False Converts & false conversions

[evangelist6589]

The Lord has convicted me to focus on this theme this year in both my open air preaching & my nursing home preaching. The other week ago I stood up high on the stairs and on the walkway elevated and open air preached this theme for about 20 minutes. I had hecklers, but the gospel was preached. Next month I will be preaching at the nursing home and plan to preach this topic then as well. My best resource on this topic is Ray Comforts small book God has a wonderful plan for your life. I have the following passages of scripture to use on this topic.
2 Tim 2:19b
Mk 4:3-8
Mt 13:47-50
Gal 5:24
Mt 7:22-23

The NIV illuminates many of these passages in a far clearer way than most of the word for word translations that I looked at so I will use that as my standard translation when preaching. Does anyone have any other passages of scripture or any other books to recommend that I look at? Perhaps I may have a book in my massive book library that talks of this topic and is right under my nose. I very much enjoy Comfort and have much praise for him. However besides some issues with spelling, grammar, & citation style in his books, he also sometimes has issues with exegesis, so a deeper author may be better at times.


Thank you,


John

 

[preacher4truth]

You might take and read Jonathan Edwards "The Religious Affections."

This also is a short read:

http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/studies/serm2A.html

 

[evangelist6589]

You might take and read Jonathan Edwards "The Religious Affections."

This also is a short read:

http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/studies/serm2A.html

I have heard of that book. Is it any good?

 

[Oldtimer]

Preacher4truth, Thanks for the link.

Sure wish I had more time, this morn, to roam around The Old Time Gospel. http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/index.html

For example: A Defense of the use of the Bible in Schools written by someone who signed the Declaration of Independence. http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/know/bstudy20.html

Dr. Rush was an outspoken Christian, statesman, and pioneering medical doctor. He was a prolific author, publishing the first American chemistry textbook. In 1797, President John Adams appointed Rush as Treasurer of the U.S. Mint, a position he held until 1813. He also founded America's first Bible society. At the time of his death in 1813, he was heralded as one of the three most notable figures of America, the other two being George Washington and Benjamin Franklin

 

[preacher4truth]

I have heard of that book. Is it any good?

It's an excellent book. Don't expect an easy read though, take your time to think and process what he says as you read. One of the best books I've ever read. I will read it again some day, but I have a stack of books to get through right now.

 

[preacher4truth]

Preacher4truth, Thanks for the link.

Sure wish I had more time, this morn, to roam around The Old Time Gospel. http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/index.html

For example: A Defense of the use of the Bible in Schools written by someone who signed the Declaration of Independence. http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/know/bstudy20.html

You're welcome.

Brother, many of those old books are available for free download, and there are many other free books of those times as well, for free.

 

[Amy.G]

I read the majority of the article. Thanks for posting it P4T. My question is, what is this false religious "experience" the writer is referring to that makes people think they are saved? Why would God allow it?

 

[convicted1]

I read the majority of the article. Thanks for posting it P4T. My question is, what is this false religious "experience" the writer is referring to that makes people think they are saved? Why would God allow it?

There is a way which seemeth right to man, but the ends thereof, are the ways of death. Would this qualify?

 

[JonC]

When I read of the false religious “experience,” I think of the faith that James describes as dead and worthless. It is important to realize that religious experiences taken as salvation are not restricted to Christianity.

Why would God allow someone think that they knew Him, but in the end have Jesus tell them to depart? That’s precisely what the Jews thought – through their observances, they genuinely believed that they were pleasing God (but they were wrong). For them, it was in God’s plan to provide salvation to the gentiles.

 

[preacher4truth]

I read the majority of the article. Thanks for posting it P4T. My question is, what is this false religious "experience" the writer is referring to that makes people think they are saved? Why would God allow it?

That's a great question Amy, it really is.

I want to look into that, and will read this article again.

I think part of the problem is ones view of salvation, Savior, sin and more is to blame.

Many come to Jesus for salvation from other things than sin, and sin becomes thrown in there and secondary, while what they gain is primary. We know that if any man comes to Jesus to be saved from sins, being convicted, convinced, they will not be cast out, so are these others intruders of some sort?

