Salvation! April 28, 2008

Salvation!

By: Michael Hand         Christ’s Vineyard, Littleville, AL

 

            Salvation is the most important decision that occurs in a person’s life. Sadly, in the church today there is a great debate raging. This debate is between two factions, “Lordship” and “Free Grace”.

            What is at debate is biblical Salvation. The “Lordship” proponents say they believe “faith in Jesus alone” as do the “Free Grace” proponents, yet what is at debate is how we know someone has faith.

            The “Lordship “ proponents lump all “Free Grace” beliefs into one group and call it “easy believe-ism”, but what is found in the Bible is far from this. Salvation is hard to believe because it is so easy to attain. Look at how easy it was for the thief on the cross! After being convicted of a crime worthy of death all he had to do was ask the Lord to remember him and Jesus did just that. That thief had no chance to prove he was sincere or had no time to prove he was saved by producing good works. He simply trusted in the Lord.

            But wait – isn’t that the point the “Lordship” group makes? If you call Jesus “Lord” then this proves you are saved. Well, the thief called Jesus “Lord” so does that mean he really was converted? Sure, unless, of course, the thief just meant “mister”, since that is one of the meanings of the Greek word for “Lord.” The point here is that we cannot know the intent of the thief’s heart. But, the “Lordship” group will argue that we can by measuring one’s good works and that these good works are inevitable. According to any dictionary, inevitable means unable to be avoided, evaded, or escaped, certain, necessary. If good works are necessary they are therefore deemed a work of righteousness. Paul said in Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us …”  Herein lies the problem with “Lordship” salvation. No one can know the intent of one’s heart but God. Here is where “Free Grace” and “Lordship” part company.

            The “Lordship” proponents say that good works will automatically follow salvation and that you can measure works as an indicator of salvation. “Free Grace-ers” believe people must be taught to follow the Bible in order to know what good works one should do to gain rewards in Heaven. 

            Let’s look at what it takes to be saved. Paul addressed it this way in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:

            ¹Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

             ²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

            ³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

            ⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures;

            What is the Gospel that saves? The Gospel that Paul preached. Let us look at Romans 1:16:

            ¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

           Paul wasn’t ashamed to tell people they needed to believe in Jesus because he knew the Gospel had the power to save without additional information. Paul had no need to explain what the word “believe” really means since he used the Hebrew word that means “to entrust.”

           Paul’s view was simple. If the Bible teaches that one day a man would be born of a virgin, die on a cross, go to a grave, and then be resurrected on the third day, that made him the one that could and would save anyone that would believe him! These facts made that man the Christ! “Lordship” was never an issue to Paul when it came to sharing the Gospel. Look at this example in Acts 26:12-28:

           ¹²Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

           ¹³At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

           ¹⁴And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

           ¹⁵And I said, who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

           ¹⁶But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

           ¹⁷Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

           ¹⁸To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

           ¹⁹Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

           ²⁰But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

           ²¹For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

           ²²Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

           ²³That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

           ²⁴And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

           ²⁵But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

           ²⁶For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

           ²⁷King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

               ²⁸Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

           ²⁹And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

            Notice after sharing Jesus, Paul gave King Agrippa the chance to believe. Notice also that Paul did not go into detail about the “Lordship” of Jesus. Why? Because Paul knew if King Agrippa could believe in the Gospel he would be saved. 

            The “Lordship” supporters will grab hold of verse 20 to prove that good works must follow belief if belief was real in the heart. So, let us examine the phrase “do works meet for repentance.”

            “Do” is the Greek word “prasso” and it means “to practice.” “Works” is the Greek word “ergon” and it means “an act.” “Meet” is the Greek word “axios” and it means “deserving.” “For” means “for”, of course; and “repentance” is the Greek word “metanoia” which means “reversal of decision.”

