STOP JUDGING OTHER BELIEVERS!!!!!!

I recently commented on a link that a Christian “friend” named Frank had posted on facebook concerning that “masturbators” will go to hell. So, I simply just commented “Frank, we are all sinners.”

Then a day later, some guy named “Helmut” commented on Franks post saying: “ to [my name]...if you like "iron maiden" that shows you belong to the whore and not to the bride...cause the BRIDE loves holiness and hates demonic filth...so dont tell us we are all sinners-you live in sin but if you repent you can still become the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS...so decide whom you will serve and dont tell us your lukewarm oppinions here...” ~ Helmut

I assume that Helmut went to my profile and saw that I recently posted a link to an Iron Maiden song on my wall. This is what I responded to him with:

Helmut,
If liking a metal band called “Iron Maiden” is the evidence of belonging to the whore, then I guess believing upon the name of Jesus Christ means nothing to you. Listening to a certain kind of music is not a sin. Where in Scripture does it state this? Just so you know Iron Maiden is a band that has some Christian members. They quote prayers, excerpts from old Hymns and use some Scripture cited in their music and songs. They are just a band from England who uses a outrageous gimmick to make a living at what they love to do, which is to make music. But, that’s beside the point.
God’s Word tells me that I am His because of my FAITH in Christ and it is by His GRACE I am saved, it is a GIFT from God, not of works lest any man should boast. I am with the Bride because of what Christ has done for me, not because of what kind of music I listen too.It was in my place Jesus took my sins upon Himself in order to save me and all those who believe upon the name of Jesus Christ. I have put my faith and trust in Christ and His Word says that NOTHING can separate me from His love for me; not listening to a metal band or even my own sins. Why? Jesus took all of my sins upon Himself when He was upon the cross and He paid the penalty for my sin; and all the rest of the world’s sins as well.
People will not go to hell because of sin! People will go to hell because they do not have eternal life. And, the only thing that will send them to hell is unbelief and unrepentance. Without faith, no one can please God and without belief in the Son, no one has eternal life.
1 John 2:2 - “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
John 6:47 – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life (KJV).”
John 3:17-18 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (KJV).”
“Salvation is a gift, it cannot be earned, nor is it deserved, it is freely given by God.  Our part in this transaction is to “believe.” We must understand that we have a sin problem, about which we can do nothing, but that God did do something about, and we must believe this to be true. Then there are the two results:  Eternal life which comes to those who believe, and death which comes to those who don’t believe.
The key is repentance.  Unbelievers must repent, not only of their unbelief, but of all their sins.  Repentance was the message of every Jewish prophet as well as John the Baptist and Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 4:17).  Repentance is turning away from our life of sin and turning toward God in faith.  The only reason repentance works is because Jesus paved the way for us to turn in repentance with his atoning death on the cross.  God can’t ignore our sin debt because he is completely holy and just and cannot look on our sin (Habakkuk 1:13).  Sin must be paid for and we cannot pay it, so God sent his Son to pay it in our stead.”
Jesus died for SINNERS, not self-righteous bigots who think that their crap doesn’t stink (Yes, he did but you get the point). Yes, we are forgiven of all of our sins but as long as we still live in the human body, we will continue to sin until the day we get our new bodies. Yes, it is a struggle and yes, it is not easy. Even if we do sin, God is faithful to forgive us. Just so you know, I do pursue holiness but that’s nothing I have to prove to you. Only God knows the heart of man and I serve to please Him, not you. Therefore, for you to cast judgment upon me with without knowing the intentions of my heart are incredibly invalid and unbecoming of a Christian.”

Since then, I have checked back on that post and there was no response. I also “unfriended” Frank on facebook since then. I am not on facebook to argue back and forth about things most mature Christians should already know.

Here’s my advice to all Christians: STOP JUDGING OTHER BELIEVERS!!!!!!

