What does that mean?

It means that now, this current age, salvation is a FREE GIFT to whosoever will can be saved.

Don’t let certain church groups pull you back under the law.

If ANYTHING is added to the finish work of Jesus Christ, it is a work. Doing good? Work. Getting baptized? Work. Feeding the poor? Work. Going to church? Work. Stopping sinning? Work.

Salvation is DONE.

Works salvation is doing.

Don’t miss heaven because you do, because you can’t do enough.

Stop trying to make your way to heaven. You can’t make it on your own. You will fail. Even your best day. You. Will. Fail.

The one thing that arises in the hearts of man when the grace of God through Jesus Christ is preached is pride. Man cannot stand they play NO part in their salvation.

Does something in your mind pop up when you think about your salvation? Are you relying on something you do or don’t do that determines your salvation? Are you trusting in something you did? Or are you trusting in what Jesus Christ has already done for you?

It sounds simple, but I would venture to say lots of people think of something they do or don’t do that will surely mean they are saved. That’s why trying to “find” evidences of salvation in someone are useless. It’s too easy to hide bad and too easy to put on fronts for good things.

Salvation is not something you do or don’t do.

It is a free gift.

Jesus Christ paid your sin debt in FULL.

Why don’t you place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ in that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.

All you have to do is to receive this free gift.

I heard the gospel many times over the years until one day I actually received it.

Maybe today is that day for you.

Take care,
-Brent

If one understands their need for salvation (they’re a sinner) and trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ, that person is saved by grace. There is nothing that person did to earn that salvation. It is a gift.

The other side of the coin is after one is saved, that person is saved always. Yes. No matter WHAT you do (sin or don’t sin). They cannot lose their salvation. What once was a gift in receiving this salvation does not become a non-gift after one gets saved.

After salvation, one is kept by the power of God. There is NOTHING one can do to lose it. If you could, then you are more powerful than God.

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5)

The “Who” in the verse above are born again believers.

If believers understood that they are sealed (forever saved) after getting saved, they could serve the Lord out of love for the Lord. Not just as their duty. It would be a love for Him. Jesus Christ forgiveness over and over for our sins should prompt our hearts to seek Him more and more. Because we will never be worthy enough in this life to not not fail Him.

If you fail, stumble, sin, or whatever, get back up and press forward. Try not to dwell on your failures. When we do we are like Peter, we look at the storms, in this case failures, and take our eyes off Jesus Christ, the One who sustains. It is just a subtle way for people to focus on themselves instead of the Author and Finisher of our Faith, Jesus Christ.

Strive to do that what is right.

“…Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2:9)

Take care,
-Brent

1. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

2. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

The last few words in those verses say that “few there be that find it.” Meaning, there are only a few that are saved when it is all said and done. Why will there only be a few? Because there are LOTS that believe in works for their salvation. Why would they believe that? One reason is because one of the bibles (which is used by MANY) teaches it; thus, in turn, they teach it to others and so forth until that way of teaching “sounds” normal.

In one of the bibles and it’s verse above talks about how “difficult” it is to get saved.

It is subtle things like this that will lead MULTITUDES down the wrong path. It may look/sound subtle but one of the verses above teach a works-based salvation and the other does NOT.

However, this subtle deception has been going on for ages. The deceiver began questioning the word of God from Gensis 3 (…Yea, hath God said…) until now. Can’t you see it? Can’t you see the word of God has been questioned ever since? It is probably the biggest deception of all time. Twisting the scriptures which entered the “scholar” world and has led many preachers without any authority because they don’t believe in the preserved word of God. They believe God heals, but they can’t believe God preserved His word? I know they believe God can do both. Because He can. They mostly have been misguided and are too prideful to acknowledge they have been deceived about the word of God.

Is salvation narrow and difficult?

Or is salvation narrow?

Salvation is narrow NOT difficult.

Why is it narrow? Because there is only ONE way of salvation. That is through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6).

Why is it NOT difficult?

Because God gave us the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:23 – “…..but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”)

The word of God has been preserved and we can build our life foundation on what God says.

