GRACE THROUGH FAITH, PERIOD. THE TOPIC of TODAY’S SERMON is GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE, PERIOD! >> & This is a VERY IMPORTANT DOCTRINE for us to UNDERSTAND together as a CHURCH! Because we need to be on the SAME PAGE when it comes to the MILK of the WORD – … to the BASICS & FOUNDATION of our FAITH. Especially as we are ALLYING w/ LOCAL CHURCHES to ABOLISH ABORTION – … we have to MAKE SURE that your FOUNDATIONS are NOT CROOKED! & We don’t have to AGREE w/ everything that other CHURCHES teach — … & we can still SELECTIVELY ALLY w/ them – … but we need to ASSERT our FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES as an INDEPDENDENT CHURCH! BUT you sometimes hear PASTORS teach that SALVATION … … is by GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE — (and you’re like YES! AMEN!) — … but then they QUALIFY it with a BUT, AND or IF — >> BUT SALVATION is by GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE, PERIOD! Galatians 2:16 says: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” WORKS have NOTHING to do w/ SALVATION! THE ONLY PURPOSE of the LAW is to expose our SIN … … & SHOW US that we need a SAVIOR! Paul says in Romans 7:7: “… Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law …” BUT you still HEAR from PASTORS who teach that SALVATION is by GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE — … BUT if you DON’T HAVE WORKS … … If you DON’T HAVE GOOD FRUIT – … If you don’t have something to show for it … … then YOU’RE NOT REALLY SAVED! BUT ISN’T that JUST BRINGING IN WORKS-SALVATION THROUGH THE BACK DOOR? ROMAN CATHOLICS FRONTLOAD the GOSPEL w/ WORKS — >> PROTESTANTS BACKLOAD the GOSPEL w/ WORKS! >> They’re still saying you have to have works! >> Whether BEFORE or AFTER, they’re saying WORKS have to be PRESENT … … in order for you to be SAVED! & I understand the NEED for not wanting to seem PERMISSIVE! >> & I preach HARD on WORKS & CHASTISEMENT & ETERNAL REWARDS – … which is all based on DISCIPLESHIP! >> BUT SALVATION ISN’T DISCIPLESHIP! (& we have to know the difference) … & So today I’m going to COVER the DOCTRINES of GRACE — … & also cover some of the MAJOR OBJECTIONS to both GRACE & ETERNAL SECURITY — >> Because these 2 DOCTRINES are DEEPLY INTERCONNECTED. Because if you think that you can LOSE your SALVATION – … then perhaps you haven’t fully RESTED in CHRIST … … & you’re still trying to EARN, KEEP & MAINTAIN your own SALVATION! >> It’s perhaps a SIGN that you haven’t FULLY SURRENDERED to the GRACE of GOD! NOW, SOME PEOPLE even claim that GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE doesn’t even appear in the BIBLE!  You’ll sometimes hear that FROM ROMAN CATHOLICS, for example. But look @ Ephesians 2:8-9, whether the word, “ALONE” appears or not is IRRELAVENT … … because the TEACHING of GRACE ALONE through FAITH ALONE … … is CLEARLY TAUGHT THROUGHOUT the BIBLE: Ephesians 2:8-9: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: & Then it SAYS IT OUTRIGHT — 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. & THE BIBLE TEACHES that SALVATION is the GIFT of GOD! That’s what EPHESIANS SAYS: It’s the GIFT of GOD! >> & If it’s a GIFT, then BY DEFINITION, IT’S FREE & if FREE, then IT CAN’T BE BOUGHT or EARNED! THE MOMENT that you try to EARN IT or PAY for IT — … it’s NO LONGER a GIFT! A GIFT has no STRINGS ATTACHED to it — >> NO BUTS, ANDS or IFS! IT’S JUST FREE! John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave …” HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON — … that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. WE SEE THIS REPEATED throughout the Bible! Romans 8:32: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” In John 4:10, Jesus said: “… If thou knewest the gift of God …” In Romans 6:23, Paul said: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:15: “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” GRACE, by DEFINITION means UNMERITED FAVOR! YOU DIDN’T DESERVE to be SAVED – BUT YOU WERE SAVED ANYWAY by GOD’S GRACE! 