Fear not; thou shalt not enter into judgment! whispers the devil.

Jer 6:14 

"They have healed also the hurt 

of the daughter of my people slightly, 

saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace."
Repeated verbatim in 8:11

Luke 12
4 ¶And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Ecc 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

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I have discovered that many sincere Christians dismiss the relevance of this utmost solemn warning (Luke 12:4-5) to them to fear God (and do his will) rather than fear men (and disobey God's will).

They conveniently dismiss the relevance of the plain warning to them by various means:
- they just blissfully assume that the warning is obviously directed at others, i.e., the non-elect.
- they based on their cherished thought that Christ has most certainly redeemed them from hell, so any warning on hell can't possibly be  intended for them.
- others reduce hell to some kinds of sufferings here in this life;.
- the judgment spoken of is something that occurs daily, there is no more judgment at death.

Heb 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment..."

I fear that through the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, the solemn word of God has been made of none effect. Their mantra, "No hell for believers" is just the lulling lie that the Devil wants the church to embrace despite all the repeated warnings addressed by Christ Himself to His disciples on the reality of hell.

Let's note to whom Christ addressed this solemn warning to fear God and not men.
- verse 1 informs that, "he (the Lord Jesus Christ) began to speak to his disciples."
- verse 4 Christ referred to them as "my friends."
- Read John 15:15 KJT — "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."

Is the Lord Jesus Christ giving His friends such a grave and solemn warning based on something irrelevant to them, i.e. the impossibility of them to be cast into hell for fearing men and not God? How does such a frivolous idea impugn upon the character and wisdom of Christ?

Concerning the Ecclesiastes 12 passage, who are commanded to fear God and keep His commandments? It is shocking that not a few would even believe that it is addressed to the non-elect, those still dead in trespasses and sins; it's based on the fable that the elect are already judged in Christ and therefore this judgment cannot possibly refer to the elect. They are not the least troubled by the necessary implication that their all-wise God demanding the impossible, fear from those who are by name are hostile and in enmity against Him, and obedience to His commandments from those who know not His commandments. Also, such implies that those dead in trespasses and sins are capable of working good, "... whether good or evil." Read Romans 3:10-18.

The plain sense make good sense; the words are addressed to God's people; they are capable of fearing God and do good. They are capable of great evil too. When their works are judged by God as evil, then what?

I had thought that those who are enlightened to distinguish the eternal salvation from temporal salvation would understand better.

The warning, and many similar ones, gives plain indication that God's children may end up in hell during the intermediate state, i.e. between their death and their resurrection; it requires great effort and drastic actions on their part to avoid it. See My 5:30, 18:8. Hell requires great efforts to be avoided. There is nothing they can, or need to do to avoid the lake of fire. Christ has immutably settled that - fully and perfectly. "It's finished."

NONE of God's children will end up in the lake of fire after general resurrection and great judgment.  On the day resurrection and general judgment, hell must surrender up all its captives; the emptied hell shall be cast into the lake of fire; those whose names are not in the Lamb's Book of Life are cast in the lake of fire. Rev 20:13-15.

Christ saved His people from the lake of fire; He DIDN'T save them from the temporal hell. That explains His repeated and solemn warnings to His disciples on hell; He didn't warn them of the lake of fire, which would be redundant and a waste of His breath.

The Devil rejoices when the churches don't believe in hell for them; he has nullified Christ's solemn and repeated warnings! How very subtle.

Gen 3:1a "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made."

Of Imputation, Representation, Federal Headship, and Original Sin

Of Imputation, Representation, Federal Headship, and Original Sin.

Of Imputation, Representation, Federal Headship, and Original Sin

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Rom 5:19).

This is the Bible’s shortest and simplest statement of imputation, representation, federal headship, and original sin.

Read it again.

This is the Bible’s clearest and most concise statement of imputation, representation, federal headship, and original sin.

Read it again.

The two legal transactions are one person acting for many. The disobedient man is Adam. The obedient Man is Jesus Christ.

Read it again.

You should not have any problem with God’s choice of the word many in this verse.

The many that were made sinners prove imputation of Adam’s disobedience to all that die, for the wages of sin is death.

Therefore, since all human persons conceived by mankind die, thus all mankind makes up the many made sinners, for all die.

