Tomorrow May Be Too Late

By D L Moody (1837–1899)

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”–Isaiah. 55:6

I have learned that when anyone becomes in earnest about his soul’s salvation and he begins to seek God, it does not take long for an anxious sinner to meet an anxious Saviour. “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Those who seek for Him with all their hearts, find Christ.

I am tired and sick of half-heartedness. I don’t like a half-hearted man. I don’t care for anyone to love me halfheartedly. And the Lord won’t have it. If we are going to seek for Him and find Him, we must do it with all our hearts.

I believe the reason why so few find Christ is that they do not search for Him with all their hearts; they are not terribly in earnest about their souls’ salvation.

Everything God has done proves that He is in earnest about the salvation of men’s souls. He has proved it by giving His only Son to die for us. The Son of God was in earnest when He died. What is Calvary but a proof of that? And the Lord wants us to be in earnest when it comes to this great question of the soul’s salvation. I never saw men seeking Him with all their hearts but they soon found Him.

It was quite refreshing one night to find in the inquiry room a young man who thought he was not worth saving, he was so vile and wicked. There was hope for him because he was so desperately in earnest about his soul. He thought he was worthless. He had a sight of himself in God’s looking glass and had a very poor opinion of himself.

One can always tell when a man is a great way from God–for he is always talking about himself, and how good he is. But the moment he sees God by the eye of faith, he is down on his knees, and, like Job, he cries, “Behold, I am vile.” All his goodness flees away.

The Lord Is Near Us Now

When men earnestly seek the Lord and are in earnest about their salvation, they will soon find Christ. You do not need to go up to the heights to bring Him down, or down to the depths to bring Him up, or go off to some distant city to find Him. This day He is near to every one of us.

I once heard someone in the inquiry room telling a young person to go home and seek Christ in his closet. I would not dare tell anyone to do that. He might be dead before he got home.

If I read my Bible correctly, the man who preaches the Gospel will not tell me to seek Christ tomorrow or an hour hence, but now. He is near to every one of us this minute to save.

If the world would just come to God for salvation and be in earnest about it, all would find the Son of God right at the door of their hearts.

More Precious Than Precious Jewels

Suppose I should say I have lost a very valuable diamond here worth $100,000. I had it in my pocket when I came into the hall, and when I had done preaching, it was not in my pocket but in the hall somewhere.

Suppose I should say that anyone who finds it could have it.

How earnest you would all become! You would not get very much of my sermon for thinking of the diamond. I do not believe the police could get you out of this hall. The idea of finding a diamond worth $100,000! If I could only find it, it would lift me out of poverty at once, and I would be independent for the rest of my days! Oh, how soon everybody would become terribly in earnest!

I would to God I could get men to seek for Christ in the same way. I have something worth more than a diamond to offer you. Is not salvation–eternal life–worth more than all the diamonds in the world?

Hellfire Necessitates A Holy Fire

People seem to forget that there is no door out of Hell. If they enter there, they must remain there age after age. Millions on millions of years will roll on, but there is no door, no escape out of Hell.

May God wake you up and make you anxious about your soul. People talk about our being earnest and fanatical–about our being on fire. Would to God the church were on fire! This world would soon shake to its foundation. May God wake up a slumbering church!

What we want you to do is not to shout “amen” and clap your hands. The deepest and quietest waters very often run swiftest. We want you to go right to work; there will be a chance for you to shout by and by. Go and speak to your neighbor and tell him of Christ and Heaven. You need not go far before you will find someone passing down to the darkness of eternal death. Haste to his rescue!

What we want to see is people really wishing to become Christians, those who are in dead earnest about it. The idea of hearing one say in answer to the question, “Do you want to become a Christian?” “Well, I would not mind”!

My friend, you will never get into the kingdom of God until you change your language. Men should be crying from the depths of their hearts, “I want to be saved!”

On the day of Pentecost the cry was, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” These people were in earnest, and three thousand found Christ when they sought with all their hearts.

When men seek Christ as they do wealth, they will soon find Him. To be sure, the world will raise a cry that they are excited. Let cotton go up ten or fifteen percent before tomorrow morning, and you will see how quickly the merchants will get excited! And the papers won’t cry it down either. They say it is healthy excitement; commerce is getting on.

