Easy Believism/Prayerism
Whether we like it or not, we are currently reaping the fruits of the false gospel of Easy Believism/Prayerism we have sown. How long will we pretend not to see? S.M. PLatt
Case studies in easy believism
http://www.rogershermansociety.org/easy-believism.htm
Easy believism Fast track to Hell
http://www.lostinchurch.com/easy_believism_fast_track_to_hel.htm
Easy Prayerism or Bible Evangelism
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/easy_prayerism_or_bible_evangelism.html
What's wrong with the sinner's prayer? A.W. tozer
http://annawood.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/whats-wrong-with-the-sinners-prayer-by-a-w-tozer/
http://www.rogershermansociety.org/easy-believism.htm
Easy believism Fast track to Hell
http://www.lostinchurch.com/easy_believism_fast_track_to_hel.htm
Easy Prayerism or Bible Evangelism
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/easy_prayerism_or_bible_evangelism.html
What's wrong with the sinner's prayer? A.W. tozer
http://annawood.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/whats-wrong-with-the-sinners-prayer-by-a-w-tozer/
Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:”
Without a fear of the Lord, or a correct understanding of our accountability to God, man lives only to please himself. Without the acknowledgement of his condemnation and eternal punishment, he lives as though there is no consequence for his sin and thus lacks the motivation to repent toward God.
Any gospel message of salvation without repentance toward God is a false gospel. When we offer people a shallow gospel of Easy Believism ( prayer without repentance) and then assure them that they are saved, we remove that fear of the Lord, basically immunizing them against salvation.
What is it that brings them to a fear of the Lord? The perfect law of the Lord.
Romans 7:7 “… I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”
Mark 2:17 “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Faith in Christ without repentance toward God is not saving faith. S.M. Platt
Without a fear of the Lord, or a correct understanding of our accountability to God, man lives only to please himself. Without the acknowledgement of his condemnation and eternal punishment, he lives as though there is no consequence for his sin and thus lacks the motivation to repent toward God.
Any gospel message of salvation without repentance toward God is a false gospel. When we offer people a shallow gospel of Easy Believism ( prayer without repentance) and then assure them that they are saved, we remove that fear of the Lord, basically immunizing them against salvation.
What is it that brings them to a fear of the Lord? The perfect law of the Lord.
Romans 7:7 “… I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”
Mark 2:17 “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Faith in Christ without repentance toward God is not saving faith. S.M. Platt
Should We Tell People to Question Their Salvation?
Is it our place to tell a professing Christian that lives like an unsaved person that they aren’t saved? Most people would answer with an emphatic NO. They would quickly site biblical reasons, such as the fact that we can only see the outward evidences of salvation, or the lack thereof, but can never know someone’s heart. Truly, only God knows the heart.
Many of these same people however are just as quick to tell someone else that they ARE saved based only on their outward profession, and then offer false assurances as proof. They will instruct the professing to “Mark this day down and when the Devil tries to tell you that you are not really saved, you will remember this day that you said this prayer ...” or “As long as you REALLY meant that prayer…”
How does this make sense? It is so sad that we are too afraid to warn someone who may be deceived and in danger of Hell, (or even in danger of chastening) but have no problem telling them something that might not be true, risking their souls with a false assurance. If we tell someone that they are not saved and they really are, we have done them no harm except possibly wounding their feelings. But if we tell someone that they are saved, and they actually are not, we have done them great harm with potentially eternal consequences. Are we really more concerned with their feelings than their souls?
Or more importantly, how does this line up with the Bible? If we cannot know the heart of one who professed but evidences to the contrary, how can we possibly know the heart of one who only professed this moment?
Nowhere does the bible give any instructions or indications that we should ever confirm or assure ANYONE ELSE’S salvation. Nowhere does the bible tell anyone that based solely on a profession they can rest assured that they are saved. Instead it gives many warnings for the professing believer to make sure HIMSELF:
Matthew 7:21 “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.”
Philippians 2:12 “… work out YOUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 “EXAMINE YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES.”
The bible tells us how we can KNOW OURSELVES that we are saved:
1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Many times, the bible describes the fruits and evidences of new life in Christ, so that we can KNOW ourselves that we are saved.
1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And HEREBY WE KNOW that he abideth in us, BY THE SPIRIT WHICH HE HATH GIVEN US.
