Past Present AND Future!Pastor Mike
The above quote, which you can listen to by clicking on, SUMS up what is predominantly being taught by mainstream Christianity and inside the local church system today. I randomly selected Pastor Mike from the West coast, but there are MANY other preachers from around the world who I could have used as well. The discussion I want to take up here has been visited before, however, I feel it is highly important to NOT be negligent of theses matters and to remind you (who are AWAKE or awakening to this deception!) about this teaching that has created what has been termed in times past as a 'moral dilemma' in our society. (Telling people they are forgiven in advance for sins they have YET to commit can only lead to moral decay in those who receive such a message and to conclude that nothing they do or fail to do matters as the fear of judgment has been removed from their minds completely!) You need to be aware, if you're NOT already, that there is a massive amount of theology behind such statements that must be studied to better understand HOW these conclusions are arrived at. (This takes time and commitment, but is well worth it!) In studying these matters and researching the origins of these particular doctrines, I have learned that the majority of positions that arise from what is understood as 'Reformed Theology' are supported by mere conjecture. Here, I do NOT intend to cover all the tenets that lead to this conclusion of PRE-forgiveness of sins, however, I would suggest that you take the time to watch 'The Reformers and Imputed Righteousness' to get a fuller understanding so you can begin to UN-ravel the lies!
First, it is VERY important that we understand the Bible does teach mans PAST sins are purged by the blood of Christ when he repents of all KNOWN sin and exercises faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21; Rom. 3:24-25; Heb. 9:13-14). This is strictly referring to 'OLD' sins, as opposed to new or UN-committed ones! (2 Pet. 1:9) The Propitiation of Christ allows God to "expiate" (or simply pass over) sins that were PREVIOUSLY committed. (1 Jn. 2:2 & 4:10) This is the ONLY way God can 'overlook' man's sin! (Acts 17:30-31) Paul said that Christ 'gave Himself for us, that He might REDEEM us from every lawless deed and PURIFY for Himself His own special people [who are] zealous for good works' (Titus 2:14). This is the PURPOSE of grace, that is, to REDEEM man in the PRESENT age from the corrupting influence of sin! (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 2:11-12; Heb. 12:28-29; 1 Jn. 3:8) Grace is also shown to be the GROUNDS of man's justification in the Bible, which is WHOLLY based on the 'Death of Christ'! Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, which means, we have redemption through His blood, that is, the forgiveness of sins. (Jn. 1:29; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:22) Secondly, it is also true that 'IF (conditional phrase!) we (Christians) 'walk in the light as He (God) is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from ALL sin'. (1 Jn. 1:7) This shows PRESENT cleansing from ALL sin is available IF we walk in the Spirit and NOT the flesh! (Acts 15:9; Rom. 8:1-4; 8:13; Gal. 6:7-9; 1 Pet. 1:22). However, what about FUTURE sins? According to the Scriptures one is NOT permitted to 'CONTINUE in sin' (and be cloaked by grace!) as that would turn the grace of God into a license FOR immorality! (Jn. 5:14; 8:11; Rom. 6:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:16; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; Jude 3-4)."For if we sin willfully after we have received the (precise and correct) knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses? law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. And again, 'The LORD will judge His people.' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:26-31)
Voluntarily or willingly sinning AFTER you have received a full and complete 'knowledge' (which is what the word knowledge implies in this passage) of the truth is said to RE-crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame in the Scriptures (Heb. 6:4-6; 1 Jn. 3:4) This is a dire WARNING aimed at believers as it would be impossible for Un-Believers (or so called 'atheist') to insult the divine nature (or Spirit of Grace) they NEVER partook of to begin with! (2 Pet. 1:3-4) This dreadful passage (which is explained away by most preachers to be referring to NON-Christians!) is clearly alluding to individuals who had been saved by the blood of Christ, that is, they 'WAS SANCTIFIED'! (Matt. 26:28; Mk. 14:24; Acts 26:18; Heb. 10:10; Rev. 1:5) Remember, Jesus prayed to the Father (in regards to His followers), 'Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth'! (Jn. 17:17) If someone is sanctified (as these people were --Heb. 10:29) then it follows they had (past tense) known the truth (Jesus) and the truth (Christ) had SET them free. (Jn. 8:31-32) Without a doubt, this means they 'WERE washed, they WERE Sanctified, and they WERE Justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:11) (Many reject this portion of Scripture BECAUSE it throws their doctrine of 'Eternal Security' or 'Once Saved Always Saved' into the trash can with its founders!) The reality is this Scripture dismisses the claim that FUTURE sins are PRE-forgiven at the moment of Justification! (Again, this is WHY the preachers have to convince you this passage doesn't mean what it says and explain the Scriptures away through commentaries and seminars!) However, the Scripture says what it says, that is, 'willful sin' makes you an adversary of God and will leave you with a certain FEARFUL expectation of judgment! (Keep in mind this passage is being COMPARED TO the law of Moses which called for the death penalty in regards to WILLFUL sin on the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses! --Num. 15:30; Deut. 17:12) Under grace, it's MUCH worse!
