The External and Internal Call

by Wilhelmus a Brakel

Wilhelmus a Brakel was born on January 2, 1635 in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.  After a fruitful ministry of forty-nine years, it pleased the Lord to take him home to Himself in 1711 at the age of seventy-six to receive the reward of a faithful servant.  He was affectionately referred to by the godly as "Father Brakel."  

It is a distinct honor and privilege to provide this lengthy excerpt from his four-volume, systematic theology entitled "The Christian's Reasonable  Service." You will be richly blessed in reading this excellent, Bible-based article that provides amazing clarity to the doctrine of divine election (click on title to read). Getting the Gospel right should be our top priority.

Common grace (external or general call) is sufficient to reveal God and therefore to condemn the unsaved, but efficacious grace (internal call or election) is necessary for salvation. Our awesome God never goes on a rescue mission that fails. Jesus declared, "For many are called but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). Indeed, we are not the captains of our eternal destiny.  It's all about Him!

Dennis Fischer
Web Chaplain

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FREE GRACE OR FREE WILL

By John Hendryx, Director & Founder
Christian Website:  www.monergism.com

In this excellent, Bible-based article, John Hendryx answers a good question from a visitor struggling with this commonly misunderstood topic (click on title to read).  Interestingly, most Christians today believe that God helps them to save themselves. Moreover, they wrongly conclude that fallen man is the captain of his eternal destiny. This man-centered idea puts God at the mercy of sinners instead of the other way around. Indeed, it is most important to give our awesome, sovereign God all the credit, honor, glory, and praise for the gift of our salvation. "For my salvation comes from the Lord alone" (Jonah 2:9 NLT). It's all about Him!  Soli Deo Gloria!


BOOK RECOMMENDATION ON THIS TOPIC: "The Potter's Freedom" (338-page paperback) by James R. White.  This book effectively serves as a rebuttal to Norman Geisler's book against Calvinism entitled "Chosen But Free." Although Dr. Geisler labels himself as a "moderate" Calvinist, anyone less than a five-point Calvinist is actually an Arminian in denial. I heartily recommend James White's must-read book for your personal library by adding it to your shopping cart while at the www.monergism.com online bookstore or calling (503) 620-2138 to place your order (M-F 9 to 5 Pacific Time). Happy reading!

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THE TRUTH ABOUT TONGUES

by John F. MacArthur, Jr.

Simply click on the title above to read and/or listen to Dr. MacArthur's informative, Bible-based sermon on the speaking in unknown tongues in many religious circles today. Indeed, millions of people have embraced this phenomena in recent times. It is closely akin to the extra-biblical revelations and reveries of Ellen G. White, the revered Seventh-day Adventist messenger, co-founder, prophetess, visionary, and infallible interpreter of Scripture.

For an in-depth study on this sensitive topic, I heartily recommend your reading Dr. MacArthur's 415-page book entitled, "Charismatic Chaos." This book will be an important addition to your Christian library. Remember, books are like friends, we can't have too many good ones.

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GOD ON THE MOUNTAIN 

(use enlarged screen for best video viewing)

This inspiring music video by Lynda Randle features her own lyrics entitled "God on the Mountain."  The words of this song are a reflection of her personal Christian journey. Her father wisely advised her, early in her vocal music career, that "If you don't believe it, don't sing it." Subsequently, she has become a notable Christian music artist. 

You will also enjoy listening to Lynda Randle sing "I'm Free."  What an awesome, powerful testimony in song! The lyrics of this Christ-centered rendition extend a cordial invitation to Seventh-day Adventists and many, many others to trade their legalistic shackles for the glorious freedom found only in Jesus Christ--a freedom that sets them free from the gnawing guilt of their past and from the crippling fear of their future. Jesus rightfully declared, "You did not choose Me but I chose you" (John 15:16 NASB). Salvation is a rescue operation from start to finish. Moreover, the good news still remains that our sovereign God never goes on a rescue mission that fails. Miraculously, God makes friends out of His enemies in the election process. What a wonderful Savior and Substitute!