2 Corinthians 9:15 says: “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” & THE BIGGEST MISTAKE that PEOPLE MAKE … … is BLENDING DISCIPLESHIP (which is 100% WORKS) w/ SALVATION (which is 0% WORKS) … DIDN’T JESUS promise that IF YOU BELIEVE in HIM, you will GO TO HEAVEN — … that you’ll receive ETERNAL LIFE? IS THE GOSPEL BELIEVE IN JESUS & YOU MIGHT GO TO HEAVEN? >> BELIEVE in JESUS & YOU’LL HOPEFULLY be SAVED? >> BELIEVE IN JESUS & IF YOU DON’T STOP BELIEVING & IF YOU DO REALLY GOOD … … & IF YOU TRY REALLY HARD — … & if you ENDURE to the END — … & if you have GOOD FRUIT – … you’ll be saved! >> IS That the GOSPEL that SAVED YOU? >> OR DID YOU FALL @ THE FEET of JESUS & CRY OUT FOR MERCY & RECEIVE HIS GRACE & LOVE … … & KNOW that you’re HIS CHILD! – … ETERNALLY SECURE, knowing that you’re going to go to heaven! 1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 1:1-3). PEOPLE point to Matthew 7:16, which says: “Ye shall know them by their fruits …” BUT WHAT’S THE CONTEXT? Matthew 7:15, back up 1 verse: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits … IT’S talking about TESTING the FRUIT of FALSE TEACHERS! >> MOST PEOPLE CAUGHT UP IN SERIOUS HERESY also tend to be the NASTIEST, MEANEST, VILEST CHRISTIANS! — … because THE FRUIT of THEIR DOCTRINE comes from a CORRUPTED HEART. They have: “… eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:” (2 Peter 2:14). >> IT’S TALKING ABOUT UNSAVED, FALSE PROPHETS! >> We’re to TEST the FRUIT of FALSE TEACHERS! WHEN THE KEEPER of the PRISON in ACTS 16 … … was SHAKEN AWAKE by an EARTHQUAKE & PAUL & SILAS were SET FREE — … He said in Acts 16:30: “… Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” HE WANTED TO KNOW — WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO? >> HE WAS CONFRONTED w/ the POWER OF GOD! 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. That’s a DEFINITIVE STATEMENT in the AFFIRMATIVE — >> … there’s no WIGGLE ROOM – BELIEVE & YOU WILL BE SAVED! >> There’s NO CONDITIONS to SALVATION other than PURE FAITH in JESUS CHRIST! — … as the SON OF GOD … … as the SUBSTITUTE, as the SAVIOR! 2 Corinthians 11:3 says: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” WE DON’T NEED DISPENSATIONALISM. WE DON’T NEED CALVINISM … WE DON’T NEED ARMINIANISM … WE DON’T NEED ZIONISM … >> ALL WE NEED is a KING JAMES BIBLE & The SIMPLICITY of the GOSPEL! 1 Corinthians 2:4-5: 4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. John 5:24 says: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” JOHN 5:24 says that if you BELIEVE … … you HATH or HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE — … & that’s IN THE PRESENT — … you have it now … >> & If it could be TAKEN AWAY, it wouldn’t be EVERLASTING. Because EVERLASTING means it goes on FOREVER w/out END! THE DOCTRINE of JUSTIFICATION by FAITH ALONE is DIRECTLY LINKED … … to ETERNAL SECURITY & THE ASSURANCE of SALVATION & ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED! >> BECAUSE if the FREE GIFT has to be WORKED for or MAINTAINED in order to be KEPT — … or if it can be TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU, then it wasn’t FREE in the 1ST PLACE! But people still OBJECT & POINT to passages like Rev. 3:5: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” HE THAT OVERCOMETH SOUNDS LIKE WORKS — … YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME — >> & IF YOU DON’T OVERCOME, GOD will BLOT your NAME out of the BOOK of LIFE! BUT WE HAVE TO COMPARE SCRIPTURE to SCRIPTURE — … something you can only really do in the KING JAMES … … because there’s NO CONSISTENCY in the MODERN VERSIONS. 