            Now, with all that information, verse 20 could read “to practice an act deserving for reversal of decision.” We could take that to mean saying a prayer or going to church or not going to an “R”-rated movie, not drinking beer, or any number of things we believe in the Church. But, no one believes doing any of those things saves us, do we? Not in the Baptist world, but that was before the “Lordship” supporters came to the forefront.

            Now, let’s talk about salvation the Bible way. Paul says one must have faith to believe and that faith is a gift from God.  Let us look at Ephesians 2:8:

            ⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

            But, how do we get this faith to believe? Look at Romans 10:17:

            ¹⁷So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

            Jesus said it this way in John 6:44:

                ⁴⁴No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

            This sounds clear enough, but how does this drawing by the Father take place? It occurs at the preaching of the Gospel which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus! Anything other than that is a work of righteousness and cannot save us and should never be an indicator of salvation.

            Look at Titus 3:5:

                ⁵Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

            We follow the one teacher Jesus called to teach us in this age of Grace – Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. He said this in 1 Corinthians 11:1:

¹Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

            This came from the same man who had troubles enough that he wrote Romans Chapter 7 about not doing good when he knew he should be doing good. Maybe he wasn’t saved … that is what the “Lordship” supporters teach and that is where the “Lordship” teaching leads to doubt!  The “Lordship” proponents teach openly that if good works do not follow belief then we know that a person is lost.

            So, when will someone know they have been saved? Do you know you’re not going to sin next week? How about tomorrow? A popular saying of the “Lordship” teaching is “if Jesus is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all” yet no one addresses which sin it takes to do away with “Lordship.” Where is there any assurance in this teaching? There is NONE! This is what the devil wants every saved person to be burdened down with – doubt!

            A doubtful believer is a non-effective believer. Why would this be important to the devil? Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God and a doubtful believer will not share the Gospel. “Lordship” proponents teach less good news and far more fear and doubt. The church should be teaching and exhorting believers to live a life of freedom in Christ, not placing shackles of doubt on the feet that is carrying the Gospel to the nations!

            “Lordship” preachers spew fear to the point that those that hear it and then repeat it are guilty of proclaiming a false gospel also.  “Lordship” doctrine leads to confusion in believers’ minds and that can only be from the devil. Look at 1 Corinthians 14:33:

            ³³For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

            Certainly we will find scripture that will tell believers in Jesus to act better than they were acting before Salvation – not as proof of Salvation but so that when we tell others what happened to us it will be viable to them. “Lordship” salvation requires good works as an indicator of salvation, yet they never inform us of what these good works are, how many are needed, when they should start, how long they will last, or even if everyone will exhibit the same good works.

            Let us look at what Jesus said when he was asked what good works should be done for Salvation in John 6:28-29:

                ²⁸Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

            ²⁹Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

            Jesus’ statement is clear, but is has become muddled up with tradition and bad doctrine. Some would say that belief is considered a work, but if belief and faith are interchangeable as the “Lordship” proponents say, then belief happens after hearing the gospel which actually makes it free grace. If Jesus says it, then shouldn’t that end all this talk of works when it comes to Salvation? Jesus says in John 6:47:

            ⁴⁷Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

            Don’t you think the author of our salvation would know what it takes for His elect to be saved? Take Jesus’ word over any preacher, and suggest others do the same. A point by point rebuttal is not needed to keep the “Lordship” issue from over-taking the Church because Jesus is the Head of the Church in all matters of Faith and deferring to His words on this issue is enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions to ask Lordship Salvation Proponents

 

1. Do you believe all those that are saved must do good works as proof of their salvation?
2. What is your definition of a good work?
3. When will these good works start in the life of a believer?
4. How many good works must a believer produce before they will know they are of the elect?
5. Can a saved person “backslide” or have a period of time they are not living a life of obedience to the Word of God?
6. Has there been a point in your life when you haven’t been 100% obedient to the Word of God? If so, does this mean that you weren’t really saved? And if not, how do you explain your stand on “inevitable good works?”

