Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[Meadow]

I really have enjoyed reading this thread. I think it's normal to have moments when we become worried about being "left behind". But I try to always remember that Jesus himself said to us (believers)......."I will never leave you nor forsake you". :)

[Biblenuggetlady]

In answer to MacArthur's "denomination", he is non-denominational.

He is saying that there is no such thing as "easy believism". Many feel you say a prayer and then live like the world and still call themselves saved. It is a life long work He does in us, if we are not submitted to Him and the work He wants to do in us, then how can you call yourself His? He does not ever state you can earn your salvation, never, never, never. He says that we must deny ourselves and follow Him. If He is Lord, then we are slave, we must be totally submissive to Him. This should not be offensive, just because "Islam" perverts these words. We shouldn't see submission as burdensome either, but joyfully because of all He has done for us. We need to nail our sin, faults, unholy desires to the cross. Jesus said that following Him may require losing family, your own parents or children, due to your faith, and He said if you are not willing to do that, you are not worthy of Him. It is not a work, it is walking in faith, trusting that our reward is in heaven, not here on earth. There are SO many wolves in the pulpits these days who are only too happy to make people feel good about themselves and trust in their "own goodness" to get them to heaven. There is not ONE who is good, except Christ. When we come to faith in Jesus and realize how truly wretched we really are, we should fall at the foot of the cross in shame, and cry out for Him to save us from our own wretched nature. You will submit to either Him, or satan lies at your door waiting to pounce and then it will be him you will submit to.

[champion]

AMEN!!! I am proud to be a slave for Jesus after all he did for me!!

[Caver]

AMEN!!! I am proud to be a slave for Jesus after all he did for me!!

Amen...

Teach me...
Mold me...
Use me...
Discipline me...
Grow me...

To be Salt and Light...
Without pride...
Humble...
And meek...


Probably I will never reach these lofty aspirations, but I think Pastor MacArthur is instructing me to aspire to these goals. And I agree.

As Sassy Granny said, I get uneasy

when he wields a sword sharper than God's own word.
But his intent is clear and, IMHO, right. Submit, give yourself over to Him. His yoke is light and the rewards are eternal and the path leads to the "narrow gate".

As long as it seems, we are here but for a short season when compared to eternity.

[Kvat3r]

Ok...I have a question. I am a born again Christian...I have Jesus 100% completely in my heart. And my question with the rapture is this...
Since I have become a Christian I have had a couple of relapses, and when those relapses happened I felt so convicted I could hardly stand to be in my skin. But what if...I had another relapse (not to say that I will) but if I did and Jesus came back that very day....would he take me..even though I was willfully sinning against him?
I kinda wonder sometimes. It's just a question so I hope no one attacks me. Couldnt it be a possibility that some Christians will be left behind to face the tribulation to get there hearts right with the Lord. In the book of Revelations Jesus is talking to the churches....He is telling each one what is wrong with it, and there is only one church that doesnt have anything held against it. He says if the others dont repent.....there would be severe trouble to face. I dont know, it just kinda makes me wonder.

[Kvat3r]

Ok...I have a question. I am a born again Christian...I have Jesus 100% completely in my heart. And my question with the rapture is this...
Since I have become a Christian I have had a couple of relapses, and when those relapses happened I felt so convicted I could hardly stand to be in my skin. But what if...I had another relapse (not to say that I will) but if I did and Jesus came back that very day....would he take me..even though I was willfully sinning against him?
I kinda wonder sometimes. It's just a question so I hope no one attacks me. Couldnt it be a possibility that some Christians will be left behind to face the tribulation to get there hearts right with the Lord. In the book of Revelations Jesus is talking to the churches....He is telling each one what is wrong with it, and there is only one church that doesnt have anything held against it. He says those that have an ear listen to what the spirit is saying to the churches...to him who overcomes I will give the right...to sit in the paradise of God, or eat of the tree of life..etc. He says if the others dont repent.....there would be severe trouble to face. I dont know, it just kinda makes me wonder.

[Gideon]

Just heard a sermon on this subject this morning.

Matthew 22:14
"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

The Pastor's summary amounts to this. You can be invited to the wedding feast but you can't wear what you have been wearing. You have to come dressed in the robe of righteousness. That is not just calling yourself a Christian. You have to repent (stop the sinning) and change. Or in other words be born again. If you have not changed you will be standing with the many. If you have changed you will be with the few.

[Caver]

Ok...I have a question. I am a born again Christian...I have Jesus 100% completely in my heart. And my question with the rapture is this...
Since I have become a Christian I have had a couple of relapses, and when those relapses happened I felt so convicted I could hardly stand to be in my skin. But what if...I had another relapse (not to say that I will) but if I did and Jesus came back that very day....would he take me..even though I was willfully sinning against him?
I kinda wonder sometimes. It's just a question so I hope no one attacks me. Couldnt it be a possibility that some Christians will be left behind to face the tribulation to get there hearts right with the Lord. In the book of Revelations Jesus is talking to the churches....He is telling each one what is wrong with it, and there is only one church that doesnt have anything held against it. He says if the others dont repent.....there would be severe trouble to face. I dont know, it just kinda makes me wonder.

Again, we have to go back to what Jesus said to us, in scripture...... Rom 10:8-11 with particular attention to Rom 10:9




8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

If we cannot take His own words to the bank with full confidence, are we not letting the old dragon have too much sway in our life?

[jgreen0227]

Every true believer in Christ as Savior will go in the Rapture. Relapse or not...we all deal with sin...we all fall short....we all relapse all the time. It's impossible to not sin. This is why Jesus overcame sin for us and paid the penalty of death for us. Now will there be "so called christians" left? Yes there will be...the ones who look the part and do all the traditions (works), but never truly believed in Yeshua as Savior...they just go to church thinking that is what gets them in. It's nothing we can do to earn our way in...faith and faith alone.

Ephesians 1:13-14
13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

[Norrin Radd]

I really don't like John MacArthur using the terms 'slave' and 'submission' in his sermon. That is EXACTELY what Islam is and what they teach and what Islam even means - slave/submission.

Also, he makes it sound that you can get to heaven by your own hand which is supposed to be impossible. The only way to the Father/Yahweh/God is thru the Son/Yeshua/Jesus.

Am I the one who is wrong ???

MacArthur does not believe you can earn your way to heaven. He agrees with what the Bible says - By grace you are saved not by works, but if you are saved then the idea is that there is evidence of your faith is made crystal clear in the Bible. Faith without works is dead. You will know that you are my disciples by their love. The fruits of the spirit. If you deny Christ than you are not His. Read the Gospel According to Jesus by MacArthur.

If God has given you a gift there has to be evidence it. If you say that God has given you a singing voice and you can't carry a tune then the lack of evidence of that gift may mean you never received that gift.

Slave of Christ is absolutely Biblical not a MacArthur idea or anyone else. The ideas of Islam and the Gospel of Jesus is as different as can be.

You must be a slave to Christ in order to be a disciple. The idea of being a slave is the core of Christianity.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa5XuUV-lwA