Have you read "The Religous Affections" by Jonathan Edwards?

 

[preacher4truth]

When I read of the false religious “experience,” I think of the faith that James describes as dead and worthless. It is important to realize that religious experiences taken as salvation are not restricted to Christianity.

Why would God allow someone think that they knew Him, but in the end have Jesus tell them to depart? That’s precisely what the Jews thought – through their observances, they genuinely believed that they were pleasing God (but they were wrong). For them, it was in God’s plan to provide salvation to the gentiles.

Keep in mind these same who do this that you mention, and to all of us, we are called to look and see that our conversion is genuine.

Also, mens consciences will judge them, they know if they are genuinely converted, or not.

 

[preacher4truth]

One thing I like about what Jonathan Edwards said was this:

One of the questions is, "Suppose you were to die today. Why should God let you into his heaven?" A very common response is, "I believe in God." Apparently the apostle James knew people who said the same thing: I know I am in God's favor, because I know these religious doctrines.

I am glad he started with this. Another popular answer? "I'm a good person."

What part of that above quote is the presentation of the Gospel? Why is this being preached? Why are persons told this/asked this, then when they pray a prayer to get them into heaven, are baptized? There are many who don't even know what the Gospel is. Shouldn't we preach the Gospel instead, isn't it the power of God, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18?

I contend that many people in the church do not believe that before Christ they were 'ungodly.' Yet these are the ones He came to save; Romans 5:6. If asked for a show of hands of all who were ungodly prior to Christ within a church setting, some would balk at this, some would not see this, some would get quite offended. :tear:

 

[convicted1]

One thing I like about what Jonathan Edwards said was this:



I am glad he started with this. Another popular answer? "I'm a good person."

What part of that above quote is the presentation of the Gospel? Why is this being preached? Why are persons told this/asked this, then when they pray a prayer to get them into heaven, are baptized? There are many who don't even know what the Gospel is. Shouldn't we preach the Gospel instead, isn't it the power of God, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18?

I contend that many people in the church do not believe that before Christ they were 'ungodly.' Yet these are the ones He came to save; Romans 5:6. If asked for a show of hands of all who were ungodly prior to Christ within a church setting, some would balk at this, some would not see this, some would get quite offended. :tear:

I raise both of mine. If I were an octopus, I'd raise all eight. I praise Him for His saving Grace!! Hallelujah!!! Glory to God!! :godisgood::jesus::godisgood:

 

[DaChaser1]

That's a great question Amy, it really is.

I want to look into that, and will read this article again.

I think part of the problem is ones view of salvation, Savior, sin and more is to blame.

Many come to Jesus for salvation from other things than sin, and sin becomes thrown in there and secondary, while what they gain is primary. We know that if any man comes to Jesus to be saved from sins, being convicted, convinced, they will not be cast out, so are these others intruders of some sort?

Have you read "The Religous Affections" by Jonathan Edwards?

also realise that Jesus Himselfsaid that in end days, IF possible, even the very elect might be deceived, so think that if Elect can be esnared to a degree, that shows us how to make sure our election and calling from God is assured!

 

[JonC]

Keep in mind these same who do this that you mention, and to all of us, we are called to look and see that our conversion is genuine.

Also, mens consciences will judge them, they know if they are genuinely converted, or not.

I was also thinking of the instruction to test ourselves to be sure of our faith. It seems that we, as a whole, often become complacient in our faith.

 

[JonC]

I was also thinking of the instruction to test ourselves to be sure of our faith. It seems that we, as a whole, often become complacient in our faith.

Sorry, I can't speak for others - It seems that I, if I'm not careful in my own life, tend to be tempted by distraction into complaciency. I should consistantly be reasurred by the fruit of the spirit of my salvation, still sometimes I take for granted that faith.

 

[gb93433]

Hebrews 12:5, 6 points out one way of identifying those who are God's.
"and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives."

 

[evangelist6589]

It's an excellent book. Don't expect an easy read though, take your time to think and process what he says as you read. One of the best books I've ever read. I will read it again some day, but I have a stack of books to get through right now.

Same here.. I feel for you.