As Jude 4 tells us, false Christians have turned God’s grace into a license to sin. Jude tells us that the wages of sin is eternal death. However, church people proclaim that for them, the wages of their sins is eternal life. Someone is dead wrong. God says it’s the church; the church says it’s Him. Churchites’ feelings about the seriousness of their sins was summed up by a bastion of religiosity who said: “God doesn’t like sin, but He won’t do anything about it.” Catholics say that Mary takes care of their sins. Protestants say that Grace handles theirs. Mary and Grace are two busy ladies.

In Isaiah 55:7 the Almighty reveals to those who believe Him that ONLY THOSE WHO “FORSAKE THEIR SINS” WILL RECEIVE MERCY FROM HIM. To “forsake” means to leave behind, to abandon totally and eternally. The apostles wrote God’s Words “SO THAT WE WILL NOT SIN,” and “IF (not when) we happen to sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jn. 2:1). If, having been forgiven of his/her sins, a believer continues in his/her sin-repent cycle, he/she becomes like the dog that, having been healed, returns to its vomit , and like the sow that, having been washed, returns to her wallow (2 Pet. 2:22). Note that those who remain in the sin-repent cycle are, in God’s view, no better than dogs and pigs. If we reject God’s Lordship over us by returning to sin after having been forgiven of all past sins (Rom. 3:25), we have made ourselves God’s enemies (Rom. 8:5-8). With each sin we then “crucify Christ afresh (again) and put Him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:6). The story of the “Prodigal Son” is an excellent example of God’s dealings with those who leave God’s family after joining it.

In Luke 15:11-32 we find the story of a man who had two sons. One of the sons (a convert) grew tired of living under his father’s (God’s) rules so he took his inheritance (guaranteed salvation), left the father’s house and went to live his own (sin-repent) way. We all know the story so I will cut to the chase. Notice that the father did not try to find the wayward son though he could have. The son had left on his own and would have to return on his own. If he had not returned he would have died in his sins. Notice what the father said about him upon his return: “… my son was “DEAD,” but he is now alive, he was “LOST” but has now been found.” Notice also that the wayward son had not lost his familial identity–though physically LOST and spiritually DEAD, he continued to be a member of the family. However, that did not prevent him from being LOST AND DEAD in the eyes of his father. Jesus used this parable to teach us how God views those who, having embraced Him, then go back to sinning. Those who do this call themselves “sinners saved by grace.”

In Matthew 5:20 Jesus is addressing His disciples, telling them that unless their RIGHTEOUSNESS was real and continuous that they–His chosen messengers to the world–would not enter God’s Kingdom. These men were spending their days and nights with Him, listening to Him speak, watching Him minister, learning from the Master how to go into the world and follow His example. EVEN THOUGH HE WOULD SEND THEM OUT TO EVANGELIZE THE WORLD, THEY HAD TO OBEY GOD’S LAW IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE. Recall that, after preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, casting out demons, 58 of Christ’s disciples left Him and went back into the world. This did not surprise Him, for “He knew who did not believe (Lk. 10:17/Jn. 6:59-71). Notice that only 12 of the 70 remained with Him. Note that of the thousands He had fed, healed, etc., only 120 truly believed in and obeyed Him. Nothing has changed.

Is the modern church member better than the 12 disciples? Are our rules of life different from theirs? The 12 could not get away with sinning. Can we? “Yes,” we are told from our hirelings. In fact, because of Adam’s sin, we have no choice in the sin matter. And Satan smiles, knowing that Jesus will say to fake believers on Judgment Day: “I never knew you. Depart from Me you workers of iniquity” (Lawlessness)–Mat. 7:21-23).

In Matthew 6:33 we are commanded to SEEK THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. But we are told by false prophets that seeking involves effort (works), which the church rejects. However, if I “seek” money to pay my bills, I must work–do my assigned job and do it correctly. In this way I “find” the money. My boss will not give me a paycheck simply because I know he has the check with my name on it. I can only “find” the check by working for it. If it is impossible for man to attain righteousness through obedience, and if he is solely dependent on Jesus’ righteousness, then why did Jesus command that we seek righteousness, and why did He promise to “fill” with righteousness (ONLY) those who hunger and thirst for it (Mat. 5:6)? Why hunger and thirst for something automatically awarded for performing a prescribed, two-minute ritual? Notice in Matthew 5:6 that Jesus was speaking to HIS DISCIPLES whom He would send out to preach the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, etc. These are the same men He said He would die for, but (ONLY) IF “… you do whatsoever I command you to do” (Jn. 15:13,14). He said about those same men that they were His spiritual brethren, (ONLY) IF “… you do the will of My Father in Heaven” (Mat. 12:46-50).