Although not surprising, I noticed that the Mormons (another nineteenth-century, American cult) are now unashamedly placing paid ads on You Tube just seconds before some of my favorite Christian songs and videos can be seen and/or heard. To say the least, it is quite annoying to be forced to listen to Mormon propaganda or having to delete it every time I wish to get a blessing from a song or video. Obviously, their public relations team is convinced that their impostor tactics will help to lessen prejudice against them. It is no secret that some cults masquerade in our communities as authentic, evangelical Protestants (i.e., the Reorganized LDS Church, headquartered in Independence, Missouri, officially renamed themselves as the "Community of Christ" to be more acceptable in Christian communities).

Admittedly, there are former Adventists who humbly express their heartfelt joy with tears while listening to this inspirational song of victory in Christ. Moreover, this song would appropriately serve as the "theme song" whenever former Adventists gather together for worship around the world. The fact that God mercifully saves even some people doesn't obligate Him to save everyone. The Apostle Paul compared the doctrine of election to a potter who has full control over his lump of clay (Rom. 9:21). As Lynda Randle would say, "May God bless you real good." Indeed, you will be spiritually-refreshed through her God-given, God-exalting, musical talent. Happy listening!

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Does the Doctrine of Unconditional Election make God a "respecter of persons"?

by John Hendryx, Editor and Founder
Reformed Website:  www.monergism.com
Offices and Bookstore located near  Portland, Oregon USA



The charge we often hear from those who reject God's unconditional election is that it makes God a respecter of persons.  As is the case with most protests against unconditional election it is important to point out that this is a moral rather than an exegetical argument. And if this is the basis for their rejecting the doctrine of salvation by grace ALONE, rather than appealing directly to the Scriptures which repeatedly declare unconditional election (Eph. 1:3,4; Rom. 9), then one is basing their theological future on shaky ground.

Nonetheless, I still think it is important to face up to this charge to see if it has any validity. To do this we need to understand how the Bible uses the concept of "respecter of persons" and then let it interpret itself as to what it actually means, and then determine whether or not God would be guilty of it if unconditional election were true. Below is a wide sampling of its occurrence in Scripture:

"Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor." (Leviticus 19:15 KJV).

"Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous." (Deuteronomy 16:19 KJV).

"For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth  he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him." (II Samuel 14:14 KJV).

"Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts." (II Chronicles 19:7 KJV).

"These things also belong to the wise.  It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment." (Proverbs 24:23 KJV).

"To have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress." (Proverbs 28:21 KJV).

"And if ye call on  the  Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." (I Peter 1:17 KJV).

"God is no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34)

"For there is no respect of persons with God." (Romans 2:11).

"My brethern, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the  Lord  of glory, with respect of persons.  for if there come unto your assembly a man  with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man  in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool; Are ye not then partial in yourselves and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethern, Hath not God  chosen the poor of this world rich in  faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." (James 2:1-9 KJV).

Here we have multiple instances of this phrase in both the Old  and New Testaments.  So what are  these passages talking about?  They are clearly warning the believer against showing favoritism or partiality, because they declare that God Himself does not show partiality or favoritism.  And, most importantly, in each of these instances it means neither we nor God give special treatment to a person because of his position, merit, wealth, influence, social standing, authority or popularity.  Thus "respecter of persons" means we are not to favor one person over the other because of ANY superior trait in the one favored, and likewise we are not to show prejudice toward those who lack these characteristics.

So when God unconditionally elects a person in Christ does He first determine who He will choose based on their position, wealth, good looks, influence, etc.?  No. By definition unconditional election means unconditional. It is not conditioned on ANYTHING in us or potentially in us. God does not stand to gain from currying anyone's  favor...even those who are in high positions...because God gave them that position, wealth, authority or social standing to begin with. The Bible unambiguously teaches, therefore, that God is no respecter of persons in election. Those who are chosen are chosen "in Christ" not because God  is thinking about what he has to gain by helping them over others...God has no need for such things, so, by definition, his choosing us cannot be tainted with such a motive.