In fact, when the voice which came from heaven that said that He was well pleased with His beloved Son, we NOW also have a “more sure word.” (2 Peter 1:19). We have the word of God. And friend, that is something that we can stand on. This word did not come from “the will of man”, no, it came from “holy men of God” when “they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

I hope today that you see that salvation is a gift and that we have today the word of God that “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Take care,
-Brent

Two months later, the same person that gave you this gift asks that you start showing more appreciation for the gift that they gave you.

They even go as far as telling you that “if you don’t start doing what I want you to do, then I’m going to take that gift back.”

In amazement, you stand there not knowing how to respond. You just smile and you both go about your way.

Ask yourself, was the present they gave you a free gift?

“No”, you reply! “Not if I have to do something to repay it. It wasn’t free. It was just an exchange. I get something but I do something in return. It is not a gift!”

Why do many Christians treat the free gift of God the same way?

The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).

When someone gifts you something, what do you do? You receive it.

The same thing with being saved.

Just receive the free gift. Stop adding works to the salvation of Jesus Christ.

People won’t get saved because they miss the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Cor. 11:3). They will insist that their works will “help” with God’s salvation.

There are teachers that don’t teach works-based salvation before salvation, but they will try to backload the gospel with works. Which is still works-based salvation.

The next few sections are experiences I have had during my life that kept me from growing in the Lord because I was following wrong teaching. It was a subtle version of works-based salvation but on the backend (meaning after I got saved). I hope it can help someone out there today. I realize what I preach can be a hard saying, but I believe it is the truth.

There is teaching in Christianity that teach when a person is saved, they WILL do good works.

The keyword here is Will and this teaching is subtle, but everywhere.

I am here to tell you that is a false teaching and it is dangerous to adhere to this teaching that someone that is saved WILL do good works.

Lots of teachers say that “if they are TRULY saved they WILL perform good works.”

If you hear people talk about being “truly” saved or “truly” this or that, watch out for these types.

What ever happened to let our word be yea or nay (Matthew 5:37). You are either saved or you are not saved. There is no need for an adjective to be placed in front of the word saved.

I am saved. Or I am not saved.

Most people that use “truly” in front of saved, are those that are “fruit inspectors” of someone else’s salvation.

They love to say, “well, if they are not doing (or sinning)[fill in the blank] then they were probably never saved to begin with.”

How arrogant.

I got news for those people, NO one knows but you and God if you are saved.

I can fake being a Christian and fake lots of things and look like a Christian. That doesn’t make me a Christian.

Why am I so adamant against people that demand spiritual evidence that prove you are “truly” saved?

It is because it is a works-based salvation. It is adding costs to a free gift.

And I have a MAJOR problem with it.

You may be saying, “how can it be a works-based salvation after being saved?”

It is because works are backloaded to salvation.

For example, these people say, “salvation is a free gift and it is not of works, but as soon as you are saved, the same people are the ones saying that you MUST show fruit or “evidence” of your salvation or you were never saved to begin with.” They backload the gospel with works.

What do you think this does to a new Christian that is slower maturing in the Lord. What will a newly saved person do if they don’t see “good works” since they were saved? And what constituents enough good works? At what point is it considered “evidence” you were saved? You didn’t say a curse word when in past you would have during a situation? You gave a word of encouragement when you would not in times past? What is the line? By the way, saying a curse word or not saying a curse word doesn’t make you saved or unsaved.

What happens to a new Christian that is struggling to “see” works in their life? It will cause them to be defeated and discouraged.

Why do I have a problem with this backloaded works-based salvation teaching?

It’s because when you focus on “showing” fruit or “evidence” of salvation, you are focusing on yourself.

You are always trying to figure out what you can do more or less of to show evidence of salvation.

Did you get that? You are focusing on yourself and not the object of salvation, which is Jesus Christ.

Why am I preaching this now?

It’s because this teaching kept me in bondage for years and years.

There are a multitude out there now that are always teaching, “Are you sure you are saved?”, “Are you a real believer?”, “Are you sure….”, “Hard to believe”, the list goes on and on.

When I used to hear these people, I would always start “examining” my life to be sure I was “in the faith.” I was always looking at myself.