It’s time for you to grow up. Get off the milk and baby food and get into the meat and potatoes! Our salvation is not based upon do’s and don’t, this day or that day or this food or that food. It is based upon what Christ did for us. It's called "grace!" Learn to exercise your grace with other believers! Our choice of music, art and our occupation do not matter to God. What does matter is our hearts. We did nothing to earn salvation (except believe in Jesus) and we can do nothing to lose it. The Apostle Paul said that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. If God loves us, who can stand against us? Iron Maiden? I don’t think so. Besides, it’s not any of your business if I like Iron Maiden or not.

Legalism, judgment of other believers or prejudices are not becoming of us. We shouldn’t even be mentioning to unbelievers the sins they commit while in private. Homosexuality and witchcraft are off limits. Yes, they are sinning but it’s not any of our business and we have no place to condemn people for what they choose to do wrong. Even Jesus didn’t condemn people during his earthly ministry, why should you? Sin is between the sinner and God, not you or any pastor, church or denomination. Yes, homosexuals are proud of their sins because they are convinced they are not sinning. Weren’t you convinced at one time that you were not sinning when you actually were?

However, if you were to tell them that, they would most likely hate you and be pushed away from the truth. Don’t you remember when you were sinning like that? Yes, they are wrong but we can show them God through our love and acceptance of them and not their sins without being offensive.

The best way to approach homosexuals and witches with the truth of the gospel is to ignore the homosexual and witchcraft issue and concentrate on the thief, lying and name in vain commandments. You should only use the Law for its original and intended purpose, which is to show people they are sinners. If the person is sincere in their personal relationship with God, the homosexuality and occult issue will eventually be repented against and forgotten. Their story will be a testimony and a witness of victory through Christ.

As mature Christians our job is simple:

1. We are to love God with everything we have.

2. Love our brothers and sisters as God has loved us (and accepted us as sinners)

3. Tell unbelievers about the Good News of Jesus Christ.

That’s it. Get over it, move on.

Is Tithing the Same as Giving?

Matthew 23:23 – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye give pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone (KJV- emphasis mine).”

The reason that the word “give” is not included in this verse above is because the Old Testament tithe was a command, an ordinance or a “rule” under the Law of Moses. In contrast, the principle of grace “giving” is found in Genesis 14:20, which is under God’s grace before the Law.

Genesis 14:20 – “And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he paid gave him tithes of all (KJV - emphasis mine).”

Please allow me to elaborate. In other words, tithing is not giving and giving is not tithing. Tithing is tithing and giving is giving. The difference is that in Genesis 14, Abram freely “gave” Melchezidek his spoils of war, which we can equate with monetary gain [property he stole and did not previously own as his very own]. May I re-emphasize that Abram was every wealthy BEFORE he was blessed by Melchezidek and his financial blessing was not a result of the “giving” of his voluntary Tenth (tithe). As a matter of fact, Abram kept nothing from his victory of war against his enemies.

Just to recap on our understanding, we must realize that the “tithe” is not money. It never was and never will be.

Tithe is Agricultural

Leviticus 27:30 – “all the tithe of the land”

Leviticus 27:32 – “the tithe of the herd”

Rules for Eating the Tithe

Deuteronomy 12:17 - “the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock”

Deuteronomy 14:22 – “tithe all the increase of thy seed”

Deuteronomy 14:23 – “the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks”

Deuteronomy 14:28 – “the tithe of thine increase [from the land]”

Tithes to Priests

2 Chronicles 31:5 – “the tithe of all things [the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field]”

2 Chronicles 31:6 – “the tithe of oxen and sheep”

2 Chronicles 31:6 - “the tithe of holy things [whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree” …it is holy unto the LORD- Lev. 27:30.]”

Nehemiah 10:37 – “the tithes of our ground”

Nehemiah 10:37 – “the tithes…of our tillage”

Nehemiah 12:44 – “the tithes…out of the fields”

Nehemiah 13:12 – “the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil”

Priests’ failure to Tithe […”even this whole nation”]

Malachi 3:8 – “all the tithes…may be meat in my house”

Tithing is Nothing to Boast About

Matthew 23:23 – “tithe of mint and anise and cummin”

Luke 11:42 – “tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs”

Thus, now that we know that the tithe is of agriculture and cattle origin, tithing is food and as we all know food must be eaten by the possessor…in the presence of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 14:23 – “thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God”

Deuteronomy 26:12 – “they may eat within thy gates, and be filled”

Who is “they” supposed to receive and eat the tithe besides the possessor?

