Waking Up in Perdition
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Waking Up in Perdition
by Steve Camp
http://a1m.org/page.php?page=template1.php&pageid=c5a5f51af713edde5576e88f0fdb6ac4
The Wages of Trusting in a "Gospel" of Works Righteousness
The most frightening words anyone could ever hear would be those of our Lord found in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” Can you imagine, you called Him Lord; you did works in His name—even works of ministry; and He declares that you were only workers of lawlessness and that He never knew you? Thinking you were on your way to heaven, you wake up instantly upon your death in Hades in the full conscience of your sin, His Lordship and the eternal punishment that awaits you?—can there be anything more loathsome to fall on an unregenerate yet religious man?
Faith Works
Man’s best works, even those mentioned above, are nothing but “filthy rags” before a holy God ( Isaiah 64:6 ). Paul makes it abundantly clear that our salvation is because “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” ( Titus 3:4 ). Even when/if we had done all things in perfect obedience to the Lord, Jesus still calls us “unprofitable [or unworthy, useless] servants” ( Luke 17:10 ).
If all our righteousness is considered lawlessness; filthy rags; unfit to save us; and renders us unprofitable, useless servants damning us to an eternal hell—then how much more our sin, even the most insignificant or trivial of our failings from the standard of God’s law, His holy character and perfect Word, is sufficient to incarcerate us all in hell forever!
Rome's Religious Works: The Wide Road to Hell
Today, this very moment, such is the horrifying plight of Pope John Paul II if he continued in the false gospel of Romanist works righteousness to be saved (which he never recanted during his life in any manner whatsoever). The gospel of this Pope and of Rome has always been a false gospel. (This is what Luther and Melanchthon contended for and the reason for the Reformation: reclaiming the gospel of Sola Fide.) Romansim has always propagated a gospel of Pelagianism or Semi-Pelagianism: works+faith, rather than faith alone; merit+grace, rather than grace alone; inherent infused righteousness of Romanism+Christ, rather than the imputed righteousness of Christ alone - rather than the great Augustian biblical gospel. It's not that we (Romanists and Evangelicals) "have differences" about the same gospel. What Rome has always believed is a different gospel fulfilling Matthew 7:21-23 and Galatians 1:6-8. The Scriptures clearly state, without equivocation, that a rejection of the gospel of grace--justification by faith alone--is only sufficient to damn and cannot save--ever. If you trust in that gospel of works, you do not wake up in the glory of heaven in the presence of the Lord, but you wake up in perdition in the horror of your own righteous rags.
Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul when he powerfully rejects a gospel of works righteousness:
"For if Abraham was justified by works,
he has something to boast about,
but not before God.
For what does the Scripture say?
"ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS
CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Now to the one who works, his wage is
not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
But to the one who does not work,
but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is credited as righteousness" -Romans 4:2-5.
Could it be anymore clear than this?
The Pope's Best Righteous Deeds; Still Filthy Rags
The Pope by human/political/philanthropic evaluation was a good humanitarian; a political figure of peace; a champion for the poor and unborn children; a voice for human rights in oppressive countries; a caretaker for those inflicted with HIV/AIDS around the world; a faithful practitioner of religion; the recognized leader of a church with membership totaling 1.5 billion people; even one who is currently heralded by evangelical leaders giving profound praise for John Paul II being "the most beloved religious leader of our time"; "May his death remind each of us that some day we too must die and enter into God's presence -- and may we each commit ourselves afresh to Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for our salvation"; and "that the Pope didn't fear death, because all who are in Christ need not fear death"; he offered daily prayers to Mary; believed in the Fifth Marian Dogma (that she is co-redemptrix, co-mediatrix with Christ); adhered to the teachings of Trent, Vatican II and the 1994 Catechism of the Church; believed in the continual perpetual sacrifice of Christ through transubstantiation in communion; held to Purgatorial cleansing of sin; The Treasury of Merit; and believed that salvation was a matter of our works plus His grace. And yet, in spite of what are considered to be good acts of loving kindness, social justice, human dignity and religious piety, trusting in those things as evidence of one's salvation can only awaken one in perdition. Again, because John Paul II believed in a gospel of Christ plus works; Christ plus merit; Christ plus inherent righteous; etc. - for no one can be saved by the utter futility of salvation by works righteousness - he awakened in perdition and none can help him; not the Vatican; not Mary; not any Cardinal or Bishop. He is forever cut off without hope ( Heb. 6:4-8 ). That is why we should feel great sadness of heart for John Paul II, for now he has full knowledge of his eternal torment for he tried coming to God in another way other then how the Lord has prescribed through the pages of Scripture alone (John 14:6). The shocking reality is that ringing in John Paul's ears this very moment are the words “I never knew you; depart from Me you practice lawlessness.” He now knows that salvation is only by faith alone, through grace alone, because of the resurrected Christ alone, on the Word alone, to the glory of God alone.