But when you begin to get excited about your soul and are in earnest, then they raise the cry, “Oh, they are getting excited; most unhealthy state of things.” Yet they don’t talk nor write about men hastening down to death by the thousands.

There is the poor drunkard–look at him! Hear the piercing cry going up to Heaven? Yet the church of God slumbers and sleeps. Here and there is an inquirer, yet they go into the inquiry room as if they were half asleep. When will men seek for Christ as they seek for wealth, or as they seek for honor?

As I have said, if life is in danger, how terribly in earnest people become. That is right; there is no doubt about that. But why should not they be as much in earnest about their souls’ salvation? Why should not every man and woman wake up and seek the Lord with all their hearts? Then, the Lord says, you shall find Him.

Seek Christ Earnestly

There is a story told of a vessel that was wrecked and was going down at sea. There were not enough lifeboats to take all on board. When the vessel went down, some of the lifeboats were near the vessel. A man swam from the wreck to one of the boats, but they had no room to take him on. When they refused, he seized hold of the boat with his right hand, but they took a sword and cut off his fingers. When he had lost the fingers of his right hand, the man was so earnest to save his life that he seized the boat with his left hand. They cut off the fingers of that hand too. Then the man swam up and seized the boat with his teeth. Now they had compassion on him and relented. They could not cut off his head, so they took him in, and the man’s life was saved. Why? Because he was in earnest.

Why not seek your soul’s salvation as that man sought to save his life?

Will There Ever Be A Better Time?

Will there ever be a better time for the old man whose locks are growing gray, whose eyes are growing dim, and who is hastening to the grave? Is not this the very best time for him? “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found.”

There is a man in the middle of life. Is this not the best time for him to seek the kingdom of God? Will he ever have a better opportunity? Will Christ ever be more willing to save than now? He says, “Come; for all things are now ready”–not “going to be,” but “are now ready.”

There is a young man. My friend, is it not the best time for you to seek the kingdom of God? Seek the Lord; you can find Him now. Can you say that you will find Him tomorrow? Young man, you know not what tomorrow may bring forth. Do you know that every time the clock ticks, a soul passes away? Is not this the best time for you to seek the kingdom of God? My boy, the Lord wants you. Seek first the kingdom of God, and seek Him while He may be found.

Multitudes Can Be Saved!

About thirty years ago a great revival swept over this land. A great many men stood and shook their heads; they could not believe it was a healthy state of things. The church was not in its normal state! The church from Maine to Minnesota and on to California was astir.

As you passed over this great republic, over its Western prairies and mountains, and through its valleys, as you went on by train, passing through its cities and villages, you could see the churches lit up. Men were flocking into the kingdom of God by hundreds.

In a year and a half or two years, more than half a million souls were brought in. Men said it was false excitement, wildfire, and it would pass away. But, my friend, it was grace preceding judgment.

Little did we know that our nation was soon to be baptized in blood, and that we would soon hear the tramp of a million men, that hundreds and thousands of our young men–the flower of our nation – would soon be lying in a soldier’s grave. But, my friend, it was God calling His people in. He was preparing our nation for a terrible struggle.

Supposing you could win the world; what would you do with it? Would it be worth as much as Christ? Let everything else be laid aside, and make up your mind that you will not rest until you have sought and found the Lord Jesus. I never knew anyone to make up his mind to seek Him but that he soon found Him.

At Dublin a young man found Christ. He went home and lived so godly and so Christlike a life that two of his brothers could not understand what had wrought the change in him.

They left Dublin and followed us to Sheffield, and there found Christ. They were in earnest.

But, thanks be to God, Christ can be found now. I firmly believe every reader can find Christ now, if you will seek for Him with all your heart. He says, “Call upon me.”

Christ Turns No One Away

Did you ever hear of anyone calling upon Christ with the whole heart, that Christ didn’t answer? Look at that thief on the cross! It may have been that he had a praying mother, and that his mother taught him the 53rd chapter of Isaiah. He had heard Christ pray that wonderful prayer, “Father, forgive them.” And as he was hanging on the cross, that text of Scripture came to his mind: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”

The truth came flashing into his soul. He said, ‘He is near me now. I will call on Him. Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.’ No sooner had he called than the Lord said, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” That was his seeking opportunity, his day.

