into life……“shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Prince states a merciful God would not Judge America or any other country because of what was done at the cross(pg 49). That, he says is because God is not willing that any should perish. Wow that’s a relief--or is it? In 2nd Cor. 5:11 Paul says that knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men………..Heb 10:30b & 31 “ The Lord will judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’ and Luke 12:5 … “Fear Him who…has the power to cast into hell:,, Of course Revelation has an entire book on the judgments that will be forthcoming on Nations and people. If we believe that God is all powerful, we must believe that whether or not he caused 9;11, He could have stopped it so therefore did allow judgment to come.

ALL SINS PAST AND FUTURE WERE FORGIVEN AT THE CROSS.
Prince continually assures the Believer that, although he does not condone sin , all was forgiven when Jesus died for the Believer so we never have to worry about it again. On pg 53 Prince says ‘If you receive a word from someone which brings your sins to remembrance or instills an expectation of punishment for sins in your life, don’t fear it, just throw it out the window..” On page 45, he says that , for the believer, ‘God took all your sins, even the sins that you have not yet committed, and put them all on Jesus. All future sins have been fully judged at the cross.’ On page 138, he states that “Believers are forever righteous. On page 233 he says “you cannot be under grace without becoming holy.” On page 99 he states that he has never encountered anyone who after receiving grace says “now I can go out and sin”. Really???I know of many people who truly served and loved the Lord at one time and have returned to a life of sin--don ‘t you? Just get any church directory from a few years back and you will see how many did not stay the course.

Prince does not attempt to explain the many examples that were given in the Gospels such as the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins, the seed that fell on good ground but was choked by the things of this world, or the seed that sprung up and then withered or the ninety and nine when the shepherd searched for the one who had left the fold. Even Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer that we should examine ourselves daily when he said “give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

In Colossians 1:22 & 23 Paul admonishes the believers “ to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable in his sight IF indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you have heard…… Also 2nd Peter 2:20 &21 say ‘For after they have escaped the pollutions of this world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome. The latter end is worse for them than the beginning, for it would have been better for them to have never known the way of righteousness than having known it, to turn from the bold commandment delivered to them. John 15:10 “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…….”

What Prince believes and teaches is almost beyond Calvinism because most Calvinists, including John Macarthur, will say of a person who practices a sinful life, that they never knew the Lord in the first place I.e. they never studied God’s word to see what would be required of them.

NEVER MIND REPENTENCE
Prince teaches that the word Repent actually only means to turn around.
The new Webster’s inter-collegiate dictionary refers to the root word penitent to describe repent as remorse, sorrow, for sins, contrition etc.
Prince also teaches that since sins are already forgiven, there is no need to repent of them anyway. What we need instead is to be forgiveness -conscious. See page 103 where he says “even when they (Christians) say a wrong thing, do a wrong thing or have a wrong thought…….they see the blood of Jesus continually washing them……..because they are forgiveness-conscious. they experience victory over sin.” Prince uses the example of the sins committed by the Corinthians to say that Paul simply reminded them that their bodies were temples of the Holy Spirit (pg 107) and did not tell them to repent. Well, Paul didn’t exactly ignore the sin either as though it were already forgiven.. See verses 1 Cor 5:5 when Paul told them to “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that that his spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Clearly, the sin required more attention than simply reminding the offender that he needed to be aware that he was already forgiven. How about getting his attention to the seriousness of the sin and repentance from it? Also note 2 Cor 12:21 written to the Believers at Corinth in which Paul states “Lest when I come again, my God will humble me among you & I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented. On page 234, Prince states that we are not told to repent (I.e. turnaround) from sins but from dead works which, he says, are not really sins. I.e. if you pray thinking that makes you right with God , that is a dead work. Similarly, If you study the Bible because you think doing so makes you right with God--forget it. You need, he says, to study and pray knowing you are right with God. So, in effect we should not be concerned about our sins but do need to be sure we never pray or search the scripture for answers simply to learn what is right--we just need to accept that we are right because at some time in the past we “turned around“.

While Prince writes his book as the secret to effortless success, wholeness and victorious living, the Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:11-16 that we will need to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places ………………

My heart breaks for the young man who thinks he can continue to practice any kind of sin and be considered holy before God, for the Bible says in Eph 4:7 & 8a “ for God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God..”.
Yes, it is wonderful to hear a message of Grace, but until we understand that God is also a God of judgment, can we really know the depths of his Grace? As Paul admonished the believers in Romans, 2:2 “ But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things” and again to the believers In Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.”

Remember, it is in God’s commandments that we learn the heart of God and what he expects of us. . How many will pay the ultimate price for the belief promoted in Destined to Reign? It is, after all, the same old lie, that Satan told Eve when he convinced her, that deliberate sin could go unpunished.