I would often think –

“Well, I didn’t do this sin today, so I must be saved.”

“Then the next day, I did that sin, I’m not sure I’m even saved. How would a save person do that or say that?”

“I’m doing good in this area, I feel pretty confident about my salvation today.”

“I had a bad weekend, I am not sure I’m even saved.”

Always wavering. Always doubting. Always unstable.

I, I, I, I….always looking at myself. Always looking at MY performance.

I was always looking at my lack of spiritual fruit and I would doubt I was even saved.

It was always about looking at my performance, at what I was doing wrong, at me, me, me…….

That is until I shifted my focused and now I look at Jesus Christ and His finished work. Now, if there are works it is because I am focused on Him.

This backloaded works-based salvation teaching is subtle and it is EVERYWHERE these days and I believe it’s deadly.

Why is it deadly? Because it causes people to focus on themselves and not Jesus Christ.

Now lets jump back to the word Will.

If you read closely in Ephesians 2 verse 10, you can see how saved people are created in Christ Jesus unto good works,…….and notice the keyword later in the verse…..”that we should walk in them.”

Should. We should, not WILL, but should walk in in good works.

I realize this sounds minute to some, but there are lots to unpack with this.

Going from WILL to SHOULD transitions duties after salvation from Have Tos, to Want Tos.

We should do good works. Should.

But if there are no good works evident in your life after you are saved, then there are no good works. That does not mean you were not saved. Only you and God know that.

Eternal life is a gift from God. God does not give you a free gift and then demand you to do good works (or stop sinning). If He did, how is it a free gift if you are only exchanging a free gift for doing something?

No, we love Him, because we want to.

This is a hard saying for people, mostly Christians, because it hits them in their pride. They might say, “How dare someone preach what he is preaching. A person WILL show evidence.” No, that is not guaranteed and look out, it may never happen.

Perhaps, you will be freed of the bondage that comes from that line of thought.

To the hypocrite teachers/preachers/calvinist/Washer/Macarthur that are always making one doubt their salvation, when did a free gift start costing so much? Why not stop focusing on yourself and focus on the Lord Jesus Christ.

To the readers, if this applies to you, stop trying to convince someone else or the Lord that you are saved. Everyone else doesn’t know, the Lord does know. Why would He need convincing? Use that energy and focus toward the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are not saved, believe the gospel to be saved today (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

To doubters of this preaching, we live in the age of the grace of God. The age of grace will soon end (once He comes back for us), but for this age, we have been redeemed solely and wholly by Jesus Christ sin payment for us. Stop adding old testament and after the age of grace teachings to what we are to be preaching in this age of grace. And that is salvation is free by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Trust Jesus Christ today and be saved.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ, nothing else.

To God be the glory.

Take care,
-Brent

Lots of people use Matthew 7, especially 16 through 23, as accusation against people in general about how much fruit they are producing (or not producing). However, if you read verse 15 in Matthew 7, you can see that the main warning is to “Beware of false prophets….”

Have you ever heard the saying, “if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck” at some point in life?

Probably so. However, is that so when dealing with people (including me) that preach/teach God’s word or the teachings of the bible.

Just because they (me) looks like they are preaching/teaching the correct thing, does that mean they (me) are right?

How can you believe what someone says? How does one know what or who is right? Do you go by how you feel? By your experiences?

One way to know the truth is by reading the word of God for yourself. But probably even more important is to rightly divide the word of truth. In 2 Timothy 2:15 the word says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Side note, the word “Study” is taken out of many “new” versions of the bible. Why, because they don’t won’t you to study to know the truth.

Why is it important that one not only read the right word of God but to rightly divide the word of truth? Because people err from the truth and by them doing so they “overthrow the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2:18)

Sound doctrine matters. The lack of sound doctrine is the reason lots of Churches are the way they are. There is a reason people are easily influenced, it’s because they are swayed by feelings, experiences, emotions and lots of those are activated by music. If you don’t think music is probably the most influential means to provoke a response then you need to check out Ezekiel 28:14. Satan was/is a master of music. He knows how it works and uses it lots in the churches today. If you have music playing in the background during your services, it is the music that provokes responses. If you can’t get the same responses without music, it was, indeed, the music that was the influence. And I am not talking about praising the Lord during worship service. I’m talking about while someone is teaching/preaching/etc.