I want you to notice, however, the last quote from the Apostle James that I offered above. In the midst of his commands to be a respecter of persons it asks:  "...Hath not God  chosen the poor of this world?" James' question is rhetorical, of course. Because, yes indeed, God HAS chosen the poor of the world--i.e., those who are  spiritually bankrupt who have lost all hope in themselves...So God is not looking to benefit from those who are already full, but shows special care to those who are empty or impoverished. It is, therefore, not something God is looking for in people but a lack of something. So, according  to the Bible, showing special favor to the poor is the very antithesis of what it means to show favoritism or respect of persons. God is showing mercy to him who does not deserve mercy and the poor recognize this fact.  The Apostle Paul also says the same thing:  "But God chose what is foolish in the  world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world,  even things that are not,  to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might  boast in the presence of God." And then in the next line, Paul emphasizes God's unconditional grace: "And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,  righteouness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."  Notice Paul here even makes this a matter of boasting whether one acknowledges that salvation is of Christ alone.

Let's take this a step further: we can easily demonstrate that it is actually those who defend CONDITIONAL election who make God a respecter of  persons. This is because, if it were true that meeting some condition prompted God's decision to elect His people, then  His choice of them  would be based on their wisdom, prudence, sound judgment, or good sense to believe.  He  would therefore be looking at the character or merit of that person and choosing them because of it. The Bible, on the contrary, declares that we are all ill-deserving and, as such, God reserves the right to have mercy on whom He will. which is not based in any way on the will of the flesh (John 1:13; Rom. 9:15, 16).  If  God is basing his election on who will have faith then this would, in fact, make God a respecter of persons because these persons are meeting God's criteria in order to be chosen.

It is most ironic that those bringing this charge are the very ones who make God a respecter of persons by making God's  love and election "conditional."  It is the synergist who believes God shows favoritism or partiality because it is based on whether or not that person meritoriously meets the condition God gives him. In synergism, God's love for His people is not unconditional but is given only when someone meets the right condition...i.e., whether someone has faith or not. He chooses them only if they believe in Him. Isn't that favoritism? This conditional love is quite different than the love we expect from parents in everyday life. Consider, do you love your children because they do something for you?  No, of  course not! Don't you still love them when they do something wrong?  Of course! As an example, if your child rebelled against you and made you angry then soon after ran out into oncoming traffic would you run out to save him? Or, would you wait until he used his own will to prove his love to you first? No, as a parent who loved their child, you would run out to MAKE CERTAIN your child was not hit by a  car regardless of the ebbs and flows of your relationship with him. Your love for him and your choice to save him are based on unconditional love. In fact, we would consider the parent who first determined the love of their child as a condition to save them most unloving and cursed.

It is important that we further draw out these everyday analogies to show how unreasonable this charge against unconditional election is. Consider the very world we live in. In God's perfect wisdom and because of the Fall, for His own sovereign good purposes, some people are born into better families, richer countries, healthier bodies, better times, better conditions, more intelligence, etc.  Others are born into AIDS, starvation, and poverty. We see these "unfair" situations all around us. Does God have nothing to do with where people are born? Did people born into starvation have any say in the matter? Frankly, I do not see the Arminian shaking his fist at God for being unfair here. Yet these conditions we see in the world are there because it is part of God's judgment due to the Fall.  Further, everyone is born equally guilty in Adam and so it is perfectly just that not all get the same benefits in this life when  they are born. If this is true of everyday life why is it such a stretch to carry the same idea into eternity? It is hypocrisy not to recognize this inconsistency.

Next, let us consider the example of Jesus Himself in Scripture.  Jesus chose a specific time and place to come to earth and reveal Himself and not other times. He healed some and not others.  He raised Lazarus, his friend, but not everyone. There were other families in the world that were just as sad as Lazarus' family...many of them just as faithful, just as godly. According to human unaided reason, Jesus singling Lazarus out for resurrection might appear to show partiality or favoritism. Jesus actually had the power to raise people from the dead, and you would think that if this was the case He would help EVERY family which experienced the death of a loved one. This would not be too hard for Him. But Jesus did not do so.

