Have You Trusted In The "Sinner's Prayer"?

Declaring war on the "Sinner's Prayer"



"God doesn't save because of the Sinner's Prayer. He saves in spite of it." - Paul Washer

Praying a prayer one time and expecting salvation based on it is sloppy evangelism/easy believeism, heresy and sending many to hell. There are several components one needs to examine to see whether they are truly saved. Looking back to one prayer one has prayed at some point in their lives and trusting in that is dangerous and self deceit. The fact that so many leave a church after praying that prayer and return to the world is strong and terrible evidence the prayer is useless. It's also not found anywhere in Scripture.

Many preachers don't preach repentance. They appeal to masses based on the coveting nature already in man. They promise hearers success, money, cars, homes, "your best life now" then they boast in the number of converts. The problem is most, if not all, of those "converts" are still just as worldly as when they walked into the church. They've taken goats and are now simply calling them sheep while ignoring the fact that they still look and act just like goats. Preachers are going to pay for that. There is no evolution in the sheep fold. Either regeneration has taken place or it hasn't and the proof is in the fruit.

"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?" Matthew 7:16

Salvation and regeneration is a work done only by God not man and certainly not by a single prayer. Churches claim there's a lack of discipleship and set up multi-million dollar programs and all the evidence shows they don't work because regeneration never took place. Discipleship is important, but only after there has been a work of the Spirit. Regardless of discipleship in a church or not, a true convert will bear fruit because of the Holy Spirit. They call these goats "Carnal Christian" while Scripture calls them unbelievers.

The repentance of the Gospel is hardly used and God's holiness rarely talked about because it offends people. The Law is rarely held up to show we've broken every law, are damned and on our way to hell. Counting the cost of following Christ is almost unheard of. The fruit of the Spirit is almost never taught to gauge one's salvation as Scripture teaches. The Gospel has been set aside for decisionism and it's created churches filled with goats who believe they're sheep. If you came to be a Christian by and through the "Sinner's Prayer"....

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves..." 2 Corinthians 13:5

"Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall," 2 Peter 1:10

For further reading, you can check out I Never Knew You.

The Reformer Martin Luther

Full movie "Luther" (2003) about the German monk who started the Protestant Reformation. It's really good and not cheesy or cheaply made. What Martin Luther did in the 16th century changed everything for Christendom. Through this lone Catholic monk, God set millions free and is still doing so today...

Lazarus - Suffering Doesn't Mean God Hates You

"The Beggar" Aziz Ben  fineartamerica.com

Luke 16:19-21 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores."

When we think of the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus, we tend to focus on the aspect of the rich man ending up in hell. He could see, was fully conscious, could hear, could think, reason and could feel. Lazarus often gets past over. As if he's only the counter weight to the rich man's plenty.

Lazarus was poor. It appears he was in such dire poverty due to leprosy, which was a common ailment back then. He was forced to beg just to survive. So down, so low was Lazarus, he yearned to have the scraps from the rich man's table. Even the scraps, that were discarded and thrown away, were far better than what Lazarus was having to live on. To make matters worse, Lazarus was further humiliated and beaten down by having the local, roaming dogs surround him to lick his open sores. Beggars weren't treated kindly and were often viewed as having committed some grievous wrong against God to be in such a state (John 9:2). The people assumed he was under a curse and treated him that way. Like most of humanity, we keep our eyes fixed on the shiny objects in front of us, lust after them and miss the real treasure the earth can't contain.

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side." Luke 16:22

The beggar didn't inherit eternal life simply because he was poor, a beggar and sick did he? Of course not. How would the diseased, down trodden beggar end up in eternity if he wasn't in a relationship with God?  He wouldn't have. Obviously, despite his deplorable circumstances in life, this man was a lowly servant of the Most High God. Despite that, he suffered far more than most of us could ever imagine. By all worldly accounts, he didn't appear to be blessed by God in any way, shape or form. Subsequently, it appeared that the rich man, was in fact, the one blessed by God.

There was a much bigger picture that would reverberate throughout time to teach billions of people to come, however. In order to have that reverberation and impact, God allowed Lazarus to suffer. Lazarus may have suffered greatly in his short life while the rich man seemed to enjoy life, but in the end the roles were entirely switched. Now Lazarus was enjoying life, and not just any life, his is lasting forever, while the rich man now suffers beyond anything even Lazarus could ever begin to comprehend.

Don't be deceived. Trying to accomplish your best life now means you're forfeiting an eternal life later. The rich man had his "best life now" yet, with all his riches, with all his luxury, ease and "happiness", he lacked what Lazarus had...a relationship with the Judge. By the time the rich man realized it was all worth nothing, he was already in hell. What we endure now is a vapor. It's like spitting in the ocean compared to what's to come. This life is the closest we will ever get to hell. While for most others like the rich man, this life is the closest they will ever get to heaven. How many of us in the west are suffering like Lazarus did or even coming close?

