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Difference between revisions of "Working Out Our Salvation' 3"

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====Working Out Our Salvation' 4====
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====Working Out Our Salvation 3====
<p>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. (II Corinthians 7:1) </p>
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<p>Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. (II Peter 3:11,12—NIV) </p>
<p>"Perfecting holiness in the fear of God." "The fear of God"! </p>
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<p>The three contemporary doctrines we discussed previously are linked together as follows—we are assured of going to Heaven after we die because we have made a proper confession concerning Christ. Our goal is to live forever in Paradise, and the "rapture" accomplishes this before we have suffered from Antichrist and the great tribulation. </p>
<p>It is taught that we are saved by a correct theological position whether or not we live a godly life. This attitude removes all fear of the Day of the Lord and invites sinful behavior. While we may believe we ought to "try to do better," in the back of our mind is the assurance that "grace" and "mercy" will cover our shortcomings. In this manner we have made the Word of God of no effect. </p>
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<p>In actuality, true faith in the Lord Jesus cannot exist apart from the keeping of the commandments found in the New Testament, the commandments given by the Lord through His Apostles. Righteous works are the very life of faith. </p>
<p>There is not nearly enough iron in today's preaching to produce saints who will be able to live victoriously in the age of moral horrors we are entering. </p>
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<p>The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (I John 2:4—NIV) </p>
<p>It is taught that our goal is to obtain eternal residence and eternal life in the heavenly Paradise. This belief removes our fear of the Day of Wrath. When the Day of Wrath arrives we picture ourselves resting comfortably in our mansion in Heaven instead of being called to account like the other people who also are waiting in the spirit realm for the Day of Wrath. </p>
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<p>Current Christian teaching is more closely related to Gnosticism than it is to Christianity. Gnosticism presents a set of special secrets, the knowledge of which results in salvation. Modern evangelical doctrine advocates a set of beliefs to which if one subscribes he or she is saved. There is no code of required conduct. </p>
<p>When the last trumpet sounds we either shall be gathered together with all saints to be with the Lord or we shall be summoned to stand before the Lord and give an accounting of our behavior. The factor that will determine whether we are gathered together with all saints or whether we must give an accounting of our behavior is that of abiding in Christ. </p>
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<p>The purpose of the new covenant is to make an eternal end of the practice of sin. The bulk of the New Testament writings have to do with commandments which we are to keep, as the Spirit of God assists us, until Christ is formed in us and we behave righteously by nature. </p>
<p>Is Christ our life? Are we living by Christ? It is our union with Christ that will save us in the Day of the Lord, not our having taken the "four steps of salvation." </p>
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<p>The truth is: </p>
<p>Where the Carcass, the slain Lamb is, there the eagles will be gathered together. The eagles are those who live by the body and blood of the slain Lamb. </p>
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<p>To be saved is to be delivered from wrath in the Day of the Lord. </p>
<p>Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:54) </p>
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<p>The first resurrection, the historical event that will take place when the Lord returns, includes a gathering together of the saints of all ages and their being caught up to meet the Lord in the air. They then will return with Him to establish the Kingdom of God on the earth. The first resurrection from the dead will not take place until the end of the present age, until the great and dreadful Day of the Lord. </p>
<p>As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. (John 6:57) </p>
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<p>Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (Matthew 24:29) </p>
<p>The doctrine of an any-moment pre-tribulation rapture of all believers totally removes any lingering fear we may have of the Day of the Lord. The three assumptions, that Christ's blood covers our ungodly, disobedient behavior, that we shall go straight to a mansion when we die, and that we shall be caught up to Heaven before the days of Antichrist and the great tribulation, have produced a generation of baby Christians who understand practically nothing of the Day of Wrath, the resurrection from the dead, or the Kingdom of God. </p>
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<p>The gathering together of God's elect and their ascension to meet the Lord in the air will occur "immediately after the tribulation of those days," that is, immediately after the great tribulation, at the end of the present age. </p>
<p>Current evangelical doctrine is unscriptural, illogical, confusing, and sometimes anti-Semitic. </p>
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<p>The fundamental teaching of the Day of Wrath has been destroyed by the three unscriptural doctrines we have mentioned previously. If salvation is preached against the backdrop of the great and dreadful Day of the Lord, and if it is our healthy fear of the Day of Wrath that motivates us to live a godly life, then a doctrine that removes the scriptural vision of the Day of the Lord, the Day of Wrath, will produce immature, immoral believers. This is exactly what has taken place. </p>
<p>We are claiming in this paper that it is not true that we are saved by believing and confessing the theological facts concerning the Lord Jesus, His atoning death and bodily resurrection, apart from the bringing forth of a new righteous creation in us. This is the modern form of Gnosticism, an ancient heresy. </p>
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<p>Continued. [[Working Out Our Salvation 4]] </p>
<p>Continued. [[Working Out Our Salvation' 5]] </p>
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Latest revision as of 22:48, 19 May 2021

Working Out Our Salvation 3

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. (II Peter 3:11,12—NIV)

The three contemporary doctrines we discussed previously are linked together as follows—we are assured of going to Heaven after we die because we have made a proper confession concerning Christ. Our goal is to live forever in Paradise, and the "rapture" accomplishes this before we have suffered from Antichrist and the great tribulation.

In actuality, true faith in the Lord Jesus cannot exist apart from the keeping of the commandments found in the New Testament, the commandments given by the Lord through His Apostles. Righteous works are the very life of faith.

The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (I John 2:4—NIV)

Current Christian teaching is more closely related to Gnosticism than it is to Christianity. Gnosticism presents a set of special secrets, the knowledge of which results in salvation. Modern evangelical doctrine advocates a set of beliefs to which if one subscribes he or she is saved. There is no code of required conduct.

The purpose of the new covenant is to make an eternal end of the practice of sin. The bulk of the New Testament writings have to do with commandments which we are to keep, as the Spirit of God assists us, until Christ is formed in us and we behave righteously by nature.

The truth is:

To be saved is to be delivered from wrath in the Day of the Lord.

The first resurrection, the historical event that will take place when the Lord returns, includes a gathering together of the saints of all ages and their being caught up to meet the Lord in the air. They then will return with Him to establish the Kingdom of God on the earth. The first resurrection from the dead will not take place until the end of the present age, until the great and dreadful Day of the Lord.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (Matthew 24:29)

The gathering together of God's elect and their ascension to meet the Lord in the air will occur "immediately after the tribulation of those days," that is, immediately after the great tribulation, at the end of the present age.

The fundamental teaching of the Day of Wrath has been destroyed by the three unscriptural doctrines we have mentioned previously. If salvation is preached against the backdrop of the great and dreadful Day of the Lord, and if it is our healthy fear of the Day of Wrath that motivates us to live a godly life, then a doctrine that removes the scriptural vision of the Day of the Lord, the Day of Wrath, will produce immature, immoral believers. This is exactly what has taken place.

Continued. Working Out Our Salvation 4