Lies in Disguise: Salvation for God-Haters??

“Non-Christians from various backgrounds have long held universalist beliefs, claiming that all people will pass from life into eternal paradise, no matter what they believe.” 

“And when it became popular to define God’s love as unconditional, an increasing number of professing Christians adopted the modified version of universalism, which is called ‘universal salvation.’”  

Chapter 9, Lies in Disguise.   

Universal salvation has grown in popularity with the assistance of books like The Shack which fictionally portrayed God as forgiving and saving everyone according to the author's beliefs (source).

How can we believe that someone who has spent their whole life rejecting God will end up in heaven with missionaries, martyrs, and faithful Christians?

It can be hard to see past the errors promoted in modern "Christian" culture, but it's absolutely critical that we do it.

Those who promote universal salvation use out-of-context Scriptures to claim Jesus will save everyone because of His unconditional love. This is one of many ways this description of God's love leads to false beliefs. See Lies in Disguise: Unconditional Love.

Besides giving unbelievers false hope, universal salvation encourages them to be content in their sins.

These strong influences in our culture deserve our attention so we can correct them. But to do that, we need to learn truth from God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15). We need Berean skepticism, carefully checking everything a teacher says against Scripture (Acts 17:11). 

So let's do our best to learn God's Word so we can refute things like this that distort and disguise God's truth.

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Chapter 9 in Lies in Disguise gives us solid biblical help by thoroughly exposing the way Scripture is manipulated to support universal salvation. 

And it offers Digging Deeper questions that can be used individually or in small groups to better understand this half-truth belief.

Even if you haven't been confused or convinced of this half-truth, Lies in Disguise will give you Scriptural wisdom for refuting it.

💙 Currently available from the publisher with a discount: Lies in Disguise. Also available on Amazon and CBD. And in the UK: CLC-UK or Eden UK.

 

 

One-Liners that Christians Need to Quit Using!

A One-Liner Some People Misuse:

“We're Called to Love” 

 

True Words...Wrong Meaning...We hear it often, especially when certain subjects are discussed. But it's not always a loving statement. 

A One-Liner That Denies Personal Sin: 

“It's the Parents' Fault”

We need to think before we make statements about the sins of adult children. We may be contradicting Scripture. 

A One-Liner Pharisees Love Using: 

“You're a Pharisee”

It's popular to call someone a Pharisee, and usually, the people who call others Pharisees are more like Pharisees than those they accuse. 

 

A one-liner that promotes lazy evangelism:

“We Can Share the Gospel Without Speaking a Word”

This is a common statement, but it's only half true. This devotion explains, using multiple Scriptures. 

A one-liner that undermines God's authority:
“God Doesn't Send Anyone to Hell. They Send Themselves.”

“God doesn’t send anyone to hell. People choose hell for themselves” is an absolutely indefensible quote when examined carefully.

One of the Most Arrogant One-Liners Ever Uttered by Man: If I Were God

Take a moment to read this one-minute devotion and ponder how absolutely ridiculous this statement is.

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WISDOM FOR LIFE: Do you know the story behind my book Wisdom for Life? You can read it HERE. 

LIES IN DISGUISE: Check out the subject of each chapter, the endorsements, and the important purpose of Lies in Disguise HERE.

 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes HERE.  

 

 

 

Lies in Disguise: Soft, Easy, Non-offensive Evangelism

Have you ever heard someone say we shouldn't mention Hell, sin, or God's wrath when sharing the gospel because it will scare people away?

Instead of preaching “repentance for the forgiveness of sins” as Christ described our mission in Luke 24:46-47, modern Christians think we should present grace without truth, blessings without warnings, forgiveness without sin. 

This half-truth emphasis has influenced many Christians and is weakening the message of Christ. 

We may think we are bringing someone to the Lord, but what Lord are we bringing them to? If they don't hear the bad news about their sin and their need for a Savior, any profession they make is empty and meaningless. 

In addition, Jesus did not come to make our lives fun or easy. He came to make our lives holy, rewarding, meaningful, sacrificial, and challenging. That's why He told a large crowd of unbelievers to count the cost before following Him (Luke 14:25-35).

If we genuinely understand our sins and Christ's forgiveness—knowing we deserve Hell, not heaven—we'll come to Christ gratefully and sincerely, not superficially. 

No wonder so many fall away when things get difficult. It's partly because they never fully understood that Jesus calls us to live for Him and to die to self.  

Let's stand firm against this lie-in-disguise and share the bad news before sharing the good news. That was Christ's way of sharing the gospel and that means it is the right way, the best way, and the most effective way to save lost souls.