 

Turkey Hangover and Shopping Extravaganza November 23, 2007

Yesterday was our nation’s day of thanks. To celebrate, we all gorged ourselves on turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, rolls and all the deserts … oh, the desserts … as only an obese nation can. We watched our football, and for my family, spent the afternoon mud riding in the side-by-side. We also had a little fun on the front-end loader, as only polished, American rednecks can. After raping the the land of her natural innocence, we ate more and collapsed into a drunken stupor created by digested turkey, ham and excessive carbs.

Today, being Black Friday, was the most celebrated day of the retail universe. I dutifully paid respects to the retail and debt gods and rose at the ringing of my 3:15 a.m. alarm. I dressed solemnly and ventured into the crisp blackness of pre-dawn to retrieve the much sought after item that my mother wanted under the Christmas tree this year.

Having never participated in the extravaganza that is Black Friday - except for that one horrid year during college that I was employed by Target - I was exceptionally naive about the whole thing. Thinking that most sane people would be sleeping off the tryptophan of the previous day, I never imagined the sight I would see when I topped the hill that overlooked the two-acre parking lot of a local retailer. It was a glowing sea of car headlights and street lights and neon store signs. Every parking place was filled and many cars meandered the aisles like ants in an ant farm. The store didn’t open until 4 a.m. - 15 minutes after my arrival to the “retail” Mecca.

I was stunned.

But, I decided to investigate anyway and must say that is was quite a thrill. Friends were meeting and exchanging hugs, examining their strategically categorized shopping lists. Couples were discussing their attack-and-conquer strategies - “I’ll get in line and you run and get the boys’ jeans,” “Go get mom’s mixer. I’ll get the T.V. and meet you by the housewares.”

I headed for my must-get gift and hopped in the check-out line 15 minutes after the doors opened and was amazed that the 250 plus people in front of me were also in line.

Being a seasoned shopper, I did have a game plan, though. I shopped the aisles and departments as I passed, leaving my loot in line to save my spot and quickly running in and out of departments as I spotted what I wanted. It worked and and hour later I was on my way out the door with half my Christmas shopping finished, $50 worth of free gift cards to use on Sunday and a cute boy to carry my things.

I was back home and in bed by 6 a.m. where I dreamed of the surprised faces of my friends and family on Christmas morning. Will it be worth it? I can say, yes.

It’s Thanksgiving Already?! November 17, 2007

WHERE did this year go?! Next week is Thanksgiving and I still feel like I’m getting over last Christmas. I noticed that my last post was in August  *shock*. I guess I’ve been doing so much writing outside of the Internet lately that I let it slide.

I’ve changed jobs now so I won’t be doing any day-to-day writing, but I will still be going at my freelance stuff. It’s been a hard transition for me because I didn’t want to leave my writing/marketing job, but I had to because of financial constraints. Now, I’m doing something completely different. I don’t know how long it will last. It’s not my dream job title but it could turn into a dream job. Everything has potential, I guess.

If nothing else, it’ll give me something else to write about.

Verizon OK afterall… August 1, 2007

I HATE WORDPRESS AT THIS VERY MOMENT!

I was editing this very long post and WordPress deleted it. All I asked it to do was save it, but NOooooooooooo! It deleted it. Oh well, you’ll have to read something else.

(Quick synopsis of post - Verizon wireless service rep rocked.)

Making the Money July 31, 2007

After seven months of drudging through a “normal” part-time job and living in my parents’ spare bedroom, I have yet to get a call back from any of my resumes. Maybe my heart isn’t really behind it, that is getting a regular job in the world of PR.

So finally, just a week ago, I decided I was going to keep my “normal” part-time job - because it involves lots of editing and writing, which I love - and fill the rest of my time with freelance writing jobs.

In just a week, I’ve added two new online freelancing jobs to my repertoire. I can’t disclose those at the moment because I haven’t gotten all the paperwork done, but they are on the horizon. I’m also in the process of having my blog make me some money. We’ll see how that goes. I hope that within the next six months I will be making money freelancing that is at least equal to what my normal part-time job pays.

