Posted on 03/04/2020 7:44:23 AM PST by Gamecock
All cults and manmade religions are based in “works righteousness.” Their adherents believe they have to do something to earn their way to heaven—pray five times a day, lie on beds of nails, do good works, fast, repeat certain prayers, etc. They do this because they are ignorant of God’s standard of righteousness. This is why they need the Law of God to show them that the leap they are trying to make is infinitely wider than the Grand Canyon. However, before you take them through the Law, help them see that they are indeed trusting in “works” for salvation.
Let’s say there are a couple of cult members at my door. I warmly ask for their names, and then say, “I have a knife in my back. I am dying and have only three minutes to live. What do I need to do to enter heaven/paradise/the kingdom of God?” They look concerned. One says, “A lot.” I ask, “What do you mean ‘a lot’? I have only two minutes to live. Help me.” They will normally say they cannot help someone who has just a couple of minutes to live, because their salvation is based on gaining knowledge and doing “good works.” The fact that they must do things to be saved reveals that they are trusting in their “self-righteousness.”
When I then ask if they think they are “good” people, they almost always say they are, and that is the root cause of their deception. While they know they are sinners, they believe their sin is not so bad that they cannot earn their own way out of it and “merit” heaven. So they must be taken through the Law and made to understand that they are criminals in the sight of a holy Judge, and are guilty of countless crimes. They must be taken through the Law and made to understand that they are criminals in the sight of a holy Judge, and are guilty of countless crimes. They must understand that God is perfect and holy, that He considers lust to be adultery and hatred to be murder, and He will see to it that absolute justice is done. That means adulterers, murderers, liars, and thieves will be damned forever. Once they recognize that, they will understand that their “good” works are not good at all, but are in reality a detestable attempt to bribe the Judge of the universe. Hopefully they will trust in His mercy alone to save them.
That is how the thief on the cross was saved—through mercy alone. He didn’t go anywhere or do anything to save himself. He couldn’t, because he was nailed to the cross. He had no other avenue but to humbly turn to Jesus and say, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). In doing so, he acknowledged Jesus as Lord, and believed that He would rise from the dead (Rom. 10:9).
That is all that any who are involved in “works righteousness” religions need to do to be saved. They are condemned by the Law. They cannot go anywhere or do anything. All they can do is turn to Jesus and trust in Him alone for their salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; “it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9). So plant that seed in the hearts of those who think they can be saved by their own works, then pray that God causes it to grow and produce fruit.
Oh!
Thank You.
Absolutely! People can quite often see that you have an 'aura' about you that others don't - and will wonder why. You don't have to hit them over the head with a Bible for them to see that you're different. Even if you haven't shared (hopefully yet) the reason for your 'aura,' people can see it in how you comport yourself in various situations.
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for confirming what I thought/hoped you meant.
manmade religions
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Like Islam and Mormon
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Its gonna Be HOT!
Always a good reminder. If only this simple truth could be chiseled in our minds and burnished in our hearts, so that as we go through the day we don’t forget.
We often feel we did something wrong when things go against us, we may feel we did or failed to do something for God. But the spirit, the voice that is telling us we deserve punishment because we are somehow ‘bad’, this is not the voice of the Lord speaking.
When we let our ‘self’ die and allow the Lord to reside within us, we are perfect. Any spirit or voice telling us otherwise is trying to pull us back away from God.
Do they witness to you?
1. Have I used, or implied, the word’offended’? No.
Yes, it is true to say ‘no thanks’, in response to being witnessed. No offense taken or given, there.
2. We all hear things we don’t like, and choose not to listen. No offense given or taken, theree.
3. I asked the question, not in the action, but in the intention.
4. As to the word ‘aura’, we all have one, and that is science fact, it is not something christian only.
5. A lot of your answers show me your ‘freedom of religion’ is ok, as long as it’ y’alls’, and nobody else’s.
Terry, thanks. Still don’t understand the reference to the 1st Amendment in your earlier post.
As to the ‘aura’ comment in another of my posts in this thread, I was referring to what people discern as a difference between those who have a certain peace about them - and those who don’t. And yes, that is not exclusive to Christians.
Freedom of religion is a good thing. We should all get to believe & practice what we will without interference from government - and live & die with the consequences of our beliefs & practices.
Exactly correct.
That is the stupidest post I have ever read on Free Republic. Congratulations.
““I have a knife in my back. I am dying and have only three minutes to live. What do I need to do to enter heaven/paradise/the kingdom of God?””
You will go where Jesus and the thief went before Hes resurection. It might be on the side Lazarus was on,or you might be on the rich man’s side. There Jesue will have your teachings completed so you can follow Him through your resurrection.
If Hell exists, then it’s not “baloney”. But perhaps it shouldn’t be the first thing mentioned in witnessing. But, again if it exists, and I believe it does, it must be addressed.
That ‘baloney’ is a significant part of the New Testament teaching. Where are we wanting the lost to avoid ending up? Hell is a reality else Jesus would not have referred to it so many times.
NO, they’re not. They have a right to witness due to their rights. Others have the right to say, “Go away”, or to go away themselves.
Off the mark. Religion saves no one. The blood of Jesus Christ saves anyone. But anyone must accept the Grace. The blood of The Christ is not a religion, it is a cure, a cure for the poison of sin. The Word of God tells you that it is God Who is in you both to will and do of His good pleasure. BUT He is in only those who accept His unmerited Grace, His Life in their spirit.
You need Jesus.
By example.
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