Despite the conditions Lazarus lived in daily, he never turned on God. He never demanded better. He never whined or complained that the rich man lived in ease while he suffered. He lived in horrible conditions, but the one thing he did have was a treasure even the rich man couldn't afford: a relationship with the Almighty God.

"Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. " Psalm 73:25-26

Having all the riches in the world is not a testimony to God greatness, love and mercy. Being a Lazarus and still trusting God and serving Him in spite of suffering is a testimony heard loud and clear by everyone. Millions of people have been won to Christ while witnessing Believers being persecuted severely and suffering in some way, but still refusing to compromise, complain or lose faith. Persecution and suffering is what made the Gospel spread like wild fire during Biblical times. Persecution and suffering still spreads the Gospel even today.

If you're suffering or being persecuted then be encouraged. Be content in your situation and with what little you may have (Hebrews 13:5-6). There is a much bigger picture that goes far beyond your situation and will reach to the ends of the universe and the depths of hell. If we know God controls all things and nothing can happen without His permission then therein lies our comfort.

Who do you have in heaven? God. What can earth possibly offer you to take His place? Though you suffer, though your body fail you, though you suffer persecution for the cross, though you lose everything and everyone you love, God is your strength and inheritance. Not heaven. Not riches. Not meeting up with long lost loved ones in Heaven like a bus station. God is your treasure and strength and this world, and all we experience in it, is only temporary and a speck in eternity.

Frances Chan "What are you living for?" He puts this short life we wade through compared to eternity, in a very clear and powerful perspective.

The Marks of Immaturity, and How to Keep Growing

John MacArthur...

 Selfishness is one telltale sign of immaturity. Babies are completely self-centered. They scream if they don't get what they want when they want it. All they are aware of are their own needs and desires. They never say thanks for anything. They can't help others; they can't give anything. They can only receive.

Read More....The Marks of Immaturity, and How to Keep Growing

Does Jesus Knock?

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me." Revelation 3:20


This has to be the one Scripture I've seen taken out of context the most. It is widely used in churches, books, witnesses, tracts, etc., as a general call to salvation. Jesus is pictured and misquoted as standing at the door of a person's heart and knocking on it to come in. As if He's on the outside looking in like the smelly kid on the playground no one likes or wants to play with or He's wanting to borrow some sugar. We are His creation in His creation that He fills (Ephesians 2:10, John 1:3). He's not on the outside. We're the ones on the outside. 


When we take that verse into context there's several important things going on that often gets past over...


In that verse Christ was addressing the Laodicean "Lukewarm" Church. The modern Turkish name for Laodicea is Eskihisar. They were neither hot nor cold and because they were neither one or the other, He said, "I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:16) The Church of Laodicea was filled with professing Christians, but was, in fact, apostate. Not a single believer is mentioned in the letter to Laodicea. Lukewarm is not ever used in Scripture to describe any believer whose become lazy, unmotivated or depressed. It's used in regards to the unsaved who profess to be Christian. It's a metaphor of professing Christians in their lost state and self deceit.

Of all the letters sent to the seven churches, this letter is the harshest of all of them. It's the only one that comes with a serious threat. It's the last of the churches and, by far, the worst of the seven. Like John MacArthur said "Some churches make Him angry. This church made Him sick." And Laodicea was and is a picture of the end times church.


Laodicea was a very important city because of its trade routes. There was also a significant number of Jews there. The resources Laodicea had caused it to grow in population, strength and commercially. Laodicea was a banking center as people past through the trade routes. They were famous for their wool industry...black wool that was soft, glossy and highly desired and exported for clothing. Laodicea also had a medical school that later became famous for the eye salve invented there. All these things come into play in the letter.


Laodice was a half hearted church. They were settled and satisfied in their wealth and power much like many in the modern day church. They were secure in that wealth and power and delusional. This church was filled with those who believed they were Christians, but weren't. They lived and breathed selling to others and making their wealth. They were in need of nothing...so they thought...


"You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." Revelation 3:17-18

To a church full of apostates and hypocrites God was still showing grace and love to this unsaved, hypocritical church and giving them an opportunity to repent or they would be condemned. If there was even just one person in there who might turn, then the invitation went out. This wasn't an invitation to the unsaved as it's often used. These people genuinely believed they were saved. This was not a general call to salvation as it's often used. He was addressing them to discipline them, not as true followers know discipline, but as a means to convict them.


Finally, in verse 20, Jesus was not knocking on the heart of the individual. He was knocking on the door of the unsaved church...the church of Laodicea. Christ wants into the church that bears His Name. It's not an image of Him being locked out or being unwelcome. It's an image of Him having long deserted Laodicea. He left. They didn't drive Him out like an eviction. He could have kick the door down, went in and started dishing out judgment, but He chooses rather to show compassion, patience and grace to them by returning and giving an offer. "I could demolish and be just in doing so, but I'll knock first and give you an opportunity to do what's right". If there was anyone inside, even just one, then Christ would enter the church through that person and there would be hope for it before His judgment falls. 