1 John 5:5 tells us what overcoming is: “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” SO OVERCOMING in BIBLICAL CONTEXT is BELIEVING that JESUS is the SON OF GOD! Others point to Revelation 2:5: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” WHAT is the CANDLESTICK in this passage? Revelation 2:1 says: “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;” THE CANDLESTICKS were the CHURCHES of GOD — & EPHESUS had LEFT ITS FIRST LOVE — … PERHAPS they had STOPPED SOUL WINNING — … which is the PREACHING of the GOSPEL … He tells them to: “repent, and do the first works;” OTHERWISE, they’re CHURCH would be SNUFFED OUT! Still others point to Matthew 24:13: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” THAT SOUNDS LIKE WORKS! But the context of MATTHEW 24, is the END TIMES & The TRIBULATION. Read the ENTIRE CHAPTER of MATTHEW 24 — Jesus is teaching his disciples from the MT of OLIVES — In Matthew 24:3, Jesus’ DISCIPLES ask HIM: “… Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” & Jesus goes on to DESCRIBE WARS & FAMINE & PERSECUTION … Matthew 24:7-8: 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. & then HE SAYS in Matthew 24:13: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” In v. 21, He says: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” IF YOU ENDURE to the END of the TRIBULATION … … you will be SAVED out of it — when JESUS RETURNS to RAPTURE the CHURCH! In MATTHEW 7:21, Jesus said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” THERE ARE A LOT OF FALSE CHRISTIANS OUT THERE. & ISOLATED by itself, this sounds like WORKS! But John 6:40 says: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” >> The WILL of the FATHER is that you BELIEVE on the SON! Jesus said in John 6:27-29: 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. >> It’s not GRACE THROUGH FAITH, BUT … … It’s GRACE THROUGH FAITH, PERIOD. LOOK also @ Romans 6:1-4: 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? PAUL just got through 5 CHAPTERS of TEACHING that ALL are CONDEMNED under the LAW of SIN — … & that it’s BY GRACE … … & Then HE ANSWERS the ARGUMENT that EVERY WORKS-SALVATIONIST makes … >> ISN’T THIS a LICENSE TO SIN? & He says: … 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. WHEN it comes to SALVATION … … the DIFFERENCE between SOUND DOCTRINE & OUTRIGHT HERESY — … is in the WORD, “MUST” vs. “SHOULD”! WE SHOULD be about DOING GOOD WORKS — WE SHOULD be about OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS — WE SHOULD be out SOUL WINNING — WE SHOULD be out SERVING our NEIGHBORS & SEEKING RIGHTEOUSNESS & HOLINESS & LIFE! >> But the moment you SAY that you MUST do these things — … otherwise you’re NOT REALLY SAVED — … you’ve left the CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE of FREE GRACE! … you’ve ABANDONED the SIMPLICITY of the GOSPEL of CHRIST! PAUL says it this way in ROMANS 11:6 & leaves NO ROOM for DEBATE. He says: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” >> It’s the MOST LOGICAL, MATHEMATICALLY PURE STATEMENT that he could make. In other words, He’s saying IF IT’S GRACE then IT’S NOT WORKS! IF IT’S WORKS then IT’S NOT GRACE! IT CAN’T BE BOTH! >> ADD ANY AMOUNT OF WORKS to GRACE & it’s just WORKS. It’s not Grace through Faith, But … It’s Grace through Faith, Period. BUT THEN THEY SAY: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD! >> LIKE THEY’VE DROPPED SOME NUCLEAR BOMB on your ARGUMENT! JAMES is the MOST MISUNDERSTOOD BOOK in the BIBLE next to REVELATION. MARTIN LUTHER tried to REMOVE IT from the CANON … … because he didn’t understand it. >> He thought it went against SOLA GRATIA & SOLA FIDE … … (GRACE ALONE through FAITH ALONE) … BUT JAMES is WRITTEN TO BELIEVERS. Once you get this it’s NOT HARD to UNDERSTAND. >> 1 of the BASIC RULES of BIBLICAL EXEGESIS is who is it written to? James 1:1-2: 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2 My brethren … JAMES was WRITING to the CHURCH, to SAVED JEWISH BELIEVERS! James 1:16: “Do not err, my beloved brethren …” James 1:19: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren …” James 2:1: “My brethren …” James 2:5: “Hearken, my beloved brethren …” James 2:14: “What doth it profit, my brethren …” JAMES uses the WORD BRETHREN or BROTHERS 19X in this SHORT 5 CHAPTER EPISTLE! >> JAMES was SPEAKING to the BRETHREN! THE ENTIRE BOOK OF JAMES is 1 BIG REBUKE! THE BELIEVERS SCATTERED ABROAD had become SLOTHFUL — … they’d become A RESPECTER of PERSONS — … they’d STOPPED SERVING the CHURCH — … they’d STOPPED PREACHING THE GOSPEL — … they’d STOPPED DOING GOOD WORKS — >> … they were living for themselves! & JAMES said THEIR FAITH — while they HAD IT — … was DEAD! >> THEY HAD FAITH — THEY WERE SAVED — … but they’d become USELESS to GOD & the BODY OF CHRIST! James 2:14-18: 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? WHAT KIND OF SALVATION is PAUL TALKING ABOUT THERE? Is he talking about SPIRITUAL SALVATION? or is he talking about PHYSICAL SALVATION? >> The next verse answers is. 