RIGHTEOUSNESS REDEFINED
Author: Loren Davis
January 02, 2009
*Acts 13:10 "And said, O FULL OF SUBTILITY and all mischief, thou child of the devil, THOU ENEMY OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS, WILT THOU NOT CEASE TO PERVERT THE RIGHT WAYS OF THE LORD."
SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW RIGHTEOUSNESS HAS BEEN REDEFINED
1. The wonderful scripture below is the main scripture that has been used to redefine righteousness into something totally opposite of what it actually means. This redefining of righteousness also challenges other foundational doctrines of the Bible.
*2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM."
A relatively new spin has been put on righteousness. IT IS CALLED "POSITIONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS". Based on 2 Corinthians 5:21, some infer that SINCE THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE US RIGHTEOUS; THEREFORE, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE US UNRIGHTEOUS. They say that WE ARE RIGHTEOUS ONLY BECAUSE WE HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST. NOTHING ELSE IS REQUIRED. This definition of righteousness will be analyzed in light of many other scriptures. Therefore in reality, what they are saying is that righteousness is just a MENTAL state of mind, rather than something that affects one's behavior or lifestyle.
2. Some teach that when a man accepts Christ HE BECOMES A NEW SPECIES. They say...
*2 Corinthians 5:17-21 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is A NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Using this and other scriptures, INSTEAD OF RELATING THESE SCRIPTURES TO SALVATION, they declare that man becomes a NEW SPECIES after accepting Christ. They say that the "A NEW CREATURE" the Bible is talking about, really means that God made us a NEW SPECIES of being. THAT IS NOT WHAT THE SCRIPTURES ARE SAYING!
THE BIBLE TEACHES
*1 Corinthians 15:39 "All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is ONE KIND OF FLESH OF MEN, ANOTHER flesh of BEASTS, ANOTHER of FISHES, and ANOTHER of BIRDS."
The term SPECIES is a scientific term. To say that man is a new species WOULD MEAN THAT after accepting Christ, we are NO LONGER HUMAN, but A NEW CATEGORY of being like there has never been. We are not human, beast, fish, or bird.
AFTER ACCEPTING CHRIST WE ARE STILL OF THE HUMAN SPECIES! Before salvation, man was a FALLEN MAN. AFTER BEING BORN AGAIN HE IS A REDEEMED MAN. It is that simple! HE IS STILL A MAN! NOTICE, AFTER BEING SAVED GOD STILL CALLS US PEOPLE!
*Luke 1:68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and REDEEMED his PEOPLE."
*Revelation 5:9 "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast REDEEMED US to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and nation."
A follow up to this teaching that man is a new species is that "GOD MADE ADAM TO BE THE GOD OF THIS WORLD."This is the root of the teaching that MAN IS A GOD. (See chapter 21 on "Perverting the Anointing".)
*2 Corinthians 4:4 says, "In whom THE GOD OF THIS WORLD hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." SATAN IS THE GOD OF THIS WORLD!
Some say, that "Through our "TRADITIONAL" THINKING, we have confused righteousness with holiness. We think RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE WAY YOU ACT, BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE. Holiness is your conduct; RIGHTEOUSNESS IS WHAT YOU ARE, the nature of God." "When a man accepts Jesus, HE IS MOVED INTO A POSITION of new birth." "…there are certain PRIVILEGES, certain RIGHTS, CERTAIN FREEDOMS, that we have as children of God because we are in right-standing with Him." Regarding righteousness a preacher said, "IT IS NOT A GOODY-GOODY WAY OF ACTING or something which can be attained. Righteousness is a free gift of God, provided by Jesus at Calvary through the grace of God." He continues, "We DIDN'T GET IN RIGHT-STANDING WITH GOD BY BEING GOOD AND ACTING RIGHT. We got there through FAITH in Jesus Christ."
A key to this perversion is their emphasis on THE POSITION WE ATTAINED AT THE NEW BIRTH, or POSITIONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS. In so many words they claim that THIS POSITION gives us immunity from being penalized for sin that people who are not born again do not have. This is ridiculous!
THE BIBLE TEACHES
*Revelation 20:12 "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were JUDGED out of those things which were written in the books, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS."
After Eve disobeyed God and sinned, God confronted her.
