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Now that I've had more time to address the issue...

What is "Justification"?

       Your dictionary says the word "justify" means: "To show to be just or right...to clear of blame or guilt; to vindicate." My dictionary even has a biblical meaning: "Justification by faith: freedom from the penalty of sin through faith in Christ" (The World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary). As I write, I have a feature on my word processor which justifies the margins on the page. That is, it forces all the letters at the beginning or the end (or both, if I desire) of a line to be exactly square; perpendicular. The word "rectified," or the expression "made right" means the same thing as "justified."

       When we are wrong, we need to be "made right." When we are sinners, we need to be "justified." Justification means the forgiveness of sins that are past. It has to do with the removal, through God’s grace, of our past sins!

       When we repent of sin, which is the breaking of God’s laws, God says He will forgive us. When He has forgiven us, we are then justified: made right, straightened out, rectified—forgiven!

       Then what? Does this mean we are then free to go out and do the very same things we just repented of? Of course not! However, when we have been forgiven, God expects us to live a life of overcoming!

       Here is a most vital point concerning the "grace versus works" arguments of so many nominal Christians. Millions have become convinced that there is nothing they must do in order to be saved. Instead of understanding that salvation is as the result of God’s loving grace, and that His grace forgives us from our past sins, they believe there is no obedience toward God required! Some have gone so far as to say once they have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, they cannot sin!

       How utterly ridiculous! Because one has believed Jesus Christ died for our sins; believed he or she should accept Him as Savior, does this mean that lying, cheating, stealing, or even murder are completely overlooked?

       Never forget that repentance and the forgiveness of sins is but the first step in becoming a child of God! Why would Jesus Christ urge us to overcome if there is nothing further we must do once we have accepted Him as Savior?

       He said, "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

       "And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father" (Revelation 2:26, 27). Keeping Christ’s works unto the end means holding fast to His teaching and His example. It means not only believing in the mighty works He accomplished here on earth, but continuing in His work during our entire Christian lifetime.

       Over and over again, your Bible says we must live a life of struggling against sin; a life of striving to overcome sin.

       Some of Christ’s most important parables dealt with how we are to overcome. Christ showed that God judges each of us according to our own individual talents and abilities; that each of us is to be rewarded in His Kingdom according to what we do with what we have.

       Notice, "He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

       "And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

       "But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. [Note this carefully! They would not obey. They detested government!].

       "And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

       "Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

       "And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

       "And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

       "And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

       "And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

       "For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

       "And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

       "Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

       "And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

       "(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

       "For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

       "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me" (Luke 19:12-27).

       This is a profound parable. Clearly, Christ showed that the man who doubled his money with only five pounds (the King James English Bible uses the English "pound sterling" instead of dollars, or Hebrew coin) accomplished just as much as the man who doubled his money with ten pounds. The only difference was in their natural gifts; their natural several abilities.

       The attitude of the enemies was one of rebellion against laws. They resented any rulership over them. Christ shows those who rebel against God as the RULER are to be slain.

       Notice that each one of the servants was GIVEN a certain amount. Salvation is GIVEN of God through Christ’s sacrifice. But once God has freely GIVEN us forgiveness and salvation because of His loving grace and mercy, He expects us to live a life of overcoming. The servants were each given a gift of money. They didn’t earn it. But after receiving the free gift, they were expected to produce; to use the gift they had received.

       The parable clearly shows that we are to "Grow in grace and knowledge"; that we are to overcome when we have been converted.

       The parable of the "talents" is a similar example (Matthew 25:14-30).

       In the famous "Sermon on the mount," Jesus Christ showed there is struggle and difficulty involved in overcoming. He clearly showed some would seek to enter in to His kingdom, and would not be able. His words are completely incompatible with the concept of "no works" following our repentance and baptism.

       Christ said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

       "Because strait [meaning difficult, tortuous] is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13, 14). A little later in this passage, He said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

       "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

       "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness]" (Matthew 7:21-23).

       These rebellious, lawless ones have works, whether they know it or not, but their works are "works of lawlessness," or rebellion toward God’s laws, not the good works God wants to see in our lives.

       Millions call Jesus Christ "Lord." They continually speak of how they "love the Lord," and become emotional about "praising the Lord." Jesus Christ asks of all these: "And why call ye me ‘Lord, Lord’ and DO NOT THE THINGS WHICH I SAY?" (Luke 6:46).

How do We PROVE We Have Faith?

       Countless numbers of professing Christians believe they are saved by "faith." All their lives, they have heard the message, "Only believe." They have heard repeatedly that they must only "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." They have heard almost none of the scriptures you have just read; almost none of the scriptures that show obedience to God must be coupled with our belief, or else our belief is in vain. By selective "proof texting," such as you saw at the beginning of this booklet, deceivers quote only part of a phrase, or carefully select certain verses to prove their point, while avoiding others.

