Faith – Repentance & Faux-Christianity

Jesus said,

 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  Matthew 7:15

Let’s discuss false teachers, false doctrine, that is pointing millions of sincere people to the Gates of Hell.  Topics of discussion…

  • Is Repentance necessary for Salvation?
  • Can we, through the power of prayer, the power of words, manipulate God to bless us with Health, Wealth – Prosperity?
  • Does the Lord hear the prayer of the unrighteous, the unsaved, the unredeemed?
  • What is the Biblical definition of Salvation and how does one achieve it?
  • Warning: pictures/photos of aborted children are contained within this article.

By: Rickey D. Holtsclaw

Bible better than College

“The Christian religion is the best religion that has ever been given to man.” – Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson Memorial

“Education is useless without the Bible.” – Daniel Webster


Article Objectives

The objective of this article is to discuss the following…

  1. First, I would like to take a few minutes and provide some background, specifically landmark Supreme Court Decisions, that have led to America’s compromise with the demonic ideology of Moral Relativism.  It is the tenets of Moral Relativism i.e. narcissism, hedonism, unrestrained sensuality, covetousness which has promulgated the lies under-girding 21st-Century Faux-Christianity.
  2. Second, I want to discuss the heretical teaching of Pastor Chris Kratzer, http://chriskratzer.com/, who heads up a ministry that appears to be focused primarily on the LGBTQ Cult[ure].  Mr. Kratzer espouses an “enlightened” version of the Gospel where he denigrates the teachings of the first two-thousand-years of the Christian Church relevant to faith, repentance, grace, God’s wrath, God’s Immutability. I believe Pastor Kratzer’s positioning on repentance ultimately blasphemes Christ and the Crucifixion – the suffering of our Lord for the redemption of mankind.
  3. Subsequent to discussing the heresy espoused by Chris Kratzer, I would like to discuss the false and demonically inspired doctrines espoused by “Prosperity Gospel” Teachers/Preachers like Joel Osteen and Benny Hinn; that is, the false narrative that our “words contain power” and through our words we, mere mortals, can manipulate a Holy, Just, Righteous, Immutable, Omniscient, Omnipotent, God to fulfill the lust of our heart and bless us with “Health – Wealth – Prosperity”  AKA “The Prosperity Gospel” that prospers the Pastor and spiritually cripples the people who desperately, naively, believe in the heresy.
  4. Biblical Salvation, what is it and what exactly does it entail?  The Gospel message and its application to our lives – a discussion.

Faux-Christianity – Causation

Premise: A Disobedient, Slothful, Lukewarm, Christian Church Begets Faux-Christianity…how did we get here?

  1. The United States Supreme Court in Engel v. Vitale (1962) evicted the Lord Jesus Christ from America’s Public School System.  In 1963, once Christ had vacated the premises, Darwin was invited into America’s Public Schools to infuse his demonically inspired, baseless, Theory of Evolution into the innocent hearts and minds of America’s youth. Evolution is the antithesis/the enemy of Creationism; therefore, Evolution promulgates Atheism and seeks to subvert the inerrancy of the Holy Bible.  Christians, for the most part, remained silent, complacent, compliant and submitted their children to the doctrine of demons i.e. Evolution.

“And I use that trust to effectively brainwash them….our teaching methods are primarily those of propaganda.  We appeal-without demonstration-to evidence that supports our position.  We only introduce arguments and evidence that supports the currently accepted theories and omit or gloss over any evidence to the contrary.” 

Singham, Mark, “Teaching and Propaganda,” Physics Today (vol. 53, June 2000), p. 54

“We cannot identify ancestors or “missing links,” and we cannot devise testable theories to explain how particular episodes of evolution came about.  Gee is adamant that all the popular stories about how the first amphibians conquered the dry land, how the birds developed wings and feathers for flying, how the dinosaurs went extinct, and how humans evolved from apes are just products of our imagination, driven by prejudices and preconceptions.”