*Genesis 3:13."And the LORD God said unto the woman, WHAT IS THIS THOU HAST DONE?"
*Genesis 3:24 "SO HE DROVE OUT THE MAN; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."
Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden because of WHAT THEY HAD DONE.
*I John 3:12 "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because HIS WORKS WERE EVIL AND HIS BROTHER'S RIGHTEOUS."
Evil works are the opposite of righteousness. Abel had RIGHTEOUS WORKS.
*2 Timothy 3:3 "DESPISERS OF THOSE THAT ARE GOOD."
LOOK AT SODOM AND GOMORRAH
*Genesis 18:26 "And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty RIGHTEOUS within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."
The reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was not because He could find people who were in the right POSITION with Him, it was because the people were committing every vile sin imaginable. When God was referring to finding "fifty righteous" he was referring to fifty WHO WERE NOT LIVING IN SIN.
Christians need not live in condemnation of sins that have been confessed and are under the blood of Jesus.
At the same time we should not create another error by giving Christians a false sense of security that since we are Christians THAT WE HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND FREEDOMS that sinners don't have. In other words, the way scriptures are being spun is that AS CHRISTIANS WE CAN GET AWAY WITH THINGS THAT SINNERS CAN'T. If that is the case getting saved would only mean that it gives Christians a "license to sin" that a sinner doesn't have.
MANY ARE SAYING THAT SIN ONLY BREAKS FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, YOU WON'T LOSE YOUR SOUL OVER IT. That is the exact same line that those who teach Eternal Security use.
How can committing sin only break fellowship with God and not send one to hell in light of the scriptures below? *Revelation 21:8 "the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
It is not true that sin only breaks fellowship with God, and doesn't jeopardize one's eternal soul.
*Luke 13:27-28 "But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YE WORKERS OF INIQUITY. There shall be WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and YOU YOURSELVES THRUST OUT."
God will tell people "DEPART FROM ME" because "they were workers of iniquity", irrelevant of their profession of faith.
Some are saying that "RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU DO." They are saying that OUR CONDUCT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS. This statement is not true!
Some say, "REGARDING RIGHTEOUSNESS? IT IS NOT THE WAY YOU ACT, NOR YOUR CONDUCT. HOLINESS IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE, BUT HOW YOU ACT."
WHAT ABOUT OUR CONDUCT?
THE BIBLE TEACHES
*I John 2:29 "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS is BORN OF HIM."
*1 John 3:7-10 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RIGHTEOUS, even as he is righteous. He that COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL; for THE DEVIL SINNETH FROM THE BEGINNING. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (SIN).Whosoever is born of God DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever DOETH NOT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT OF GOD."
*Revelation 5:19 "…and they that hath DONE EVIL, unto THE RESURRECTION OF DAMNATION."
*Psalms 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS AT ALL TIMES."
*James 2:17-26 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
If righteousness is not something one does, what about these scriptures? THE BIBLE TEACHES
*I Corinthians 15:34 "AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SIN NOT."
JESUS didn't just ask people to accept Him as the Christ, He commanded them to repent of their sins.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE RIGHTEOUS AND BE WALKING IN SIN!
*Romans 6:20 "When ye were SERVANTS OF SIN, YE WERE FREE FROM RIGHTEOUSNESS."
*Romans 8:4 "THAT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, but after the Spirit."
*1 Corinthians 6:19-20…"What? know ye not that YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: THEREFORE GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY, and in your spirit, which are God's."
A person's actions and righteousness are as united as flesh and blood.
IT IS NOT TRUE THAT HOLINESS IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE
*1 Peter 1:16 "Because it is written, BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
"Being" is referring to WHAT YOU ARE.
*Numbers 15:4 "BE HOLY unto your God."
*Luke 1:75 "In HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS before him, all the days of your life."
*2 Corinthians 7:1 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT, PERFECTING HOLINESS in the fear of God."
*Ephesians 4:24 "And that ye PUT ON THE NEW MAN, which after God is created in RIGHTEOUSNESS and TRUE HOLINESS."
*Romans 6:19 "…for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now YIELD YOUR MEMBERS SERVANTS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS."
Righteousness and holiness are irrevocably married. One cannot be righteous without being holy, and one cannot be holy without being righteous.