Tetzel's Den of Thieves
Dear beloved, as we are watching the foolish parade of Pope John Paul's corpse through “Tetzel’s Den of Thieves” in Saint Peter’s Basilica, may we remember that because Pope John Paul II has trusted in a another gospel other than the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ( Galatians 1:6-9 ) the wages of another is death. Because of which he has spent already what must seem like an eternity under the holy wrath of a living God. And even this is but a foretaste of the torment that awaits him (Heb. 10:29); for one day he will be given a resurrected body for torment; and as he stands before the Great White Throne Judgment to hear the Lord’s final words of perditious sentencing; he will then be cast into the lake of fire with Satan and his demons, with Death and Hades, and with all who have rejected the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ( Revelation 20:13ff ). This is cause for great sadness, beloved, for even God does not delight in the death of the wicked ( Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11 ).
The Fear of the Lord and the Call to Repentance
Are you quickened today with the fear of the Lord? Is it by the terror of the Lord that you are persuading men to repent of their sins and follow Christ? Have each of us even on this forum trusted in Christ alone for our salvation or have we been spiritually charmed to believe that our works plus His grace somehow saves us?
This should cause us all to be moved beyond measure to share the gospel of grace with all that the Lord has sovereignly put in our path; to reach out especially to those who are trapped in the false religion of Romanism—Satan’s greatest hellish masterpiece on earth; and call to repentance even now evangelical leaders who are playing politics with God on CNN and FOXNEWS; who lack the courage, compassion, love and grace to call people to the real gospel of grace and warn them of the wrath to come if they believing in another gospel think they can be saved--a gospel of works ( the gospel of Pope John Paul II and Rome ) which is not another gospel at all ( Galatians 1:6-8 )—and ultimately denies justification by faith through Jesus Christ our Lord ( Romans 3:21-26 ).
Justification by Faith in Christ Alone: The Gospel According to Jesus
Listen to the words of Paul when he said, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” ( Romans 3:19-28 ).
As the Day Approaches,
Steve Camp
Col. 1:9-14 -
Hmmm...
So will I see the Pope in heaven? -
hmm...based on the article u posted. wats u answer?Originally posted by OrangeFreak:Hmmm...
So will I see the Pope in heaven? -
The article is something I do not quite understand.To me, it has a more of the vengeful God slant of the Old Testament.
To me..Pope John Paul II was a man trying to spread God's word in a increasingly stratified world.RIP. -
salvation is not based on the works we do.
salvation is from Jesus Christ and Him alone. -
True, but at what point does mere belief save you if you commit evil deeds.Originally posted by OrangeFreak:salvation is not based on the works we do.
salvation is from Jesus Christ and Him alone. -
it is not nothing was sacrificed for the salvation given. it had already been done on the cross of calvary.
so when one truly believes how he has obtained the undeserved salvation, he will be born again. he will be a new creation. he will be transformed.
i am crucified with Christ, i now no longer live, Christ lives in me.... -
Ah.I see.Originally posted by OrangeFreak:it is not nothing was sacrificed for the salvation given. it had already been done on the cross of calvary.
so when one truly believes how he has obtained the undeserved salvation, he will be born again. he will be a new creation. he will be transformed.
i am crucified with Christ, i now no longer live, Christ lives in me.... -
This article has 2 misconceptions about the Catholic faith:
1.Justification through works.
2.Salavtion through works.