Deuteronomy 26:12 – “the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow”

How often is this tithing supposed to be done?

Deuteronomy 26:12 – “all the tithes of thine [the possessor] increase the third year, which is the year of tithing”

The Israelite farmer or cattle owner tithed every year and every third year, not every Sunday morning or every week with an on-going income or money. The “tithe” under the Law was food, agriculture and cattle or flocks in the Land of Israel. To disobey the Law, was punishable as a crime against God Himself. Not even the idea of tithing itself is giving; it was a mandate, something that Israel must do! How can a “tither” be a “cheerful giver” without the privilege of choice?

The “giving” of the “tenth” from Abram was a free choice; it was voluntary, at a random event, with monetary gain, once! This is “grace giving” not tithing. The two are not even in the same category!

Zombies Ignore Bible Warnings - "Once Saved Always Saved"

This was a post on facebook that I replied to and the responses from Franks "friends" and myself. Frank posted this link (Zombies Ignore Bible Warnings to Stare At Pastors and Believe "Once Saved Always Saved") and this is what was said.

Zombies Ignore Bible Warnings to Stare At Pastors and Believe "Once Saved Always Saved"

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fconditionalsalvation.com%2Fonline_books%2Fa_doctrine_of_demons&h=0AQEIv3D-AQGNW-WV59Iok51V-vdBWxxBqYoTt9lFYPo80g

My response to this post.

Me: I believe in "Once Saved, Always saved."

Frank: Link has hundreds of verses showing it is not biblical and the same presumptive lie Eve believe from Satan.

Me: Frank, the way I see it is that if I can't do anything to earn it, then I can't do anything to lose it.

Kim: To be "safe" ... why not live as though salvation can be lost, Jason? I try to be daily congnizant of Christ's suffering for my salvation. I do not want to do anything to demonstrate that His suffering allows me to continue in the flesh without repentance for any ongoing sin-nature that is part of my human-ness. Make sense?

Kim: What good is our own redemption if we continue to behave as the lost do? The main point is to share the good news of the Gospel and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ ... without taking that forgiveness for granted.

Bob: Ever lost or neglected or had a "gift" stolen from u Jason. This is Eternal Life we r talking about, we must listen to what the Scripture says. :).

Steve: ofcourse you belive it jason that way you can have your cake and eat it to..you dont really need to worry abouut holiness and youc an keep indulging in the worldy lifestyle and rock music and other things cause its all good right? any reading of teh first century writtings proives this osas notion to be from the pit of hell

Bruce: 

Jason, the modern church has perverted eternal security. the Bible is clear and says that you (I, we) must be found "worthy" of heaven to be saved. this whole belief that there is nothing we do to be saved is a lie too. you have to hear the Word, believe the Word, live the Word, repent and fave faith to be saved and all of those things are things that you do... Paul said, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"... if we did NOTHING to get to heaven, like the modern apostate church have you believe... then why work out your salvation? doesnt make sense. of course we have things to do. we have to abide. remain in covenent. bear fruit. love our enemies, forgive everyone... you are taking one verse and perverting it and that leads you to believing osas... you have to take the Bible as a whole to come to a conclusion of what it teaches. here a little there a little. precept upon precept. line upon line. the sum of the Word is truth...

Bob: wow a whole bunch of "conditional salvationists" feel free to request my friendship guys.

Me: 

I love just the way everyone assumes I live a life of sin-filled indulgence without actually knowing my hearts intentions. Steve, rock music is irrelevant just as any other style of music. By the way, only God can judge me so please stop and think before you "assume" anything about me because of my outside appearance.
Everyone else, just because I believe in God's gracious "gift" of eternal salvation does not mean that I abuse it by a sinful lifestyle. Just so you all know, I do pursue holiness every single day and I am working out my own salvation through Christ. I do live as if my salvation can be lost but I don't live my life dwelling on my sin either. Yes, I sin just like you all do, but I know that if I do sin that God is faithful and just to forgive me because of my faith in Christ and what He has done for me. I am found worthy of salvation because of Christ not because of anything I have done. I cannot earn my way into heaven or buy my salvation, I have put my faith and my trust in Christ alone for salvation and it is what He has done for me that makes me right with God. He paid the price for my sins, He died on the cross and spilled His precious blood for me, He was the one who rose from the grave and it is through Him alone that if I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that I am saved.