*Romans 1:4 "And declared to be the Son of God with power, ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS."
Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and HOLINESS, without which NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD."
*Revelation 4:8 "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
Righteousness, Holiness, and Behavior are all intertwined. None of these can be detached from the others.
NO MORE SIN CONSCIOUSNESS
Regarding SIN CONSCIOUSNESS some say, "Jesus remitted sin-consciousness and did away with sin completely!" "…worshippers once purged should have NO MORE CONSCIENCE OF SINS."
Think about this! According to this, what is actually being said is that SIN NO LONGER EXISTS. So they say that after Christ came, SIN AND EVIL WERE ERADICATED. Now the inference is clear. ANYTHING GOES if one is a Christian. THAT WOULD BE SAYING THAT JESUS CAME AND DIED FOR THE PURPOSE TO MAKE SIN LEGAL.
Below are some scriptures many who teach this use to try to prove sin no longer exists
*II Corinthians 5:21 "He became sin that knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus."
*Revelation 12:10 Satan is "the ACCUSER of the brethren."
The advocates of this position say that the devil tries to keep us in bondage over our past sins, but we know that "the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from all unrighteousness." Of course there is no debate that God the blood of Jesus cleanses us of our PAST SINS, but ONLY if we confess them first. (But those teaching this say that a sinner doesn't have to confess his sins). After being saved we are to live holy lives pleasing to God and must keep His commandments. The blood of Jesus does not cover FUTURE SINS committed, unless one returns to Christ in sorrowful repentance like David did.
Some believe that it takes more than one sin to jeopardize one's soul. Question? How many people does one have to kill to make him a murderer? How many times does one have to commit adultery to make him an adulterer? How many lies does a person have to tell to make him a liar? The answer is obvious, unless one is a high dollar lawyer.
*I John 2:1 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that YE SIN NOT. And if any man sin, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
*Hebrews 10:26-27 "For IF WE SIN WILFULLY after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, But A CERTAIN FEARFUL LOOKING FOR OF JUDGMENT and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."
The "HAVE NO SIN-CONSCIOUSNESS" teaching may sound harmless enough on the surface, but it not so subtly infers that Christians are going to sin. We are just sinners saved by grace, instead of the truth which is…
*Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD."
THESE TEACHINGS ARE EXACTLY WHAT SATAN WANTS US TO BELIEVE, THAT WE CAN LIVE WITHOUT A CONSCIENCE. To be without a conscience is to be turned over to A REPROBATE MIND.
*Romans 1:28-32 "And even as THEY DID NOT LIKE TO RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A REPROBATE MIND, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
THE BIBLE TEACHES
It is THE HOLY GHOST who CONVICTS us of sins not repented of. It is the Holy Spirit that gives us a "guilty conscience". The Holy Spirit STRIVES WITH MAN to get him to turn away from his sins.
*John. 16:8 "When THE OTHER COMFORTER (the Holy Spirit is come) He will REPROVE the world of righteousness, SIN, and of judgment."
*Genesis 6:3,7 "My SPIRIT WILL NOT ALWAYS STRIVE WITH MAN."
The Holy Spirit will make us CONSCIOUS of our SINS, according to these scriptures. SIN-CONSCIOUSNESS comes from the root word CONSCIENCE. A CONSCIENCE is not an evil but a wonderful thing. A conscience comes from our subconscious. It's purpose is to remind us reflecting on the Word of God of what is RIGHT or WRONG. Most professing Christians hardly have any standard of what is RIGHT OR WRONG today. They are NOT SIN-CONSCIOUS. They have theologically been DESENSITIZED ABOUT THE DEADLINESS OF SIN.
*Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE."
*1 Timothy 4:2 "SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY; having THEIR CONSCIENCE SEARED with a hot iron."
Such teachings like "we are not to be sin conscious," have greatly contributed to searing the consciences of many of God's people. HOW MANY PROFESSING CHRISTIANS HAVE A GUILTY CONSCIENCE OVER STEALING, LYING, OR COMMITTING ADULTERY. Many even carry on their "Christian" work believing their sins have nothing to do with their Christianity. Why would God give us the TEN COMMANDMENTS, and also in the New Testament list of the WORKS OF THE FLESH, if He did not want us to be CONSCIOUS OF THESE SINS? HE COMMANDED US NOT TO DO THESE THINGS!
