By Greg Holt
“as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee” Mark 1:2
The above verse refers to John the Baptist who Jesus referred to as the greatest of men born among women. John was the one who was to “pave the way” for the Lord’s coming, and prophesied of in the Old Testament. (Isaiah 40:3 Malachi 3:1)
In the very same way that John prepared the way for Christ, Christ our Lord prepared the “way” for us.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
John called out and rebuked those who sinned, calling all to repentance that they may live. In the face of much persecution (he was ultimately beheaded), he persevered and continued to preach the truth to the people. John also stated “who” Jesus was, correctly identifying Him as the Lamb of God who takes away sin.
Jesus taught on the “way” to God, and was also heavily persecuted for such teaching. He of course also endured; tempted by Satan himself, all the taunting, the insults, the pretenders, the wannabes, the users, being betrayed, and then was scourged and crucified.
Because of Jesus, we know the “way” and through His death, our eternal destination is promised and secured – to those that love Him, repenting of our sins.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
Romans 6:23
“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.“ Ephesians 2:8-9
The Lord has allowed as many days as are needed to bring all who are willing – into His Kingdom (2 Peter 3:9); the close of days is however drawing near, and the time to believe is now.
“…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” Mark 1:15
There is only One God, and only one way to Him – Jesus. There is no other, and there is no better “offer.”
We come to God repenting (being sorry for, and turning away from our wrongdoing) and believing that He is God alone – believing that Jesus alone can save us. Our works will not save us, nothing we do will ever save us, period.
We repent, we believe, and God in effect says – ok, I forgive you for all that you have done wrong. I (God) have paid for your wrongdoing, the debt is forgiven, and I have wiped the slate clean for you. I (God) have purchased a new beginning for you, a new life.
Jesus therefore through His sacrifice, opens the door for us into His Kingdom, and invites us in as honored guests – which Kingdom we would have been denied access to because of our sin (wrongdoing).
Before accepting Christ, we were God’s enemies, no different then Satan. After we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we accept His free gift of salvation and we are accepted into His Kingdom forever more.
Who else offers this? No one, no other so-called god(s) offers what our God does. We do wrong, committing sins – lying, stealing, gossiping, being mean to others, cheating on our spouse, abusing others physically and emotionally, murder, and so many more. God sets all these aside, refusing to “see, or acknowledge” these sins anymore. We are freed from the penalty of sin, because God Himself, in the form of Jesus paid the required price for us – so that we do not have to.
The day to accept the free gift of God is today.
What’s the catch, there is always a catch. Yes, there is a catch actually. One must be sorry for their sins and be determined to turn away from them. One must also believe in Jesus and His finished work on the cross – the payment for our sin that we may be free. Believing that Jesus is alive and seated at the side of the Father, interceding for us always. Come to Christ and be set free.
The Must Read Interview with Satan – How to be Saved
Categories: Christian misconceptions, god's wrath, gospel of Christ, news, Prophecy
America is at a Crossroads, What Choice Will You Make? 
I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel Of Christ! 
Amen!
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Since sin is not imputed when there is no law. Rom.5:13. And the Gentiles have never had the law(Rom.2:14) or been accountable to God for keeping the law. Eph.2:12. What is/are the sin(s) the Gentiles need forgiveness of?
And by the way Rom.6:23 is written for those who know the law.Rom.7:1. Not for Gentiles who have never had or been accountable for keeping the law. This is why Paul taught that there are those who do not have the law who will be judged apart from the law.Rom.2:11,12.
Even so… maranatha!!!
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That is a non-sensical argument. Paul also taught on the fact of the Gentiles being a law unto themselves. “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves” Romans 2:14
No, Romans 6:23 is NOT written for those who know the law. You forget – Jesus answer to the Pharisees on what is the most important commandment,
1. Love the Lord with all your heart, mind etc.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
These 2 commandments sum up ALL the law, in fact – these 2 commandments insure strict compliance to all the “law” says and then some. For if you (all of us) truly followed this law (the law of love), there would be NO sin. Impossible of course, but the fact of the matter remains the same. Loving your neighbor (all people) one would do no harm of any kind. Loving Christ with a pure heart, one would do nothing to displease Him.
So you see, these arguments on the law, and grace, and who said what, and what applies to the Jewish people, or the Gentiles, or both – well it’s all pointless. We were instructed by Jesus how to comport ourselves in every situation – LOVE all, forgive all, do good to all. Period.
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Not nonsensicle. But, actually perfectly Biblical. By what means does Paul say the Gentiles are a law unto themselves? Not by obeying a law of any kind, but by nature they do those things written in the law that they don’t have. So it has nothing to do with their being under law and accountable to keep it that they do what is right.
And yes, if we loved as Jesus did then we would never sin. Which is why John said “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.
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.”1John3:8,9.
