Gospel
The following I believe is an excellent example of how we ought to contend for the faith and to sharpen each other and those who profess to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Besides defending the faith in a personal one on one manner we can also contend for the faith by email and by posting comments on YouTube videos and in the case below by text messages. Hope this encourages you to sharpen your mind with the sword of the Lord and prepare to point people to Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6
The correspondence below reminds me of how the Puritans those blessed people of the Lord who lived contended for the faith once delivered unto the saints and how we also ought to set our minds on things above and ponder spiritual truths and sound doctrine and avoid foolish and trivial emails or text messages and unworthy of our time or attention. Time is short and Satan knows it and so we must redeem the time for the days are evil.
Below you'll find a lengthy text between a long term friend of mine whose name I will keep confidential. The important thing is to understand how we search out the meaning of holy scripture and how we ought to engage one another to seek the Lord and to pursue holiness. We must have a right understanding of what we believe and especially the gospel we profess to believe. What place does the law have in our preaching? Should our messages or exhortations or sermons always stress grace without the necessary proof that grace has been received unto salvation? Decide for yourself as you read the following.
Carlton-I found this excellent message on seeking God. Check your email brother. The doctrine of seeking God is seldom taught today but Jonathan Edwards was favorable towards it. The Bible says there is none that seeketh after God and yet we are told to seek God. How can this be?
FRIEND- Ezekiel 34:11 "For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. Are not the promises of God rich and comforting? Is God not faithful?
Carlton-Yes God came to seek and save that which was lost in Adam. However, this does not circumvent the command to seek the Lord with all our heart and to call upon Him while He is near. The Bible says in Romans 10:13 "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This calling is not a one time thing we do but a continual life long calling upon the Lord for grace, repentance and the Holy Spirit. In the context in Romans 10 it says how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe on Him who they have not heard? Thus the necessity for evangelism open air preaching and gospel tract distribution. Jesus said strive that ye might enter in for I say unto you many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able.
Verses like many are called but few are chosen, the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Parable of the Sower and the Seed are all sober realities to cause us to reflect on the fact that there are many false converts and false professions today. Satan has truly sowed many tares amongst the wheat. At the harvest the Angels shall separate the wicked from the righteous and the tares from the wheat.
I had a friend of mine tell me he enjoyed that email about Jonathan Edwards and the doctrine of seeking God so much that he decided to bring a message to his congregation at his home church. Rejoice and praise God for I believe this is the means by which God will draw many souls to Himself.
FRIEND-I could respond in many ways, because it almost sounds like you have a desire for people to love seeking; but if you preach Jesus, hopefully they will love Jesus which in turn seeking will ensue.
Carlton-Yes, I agree with that. People can only do what they can do like the article said. People have a natural ability to read the Bible, to assemble with other professing Christians. They can sit under powerful preaching, they can pray and ask God to save them. They can ask for the Holy Spirit. They can ask God for forgiveness and repentance and a new heart but God is not under any obligation to grant the request. Do you think this kind of preaching is typical of most pulpits today? What I have found is that free will and the Arminian gospel is taught in most pulpits today including the Roman Catholic church.
Many people hate Calvinism even when you don't mention the word because the false gospel of free will can smell the truth and it opposes the truth. I had a guy on the internet tell me to get rid of my Calvinism.
FRIEND-I said earlier that it's a travesty when people only know us by what we hate and not what we love. I see your concerns, but it's like telling a customer that their chimney is dirty 10x but a solution is rarely offered. Your last few conversations are just like that. All I've heard the motive is through fear, sounds highly critical, is continually topical which is why preaching should b expository. I could go on. Rarely do I hear the gospel from you, or rejoicing in the Lord. Rarely do you get me excited for the love of my Lord. My questions for you are more like, "is he going against all that Paul spoke about in Galatians?"
Carlton- Well, I'm not a motivational speaker. I am not a Joel Osteen to flatter people in their sins or to make people feel good. I do preach the gospel. The gospel is concerned about the solution to man's problem which is sin. How can men be justified when God is a just and righteous God who must punish sin?
I think if you watch more of my videos you'll see I present the whole counsel of God. Many preachers for example would never touch on the subject of Harry Potter from the pulpit but a true man of God will. I spoke about Harry Potter on Halloween a few years ago. A true preacher for example will warn their congregation about immodest dress, about gossip, the idolatry of sports, watching too much TV sports and entertainment. Idolatry is a common sin today that many professing Christians are guilty of. Listen to old Rolfe Barnard on sermon audio. His sermons will search your soul and do it good.
Let's get rid of this false idea that if we love Jesus we can not preach against sin. Until people are convinced that they are sinners they will never seek God.
FRIEND- No one said to not preach against sin silly. I think you rarely hear me.
Carlton-Ok maybe I misunderstood you brother. What are you saying exactly? I agree with expository preaching but I would make room for topical preaching also.