The many that were made righteous prove imputation of Christ’s obedience to all that go to heaven, for they are the righteous.

The gift of righteousness includes the free gift of eternal life by the free grace of God, which is only given to God’s elect.

Therefore, the many made sinners are all mankind, the whole human family of all descendants from Adam.

And the many made righteous are all the elect, the whole family of God and the brethren of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5 is one of the simplest and most powerful presentations of our salvation and present standing in grace.

Here is a simple outline to break the chapter down just a little for better consideration:

Simple Outline:

5:1-5 Five Present Blessings for Believers after Free Justification

5:6-11 Details of Jesus Christ’s Purchase of Salvation and Blessings

5:12-19 Two Adams and Imputation – Similarities and Differences

5:20-21 Sin and Death Reigned, but Grace and Righteousness Won

We have the great privilege to consider Romans 5:12-21 tomorrow in our first service. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Will you eagerly look forward to hearing it, like the entire nation of Israel gathered to hear Ezra in Nehemiah 8?

These inspired and preserved verses confound our ignorant, rebellious, and wicked world in many different ways.

They deny the world’s ideas of … origins, causes of disease and death, basis for longevity, value of exercise, role of nutrition and medicine, character of God, evil of sin, supernatural revelation, decay and entropy of the universe, etc., etc.

Think about what you fill out when you first visit a new doctor … the most important and most revealing information is requested first … your family’s medical history.

If the world’s scientists and doctors had wisdom, they would know that family history of disease and death should not start with parents and grandparents … but rather with Adam!

Then they would know there is a cause of sickness and death far weightier than anything they learned in biology, actuarial sciences, or medical school.

Romans 5:12-19, though focused on man’s condemnation to death and salvation to eternal life, explains the corruption of planet earth and the universe, the violence of animals, rust on tools in your garage, destructive events of nature, thorns in your garden, human cruelty, proliferation of false and fake news of every sort, etc., etc.

Do you understand the comprehensive value of Romans 5:12-19 for understanding the world and the doctrines of sin, hell, incarnation, salvation, etc.?

If you will teach your children these things, they will have a faith-based worldview that trumps all other worldviews. They will be wiser than enemies, teachers, and the ancients.

They will have a foundation for thinking, studying, interpreting, and living that annihilates the world’s best philosophers and scientists.

I thank God for my parents requiring me to memorize Romans 5:12 before any other verse in the Bible.

Romans 5:12-21 is perfect for communion … for it remembers the death of Jesus Christ … which was His greatest act of obedience.

Do we need a funeral to help us catch a vision of the glory of this passage of scripture, since it describes the origin of death and our salvation from it?

Decay, death, destruction, dysfunction, and violence are everywhere. They are the direct result of Adam’s sin by God’s curse on mankind and the universe.

Salvation by justification, adoption, glorification, and other facets is even more true. They are the result of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and perpetual life.

Romans 5:12-21 is perfect for communion … for by remembering Jesus’ death until He comes for us … we say to God, to Jesus, and to each other:

I believe Adam condemned us by his sin in Eden.

I believe the law of Moses further condemned us.

I believe death is the wages of sin, which I deserve.

I remember Jesus dying by this bread and wine.

I rejoice in what He did for me as the Second Adam.

~~ Copied

Apparent contradiction when the biblical distinction is ignored

LBCF — Chapter VII: Of God's Covenant

2. Moreover, (1) man having brought himself under the curse of the law by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace, (2) wherein he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved; (3) and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.

It appears that there is a glaring contradiction in the above paragraph:

1. Man, having brought himself under the curse of the law by his fall, is dead in trespasses and sins, in enmity against God.

2. In the covenant of grace, God freely offers unto such life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of such faith in Christ that they may be saved.

Statement 2 is popularly understood, by both the Arminians and their cousins Calvinists, as God sincerely offering eternal salvation to those dead in trespasses and sins, and when such respond as required, they will receive eternal life and salvation in Jesus Christ.

What will the sincere offer of eternal salvation to such accomplished, if there is indeed an offer made to SUCH people? A moron may try to offer a big-mac to a dead man; the infinitely wise God does no such moronic thing. The Framers were no such moron to believe such nonsense.

