"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."-Romans 10:2
Zeal without knowledge can be a dangerous thing and possibly lead to false accusations. This brings to mind a bizarre incident that occurred last Thursday in a Cracker Barrel. I was approached by a couple of younger brothers (hopefully) in the faith whom I had handed several tracts to prior to sitting down to eat. They (evidently a small bible study group) had issues with the tract that I gave them, which read as follows:
"Saved From What?"
"a. God's Wrath b. Judgement c. Death e. Hell f. All the above
If you answered 'all the above' you would be correct. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything, irrespective of its value? Jesus said, 'I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart'(Matthew 5:28). Have you ever looked at someone with lust? The Bible says that if someone hates another person they are a murderer(I John 3:15). Have you ever hated anyone? He will judge our actions and our thoughts. How will you do on Judgement Day? Guilty or Innocent? If you are honest, your conscience will bear witness to you that your are Guilty. Unless you repent and trust in Jesus Christ, His wrath remains on you (John 3:36). Problem...You can't repent unless it is granted to you from God (II Timothy 2:25). You must have faith in Christ, but unless He grants you that faith (Ephesians 2:8) it is impossible. God is Holy and demands Justice. What must you do to be Saved from His wrath and your sins? Cry out to Jesus and plead for His mercy and grace, then repent (turn from your sins) and put your faith in Jesus Christ.
Their problem was with repentance. They stated repentance was of works righteousness and salvation came by faith alone. I attempted to dialogue with them and was unsuccessful. I agreed that salvation was by faith alone in Christ, however repentance accompanied saving faith. They continued peppering me with false accusations of works righteousness. They did not have ears to hear and even tried to incorrectly and presumptuously say that I was headed in conversation with them to Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.", and insinuating that I was implying man's work plus Christ, which I denied. These two would not hear and were insistent upon strife. Proverbs 26:4-5 came to mind. They admonished me look at Ephesians 2:8, which had they read the tract would have seen that the verse was sited. They soon walked off. During the brief encounter I tried to take them to when Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry in Mark 1:15 "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." I attempted to communicate to them that according to I John those who practice sin are none of His and further more "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." - Titus 1:16
Please pray for these two young men and their bible study group. They did not agree to meet with me over a coke to sit down and go over the Scriptures. It concerns me that they would deny the doctrine of repentance. Are they antinomian (against the moral law). Because Jesus clearly stated that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In Galatians 3:24 it clearly states that the law is a school master to drive us unto Christ. Have they in fact never repented and using the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for lasciviousness? I pray not. Are they saved? Keep them in prayer.
I know, preach, evangelize and have never denied that salvation is by faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Scripture is replete with verses indicating repentance. Repentance accompanies Faith in Christ. Here are a few cited for you to review (Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Psalm 57:15, Isaiah 66:2, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 3:38, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 9:13, Mark 1:15, Mark 2:17, Mark 6:12, Luke 13:3,5, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 11:18, Acts 17:30, Acts 20:21, Acts 26,20, Romans 2:4, II Corinthians 7:10, II Timothy 2:25, and II Peter 3:9).
In fact unless the Lord grants you faith and repentance (Ephesians 2:8, II Tim 2:25 and Acts 11:18) you will not be saved. "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."-John 6:44
Until next time........Reformata
