Brothers and Sisters, I have been studying the Word of God for almost forty years. I was born and raised in an Arminian household. I believed the Arminian gospel. I imagined everybody does. When God converted me, I began to read the Holy Scriptures for myself, and the more I read, the more I saw, and see, the poor Arminian has no gospel � no good news at all. His gospel is a sham and a shame and leaves a poor sinner hopeless and helpless.
The Arminian says the eternal purpose of God is based upon man�s free will and choice. If one ask what�s wrong with such a gospel I answer it this way: it starts at the wrong place. The Scriptures began with God: �in the beginning God.� Before man had a being, there was the Eternal, Triune God.
The Arminian begins with man and his power and abilities to do something. Such a gospel deifies man and humanizes God. God becomes subject to man � man�s will and choice. It makes God a beggar, a bystander, as it were, pleading and hoping somebody will decide to accept Jesus into their hearts and lives. But God, in fear of violating their free will, can do nothing until man first acts. God�s whole purpose, according to them, is utterly dependent upon man�s unstable and changing will.
They tell us that Jesus Christ has done no more for those on their way to heaven, than for those who are now in hell. They tell us of a Savior who does not save, a redemption that does not redeem. They don�t tell us of an everlasting salvation that is in the Lord, but of a probation. Their gospel is nothing but a system of works, human merit, goodness and power.
Mr. Spurgeon said, �You can have such a gospel, you are welcome to it, and I hope you keep it to yourself.�
Jude, I really liked that post...kept it to the core facts. I believe some are offended by facts and Scripture...which is what we should be looking at and presenting. Keep posting Scripture! I enjoy re-reading passages and looking at them in light of the topics or discussions. I don't even mind re-reading Scriptures posted by those I don't always agree with...because Scripture is the key to it all!
Michael shared ~ You see I am the most skilled at controll and manipulation and since I repented of mine I smell out like stink anyone who is guilty as I was.
*** Kinda like a Recovering or Recovered Alcoholic...they can smell a Boozer within 20 feet of them...:laugh:...truly takes one to know one eh ???...no matter how much the Boozer says they aint a Boozer...the only one they are fooling is them self...in Denial...and ima not speaking of the River in Egypt...:dunce:
The good news is this. Where my controll and minipulation through repentence became encouragement and building of others as we are called to be and do.
*** And this is the Proof in the Pudding that a True Conversion has occurred from with in...:applause:...:yay:...:bouncy:...Don't you just LOVE how Yahweh in HIS Awesomeness takes a Retched Fallen Lost Liability of a human and turns them into a Asset for HIS Glory ???....
Thanks Teach...I agree Scripture is the best...what would we do with out the WORD of God...All Praise to the Most High...Thank you Father for the Reformation and the Printing Press that placed the Holy Scriptures in the hands of the common people and all those that have it and all those that YOU WILL SEE TO IT WILL HAVE IT!!!!....
I went to Calvin College and have heard hundreds of sermons from Christian Reformed, Protestant Reformed and Orthodox Presbyterian preachers and did not hear even one sermon about Heavenly Rewards which are EARNED and not Predestined for the glory of God.
By saying REWARDS are not *EARNED* by the saints contradicts over 50 passages from the inspired Words of God and removes one of the most important incentives for obeying all of the NT commands with love with the hope countless eternal REWARDS for faithful and loving service!!
2 Peter 1:5-11: Make every effort to add to you faith {A FREE GIFT} goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and **LOVE**. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective...and you will receive a *RICH WELCOME* into our Eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ!
Daniel 12:3: Those who impart wisdom {NIV} will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness. like the stars for ever and ever!
Revelation 2:18; 3:21: Jesus says, "To him who overcomes I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it....And I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Jesus says, "At the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne...Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive 100 times as much !!" Matthew 19:28,29
SALVATION IS 100% FREE BUT HEAVENLY REWARDS ARE 100% EARNED:
Hebrews 11:1,6: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see....And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He **REWARDS** those who earnestly seek Him!!
Ephesians 6:8: Serve wholeheartedly , as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will **REWARD** everyone for what ever good he does!.
Revelation 22:12 Jesus says, �Behold I am coming soon! My **REWARD** is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done!�
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, �The Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels and THEN He will **REWARD** each person according to what he has done!�
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: We make it our goal to please Him... for we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15: His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives , he will receive his **REWARD**. If it is burned up he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Colossians 3:23-25: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, siince you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a **REWARD**. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
How to Win Heavenly CROWNS:
I Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes in to strict training. They do it to get a **CROWN that will not last; but we do it to get a **CROWN THAT WILL LAST FOREVER! Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize!
2 John 1:8: Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be **REWARDED** fully!. Revelation 3:11: Jesus says, �I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your **CROWN!�
2 Timothy 4:7,8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the **CROWN of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,will award to me on that day�and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing!
The **CROWN of Life for those who persevere under trials and persecution:
James 1:12: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the **CROWN OF LIFE that God has promised to those who **LOVE** Him!
Revelation 2:10 Jesus says, �Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the **CROWN OF LIFE!�
Matthew 5:11,12: Jesus says, �Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, beacuase great is your **REWARD** in heaven!�
Hebrews 10:32-36: Remember those earlier days after you had received the Light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of sufferin. Sometimes you were publicaly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly **REWARDED**. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you receive what He has promised!
Hebrews 11:6: Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He **REWARDS** those who earnestly seek Him!!
Ephesians 6:8: Serve wholeheartedly , as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will **REWARD** everyone for what ever good he does!.