What the Catholic Chruch actually teaches:
1.Faith(prequiste)
2.Faith inspired works
3.Salvation ultimaely up to God's grace. -
Originally posted by plo30360:
i believe the above 123 too.
This article has [b]2 misconceptions about the Catholic faith:
1.Justification through works.
2.Salavtion through works.
What the Catholic Chruch actually teaches:
1.Faith(prequiste)
2.Faith inspired works
3.Salvation ultimaely up to God's grace.
[/b]
but correct me if i am wrong, the catholic faith continues on from this 123, there is the purgatory part. doesn't this make the salvation received through Christ incomplete? and also about the immense attention that was given to the earthly mother of Jesus. -
Originally posted by plo30360:
yeah..faith is a prequiste if not no one will believe.
This article has [b]2 misconceptions about the Catholic faith:
1.Justification through works.
2.Salavtion through works.
What the Catholic Chruch actually teaches:
1.Faith(prequiste)
2.Faith inspired works
3.Salvation ultimaely up to God's grace.
[/b]
faith inspired works sound right...since faith without deeds r dead. but is this faith inspired works contributing to a RC's salvation? i
salvation is definitely up to God's grace. we dun deserve any in the first place. but is it up to God's grace after a RC has done his part?
the Council of Trent,
CANON XXIV.-If any one saith, that the justice received is not preserved and also increased before God through good works; but that the said works are merely the fruits and signs of Justification obtained, but not a cause of the increase thereof; let him be anathema.
Catholic salvation needs to be upkeep by constant performing of works and more works if not it will be lost. and i dun see that as being in line with biblical teachings. -
1.Purgatory has been mentioned in the Bible not by name but by metion in several places. Its makes sense because even the most holiest Christian is not spotless(sinless) at the hour of death. It does not mean that Christ's sacrifcie is in vain, on the contrary purgatory enables us to reach God in a purified state after having accepted salvation.
i believe the above 123 too.
but correct me if i am wrong, the catholic faith continues on from this 123, there is the purgatory part. doesn't this make the salvation received through Christ incomplete? and also about the immense attention that was given to the earthly mother of Jesus.
2. Regarding Mary, it has been debated countless times so I shall not go into that here,if you want you can take a look at JWorld's article.
Salvation once accepted cannot be lost unless:
the Council of Trent,
CANON XXIV.-If any one saith, that the justice received is not preserved and also increased before God through good works; but that the said works are merely the fruits and signs of Justification obtained, but not a cause of the increase thereof; let him be anathema.
Catholic salvation needs to be upkeep by constant performing of works and more works if not it will be lost. and i dun see that as being in line with biblical teachings.
You claim to believe in Christ but live a life totally opposite.
That tract that you have quoted simply means:
You can't profess Christ believing once you have done that, you don't need to carry out the Christian life(works). -
plo, are you a cathecist teacher? Anyway, I'm so proud of you.Originally posted by plo30360:Salvation once accepted cannot be lost unless:
You claim to believe in Christ but live a life totally opposite.
That tract that you have quoted simply means:
You can't profess Christ believing once you have done that, you don't need to carry out the Christian life(works).
-
If Jesus did not die for us, what is the use of doing all these good works?Originally posted by OrangeFreak:it is not nothing was sacrificed for the salvation given. it had already been done on the cross of calvary.
so when one truly believes how he has obtained the undeserved salvation, he will be born again. he will be a new creation. he will be transformed.
i am crucified with Christ, i now no longer live, Christ lives in me....
And so He did. Does this mean we should not do any good works, since works will not lead us to heaven? -
Romans 2:6-7 states:
He will render to each one according to his works; to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life...
However, this doesn't mean salvation is obtain from works. No amount of works alone can get us to heaven.
Salvation is to everyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The righteous shall live by faith in Jesus. (Romans 1:16-17)
However, faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)
Thus, the sequence should be similar as follows:
1. Faith in Jesus (salvation)
2. Convictions
3. Service/Ministry (work)
In short, we obtained our salvation through faith in our merciful Lord Jesus Christ. With His prompting and calling, we will serve Him and His people as a form of response to His love. -
Neither will faith alone without any works bring you to heaven.Originally posted by OrangeFreak:Romans 2:6-7 states:
He will render to each one according to his works; to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life...
