King James Bible Believers

There has been much said about Lordship Salvation and "easy-believism", in fact one could weary himself reading all the material from both sides. The reason for this devotional is an answer to a good friend of mine.

Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Heb 11:6 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 next absolute requirement is guilt and fear.

Adam hid because of guilt and fear. There can be no salvation without these.

Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Act 2:37 Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?

Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Psa 85:9 Surely his salvation [is] nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

The basic trouble with "easy-believism" is that it does not stress the importance of guilt and fear. You can talk about true conversion all you want, but unless there is guilt or fear present there will be false profession. The Romans Road lacks this as does many tracts and soul winning courses, this does not mean that salvation is not possible, for the ground could have been ploughed and watered already.

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

There can be no repentance without fear and guilt. A fine Christian lady, Sandra Rae, her turning point was hearing her heart say, "you are rotten".

If you examine your own salvation experience, prior to the new birth you will find a blend of fear and guilt.

I have heard promises made by preachers and soul winners that if you accept Jesus, all your problems will be solved.

If you accept Jesus Christ, this does not mean that the divorce proceedings will stop, the judge will not sentence you to prison, you will not lose your job, the foreclosure on your home will not take place, the illness you or a love one have will go away and many other woes will not come to pass.

The thief on the cross knew better, but still suffered the penalty for his crime. And he knew it.

Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

In fact, many times the consequences for becoming a Christian are negative. Families have disowned love ones, and in many cases it cost the Child of God his property, reputation, marriage and life.

I was saved by a self-serving motive did not want to go to hell and to rid myself of this burden of guilt!

Paul writes the first two chapters in Romans in order drive home the elements of fear and guilt to the reader. The Jews, which have the Law, are guilty and the Gentiles who have not the law are guilty.

Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Rom 2:14-15 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: (15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;

The worst state any man can be in is not to fear God or feel guilt over his transgressions.

Pro 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.

Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

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.

Mat 10:28 And 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.

In fact, to be practical, any man that can continually wrong people and not feel guilt is to be avoided. His conscience is dull or seared. He will harm you if given the chance.

No one comes to the Saviour on equal footing! Guilt produces abasement in some degree and repentance is the fruit of guilt for those that seek salvation.

Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Act 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

We repent toward God because we have broken his commandments and our conscience has produced this enlightenment, thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit.

We through faith trust Jesus Christ as our Saviour, not only because he is, but also we cannot come to the Father directly. Therefore, just believing there is a God will not save a man.

1Tim 2:5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.

And of course, Jesus is not a co-Saviour and any reliance on works; your church membership, baptism or tenets that teach that faith in him alone is not sufficient will not bring produce salvation.

First of all, a lost person can not be backslidden in the common scriptural sense; no matter how moral or religious he once was.

Yes I know that backsliding is referred to Israel in the Old Testament and what Christians really mean is out of fellowship, still this is the word we use

How many times over the years have we heard is he a backslidden Christian or was he ever saved in the first place when doing personal work. Now seeing that only God can know the hearts of me.

2Ch 6:30b for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

How long a duration of walking with the Lord before backsliding takes place, I do not know? Yet, I know that if there were no guilt on the part of the backslider, I would question his salvation and the means by which he claims have acquired it. There will be some self-condemnation according to Scripture.

1Jo 3:19-21 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (20) For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

Psa 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

The Lord through events will chasten and the Holy Spirit will produce guilt in the backslider’s heart. There is no joy in being backslidden. Guilt will see to that.

Burdens of weight oceans of shame

Self condemnations fingers of blame

Lurking and waiting for just the right time

Lest one should forget, guilt will remind

There is an archer prepared to strike

One arrow, an oracle your wrong not right

Shields of justification quickly display

Mount your defences, memorize what to say

III

Manufacture some armour, weapon in hand

Gird up your loins…arise and stand

An outbreak of battle soon will begin