I’ve said in previous posts to question everything I post and to read/study out what is wrote in the bible. In 2 Cor., the people were warned of false apostles, which are referenced to deceitful workers that transformed themselves into the apostles of Christ. Then Paul states to not marvel because Satan himself “transformed into an angel of light.” That part probably doesn’t surprise anyone, but the next verse after might. It says, “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Did you notice that, it is not unusual for Satan’s ministers to appear as ministers (preachers/teachers/etc.) of righteousness. Doesn’t that concern you about who you listen to? Yes, I hope you are concerned listening/reading to what I am saying. You need to be cautious about me, what it is I’m preaching. You should check it out in the word of God and see if it lines up. Don’t take my word for it. Take the word of God. That’s why it is vital to have the correct bible. And to rightly divide the word of truth.

But notice the last few words of 2 Cor. 11:15, “….whose end shall be according to their works.” Now jump back to our previous reference to Matthew 7:21-23. We have already established that this chapter in Matthew is addressing to be aware of false prophets. But look at what Matthew 7:22 says as these false prophets try to reason with Jesus Christ. They say, “….have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”

Did you catch the last one, “…in thy name done many wonderful works?”

Jesus Christ says that many will say those things but they were/are not saved because He says in verse 23, “And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

That’s kind of frightening don’t you think?

But who are these false preachers?

If we jump back over to 2 Cor. 11:15 and pull out the last few words of that verse that describes Satan’s ministers that are transformed into preachers/teachers/etc of righteousness….which are the words, “…whose end shall be according to their works.”

“…whose end shall be according to their works” and the last words in Matthew 7:22, “…and in thy name done many wonderful works” are very relatable towards each other.

What is the common occurrence in both these references?

Works.

These false preachers can be discerned by their over emphasis of works in the name of the Lord. According to scriptures, they say the right things, they appear to act the right way, they cast out devils in thy name, they appear to do the right things all for righteousness sake.

But, their end is according to their works.

They may look like a duck, they may sound like a duck, and they my swim like a duck, but they may not be a duck.

I focus A LOT about establishing salvation by the grace of God first here on Facebook. Why? Because, one has to be saved first before they can understand/discern spiritual matters.

Sadly most people in churches today jump to the experiences, the way they feel, emotions, doing good works in the name of the Lord, and dare I say, them experiencing healing before they ever even establish they are saved.

They seem to skip the salvation part. Why is that? They skip because they think those other things are “evidences” of their salvation. They think because they experience those then surely they are saved. No. That’s not how salvation happens. Salvation is from God through His Son Jesus Christ and we must believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know. It sounds “too” easy. Well, it is. But that is what causes most to not get saved. They are not trusting on Jesus Christ. They are trusting their experiences, emotions, feelings, and their works as their “evidences” of salvation.

If you have good feelings, experiences, and healing, that is great. But salvation is the most important part.

And what happens is people are not taught to rightly divide the word of truth. They are told in the majority of churches these days, read what ever version you want, it doesn’t matter. Really? Let’s do an example here:

Me: sir, lets go to Matthew 18:11 in the KJB and read that verse.

Person reading: Ok, let me look it up.

Person reading: Matthew 18:11 in the KJB reads, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”

Me: sir, lets go to Matthew 18:11 in the NIV and read that verse.

Person reading: Ok, let me look it up.

Person reading: [Sounds of bible pages flipping]…..[looking intently for Matthew 18:11]

3 hours later……

[Sounds of bible pages flipping]…..[looking intently for Matthew 18:11]

10 hours later……

[Sounds of bible pages flipping]…..[looking intently for Matthew 18:11]

24 hours later……

[Sounds of bible pages flipping]…..[looking intently for Matthew 18:11]

Person reading: I can’t find it. It is not there.

Me: Really? Isn’t that interesting?

Notice how the NIV goes from 18:10 straight to 18:12..skipping verse 11…Why? Deceivers, is why.