Bowler, Peter J., Review of In Search of Deep Time by Henry Gee (Free Press, 1999), American Scientist (vol. 88, March/April 2000), p. 169

evolution - religion of evolution

2. One-decade later, subsequent to ten-years of the lies espoused by Evolutionary Theory which devalues life, January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court in the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade (1973), voted 7-2 to deny the pre-born child their 5th and 14th Amendment “due process” protections thereby permitting a mommy to conspire with her abortionist and the United States Federal Government to torture, burn-to-death, mutilate, dismember, murder, 60-million babies in subsequent years, mostly in the name of Moral Relativism e.g. “convenience” – a bloody form of birth control.  America’s posterity is murdered while their precious bodies, mutilated via the abortion procedure, are sold for profit.  Also in 1973, the Humanist Manifesto (Part II) was published which strongly advocated the murder of America’s pre-born children via abortion and in that same year the American Psychiatric Association declassified Homosexuality as a mental illness. The fateful year of 1973 will be seen as the turning-point in America’s history paving the path to destruction as a Nation – our Lord hates the hands that shed innocent blood.  Warning – if Roe v. Wade (1973) is not fully repealed very soon, God’s wrath will continue to be poured-out on the United States of America and on the people of that great Nation.  The people will suffer horrifically and America will be relegated to the status of a third-world Nation politically, economically and militarily.  Personally, I believe America has gone too far for too long and passed the point of no return – America is doomed as a result of its bloody hands of abortion and its rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ as King.  America’s Constitutional Republic, based on a voluntary adherence to the rule of law, cannot maintain its viability/sustainability when the tenets of Moral Relativism are the restraints on human behavior.  The Christian Church, for the most part, has remained quiet and compliant with the initiation of “Abortion on Demand” i.e. the shedding of innocent blood, the murder of 60-million babies since Roe/1973.

Caution: Photo’s of aborted children below….

abortion - 60 mil babies aborted and no church backlash

baby

 

abortion - baby on table top

abortion

Jesus - before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee

Jesus - you knit me in my mothers womb

abortion - legalized killing

god hates handswarn them

mary and abortion

mary_abortion
Aborting Baby Jesus in the Street

3. In 2015, the United States Supreme Court, in the landmark case of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), usurped the Holy Covenant of Marriage established by the Creator in the Genesis of time between one-man/one-woman and God; in place of God’s Covenant of Marriage, the United States Supreme Court authorized every form of aberrant sexual perversion as a Marriage Covenant.

As a result or consequence of these godless Supreme Court decisions, the Lord Jesus Christ has walked away from America’s bloody-perverse hands of iniquity and Satan has rushed in to fill this ominous vacuum.  It is an undeniable fact that pervasive LGBTQ behavior in a society is THE tell-tale sign that God’s wrath is on that society – see Romans 1:18-32.  America will continue down the slipper-slope to self-destruction as long as Roe v. Wade (1973) remains the law of the land and thereby implicates the United States Federal Government in the horrors of the holocaust of infanticide!

queers-kissingsame-sex-marriage

jesus - romans 1 18-32 better copy

 

transgendered-youth-and-suicide mental-disorderlgbtq suicidelgbtq-nationlesbian

babyonbiblegay history for kidsLgbtq - bsa lifts ban

In Twenty-First-Century-America, Satan’s demonic ideology of Moral Relativism reigns supreme in the Land of the “once” Free and Brave thus confusion, dissension, hopelessness, addiction, an overwhelming sense of peril permeates society and the one institution most negatively effected by this heretical, satanic influence, is the Christian Church.

Jesus - in the latter times some shall depart

moral-relativism

Recently, during a Twitter war between the representatives of Satan and myself, a member of the LGBTQ Cult[ure] sent me a link to the ministry of Pastor Chris Kratzer who is very influential in the LGBTQ Cult[ure] because this “minister” teaches the heresy that Salvation through Jesus Christ is not contingent upon “repentance,” but simply faith.  The LGBTQ Cult[ure] admires and supports Pastor Kratzer because he teaches and preaches that LGBTQ is not truly a sin and that aberrant sexual behavior is permissible conduct by a Christian – there is no requirement, according to Pastor Kratzer, that the LGBTQ repent of their sexual perversion and that God simply permits the behavior to continue by grace and mercy.  Mr. Kratzer is adamant that LGBTQ perversity or “sin” in general and God’s warnings relevant to punishment in Hell are basically allegorical, an over-statement, exaggerations by hateful, power hungry, controlling bigots, espousing an antiquated, outdated, no longer relevant, conservative, Evangelical Christian message; therefore, an eternally significant and relevant question presents itself for serious discussion and debate…

Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?