Another passage of Scripture that points out this NON-sense of PRE-forgiveness was UN-known and NOT taught in early times is 2 Pet. 1:5-10, which reads:
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:5-10).
In this passage, Peter is exhorting those who had ESCAPED the corruption that is in the world through lust (by becoming partakers of the divine nature or grace) that they must ADD to their faith so that they do NOT forget they were cleansed from their OLD sins (2 Pet. 1:3-10; 1 Jn. 2:16) First, let's understand he is speaking to Christians. How do we know that? Because he says they had been CLEANSED from their PAST sins (when they became partakers of the divine nature.) Now, if Peter understood (or was taught by Jesus) that believers past, present and FUTURE sins are cancelled by the blood of Christ, WHY would he WARN that if one who has been redeemed by the blood of Christ, fails to ADD to their faith and make their calling and election sure they can become blind and FORGET they were purged from their iniquity? In other words, if the ancient Christians taught that 'TOTAL forgiveness' (as Pastor Mike put it) was granted once and for all (apart from an individuals character and conduct), then what would it matter if a person 'ADDED to their faith ' and made their calling sure, when the bottom line is, they will be saved regardless? (The argument here is that IF they do NOT add to their faith and make their election sure, they were NEVER saved to begin with, however, HOW could that be when Peter said they were cleansed from their OLD sins??Don't be deceived by the trickery of men, it would be impossible to become 'blind AGAIN', if you could NEVER see to begin with! Hopefully you also noticed that in the above passage (2 Pet. 1:5-10) Peter said that IF (conditional phrase) you add to your faith (e.g virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love) you will NEITHER be barren NOR unfruitful, which means, this is a salvation issue! Peter understood this because Jesus taught this. (Jn. 15:1-6) The Lord taught the disciples, "If anyone does NOT abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." (Jn. 15:6) Can you make the connection here? Jesus WARNED, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does NOT bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (Jn. 15:1-2). Peter likens this FRUIT to adding to your faith and concludes, IF (on the condition) you do these things (e.g virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love) you will NEVER stumble for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! (If FUTURE sins were pardoned in reconciliation, then you would NOT have to add to your faith or make you election sure as nothing you do could possible effect the outcome of your final salvation as your reservation in Heaven could NOT be cancelled!) You may argue that they would do it out of gratitude, yet, the question remains is it MANDATORY?
Likewise, the apostle John communicated that IF (not WHEN) one of his little children (or Christians) sinned, they have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 Jn. 2:1) Of course this is referring to the RARE occasion of sin a genuine believer may become entangled with as opposed to a daily ritual! (If you think John was giving you as PASS to sin continually and confess it daily you are in some DEEP delusion!) Remember, John taught the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from ALL sin! (1 Jn. 1:7) This is clear PROOF that sin is NOT an indwelling property! (Rom. 6:12) Instead, sin is understood as 'transgression of KNOWN law', that is, a MORAL choice (1 Jn. 3:4) John was clear that, 'whoever abides in Jesus does NOT sin, while, whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him' (1 Jn. 3:6). Then he says, "Little Children, let no one deceive you. He who DOES what is right IS righteous, just as He is righteous AND he who sins is of the devil." (1 Jn. 3:7-8) Keep in mind, John told his little children there is sin NOT leading to (spiritual) death. (1 Jn. 5:17) (This text is NOT giving you a license to sin, rather, it is making a proper distinction between NON -presumptuous and flagrant sins of the flesh -- 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5-7; Rev. 21:8) (Remember Jesus warned 'all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit NEVER has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation', which disproves ALL sin is weighed the same -- Mk. 3:28-29) Nevertheless, if your FUTURE sins were 'totally forgiven' when you trusted in the provision of Christ, then to what purpose would a High Priest (Jesus Christ) be necessary? John said 'IF (conditional phrase) we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL UN-righteousness'. (Pro. 28:13; 1 Jn. 1:9) WHY would you need to confess sins (to gain forgiveness) that were ALREADY paid for in advance by the Cross? You wouldn't! Therefore, the preachers who teach this heresy must separate the forgiveness that comes with justification and sanctification. In other words, they will pronounce you "legally justified' (positionally righteous in God's SIGHT and TOTALLY forgiven forever!) in the courts of Heaven, but then TURN around and say that although your sins (past, present and FUTURE!) are already covered, you must still confess your daily transgressions in order to stay in fellowship with God? (In other words, POST conversion sin ONLY incurs a loss or rewards and crowns as opposed to salvation!) Therefore, they get the people to confess their daily misdeeds (which springs forth from their depraved moral natures they were BORN with. according to them!) and convince them that God will chastise them over sins He can NO LONGER SEE! (Heb. 12) How can that be? If God can't see me sinning anymore because I am cloaked with His righteousness, then HOW can he discipline me over my continuation in sin? (Rom. 6:1-2) Weren't those sins ATONED for on the Cross? Wake up! This is a fallacy!