That is just one example of many ways people are deceived.

The above example is just one example of why error is rampant these days. Preachers/pastors/teachers/etc. say the “right” version of the bible is the one you read, understand, and obey.

I guess it is easier to read, understand, and “obey” when the verse is not even there.

That is no different than what 2 Timothy 2:18 says concerning the truth have erred. The truth is replaced with feelings, experiences, emotions, [THEIR WORKS all in the name of the Lord].

I am adamant that one is saved first before establishing anything else, because in the end it won’t matter if you don’t get saved.

If you are not saved, know this, you are a sinner, you are in need of a Saviour. Read 1 Cor. 15:1-4, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that is that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day for your sin payment. Believe/receive on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. It is Jesus Christ work, not your works you have done that you are saved.

After you get saved it is vital for growth that you read the word of God (KJB).

Why is the word of God so important?

Because “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Take care,

-Brent

Me: Yes.

Them: “You believe in a license to sin?”

Me: No. I don’t believe in a license to sin.

Them: “But you said that you can do anything you want and still be saved. So, you must believe in a license to sin.”

Me: No. I don’t believe in a license to sin. But, whatever I do, I am still saved.

Them: “But…but…you say….”

Me: I believe that Jesus Christ paid for my sins (past, present, future).

Me: Why did Jesus Christ die on the cross?

Them: “So that we can be saved.”

Me: Saved from what?

Them: “Saved from hell and our sins.”

Me: Do you believe in once saved always saved?

Them: “Absolutely not! It’s a doctrine from devils.”

Me: You believe Jesus Christ died for your sins but you don’t believe it is enough?

Them: “No….no..no….I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins…..but, but….hmmmmm…..I just don’t believe I can do what I want and still be saved.”

Me: Do you believe Jesus Christ payment on the cross was enough?

Them: “Yes. Of course! But we can’t sin as we please.”

Me: Are you saying that Jesus Christ death on the cross plus you not sinning is required to keep you saved?

Them: “Huh…no….I’m saying…..we can lose our salvation if we sin.”

Me: So Jesus Christ payment for sin wasn’t enough, then?

Them: “Yes…Yes, it was enough….we are just to remain faithful to Him.”

Me: So Jesus Christ plus your works equals salvation?

Them: “No….Jesus Christ is enough.”

Me: Ok, so you believe you can lose your salvation?

Them: “Yes, if I willingly sin.”

Me: Are you are Christian?

Them: “Yes!”

Me: Have you ever lost your salvation?

Them: “No, I haven’t but it can be lost.”

Me: How convenient you haven’t ever lost your salvation! You must be a super Christian that doesn’t sin willingly. What is your secret?

Them: “……..I need to go….”

Most people that believe you can lose your salvation (and there are MANY that do), it is funny THEY have never lost THEIR salvation. How interesting.

In the age of the grace of God, if you don’t believe in once saved always saved, you are adding works to the salvation of Jesus Christ.

What people do when discussing this topic is they are turning everything into hypotheticals, which is really turning it into about our performance of whether we are justified by God through our works or by Jesus Christ.

Are you afraid of the sustaining power of God through grace?

Once saved. Always saved.

Be thankful for that.

I am a defender of the grace of God.

God’s grace is something we didn’t deserve but He gave us anyway.

Stop trying to throw it away with your “works.”

What is funny is that people get mad when talking about the grace of God.

What they are really mad at is their own pride.

The pride inside of them that says they “must” do [fill in the blank] to stay saved.

They can’t stand thinking that they have NO part of staying saved.

No. It is the grace of God we are saved and it is the power of God we are kept (1 Peter 1:5)!

Take care,
-Brent

Stop it. You are teaching damnable heresy.

Preachers/Teachers/Pastors/Christians preach the cross; the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18)

Not what YOU do, it is what HE already did.

Yes. It is that simple, but many will not believe.

It is the grace of God we are saved. The grace of God.

Stop inserting yourself into the salvation equation.

I’ve got news for you. It’s NOT ABOUT YOU!

If you are wanting to be saved, today is the day of salvation.

Take care,
-Brent