*I Thessalonians 5:22 "ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL."
How can one abstain from something that he is not conscious of?"
*2 Timothy 4:2 says we are to "REPROVE, REBUKE, and exhort."
Why REPROVE AND REBUKE if one is not wanting others to be CONSCIOUS of sin and wrong doing?
Some teach that "Sin consciousness has CAUSED US TO CENTER ON AND PREACH SIN, instead of righteousness. Actually, we have preached a form of condemnation on ourselves."
Some also teach that "…WE SHOULD TAKE THE NAME OF JESUS AND DRIVE OUT THIS SIN-CONSCIOUSNESS."This is blasphemous.
*John 5:14 "Afterward JESUS findeth him in the temple, and SAID UNTO HIM, Behold, thou art made whole: SIN NO MORE, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
To use Jesus' name to rid ourselves of having a conscious is a great abuse of Jesus' name and is taking the Lord's name in vain.
*Exodus 20:7 "THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN, FOR THE LORD WILL NOT HOLD HIM GUILTLESS THAT TAKETH HIS NAME IN VAIN."
Teachings like GET RID OF THE SIN-CONSCIOUSNESS explains why there is so much disrespect and casualness towards God and the His Word the Bible. It also helps us understand why there is so much sin INSIDE the Church and the ministry: adultery, homosexuality, lying, stealing, dishonesty, error, and financial abuse.
Some say, that "God Almighty has ALREADY CANCELLED OUT THEIR DEBT. HE IS NOT HOLDING ANYTHING AGAINST THEM." They say, "Do you see THAT YOUR DEBT OF SIN HAS BEEN CANCELLED."
Now think about this! We know that Christ has MADE THE PROVISION to cancel out our debts by His sacrifice on the cross, BUT IT IS CONDITIONAL ON THE SINNER REPENTING OF HIS SINS and ASKING GOD FOR FORGIVENESS. WHAT DOES IT IMPLY WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THAT "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GOOD FOR GOD TO FORGIVE YOU". It is not difficult to get the message. That is totally defying massive amounts of scriptures that say REPENTANCE, CONFESSION OF SINS, AND ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS ARE INTEGRAL INGREDIENTS TO GETTING OUR DEBT OF SIN CANCELLED. (See chapter 12 on Salvation).
*Proverbs 14:9 "Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour."
Some Bible teachers tell us "THERE IS NO LONGER A SIN PROBLEM." They say, "RIGHTEOUSNESS DOES NOT COME THROUGH THE LAW OR THROUGH OUR CONDUCT. IT COMES ONLY THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST".
TELL SOMEONE WHO JUST HAD A LOVED ONE MURDERED; HAD HIS CAR OR BUSINESS STOLEN; OR HAD A SPOUSE COMMIT ADULTERY AGAINST HIM OR HER, THAT THERE IS NO SIN PROBLEM. If that is not sin, what is it, a psychological malfunction? One would have to believe in Christian Science to say we have no sin problem today. That is exactly what the humanist non-believer says. If there is no sin problem, why is the world in such chaos and suffering? Is everything just a state of mind?
*Romans 6:12-13 "LET NOT SIN therefore REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. NEITHER YIELD YE YOUR MEMBERS AS INSTRUMENTS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO SIN: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and YOUR MEMBERS AS INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO GOD."
What perverseness to infer that Jesus came and shed His blood to do away with the concept of sin. That is actually what they are saying. If the concept of sin is done away with, then no matter if the same evil is going on that went on before Jesus came, to their mind sin still doesn't exist. It is just a figment of your imagination, a state of mind. That is Christian Science. That is insanity!
There are some Bible teachers who are telling preachers not to bring CONVICTION ON SINNERS for their sins or beat the sinners up.
Well, there is no doubt that many preachers have beaten up the saints on trivial issues. That practice is counterproductive to building the Kingdom of God and is not edifying to believers. But on the other hand, PREACHING that we MUST REPENT OF SIN; BRING PEOPLE UNDER CONVICTION FOR SINFUL LIVES; AND CALLING FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT OF A LIFE OF SIN INTO LIVING A GODLY LIFE IN CHRIST, IS NOT BEATING THE SINNER, IT IS LOVING HIM. That would be like telling parents never to bring correction to their children. A parent who refuses to teach his children the difference between right and wrong does not love them. Correction is not brought to hurt people, but to save them from ruining their lives and souls.
