To repent or not to repent, that is the question of the day. I spent 15 years in the Independant Baptist Church under the teachings a hyper Calvinist sect of Free Grace teachers. Free Grace is also called Carnal Christianity and Easy Believism. What most don't know is that free grace theology is apathetic towards God. It's a one sided religion. God does everything for us and we aren't required to do anything for him. They reject that repentence of sin is required for salvation, even though Jesus clearly said "Repent or Perish". Here is an opening statement, from a free grace blog, posted as an argument against my teaching on repentance:

Lordship salvation? What is Lordship salvation? It is a doctrine out there today that falsely teaches that a person must forsake sin in their life, or be willing to do so, in order to be saved and have an eternal Fellowship with the Holy God of this very universe.

This teaching, and belief simply is just not true and in fact might even be considered heresy as it is totally AGAINST the Word of God as it pertains to a souls Holy requirements needed to achieve God's eternal salvation.

What is Lordship Salvation? This is what I teach. I believe that God made Jesus both Lord and Christ. That Jesus has all power and authority in heaven and earth. Jesus is the word of God made flesh. The Living Word!

I believe that God is going to judge all men according to their love and obedience towards His son "Yeshua" Jesus. I believe that mankind is in an apathetic state of rebellion against God, called sin, and must repent of sin to love God and obey his commandments, or perish in a lake of fire for all eternity.
 
God has reached out to all humanity by Jesus Christ to teach us how to love one another by his living example. He is the creator, provider and benefactor of all life and requires everyone to love each other or perish for their hatred and the evil they pour out on their neighbor. God does not tolerate such Evil from men or angels.

To turn from this hateful mindset of selfishness to love and kindness is called repentance, and is required of all. Since all men have walked in this sin they are deserving of punishment, but God in his love and mercy for mankind has given him the gift of repentance. We have been given the opportunity to turn from our wicked ways and live, or reject Gods offer and perish for continuing in sin.

It is obvious there are many who believe that we do not have to repent of sin to be saved. That somehow if we just ask God for forgiveness, he will grant us eternal life, even though we continue in our wicked ways.  This doctrine of easy believism, carnal christianity, contradicts everything that Jesus taught and died for.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

So let every man look to himself, within his own heart, and with purpose choose if you will believe Jesus or those that hate him. Many claim to love Jesus while teaching free grace theology, without repentance unto life. These are called wolves in sheep clothing; false prophets that turn mens hearts from the truth.

Matthew 7:13 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.

God looks on the heart

 

My heart breaks for the world today. Those within the churches and those without have been so lied to so terribly, they think the truth is a lie and the lie is the truth. There is so much talk about the baptism of the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues, being slain in the spirit, holy laughter and many similar things that are not true.

 

I was a member of an Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Church for a couple of years and observed many such things done within the assembly. I have seen people claiming to be slain in the spirit, imitating speaking in tongues, and giving false interpretations and prophecies. These same people found out to be in promiscuous relationships, unfaithful to spouses and disobedient to God in many ways.  

 

Are these people casting out spirits, healing the blind and deaf so they may see and hear? Are the lame healed and walking upright again? Are people who make these claims doing the obvious miracles or just the things that can be imitated by natural men? It is no wonder that when the world sees these things that they want nothing to do with it, or Christianity.  Even the mainstream churches flee from such things. But there always seem to a following of people who want to experience something more and will follow all manner of deception in hopes of finding it. Are these the kind of followers that God is looking for? Let’s look at what God himself said He was looking for in mankind.

 

1 Samuel 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

 

Even though God clearly stated that he looks on the heart, men continue to look on the outward appearance. Some people walk into the Pentecostal churches and see what is happening and are drawn in like moths to a flame. The doctrines being taught are of no concern. These people just want to celebrate. I remember going to rock concerts when I was a teenager and seeing the kids all acting the same way. Everyone was excited, jumping around and raising and waving their hands in the air. Everyone was getting into the spirit of the music and emotional excitement of the event. Having a little pot or some beer always opened the spirit for a greater experience, though it wasn’t required.