But there is no contradiction. Statement 2 speaks of the temporal salvation conditioned upon the responses of those whom the Holy Spirit has regenerated and given the Holy Spirit of adoption, making them willing and able to believe.

3. In the covenant of grace, God has promised: "to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe."

- This speaks of the bestowal of eternal salvation to each elect, at God's appointed and approved time, through the free and sovereign activity of the Spirit in regeneration. The Spirit of God who is given dwell within the children of God works faith in them, making them willing and able to believe. The offer of temporal salvation is made to such, for only such are able to respond to the offer.

The 3 statements are in perfect harmony when the biblical distinction between eternal salvation and temporal salvation is observed; the former, which is completely monergistic by the activities of the Triune God ENABLES the latter; the latter is conditioned upon the responses of those whom God had freely bestowed eternal salvation.

The Framers were both sound theologians and logicians; many who own them as their forebears are confused.

Faith of Christ - fidelity, faithfulness; the character of one who can be relied on.

A little exchange on the faith of Christ...

Manny

When studying the subject of faith it is well to consider that there are at least two aspects of faith. There is the faith that is "the gift of God," which comes in regeneration or if you prefer, new birth, and there is that faith which is exercised when the born again person simply believes God. To believe God is to believe His word absolutely and with out the slightest equivocation. There is a difference in believing in God and believing God. Thank about it.

17 Love and Like

Ballas

Copied to share Brother Manny.

Sing
Elder Manny, you have overlooked the faith that really matter, even the faith of Christ.

Romans 3:22 KJV — Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Manny

Brother Sing I have never been able to reconcile the idea that one with perfect knowledge would need faith. I think that "faith" in the above text, refers to "faith that comes from Jesus Christ". Christ (God) is the originator of our faith. 
(sing: There is no reconciliation needed when the word of truth is rightly divided.)

Sing 

Elder Manny, look at the second primary meaning of faith below:

Outline of Biblical Usage

I. conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it

A. relating to God

- the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ

B. relating to Christ

- a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God

C. the religious beliefs of Christians

D. belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same

II. fidelity, faithfulness

the character of one who can be relied on.

The link here: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4102

It is the faith of Christ, NOT the faith that comes from Him, (faith is a grace worked in a child of God by the indwelling Spirit. it is a fruit of the Spirit - that much is clear); it is Christ's character of FIDELITY, of FAITHFULNESS in executing the work of redemption and securing the eternal salvation for His people.

John 17:4

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (This declares the faith of Christ, His character of faithfulness.)

Rev 19:11

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”
(This too declares the faith of Christ, His character of faithfulness.)

Manny
Dear Brother, I didn't post this for debate, but only for consideration.

Sing 
Dear Elder Manny, I'm not debating you or anyone. I'm stating the faith of Christ that is precious to me. I had your kind of understanding on faith when I was a Calvinist!

Buddy
Sing F Lau How is what Brother Manny stated the language of a Calvinist? A true Calvinist believes that all of the elect will "come to faith in Christ". Brother Manny clearly distinguished between faith as a consequence of regeneration and faith exercised when we believe the gospel, trust God, etc.

Sing

When I was a Calvinist (whether I was a true Calvinist, I know not!), I was taught that the faith of Christ is the faith that comes from Christ. Elder Manny is a renowned PB, how can he ever be a Calvinist? I said when I was a Calvinist, I believe such a notion. Maybe such is ALSO the belief of some PBs. Like I said, the faith that matters, even the faithfulness of Christ, is completely forgotten.

Buddy

Elder Manny, I agree with you concerning Romans 3:22. "The righteousness of God without the law" (v. 21) implies that our faith (confidence) of being just (righteous) before God is based on something other than the law. We are legally, i.e. actually justified by "grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". (v. 24) "Justified by faith", however, means that I think I'm justified because I believe Jesus "bare my sins is his own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:28).

(sing: note: we were LEGALLY justified by the blood and righteousness of Christ on the cross; we were VITALLY/PERSONALLY justified by the grace of God through the redemption that is in Christ; we are EXPERIENTIALLY justified by faith in Jesus Christ.)

