Would you watch me perish and do nothing? by Alan Ballou
Yesterday, I heard again that “x” number of people came forward and received salvation. Praise God, but did they really get what they were seeking? What were they promised, and where is it written? Is the Bible unclear about what to preach, and what is promised to whom?
Zacharias (Zachariah) prophesied that his son, John the Baptist, would prepare the way of the Lord, by giving the people the knowledge of salvation through the remission of sins.
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, NKJV
That verse has changed over the past few years in the newer Bibles to say “forgiveness of sins,” rather than remission of sins. You see, if it were “remission,” there would need to be a reduction, or a decrease in our sins.
Is there anyone left that “prepares the way” as John the Baptist did? Read John’s message below, and then tell me the last time you heard anything close to it.
Luke 3:7-14 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” NKJV
The people were coming to John to learn what to do in order to escape God’s wrath? John didn’t tell them to just “say a particular prayer,” but to “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (verse 8 above).
Does that sound familiar? It should, because the doctrine that John preached didn’t start and stop with him. No, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul preached the same thing. We are the ones who have embraced a different message, which is filled with philosophy, and deception.
Acts 26:19-21 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. KJV
John 15:1-7 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. NKJV
If we were to preach what is written, the unrighteous, and those who have been taken captive by them, would immediately oppose the truth (Romans 1:18). They say the name “Jesus,” but He has actually become a rock of offense to them. Let us repent and return to the Lord our God.
How can John’s message lead to the remission of sins? Righteous acts control us, just like sin can control us. In fact, everything we do, and say gives us over to the control of good or evil.
Romans 6:16-22 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. NKJV
Who is set free from sin, according to verse 18 above, but those who become slaves of righteousness? They are the ones who obey the doctrine, wholeheartedly (verse 17 above). Righteousness is controlling them, just as sin controlled all of us in the past (verse 20 above). They have become God’s slave, with the end result of eternal life (verse 22 above).
Are they working “for their salvation? No, they are simply doing what their Lord Jesus has told them to do (Luke 6:46-49). To sum it up, they are “sowing to please the Spirit,” with the end result of eternal life as it is promised in verse 8 below.
Galatians 6:7-10 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. NKJV
What verse was used to promise you “eternal life,” and most importantly, is it actually a verse written in the Bible, or philosophy mixed with worldly wisdom? Can you believe Jesus unto eternal life (John 3:16), and His doctrine be offensive to you at the same time? Can you make confession unto salvation, and yet speak in direct opposition to the faith (Romans 10:6-10)? I guess you could if you skipped Romans 10:6-8, and only mentioned verses 9 and 10 to people being saved, as it is happening today.
Now, when is the last time you heard all of this? I’ve been looking for just one person, since it was revealed to me in 2010. Ernest Angley is the only one that I have found so far on TV or radio to be in-line with what is written in the Bible. I pray that the Lord allows me to meet him.
No, I’m nowhere close to being the authority on this matter, but one thing is for sure. I know when I hear the exact opposite of what is written in the Bible. I also know without a doubt that my Bible and your Bible tells us not to even welcome someone who does not bring the doctrine of abiding in Jesus (2 John 1:9-11), which I have mentioned above (John 15:1-6).
The people coming out to see John the Baptist, were trying to escape God’s wrath; God’s righteous judgment. God will give to each one according to his deeds.
Romans 2:5-11 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. NKJV
Do you believe Jesus Christ? Well, is that in-line with what He taught?
John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. NKJV
According to Jesus, who is going to burn, and why? Is it because they did not say a sinner’s prayer?
Matthew 25:41-46 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” NKJV
Can we say a sinner’s prayer, and then refuse to obey Jesus? Most definitely. So, how is it that we promise people eternal life, based only on coming to the stage and repeating a sinner’s prayer? What promise are we using?
I’m not even sure that we are teaching people to call on the name of Jesus Christ to save them, more so than repeating a so-called sinner’s prayer, but one thing is for sure. We do that as if our instructions tell us to go out and have a million people say a certain prayer, rather than calling people to repent of their sins, and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15, 16:15). If we believed John 3:16, we would also believe the Word of Jesus that I have mentioned.
Jesus said, over and over again, in Revelation; “I know your works (deeds)!” Yes, the church at Ephesus was doing good, but they had left their first love, and therefore they were in danger of being cut off (Revelation 2:1-4).
