The "Diabolical" Gospel I believe...

This will be the last post I make to this blog for 2011. I’ll be away over the Christmas/New Year break. Unfortunately it ends on a sad note. Yesterday a comment was left on my blog that I found quite disturbing – making me wonder what some people actually think the gospel is about.

The anonymous commenter quoted something I’d said earlier:

Many make the error of thinking that all sin, past present and future is already dealt with, that it no longer matters.
Through the new birth we are given new, clean start in life, however we are not given immunity from the effects and penalty of future sin.
We are given a new clean start, and then by His Spirit we are given the means by which we are able to continue living a clean life as long as we walk according to His Spirit
And praise God He did not stop there - He made provision for additional cleansing (through confession) if we fall back into sin.

The commenter considers this to be a “diabolical appraisal of what ... constitutes salvation ”.

So:

Is it diabolical to consider that sin still matters to God?

Is it diabolical to see that God gives us a new and clean start to life through the new birth?

Is it diabolical to recognise that we are not immune to sin and its effects and that if we continue in sin there is a penalty to pay?

Is it diabolical to see that God has given His Holy Spirit to equip us to live a clean life as long as we walk in the Spirit?

Is it diabolical to see that God continues to forgive and cleanse us from sin and its effects when we confess our sin?

Again I really wonder what “gospel” some people are following.

Thank God for HIS truth and thank God for the gift of His Son and the salvation available only through Him.

What will you make of Christmas?

This is what we can MAKE Christmas be about despite all of the negative things associated with its pagan origins.

False Christ

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.

At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear ...

Matthew 24

SOS: Security Of Salvation

A topic that often leads to arguments is the idea of OSAS (once saved always saved). It’s an idea that many passionately defend while others are equally passionate to refute.

Unfortunately many are introduced to Jesus through a “gospel” of easy believism and when we add OSAS to that mix a foundation of false security can be created.

While many adherents to the OSAS are NOT victims of easy believism, I think it is wise to recognise that easy believism more often than not promotes OSAS as part of its salvation package.

Could it be time become clearer on this issue to help break the false security that comes with a diluted gospel?
I propose a new outlook: IHAS or "In Him Assuredly Saved". While not quite as catchy as OSAS, I think it better portrays the reality.

We should be clear that we don't obtain guaranteed eternal salvation by saying a "sinner's prayer", or by inviting Jesus into our heart - and then going back to old ways and never giving Jesus another thought.

The security of salvation is found in Him and only in Him.
As we remain in Him our salvation is assured.