By David J. Stewart | February 2016
Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
In her book titled, “The Mount Of Blessing,” false prophetess Ellen G.
White (1827-1915) makes the following heretical statement...
“Not all who profess His name and wear His badge are Christ's. Many who have taught in My name, said Jesus, will be found wanting at last. '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.'
There are persons who believe that they are right, when they are wrong. While claiming Christ as their Lord, and professedly doing great works in His name, they are workers of iniquity. 'With their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.' He who declares God's word is to them 'as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear Thy words, but they do them not.' Ezekiel 33:31, 32.
A mere profession of discipleship is of no value. The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. 'Believe, believe,' they say, 'and you need not keep the law.' But a belief that does not lead to obedience is presumption. ...”SOURCE: The Mount Of Blessing; Ellen G. White; chapter 6, page 142.
When I read the preceding quote by Ellen G. White, I was immediately reminded of something very similar that Evangelist Ray Comfort said. In fact, it's almost identical. On page 1197 of THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, Ray Comfort comments concerning Matthew 7:22-23...
“These are perhaps the most frightening verses in the Bible. Vast multitudes of professing Christians fit into the category spoken of here. They call Jesus 'Lord,' but they practice lawlessness. They profess faith in Jesus, but have no regard for the divine law. They tell 'fibs' or 'white' lies, take things that belong to others, have a roaming eye for the opposite sex, etc. They are liars, thieves, and adulterers at heart, who will be cast from the gates of heaven into the jaws of hell.”
SOURCE: THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, by Ray Comfort, pg. 1197; 2003, Bridge-Logos Publishers, Orlando, Florida
Both Ellen White and Ray Comfort teach that merely BELIEVING without a CHANGED LIFE to back it up is not salvation. They errantly misunderstand the word REPENT to mean ”a changed life.”
Matthew 7:21-23, “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.” By comparing Scripture with Scripture, we clearly learn what “THE WILL OF THE FATHER” is. John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” Notice in Matthew 7:22-23 that these unsaved religious people bragged of their “MANY WONDERFUL WORKS.” They preached in Jesus' name. Notice that they did all these things “IN THY NAME.” Yet, in horror, the Lord said unto them... “I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY”!!! My friend, the Devil is a master liar and deceiver! Satan knows that adding even the slightest bit of human effort to the Gospel makes it completely null and void.
Biblically, repentance simply means “to think differently.” What must you think differently about? Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” You must acknowledge that you are a guilty sinner in the eyes of a holy God; thus, realizing your need for the dear Savior. You must know what you're being saved from. To “repent” simply means that you change your mind from what you want to do to get to Heaven, to what God says you must do to get to Heaven.
Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) correctly and eloquently states:
“In all that I have written I have failed completely to express what was surging up in my soul if I have given anyone the impression that I think of repentance as something meritorious which must be produced in man by self-effort ere he is fit to come to God for salvation.”
SOURCE: Dr. Harry Ironside, a quote from chapter 16, THE PREACHING THAT PRODUCES REPENTANCE, from his timeless classic book, EXCEPT YE REPENT.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 6:1 to repent from “DEAD WORKS” which cannot save. Repentance unto life is a change of mind, NOT a change of behavior, intentions or character. The object which receives the action of repenting in Mark 1:15 is to “BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.” Mark 1:15, “Repent ye, and believe the Gospel.” Jesus wasn't saying to reform your behavior and then believe the Gospel; but rather, change your mind to believe the Gospel.
Now let me quote to you again the great man of God, Pastor Harry Ironside...
"Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all."
SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: What Is The Gospel?
Pastor Bob Gray Sr. at the Longview Baptist Temple church in Texas correctly preaches . . .
“Repentance means to change your mind—change your mind—change your mind about how you want to get to Heaven to what God says you've got to do to get to Heaven. If you've got to repent of all your sins, you're still headed for Hell tonight.” —Pastor Bob Gray Sr., a quote from the awesome MP3 sermon, Why You Should Be A Part Of A Growing Church
Ellen White further heretically states in her book...
“The law only shows the sinner where he needs to change; but the law, itself, cannot change him.”
SOURCE: The Mount Of Blessing; Ellen G. White; chapter 6, page 163.
In sharp contrast to Miss White, the inspired Word of God teaches that the PURPOSE of God's Law is to POINT THE LOST SINNER TO JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION. Galatians 3:24-26, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” The purpose of the Law is NOT to show us the areas in our life that need to change.