This Is Your Opportunity Now

My friend, this is your day now. I believe that every man has his day. You have it just now; why not call upon Him just now? Say, as the poor thief did, “Lord, remember me.” That was his golden opportunity, and the Lord heard and answered and saved him.

Did not Bartimaeus call on Him while He was near? Christ was passing by Jericho for the last time, and Bartimaeus cried out, “Thou son of David, have mercy on me.” And did not the Lord hear his prayer and give him sight?

It was a good thing Zacchaeus called–or rather the Lord called him; but when the Lord called, he came.

May the Lord call you, and may you respond: “Lord, here am I; You have called, and I come.” Do you believe the Lord will call a poor sinner and then cast him out? No! His Word stands forever: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

I was glad when that man I told you of said he felt as if he were too bad. Men are pretty near the kingdom of God when they do not see anything good in themselves.

At the Fulton Street prayer meeting a man came in, and this was his story. He had a mother who prayed for him–he was a wild, reckless prodigal. Some time after his mother’s death he began to be troubled. He thought he ought to get into new company and leave his old companions, so he said he would go and join a secret society.

He thought he would join the Odd Fellows. They made inquiry about him, and when they found he was a drunken sailor, they blackballed him. They would not have him.

He went to the Freemasons. He had nobody to recommend him. When they inquired and found there was no good in his character, they blackballed him. They didn’t want him.

One day someone handed him a little notice in the street about the prayer meeting. He went. He heard that Christ had come to save sinners. He believed Him; he took Him at His word; and, in reporting the matter, he said he “came to Christ without a character, and Christ hadn’t blackballed him.”

My friend, that is Christ’s way. Are you without a character, with nobody to say a good word for you? I bring you good news. Call on the Son of God, and He will hear you.

Let us be in earnest about the salvation of our children and friends. Warn that young lady. Yes, Mother, speak to that daughter. Father, speak to that child. Wife, speak to your unconverted husband. Husband, speak to your unconverted wife. Do not let anyone say, “Nobody cares for my soul.” I never saw parents burdened for their children but that the children soon became anxious to be saved.

What Are You Going to Do?

Before I close, I want to ask you once more: What are you going to do? If the Lord is near, won’t you call upon Him? Don’t let some scoffer keep you out of the kingdom of God. There may be a scornful look upon his face. Perhaps he makes light of what I say. Don’t mind him. Don’t look to him, but look right up to God and ask Him to save you.

Every true friend, if you could get his advice, would tell you to be saved now.

Ask your minister, “Had I better seek the kingdom of God now?” What will he tell you? “By all means, don’t put it off another minute.”

Ask your godly, praying mother, “Is it best to seek the kingdom of God now?” Will she say, “Put it off one week, or a month”? There is not a Christian mother in this land who would say that. I doubt if there is even an unconverted mother whose advice would be to put off becoming a Christian.

Ask that praying sister of yours, that praying brother, any friend you have, whether it is not the very best thing you can do. And then cry to Heaven and ask Him who is sitting at the right hand of God, and who loves you more than your father or your mother or anyone on earth–who loves you so much that He gave Himself for you–ask Him what He will have you do, and hear His voice from the throne, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”

And then shout down to the infernal regions, and ask those down there. What will they say? ‘Send someone to my father’s house, for I have five brethren, that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place.’

Heaven, earth and Hell unite in this one thing: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Don’t put it off. Call upon Him while He is near. And if you call upon Him in earnest, He will hear that call.

You May Call Too Late

I have no doubt that those who would not pray when the ark was being built, prayed when the Flood came; but their prayer was not answered.

I have no doubt that when Lot went out of Sodom, Sodom cried to God; but it was too late, and God’s judgment swept them from the earth.

My friend, it is not too late now, but it may be at twelve o’clock tonight. I cannot find any place in the Bible where it says you may call tomorrow. I am not justified in saying that. “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.”