What Jesus said while on earth as a man He said to Israel, not Gentiles. He said that He came only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.Mt.15:24. So His earthly ministry was only for them. This is true because He was a man born under the law(Gal.4:4) who taught those who were under the law(Mt.15:24) how to live under the law. He confirmed the covenant that God made with Israel(Gal.3:17) so that it could be taken away to establish the New Covenant(Heb.10:9). And the Gentile is only ablke to partake in the New Covenant. Because they were not a part of the covenant Israel had with God(Eph.2:12).
The only sin a Gentile needs forgiveness from is “They believe not on me”. This happens by their turning from idols to serve the living and true God.1Thes.1:9. But, Israel already had a covenant with God. And in that covenant only were the sins defined by that covenant imputed(Rom.4:15, 5:13).
Even so… Maranatha!!
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Some of what you say is true. Jesus Himself directed the Apostles to “teach all nations,” that would include the Gentiles. “Sin” has nothing to do with the old covenant of which you correctly state the Gentiles were not a part of. Sin is sin wherever it is found.
If your statement that the ONLY sin a Gentile needs forgiveness for is for not believing in Christ – then a Gentile could commit any and all sins and literally by your definition get away with it, provided they believe in Jesus. That is a false belief my friend – believers in Christ sin, just like anyone else. ALL sin carries a death sentence. If all we needed was a belief in Jesus, then we would NOT need the constant intercession of Jesus for us would we?
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Sin is sin, that is true. But, sin is only imputed, penalized, when there is law. That’s what makes the difference for Jews and Gentiles when coming to faith in Jesus. There is no death sentence for violations of the law given through Moses for Gentiles because they were never in that covenant. This is why Paul said that there are those who sinned apart from the law(Gentiles) that will perish apart from the law. And that only those under the law will be judged by it(Rom.2:12). And why he said that “where there is no law there is no transgression(Rom.4:15).
The Israelite needs deliverance from the law and to come to faith in Jesus(Rom.7:4). While the Gentile never having been under the law, and so also never having been a recipient of it’s penalties, needs only to turn from his idols to serve the living and true God(1Thes.1:9). Because his unbelief was the only thing blocking him from eternal life. While the law had “shut (Israel) up unto the faith” while under it(Gal.3:23). It was her schoolmaster. But, after faith has come there is no more need for the schoolmaster. But, if they choose to remain in that covenant they can not be joined with Christ.
Same Jesus for both Jew and Gentile. Different message because of different needs for deliverance. 2Tim.2:15.
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Understood and agree, mostly. However, it sounds like you are here saying that sin is very much different for the Jewish people verses the Gentiles (all the rest of us). I cannot agree with that one. The Mosaic law never applied to us, that is true. But now you take into consideration the law of love as it has been referred to, and the “law” the gentiles follow is even stricter than the Mosaic law. The “law,” as in Mosaic law that Paul refers to has never been terminated, so said Christ. The law as Paul tells us defines sin, not that we are under it. An example is the old law of not committing adultery – now, even looking with lust is adultery. Turning from idols as you say is not even close to “enough.” Stealing is a sin, so is adultery, murder, lying, coveting, false witness, and the list goes on. NONE of these are idols. Well they COULD be in some cases, but not most.
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The example of lusting after a woman was for Israel under the law. Because Jesus was a man born under the law(Gal.4:4) who came to minister only to those who were under the law(Mt.15:24) how to live under the law. This is why He said He did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it.
But, Paul said that Jesus’ sacrifice “abolished” the law so that it’s enmity between Jew and Gentile could be removed and the two could be made “one new man”.Eph.2:15. So we have Paul teaching the church that is not under the law(Rom.2:14 and 6:14) and Israelites who are dead to the law(Rom.7:4). And Jesus teaching those who are under the law how to live under the law and that to have eternal life they must keep the commandments. Two very different messages to two very different groups.
This is why sin for Israelites under the law is not the sin God holds Gentiles accountable for who have never been under the law. The law given through Moses defines the sin Israelites are accountable for under the law. While only not believing in Jesus is the sin God holds Gentiles accountable for. But, in Christ neither are held accountable any longer for sins the law given through Moses defined. But, only for the sins that Paul wrote saying, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin”.Rom.14:23. Which is also why Paul was able to say that “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”Rom.10:23. Because sin is not imputed when there is no law.Rom.4:15 and 5:13.
We must come out of the legalistic thinking that makes the Christian accountable to the law. Paul says it was “abolished”, “nailed to the cross”, and that the Israelite must “be dead to the law”. Hebrews says it was “taken away”, “changed”, and “put away”. The Christian is not and never will be accountable to keep the law. Because the law is not for a righteous man(1Tim.1:9).
He is only accountable to love as Jesus does. And yes, that is a much higher bar than the law set. Because it is met by the spirit that is birthed in us. The spirit that the love of God has been shed abroad in. Not by the flesh(natural man) that all men are who are not born of the Spirit.