If FUTURE sins are truly forgiven IN advance by the sacrifice of Christ, then WHY did Jesus pronounce that to receive forgiveness with God, you have to forgive others? (Wouldn't He had understood, being God, that ALL sins were going to be forgiven upon His death coming to pass?) Jesus words were, 'IF (conditional phrase) you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But IF (conditional clause) you do NOT forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses' (Matt. 6:14-15). In another portion of Scripture Jesus is recorded as saying, "and whenever you stand praying, IF you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do NOT forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mk. 11:25-26). According to Jesus, His followers can gain NO FORGIVENESS in heaven, if they do NOT forgive each other on earth! (How can this NOT be understood as CONDITIONAL Salvation??) Paul the Apostle seems to have understood this command (not suggestion!) which is WHY he said we must "bear with one another, and forgiving one another, IF anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Col. 3:13) Again, the argument here from those who embrace FUTURE forgiveness may be that the genuine convert who is TRULY converted to God will forgive others, however, what IF they fail to to do so? Does this affect their salvation or ONLY their eternal rewards? Of course it couldn't be their 'salvation' as that was a DONE DEAL when they originally trusted in Jesus. (Of course some would reply if they did NOT forgive their neighbor, then they were NEVER saved to begin with.) No matter HOW you view it, the bottom line is this doctrine of PRE-forgiveness collides with what Jesus and His servants taught. (Matt. 6:14-15; Rom. 3:25; 2 Pet. 1;9; 1 Jn. 1:9) The reality in this situation is the that these preachers who are pushing these outrageous teachings are in direct opposition to what the Master taught. (Remember, Paul WARNED if anyone rejects the wholesome words of Christ they are destitute of the truth -- 1 Tim. 6:3-5)One parable that DESTROYS the doctrine of eternal security (and PRE-forgiveness of sins) is that of the Un-Forgiving servant. (Matt. 18:21-35) Again, those who embrace the teaching of today, out right REJECT and dismiss the illustrations of Jesus. Why? Because it all conflicts with their doctrinal positions! The Bible says, "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Tim. 3:16) If this is true then HOW can we continue to reject Christ (or God's!) teachings? If they are contained in the Bible, how can we say they are NOT Scripture? How much more outrageous can they be!!! As this parable will show, the ONLY reason people ignore the instruction of Christ is because it exposes their lies!The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matt. 18:21-35
Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.
What this parable reveals is what the preachers who teach your sins are PAID for in ADVANCE don't want you to know. (But God does want you to know, which is WHY He spoke it in the flesh!) First, the question is in regards to forgiveness! And again, the answer given by Jesus is that you must forgive others in order to be forgiven by God! However, this illustration reveals another aspect of divine forgiveness that most have overlooked or missed all together. Let me explain. This teaching uses the example of debt and forgiveness. Notice, the first servant who was called forth to settle accounts with the master was so in debt (10,000 talents!!!) that he could NOT pay what was due! (what was this debt?... It was SIN!!!) What happened next? The master demanded that the servant and his family be sold in order to fulfill the extremely large shortage of goods. Upon the servant hearing this decree from the master, he fell down before him and BEGGED the master to have patience with him until he could RE-pay the huge debt. (Now pay attention to what happens NEXT!!!) What did the master do in return? The Scripture says, ' Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.' (Notice at this point the master has released the servant and forgiven him the debt owed BASED on the nature of his servants actions, that is, he BEGGED him to have Mercy!) Now, this same servant who was just forgiven of a MASSIVE debt by the master and set free goes out and finds a fellow servant who owed him a much LESS amount of money, laid hands on him, and severely threatens him! In return, his fellow servant (the one whom he laid hands on) fell down at his feet and BEGGED him to have patience with him (just as he had previously done with the master who forgave him 10,000 talents!) What did he do? Did he forgive him and work it out? No! He threw him into prison UNTIL he should pay the debt. (Keep in mind, you don't make money if you are in chains!) Now, some of other servants saw what happened and sent word back to the master. The question is...What happened? (Again, pay close attention!!!) Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.' (Again, HOW does one make money if they are locked up in ancient times? --they don't!) The Lord then concludes this parable by WARNING, 'so My heavenly Father also will do to you IF each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.'