If we do not do what the Father and the Son command them to do, then Jesus did not die for us, nor are we His spiritual brethren. At true conversion we become Christ’s spiritual brethren and His friends for whom He died. We remain His brethren and friends ONLY IF WE REMAIN CONVERTED (obedient). Remember the five foolish virgins (believers) of Matthew 25. Spiritual “virgins” are those who have turned from sin to righteousness, have been cleansed of all past sins (Rom. 3:25) and have continued on their walk of holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit. True conversion makes one a spiritual brother to Jesus Christ. Remaining in that converted condition makes one a true Christian (“virgin”). Five of the “virgins” retained their spiritual virginity and were “known” by Jesus. Five did not and were told by Jesus: “I do not know you.” We must periodically ask, “Does God know me?” then consult the Scriptures to determine the answer. “Once saved–always saved” is true. However, salvation will not be offered until the return of Jesus to the earth. Read Born Again. Key word–Born.

Righteousness, salvation/rebirth, peace, safety, health, plenty, etc. are all awarded by God through His grace. However, one must qualify to receive those gifts. Read Deuteronomy 28. A good example of this Truth is when a person goes into a business looking for a job. He knows no one connected to the business and no one knows him. An hour later he walks out with a job. He has it in writing that the job is his and that he will be paid a certain amount of money on a certain day each month. He holds in his hand a covenant between himself and his employer. Both have signed the agreement. BUT IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE PAYMENT GUARANTEED BY THE CONTRACT THE WORKER MUST DO THE ASSIGNED WORK IN THE SPECIFIED WAY, AT THE SPECIFIED TIME, IN THE SPECIFIED PLACE WITHOUT FAIL. In other words, HE MUST QUALIFY TO RECEIVE THE PROMISED PAYMENT. He cannot show up when he wants to, do what he wants to do, the way he wants to do it, if he wants to do it, etc. and expect to be paid according to the contract. Believing what is written in the contract will not pay the bills. Fulfilling the requirements of the covenant will pay the bills.

The Holy Bible is a spiritual, two-way covenant/contract. Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28 and First John 3 are perfect examples of God’s covenant with man. Moses and John make it perfectly clear that in order to receive the promises made by God in writing ONE MUST OBEY HIS WRITTEN COMMANDS. Read the Friends of Jesus series. Key word–Friends. Note the Words of Jesus in Matthew 10:22: “He who endures (in obedience) UNTIL THE END SHALL (THEN) BE SAVED. The five foolish virgins did not endure in righteousness to the end. Though Jesus had known them while they were obedient, He had stopped knowing them when they stopped obeying Him.

Let us return to Matthew 5:6 where we are told by Christ Himself that he who “hungers and thirsts for righteousness will be filled” with righteousness. Note that He did not say that he who hungers and thirsts for salvation will receive salvation. Everyone who has ever darkened the door of a church was seeking salvation, not righteousness, holiness, godliness and perfection. Those qualities are achieved over time and through extensive Bible study, prayer, testing, temptations, etc. They are not achieved by watching television, reading, listening to the radio, hanging out with friends, etc. which occupies far too much of a believer’s time. What we see and hear enters our mind and remains there. We are what we think about. “As a man THINKS in his heart (mind), so he IS” (Prov. 23:7). Ask yourself how much time you think about God and His Word each day? How much time to you waste watching sin and sinners on t.v. each day? How many t.v. and internet programs glorify God and how many glorify sin? At one time I was addicted to cop shows. The Lord pointed out to me that the actors were sinners and the story lines were about people sinning. Even t.v. preachers glorify sin by telling people to “Just LOVE JESUS and be sure to REPENT after each sin.” These false prophets ignore HIs words found in John 14:15,23: “If you love me, keep (obey) My commandments/Words.” In John 15:10 Jesus said that in order to REMAIN IN HIS LOVE we must obey His commandments/Law . He also said that He (Jesus) REMAINED IN GOD’S LOVE by obeying His Law (Jn. 15:10). Jesus had to OBEY GOD’S LAW. ARE WE BETTER THAN HIM? The church says, “Yes.” What do you say? L.J.