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Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Defining grace is important in understanding the gospel. Divine grace as the means of salvation excludes much of what passes in the world as being Christian or dealing with salvation as actually being Christian. It is not at all unusual to hear it said such and such ungodly behavior is the usual fruit of one that is called Christian, but it cannot be that such actions performed usually would come from one following Christ, one that is partaker of the divine nature. Further, the way one becomes Christian is shown in Scripture to be very contrary to what is claimed by many of those professing Christian faith, even by those claiming to be ambassadors of Christ. Claiming to be an ambassador and actually being one is not the same thing. Claiming to be a Christian and actually having received Christ are not the same thing. One receives Christ when they are born again. There has never been a person saved that was not born again. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ye must be born again.

The events that bring about the new birth shed light on this matter of what it is to be saved by grace. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish.

The simplicity that is in Christ is corrupted by the imaginations of vain men, and the worth of the blood of Christ is mocked by shows of worldly wisdom, merit mongering. While Paul, the one used to present most of the New Testament says He claims to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified, the world goes about with personal works, words to say beyond what is shown in Scripture, and all manner of evil, that however many are following them, still they leave one with their sins, and show they hate the blood. We are to stand, that is bear with Christ and the simplicity found in Him (Galatians 1:6-9).

Galatians 1:6-9
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

2 Cor 11:3-4
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Paul's writing, as is, should be received as factual and complete. There are no traditions to be added, and Paul's gospel was not mixed with tradition, but as Paul clearly says, the gospel he taught was received by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Stern warnings are given those that would pervert that gospel (Galatians 1:4-9; Revelation 22:18-19; Gen 2:16-17; 3:1-4; Deut 4:2; 12:32; Prov 30:6).

Galatians 1:11-12
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Galatians 1:4-9
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Gen 2:16-17; 3:1-4
2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3:3 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.
3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32
4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Proverbs 30:6
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Where are we to learn but from the preaching of the Word of God, for it pleased God that by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe? Yet those faithful to the word are looked at with scorn by those that have wrested the Scriptures thinking they have made themselves Christian, while showing they reject clear teaching from Scripture, actually being seditious. The Word of God is authoritative, and those presenting some message of the imagination are to be warned, and if they will not hear, avoided.

Rom 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Many have gone about to add a twist to the plan of salvation, making what the Bible says void by their subtilty. Rather than hearing and believing, giving testimony of that, the evil invention of any of various patterns used by the religious world, then claiming eternal security, or it is claimed salvation is not sure till ones death, or supposing some sort of works are salvific, save a man. In any case with a false gospel there is no salvation. 

Rather than receiving the simplicity that is found in Christ, works under the false identity of grace are offered the sorry sinner, or water baptism, or a few words to say to ask for, or allow salvation are preached. After all that the sinner is yet in their sins, as these inventions do not have the blessings or authority of God, but only show man's rebellion toward the Lord of glory. As such, a false gospel with the accompaniment of the wrath of God for those spreading the other gospel is the warning from Scripture. 

Let God and His Word be true, and every man a liar. It matters not how many receive the false gospels, but what matters is what our Lord has to say. Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Those born again, according to the sure Word of God, are said to have received Christ, and with that the simple language of Scripture is that the new birth is not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of God. Those before ordained to eternal life believe, having heard, for faith comes from hearing, and further those that have received Christ have everlasting life. There is no salvation apart from Christ. Salvation is of the Lord. Jesus saves.

Man rebels against the new birth in vain, going about wickedly claiming they have broken through and found salvation by some human merit method, while corrupting the Word of God, but all the foolish inventions of man have not the blessing of God and have no authority, and will not turn God. Salvation is of the Lord, as clearly said in Scripture (Jonah), their being no gain by ignoring the clear language of Scripture while giving heed to human invention. We have the Word of God, written that we can "know" the truth. That is an antichrist that claims some other means of salvation (1 John 2:3-5, 18;3:1-10):

1 John 2:3-5, 18
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1 John 3:1-10
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 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.
9 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.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

John 20:30-31
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

It is a great mercy that Jesus would have died for any, and a wicked invention of man that His death has no meaning as regards salvation, but instead some action of man is used to save. Christ came to save His sheep, those before given Him by the Father. In due time, Christ died for His people. The facts are displayed simply and clearly in Scripture, yet man rebels at that and thinks to bring God under their control, by their sedition and heresy. But be sure the Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35), and all those that depart from the testimony of Scripture follow those that went away from Christ, obeying unrighteousness, as shown in John 6:66, speaking of those that went back and walked no more with Him.

John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 9:16
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Going straight to the matter, I will now show the false gospel presented that has much of the world deceived. There is a false gospel, teaching salvation, not by receiving Christ that is by Himself savior, but instead has salvation as a process that might start with water baptism, and on through a course of supposed good works. The works are disguised by twisting the definition of grace, substituting a series of works for the blood of Christ they think to trample under foot, as if the blood is not sufficient for redemption, and simply put, and by the superstition of those that embrace their doctrine. Evangelism by these has its aim getting others in the works program, apart from the testimony of Scripture. These polemic and similar tenants of the false gospels have been embraced by many. Make this a matter of upmost importance to you, that you would understand this. You can know you are saved, having received Christ, and by believing the testimony of Scripture you can know that salvation cannot be lost.