FRIEND- Expository preaching keeps every preacher balanced. Our pastor is preaching on Exodus. That means he doesn't go to his favorite parts and skip the less exciting ones. Since you've considered church of little benefit to you for many years, you have become off balance and share you pet peeves on you soap box. Pastor preached on Exodus 18:13-27. Could you? Another main point is the chimney cleaning 10x example. Sure sin is a heinous crime against God. But understanding our position in Christ is our only solution. Rarely have you emphasized that solution. He is our balm of Gilead; our bread from heaven, our lifegiving water. So where is Jesus in your preaching? The last 30 seconds?
Carlton-Since I do mostly evangelism I must prepare the way of the Lord as John the Baptist did. I believe that John the Baptist did. I believe that John the Baptist was a type of the law. He came and preached repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. In order to repent we must first of all know what we are to repent about. Repentance equals the Greek word "metanoia." We must have a change of mind concerning who God is and what sin is. The balm of Gilead, Jesus Christ, is preached after people are made aware of their sin. People who don't feel their sin have no perceived need of Jesus Christ. Do you remember Walter Chantry's classic book "Today's Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic?
Chantry points out how Jesus the master evangelist spoke to the young rich ruler who wanted to know what he had to do to inherit eternal life.
FRIEND- Yeah but you must be aware of legalistic preaching which excludes Christ. That is treading on very dangerous ground as per Paul in Galatians. This is more heinous as you must realize.
So I know you really have a fear of God, so please take my admonition seriously. Salvation is by grace alone.
Carlton-There is an excellent book called "The Marrow of Modern Divinity" by Edward Fisher with notes by Thomas Boston. It deals with the subject of legalism and antinomianism. Either error is very serious. Some have accused Ray Comfort of being a legalist. You'll recall that you were very impressed with him several years ago when you introduced me to him.
FRIEND- Yes and unless you preach Christ you are being accused likewise.
Carlton-When have I not preached Christ? I always mention that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life.
The gospel includes the bad news as well as the good news. The law reveals man's sin for by the law is the knowledge of sin and sin is the transgression of the law. We must not put the cart before the horse to tell people about Jesus Christ before they're convinced of sin is not Biblical and is putting the cart before the horse. Friend, surely you must know this.
FRIEND- Not in your emails. I rarely hear your love of the gospel.
Carlton- Ok I'll try to be more balanced but I don't wanna be like Joel Osteen who speaks always about the positive part of salvation but never uses the law to convince people that they're sinners. Why? Because he says they already know they're sinners. This, however, I believe is a fatal mistake. Not everybody is convinced of their sin. Many people think they are good which is why Ray Comfort stresses the law to show people they are not good and that they need Jesus Christ. Thank you for your constructive criticism brother.
FRIEND- Just be aware of Judaism that Paul contended with. Christ and your righteousness. Read Luther's commentary on Galatians. Honestly, you sound very much like one of them. And I don't know your heart but...
Carlton- We want to make sure we are keeping God's commandments because you'll recall Matthew 7:21-23 many on judgment day Christ will say to many professing Christians depart from me you workers of iniquity. The word iniquity means lawless ones.
Having said that be assured that I'm not trusting in my ability to keep the law. No. I'm trusting in the fact that Christ kept the law in perfect obedience for His people. His people however will say like King David in Psalm 119 Oh let me not wonder from thy commandment.
FRIEND- Again, why? To be saved or because you are saved? All has to do with motives.
Carlton- Not for justification. We keep the law because we love Jesus. Jesus said in JOhn 14:15 "If you love me keep my commandments did He not?"
John 17 sanctify them through they truth...thy word is truth. I'm afraid most churches today err on antinomianism not legalism.
The church today has thrown out the law of God because of their dispensational heresy which puts the Old and New Testaments into water tight compartments saying that the Old Testament was law and the New Testament is grace. This is a false dichotomy. The opposite of law is not grace but lawlessness. Agree or not?
FRIEND-I can tell that you've not read Galatians in awhile. You need to read it about 10 or 50 times.
No more emails until you read it.
Carlton-Remember Titus 2:11-15 "for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Verse 13 Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our savior Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity. Verse 14 and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. These things I speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority even as the Apostle Paul said.
My only question is are you living a holy life? Have you been sanctified by the Spirit of God? Are you still practicing sin? If so be sure you are not yet born again.
FRIEND- Read Paul. Enough said.
Oh and thanks for your so encouraging words. Like you've known me for 30 years and always want to me doubt that I am saved. Now that is a great friend. Friends like you who needs enemies?
Carlton- Galatians teaches us that we're justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. Luther thought that works were not necessary by a misreading of the book of James which some have said he didn't think were inspired. OK it's late will talk later get out on the street...hand out gospel tracts...preach the gospel, go to the DMV...Go to a park, go to the hospitals, go wherever you can spread the good news. If you really believe it then do it.
Carlton Pruitt ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area.
Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member) and junk removal expert he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns and poems and doing street preaching.
See all his videos on https://www.YouTube.com/user/LAStreetPreacher
CONTACT at [email protected]
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 607 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Brother Carlton or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 607 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.