Sing

Romans 3:22 KJV — Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

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A few observations:

1. The righteousness of God - the righteousness of God's provision.

2. The righteousness of God's provision is by the faithfulness of Christ in rendering full and perfect obedience to the whole law God. (Sin is the transgression of the law of God; righteousness is the obedience to the law of God)

3. This righteousness of God by God's own provision through the faithfulness of Christ is freely applied to each elect in vital justification. (Legal justification is by the righteousness and blood of Christ; at the cross. Vital justification is freely by the grace of God.)

4. Vital justification by God's free grace enables and makes believing possible.

- "...all them that believe"/the believing ones are so because the righteousness of God has been freely applied to them.

Good night. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

The righteousness of God, the faith of Jesus Christ, all the believing ones, no difference

None righteous;
God provided righteousness;
How? Faithfulness of Christ:
And freely applied to each elect
No difference: this is the one and only way.

Rom 3:22

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Here is a wonderful passage understood by few. and messed up by many even though it declares the essence of the gospel of God.

Let us draw out five truths packed in this one verse.

1. The Divine Diagnosis

-First, remember the context of this passage: 

- "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Rom 3:10

- All, without exception, “no, not one”, are under the just and righteous condemnation because of sin.

- Sin has brought the wages of condemnation and death.

- Without righteousness, each man stands and remains justly condemned

2. The Divine Provision

- "Even the righteousness of God..."

- This is often mistaken as the attribute of God.

- This announces the righteousness of God's own provision.

- God Himself provided the righteousness for His people who have none.

- How did He do it? What is His means or instrument?

3. The Divine Instrument

- "which is by faith of Jesus Christ..."

- This declares the means God provided His own righteousness. How did God provide the righteousness necessary for the justification and life of His people?

- Faith (a feminine noun) has the meaning of fidelity or faithfulness. Check here:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4102&t=KJV

- It is by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ in rendering perfect obedience to the complete law of God that the righteousness required by God for the justification of His people is provided for.

- John 17:4 KJV — “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”  "I have finished the work" speaks of Christ’s faithfulness.

- John 6:38 KJV — “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” These words declare Christ’s faithfulness.

- Righteousness is through the obedience to the law of God, sin is the transgression of the law of God; sin brings condemnation and death but righteousness secures justification and life.

- God's free and gracious provision of righteousness by Christ is remotely related to the faith or the believing act of any man in Christ. That's a popular notion, but a fable nevertheless.

- If your Bible reads. "by faith in Jesus Christ," consider burning it because you have been grievously deceived. God's provision of righteousness in Jesus Christ was prior to and independent of your faith in Christ.

- Many are also deceived when they say that "by faith of Jesus Christ" means the faith that comes from Christ to them. What use is the gift of faith to one without righteousness, i.e. still in the native state of condemnation and death?

- Faith is worked by the indwelling Spirit of adoption in the children of God, thus enabling them to believe. Gal 5:22.

4. The Divine Grace

- "unto all and upon all them that believe..."

- This righteousness of God's own provision through His Son Jesus Christ is upon all the believing ones. “All them that believe” is a present active participle; a verbal noun “all the believing ones.”

- They are the believing ones BECAUSE this righteousness of God's own provision by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ has been freely applied to them by God.

- Many who are addicted to sound-byte read this to mean that believing is the condition to have this righteousness bestowed upon them; that’s the popular “sola fide” fiction/fable.

- This is plain foolishness - a man without righteousness is a man still under condemnation and death; such a man can't possibly believe in order to receive righteousness.

- Romans 3:24 KJV — Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

- There are believers because God has freely justified them by His grace. Believing is evidence of the divine grace shown.

- This is the grand statement of the Old Baptists; they understood the truth: "The reason why any are justified IS NOT because they have faith; but the reason why they have faith IS because they are justified."

5. The Divine Impartiality

- "for there is no difference..."

- There is none righteous; by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified; all have sinned and are under the just condemnation of sin and death.

- There is only one righteousness by which sinners can be justified by God, even the righteousness of His own provision which is by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ; this righteousness is freely bestowed by God upon those still under their condemnation of sin and death; it is freely by God's grace.

- Righteousness is NOT bestowed to a man through his faith. That's a lie and sadly, so many believe it.

These are gospel truths, the good news of what God HAS DONE for His people. Believing in Jesus Christ gives evidence to that divine work of grace.

May the Lord grant you understanding. Amen.

Believe lies no more!