Let me be very clear and direct at this point.  Anyone who teaches or preaches that a man or woman finds salvation void true, honest, REPENTANCE is either deceived, ignorant of Scriptural truth or is teaching a gospel emanating from the pit of Hell. Repentance means to turn away from or to initiate a 180-degree turn away from willful disobedience, premeditated sin against our Holy God.  “Faith” AND “Repentance” are two-sides to one-coin i.e. Salvation.  Repentance, a turning away from willful sin, is the primary indicator that a person’s salvation is authentic and genuine!

No one who truly loves and adores the Lord Jesus Christ – no one who has truly experienced the “New Birth” and indwelling of the Holy Spirit can live in willful sin and disobedience to the Lord Jesus Christ – no one!  This is not to say that the Christian does not struggle with a “sin nature” inherited from our father Adam, but those who have placed their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ are no longer slaves to sin and death, for the believer is more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.

jesus - more that conquerors

Jesus - adam all die

No one, including the members of the LGBTQ Cult[ure] of death, can honestly confess they are a redeemed child of the Living God and subsequently willfully, unashamedly, continue in a lifestyle or deathstyle that is the antithesis of holiness, integrity, honor, dignity, for if one is truly “born again,” the old life has passed away and the new life in Christ is manifest.

Jesus - all things become new a new creation

Jesus - Hom Rom 6 1-14“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.  Such were some you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”  (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NASB)

Pastor Kratzer implies that the Conservative Christian who is honest, truthful, sincere, regarding God’s warnings relevant to sin, death and Hell are misguided, bigots, zealots, out of touch/out of date/antiquated – for God is love, according to Mr. Kratzer and it is unfathomable that a compassionate God would relegate the LGBTQ or any other sinner of good intent to a torturous Hell.  Chris Kratzer and other false teachers of his ilk are servants of the god of this World, Satan – and – it is Satan’s lies these false teachers promulgate and it is the soul of men, women, young adults, under their demonically inspired teaching that will suffer in Hell for an eternity.  It’s important for the child of God to recognize the “mixing” or debased confluence of spiritual truth with demonic deception as the words flow from the fingers/keyboard and mouth of false teachers…

Jesus said,

 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”  (Matthew 7:15)

jesus - repetence defined

Jesus - repent ye and be convertedJesus - repent all people of the earthJesus - repetence is proven by your deeds

Jesus - you are of your father the devil

Pastor Chris Kratzer is quoted as saying….

“Declaring the LGBTQ community to be living in sin, though there is strong biblical evidence to the contrary.”

In response, the Holy Spirit says…

Jesus - homosexuality - mankind is not to lay with mankind as with a womanjesus - the wicked shall not inherit the kingdom of god

 

 

 

 

 

 

male and female

Jesus - let her breast satisfy you always

Jesus - Romans 1 18-32

“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.”  (Leviticus 18:22 NASB)

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”  Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.  The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.  So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.  The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.  And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.  (Genesis 2:18-25 NASB)

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.  (1 Timothy 1:8-11 NASB)

Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.  And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,  just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.  (Jude 5-7 NASB)

And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.”  (Genesis 18:20 NASB)

“…and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.”  (Genesis 19:5 NASB)

Pastor Kratzer continues…

“Twisting God into a monster that finds justice and holiness in sending people to an eternal hell of unimaginable torture while there is clear biblical and historical evidence to conclude quite the opposite.”  With an alarming propensity, you are capable of using your faith understanding to spiritually justify the hate, harm, death, discrimination, and condemnation of people. “For if you can and are determined to believe in a god who created, sustains, and allows a hell of unyielding eternal torture for people who don’t love Him back in return and believe precisely as you do, then yours is a highly increased capacity to translate that same violence, harm, and spiritually justified hate into the attitudes and actions of your faith. So much of how we carry ourselves and the trajectory of our lives is a direct result of our views of God. If you believe in a god who self-identifies as Love while torturing the objects of His love in the eternal flames of hell, then don’t be surprised when people discern that you could do likewise: spiritually, emotionally, and physically—all in the name of Jesus and Love. In fact, some would suggest, this is exactly what your conservative Evangelical faith system already excels at manifesting.”  – Chris Kratzer