Those men of Jerusalem, what a golden opportunity they had with Christ in their midst! We see the Son of God weeping over Jerusalem, His heart bursting with grief for the city as He cried, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Thou that stonest the prophets, how often would I have gathered thee as a hen gathereth her brood, but ye would not.’

He could look down forty years and see Titus coming with his army and besieging that city. They called upon God then, but it was too late, and eleven hundred thousand people perished.

Now Is The Time To Be Saved
Now is a time of mercy. It may be I am talking to someone whose days of grace may be few, to someone who may be snatched away very soon, who may never hear another gospel sermon, who may be hearing the last call. My friend, be wise! Make up your mind that you will seek the kingdom of God now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Christ is inviting you to come: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Oh, may we all find rest in Christ now! Do not let anything divert your mind, but make up your mind this hour that you will settle this great question of eternity.

Be Saved Today!

You have read the warning sermon by D L Moody, “Tomorrow May Be Too Late.” The Devil never suggests that a person should not be saved; he simply suggests that we put it off. Sometimes he puts the thought in our minds that we should wait until we feel more like it, knowing that every time we say no to Christ, we feel less like it, until by and by we have no desire at all to trust Christ as Saviour.

The time to be saved is now. The Bible says in II Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

The promise of God is very plain: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). To believe on Christ means to trust Him, to depend on Him.

The Lord’s Work by D. L. Moody
(This recording of The Lord’s Work by D.L. Moody was produced by Vintage Audio Sermons in 2004. It is offered in it’s entirety by ChristianAudio.com.)

Weighed In The Balance (Sermon Reading) by D. L. Moody
(Though not the actual voice of the great evangelist, this sermon is well read and worth the listen.)

As In the Days of Noah…

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:37-39)

Evangelists Cause Religious Chaos Among Students

By: Kerissa Bennett

Two evangelists caused an uproar on campus Tuesday while preaching to a crowd of students.

The crowd started small but soon turned into nearly one hundred onlookers as the evangelists preached that students needed to repent from sins or face eternal condemnation.

The two evangelists, Tracy Bays and another known as “Brother Dave,” told students repeatedly “you’re going to hell unless you repent.”

Many students in the crowd were upset by the message. Some students shouted obscenities at the men.

Bays said the students’ response to the message was the Holy Spirit convicting their hearts.

“They know it’s wrong to sin and they don’t want to hear that,” Bays said.

Lewis Nowlin, freshman from San Diego, said he believed it was alright for Bays to express his opinion, but wrong of him to tell students they are going to hell.

“It’s not right when you take it to attacking people personally,” Nowlin said.

“He’s judging people and God is the only one who can judge,” said Amillia Marcum, junior criminal justice major from Huntington.

Bays said he chooses to speak at universities because that is where young women and men are.

“Students have had their first taste of liberty and that liberty is going to condemn them to hell,” Bays said.

Bays also mentioned other religions in his sermon. He said that Islam, Hinduism and Catholicism were wrong in their practice.

“If you were a true Christian you would leave the Roman Catholic church,” Bays said.

Marcum said she was hurt by this comment.

“God calls us to love everyone,” Marcum said. “Am I not supposed to love my Catholic friends because of the church they go to?”

During his sermon, Bays pointed to a campus fraternity sign and said the members were also wrong.

“Everyone in that fraternity is going to hell,” Bays said.

Phil Lisi, junior sports management major from Cincinnati and member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, said he was frustrated by this comment.

“I’m a Christian. I do go to church,” Lisi said. “He is making all Christians look bad.”

Shay Osbourne, campus minister with Revolution ministries, said Bays would not sit down and talk with him at his request.

“My hope would be that everyone accepts Christ,” Osbourne said. “I think it’s hard to look out and say this is being effective.”

Osbourne said his biggest fear was that students would associate all ministries and Christianity with these evangelists.

“The message of repent from sin is truth, but his method of presenting it is ineffective,” Osbourne said.

At one point in the message a student went to hug Bays, who rejected this action.

“Love is not a hug,” Bays responded. “Love is telling you you’re going to hell unless you repent.”

Kyle Baughman, senior political science major from Cincinnati, said the student reaction was what he expected. He also said he believes you can use scripture to promote anything you want if you take it out of context.

