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MORE FALSE NEWS
There is nothing new about the practice of spreading false news. False news abounds about the triune God and His salvation. Paul wrote, “For I know this, that after my departing [death] shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them,” (Acts 20:29-30). The motive of these spreaders of false news is to persuade people to follow them instead of following the truth. A lot of false news has to do with what Christ accomplished by His death. One bit of false news is that Christ died equally for all men and therefore all men will be saved. According to this false news everybody is going to Heaven when they die. The true news is this: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death,” (Revelation 21:8). Another false news that is being published is that Christ died equally for all men, but accomplished the salvation of no one. Therefore, they say, sinners must do something to please God in order to get Him to save them. Some say, “be baptized” while others say, “make a decision for Christ,” and still others say, “pray the sinner's prayer” and as a result God will save you. The true news is that salvation is “not of works lest any man should boast,” (Ephesians 2:9). This is because the premise of this false news is in itself false. It is based upon the false news that lost individuals can do something to please God. The true news is this: “...they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his,” (Romans 8:8-9). God the Spirit must first indwell an individual before anything he does can please God. This takes place at the new birth which is “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God,” (John 1:13). The true news is that Christ's death actually accomplished the salvation of His sheep. The true news is that, “...this man, [Christ] after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified,” (Hebrews 10:12-14). Perfected! Christ offered Himself a sacrifice and by it perfected those for whom He died. He said, “...I lay down my life for the sheep,” (John 10:15). That is grace – unmerited favor! Sinners cannot and indeed do not need to add anything to Christ's finished work.
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