Before I begin, may I first say that my intention for writing this article is not to offend my Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ. Nor anyone else for that matter.
Nor is it intended to put anyone in pastoral or church leadership positions into a bad light or to “dog on” anyone just because some of my own, personal viewpoints may differ than that of what is often taught and instructed in many Protestant, Non-Denominational and “Charismatic” churches.
But, let’s be honest for a minute
If for any reason I’ve led people on to believe that I think I’ve got things all “figured out”, well then, you’re wrong.
And while I might claim that I’ve been “Saved”, ain’t [hardly] a day or at least a week that goes by that I don’t do something stupid, or lazy (“sloth”), or down right sinful that I don’t have to question myself and re-postulate that “I’m a sinner in need of a Savior.”
But, if I already committed my life to Almighty God, and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, then why do I find myself at times feeling like I’m [still] a sinner in need of a Savior (considering I already “have” one)?!?
Had this random thought just this morning…ever asked yourself the same?
How do I know that I haven’t - at some point in my life - committed the “unforgivable” sin? You know, the one about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30 and Luke 12:10)
But then it was if a kind of “peace” came over me and went something like, “Well, if the Bible states that ‘all sins will be forgiven of man’ [for those who genuinely and sincerely ask of God], then shouldn’t that actually give you something to hold onto and even look forward to?”
I may not be a saint (will always be a “work in progress”), but I’ve certainly been - and still am - a sinner at times. Probably more times than I’d like to admit. But, if God is so willing to forgive people for every other sin except “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”, shouldn’t that instead perhaps give us Hope?
NO ONE on this earth will ever truly know what “Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” means, but maybe, just maybe, the reason that God decided to leave those verses in the Bible wasn’t meant to scare us, but instead meant to give us Hope.
Think about it for a moment…ALL sins will be forgiven of man except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit…
Now, does that mean I believe in this whole “Once Saved/Always Saved” teaching that so many Protestant/Non-Denominational/“Charismatic” pastors preach from the pulpit?
Personally, no, I do not. I used to be a Protestant. Now I’m Catholic (not that it does, nor should it matter). And before all that I was a Jehovah ‘s Witness growing up. Do your own research, but short-story, that line of “pastoring” I’m concerned about might just leave many “in their flock” astray, or at least, down a potentially dangerous “path.”
I mean, if you were say to your wife, and you admitted to some grave sin, and she said, “It’s OK honey, I forgive you”, and then you turned around and did the same stupid crap again, and again…and again, do you seriously think the “first time” - once saved always saved - you asked for forgiveness would cover the other times since then that you did the same, stupid, dumbass s*%t (sin)?!?
No! I didn’t think so! What, do you think God is somehow less smart or more naive than your wife? Better think again! Remember, as the Bible teaches, “God is not mocked!” (Galations 6:7)
I should probably expound on that, but is that really necessary? If you’re truly a Bible believing Christian, then please read it for yourself. Short story, “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26). Refute it. Deny it. But you can’t ignore the fact that it’s written there in the Good Book for all to read!
Important Note
This is obviously not to say that most Christians who follow the teachings of Protestant religions are not great people and generally “on fire for the Lord.” They’re some of the nicest, most generous and loving people I know. And their love for God is first and foremost in their daily lives and “walk with God.” And while not generally taught in Protestant-based churches, it certainly can be said that most believers do associate and practice “works” in alignment with their “faith.” However, with that said, I would at least recommend taking a good hard look at what “Once saved, always saved” actually implies.
Oh, and one more thing while I’m at it…
This whole “belief system” around the “pretribulation rapture”…whether it be true or not… Again, let me restate that…whether it be true or not…
Let me ask you dear pastor of your flock…what if you’re wrong?!?
Not only have you convinced your congregation that they have nothing to worry about because when times “Get Tough”, they’ll be “Lifted Up” to Heaven in the “Pretribulation Rapture”, but, again, if it were to turn out that you were incorrect in that assumption, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO PREPARE THEM for what might come next? (the truly bad stuff that the rest of us “left here” on earth will have to deal with according to that doctrine)
You know, the whole “End of Days” and that other stuff that you’ve now convinced your “followers” that they have nothing to worry about?!?
Sorry, that just seems rather extremely irresponsible if you ask me!
You know, kind of like the old saying, “lead a lamb(s) [church member(s)] to slaughter…” (maybe not literally, but I think you get the idea)…
What say you then Pastor?
Another Important Note
This obviously does not apply to all Protestant pastors. But perhaps instead of dedicating an entire sermon every few weeks to “tithing” and “giving your 10%”, you could instead at least consider covering some of these “more important” topics from time-to-time? At least for me, when I was a dedicated follower and member of one particular non-denominational church for many, many years, there was never any time that the whole “Tithing/10%/God’s entrusted you to give your hard-earned money to your local church” messages that it didn’t “turn me off” to that day’s sermon. So, if your concern is about “turning people off” by teaching about the possibilities of such matters, well, there’s a pretty darn good chance you’re already doing that every few weeks on those “special giving Sundays” already! “Give” as God puts it on your heart and “within your means”, but don’t shove the whole guilt-ridden “Prosperity Gospel” stuff (again, not all Protestant pastors and denominations) down everyone’s throat whenever the local church is running low on money or “whatever.”
Faith. Hope. Love. While the greatest of these is Love, what the world needs right now is Hope.