“Hopefully, people don’t associate the Christian religion with what was said today,” Baughman said.

Bays said he and Brother Dave were on campus in the best interest of Marshall students.

“We want everyone to accept Jesus and have eternal life,” Bays said.

The two evangelists are not associated with any campus ministries.

Listen To The Tracy Bays Radio Interview Here:

Kerissa Bennett can be contacted at bennett120@marshall.edu.

The Eternal Security Teaching

by Robert D. Kettering

Today’s topic deals with the teaching of eternal security or the doctrine of once -saved -always-saved. Put another way, eternal security means that when a person accepts Christ as Savior and Lord and experiences the new birth, nothing can take the promise of eternal life away from that person regardless of whether or not he or she is living a holy life or has backslidden. Even if a person who was once saved, later comes to deny Christ, yet he is saved regardless, so say the persons who hold to the doctrine of eternal security.

We want to look at three aspects of salvation: salvation procured; salvation assured; and salvation secured. First let us consider how salvation is procured.

(Listen To Radio Interview Of Dan Corner On The Damnable Heresy Of Eternal Security)

1. SALVATION PROCURED

Some will say that if we deny eternal security, then we believe that works rather than faith saves. I don’t think such a conclusion necessarily follows. Faith and works go hand in hand.

Turn to Ephesians 2:8-10 (the great passage affirming faith as the sole means of salvation). “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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

All right, let’s affirm the teaching here; we are saved by faith alone. Many people believe that good works alone will win God’s favor and the promise of eternal life. This is not so.

There are many people who have kind hearts, many who do all kinds of charitable and worthy deeds. This behavior is obviously praiseworthy and one which every Christian should exemplify. But if a person has not really come to God through faith in the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour, then no amount of good deeds will help gain God’s favor or the promise of eternal life.

Throughout history many have been misled into thinking that good works apart from faith in Christ as sin-bearer will put one right with God, or that works are the most important factor in procuring salvation.

A classic example is that of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were rigid followers of the law; theirs was a works righteousness. The more rigidly they followed the Jewish laws, the more favor they would gain in the eyes of God; the more righteous they would be. For the Pharisees, good works bought God’s grace.

Paul struggled with this as a Pharisee, but when he became a Christian he realized that we are not saved by works lest any man should boast, but we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.

Later in history during the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church began to move in a similar direction implying that good works bring about God’s forgiveness and grace. Give so much money to the church; say one hundred “Hail Mary’s”; go on a pilgrimage to some holy shrine; do these good deeds and thou shalt gain God’s favor.

Martin Luther struggled time and again trying to achieve salvation through works. Luther did all sorts of good works, but his soul found no comfort until he realized that it is not by works but by faith whereby we are saved.

In our own day we witness the heresy which says good works are sufficient for salvation in the thinking of the humanists. While their aims are good (helping to serve our neighbors), yet the rewards are only temporary. Only faith in Christ as our motivation for doing good, will assure us eternal life and a place in the eternal kingdom of God.

On the other side of the coin are those, many of whom adhere to the doctrine of eternal security, who claim that faith saves and your works really don’t matter. This is just as heretical as those who believe that works brings about salvation. Remember to affirm Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Jesus said many will cry unto me, Lord, Lord, but only those who do the will of my father who is in heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven. True faith is believing and doing the will of the Father. Faith and works go hand in hand.

In summary then, we are saved through faith in Christ and our faith is made manifest through our works. This is how salvation is procured.

2. SALVATION ASSURED

If we come to God in faith, then we receive the assurance of eternal life. John 5:4 records these words of Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my words and believes in him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment but passes from death to life.”

The Philippian jailor cried out to Paul and Silas: “What must I do to be saved?” The apostles answered “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.”

Paul writes these words of assurance in his letter to the Roman Christians: “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And the assuring words of Jesus himself: “And he who comes to me I will not cast out.”

Concerning the assurance of salvation, William Beahm, former dean of Bethany Seminary says: “We can be sure enough to be free from anxiety and to five our lives in joy. Our fellowship with the Holy Spirit brings us comfort and assurance.”

“Salvation is not promised on the basis of any particular type of conversion, it does not rest upon feeling, and it is not achieved by merit; salvation is God’s free gift promised unconditionally to everyone who accepts Christ as Savior and Lord.”