What is so interesting about this parable is that it shows that just because you were once forgiven (like the first servant), it does not automatically mean you will always remain forgiven. (It should be obvious that the once forgiven servant became UN-Forgiven as a result of his actions!) WHY? Because God is JUST and future forgiveness is contingent upon your CONTINUAL faithfulness to do unto others as you would have them do unto you, which includes, genuinely forgiving your brothers and sisters who do you wrong! (This is a commandment -- Matt. 7:12)Now, those who teach your sins are FORGIVEN already due to Calvary (which took place over 2,000 years ago) are saying that it is utterly IMPOSSIBLE for one who has 'Received Jesus' by faith (or has been forgiven) to ever be lost in regards to salvation or become UN-Forgiven again! (Again, this is WHY they say if you fall away you were NEVER saved to begin with!) This position is upheld through a doctrine of substitution. (This teaching was NOT embraced in the early church, instead, they taught a Ransom Theory --Matt. 20:28; Mk. 10:45; 1 Tim. 2:6) Within this substitution theology we find a moral transfer, pre-forgiveness of future sins, rewards system and eternal security for the believer! Their salvation message and view of the cross is as follows:
The Provision!
Although different teachers may explain these points in varying ways, the bottom line is, they all agree that this is what happened on the cross. If this doctrine is TRUE, then Jesus' parable is no longer valid! (Matt. 18:21-35) However, if what Christ said is so, then this teaching is in ERROR! We need to grasp the main tenet of this theology, that is, the idea that Christ took the WRATH of God on the cross in man's place. (This was NEVER taught in Apostolic times!) What is meant by this is that the sins of mankind (past, present and FUTURE!) were transferred to Jesus on the cross, which in return, allowed God to pour out His WRATH on His Son (according to this doctrine for He was now FULL of sin!) SO THAT man could go free. Sounds good right? The problem with this notion is that IF Christ literally took your sins on the cross, as they affirm, that would NOT only place Him in hell today (since the wages of sin is ETERNAL death -- Rom. 6:23), but it would also confirm that He paid your (sin) DEBT in full. (Where did the master in the parable of the UN-Forgiving servant PAY the servants DEBT or PUNISH another in his place? Nowhere.) You see, if God has extinguished His fierce wrath on the cross (as this doctrine of substitution states), then those who 'believe on Jesus' can NEVER be condemned again! (Since there would be NO MORE WRATH left!) This is WHY they sing, there is NO MORE CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus on Sunday mornings. (Rom. 8:1) (The sad part of this is that many who embrace this teaching HAVE condemnation, but are told it's unfounded and RE-assured that God can't see them no MORE as grace has them covered!) This then is one aspect as to HOW they arrive at the conclusion that once a person TRUST in this PROVISION, they are eternally secure APART from morality!
One of the other MAJOR things that has influenced this teaching of the cross and PRE-Forgiveness of UN-committed sins was William Tyndale's translation of the word 'atonement'. Look it up and study if for yourself and you will find the actual word atonement was invented in the sixteenth century by this early Reformer who recognized that there was NOT a direct English translation of the biblical Hebraic concept. The word is composed of two parts "at" and "onement" in order to reflect the dual aspect of Christ's sacrifice: the remission of sin AND reconciliation of man to God. (They dig into some of the Scriptures located in Hebrews to prove this position -- e.g Heb. 9:26) Tyndale's concept of atonement was created to overcome the limitations of the word "reconciliation", while incorporating aspects of propitiation and forgiveness. Basically, this is one aspect that birthed the FUTURE forgiveness of sins! (According to Vines Dictionary, 'the explanation of this English word as being "at-one-ment" is entirely fanciful') Rather, the word that Tyndale translated 'at-onemoment' actually signifies "reconciliation", that is, "to sit again with". (G2643) Observe the following verses:
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son (BLOOD!), much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation!)" (Rom. 5:10-11 KJV).
"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead" (Rom. 11:15 KJV)?
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18 KJV)
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:19 KJV)
The Jewish Fast of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is where the Hebrew word 'kaper' comes from and is defined as 'a covering'. Study it and you will discover that 'reconciliation' doesn't precisely contain all the necessary components of the word atonement. Reconciliation comes from Latin roots re, meaning "again"; con, meaning "with"; and ultimately, 'sol', a root meaning "seat". Reconciliation, therefore, literally means "to sit again with." While this meaning may appear sufficient, Tyndale thought that if translated as "reconciliation," there would be a pervasive misunderstanding of the word's deeper significance to not just reconcile, but "to cover," so the word was invented.