Miss White, as do all Seventh-day Adventists, view salvation as a gift of God which is conditional upon obedient discipleship. This is a false Gospel, which cannot produce the new birth in Christ Jesus. This is a variation of the heresy of Lordship Salvation. This popular heresy teaches that a person cannot be saved without surrendering to Christ's lordship, which means obedience, confession before men, ceasing from intentional sinful behavior, forsaking the world, and holy living. Albeit, the Bible plainly calls eternal life a “free gift” (Romans 5:15; See also: Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10).
Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith. God will not save anyone who is trying to be saved, He will only save those who are trusting to be saved. Religion is man trying to reach God through human effort, but Christianity is God trying to reach man by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son on the cross. I am saved because I am completely trusting Jesus Christ—Who died on the cross for my sins, was buried, and then bodily resurrected three days later—plus nothing!
Ellen White is sadly burning in the very place of Hell that she denied exists. Miss White taught a false plan of salvation of partial faith in Christ plus works. Although she claimed that salvation was by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone, she also employed double-speak, as do all false prophets. According to Miss White, to be saved requires much more than just faith in Jesus Christ; but rather, she states on page 136 of “The Mount Of Blessing”...
“But the way to life is narrow and the entrance strait. If you cling to any besetting sin you will find the way too narrow for you to enter. Your own ways, your own will, your evil habits and practices, must be given up if you would keep the way of the Lord. ...” [emphasis added]
SOURCE: The Mount Of Blessing; Ellen G. White; chapter 6, page 136.
Clearly, Ellen White is requiring giving up one's sinful will, ways, habits and practices to be saved. The Bible is plainly speaking about going to Heaven in this Scripture passage. Matthew 7:13-14, “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 is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Miss White stipulates that no one can find life in Christ unless they give up their will, sinful ways, evil habits and ungodly practices. This is a works-based Gospel, which is “ANOTHER GOSPEL” (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4). This is NOT “the simplicity that is in Christ” (2nd Corinthians 11:3).
Furthermore, what you just read by Ellen White is exactly what John MacArthur teaches, i.e., Calvinism. Kindly, as with Ellen G. White, Ray Comfort boldly asserts that he believes salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; yet, Mr. Comfort teaches that faith without turning away from sinful living is a false Gospel. Effectively, this adds WORKS to faith. Let's examine our text verse from Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” The very reason why God put this Bible verse into His inspired Word is because many false prophets teach a faith plus works formula for salvation. “Turning from sin” is NOT a requirement to be saved. You cannot show me anywhere in the Scriptures where it commands anyone to depart from sinful behavior to receive the free gift of eternal life! Salvation is a gift, which can only be freely taken.
May I quote the words of H.A. Ironside once again...
"Repentance is the very opposite of meritorious experience. It is the confession that one is utterly without merit, and if he is ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'who gave himself a ransom for all.' Here is firm footing for the soul who realizes that all self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation."
SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside; Except Ye Repent, pg. 36)
Clearly, Ironside taught a Free Grace view of the Gospel. Dr. Ironside correctly recognized repentance as the confession that "one is utterly without merit" and that if one is "ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ." Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. Romans 4:5 plainly teaches that a man's faith is COUNTED for righteousness, i.e., the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to one's heavenly record by faith.
"Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership — the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word."
SOURCE: Except Ye Repent, by Dr. Harry Ironside, chapter 3
Repentance and faith are inseparable. The Gospel of John mentions the word “believe” 85-times; but the word “repent” is never mentioned even once. In genuine salvation, one who believes on Jesus Christ has repented; and one who repents has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
I thought it was interesting that Ray Comfort is teaching the same wrong interpretation of repentance as do Seventh-day Adventists. And for that matter, so also do Mormons, and Jehovah Witnesses. Those who adhere to the heresy of Lordship Salvation are in cahoots with the satanic religious cults, which of course, none of them realize or desire to admit. Don't take my word for it, do your own research. Where does all this heresy come from? The answer is from the hundreds of modern counterfeit Bible versions, like the New International Version (NIV), and the Easy-To-Read Version (ERV). Contemporary Bible versions have been corrupted by the Devil, to prepare the world to receive the coming Beast System of the Antichrist. Look what the ERV does to repentance!
Remember, the false prophets in Matthew 7:21-23, to whom the Lord said He never knew them at all, preached and did many wonderful works all in the precious holy name of Jesus Christ. Yet, they all went to Hell to burn forever. No wonder the Lord warned us that the gate and way which lead unto life are strait and narrow, “and few there be that find it.” Have you believed a lie? Please listen to Dr. Hank Lindstrom preach the beautiful MP3 sermon titled, “HOW PERMANENT IS YOUR SALVATION?” END
JESUS CAME TO SAVE
SINNERS!!!
Luke 19:10,
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