Christians enjoy the forgiveness of sins not through any merit of their own, but alone through the redemptive death of Jesus. God intends to keep every one of his children.

Even when we sin as Christians, God forgives us if we but come to Him asking for forgiveness. There is no need for Christians to doubt for one moment that we are truly born of God and heirs to the promise of fife eternal. Neither do we need to fear that we will lose our salvation if we maintain our fellowship with the Lord.

“The person troubled by doubts will need to pray that God’s Spirit might enable him to simply lay hold by faith on the promises of God, being able to walk by faith and not by sight, renouncing feeling as the touchstone of salvation, and seeking to live close to the Lord; for where worldliness and spiritual coldness enter a life, Christian assurance departs.” (J. C. Wenger, Introduction to Theology, p. 304).

God has promised to keep us safe from sin and keep our salvation secure. If we walk with the Lord, he will protect us and he will give us strength to overcome any temptation that may come our way. We need not worry about our salvation or falling out of grace. Sin cannot overtake us as Christians unless we want it to.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

3. SALVATION SECURED

Now we come to ask the central question of the sermon today. Can a person fall out of grace and lose his salvation? I believe the answer is yes; a person can lose his salvation and forfeit the assurance of life eternal, and forsake God and His ways even though the person had been saved.

The reason that I believe a person can lose his salvation is based upon the belief in man acting as a free moral being, making his or her own decisions; capable of accepting God and His promises, or rejecting God and His promises.

There are two schools of thought in theology on this matter. One school believes in the doctrine of the elect which means some people are chosen even before they are born to be saved, and some to be lost because God foreordained it.

There are Scriptures which seem to validate this. This view of God’s chosen elect is sometimes called “predestination” meaning that one’s life was mapped out before he was born; what you would become and what you would do was all in God’s plan for your life; you can make no decisions apart from God’s plan. In short; you are a puppet, completely directed from God with no room for independent thinking or actions. This viewpoint is classified as Calvinistic theology named after John Calvin who is the father of the Reformed, Presbyterian, and other denominations. This view of election pushed to its logical conclusion states that if you are elect of God and your destiny already planned, then you cannot lose your salvation no matter what happens; no matter how you live your life, God has foreordained you to eternal life, and like it or not, you are going to heaven. That is what eternal security is really saying. Calvin called it “perseverance of the saints.”

There is another school of thought which is called the Arminian School named after the theologian Jacobus Arminius. This school of thought says that man is given free will and is not like a puppet on a string but a free moral agent. Man can either accept Christ or reject Him. God does not decide for us, but we decide for ourselves. In this view, man is responsible for his own decisions and destiny. In line with this thinking then, the elect of which the Scriptures speak, are those who respond in faith and accept God’s call. But all persons have opportunity to accept Christ. God desires that all follow Him, but he has not ordained some to be saved and some to be lost before they are even born. The Church of the Brethren and other Anabaptist groups as well as Methodists and others accept this view of man’s free will.

The reason for all the detail is because one should understand that background, when approaching the subject of eternal security. It is true that the Scriptures state that we will not be tempted beyond our strength; but the same verse states that God will provide the way of escape. You and I can either take the escape and overcome the temptation and have victory over the sin, or we can refuse the way of escape and remain in sin and risk ultimately separation from God. The key is our desire to maintain fellowship with the Lord.

People who support eternal security will then ask; “Are you saying we never know if we are saved or lost?” No not at all. We as Christians, as affirmed earlier, can know from Scripture and from God’s promises that we are saved. But a person who once was a Christian and who has backslidden and is no longer receptive to God’s voice, stands in danger of the judgment.

Matthew 5:13 says, “Ye are the salt of the earth, but it the salt have lost its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is thereafter good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men.” If we backslide in faith, and fail to come to God in repentance and fail to maintain the walk with God and fail to fellowship with Him, then our salvation means nothing. We have lost our savor and our Saviour, and will be cast out of the kingdom.