       Millions believe we are saved by "faith alone." They have heard, over and over again, "By grace are you saved through faith."

       But what is faith?

       "Faith is the substance [ground, or confidence] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Even faith is a gift from God. It is not something we can stir up, or create within ourselves (Ephesians. 2:8). A few verses later, we read, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews. 11:6). The apostle James said there is a way to demonstrate our faith. He wrote, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

       "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

       "And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

       "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

       "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

       "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble [Satan the devil is a believer. He knows God exists. He has seen Him; He has tempted Jesus Christ up close, in person! Never forget, the devil "believes!"],

       "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

       "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

       "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

       "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.
       "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

       "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

       "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:14-26). Can scripture be any plainer? There are works which must be accomplished; the kind of works Christ described. First, there is the work of God, of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God to all the world as a witness. Then, there is the work of feeding the flock of God. Then, there is the work of the church, and the work of each individual Christian.

       What kind of work? First, love and obedience to God. Second, love toward fellow man. James wrote, "If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

       "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

       "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:8-10).

       All the mainstream churches believe in accomplishing "good works." They conduct missionary efforts, build hospitals, shelters, and homes for the elderly and homeless. They conduct flood and clothing drives for the poor. All this is admirable. However, they do not believe that last line of James’ statement, nor do they believe most of the scriptures you have been reading! The fourth commandment is the one they reject.

       But the Word of God says if we break even one point of God’s Ten Commandments, we are guilty of all of them. Clearly, God is telling us He holds Sabbath-breaking on the same level as idolatry or murder!

Jesus Christ Said We Must "Overcome."
Does That Means We have Something to DO?

       Again and again, Christ tells us we must overcome in order to inherit eternal life. Overcoming requires effort. It requires work, not just "belief" or "faith" with no proof of our faith, which James clearly urged.

       Notice how Christ said it was those who overcame sin in the flesh who would be saved. "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7). "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it" (Revelation 2:17). "And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

       "And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father" (Revelation 2:26). There are no "nations" up in heaven. The Kingdom of God will rule HERE, on this earth (Isaiah 2; Isaiah 11; Micah 4; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 19; Revelation 20:4).

       There are three major forces we must overcome. We cannot overcome any one of the three without the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit, which is only given to them that obey God (Acts 5:32).

       The first major force is Satan, who is the present evil world ruler (2 Corinthians 4:4); the "prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), and is pictured as a "roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Satan has deceived all nations from the very beginning (Revelation 12:9). Remember, a deceived person can be a very nice person; one who is honest, sincere, hard-working; the kind of a person you might like for a neighbor.

       Being deceived connotes honesty and sincerity by definition. If we know we are deceived, then we are not deceived! One of the most difficult things for a human being to do is to admit he or she has been wrong. It goes against ego; against vanity; against our self esteem. Yet, no matter how sincere; how trusting and believing we might have been, it is very possible we have been deceived by Satan and his ready-made world.

       The second major force is this evil world around us; society, with its manifold danger, frustrations and temptations. You live in a time when mankind possesses several different methods by which all life could be exterminated; an age of nuclear proliferation, the population explosion, spreading, pandemic disease, malnutrition and starvation; an age of brutal despotism and suppression of human rights. You live in the age of total trash in entertainment and in literature. The forces at work around us from radio, television, magazines, books, and from society itself are at work to destroy character, destroy the home and family, corrupt our youth, and can cause us to lose out on God’s Kingdom! Parents know they must carefully monitor what their children watch on television; that most of what is provided for children should never be put into any child’s mind.

       The third major force is our own human nature which is filled with physical, carnal pulls. Because we are fleshly, material beings, we tend toward material things. Paul wrote, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

       "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

       "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

       "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:4-7). Because we are fleshly; because we are physical creatures with physical senses, we tend to "mind the things of the flesh" far more than to mind "the things of the Spirit."

       Does anyone believe for an instant that it does not require effort, concentration, determination, struggle—WORK, to overcome these three great forces?