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. He’s saying that YOU’RE FAITH IS INACTIVE. IT’S UNPROFITABLE to MEN! 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. >> OUR WORKS JUSTIFY US BEFORE MEN, NOT GOD! Others can ASSESS whether we’re saved or not … … based on OUR PROFESSION of FAITH & OUR WORKS! BUT our WORKS NEVER JUSTIFY US before GOD! IT COMES DOWN TO THIS: BELIEF >> SUBSTITUTION >> ATONEMENT >> REGENERATION >> & ADOPTION CALVINISTS SAY that YOU’RE BORN AGAIN & THEN YOU BELIEVE … … that GOD CHOOSES YOU AGAINST YOUR WILL … >> & Because YOU’RE BORN AGAIN, You’re able TO BELIEVE! For the CALVINIST, BELIEF COMES AFTER REGENERATION. For the NON-CALVINIST, BELIEF PRECEDES REGENERATION! >> You’re BORN AGAIN BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE! IT COMES DOWN to the BLOOD — to the ATONEMENT! NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD! WE’RE SAVED by the BLOOD of JESUS + NOTHING ELSE! IT also COMES DOWN TO SUBSTITUTION. IS JESUS YOUR SUBSTITUTE OR NOT? HE EITHER IS & HE TAKES ON ALL OF YOUR SINS … … OR NONE OF YOUR SINS! >> HE’S NOT A PARTIAL SUBSTITUTE, but a FULL PAYMENT for sins! Colossians 2:13-14: 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; THE DOCTRINE of SUBSTITUTION LEAVES NO ROOM FOR WORKS! >> HE TAKES YOUR PLACE COMPLETELY! 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” THERE WAS A TRANSFER that TOOK PLACE. THE BIBLE CALLS this IMPUTATION. JESUS TAKES OUR SINFULNESS UPON HIMSELF — & TRANSFERS HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS & PERFECTION TO US! Romans 4 is the BIG CHAPTER on CHRIST’S IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. Romans 4:2-7: 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. IT SAYS IT RIGHT THERE: to him that doesn’t work, but believes! — … his FAITH is COUNTED for RIGHTEOUSNESS! 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. IF YOUR SINS are COVERED, it’s because YOU HAVE SINS! BUT THEY’RE COVERED OVER by the BLOOD of JESUS! 1 Peter 3:18: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust [you were SAVED when you were UNJUST], that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” @ THE END OF THE DAY — THERE are THOSE WHO STAND BEFORE GOD @ the JUDGMENT … … & ARE JUDGED based on THEIR WORKS. & THERE ARE THOSE WHO are NOT JUDGED … … because they HAVE CHRIST as their SUBSTITUTE. >> WHEN GOD OPENS UP THE BOOKS @ the WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT — … He’s NOT GOING TO SEE ME & MY SINS — … HE’S GOING to SEE HIS SON JESUS CHRIST in me! John 1:12 says: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” >> IT’S A FAMILY THING! >> WHEN YOU RECEIVE JESUS as YOUR SAVIOR, GOD BECOMES YOUR FATHER! >> YOU ARE REGENERATED in the SPIRIT & ADOPTED as CHILDREN & HEIRS! >> NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CHILDREN DO, they’re not going to STOP being YOUR CHILDREN! THERE’S NOTHING that you can DO to LOSE YOUR SALVATION! >> BECAUSE SALVATION is BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, PERIOD! THERE ARE GOING TO BE SAVED BELIEVERS @ THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST — … who have NO WORKS their entire lives! BUT THEY THEMSELVES WILL STILL BE SAVED, the BIBLE SAYS — … AS YET BY FIRE! >> THEY’LL HAVE NO CROWNS, NO ETERNAL REWARDS — … except that they’ve made it to HEAVEN because of what CHRIST DID! THIS IDEA that EVERYTHING is EQUAL IN HEAVEN is SOCIALIST! & GOD IS NOT A SOCIALIST! >> THERE ARE DIFFERING LEVELS of GLORY based on WHAT WE DO for CHRIST IN THIS LIFETIME! >> I’m not going to HAVE the SAME LEVEL of GLORY & AUTHORITY as PAUL the APOSTLE! 