Gospel

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Today I viewed a YouTube video where somebody posted a comment about how simple salvation is and that works were not necessary in order for a person to be saved. Like so many pastors and teachers who err by alluding to the simple conversion of the thief on the cross so too did this person.

I responded by saying you have not been taught correctly for you see only the simplicity and quickness of the thief's conversion not considering some vital elements.

For example, many say that the thief merely asked Jesus to save him and that was all. They therefore conclude that one may be saved in only several moments of time because we need "only believe." (Generally these same people will also say that once this repenting and believing has been made, it cannot be undone) This must be qualified.

True evangelical repentance is a repentance that doesn't need repenting of and can not be undone. It is a complete change of mind and thought and word and action. Likewise true saving faith is a faith that always believes even though there may be periods of doubt, sin and/or temporary backsliding but the true child of God, in his purified heart, always hates sin and turns from it when by the grace of God he or she is enabled to do so.

You've heard the expression that God never saves us in our sin but He saves us from our sin. This is true. How can we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?" says the apostle Paul.

There are several instances in scripture to prove this point. King David being one good example. David may have been unrepentant for up to about a year but then Nathan the prophet met him and confronted David with his sin of adultery and murder with "thou art the man!" David's life long contrition was a witness to God's grace in his heart.

The Bible teaches that he that "believeth" or "believes" shall be saved. (John 3:16-18) Notice this is a continual and ongoing thing. True or saving faith endures to the end and this is why Jesus taught be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life. If we start out faithful and end up unfaithful shall we be saved? The answer is no. (2 Tim 2:12-13)

If we deny Him after we say we believe shall we, without repentance, enter the kingdom? Nay but to believe in Jesus for salvation is a continual thing and if a man turns from the commandment and ceases to believe that man will not be saved.

Many believe only for a time but when cares of the world come and the riches of the world come they choke out the word and that person becomes unfruitful.

Matthew 13

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Matt. 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Meditate on what it means to hear and to receive.

NOTE: Works do follow a believer's faith (Revelation 14:13) They are a result of salvation by grace through faith and not the cause of it. We are created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)

James said "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20)


Let me point out that the conversion of the thief on the cross must be compared to other conversions found in the book of Acts (which are confirmed by the further teaching of the N. T. ) These show that people indeed responded with something more than mere belief. The various conversions were

1. a full and comprehensive response to Christ that included an informed faith (cf. Acts 16:30-32; Romans 10:13-17),
2. commitment of life (Mark 8:34-38),
3. repentance of sin (Acts 3:19,26),
4. submission to Jesus as Lord (Acts 22:16; Romans 10:9-13; Col. (2:6)
5. burial with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3-4),
6 and resurrection to live a new life in Him (Romans 6:4; Col. 2:12-13).

The thief on the cross did more than acknowledge himself a sinner. He called Jesus Lord. There's a lot of substance in that word Lord.

Lord means sovereign ruler who reigns over all kingdoms. For a thief to confess this was an act of humility. He wasn't baptized by water but that is not to say that if commanded to do so he would not have. Jesus gave that command after His death, burial and resurrection.

The popular teaching in most local churches which calls for the sinner to "simply invite Jesus into your heart" is a modern perversion of the full response required of sinners in the days of the apostles.

Remember the devils also believe, and they tremble, and yet they shall be damned. We must have more than the faith of devils if we are to enter the kingdom of God. Heaven is no place for the faithless and unbelieving.

Consider also some of the Jews which believed and Jesus told them they were of their father the Devil. (John 8:31 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Later Jesus says to these same Jews that believed in verse 44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The "easy believism" gospel is a false gospel which has damned millions.






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]

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