In response, the Holy Spirit says…

john-3-16

Jesus - you will die in your sins

jesus - I am the way the truth the life.jpg

Jesus - the richman and the begger in Hades.jpg

Jesus - Enter through the narrow gate

Jesus - book of life

Jesus - cast into the lake of fire

Pastor Chris Kratzer said…

“Partnering and associating with a faith system that has been an undeniable perpetuator [perpetrator] of some of the most evil manifestations on the earth—war, violence, discrimination, and greed—to name a few.  If this is the side of history you are determined to stand upon. If these are the flags upon which you pledge your allegiance. If these are the creeds to which you anchor your convictions, then no matter the goodness of your heart or intentions, there’s some sure things one can know about you with a scale-tipping measure of certainty.” – Chris Kratzer

In response, the Holy Spirit says…

Jesus - love one anotherJesus - you will find me when you seek me

Jesus - greatest commandments.jpg

“There is a book [the Bible] worth all the other books ever printed.” – Patrick Henry

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” – Patrick Henry

Pastor Chris Kratzer said…

“Let’s be clear, the days are long over for deflecting the people [conservative Christians espousing a literal translation of Scripture] who draw these conclusions and declaring them to be unfair and unfounded. For this is what it actually means, these are the real ramifications, and these are the undeniable dominoes that fall as a result of your faith choices.  If you don’t like it, denounce it and walk away.” – Chris Kratzer

In response, the Holy Spirit says…

Jesus - I change not

Pastor Chris Kratzer said…

“Until then, if you’re still an anti-gay, hell preaching, conservative Evangelical, Trump supporting Christian, don’t be surprised when these are the things good intelligent people surmise—including many of us who love Jesus.” – Chris Kratzer

The relevant prophecy by the Apostle Paul at the direction of the Holy Spirit says in response…

Jesus - in the latter times some shall depart

Jesus - warning to teachers of word

Warning – Warning – Warning

Health – Wealth – Prosperity Gospel – a Theological Teaching in Faux-Christianity that emanates from the pit of Hell…

We’ve reviewed and discussed the lie from Hell promulgated by Pastor/Teacher Chris Kratzer and evidence has been forthcoming that substantiates the fact that “faith” and “repentance” are essential to Salvation.  But beware of other similar false messages, lies from Hell, promulgated by false teachers such as Joel Osteen and Benny Hinn who preach a “health and wealth” gospel that says our “words have power” and that we, mere mortals, can manipulate the will of an Omnipotent, Omniscient, God by speaking these words and “believing” with “faith” that “our will” and “our lust” will be done.

Understand that prayers are the communicative part of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Prayers are not simply a smorgasbord of our petitions and demands of the Lord…prayer is a gift, a means of intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father where we give Him due praise and adoration; where we give thanks for His blessings and kindness; where we discuss our concerns, our thoughts and hopes; where we petition the Lord for His intercession in accordance with “His Will, not “our will,” “our lust.”

In my opinion, the greatest and most effective prayer is to petition the Lord for His perfect will in the situations that burden our hearts for there is NO more effective or better resolution for any circumstance of concern than the perfect will of our loving and compassionate God. Contrary to the heretical teaching of those who minister the “Prosperity Gospel,” remember that God is, allegorically speaking, the Potter (our Creator) and we are the “clay” (the created) and we do NOT possess the authority or the power to manipulate our God or pervert Scripture to coerce our Lord to “bless and prosper us” in the likeness of a Heavenly Santa Clause.

Jesus - you ask but do not receive because you ask amiss

Jesus - He is the Potter we are the clay

Jesus - lords prayer


Prayers of the Unrighteous

Another very significant spiritual misunderstanding relevant to prayer is the prayer of the unrighteous, those who are not saved, those who have not established a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through faith.  Those who are not “in Christ” are amazed to discover that their prayers are in futility; the prayers of the spiritually dead don’t rise past the ceiling of the room in which the petition is initiated…how can this be?  Fact is, the ONLY prayer from the lost that the Lord Jesus Christ actually hears is a prayer of “repentance and affirmation/acceptance” of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Again, the prayers of the lost, the spiritually dead, are in futility unless the prayer is one of repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through faith.