God acted the same way with his own angels; He cast Lucifer and his hosts from heaven. Time and again as you read the New Testament there are examples of believers who forsake their faith and are cast out; Judas, Ananias and Sapphira, Demas, Alexander, Hymenaeus. The Book of Revelation is very explicit in describing the fate of those who once named Christ as Savior but have fallen away. Other examples of this are found in 2 Peter 2:20-22, in 1 Timothy 1:1920, and in Colossians 1:20-23.

The whole Book of Hebrews undercuts the eternal security teaching. For example, Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Hebrews 3:12-14 says, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.”

We also need to consider James 5:19, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Paul admits that there will be those who fall away from the faith. I Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Or consider the implications of Matthew 18 which deals with the excommunication of unfaithful members.

Those who support eternal security will come back with the argument: “Well those persons like Judas, Demas, etc. were never saved to begin with.” Since when do we as mortal creatures determine who is saved and who is not? God only is judge.

Why am I so opposed to the doctrine of eternal security? Because I believe it is a very dangerous teaching that has invaded the church. The reason I say dangerous is because if eternal security is true, it makes it safe for a believer to live in sin if he desires to do so and still receive the firstfruits of eternal life. This doctrine can give a false security and has done a great deal of harm in the church.

Let me relate a story told by Bro. Carl Zeigler. Brother Zeigler was invited to conduct revival services in a church located in a small town in West Virginia. There were only a few churches in this town and one of the churches was going to have revival services the same week as the church where Carl was to preach. The church in which Carl was to preach, got the idea to combine their efforts with the other churches and have a united revival effort. Soon however, rumors started circulating about the town concerning the other evangelist; rumors about him behaving immorally with some of the young women in town.

Carl thought he would confront the other evangelist and clear the air. This he did, but, instead of denying the charges, the preacher admitted that the charges were true. His reply was; “Yes it’s true, but for me it is not wrong; I’ve been saved and no matter what I do, I cannot lose my salvation. I’ve been born again and my salvation is secure.” True, this is an extreme case, but it nevertheless points up the dangers of believing that our salvation is unconditionally and eternally secure. The townspeople soon dismissed the services of that minister.

Assurance of salvation for the Christian: YES! But eternal security for the believer regardless of belief, actions, or lifestyle? Most decidely NO!

“Eternal security would emphasize the absolute security of the soul upon the basis that God has given man something that is eternal and unconditional. Christian assurance rests upon the promises of God, but recognizes the conditions of God’s keeping.” (J. L. Stauffer, The Eternal Security Teaching, Herald Press, p. 8.) 1 hope this statement helps us see that difference.

If some people try to push the belief of eternal security upon you, don’t argue. Pray about it; be grounded in the Word as you give answer.

I have always said something like this: “All right, maybe we cannot solve our differences concerning this teaching. I still want to accept you as my brother or sister in Christ and if I am wrong in denying the eternal security teaching, no harm is done; no souls led astray. But if you, who hold to eternal security are wrong, think of the persons you may have led astray by giving them a false security while preaching the eternal security doctrine.”

Our salvation is procured by faith in Christ; assured by trust in His Word, and secured only by obedience to His teachings. I want to affirm that there is no other way to have fellowship with Jesus than to trust and obey.

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COLLISION: Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson (Interesting)

OVERVIEW
In May 2007, leading atheist Christopher Hitchens and Christian apologist Douglas Wilson began to argue the topic “Is Christianity Good for the World?” in a series of written exchanges published in Christianity Today. The rowdy literary bout piqued the interest of filmmaker Darren Doane, who sought out Hitchens and Wilson to pitch the idea of making a film around the debate.

In Fall 2008, Doane and crew accompanied Hitchens and Wilson on an east coast tour to promote the book compiled from their written debate titled creatively enough, Is Christianity Good for the World?. “I loved the idea of putting one of the beltway’s most respected public intellectuals together with an ultra-conservative pastor from Idaho who looks like a lumberjack”, says Doane. “You couldn’t write two characters more contrary. What’s more real and punk rock than a fight between two guys who are on complete opposite sides of the fence on the most divisive issue in the world? We were ready to make a movie about two intellectual warriors at the top of their game going one-on-one. I knew it would make an amazing film.”