I checked back a few days later and no one commented further.

No Religion In Heaven

I don’t care if you call yourself a Baptist, a Mormon, Agnostic, Muslim, Wiccan, Catholic, Methodist, Buddhist, Atheist, Lutheran, Amish or even from the Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth. There will be no religions, philosophies or denominations in heaven. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then you don’t have anything.

Titus on False Teachers

Titus 1:10-11 says, “There are many men who will not listen or will not obey the truth. Their teaching is foolish and they lead people to believe a lie. Some Jews believe their lies. This must be stopped. It turns whole families from the truth. They teach these things to make money (New Life Version).”

Take this phrase in Titus 1:10, “There are many men who will not listen or will not obey the truth.” Generally, I can honestly say that I may know a few men like this description. They are cowards, afraid to confront scriptures about what they really say. And, when I say “what they really say,” I’m not talking about some sort of weird interpretation that what I think it means. I am talking about what it says at face value, within the context provided in Scripture.

Titus 1:11 says, “They teach these things to make money.” My question is, “what” kind of things to they “teach” in order to make money? Could it be about circumcision? I don’t think so: there’s no money to be made in teaching circumcision is there? The only thing I can think of is that they may charge a price for the circumcision; are there really back alley circumcisions, as they might say?

No, seriously. I don’t think it’s about that. I believe it may be more about how to gain money or financial profit through deceptive teaching. In other words, they probably twist Scripture in order to make it sound true, but it really isn’t. It’s kind of like the false teachers we have these days that do the same thing. They teach that tithing is actually money and you must “tithe” 10% of your on-going income every week in order to:

1. Appease the anger of God
2. To receive financial blessings back 100-fold.

 A false teacher these days will tell you that a “tithe” is actually 10% of your income when actually it’s not. That is a lie. Some false teachers today have even named this tithe money as “seed money.” Don’t forget what Titus said, “Their teaching is foolish and they lead people to believe a lie.” It’s foolish. Why? Because it’s not true and it’s foolish to think that it’s true when it isn’t.

Believe me when I say that out of the entire New Testament, there is not one recorded event of any Christians “tithing” money to a church or a ministry. As a matter of fact, no where in the entire New Testament is there any recorded event of any Christian ever “tithing” anything at all!

I sincerely challenge you to find out and do some research for yourself. Tithing is what Hebrews (Israelites, Jews) did under the Mosaic Law in Israel. Surely, you do not have to believe me but you should believe God’s Word when it says that “holy tithe” MUST be from all the produce of the land in Israel.

Leviticus 27:30 - “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD (KJV).”

Deuteronomy 14:22 – “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year (KJV).”

According to Strong’s Lexicon the English word “seed” mentioned here in Deuteronomy 14:22 is the Hebrew word “zera,” which actually means “seed” as in “to sow seed, scatter seed, produce.” Can you imagine that? In other words, it doesn’t mean MONEY!

Not only did the holy tithe include produce from the land but it also included all cattle and flocks that ate from the land of Israel. Notice that the Scriptures do not say ten percent but the “tenth.” In other words, if you only had nine cattle, you would not tithe but only when you gained (increased) to the tenth one.

Leviticus 27:32 – “And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD (KJV).”

Conclusion

There was a reason for this topic to be in God’s Word. If your pastor is trying to get you to “tithe” by giving more sermons on money, tithing or stewardship then he probably needs more money to pay his bills, remodel his house or pay his Lexus payment.  Your pastor should not desire to make money. His payment should be just as Paul’s was; which was, the opportunity to preach the gospel; that, should be his payment. If he really wants to live by faith, then he should do just that and allow the congregation to freely tithe give what God has laid upon their hearts in order to help the priest pastor.