Those who are mired in sin will go to any lengths to deny the fact of sin and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross of Calvary. To preface the lesson, the homosexual cleric, Rev. Jeffrey John, believes that Christian theology has taught the doctrine of "penal substitution" – that humans, alienated from God by their sins and unable to save themselves, could only be forgiven by God sending Christ as a substitute to suffer and die in their place. Then the cleric says, "In other words, Jesus took the rap and we got forgiven as long as we said we believed in him … This is repulsive as well as nonsensical. It makes God sound like a psychopath. If a human behaved like this we'd say that they [sic] were a monster." He goes on to say, “Too many Christians fail to understand God is about "love and truth", not "wrath and punishment." He doesn’t believe the scriptures and now for the reasons for his denial of the sacrifice and the proof that he is teaching a heretical doctrine.

First to be examined is what Paul wrote in Romans 5:8-10: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Now who is to be believed, a sinful cleric practicing sin or Paul, a righteous man preaching the gospel of salvation?  

God is about love, truth, and also righteousness, which is the very essence of God’s nature. The cleric apparently has no concept of righteousness, for if he did he wouldn’t be making the stupid, yes stupid, remarks. Again we turn to Paul and his words on righteousness:  8 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, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 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: (Philippians 3:8-9) Paul knew he had no righteousness that would be acceptable and pleasing to God except the righteousness of Christ.

The Bible reveals more about Paul and his view of himself, sin, and righteousness. He told Timothy, (1 Timothy 1:15-16) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Paul wasn’t under any delusions; Paul didn’t twist the truth to conform to his ways: Paul recognized his condition and accepted that without Christ he was dead in his sins which he freely admitted. He wanted his life to be a pattern for those who heard the gospel. Can the twisted minded cleric claim his life to be a pattern for righteousness and life everlasting as was Paul?

There are more of the cleric’s words that need the light of the truth. In the article on WND we find the following: In rejecting penal substitution, John will reportedly propose a different interpretation of Christ's death, suggesting Christ was crucified so he could "share in the worst of grief and suffering that life can throw at us."  Now compare Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10 to the cleric’s words: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Paul said he suffered in fellowship with Christ, not Christ suffering with us in this life. The cleric denies the need to die with Christ in the waters of baptism and consequently the need for salvation.

 We’ll turn to John for more truth found in I John 1:5-10 and I John 2:1-4: I John 1:5-10, 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. I John 2:1-4, 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Obviously the cleric is taking pleasure in his unrighteousness and twisting the gospel to conform to his sinful practices: He will pay for his behavior on the day Jesus returns. 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:30-31)  What will you believe? Will it be the words of deadly denial uttered by an agent of Satan or the Word of God which brings life? Your answer will determine where you spend eternity.

© 04-02-2007 DEC

II Peter 3:15-18 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. "But grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever. Amen" 

                          Next Lesson Deadly Denial Part II