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Chapter 8 in Lies in Disguise discusses this popular belief about salvation and evangelism, showing how it misrepresents the gospel and yields tragic results. 

This devotion is just a brief summary of the wisdom offered in Lies in Disguise. 

I think you'll appreciate fully understanding this concept, not only for your own discernment but also in helping others understand. 

As you read Lies in Disguise, you’ll discover that each chapter is filled with Scripture because it always has been and always will be the best way to determine truth and lies.

It’s not based on human wisdom but on the wisdom that is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

💙 Currently available from the publisher: Lies in Disguise. Also available on Amazon and CBD. And in the UK: CLC-UK or Eden UK.

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7 Reasons Complaining Is Toxic

 

I admit that I sometimes complain, but I shouldn't. 

Complaining:

 

1. makes us focus on the negatives.

2. makes us discouraged.

3. makes others discouraged.

4. doesn't solve any problems.

5. can easily become a habit.

6. It dulls our light (our witness) in the world:

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:14-15 

7. It steals our peace:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

This verse tells us to adjust our focus, and let me suggest one way to do that:

Read a passage like Psalm 103:1-13 and remember God's benefits: His forgiveness, healing, redemption, renewal, love, compassion, justice, etc. You might want to memorize verses 10-13:

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” 

If that doesn't cheer you, nothing will!

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For more encouragement, see Accentuate the Positive and Negativity Isn't Based on Circumstances.

WISDOM FOR LIFE: Do you know the story behind my book Wisdom for Life? You can read it HERE. 

LIES IN DISGUISE: Check out the subject of each chapter, the endorsements, and the important purpose of Lies in Disguise HERE.

 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes HERE.

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Let Rosemary Remind You of God's Loving Care

God is a marvelous Creator, building beauty, practicality and complexity into so many details of creation.

For example, I did some research on the bristly, pungent little herb rosemary and found it has multiple benefits—it not only flavors foods, but it may help improve memory.

I'm no expert on herbs, so I'm not trying to promote rosemary. But it's a tiny reminder of God's infinite wisdom and glory seen in the details of His creation (Romans 1:20). And if rosemary improves our memories, the most important thing we can remember is God's love for us!

So let me suggest this memory exercise: When you read the Bible, write down all of the situations when God rescued, forgave, renewed, helped, and led His people. You'll need a large notebook!

And don't forget to also write a list of the times in your own life when God rescued, forgave, renewed, helped, and led you.

Remember these things often, especially when you are feeling low. Never forget His patient, loving, long-suffering, and redemptive love for you.

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts…seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done…" Psalm 105:1-5 

The purposes God designed for the herb rosemary are nothing compared to the wonderful purposes He's designed for each of His children (Ephesians 2:10).

Remember that every day and give thanks!

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For more on this subject, see 4 Things Christians Should Write (or not write) and Do You Have a Happiness Diary?

Source: Health Benefits of Rosemary

 

 

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Is Empathy Becoming a Thing of the Past?

Empathy means “feeling another person's pain” even if you've not experienced their situation. 

Without empathy, we're more apt to be rude or insensitive and less likely to apologize.

Sadly, lack of empathy is a growing problem in our culture where self-esteem is promoted and forgiveness is often replaced by boundaries. (See Avoiding Difficult People Makes Us a Difficult Person.) 

But empathy is important to God:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:2-3 

When someone is hurting, it's important that we try to put ourselves in their shoes and consider what challenges they might be facing. Best of all, we can ask God's help in rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).

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To do a short Bible study on this devotion, check out today's Bite Size Bible Study. And I also recommend the one-minute devotion, Romans 12:15 - Rejoice and Mourn.
 

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Lies in Disguise: Unconditional Love

When I say, “God’s love is better than unconditional,” I usually get skeptical looks. Many (most) people think calling God’s love unconditional is the highest compliment. But it's not.

I've written about this before, but it's important to revisit it because it's so ingrained in Christian thinking.  

Unconditional means “not subject to any conditions.” If we buy something with an “unconditional warranty,” the seller will replace or repair it no matter how it's damaged.

If we have an unconditional marriage, we'll not be bothered if our spouse has affairs or beats us.

If God loved unconditionally, everyone would go to heaven, have the same rewards, and never be punished. God would feel exactly the same about serial killers and martyrs. Jesus would never say:

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”  Matthew 10:37-38

Everybody is worthy if love is unconditional.

We might like an unconditional warranty, but only evil people would like a God without standards of goodness, holiness, and justice.

It's amazing how a word that contradicts Scripture is so stubbornly defended by Christians. Our first priority must be God's Word. No Greek or Hebrew words in Scripture mean unconditional, nor is it found in any legitimate translation.