1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”
1 John 2:4-5 “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
And warnings for those who may be deceived or deceiving themselves:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “… Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14 “ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” -Sandra M. Platt
Many of these same people however are just as quick to tell someone else that they ARE saved based only on their outward profession, and then offer false assurances as proof. They will instruct the professing to “Mark this day down and when the Devil tries to tell you that you are not really saved, you will remember this day that you said this prayer ...” or “As long as you REALLY meant that prayer…”
How does this make sense? It is so sad that we are too afraid to warn someone who may be deceived and in danger of Hell, (or even in danger of chastening) but have no problem telling them something that might not be true, risking their souls with a false assurance. If we tell someone that they are not saved and they really are, we have done them no harm except possibly wounding their feelings. But if we tell someone that they are saved, and they actually are not, we have done them great harm with potentially eternal consequences. Are we really more concerned with their feelings than their souls?
Or more importantly, how does this line up with the Bible? If we cannot know the heart of one who professed but evidences to the contrary, how can we possibly know the heart of one who only professed this moment?
Nowhere does the bible give any instructions or indications that we should ever confirm or assure ANYONE ELSE’S salvation. Nowhere does the bible tell anyone that based solely on a profession they can rest assured that they are saved. Instead it gives many warnings for the professing believer to make sure HIMSELF:
Matthew 7:21 “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.”
Philippians 2:12 “… work out YOUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 “EXAMINE YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES.”
The bible tells us how we can KNOW OURSELVES that we are saved:
1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Many times, the bible describes the fruits and evidences of new life in Christ, so that we can KNOW ourselves that we are saved.
1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And HEREBY WE KNOW that he abideth in us, BY THE SPIRIT WHICH HE HATH GIVEN US.
1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”
1 John 2:4-5 “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
And warnings for those who may be deceived or deceiving themselves:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “… Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14 “ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” -Sandra M. Platt
Giving Assurance of Salvation
How can we know if someone else is saved? Can we be sure they are saved simply by their initial profession, or because of a prayer they repeated? The bible makes it clear that there will be false professors, tares among the wheat, that may appear for a time to be saved; but when their fruits appear, their true identity is revealed. The bible also tells of those who will deceive themselves, truly believing that they are saved (for whatever reason) who will in the end cry “Lord, Lord” but be told, “depart from me…I never knew you”. It is possible to even truly believe the facts of the gospel and yet not be saved. There is nothing in the word of God that promises assurance of salvation merely upon a prayer or a profession.
It has become a regular practice to assure someone instantly upon their profession that they are indeed saved and sure. How could we possibly determine true salvation at the moment of profession before any fruits could begin to evidence it? A profession is only valid if it comes from a heart of true faith. We can never see the heart.How then can we know that the people we lead to the Lord are truly saved? We cannot. We can only look on the outward evidences. Only the Lord “looketh on the heart”.
The only bible guarantee of salvation for anyone is the seal of the indwelling Holy Spirit; the evidences (fruits) of which are displayed in the life of the believer, testifying of true salvation.
1 John 3:24 “And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
Telling someone that they are saved, when in fact they might not be, is a dangerous and deceptive practice. It may even be the very thing that keeps them from coming to salvation, because it is much, much harder for a man to be saved, who believes he already is. Someone who thinks they have already been cured, no longer seeks a remedy.
Mark 2:17 “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Giving a false assurance of salvation may in the end, lead to destruction. It is never our place to give someone else an assurance of their salvation, only God can do that. It is only our job to preach the gospel and point them to the truth of salvation. Showing them assurances of salvation found in the scriptures should always be coupled with the admonition to examine themselves to see if they are truly in the faith, and to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. -S.M. Platt
How can we know if someone else is saved? Can we be sure they are saved simply by their initial profession, or because of a prayer they repeated? The bible makes it clear that there will be false professors, tares among the wheat, that may appear for a time to be saved; but when their fruits appear, their true identity is revealed. The bible also tells of those who will deceive themselves, truly believing that they are saved (for whatever reason) who will in the end cry “Lord, Lord” but be told, “depart from me…I never knew you”. It is possible to even truly believe the facts of the gospel and yet not be saved. There is nothing in the word of God that promises assurance of salvation merely upon a prayer or a profession.