1 Corinthians 3:11-15: 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. THIS IS SPEAKING of the JUDGMENT SEAT of CHRIST FOR BELIEVERS — … when REWARDS for GOOD WORKS will be HANDED OUT! THE LAST MAJOR POINT I want to COVER has to do w/ 2 NATURES of the SAVED MAN — … & then WE’LL END w/ a FEW PASSAGES & CLOSING THOUGHTS … But the JOHN the APOSTLES makes 2 SEEMINGLY CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS. In 1 John 1:8, John says: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” & In 1 John 3:9, he said: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” HOW WE DO RECONCILE THIS? IT’S SURELY INTENTIONAL on JOHN’S PART. >> BECAUSE it’s in the SAME LETTER! BUT IN CH. 1, HE’S TALKING ABOUT THE FLESH — the UNREGENERATE PART of us! & IN CH. 3, JOHN is TALKING ABOUT OUR BORN REDEEMED, BORN-AGAIN SPIRIT & OUR NEW NATURE! >> IN CH. 1, HE’S SAYING that OUR FLESH is CORRUPT! OUR FLESH CONTINUES TO SIN! (DAILY)! — I don’t think you can go a DAY w/OUT SIN in the FLESH! >> THE BIBLE SAYS that the THOUGHT of FOOLISHNESS is SIN! OUR FLESH HASN’T BEEN BORN AGAIN! It hasn’t been REDEEMED … … & the ONLY WAY it can be BORN AGAIN is to DIE! BUT OUR SPIRIT, OUR NATURE, has been RENEWED & REGENERATED … … by the WORD & SPIRIT OF GOD! >> THEREFORE, WE ARE ALREADY PERFECT in the SPIRIT! >> OUR SPIRIT DOESN’T DESIRE to SIN — IT CAN’T SIN! >> OUR SPIRIT is ALREADY as REGENERATED as it’s going to get! >> BUT OUR FLESH is UTTERLY CORRUPT! & SO there’s a GREAT BATTLE GOING ON — … between our SPIRIT & OUR FLESH! PAUL TALKS ABOUT THIS IN ROMANS 7. He says in Romans 7:14-15: 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. >> HE’S SAYING HE’S DOING THE VERY THING THAT HE DOESN’T WANT TO DO! >> & THE THINGS HE WANTS TO DO, HE DOESN’T DO! 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. & Where does THAT SIN DWELL? 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [THAT’S THE REGENERATED, SPIRITUAL MAN, the SAVED MAN] 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. THERE’S A GREAT BATTLE GOING ON INSIDE EACH ONE OF US! >> THE SPIRIT (WHICH IS PERFECT) BATTLES AGAINST the FLESH (WHICH IS CORRUPT). >> WE HAVE TO LEARN as much as is within us — … to PUT the FLESH in SUBJECTION to the SPIRIT! BUT WE’RE GOING TO STRUGGLE w/ SIN — until the DAY WE DIE! >> ONCE WE DIE, WE’LL RECEIVE A NEW & GLORIFIED BODY! & THAT BODY will also now be PERFECT & WITHOUT SIN — & THE BATTLE WILL FINALLY STOP! >> THAT’S WHY YOU CAN’T LOSE YOUR SALVATION! >> YOU CAN’T PENALIZE the PERFECT, BORN AGAIN PERFECT SPIRIT … … for the WICKED ACTS of the UNREGENERATE FLESH! >> YOUR SPIRIT is ALREADY WITHOUT SIN! >> YOUR SPIRIT CAN’T DO ANY WRONG! >> SO WHY WOULD YOUR SPIRIT LOSE ITS SALVATION? Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30: 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. COME AS YOU ARE to JESUS CHRIST & HE PROMISES YOU ETERNAL LIFE! Hebrews 4:10 says: “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” TO CONCLUDE, SALVATION has ALWAYS BEEN by GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE — >> & If we could LOSE IT, NONE OF US WOULD BE SAVED! >> WE WOULD ALL LOSE OUR SALVATION! >> IF YOU STILL THINK that YOU CAN LOSE YOUR SALVATION — … it’s because you haven’t FULLY RESTED IN CHRIST! >> THE OBJECT of YOUR FAITH isn’t CHRIST — it’s YOURSELF! Paul said in Galatians 2:21: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” >> ADDING WORKS to the GOSPEL IS A SLAP in the FACE OF JESUS … … as HE HUNG on the CROSS — … because what you’re saying to HIM is that WHAT HE DID WAS NOT ENOUGH! I’ll end w/ this, Romans 3:19-31: 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. STOP FRONTLOADING The GOSEPL w/ WORKS! … because you’re afraid of appearing PERMISSIVE! WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND that SALVATION is 100% FREE — … & YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH YOU’VE BEEN FORGIVEN — … it just causes you to DRAW CLOSER to GOD, not FURTHER AWAY! >> & REMEMBER, there’s ALWAYS CHASTISEMENT & LOSS of ETERNAL REWARDS! It’s not Grace through Faith, BUT, AND or IF … It’s Grace through Faith, PERIOD!