Jesus - prayers of the wicked
Proverbs 1:29, “fear” can be understood to mean: “They despised; i.e. rejected the Lord’s reproof with scorn or derision, sneered or turned up their noses at it.”  See: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/proverbs/1-29.htm
jesus - spiritually dead man
The “natural man” is any man, woman, child, who has not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  Though the Holy Bible, the Scriptures, are “penned” by man, the Scriptures were “narrated” by the Holy Spirit; therefore, the deeper truths, the clear meaning, a sound interpretation of Scripture are hidden from the “natural man” – I have often wondered if this phenomena is attributable to the compassion of our Lord seeing that culpability increases with knowledge – this is one of the reasons Jesus taught in parables.  When one is “born again” by the Spirit of God, subsequent to trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord, that person receives, is infused with, the Holy Spirit as a Guarantee of salvation – it is the indwelling Holy Spirit that enlightens our mind and our heart to understand the deep and rich truths of Scripture.

“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”  (2 Peter 1:20-21 NASB)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”  (2 Timothy 3:16 NASB)



  The Gift of Salvation – What Exactly is Salvation?

If you are sincerely seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ, understand that your relationship with our Creator is contingent upon you sincerely believing that Jesus Christ is God and that He died to pay the penalty for YOUR sin, a debt you could not pay. Mankind cannot “work” or be “good enough” to find favor with a Holy, Perfect, Just, God; therefore, Jesus, the perfect, sinless, “Lamb of God,” paid the price for your sin at the Crucifixion and it is your “faith” (your sincere belief) in what Jesus did for you that results in God giving you (imputation) the righteousness (a right standing before God) of Christ.  Remember, everyone of us has sinned (missed the mark) and fallen short of God’s standard; therefore, without the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to replace our unrighteousness, you will die in your sin and spend your Eternity in Hell.

Jesus - for all have sinned

jesus - all men be saved

john-3-16

This is worth emphasizing: Salvation is contingent upon a heart that is repentant for the sins done in the body and a redeemed heart i.e. a person who is Born Again by the infusion/gift of the Holy Spirit will, without fail, seek to live a life that is honoring to our Just, Righteous, Holy, Immutable, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus - Confess with your mouth believe in your heart

Whoever confesses, with their mouth, Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savor and sincerely believes in their heart that God raised Him or Her from the dead, that person will be saved and receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit as a Guarantee of their salvation. From that point forward, the man or woman, child, who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is no longer alone in this World nor are they alone in Eternity for they are infused with the Spirit of God and are redeemed, judged “not guilty” for past, present, future sin.  Remember, salvation is NOT a license to sin, for those who have been baptized into Christ through salvation have died to sin and they are a “new creation” the old ways of a sinful life have passed away.

Jesus - all things become new a new creation

Jesus - you will die in your sins
Please understand the significance of this Scripture.  Note that “He” is italicized meaning that it was added to the text for clarification, but Jesus is actually saying that unless you believe that “I AM,” (God) you will die in your sin.  “I AM” is the Holy Name of God as given Moses by God in Exodus 3:14. Jesus is God, the Creator in Genesis 1 and the Word of God in John 1 – the same God who humbled Himself, entered time in the form of a baby and willfully gave His life on a Cross for the redemption of mankind.  Jesus/Yeshua is the God of Genesis through Revelation, the Alpha and the Omega!

Jesus - In the beginning was the Word John 1

in-the-beginning

Jesus - all things hold together
Jesus Christ, the God of Creation, is the nucleus of life and all things were created by Him and through Him all things, every constituent element, is held together.
Jesus - absent from the body present with the Lord
A beautiful promise to those who have placed their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior!

Before we conclude: Let’s clarify, once again, the necessity of “repentance” as integral with Salvation.

Jesus - faith without works is dead

Faith without works [repentance-obedience] is dead.  Don’t misunderstand this Biblical truism.  No man can “work” or be “good enough” to find favor with God thereby “earning” them Eternal Life (or else Christ would not have needed to die)…it is only by “grace” (unmerited favor) through “faith” (a sincere belief) that one enters into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”  (Isaiah 64:6 NASB)

But, “works” or “right conduct” via repentance are the natural manifestation/resultant of true faith and the preeminent indicator that one is truly saved and has truly entered into a loving, eternal, relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boastFor we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB)

We are NOT saved by our “works,” but good works/obedience “subsequent to salvation” is the outward manifestation or outward indicator that our salvation is genuine and authentic.  If a person is capable of continuing in willful disobedience, a sinful lifestyle void a grieved and remorseful conscience subsequent to a profession of faith for salvation, that person’s salvation is in question and most likely NOT genuine. 