By defining favoritism the way Arminians do you would think that Jesus would go around healing everyone, raising everyone, and making no distinctions and divisions whatsoever. Or, you would think He would at least give everyone the choice to have their loved ones raised. But the Jesus presented in the Bible is obviously not the Jesus of Arminianism or Universalism. He's a Jesus who chooses to bring certain people to life and leave others in their own rebellion. Matthew 11:27 says, "...no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Again, Jesus Himself plainly teaches that He makes distinctions in Matthew 20:1-16 in the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard when He gives full  wages to the laborers who worked an hour. He concludes, "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or, do you begrudge my generosity?  So, the last will be first, and the first last." Does this sound like the picture  of  God painted by Arminians?

In the end, the Bible teaches that God chooses to have mercy on some ill-deserving people out of the entire mass of ill-deserving people. God is not obligated, in any sense, to save anyone because none are His children by nature, but by grace when He mercifully adopts them into His family. The others are rebelling against Him and reject Him, so He leaves them to their own desire. God is all wise and always good, even if you cannot see it. If God doesn't satisfactorily explain to you the good reasons He has for what He does, do you thereby condemn Him for it? Well, most of us don't explain all the good reasons we have for what we do to our own child. Am I, therefore, immoral? There are several answers I could give that my child would not understand. On what basis do you think you could understand any God-justifying reason there is?

God loves His people because He loves them. Is there some better reason OUTSIDE or ABOVE God that should make Him do so?  The Arminian would have us think so. But to say so is to profoundly misapprehend the nature of who God  is. We know God is always good, so if He wills something to be so, it is right irrespective of whether you understand.

Next, consider your own life and how you think you should treat others. Is it okay to treat your children any differently than  your neighbors or do you treat them exactly the same?

The question really is not whether God shows favorites but IN WHAT SENSE does God not show favorites because God chose Abraham out of all the peoples of  the earth, not because He saw something good in him, or because he earned God's favor, but because God chooses to. He saves the poor, the wretched, and the sinners of the earth according to His sovereign good pleasure in Christ.

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THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF HELL

                                                       (click on title to listen)

by Pastor Edward Donnelly

A Four-Part Audio Series:

I.    Why consider it?

II.   Does the Bible teach it?

III.  What will it be like?

IV.  How should the reality of hell affect us?



NOTE:  You really owe it to yourself to listen to these Bible-based presentations on the topic of a place called "hell." While here on earth, Jesus had far more to say about an eternal hell than He did about an eternal heaven.  In fact, most of what we know about hell was taught by Jesus Himself.  We can only appreciate God's grace to the extent of our understanding the depth of  His divine wrath. Pastor Donnelly clearly warns about the inevitable result of the unbiblical teaching of annihilationism on the Gospel. Both current and former Seventh-day Adventists have much to learn and unlearn on this important subject. Pastor Donnelly's presentations are in the must-hear/must-know category. Indeed, teaching sound doctrine is a biblical mandate (Titus 1 & 2).

For serious Bible students, I heartily recommend Dr. Robert Morey's excellent, 315-page book entitled, "Death and the Afterlife." You can purchase this book directly from Dr. Morey's online bookstore (www.faithdefenders.com) for $14.95. This book, having become a Christian classic, would make an excellent addition to your personal library. The late Dr. Walter Martin said of this book, "The most comprehensive biblical study of the subject in the last half century."  By the way,  Dr. Morey is the only Evangelical scholar, that I know of, who holds a doctoral degree in Islamic Studies.

Think about it! What did Jesus come to save us from? Who are the "monsters" of depravity?  Why would a kind, loving God continually torment anyone for eternity? Does God's omnipresence extend to hell in dispensing and supervising justice? What actually happens to a person when God completely removes His common grace and totally withdraws His indwelling Spirit? Will the ungodly in hell deeply regret their past sinful life in gnawing agony? Is an unconfessed and unforgiven sin against our infinite, holy God really deserving of eternal punishment? Are so-called "garden-variety sins" punishable for eternity? Are there various degrees of punishment in hell? Isn't the reality of hell against the divine character of God?  Why is hell so utterly terrible? What is involved in the absolute horror and poverty of hell? Does God really hate sin but not the unregenerate, vile sinner in whom sin reigns supremely without any restraint?  

