Monday, April 9, 2012

H is for - The Hoi Polloi who Hold to Heterodoxal Happycrap, and the Hoards of High Heralds of their Heretical Hype are not of His Holy Household and Have no Hope for Heaven’s Hallowed Halls.

(Title Translation:  If You're Not In, You're Out.)

It seems that contemporary Christianity has largely sacrificed sound doctrine for the sake of unity, family, or tolerance.  And our unwillingness to make judgments is dangerous and leaves many ignorant, professing Christians without any way to discern the difference between truth and error.  And, many of them have placed their faith in a caricature of a savior (whom they call Jesus) who has not and cannot save them.

Should we just presume that anyone or everyone who identifies with Christianity or verbalizes Christian sentiments is really born of God?

Here are a few excerpts from some statements made recently by just a few well-known personalities.
"...Death has already been conquered. Shame, guilt, despair – already conquered.  Jesus paid that price on the cross for each and every one of us – He died so that we may live.  It’s an incredible gift – the gift of eternity.  And to receive it, all we have to do is ask.  That’s REAL hope.   Have a Happy Easter, and I pray you and your loved ones cherish the gift of redemption this weekend.

"No no, I can't prove to you that Jesus is God so that truth is mine and mine alone, but you can't prove to me that Jesus is not."

 "They ask me...what is your favorite word?   ...My favorite word, that is really easy.  My favorite word is the Word.  And that is everything. It says it all."

"But then comes Holy Week. The triumph of Palm Sunday. The humility of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. His slow march up that hill, and the pain and the scorn and the shame of the cross. And we're reminded that in that moment, he took on the sins of the world -- past, present and future -- and he extended to us that unfathomable gift of grace and salvation through his death and resurrection." 

"Jesus Christ is the Son of God and my Savior."
  
"I believe it is necessary, for full salvation and acceptance before God, to believe in Jesus Christ.  The question then comes up, though, 'How about the people that don’t know about Christ?  How about the ones to whom Christians, evangelicals, have never reached or given them the message?'  I’m inclined to believe that they will not be condemned or punished by God."
So my question is, "Can we presume that the authors are born again?"  I asked that question of someone close to me and her answer, like many, was a resounding, "Yes!"
The author of the first statement is a great American patriot.  He loves his country.  He is a fearless defender for the cause of freedom.  And he is a man of faith who is sincere in his "christian" beliefs.  But I know that he is NOT redeemed, born again, or saved as a result of the regenerating work of the Spirit of God.
How can I make an absolute statement like that?  It is because the Word of God gives us the measure for all truth.  That's why doctrine is important.  You can't just assume that, because a person believes in Jesus, he is born again any more that you can guarantee passage to Heaven by leading someone through a magic prayer like this one.  
When Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?" (Matt. 16:13),  their answers revealed that some men said he was a great religious leader or a prophet. 
But Jesus pressed them further.  "Whom do you say that I am?" (Matt. 16:15)  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matt. 16:16) Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven." (Matt. 16:17) 
The author of the first statement above is Glenn Beck and he says he worships Jesus.  But his Jesus is a son of a god who once was a man like us.  And he has a brother whose name is Lucifer.  He is powerless to save because he doesn't exist.  He is the Jesus of Mormonism, NOT the Christ, the Son of the living God.
The others are identified below.  You decide.
The second statement was by Bill O'reilly in a debate with an atheist.
The third statement was Nancy Pelosi in an interview.
Number four was by Barack Obama at a prayer breakfast.  By the way, at His third annual EASTER BUNNY address a few days ago, He referred to Jesus as "A Son of God."
Statement number five was by Mitt Romney when questioned what he believes about Jesus Christ.
The last statement was made by Jimmy Carter in an interview with Al Mohler when asked, "Is it necessary to have faith in Jesus Christ to be saved?"
Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.  2 Peter 2:1
"The problem with so many Christians is that
they believe SO much that just isn't true."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Very true my friend.