True & False Conversion -This teaching is foundational, and goes hand in hand with Hell’s Best Kept Secret. It is very important that you understand it, as it will have great bearing on how you spend your time, and how you share the principles of God’s Word. If you have ever wondered why so much of the Church looks and acts just like the world, you will love this teaching.
Hell’s Best Kept Secret -Why do 80-90% of those making a decision for Christ fall away from the faith? What is the principle that Spurgeon, Wesley, Whitefield, etc., used to reach the lost? Why has the Church neglected it? Don’t let anything stop you from listening to this incredible teaching.
…if you have to ask then you aren’t.
That particular question most often is asked by one who wants assurance from someone other than God.
A changed life, a “growing in holiness”, is not PROOF for salvation. Oprah can “change lives” and yet the lives she has changed is no proof they are right with God. That would be pragmatism.
When someone asks “How do I KNOW I am saved?” I merely point out that if they don’t know then they must not be. In fact I assure them they are desperately wicked, agree with them that cannot possibly save themselves and drive them to despair of ever knowing (intellectually) that they are saved… because THAT work in someone is the Spirit’s job, not ours, to assure them of.
So what do I tell someone who doubts?
No one but Jesus is able to save you from your just reward of Hell for your law violations. If you trust in anyone (or anything) else then you will have no assurance.
I remember fondly the many, many, MANY hours of wailing at my (now) brother in Christ over my lack of assurance. To which he would agree that I was not saved. I would get pretty angry when he would do that, but NOW I know WHY he did that. 
We preach the Truth, being faithful to expound wisely and thoroughly what you must do to be saved; The ASSURANCE of salvation is God’s job.
When you KNOW there will be no shaking again.
Hope that helps.
www.AreYouAFool.org
Patrick Burwell, OnlyJesusSaves.com
Something all brothers in Christ must remember is that, no matter what, we should always remember we must show Mercy, forgiveness and understanding to one another. I am not saying we should overlook grave error, Sins that are deadly. No, but Jesus does say that we must forgive to be forgiven, and there was no qualifier on His statement.
Paul did show we must hold to the truth over friendship. but is it not far far better to be wronged by a brother and forgive than split over what are unnecessary arguments?
If you have a brother that is arguing with you, over what they consider to be an essential, but you know is not, then it is your place to forgive with Mercy. After all, you may just be the one in the wrong in the end.
I have been down this foolish road of needing to be right over being loving and I have, and many around me have, paid dearly for my pride. I thank God I had someone wise enough to knock some sense back into my head.
There are some leaders in the body of Christ that actually are defaming one another over matters they know to be unessential to Salvation! Details are unnecessary, as these arguments are childish and bring glory to no one.
And yes, some do think these disagreements are over essential doctrines (those required for Salvation); I believe they are being foolish to think so. But others who should know better, who are actually claiming the disagreement is over non-essentials, yet still are continuing in their character assassination of another they claim to love as a Brother in Christ!
If you find a brother in Christ is in grave error, however, that believe what is clearly heresy, then I think (me, not the LORD, but I think I do have Christ in this), then I say, you are to Pray for them, long and hard. Then speak with them gently, approaching the matter with all kindness and understanding, knowing that, but for God’s Mercy, you also would be just as confused.
Pride is a killer of many friendships, don’t let it be named among you. But, if you cannot forgive, and true forgiveness is exemplified in never treating them any differently than before they trespassed against you, and I say this to your shame (you know who you are) then, at least, don’t consume one another!
Jesus calls you to live in peace with all men, as much as it depends upon you. Defamation of a Brother you know is in an error in a non-essential is, without a doubt, utterly self destructive and foolish… never mind the lousy witness you present for Christ’s Name.
Brothers, LOVE one another.
If you cannot love one another then I think you’d better consider WHOSE you are after all.
Patrick Burwell
OnlyJesusSaves.com Ministries
THE MOST HOLY men I know live VERY simple lives.
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Something I have noticed about my heart, my soulish desires, my flesh, is that it tends to rush to despair and violence.
Whenever I have another moment of, “Oh no!!! What are we going to do?”, I try to remember to remind myself the flesh, the heart, is desperately wicked and to not trust it’s lamenting.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” -Jeremiah 17:9, KJV
I find sometimes I have to quite my heart just like a little child and that at other times I have to squelch with a “No! STOP that!”
Another painfully obvious issue of the heart is this tendency to murder people for the smallest infraction, “What, you cut ME off?” “Oh no you didn’t just honk at me!” (Notice how it’s always traffic that brings out the worst?)
I have been responsible for some serious road rage in myself and others. But yes, I am glad to say this happened before I was a Believer. So I am glad to say, “That dude is dead, man!” But his evil heart remains within me, warring against the new spirit God Himself gave me. I desire to do what is right but find within myself a contrary heart that yearns to murder, destroy and maim.
“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (from Romans 7)
We are no longer obligated to fulfill the sins of the flesh. We don’t HAVE to obey the flesh, we can put down our foolish desires and control the thoughts that rebel against God.
A heart of unbelief wars against ourselves, within ourselves; an enemy resides within. It is up to US whether we will “buy into” the lies our hearts tell us, or whether we believe God’s word, the Bible.
Thankfully, Jesus has not left us alone…
He loves us, with an un-dieing love,
That knows no bounds,
The Father’s love.
Yes, he loves us,
He’s not left us alone.
He’ll be coming back,
To take us home.
But until that day,
His Spirit within,
Will keep us close to Him.
So remember… (repeat)
God’s Holy Spirit is our weapon against the fears and cares of this world, the sudden bursts of fear and the rushing rages of the flesh. He is faithful to teach us how we should live, how to control this flesh. One Day the struggle will be over and our bodies will be in total cooperation to our spirits. Until then, trust…
Be confident in your Master, Jesus.
Because, as an old wise Brother in Christ recently told me, “If God doesn’t do it, it cannot be done.”
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
- Jesus, John 14:27, NASB
Do not LET your heart be fearful! HalleluYah!
Patrick Burwell, OnlyJesusSaves.com
What are the earmarks of authentic Christianity? Continue reading