Is hell merely an incinerator for the quick-fix of annihilation or a place of eternal torment?  Remember, one must be alive to be "tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev. 20:10 ESV). Truly, the theory of annihilation greatly trivializes the consequence of unconfessed and unforgiven sin. Moreover, the proponents of annihilation seriously underestimate the enduring stain of sin against an infinite, holy God. Our awesome, just, and sovereign God only forgets and forgives the sins of the repentant sinner. The sins of the unrepentant soul do not somehow evaporate, disappear in thin air, and they never become subject to any legal statute of limitations .  The ungodly in hell would like for annihilationism to be true. Annihilation does not constitute the ultimate punishment. Rather, annihilation is the end of punishment. These and other questions are answered in Pastor Donnelly's four-part audio presentation.  Don't miss it!


Dennis Fischer
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THE CHALLENGE OF SAME-SEX UNIONS

by R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, Kentucky USA


Liberal churches and denominations are joining the project (normalizing and restructuring society to match this new morality).  The cultural pressure is formidable, and only churches that are truly committed to Scripture will withstand the pressure to accommodate themselves and their message to the new morality.

What, then, is the true church to do?  First, we must stand without compromise on the authority of the Bible and the principles of sexual conduct and morality that God has revealed so clearly in His Word. The Bible's sexual morality is grounded in the creation of humanity in God's image; we are created as male and female and given the gift of sex within the marriage covenant--and  only within the marriage covenant between one man and one woman for as long they both shall live.

The easiest way to summarize the Bible's teaching on sexuality is to begin with God's blessing of sex only within the marriage convenant between a man and a woman. Then, just remember that sex outside of that covenant relationship, whatever its form or expression, is explicitly forbidden.  Christians know that these prohibitions are for our good and that rejecting them is tantamount to a moral rebellion against God Himself.  We also know that the Bible forbids all same-sex acts and behaviors.  Thus, we know that homosexuality is a sin, that blessing it in any way is also sin, and that normalizing sin cannot lead to human happiness.

Second, we must realize what is at stake.  Marriage is first and foremost a public institution.  It has always been so.  Throughout history, societies have granted special recognition and privileges to marriage because it is the central organizing institution of human culture.  Marriage regulates relationships, sexuality, human reproduction, lineage, kinship, and family structure. But marriage has also performed another crucial function--it has regulated morality.

This is why the challenge of same-sex unions is so urgent and important.  Redefining marriage is never simply about  marriage.  It leads to the redefinition of reproduction and parenthood, produces a legal revolution with vast consequences, replaces an old social order with something completely new, and forces the adoption of a new morality.   This last point is especially important.  Marriage teaches morality by its very centrality to the culture. With a new concept of marriage comes a new morality, enforced by incredible social pressure and, eventually, legal threats.

Third, we must act quickly to teach Christians the truth about marriage and God's plan for sexuality in all its fullness and beauty.  We must develop pastoral approaches that are faithful to Scripture and arm this generation of believers to withstand the cultural pressure and respond in ways that are truly Christian.

Last, and most important, this challenge must drive us to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Christians must be the first to understand this challenge in light of the gospel.  After all, we know spiritual rebellion when we see it, for we ourselves were rebels before God's grace conquered us.  We know what moral confusion means because without the light of God's Word, we are just as confused.

There is no rescue from the self-deception of sin except for the salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ.  While doing everything else required of us in this challenge, the faithful church must center its energies on the one thing that we know we must do above all else--preach, teach, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(Tabletalk, April 2012)

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HOW WE COME TO KNOW SIN

by John Piper, Pastor for Preaching and Vision
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA

This is another excellent, informative sermon in a series on the Law and the Gospel. (click on title above to read or listen)  Also, on this direct link, click on the following sermon titles at the end of the page: "Dead to the Law, Serving in the Spirit" and "Hagar and Slavery vs. Sarah and Freedom."  These three sermons will greatly expand your understanding of hamartiology (study of sin) and soteriology (study of salvation). The late Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) rightly stated:  "We do not give birth to ourselves, we are not born because we believe.  We believe because we are reborn."  It's all about Him!  "For my salvation comes from the Lord alone" (Jonah 2:9 NLT). Soli Deo Gloria!