With the false gospels, the blood of Christ is trampled under foot, and the clear truth from Scripture telling of Christ and His one sacrifice for sins forever is ignored, Christ having died in due time. Instead a process of human merit is being taught, clearly another gospel than that defined in Scripture, and those that perpetuate this are worthy of damnation (Gal 1:8-9; 2 Cor 11:3-4; Rom 16:18). The false gospel is substituted for the gospel of grace.

We have the sure Word of God to show us truth:

John 20:31
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Everlasting life is promised whosoever believes in Him:

John 3:14-18
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

By Himself, Christ has already purged our sins:

Hebrews 1:3
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Have you received Christ or have you rejected the testimony of Scripture, thinking there is some other savior or some other way of salvation? Here is more Scripture to better see the truth of our great salvation:

By His own blood, Christ our Lord has obtained eternal redemption for those that believe. In due time, Christ died for us. And be sure, there is no other way of salvation.

Hebrews 9:12
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Christ Jesus was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Be clear on this, it is the very Son of God that has done this for those that believe, and their is no other savior and no other way of salvation.

Romans 4:25
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Christ died once unto sin, purchasing for believers everlasting eternal life. Christ is alive from the dead, and the believer has this witness within.

Romans 6:9-10
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Very clearly, Scripture tells us we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. The saved are justified by faith without the works of the law, and further, it is Christ Jesus that has by His blood redeemed us, and not our words or works. We are told believe with the heart and that is for those that have received Him, having been born again. Faith comes by hearing, not begging or personal suffering, not by works or water. Salvation is ours, and salvation is sure for all those that believe. Faith comes by hearing. What a twisted lot go about worried if they can twist words so as to redefine works, to allow them to do something to gain salvation, and to convince others of their false gospel. The way of salvation is settled, and that is shown in Scripture.

Colossians 1:14
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

The Bible teaches a believer (saved person) has the Holy Spirit forever, received when Christ is received. You can know you are saved (1 John 5:13, 20). 

John 14:16-17
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

2 Cor 1:21-22
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Eph 1:13
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 4:30
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Rom 8:9-11
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Now, those that have the Spirit are saved, those without the Spirit are yet in their sins. Those saved have ever lasting life, never to perish.

John 6:40, 44-45, 47
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

1 Thessalonians 1:5-6
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

The witness of the Spirit is within, and the Spirit produces fruit, and as it is written, You shall know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16-21), in the one that has received Christ, showing further evidence of a sure salvation and everlasting life.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Having received Christ, not a result of any action of our own, there is evidence of new life present, evidenced within. Faith comes by hearing, even as it is written, "they shall be taught of God" (John 6:45). The one having heard of God, that has received Christ will have the witness that Christ has been received, and the mouth makes confession of that (Romans 10:8-10). The language of Scripture needs to be carefully considered to avoid error on this important matter. Salvation is a result of being born again, that of God, and not anything man does. We hear, those before ordained to eternal life believe with the heart, then the mouth gives testimony. Those are the ones taught of God (John 6:45).

Matthew 7:16-21
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

The word of faith, preached, for it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (1 Cor 1:21), brings forth fruit. It is not man's words, but God's Word that brings salvation.

Romans 10:8-10
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 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.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The confession made with the mouth is first found in the heart, and the same resurrection power that brought Christ Jesus back from the dead has placed that in the heart. Marvel not, ye must be born again. Any prayer that comes before believing in your heart is no more than the crying of Lord, Lord, as with those not entering the kingdom, shown in Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." Faith being the root of the matter, confession is the fruit. There are no silent believers. The root of the matter being precious, counterfeits of the fruit abound. Without faith it is impossible to please our Lord (Hebrews 11:6), so those calling on the Lord without faith as the root are yet in their sins. All that go about with some action of their own to invoke salvation have a woe pronounced on them, as it is written, Jude 11, "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core." Prove your own self whether you be of faith, and look to the Scriptures for that proof.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, but that faith is exotic, a gift of God, and it is written, not all men have this faith (Hebrews 4:2). Such faith is for those taught of God.

John 6:45
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

There are no silent Christians. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. First one receives faith, having been taught of God, then confession is made. There is no Scripture to support a practice of gaining salvation by works or words, calling on Him apart from first having faith, and that counterfeit teaching however popular among men, is not pleasing to our Lord based on the testimony of Scripture. Those that go about as ambassadors of Christ must speak as the oracles of God, not corrupting the Word of faith (1 Peter 4:11). However popular among men the message might be, the proof is found by comparing the message to the Word of God. 

Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Scriptures are our only sure word for faith and practice. 

John 5:39, 46-47
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Galatians 3:7-8, 11, 13-14
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

2 Tim 3:15
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Peter 1:19
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Isa 8:16, 20
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Jesus, the joy of the whole earth is our Savior. My prayer is you have received the word of faith, with joy (Hebrews 12:2). Everlasting life is the gift of God.

Hebrews 12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Peter 1:8-9
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

People Need Jesus
Reaching forth . . .
Here am I; send me.
Christ Died For Our Sins.

Bob Krajcik
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