 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God 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.

 

The teaching today in many churches does nothing to prick the hearts of people and to condemn them of their sins against God. It has become about the fellowship and experiences. Everyone is just sinners saved by grace. There is no real change in the people’s hearts. It’s all about the appearance of godliness not the heart of godliness. And if you get emotional, it’s called the Spirit of God moving in you.  

 

2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

 

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

 

According to the scripture there is a change that takes place in the true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a change that takes place within the hearts of men and is manifested outwardly in their behavior. True Christians have the Spirit of the living God within them that lead them unto righteousness. This is no secret indwelling that many teach about today. Many people make changes in their lifestyle everyday without believing in God or being born again of the Holy Ghost. So making changes is not itself evidence of the Holy Ghost.

 

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. ¹⁸Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

 

Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. ²⁶A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. ²⁷And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

 

Ezekiel 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? ³²For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

 

The true evidence of being born again is a change of heart, followed by obeying God in righteousness. There is a freedom from the lust of the world that you once followed after, and compelled you to sin. Being born again of the Holy Ghost creates in you a new heart and a new spirit. All things change within. What used to be vanishes away and everything becomes new, like you were born again. I don’t know of anyone who made more changes in their life, when they came to the church, than I did. Yet, I was not born again as the preacher claimed I was. But at that time I didn’t know the difference.

 

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ³⁹For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

 

It took me over 20 years in the church and bible study before I found true repentance and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I was ashamed and broken hearted when I first came into the church. I knew that I was guilty of sin and deserved whatever punishment was handed down to me. I said the sinners’ prayer and meant it with all my heart. But I wasn’t born again that day. I was told that I had become a born again Christian and that the Spirit of God came in to dwell within me, and I believed it. But it was 22 years later, when I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, when I realized that I had been lied to. God does not call us to be ashamed and broken hearted. God calls us to repent of sin and obey him. Shame and brokenness should be the consequence of having defrauded God, but that in itself is not repentance; nor is the sinners’ prayer.  There is a great difference between repentance and apology!   

 

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. ³⁶The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) ³⁷That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. ³⁹And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: ⁴⁰Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; ⁴¹Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴²And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. ⁴³To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

⁴⁴While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ⁴⁵And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ⁴⁸And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

 

Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. ¹⁷Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? ¹⁸When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

The promise that Jesus gave to all that truly repent of sin to follow him is the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This is no secret indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Ghost is poured out on a man, it is a physical experience of meeting God personally. The promises of the scripture become fulfilled in you. Your eyes are opened like waking up and seeing the world for the first time. God is with you and in you and you understand what the true calling of God is. You never want to do anything to hurt God ever again. Instead you want to walk with God and keep his commandments that he might be pleased with you everyday, as he was on that day. You will understand love in a way you never did before.  

 

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. ⁵For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

⁶When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? ⁷And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. ⁸But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

When you receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you will want to tell the world about what happened to you. You will want them to experience the same thing you did, including repentance. You know that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and will defend him with your life. Jesus is your Lord, King and God and you are not ashamed anymore to tell the world about him. Even the church will think that you have lost your mind because they haven’t experienced such things as you have.

 

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. ¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

 

A man recently asked me if I believed he were a hypocrite and would die in his sin. I answered him with a question; have you received the baptism of the Holy Ghost?  If you haven’t then you are not born again. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is promised to all that repent. If you haven’t received the promised gift of God, it’s because you haven’t repented of sinning against God. If you haven’t repented of sin, it’s because you don’t love God enough to repent. You still love this world, pleasure and your own life too much to give it all up, and truly take up your cross for the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel. You will die in your sin being rejected by God. To whom God accepts he pours out his Spirit upon them. This is Gods’ seal upon all of his children, and God knows your heart.