The Daily Word of Righteousness

Two Kinds of Works, continued

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. (Matthew 13:20,21—NIV)

But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. (Hebrews 6:8—NIV)

How could they lose the "grace" given them when they first received Christ and His Holy Spirit?

Suppose one of them who had received Christ had died before Christ was formed in him. What would be true of him?

Would he still be "saved" even though Christ had not been formed in him?

How does having Christ formed in us have any bearing on whether we are saved?

One fundamental problem with this whole argument is that our critic defines saved as "escaping Hell and going to Heaven when one dies." If this definition is changed in any manner the whole argument takes a different course.

I would like to set forth the idea that being saved has nothing to do with escaping Hell and going to Heaven. We are not saved from Hell. We are not saved to go to Heaven.

"Horrors," Brother Thompson, "how can you say such a thing?"

It's easy. I just go to the Bible.

The Bible does not say we are saved from Hell. The wicked always belong in Hell and we will go to Hell if we are wicked.

The Bible does not say we are saved to go to Heaven. We will go to Heaven if we belong to Jesus, but Heaven is not our goal. Heaven is the goal of the Gnostics, not of the Christians!

"I am aghast!"

You are aghast because you don't read the Bible. When you do you cannot see what is in front of you.

Right now, find three clear passages in context that state Christ came to save us from Hell. Or maybe find two. Or maybe . . .

Right now, find three clear passages in context that state Christ came to bring us to Heaven.

Right now, find three clear passages in context that state Christ is going to return to bring His Church to Heaven.

If you can find them, then I am all wet. If you can't, then . . .

Christ did not come to bring us from Hell to Heaven but from Satan to God.

To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:18—NIV)

Look carefully. Do you see anything in this passage about going to Heaven? Do you find any passage in the Book of Acts that speaks of our going to Heaven?

I wonder why Evangelical preachers do not search the Scriptures and find out what they are supposed to be preaching and teaching. The churches are in a moral mess because of the wrong doctrine being preached, and if I am hearing from God He is not pleased with the situation.

To be continued.