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

If one does not rightly divide the word of truth, it will lead you to error. That is how many churches operate. They take verses (out of context) and try to apply it to them or their beliefs. And by them doing so, they twisted the scriptures and try make it apply to them when in reality it doesn’t apply to them.

Let me give you a couple examples.

Take Mark 16:16 and Mark 16:17-18.

You have one church denomination that loves to use Mark 16:16 where it says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” to “prove” that baptism is required for salvation (it’s not) but they ignore the following verses in Mark 16:17-18 that reads, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

For some reason this particular church says that Mark 16:17-18 doesn’t apply to us now. That the signs do not follow us, but verse 16 does. This is not what rightly dividing the word of God means. You don’t say the the verses after the other verse doesn’t apply. This is just picking and choosing verses to “fit” your beliefs.

Now, you have another church denomination that believes Mark 16:17-18 does apply to us now.

What if I told you, that both church denominations are not rightly dividing the word of God. Jesus was addressing his disciples(and for the Jews) here in Mark 16:16-18.

Thus, these are two examples of how easy it is to subtly twist the scriptures to make it sound like it does apply to us now, in this age.

Let’s go to Matthew 5 for a more extreme example of rightly dividing the word of truth.

Has anyone ever looked lustfully? If so, then according to Jesus Christ you committed adultery with them in your heart.

Has anyone plucked out their eye because of that? Why not, that is what Jesus Christ, Himself, says to do if you have, unless you want to go to hell. “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” (Matthew 5:28-29)

Well, the good news is those verses are not doctrinally applied to us. However, we can spiritually apply this principle. But to physically pluck your eye out is not what is for YOU now. Some say, well, we know that should not be taken literally. Well, if you take Mark 16:17 literally (about “..signs shall follow them that believe..”), you must take Matthew 5:29 literally. But, both are not for us today, as is easily studied and rightly divided by the word of truth.

How do I know this?

It is because I am rightly dividing the word of truth.

What does rightly dividing the word of truth mean? It is knowing the context about what is said and who it is for. God told Noah to build an ark, not you. We know that was for him only. That is an overly easy example but it is to prove a point of rightly dividing the bible. The same rightly dividing should be applied throughout the bible. Just because Jesus Christ says something doesn’t mean it applies to YOU, doctrinally.

That is why I preach, yell, hollar, shout, or whatever, to tell others to rightly divide or you will be in a mess doctrinally when dealing with the scriptures. It will lead you to working your way to heaven and being overly emotional, tossed to and fro about every wind of doctrine, no assurance of your salvation, and just stagnant in your growth as a Christian. If you find yourself always focusing on your needs/wants, then it’s possible the wrong focus is taking place.

Lots of Christian colleges have deceived their students (and in turn pastors/teachers/etc have their congregations) to get them to focus on not rightly dividing the bible. Instead, they taught them to try correct the bible and they have not realized they themselves have been deceived. By the way, how can one say it is not the “correct” bible or how can one “correct” a bible if that person does not have one correct bible to compare it to? They can’t. Why? Because that would make THEM the authority on what’s right. When did they become the authority? That the very scriptures they use thinking they are correcting are from a corrupt lineage. Stay tune for that post. It is a fact and there have been LOTS of people deceived. Don’t think you have been deceived? I wouldn’t think that.

And for many of these reasons, that is why I believe deception should be a concerning thing for the churches because seducing spirits and doctrines of devils is in the churches now more than ever.

Which is exactly what the bible says about the latter times. In 1 Timothy 4:1, the bible reads, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

If you ask me, that is a MAJOR concern to look for.

Is that your church?

How would I know what to look for, you might ask?

Read and study the bible.

The correct bible. Don’t let someone make you think there is not a preserved word of God.

If someone is always casting doubt about the preserved word of God, I would run from them. They are self-professed bible correctors.

I wouldn’t won’t to be a bible corrector. I would say that would make them know more than God.

There is a pure and preserved word of God and it’s foundation is based on the solid Rock.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Which ironically the word “Study” in 2 Timothy 2:15 is not in many of the “newer” versions of the bible. Why? Because if one where to study they would understand the bible better. You think that is coincidental about the removal of that word? I think not.

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

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

1. The Bible
2. Not the Main Stream Media
3. Question everything (including MSM and me)

Realize there are two types of people. The saved and the lost.

The saved are people that have heard the gospel (Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for their sin payment) realizing they have sinned and have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for that sin payment. That’s it. No works, before or after. No stopping sin. No living faithful until the end. Just believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection was complete and we can fully trust in Him for salvation.

The lost are those that have not believed this record of the gospel mentioned above for themselves. Have you heard the gospel, understood what it is about, and believed it for yourself? If not, then you are lost.

If you are lost, you are walking according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (which is Satan). (Ephesians 2:2)

Knowing the truth is so important is why I preach it constantly. But don’t take my word for it.

Open your mind to the possibility that you might be lost and following this world (and its system).

You must be quickened (born again/saved) to be made alive and to understand what is really happening in this world because much of what happens is spiritually discerned.

But do not take my word for it, take the word of God and see for yourself – “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14)

Take care,
-Brent