In Christopher Hitchens, Doane found a celebrated prophet of atheism. Loud. Funny. Angry. Smart. Quick. An intimidating intellectual Goliath. Well-known for bullying and mocking believers into doubt and doubters into outright unbelief. In Douglas Wilson, Doane found the man who could provide a perfect intellectual, philosophical, and cinematic counterpoint to Hitchens’ position and style. A trained philosopher and and deft debater. Big, bearded, and jolly. A pastor, a contrarian, a humorist–an unintimidated outsider, impossible to bully, capable of calling Hitchens a puritan (over a beer).

It was a collision of lives.

What Doane didn’t expect was how much Hitchens and Wilson would have in common and the respectful bond the new friend/foes would build through the course of the book tour. “These guys ended up at the bar laughing, joking, drinking. There were so many things that they had in common,” according to Doane. “Opinions on history and politics. Literature and poetry. They agreed on so many things. Except on the existence of God.”

BIOS

CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS
Christopher Hitchens (b. April 13, 1949) is a popular political journalist and the author of several books, including God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Hitchens is regarded as one of the most fundamental figures of modern atheism. A regular contributor to Vanity Fair, The Atlantic Monthly and Slate, Hitchens is also a frequent guest on The Daily Show, Charlie Rose, Washington Journal, and Real Time with Bill Maher. He was named one of the US’s “25 Most Influential Liberals” by Forbes and one of the world’s “Top 100 Public Intellectuals” by Foreign Policy. Hitchens lives in Washington, DC.

DOUGLAS WILSON
Douglas Wilson (b. June 18, 1953) is a pastor of Christ Church, editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine, and a Senior Fellow at New Saint Andrews College. A prolific writer, he is the author of many books, including The Case for Classical Christian Education, Letter from a Christian Citizen, Reforming Marriage and Heaven Misplaced: Christ’s Kingdom on Earth. Wilson lives in Moscow, Idaho.

DARREN DOANE
Darren Doane is a Los Angeles-based independent filmmaker. Doane made his name as a music video director. His work for Blink-182, AFI, Jimmy Eat World and Pennywise is credited for helping bring punk rock into the mainstream in the 1990s. His previous documentary film, The Battle For LA, explored the underground battle rap scene in Los Angeles. Doane is currently in production on the documentary film To Be Born Again about legendary musician Van Morrison and has also written and directed several feature films, including Godmoney, 42K and Black Friday.

Author: featuring Douglas Wilson and Christopher Hitchens

Specifications: DVD, NTSC 90 minutes

© 2009 Level4

To Pre-Order: http://www.americanvision.com/collisionchristopherhitchensvsdouglaswilsondvd.aspx

Christians Attacked In Pakistan

It was just a rumor. But among the radical Muslims in Pakistan’s Gojra village, a rumor was enough of an excuse to kill.

When the rumor was broadcast from the loudspeakers on the minarets of local mosques, it became fact. As part of a wedding ceremony, the loudspeaker shouted, Christians tore pages from a Quran. Then they compounded the disrespect by walking on the shredded pages

“Defend Islam!” The loudspeaker called. Muslims answered, rampaging through a Christian section of Gojra on Aug. 1. Eight Christians were killed, including women and children. More than 100 Christian homes were burned by a mob. The mob, which was estimated to be more than 20,000 people, also burned a church.

Five Hours Without Help

Emergency personnel did not reach Gojra for more than five hours. Christians were forced to use vegetable carts to move their dead and wounded to the hospital.

Responding to an international outcry, Pakistani government officials have now said no Quran was desecrated. The government promised to help rebuild the burned homes of Christian families.

Even before the government acted, contacts of The Voice of the Martyrs were in Gojra, offering comfort to the wounded and praying with the families of the dead. They continue to aid the village, including helping with some medical expenses, offering encouragement and pressing for a forceful government response.

Pray Blasphemy Laws Are Overturned

Christians in Pakistan hope these attacks can be a turning point. They are praying to God and pressing their government to overturn unjust blasphemy laws that are often a pretext to attack Christians.

They are also asking us to pray with them. Pray for Christians in Pakistan to be bold witnesses for Christ, despite threats. Pray for those wounded and left homeless by the brutal Gojra attacks. Pray for Muslims to come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way.