What I am trying to explain to you is that Tyndale, an early reformer (who translated the Scriptures in 1526) made this word up, and in doing so gave support to the faulty idea that At-One-Moment man is reconciled to God, which means, he is TOTALLY forgiven (past, present and FUTURE!) Atonement was translated to mean that the one time sacrifice of Christ COVERED all sins forever. (Another aspect of this is the "Eternal Now" view of God, which places His dealings with man outside of time, which means, the past, present and FUTURE are all the same thing!) We must also come to grips that the doctrine of original sin is the FOUNDATION on which everything we have been going over is based. Because this teaching stresses that man has been created with a morally depraved nature, we must understand that man can ONLY do vice. (Even after 'believing' on Jesus, this nature remains corrupted and TOTALLY wicked.) Therefore, the 'Atonement' (or At-one-ment or At-one-moment) took place thousands of years ago and covered All sins for ALL time! (Meaning, past, present and FUTURE!) Because of this arrangement, man's sin is ALREADY forgiven by the virtue of sacrifice, which means, man needs ONLY to TRUST in that deed and like magic he is saved (The Provision!) So ultimately under this teaching (which was invented in the 1500's), the substitution doctrine came into play (although it was already invented by the Catholics in the 11th Century! See: The Vicarious Death of Christ?), the idea that the wrath of God was poured out on Christ surfaced, Jesus NOW becomes sin, while His righteousness and obedience is transferred to believers! (Obedience and moral character cannot be transferred!)Due to inherited sin that plagues man's flesh (original sin), there is no need or possibility of the OLD man dying with Christ in repentance, instead, the death was PROVIDED in principle! (Rom. 6:6 & Gal. 5:24) As follows, the example of Christ obedience to the Father is NO longer mandatory for the believer! (1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:6) But again, this is NOT what the meaning of the word implies! Rather, RECONCILIATION (as shown in the parable of the UN-Forgiving servant and Prodigal Son) means to "To Sit Again With"! It implies the restoration of favor. HOW? Reconcile! It calls for a 'CLEARING of wrong doing', making right what you made wrong, paying back if necessary and restoring if possible! It requires one to accomplish a task like the DEEDS of faith! (Matt. 3:8; Lk. 19:1-10 Acts 26:20; Gal. 5:6; 2 Cor. 7:10-11)
In conclusion, it should be obvious that man is NOT Un-conditionally forgiven of FUTURE sins at the moment of justification as Pastor Mike has asserted! Instead, the Scripture plainly shows CONDITIONS must be met and kept to remain in the body of Christ. (Remember, 5 out of the 7 Churches were called back to REPENTANCE by Christ in Revelations, which shows, their SINS were NOT already 'COVERED' in advance! -- Rev. 2-3) Surely the sacrificial OFFERING of the blood of Christ was 'once and for all', however, one must still render repentance towards God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ to ACCESS His blood. (Lk. 24:47; Heb. 10:10) The Bible says, Christ is the 'author of Eternal Salvation to all who OBEY Him', which means, the His blood will NOT hide your disobedience from His sight! (Heb. 5:9) The death of Christ (blood), according to Paul, WILL 'present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight -- IF (conditional clause!) indeed you CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard' (Col. 1:22-23) This is WHY Paul said you are saved IF (condition phrase!) you HOLD FAST that word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain. (1 Cor. 15:1-2) (Notice the apostle likens 'believing' to 'holding fast'! -- Heb. 3:14) He also warned 'for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life' (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 6:7-8). How would that work IF your FUTURE sins are already forgiven in advance? Impossible!Seriously, NOW is the time to RE-examine what you have been taught and the doctrines you have embraced. Like the parable of the UN-Forgiving servant, understand, the Lord is compassionate and LONG suffering NOT wanting any to perish but ALL to come to REPENTANCE (2 Pet. 3:9). Humble yourselves (he won't do it for you!) and despise NOT the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, as His goodness is giving you time to REPENT (Rom. 2:4). Don't delay! Seek the Lord while He may be found and exit these churches and escape their deception! 'Let NO one deceive you with empty words - the WRATH of God comes upon the sons of disobedience' (Eph. 5:6) (Which means it wasn't abated at Calvary!). Study your Scriptures and you WILL discover that your sins are NOT forgiven in advance and ONLY he who endures to the END shall be saved!
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The Sin Must Stop