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DIVINE ELECTION

by Dr. James Montgomery Boice (1938-2000)
He was a Reformed theologian, Bible teacher, and served as senior pastor of the Tenth Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA for many years. His noble legacy continues to bless the world.

So many people think that election is useless and perhaps even pernicious.  It is nothing of the sort. It is part of the Bible's inspired teaching and is therefore "useful," as Paul insisted all Scripture is (2 Timonthy 3:16-17).  Here's a look at ways election impacts things like evangelism and worship:

1.  Election is humbling.  Those who do not understand election suppose the opposite, and it is true that those who believe in election sometimes appear prideful or smug.  But this is an aberration.  God tells us that he has chosen some by grace entirely apart from merit or even an ability to receive grace, precisely so that pride will be eliminated:  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2.  Election encourages our love for God. If we have a part in salvation, however small, then our  love  for  God is diminished by just that amount. If it is all of God, then  our love for him must be boundless. Sadly, today's church frequently takes the love of God for granted. "Of course, God loves me," we say.  "I love myself; why shouldn't God love me too?"  Consider the little girl who loved the Barney theme song from television ("I love you, you love me; we're a happy family").  But she sang it this way: "I love me, you love me; we're a happy family."  That is how we tend to think of God's love.  We think we deserve it. Understanding that we are elected by grace  alone undermines our self-centered, self-satisfied way of thinking.

3.  Election will  enrich  our worship.  Who can admire a God who is frustrated by the rebellious will of human beings?  Martin Luther wrote, "It is not  irreligious, idle, or superfluous, but in the highest degree wholesome and  necessary, for a Christian to know whether or not his will  has  anything to do in matters pertaining to salvation...For if I am ignorant of the nature, extent, and limits of what  I can and must do with reference to  God, I shall be equally ignorant and uncertain of the nature, extent, and limits of what God can and will do in me—though God, in fact, works all in all. Now, if I am ignorant of God's works and power, I am ignorant of God himself; and if I do not know God, I cannot worship, praise, give thanks, or serve Him,  for I do not know how much I should attribute to myself and how much to Him. We need, therefore, to have in mind a  clear-cut distinction between God's power and ours, and God's work and ours, if we would live a godly life."

4.  Election encourages us in our evangelism. People suppose that if God is going to save certain individuals, then  he will save them, and there is no point in our having anything to do with it.  But it does not work that way. Election does not exclude the use of the means by which God works, and the proclamation of the gospel is one of those means (1 Cor. 1:21).

Moreover, it is only the truth of election that gives us any hope of success as we proclaim the gospel to unsaved men and  women. If the heart of a sinner is as opposed to God as the Bible declares it to be, and if God does not elect people to salvation, then what hope of success could we possibly have in  witnessing?  If God does not call sinners to Christ effectively, it is certain that we cannot do so either. Even more, if the effective agent in salvation is not God's choice and call—if the choice is up to the individual or to us, because of our powers to persuade others to accept Christ—how could we even dare to witness?  For what if we make a mistake?  What if we give a wrong answer?  What if we are insensitive to the  person's real questions?  In that case, people will fail to believe.  They may eventually go to hell, and their eternal destiny will be partly our fault, and how could any thinking, feeling Christian live with that?

But on the other hand, if God has elected some to salvation and if he is calling those elected individuals to Christ, then we can go forth boldly, knowing that our witness does not have to be perfect, that God uses even weak and stuttering testimonies to his grace and, best of all, that all whom God has chosen for salvation will be saved. We can be fearless, knowing that all who are called by God will come to him.