I have to give props to Deborah Ng as she has been my inspiration even though she doesn’t know it, and Darren Rowse over at Problogger.net.

The siesta is over… July 13, 2007

I haven’t written in a really, really long time. Well, at least I haven’t written on my blog. I write every day regardless because it’s part of my job. I edit mostly but occassionally I get bored of that and bump a freelancer and put in my own story. That’s the benefit of being in my position.

Don’t take it the wrong way. My job is less than glamourous, less than full time and less than good pay, but somehow I’ve been doing it for 7 months now and can still pay my bills. Sure my credit card has a little bit of a balance on it and sure I had to postpone my student loan repayments for at least the next 6 months, but for some reason or another I’ve no success at finding another job.

The double edge of the sword is though that I can’t find one thing I’m half way interested in. Aside from the aforementioned cons of the job, it’s at least interesting. I can’t decide if I’d rather be poor and intrigued or comfortable and bored to tears.

I guess it remains to be seen. Either way, the “writing for fun” break is over. I hope to start making this a more regular gig. We’ll see how it goes.

What Do I Believe? April 28, 2007

I believe in …

… a holy and just God.

… love at first, second and third sight.

… a good work ethic.

… things not being given to you without you putting anything out.

… family.

… having fun.

… doing the right thing.

… setting goals.

… changing your goals.

… changing your mind.

… having the first word and the last word.

… knowing your story.

… knowing others’ stories.

… remembering the past, living in the present and planning for the future.

… being yourself.

Home-grown Pulitzer Prize Winner April 17, 2007

Congratulations to Hank Klibanoff for winning the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for History along with co-author Gene Roberts. Klibanoff is a Florence, Alabama native. Congrats!

From www.pulitzer.org
Awarded to “The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation” by Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff (Alfred A. Knopf).
orence native, Hank Klibanoff, wins Pulitzer Prize for History

Florence native Hank Klibanoff has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History.
From TimesDaily.com

Klibanoff was recognized for his book, “The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation.”

He wrote the book with Gene Roberts.

The book details the attention the media, both print and television, gave to the plight of black Americans as they sought civil and voting rights in the 1950s and 1960s.

Klibanoff, who grew up in Florence, graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. He spent 20 years at The Philadelphia Inquirer, serving in various positions, including deputy managing editor. He was also a reporter for the Boston Globe and spent six years at newspapers in Mississippi.

Klibanoff is now the managing editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

He is scheduled to appear at the Florence-Lauderdale Library at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Hungry hungry…mother April 16, 2007

She must have been pretty hungry…

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Woman offers man sex with teenage daughter in exchange for pizza var wn_last_ed_date = getLEDate(”Mar30,2007,8:57 PM EST”); document.write(wn_last_ed_date);March 30, 2007 07:57 PM CDT A Shoals mother is accused of doing the unthinkable to get free food. The woman turned herself in Thursday to Russellville police in Franklin County.     Investigators say a woman was trying to get a man to buy her a free pizza in exchange for sex with her teenage daughter. The man turned down the offer. Britnell now faces charges for solicitation.   45-year-old Reba Diane Britnell was arrested Thursday after a Grand Jury indicted her on a charge of criminal solicitation second-degree rape. The incident was reported to the Sheriff’s office by an acquaintance of Britnell’s. Investigators have been investigating the case for several months. Thursday the case went to the Grand Jury. Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing says, “Investigators have been investigating the case for several months. Thursday the case went to the grand jury. Requesting another person to engage in sexual intercourse with someone to pay for pizza is what the indictment says. That’s what she’s charged with and she’s set for arraignment in April. Then she will be placed on the trial doc. In a couple of months.”   Britnell was released on $15,000 bond. No trial date has been set.

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The Midas Touch April 16, 2007

Here’s the article in its entirety. I have just one thing to say - this is the American Dream at its finest. You go with you grillz Mr. Warren. You Go. My favorite part is the “touch of class” quote. Priceless.