There are those teaching, "So Jesus' blood is precious because of its PACIFYING POWER; IT PACIFIES NOT ONLY THE BROKEN LAW, but ALSO A GUILTY CONSCIENCE."
There is no debate that the blood of Jesus has the power to erase guilt over PAST SINS, but only if they have been repented of. That is indisputable. But what some are saying is that the Christian virtually has AN UNQUALIFIED BLANK CHECK to live as he pleases. They are teaching that the blood of Jesus will also take care of any future sins we commit. Some boldly state that because of this we should no longer feel guilty about sinning.
That is a doctrine of Baal. It is unscriptural, deadly, and in agreement with the message that Satan has tried to get out for centuries, that "IF WE SIN WE WILL NOT SURELY DIE."
*Genesis 3:3-4 Eve speaking to the serpent "God hath said, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF IT, neither shall ye touch it, LEST YE DIE. And the serpent said unto the woman, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE."
To say that the blood of Jesus FREES US OF A GUILTY CONSCIENCE, AND PACIFIES OUR CONSCIENCE IS NOT FOUND IN THE BIBLE. This is an EXTRA-BIBLICAL TEACHING. It is absolutely erroneous! Jesus' Blood cleanses us from our sins, but no where in the scriptures does it say that it does away with our conscience and liberate us to do anything we want with no consciousness of having done wrong. Neither does the blood of Jesus do away with the work of the Holy Spirit which is "reproving the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment". John 16:8, 9.
A CONSCIENCE IS OUR RECEIVER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT TO TALK TO
It provides a mechanism for warning those whose lives are headed for destruction and whose souls are headed for hell.
*I Timothy 4:2 speaks of some who have their "CONSCIOUS SEARED with a hot iron."
Some have had their conscience so DESENSITIZED TO SIN that they are no longer SIN-CONSCIOUS.
*I Corinthians 15:34 says, "AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS and SIN NOT."
If God is telling us "SIN NOT", that means that He wants us to be Sin-Conscious and to keep ourselves unspotted from this world.
*Hebrews 10:22 "...having our hearts sprinkled from an EVIL CONSCIENCE."
An EVIL CONSCIENCE is one that does not sense a conviction of sin.
It is A PHARISETICAL CONSCIENCE that GOES BEYOND THE BIBLE for setting a standard for what is right and wrong is evil. Titus 1:15.
*I Corinthians 8:7, 10, 12 tells us to be careful of offending brothers with a weak conscious who believe things are wrong that the Bible does not speak definitively about.
*John. 8:9 "AND WHEN THEY HEARD IT (JESUS' WORDS), BEING CONVICTED BY THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE, went out one by one."
*James 1:27 "Pure religion and UNDEFILED BEFORE GOD and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD."
A conscience is a wonderful thing, but it must be programmed by the Word of God to properly function.
Some say of Adam and Eve that "THEY DIDN'T KNOW EVIL OR SIN"
That statement is not correct. Genesis 3:3-4. Adam and Even knowingly disobeyed God. They knew right from wrong, otherwise why did they hide from God. Genesis 3:8. Disobeying God is sin.
*Genesis 3:3 Eve quoted God's law to the serpent, "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."
Not only did she know what God said, she ADDED TO GOD'S WORD. God never said NOT TO TOUCH THE TREE.
*Genesis 6:5-7 "And GOD SAW THAT THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT in the earth, and that EVERY IMAGINATION of the thoughts of his heart WAS ONLY EVIL continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for IT REPENTETH ME THAT I HAVE MADE THEM."
Some are teaching, "THE ONLY THING THAT CAN KEEP ONE OUT OF HEAVEN IS REJECTING CHRIST."
Salvation does not come from a passive attitude towards Jesus, it comes from an active one. It is not enough not to reject Christ, one must believe on Him.
*Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt CONFESS with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt BELIEVE in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
SIN WILL ALSO SEND A PERSON TO HELL.
*Revelation 21:8 "the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
*Matthew 7:21 "NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN."