However, this doesn't mean salvation is obtain from works. No amount of works alone can get us to heaven.
Salvation is to everyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The righteous shall live by faith in Jesus. (Romans 1:16-17)
However, faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)
Thus, the sequence should be similar as follows:
1. Faith in Jesus (salvation)
2. Convictions
3. Service/Ministry (work)
In short, we obtained our salvation through faith in our merciful Lord Jesus Christ. With His prompting and calling, we will serve Him and His people as a form of response to His love.
Otherwise, what's the point of Jesus' teaching and commandments?
All good works derived from Jesus' last commandment : Love one another as I have loved you.
This has been conveniently neglected by many who stick strictly to Sola Scriptura, who mistakenly think that reading the bible every day (at least 1 verse or 1 chapter a day) is all that Jesus wants us to do.
Thank goodness, not all Christians believe in such wrong teachings. Otherwise the Christian world will turn out to be a selfish loveless world, won't it? -
Even if you believe in the above, you still can't condemn the Pope, because we know that he had faith in Jesus, has conviction in God, and served God and His people faithfully and all the way.Originally posted by OrangeFreak:Romans 2:6-7 states:
He will render to each one according to his works; to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life...
However, this doesn't mean salvation is obtain from works. No amount of works alone can get us to heaven.
Salvation is to everyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The righteous shall live by faith in Jesus. (Romans 1:16-17)
However, faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)
Thus, the sequence should be similar as follows:
1. Faith in Jesus (salvation)
2. Convictions
3. Service/Ministry (work)
In short, we obtained our salvation through faith in our merciful Lord Jesus Christ. With His prompting and calling, we will serve Him and His people as a form of response to His love. -
Yes.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Even if you believe in the above, you still can't condemn the Pope, because we know that he had faith in Jesus, has conviction in God, and served God and His people faithfully and all the way. -
It is clearly stated in the scriptures that it is the faith in Christ alone, that we have been given salvation/eternal life. Even from the beginning. Abraham was not deemed righteous because of what he did before or after his covenant with God.Originally posted by FrustMom:Neither will faith alone without any works bring you to heaven.
Otherwise, what's the point of Jesus' teaching and commandments?
Romans 4: ... Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.
As I mentioned in my previous post, service/ministry is an outflow of our response to God's love for us. It is not how much we do that will secure us the eternal life. If Christians truly understands the gospel of Christ, they will serve on their own accord. But this should not be that they want to work their way up heaven.
I am not trying to discount the worth of the good works, in fact, I yearn to see more Christians being salt and light to the world. As i quoted at the very beginning of my previous post, God does delight one who obeys Him and does His callings. (Romans 2:6) Just that admist our serving, we do not see that these works that we are doing are going to bring us to heaven and we will be clear that it is in Christ and Him alone, we have been redeemed.
Please understand that there isn't condemnation towards the late Pope. -
Whether or not he is faithful, its not for us to judge him anyway.Originally posted by SingaporeMacross:Even if you believe in the above, you still can't condemn the Pope, because we know that he had faith in Jesus, has conviction in God, and served God and His people faithfully and all the way.
-
ya.....judging is not the job of human beings.
but we need to rebuke, warn and correct when something is wrong. sitting on the fence dun save a person too.
i guess the point orange wanna bring across is abt the true gospel and the false gospel.
True gospel = salvation through Christ Jesus. By grace alone, through faith alone. no more, no less.
False gospel = salvation through Christ Jesus. By grace alone, through faith plus some more good works. got more, cannot be less. -
In the first place how do you know you are correct? And I believe here is another misconception:Originally posted by NeonTetra:ya.....judging is not the job of human beings.
but we need to rebuke, warn and correct when something is wrong. sitting on the fence dun save a person too.
i guess the point orange wanna bring across is abt the true gospel and the false gospel.
True gospel = salvation through Christ Jesus. By grace alone, through faith alone. no more, no less.
False gospel = salvation through Christ Jesus. By grace alone, through faith plus some more good works. got more, cannot be less.
1.that works increase salvation
Refering back to tract you quoted you have to view all the corrosponding tracts and you will see that church fathers were not saying that works increase salavation, rather that salvation cannot be taken for granted.