Does Lucifer Getting Cast Out of Heaven Disprove Eternal Security?
C. M. writes, While spreading the gospel of grace to people on social media and talking about eternal security, I have observed that one objection thrown at eternal security adherents has to do with the fall of Lucifer. The question is either, “Why did Lucifer get cast out of heaven if once saved, always saved […]
Is It Wrong to Evangelize by Telling Someone to Confess His Sins And Invite Jesus into His Heart?
S. E. writes, While we may disagree on different things such as the example you gave about what to eat, what about when the pastors teach about salvation? I grew up Presbyterian. So, I’ve been taught you must acknowledge you are a sinful person, then confess your sins, then ask God to save you by […]
Was Abraham’s Faith Made Perfect by His Works? (James 2:22)
D. C. wonders: I believe many understand the context of Jas 2:21-24 to be a type of justification before men and not God.i My problem has always been in v 22 when it says that by Abraham’s actions, his faith was made complete (or perfected), and then v 23 says the Scripture was fulfilled talking […]
Assurance: Either/Or
We all use the phrase “either/or.” Either you are going to do your homework, or you are not. Either you own your home, or you do not. The list could go on forever. When I was younger, there were certain occasions when we would all use the phrase. But in today’s crazy world that is […]
Are We All Just the Product of Pond Scum?
Robin asks this compelling question: A believer friend of mine shared with me that she doesn’t “put God in a box” and that she thinks He created us any way He felt like. I was shocked that she didn’t believe in the creation of Adam as a fully developed man. Why is it important for […]
Can People Move Forwards or Backwards in the Four Soils?
James wrote me an actual letter and asked some excellent questions about the Parable of the Four Soils. Here is part of what he wrote: Are the four kinds of soil supposed to be static? Will a person who is very hardened to the gospel always be hardened? Would a person whose heart was like […]
What Song Would You Like to Hear?
Many years ago, I was the pastor of a military chapel. Our piano player was extremely talented. In fact, he was a member of the Army band. I know very little about music, but I know enough to know he was incredible. He played the piano by ear. He did not need sheets of music […]
What Is the Heaven or Not Website Teaching about Salvation?
Terry sent me a link to a website. Evidently this has been appearing on TV as a commercial. Here is a link to the website and the article entitled, “Heaven or Not?” Five verses are cited in this article: Gen 1:1; Rom 3:23; John 3:16; 1 John 5:12-13; and Eph 2:8-9. The fact that John […]
Don’t Present Metaphors and Synonyms for Faith as Additional Conditions of Salvation
The one and only condition to be eternally saved is to believe. To believe means to be persuaded that something is true (see here). If you believe the saving message is true, then you are saved. There is nothing more for you to do. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me […]
How Do We Know that the Three Parables of Luke 15 Are about the Repentance of Believers?
Blake asks a great question: Bob, I have a question about your book Turn and Live: The Power of Repentance. On page 103 item 3 you say that Luke 15:7 is in reference to the repentance of believers. Could you tell me where in chapter 15 you understand Jesus to be talking about believers? I […]