*Romans 6:23 "For THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; but THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The death that that this scripture is referring to is THE SECOND DEATH, not the first physical one, because believers and unbelievers will all die, except those caught up when the Lord returns.
*Revelation 2:11 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; HE THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL NOT BE HURT OF THE SECOND DEATH."
*Revelation 21:8 "…have their part in THE LAKE WHICH BURNETH WITH FIRE and brimstone: WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH."
T H E P H A R I S E E A N D T H E P U B L I C A N
*Luke. 18:8-14 "And he spake this parable unto certain which TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES THAT THEY WERE RIGHTEOUS, and DESPISED OTHERS."
*v. 11 THE PHARISEE stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I THANK THEE THAT I AM NOT LIKE OTHER MEN ARE."
*v. 13-14 "And THE PUBLICAN, standing afar off, would not lift up his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER.
I tell you this man went down to his house JUSTIFIED RATHER THAN THE OTHER: for EVERYONE THAT EXALTETH HIMSELF SHALL BE ABASED; AND HE THAT HUMBLETH HIMSELF SHALL BE EXALTED."
A NEW SPIN is being taught on Romans 3:23 "For ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD."
Some prominent preachers are now saying that this scripture has been used incorrectly to tell people to repent. They say that the apostle Paul here is writing this letter to the BELIEVERS in Rome and not to sinners. Therefore, THEY SAY, THAT THIS SCRIPTURE DOES NOT APPLY TO SINNERS, ONLY TO CHRISTIANS.
Think about what they are saying. Over and over they say in many different ways that a sinner does not have to confess his sins or repent to be saved. (Look at the scriptures on REPENTANCE in chapter 12 on "Redefining Salvation"). THIS IS AN INEXCUSABLE DEFIANCE OF JESUS' and the apostles' teachings. IT WILL CAUSE MULTITUDES TO MISS HEAVEN AND GO TO HELL.
One man in his book says, "THE GREATEST VICTORY OF ALL, SIN HAS TURNED INTO RIGHTEOUSNESS".
THE BIBLE TEACHES
*Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND HATED INIQUITY."
Righteousness is the antithesis of iniquity.
*I John 5:17-18 "ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN: We know that WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD SINNETH NOT; but HE THAT IS BEGOTTEN OF GOD KEEPETH HIMSELF."
Here once again the scriptures are showing us that righteousness is diametrically opposite of sin.
*Romans 6:15 "What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."
*Proverbs 14:34 "RIGHTEOUSNESS exalteth a nation, but SIN is a reproach to any people."
How malicious to say that Christ turned SIN into RIGHTEOUSNESS. If that is the case, then RIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN.This is redefining righteousness to mean opposite of what God says it means. Jesus came to cleanse us from our sins by His blood, NOT TO MAKE SIN ACCEPTABLE! THIS IS MAKING RIGHTEOUSNESS SYNONYMOUS WITH SIN. To say that SIN HAS BECOME RIGHTEOUSNESS is blasphemous.
*2 Corinthians 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for WHAT FELLOWSHIP HATH RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH UNRIGHTEOUSNESS? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?"
There is no question that it is impossible to be righteous outside of Christ. It is only possible to live a righteous life when Christ becomes a part of a person's life. Saying SIN HAS BECOME RIGHTEOUSNESS is another way of saying that we are not saved by works. That is true, BUT IF ONE IS SAVED, HE WILL SHOW IT BY HIS WORKS.
* James 2:17-18 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, Is dead, being alone. Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I WILL SHEW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS."
*John 1:47 "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is NO GUILE." Nathanael's purity is what caught Jesus' attention.
*John 8:21 "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS: WHITHER I GO (heaven), YE CANNOT COME."
*Galatians 1:4-7 "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD, (Over and over God calls sin evil). I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto ANOTHER GOSPEL. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would PERVERT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST."
*Romans 6:16-18, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of SIN UNTO DEATH, or of OBEDIENCE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS? 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. BEING THEN MADE FREE FROM SIN, SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS."
THE BIBLE CALLS THE LAW RIGHTEOUS
*Romans 8:4, "That THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH (SIN), but AFTER THE SPIRIT."
*verse 10 "And IF CHRIST BE IN YOU, THE BODY IS DEAD BECAUSE OF SIN; BUT THE SPIRIT IS LIFE BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS."