What are the indicators or manifestations that a person has been saved?

When a man, woman, child, initially enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, they are basically “spiritual babes” in the faith and it is through the “study of God’s Word,” the “hearing of God’s Word” and “prayer” that one matures in their faith.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB)

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”  (Romans 10:17 NASB)

“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”  (James 5:16b NASB)

As the baby Christian matures and grows in their faith, the “Fruits of the Spirit” will naturally begin to manifest in their daily life.  These “behaviors” are indicators that one is successfully maturing in their faith…not every Christian grows or matures at the same rate, some Christians remain child-like throughout their Earthly life, others mature very quickly as they fervently seek and do the will of God; consequently, our works for the Lord, during our tenure on Earth, will be judged for quality and faithfulness and we will likewise receive rewards for those works of faithfulness.  Remember, this life in the realm of “time” is, for all intent and purpose, simply preparation for Eternity…prepare well!

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”  (2 Corinthians 5:10 NASB)

Jesus - fruits of the spirit

Jesus - by grace through faith not works

Does the believer in Jesus still wrestle or contend with sin?

Does the believer, especially the new believer in Christ, struggle with sin???  I think it’s reasonable to say that many new Christians might struggle with the deception of sin from time to time (as a result of the “old” sin nature that remains), but it is through the power and strength of the Holy Spirit that the redeemed overcomes the Evil One (Satan) and the sin that burdens our soul. For many believers, as they mature in their faith, priorities change, desires change, perspectives change and life becomes oriented to the mind and will of Christ accompanied by contentment, peace, joy, satisfaction and an understanding/assurance that this life in “time” pales in comparison to the life that awaits us in Eternity.

“For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 2:16 NASB)

If and when a believer sins against our God, that sin does not result in one losing their salvation, but the believer is naturally grieved for their sin and asks forgiveness, not to secure their salvation again – for salvation is secure through the guarantee of the Holy Spirit, but the believer humbly asks, through prayer, for the forgiveness of sin in order to reestablish the “intimacy of the relationship” with Jesus Christ where there is true joy and peace – though sin does not threaten the salvation of the believer, sin does destroy intimacy and fellowship with our Lord; therefore, we humbly ask for forgiveness of our sins through prayer so that intimacy, joy, peace, will be restored – manifest in our lives.

Jesus - no one snatch them out of my hand

Be Wary of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

Please be wary of wolves in sheep’s clothing e.g. false, heretical, teachers like Chris Kratzer, Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, who preach a message that emanates from the pit of Hell. Want to know the Truth of God’s Word and develop a spirit of wisdom and discernment?  Purchase a copy of God Word, the Holy Bible, sit down and begin reading in the Gospel of John, then…Genesis, then…the entire New Testament, then….the entire Hebrew or Old Testament Scriptures.

Once you’ve completed your first read-through of the Scriptures, I suggest that you then purchase a Hebrew-Greek-Aramaic dictionary, perhaps by Strong’s that matches the version of your Bible, and begin a study in the original languages and “study to show yourself approved,” a workman for the Lord who does not need to be ashamed, but one that is firmly rooted and grounded in Truth; a Christian who knows the Word and needs no man to tell them what God’s Word actually says.

“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”  (1 Peter 3:14-16 NASB)

Allow the Holy Spirit to open the Scriptures for you that you might see Truth and Eternity. You will find answers to every question of life and you will find the greatest LOVE imaginable, a LOVE that is beyond comprehension.  The Holy Bible is our “owner’s manual,” a gift to mankind from our Creator and you are not complete or whole without the Scriptures firmly planted in your heart and in your mind. Life will NEVER be the same!  I confidently promise that you will never regret the time spent in God’s Word!!!