It has become a regular practice to assure someone instantly upon their profession that they are indeed saved and sure. How could we possibly determine true salvation at the moment of profession before any fruits could begin to evidence it? A profession is only valid if it comes from a heart of true faith. We can never see the heart.How then can we know that the people we lead to the Lord are truly saved? We cannot. We can only look on the outward evidences. Only the Lord “looketh on the heart”.
The only bible guarantee of salvation for anyone is the seal of the indwelling Holy Spirit; the evidences (fruits) of which are displayed in the life of the believer, testifying of true salvation.
1 John 3:24 “And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
Telling someone that they are saved, when in fact they might not be, is a dangerous and deceptive practice. It may even be the very thing that keeps them from coming to salvation, because it is much, much harder for a man to be saved, who believes he already is. Someone who thinks they have already been cured, no longer seeks a remedy.
Mark 2:17 “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Giving a false assurance of salvation may in the end, lead to destruction. It is never our place to give someone else an assurance of their salvation, only God can do that. It is only our job to preach the gospel and point them to the truth of salvation. Showing them assurances of salvation found in the scriptures should always be coupled with the admonition to examine themselves to see if they are truly in the faith, and to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. -S.M. Platt
Ye Must Be Born Again
1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,”
John 3:7 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Jesus said, “Ye must
be born again.” NOT “Ye must say a prayer.”
If you are not born again, it doesn’t matter how many prayers you prayed OR how much you really meant them.
Ye must be born again!
How can we know for sure that we have been born again? Here are some answers I frequently hear from other Christians:
“By how committed you are…”
“By whether or not YOU have made Jesus your Lord…”
“By knowing
the biblical facts of salvation…”
And of course, the most popular
answer: “ By whether you asked Jesus into your heart…”
But what saith the scriptures?
1 John 4:13 “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”
1 John 5:10 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:” (the Holy Spirit
within us, see also John 14:16 & 17)
We will know by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Some might ask, “Well isn’t he just a still small
voice or a silent presence?” When the Holy Spirit of God enters into a sinner, and creates new life, you WILL know it. The Holy Spirit WILL witness of itself. The bible tells us we become new creatures, with a new nature, and new desires to serve the Lord. The Holy Spirit of Christ within us will do what is natural for it- lead us to holiness and the things which are pleasing to God. The desires of Christ- to do God’s will- will become our desires. As newborn babes
we will desire the word of God, and spiritual things that were a mystery to us in our natural form will begin to make sense.
Here are some other ways the bible tells us whereby we can know:
1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the
truth:”
1 John 2:3-4 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt
have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”
1 John 4:17-18 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of
judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:20 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
1 John 5:2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his
commandments.”
1 John 3:24 “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”e Must BE Born Again
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,”
John 3:7 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Jesus said, “Ye must
be born again.” NOT “Ye must say a prayer.”
If you are not born again, it doesn’t matter how many prayers you prayed OR how much you really meant them.
Ye must be born again!
How can we know for sure that we have been born again? Here are some answers I frequently hear from other Christians:
“By how committed you are…”
“By whether or not YOU have made Jesus your Lord…”
“By knowing
the biblical facts of salvation…”
And of course, the most popular
answer: “ By whether you asked Jesus into your heart…”
But what saith the scriptures?
1 John 4:13 “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”
1 John 5:10 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:” (the Holy Spirit
within us, see also John 14:16 & 17)
We will know by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Some might ask, “Well isn’t he just a still small
voice or a silent presence?” When the Holy Spirit of God enters into a sinner, and creates new life, you WILL know it. The Holy Spirit WILL witness of itself. The bible tells us we become new creatures, with a new nature, and new desires to serve the Lord. The Holy Spirit of Christ within us will do what is natural for it- lead us to holiness and the things which are pleasing to God. The desires of Christ- to do God’s will- will become our desires. As newborn babes
we will desire the word of God, and spiritual things that were a mystery to us in our natural form will begin to make sense.
Here are some other ways the bible tells us whereby we can know:
1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the
truth:”
1 John 2:3-4 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt
have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”
1 John 4:17-18 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of
judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:20 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
1 John 5:2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his
commandments.”
1 John 3:24 “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”e Must BE Born Again
Recommended Reading:
The Hyles Effect, A Spreading Blight- David Cloud Available at wayoflife.org
The Hyles Effect, A Spreading Blight- David Cloud Available at wayoflife.org