Midas touch

New York man brings urban edge to Florence

By Trevor Stokes
Staff Writer

His business card may be a glossy postcard that advertises “FDA-approved” Hustla Grillz and Gold Grills (”over 5,000 styles available”).

His business sign may make the simple proclamation scrawled in black Magic Marker on white poster board: “King of Gold Teeth.”

But Donielle Warren’s modus operandi is to bring urban edge to Florence with the latest fashion labels LRG, Red Monkey and Coogi straight from New York City. And, oh yeah, grillz.

“It’s jewelry for your teeth,” said the entrepreneur who splits his time between Florence and Queens, N.Y. “Anything you can think of can be put on your teeth.”

The 29-year-old, raised in Hempstead, Long Island, had his first grill (”grillz” in singular form) as he entered his teen years in the early ’80s.

Grillz come in two types: dental and cosmetic. Dental grillz are molded for a person’s teeth and come with a lifetime warranty. Cosmetic versions clip on as a one size fits all. No matter the type, after fittings, Warren uses pliers to tighten up the grillz.

“The thing I like about it is you can take it out the next day and be president,” he said.

Push-on, pull-off grillz are the temporary tattoos of the urban dental trade. Like tattoos, some prefer permanence, but not Warren.

“I’m not trying to knock dentists, but I do not recommend getting permanent gold teeth,” he said.

Warren warned that food could get between the tooth and the gold plate and cause tooth rot.

“When you’re a 50- or 60- year old, you’re going to wonder why your breath is stinking,” he said, “I can do the permanent teeth, all it is is some glue, but I don’t want to do that.”

Ronald Ratliff, a University of North Alabama custodial supervisor who got a single gold tooth made from Warren, agreed. “America is so much about glamour, but it’s only temporary,” Ratliff said. “I wear mine when I go places just to get a little class.”

Grillz take three days. First, Warren makes dental impressions with cherry scented, dustless dental grade alginate gel.

The impressions are next sent to Queens-based jeweler Steve Afshin, who said the trend reached its height in New York about four years ago and that the latest bling is nameplates on a chain.

“Used to be good before; not that good now,” said Afshin, “Now, not that much.”

No matter. For Warren, grillz are here to stay.

“That’s what’s in right now, the gold teeth,” Warren said. “This is a thing that’s going to be around forever.”

Why here? First, Warren came to Alabama in 1996 to play football on a scholarship with Alabama State University in Montgomery. Second, his mother is from Tuscumbia. And lastly: “Why go up there and be in the rat race when I can be here and be my own race?”

Now, he makes grillz for any and all clients who pay up the bucks.

“I don’t discriminate, I sure don’t,” he said with a camera that flicked past pictures of multi-ethnic clients and their wares.

But it doesn’t stop at grillz. Warren’s future plans include getting an oven plus accessories ($3,500) so he can make gold rings and medallions; you name it.

For now, Warren focuses his attention on grillz.

Chris Swag, a 23-year-old music producer, was fitted Wednesday for his grill: four-toothed, white-and-yellow gold with diamond cross-hatching.

“They shine with the sun out,” smiled the former Chicago resident.

He chose his design, a new one in the catalog, because, “I like to get new things that nobody else got.”

“Pretty comfortable; just gotta get used to it,” he said. Was the $140 worth it? “Pretty much,” he said.

The most expensive set Warren has produced cost $2,200 for six teeth that were made of platinum.

But for the starter-set, basic grillz cost $35 a tooth: “Those are the ones you can eat with,” Warren said.

Warren doesn’t own a pair of grillz himself. Bad advertising? Nah. “My girlfriend flushed mine down the toilet,” he said, “because I was getting too much attention.”

Staff Writer Trevor Stokes can be reached at 740-5728 or trevor.stokes@timesdaily.com.

Copyright © 2007 TimesDaily