Jesus - Study to show yourself approved

jesus - the word of God is sharper

Jesus - eye hath not seen.jpgjesus - I am the way the truth the life

Additional information?  See…

Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?: https://bible.org/question/repentance-necessary-salvation

LGBTQ – Satan’s Agenda of Death: https://rickeyholtsclaw.com/2017/08/17/lgbtq-satans-agenda-of-death/

In the Beginning God – Why?:  https://rickeyholtsclaw.com/2017/09/27/in-the-beginning-god-why/

Thank you,

Rick Holtsclaw

Jesus said:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  (John 10:10 NASB)

 

 

 

4 thoughts on “Faith – Repentance & Faux-Christianity

  1. Rickey, I was glad to see and read your post talking about the heresy of Chris Kratzer. I know Chris quite well; my wife and I were in his church in Salisbury NC years ago (2007- 2009 or so) and in fact he married my wife and I. Back then he was a very good pastor and teacher and taught sound Biblical teachings. After his church folded, my wife stayed in touch with him on Facebook and through his blog occasionally, but we were increasingly shocked at how he turned into an apologist for the LBGT folks. It was pretty gradual, and she and I think that he was just so insecure from losing his church, and having to get a worldly job, that when he started blogging and first expressed his love and acceptance for the LGBT folks, and got the responses of appreciation from some of them, that he was seduced by approval and lost his way. I’ve been astonished at some of his posts (we don’t read them often, but my wife will look up his stuff from time to time) and I made several lengthy comments on his blog much like yours, in which I quoted verse after verse that called for repentance, including red letter verses. His response was that we can’t believe it just because it’s in the Bible because the Bible isn’t true. Some of his blogs included one that if his son came home from camp and told him that he had been “saved”, that he would tell his son that he didn’t need to be saved and that we are all saved from birth and there is no hell. My wife and I do a daily Bible study, we do a marriage devotional and then a Bible in a Year app, and often we’ll read a verse and one of us will say “See there, Chris” and just shake our heads at how he not only has fallen, but is a Pied Piper leading others away from the cross and into Hell. (He actually said that Jesus died on the cross “because it was in His heart”, not to save anyone) and I responded to that post as well.
    Bottom line is, I’m so glad you are shining a light on his heresy; that proves to me that the world still has hope and hasn’t slid into the abyss just yet. 🙂 As dismayed as I am at where he is now, I’m going to pray for his eyes to be opened and I hope you’ll agree with me in that prayer. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Paul…thank you for that insight. Fascinating! I became interested in the heresy permeating the Christian Community decades ago with the advent of Benny Hinn. I was invited to one of Mr. Hinn’s “healing revivals” and became an usher at the event so I was close to the stage where the spectacles would take place. I wandered off my post during one of the healing revivals and entered into a “back room” of the Dallas Convention Center during Mr. Hinn’s healing “show.” I stumbled onto what would change my perspective of the Hinn Ministry forever…in this “back room” I observed rectangular tables connected end-to-end around the perimeter and stacked on those tables was cash, checks, prayer requests…I don’t know that I’ve seen that much money in public display in my life. I personally watched as the poor, the needy, the crippled, the suffering, the lost, the deceived, walked forward for “healing” and gave their much needed money to Benny Hinn “the charlatan.” During one of Mr. Hinn’s “teaching” sessions I could no longer stomach the heresy and the Spirit within me was in torment…so I exited the Convention Center and sat in a lonely cemetery just outside the building. A man, possibly an assistant to Benny Hinn, approached me and said something to the effect, “Man…you better get in there…that’s where it’s happening.” … He was discussing the teaching session of Mr. Hinn. I advised the man that all I needed was right here…pointing at my Bible that I was reading…and it was during this period of time in my life that I opted to never trust anyone’s word relevant to my Lord’s Truth but to STUDY AND SHOW MYSELF APPROVED…A WORKMAN THAT DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED…RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH! Though my Lord has warned us that in the last days many will fall away from the Truth of God’s Word and give heed to doctrines of demons and seducing spirits…I remain amazed at the men, one in my own family who actually preached, who walk away from the Lord and compromise with this godless and lost World. That worries me for if these men can walk away and love this lost and dying-perverted, World…we must carefully guard and protect our heart and mind from the entrapment’s of the Evil One. Finally, I will agree in prayer with you for Pastor Chris Kratzer that he, through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, finds his way back home to God’s Truth. Mr. Kratzer’s heretical teaching is Eternally devastating when one considers the vast number of LGBTQ participants who are being deceived by Mr. Kratzer and are headed to a second death in Hell as a result. There is no salvation void true repentance of sin and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. God Bless you for standing for my Lord and God Bless you for your encouragement and your support. THANK YOU, Paul! Rick Holtsclaw

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