God's love is better than unconditional.

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Chapter 7 in Lies in Disguise carefully explains the secular origin of the description “unconditional love.” 

It offers multiple Scriptures which accurately define God's love (2 Timothy 2:15). It explains the actual meaning of the Greek word agape. 

And it explains the many heresies that have developed from defining God's love as unconditional.

If you are ready to be challenged, encouraged, and equipped, this chapter alone is worth your investment in Lies in Disguise. And it’s a great chapter to discuss with your small group or a Christian friend.

💙 Currently available from the publisher with a discount: Lies in Disguise. Also available on Amazon and CBD. And in the UK: CLC-UK or Eden UK.

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Lies in Disguise: Dishonoring Parents

“Our world faces an epidemic of broken family relationships. Some statistics show that as many as 25 percent of American adults are estranged from their parents, with the children most often initiating separation. 

“The self-esteem movement helped create this problem by making people feel they deserve parents who constantly praise, support, and affirm them. The psychology of boundaries followed close behind this movement to encourage judgmental ultimatums. 

“If you look for resources on parent-child estrangements, you’ll find many of them blame parents and sympathize with the adult children. But let’s look at this issue logically and biblically, not culturally.” ~ Quote from Chapter 6 in Lies in Disguise. 

Modern culture encourages a victim mentality, and parents are often the scapegoat. When Christians buy into this worldly belief, they lose more blessings than they can imagine. But that is exactly why Satan promotes so many lies in disguise about the parent/child relationship.

Ephesians 6:2-3 explains that honoring parents is a command with a promise attached. And while we may hear sermons on forgiving our parents (Mark 11:25), we rarely hear sermons about honoring them by giving up our selfish desires (Philippians 2:3-4) and doing the hard work of reconciliation when we have problems (Matthew 5:23-24).

Instead we hear half-truth claims that we should set up boundaries with parents who are annoying or difficult as if God only wants us to obey His commands when they are easy. 

If we want to be blessed and grow in our people skills, we'll quit listening to these half-truths and listen to the full truth of Scripture. 

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This command has been heavy on my heart for many years. I'm grateful that I started studying the importance of honoring parents when I was in my late 30s, so I could show honor to them before they died. But my concern for this command has grown as I've seen the effects of the self-esteem and Boundaries movement in the lives of friends and family. It is so clear that Satan loves to see people avoid mature people skills and lose God's blessings.

This is why I've included this subject in my Lies in Disguise book. When we understand the concept of honoring parents, we bring blessings into our lives and the lives of our children. And we are also equipped to counsel other Christians about the healing and joy that comes through honoring parents.

To read about the other half-truths addressed in my book, please see Lies in Disguise.

💙Currently available from the publisher with a discount: Lies in Disguise. Also available on Amazon: Lies in Disguise. And in the UK: CLC-UK or Eden UK.

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4 Ways to Stop Drinking the Poison of Bitterness

"Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die."  ~ unknown 

I've struggled with resentment at times, and I know this quote is true!

Some signs of resentment: 

1. You can’t think about the person without pain or anger.

2. You suffer when you hear something good has happened to them.

3. In your mind, you have repetitive arguments with them.

Resentment is poison to us spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

So how do we quit drinking the poison of resentment?

1. Believe it's poison—understand it will give Satan a deadly hold on our hearts (Ephesians 4:27).

2. Let unproductive thoughts trigger immediate prayers for our offender (Matthew 5:44).

3. Quit trying to figure it out and move forward in our walk with the Lord (Philippians 3:13-14).

4. Be willing to give up our desires for the sake of the gospel (Philippians 2:5-7). God will bring about His purposes in His time.

“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good” (Romans 12:21).

Help us, Lord, to do these things!

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See You May Not Realize You're Bitter and Don't Keep This Kind of List.

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God Enjoys the Process of Our Growth

I was watching my grandchildren play when my granddaughter climbed to the top of the slide for the first time. She was bursting with excitement at her accomplishment. 

It was fun to share this little moment with her.
Suddenly it struck me: God enjoys those little moments with us as well.  

God could mature us instantly. Or He could send us straight to heaven when we accept Him as Lord. 

But God created a process of growth we call sanctification. Sometimes it's tough, but there are also wonderful moments of excitement, moments we can acknowledge and enjoy. 

Just as we experience joy when our children learn to walk, talk, tie their shoes or make it to the top of the slide, God enjoys our spiritual growth (Psalm 147:11 and Zephaniah 3:17).

We are truly “God’s workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10).

Let's give Him reason to rejoice today.

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To read a couple of other one-minute devotions inspired by interaction with my grandchildren, see God Hugs and God Enjoys Us.

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