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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN YOU ASK JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR HEART BUT HE DOESN'T STICK AROUND?

by Chris Hohnholz

I have heard this story before.  A young boy or girl attends VBS and at the end of the week, they raised their hand and said the prayer.  Or maybe, when they were older they came forward at the altar call at church or at the local evangelist's crusade.  No matter what the venue was, they were told to "ask Jesus into their heart," and they were assured that once He came in, life would get better.  They were fully assured of being a Christian now, and they were told to never question it, no matter what.  The initial spiritual high carried them for a time. They read their Bibles, went to church, and talked about how great it was to be a Christian.  But in time, the buzz wore off.  The feeling just wasn't there anymore.  Other things, people or events just seemed more interesting.  Or they began to be ostracized by their peers, so the compromises began.  Before long, life was like it was before, or maybe worse because  they began to look for other things to fill the void.  But no matter how bad it might be, they were still a Christian...weren't they?

When it comes to the modern day evangelism of "asking Jesus into your heart" there is a very big problem in that it rarely, if ever, addresses the issue that a person is a wretched, vile sinner.  A spiritual criminal deserving of God's righteous judgment. It avoids examining the life of the person under God's law.  It fails to show that when we lie, steal, lust, hate, blaspheme God, every sin, every thought, word, and deed is called into account.  And because God is a good and just Judge, He will condemn us to hell for eternity.  It does not explain that the punishment is infinite because we have sinned against an infinite God.

When the church tells a person to, "just ask Jesus into your heart" there is very little weighing of the issue.  Very little understanding of the severity of their sins.  Consequently, many people will experimentally ask Jesus to become part of their lives without ever turning away from the sinful life they have had.  In other words, because they didn't understand how wicked they were, they never obeyed the command to repent.  They simply saw Jesus as a way to make their life better, or as some sort of "fire insurance."  There was no genuine commitment or surrender of their lives.  If that happens, that person is not genuinely born again. And if they are not born again,  they are still slaves to their sinful nature.

Often times, churches today will ask people to repeat a prayer, sign a card, and get them baptized.  Once that is done, they absolutely assure them that they are saved and tell them to never doubt it.  And if they see that person returning back to worldly pursuits, they claim they are backslidden, a person who is a Christian, but is actively sinning.

Such an evangelistic program, while certainly adding numbers to church rolls, actually does more damage than good.  The problem is twofold.  First, the Bible tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith.  Both the books of James and 1 John help us examine our walk to see if we are actually producing fruit that is consistent with a born again Christian.  That  doesn't mean that once a Christian gets saved he is suddenly perfect, but what is the course of his life.  If a person can look at their life and see that it is, bit by bit, growing in a God-honoring  direction, then they can see true spiritual fruit that is consistent with being born again.  But if  they look like the rest of the world day to day, if there is no brokenness, no desire for true repentance, then it would become prudent to ask if they were ever actually born again.

The second problem with the modern day gospel presentation is that it ignores the truth of false converts.  In the parable of the soils, Jesus taught about two groups of people who spring up as apparent converts upon hearing the gospel.  However, in due time, they fall away either because of the care of the world or from persecution.  The falling away demonstrates that they never were in the faith to begin with.  So  when the church baptizes someone and assures them they  are saved without ever looking at the fruit of their walk, it can actually add numbers of false converts to the list.

So, what does it all mean for you, the reader?  Well, the first question would be to ask yourself if you are truly saved.  Examine your walk in the light of the Bible.  Do you truly love the Lord?  Do you desire to obey His commandments above all else?  Do you hate your sin because you love the Lord and don't wish to sin against Him?  Or do you care more about the things of this world?  Is the only time you feel bad about sin when you have to suffer the consequences?

If it is the former, I would encourage you to dig into the Gospels again. Learn what it is that Christ did for you because He loves you.  Gain assurance by preaching the gospel to yourself daily.  But if it is the latter, then you need to repent of your sins and trust Christ now. You need to get saved for the first time.  What  happened before may have only been an experimental attempt, but one where, like so many others, you never truly repented and trusted in the Savior.  If that is so, then examine your life, understand that your sins are an offense to God deserving  of judgment.  Yet know that His Son died to pay the price that you deserved.  Turn away from those sins and trust in the Savior today.

courtesy of

DENNIS FISCHER MINISTRIES

Worldwide Chaplaincy Services

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