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I guess we will have to agree to disagree. We are in no way under the law, that is true. But at the same time your statements concerning all of this I believe are very misguided unless my understanding of said statements is misguided.
You said: While only not believing in Jesus is the sin God holds Gentiles accountable for. But, in Christ neither are held accountable any longer for sins the law given through Moses defined. But, only for the sins that Paul wrote saying, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin”
This is circular reasoning, your two arguments here are arguing against each other. One the one hand we are only held accountable for not believing in Jesus, on the other, all that does not flow from faith is sin. Well, which way is it? You cannot have it both ways. Under your 1st statement, as long as we believe in Jesus, we will not be held accountable for any other sin – that is categorically wrong. Under the second statement, all things that do not flow from faith are sin. That is true. Again, you cannot have it both ways.
You also stated that the “lust” issue is only relative to the Jewish people, not so. Paul speaks of this as well and in many places.
You had also stated that Jesus was teaching the Israelites that they must keep the commandments in order to attain salvation. I would disagree with that. He pointed them to Himself, not the commandments, there is NO salvation in the commandments – as no one is perfect.
Romans 10 addresses salvation for the Jew and the Gentile, through Jesus Christ, no difference.
You said: Which is also why Paul was able to say that “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”Rom.10:23. Because sin is not imputed when there is no law.Rom.4:15 and 5:13.
That quote is 1 Corinthians 10:23 by the way. 🙂 Anyway, that was mainly about food. It can and does pertain to other things, but not all. It is not permissible to: kill, lust after a woman, lie, etc.
You keep mentioning the “law” and “legalism.” This has nothing to do with the law and legalism, I confess I’m not sure where you keep getting that from. The Bible teaches us not to do these things, period. Forget the law. Paul said we are to, possess our vessels in honor (paraphrasing) that means no sexual immorality which includes lusting after another.
It is great to have biblical knowledge, but it seems to me that you overly complicate things. A new believer would be so lost in what you say they would have no clear picture of what is what. Take the law out of the equation, you seem obsessed with that. The New Testament authors still spell out what is wrong, most of what is contained in the law, is still wrong. Period. I’m not worried about the law, I’m worried about what Christ said is wrong and what is right. You mentioned as well the quote on anything that is not of faith is sin. Well, then one that has faith in Christ, is not going to do all the things I have mentioned herein, because they are wrong.
I will not again answer these things. I have acknowledged you make some good points. You also tend to tell me I’m wrong most of the time.
God bless
Greg
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In your comments your disagreement with Paul’s gospel could not be more stark. Because you say sin was imputed from Adam to Moses, causing all men to be penalized with death because of Adam’s sin being imputed and inherited by all men. While Paul says it absolutely was not. And from this disagreement with Paul you have promoted a gospel that penalizes all men because of the sin of another.
And by doing so you find yourself in stark disagreement with the prophets because what you have believed is a rejection of Ezekiel’s teaching in Ez.18:20 where he says;
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
Yet from your interpretation of the Bible you have all men bearing the iniquity of Adam because he was the father of us all. So your disagreement with Paul is not an anomaly. It has become par for the course for you in regard to all of the scriptures as the example of your foundaional disagreement with these men’s teaching clearly shows.
Even so… Maranatha!!
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You are being ridiculous. Everyone sins, so everyone is guilty. It’s that simple. Your asinine accusations against me here are completely out of line.
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Since you are defining sin as a violation of the law then of course you would be wrong in saying that everyone sins. Because Luke tells us that Zachariah and Elizabeth both “kept all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless”. Luke1:5,6. And Paul says of himself “according to the righteousness that comes through the law blameless”. Phil.3:6. So we see there are at least 3 people who never sinned according to the law.
So unless you believe that these were guilty because they inherited a sin nature from Adam, which the Bible flatly rejects as ever happening, according to your way of interpreting the scriptures these did not need Jesus because they were never guilty of sinning as a violation of the law.
This problem is the result of a belief in the sin nature doctrine. Because only in it do we find that works play any role in whether one is saved or not. Paul’s gospel teaches no such thing. But, says plainly that “God is not imputing their trespasses to them”.2Cor.5:19. So that it is not because they may have been naughty that they are going to hell. But, is only because they have not believed in Jesus. Which is the only sin that Jesus said He sent the Holy Spirit into the world to reprove it of. The sin of “They believe not on me”.John16:9.
This is why Paul said it is by grace through faith without works that anyone can be saved. Because if works have anything to do with salvation then it can not be by grace.Rom.11:5,6;
“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Even so… Maranatha!!
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Ummmm, I would suggest that you study your Bible a little better. There has NEVER ever been a single human being outside of Jesus Christ who has not sinned. How can you possibly believe this???????
Jesus ONLY sent Holy Spirit to “reprove” the world of the sin of not believing in Him? Where do you get this nonsense from?
You are the one who mentions the law constantly, not I. It is sheer foolishness to believe that all have not sinned, the Bible in fact tells us so.
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