       It does not require "works" to BE SAVED! But once God has saved us from certain destruction in Gehenna fire through His loving grace, He requires us to quit sinning! Talk to any former smoker who finally managed to quit, and ask him or her if it required EFFORT; a STRUGGLE; WORK, to quit! Talk to any former alcoholic, and ask the same question! God FORGIVES sin, and, once He has graciously forgiven us, He tells us we must strive with all that is in us, and with the help of His Holy Spirit, not to live any further in sin. That means He requires us to live a life of overcoming. Paul wrote extensively about grace, justification, and the struggle to overcome the great trials in this life. Speaking of material things in contrast to the great prize of the resurrection, and co-rulership with Christ, He said, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, [material things; physical possessions] and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

       "And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

       "That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;

       "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

       "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

       "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

       "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:8-14). Read that again! Notice that Paul, unlike some who have been deceived by false teachers, did not "count himself to have apprehended," or to have already achieved the Kingdom of God, but he "followed after" the great prize of God’s Kingdom! He pressed toward the mark, like a long-distance runner who sees the finish point ahead, and who puts on a burst of speed to win the race!

       What are all these scriptures doing in the Bible if one may be saved merely by belief, and profession of Christ?

       Christ was asked about whether the many or the few would be saved: "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And He said unto them,

       "Strive [this connotes a struggle — hard work!] to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

       "When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

       "Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

       "But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

       "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the Kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

       "And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

       "And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last" (Luke 13:23-30). Jesus Christ told His disciples to STRIVE to enter into the strait [narrow, difficult] gate that leads to life, and plainly said MANY WILL SEEK to enter in, and SHALL NOT BE ABLE! This is your Savior who said this, not any man, or human teacher!

       Notice what Jesus Christ told a young man he must DO to be saved: "And, behold, one came and said unto him, good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

       "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

       "He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness,

       "Honour thy father and thy mother: and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

       "The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

       "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

       "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

       "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

       "And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

       "When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?" (Matthew 19:16-26). Plainly, Christ said, if we will enter into eternal life, we must keep the Ten Commandments! God is not "required" to repeat all ten in meticulous detail each time He mentions His law! Some argue that because Christ did not repeat all ten He is only saying that some of them are still in force and effect. Yet, the man knew Christ was referring to the Ten Commandments, for they are the only laws which contain the words Christ quoted! After referring to the Ten Commandments, Christ then summarized the last six. The man knew exactly which commandments it was to which Jesus Christ referred, and his response proves it.

       Again, what are all these scriptures doing in the Bible if salvation consists ONLY of "believing," and does not require obedience to God?

Does "Being Under Grace" Mean
We Can IGNORE God’s Laws?

       The entire argument about "grace versus works" is absolutely shattered when we understand all the foregoing; what grace truly IS; how and when we receive it; what justification IS; HOW we are "justified," and what sin IS.

       Because we have sinned, the law has claimed our life. The penalty for sin is death (Romans. 6:23). But Christ died in our place. If we truly BELIEVE this, and accept Jesus Christ as our wonderful, loving, gracious, merciful Savior, He will turn to His father in heaven, and intercede for us! We can be forgiven for our sins!

       But forgiveness of past sins does not mean we now have license to go right back into the same way of life! No, we are to live in a new and a different way of life! As you read through these wonderful scriptures, never forget the MEANING of the terms. Remember, SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF GOD’S LAW. Grace is God’s loving mercy; His gracious forgiveness!

       Suppose an embezzler is discovered by his employer. The employer confronts the embezzler, and tells him he is going to report him to the police. However, after listening to the man’s heartbroken confession; hearing that he was desperate, that he is terribly sorry he stole from his boss, the employer decides to forgive him. Can any amount of honest work on the part of the former embezzler erase the fact that he stole money?

       Now, he is forgiven! Is he now free to continue to embezzle money? Of course not! Since he has been forgiven for stealing, his employer now expects that he will never steal again! The embezzler has discovered that his boss is a gracious man, and is now living under his boss’ graceful pardon—under "grace!" But because his boss was gracious and forgiving does not mean the man is now free to steal all he can!

       So it is with God’s law. When we repent of breaking it; when we are under God’s wonderful grace, He expects us to begin keeping His laws.

       We are justified by the death of Jesus Christ, but, believe it or not, we are not saved by His death! No, we are forgiven of SIN by His death; by His shed blood, but we are saved by His LIFE! If Christ’s death saves us, then why did He need to be resurrected? He was resurrected to become our living High Priest, making intercession for us daily before God’s throne!

       Notice this carefully, "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

       "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

       "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled [the same thing as "justification"] to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" (Romans 5:8-10). Millions of professing Christians are completely unaware of this vitally important scripture! They have heard all their lives that "Christ died to save sinners," which is true on its face, but they have not been taught the difference between justification and salvation!

       How many sermons have you heard preached about what Jesus Christ is doing TODAY?

       Why was He resurrected nearly 2,000 years ago, and what has He been doing ever since? Let God’s Word answer: "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

       "For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

       "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). We need not confess to any man, or any human priest! We need only confess our sins and faults, our shortcomings and mistakes directly to Jesus Christ! As John said, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

I hope this is enough information, to cause you to reconsider ...