*Romans 4:3 "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness."
If one does not believe all of God's Word, He does not believe God and is not righteous!
The inference of such teachings are that since Jesus came, any thing goes. According to this line of thinking Jesus didn't free us from sin, He freed us to sin. How can anyone say such a thing and have the fear of God?
*2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM."
This scripture is not saying that if we confess Jesus as Lord and continue living like the devil that we will still be "the righteousness of God in Him."
THIS IS LIBERAL THEOLOGY!
Certain teachings such as "NOT BEING SIN-CONSCIOUS" help prop up, justify, and rationalize the thinking that if one is a believer in Jesus, sin is irrelevant. What a deception Satan has brought right in the middle of the church. This is preaching Righteousness as a cover to live a life of sin with impunity. This is exactly what the Baal practitioners believed and taught. Their evil lifestyle had no negative bearing on their religion or their right standing with their god.
THE SPIRIT-FILLED RANKS
Using THE DISGUISE OF REDEFINING RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE ETERNAL SECURITY DOCTRINE HAS CLEVERLY INFILTRATED THE SPIRIT-FILLED RANKS. This new spin on righteousness is just RECONDITIONED ETERNAL SECURITY. Traditionally the Spirit-filled people have been opposed to the doctrine of Eternal Security. Many of the preachers and teachers who are putting this new spin on righteousness are EX-DENOMINATIONAL PREACHERS, who came over into the Spirit filled ranks. They have subtly injected their old denominations' teachings of Eternal Security inside the Spirit filled ranks. Knowing this would never be tolerated, they cloak their Eternal Security doctrine and RENAMED IT RIGHTEOUSNESS.
*John 3:19-21 "And THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, that light is come into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL. For every one that DOETH EVIL HATETH LIGHT, NEITHER COMETH TO THE LIGHT, LEST HIS DEED SHOULD BE REPROVED. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that HIS DEEDS MAY BE MANIFEST, that they are wrought in God."
We have too many Aaron's in the pulpit today preaching what the people want to hear, instead of what the Bible says, and what they need to hear. It has made Christianity and the doctrines of Baal literally interchangeable on many points. There is little difference between much of Christianity and Baal, except the terminology. This is what 2 Corinthians 11:4 refers to as "ANOTHER GOSPEL". It is not the Gospel that Jesus preached nor what the Bible teaches.
*2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if HIS MINISTER'S (SATAN'S) also be transformed as THE MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS."
With that title, who would suspect them? It was IN THE NAME OF RIGHTEOUSNESS that the Pharisees and Sadducees accused Jesus of blasphemy and CALLED FOR HIS CRUCIFIXION.
*I Corinthians10:9 "Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and WERE DESTROYED of serpents."
*Romans 1:18 ("Who HOLD THE TRUTH OF GOD IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS").
*Ezekiel 34:8 "MY FLOCK BECAME PREY TO THE SHEPHERDS."
*Isaiah 48:1, describes those who preach this doctrine. "They MAKE MENTION OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL, but NOT IN TRUTH, NOR IN RIGHTEOUSNESS."
*Acts 13:10 "And said, O FULL OF SUBTILITY and all mischief, thou child of the devil, THOU ENEMY OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS, WILT THOU NOT CEASE TO PERVERT THE RIGHT WAYS OF THE LORD."
Those who are putting this new spin on righteousness, are perverting the right ways of the Lord.
*Romans 1:25 "WHO CHANGED THE TRUTH OF GOD INTO A LIE."
*James 3:1 "My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
JESUS CAME TO CHANGE SINNERS, NOT TO MAKE SIN RIGHTEOUS AND TO CHRISTIANIZE IT! This is the PAGANIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY!
FALSE TEACHERS
*2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be FALSE TEACHERS among you, who privily shall BRING IN DAMNABLE HERESIES,"
*Acts 13:10 "And said, O FULL OF ALL SUBTILITY AND ALL MISCHIEF, thou child of the devil, thou ENEMY OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS, wilt thou not cease to PERVERT THE RIGHT WAYS?"
*2 Corinthians 4:2 "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY;"
NOTE: This article is one of the chapters in my book "The Paganization of Christianity" which can be ordered online at www.lorendavis.com
BACK