Jesus has never professed nor has Scripture ever alluded to Christ standing outside and waiting for an invitation to come into our lives. We don't choose Him, He chooses us (John 15:16). We don't choose to come to Christ. We don't decide one day we'll check Jesus out. We don't invite Him in. We certainly don't "find" Him as if He's been lost or like we're looking for Waldo. We are sought out by God. We are drawn to Christ by the Father (John 6:44) When He calls, We follow and not the other way around. Christ isn't sitting around waiting for someone to yell "Hey Jesus! I'm ready to have you in my life now! Hurry up!" We don't have it in us to seek Christ (Romans 3:11-12). He doesn't come to us and knock on hearts. The Father draws us to Him.

Dos And Don'ts

A friend of my husband's thought Sharb might need some helpful tips on parenting once the baby arrives.
To view larger...
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You Cannot Blame God

I used to blame God for things that had happened to me or things that occurred in my life that deeply affected me. Most people do. Growing up in abusive homes, living in abusive marriages, poverty, sickness, struggles...whatever the case may be, we often wonder "Why did God allow this to happen to me" or "Where was/is God". More often then not it breeds anger, resentment, discontent and distrust of God and we move farther away from Him. But we can't blame God for the sin of others. We can't blame God for our own sin. We can't blame God for consequences that always follow choices we've made. When we have to stand before Him there will be no excuses that anyone can offer. No amount of "blame" will work in our favor. God didn't create sin, God doesn't condone sin, God hates sin whether it's our own or was thrust on us. We cannot blame God for what's happened to us...



You Cannot Blame God for What Happened to You - Diego's Testimony from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.


"Creator" Paul Washer...

Campus Crusade For Christ Drops "Christ"

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1072879438001/prominent-christian-ministry-drops-christ

I was involved with this ministry and dropped out because I found them becoming more and more worldly and less and less Biblical. Their latest attempt "to reach the lost" actually doesn't surprise me. They've been on this road for some time. The excuse they offered for dropping "Christ" from their well known ministry name is weak at best.

This is an example of compromising with the world under the guise to reach the lost. Did Christ ever compromise to seek anyone? Did He ever try to please the world in order to bring in sheep? Not once did He ever. Instead of sticking to foundational doctrine and trusting Christ to bring the sheep in, as Scripture assures He'll do, they throw off that millstone "Christ" that offends so many and hinders their work in order to reach those same people for that millstone. A great example of American Christianity.

They've now openly chosen to amuse the goats all the while claiming it's for Christ. I can only hope this ministry repents. In the mean time they've lost all future support of my household until they do and get back to Bible basics and the Christianity of the Bible.

A good article about CCC's name change..Westminster Seminar

Feeding Sheep Or Amusing Goats?

An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted Christian can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years this evil has developed at an alarming rate. The devil has seldom done a more clever thing then hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people with a view to winning them. From speaking out the Gospel, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders.

Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses. My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is no where spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church. If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15) and provide amusement for those who do not relish the Gospel. No such words are, however, to be found. It did not occur to Him. Where did entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them.

Were the Prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because they confronted them? The concert has no martyr role. Again, providing amusement is a direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His Apostles. What was the attitude of the Apostolic Church to the world? You are the salt of the world not the sugar candy. Something the world will spit out not swallow. Had Jesus introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements to His teaching He would have been more popular. When many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him, I do not hear Him say, "Run after these people, Peter! And tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow. Something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick, Peter! We must get to the people somehow!"

No, Jesus pitied the sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them. In vain will the epistles be searched to find any trace of the Gospel of amusement. Their message is, "Therefore, come out from among them and separate yourselves from them. Don't touch their filthy things." Anything approaching amusement is conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the Gospel and employed no other weapon.

After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the church had a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, "Lord grant unto Your servants that, by a wise and discriminating use of innocent recreation, we may show these people how happy we are." No, they did not cease from preaching Christ! They had no time for arranging entertainments! Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the Gospel. They turned the world upside down. That is the only difference from today's Church.

Lastly, amusement fails to effect the end desired. Let the heavy laden who found peace through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard, to whom the dramatic entertainment has been God's link in the chain of their conversion, stand up! There are none to answer. The mission of amusement produces no converts. The need of the hour for today's ministry is earnest spirituality joined with Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on fire.

Lord, clear the church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her and bring us back to Apostolic methods.
- Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon Film

A new documentary about the man simply known world wide as the "Prince of Preachers"...Video Link

Charles Spurgeon impacted the entire world and is still doing so today more than a century after his death. If you're not familiar with Charles Spurgeon, you are missing out on one of God's most precious gifts to His people.