What were the instructions that Jesus gave them? “Do the first works,” and “repent or else” (Revelation 2:4-5)!. In other words, do what you were doing at first, or Jesus was going to come to them and take away what they did have. Imagine that.
That’s a different side of things, but we need to consider both the goodness, and the sternness of God. How can that be, when God, Himself is love? That’s how the philosophers reason amongst each other, and those who do not know the truth are held captive by them.
However, read the following verse and know for yourself that we consider the kindness and sternness of God because the Word of God tells us to. Know the Word for yourself, and free yourself from the philosophers (Colossians 2:8, Ephesians 4:13-14).
Romans 11:22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. NKJV
Guess what happens when all we ever hear is the goodness of God, and never the sternness? Look around. I’ve had my Sunday school class taken away from me twice, just for teaching what is written in the very Bible being used in those churches. The Word’s of Jesus Christ were not welcomed there, just as they are not welcome in many places called church today. That too is predicted to happen.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, NKJV
Faith always includes the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). So, if there is a place in our new agreement with the Lord, that does not fit into the message that you support, then you are supporting the wrong message. It’s just that simple. You might say, we preach this verse, and that passage, but so did Satan. According to Matthew 4:5, the devil uses part truth and part lies. The only way you can be tricked, is if you accept things that are not written in your Bible as truth.
Why did Jesus, Himself threaten to fight against the church in Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17)? They held to doctrines that He hates (verses 14-15).
Why do we use words like “personal relationship, and trinity, when the Bible instructs us not to add to what is written (Proverbs 30:5-6), and not to go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6)? Those words may be okay, but our instructions tell us not to use them. Is it okay to willingly mention things that are not written in our Bible, in an attempt to explain the Bible, when the Bible itself tells us not to use them?
My friend, I have something to tell you. Those who have not heard, and rejected the truth will indeed hear it and understand it (Romans 15:21). That’s the power of God. Check the verse. Like so many, don’t get left behind in your attempt to glory in the numbers.
And they say, “Oh, come join us.” We have this, and we have that, but the only thing I am instructed to make sure that they have, which is the doctrine of Jesus Christ (2 John 1:10-11), they have not. “Don’t forsake the gathering,” they say. However, shall I gather where Jesus Christ is rejected?
Yes, there is perhaps a form of godliness there, but 2 John 1:10-11 is not our only set of instructions. What are we instructed to do concerning those who deny the power of God, which is already contained in His Word (Romans 1:16-17)?
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! NKJV
If you do not believe that John’s message will deliver a new convert from the power of sin, how is your message working out? We even have the world’s methods for freeing alcoholics, being taught right inside the church building, and yet we shun the doctrine of Jesus Christ. What! Did we bump our heads?
Wisdom is proven by her actions, and our actions are screaming, “We will do it our way!” Are we not friends of the world (James 4:4)? The fire alarm is going off, but who hears it? Do we really have enough water to put out hell’s fire? Let us repent and return to the Lord our God! O’ Lord, remember Your compassion.
Those who belong to Christ crucify their sinful nature, using His methods (Galatians 5:24). The people who use the world’s methods are the ones who disobey God’s message.
1 Peter 2:8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. NKJV
If the doctrine of Jesus Christ is offensive to you, then surely you have stumbled over the stumbling stone. Jesus has become a rock of offense to you (verse 8 above). Let us repent and return to the Lord our God!
Jesus said, over and over again in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, “He who overcomes will inherit.” Read the following passage of scripture and ask yourself this question. If you were to die today where would you end up, and where is the promise that you are depending on? Jesus is the source of eternal salvation for those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9)!
Revelation 21:6-8 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” NKJV
Jesus said that anyone who sins is a slave to sin, and a slave to sin does not remain in the house forever (verse 35 below).
John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. NKJV
Those who are born of God, overcome the world, through faith, and those who are born of God stop sinning.
1 John 5:3-5 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? NKJV
1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. NKJV
They also do something that they were taught ever since they accepted Jesus as Lord. They “practice righteousness.” They accepted John’s message!
1 John 3:7-10 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. NKJV
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Your compassions, they fail not. Have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins. Your mercies are new every morning. Please forgive us for rejecting Your Word, and replacing it with things that are not written. Father, I pray especially for those who have not heard Your Word, but philosophy teachings, and worldly wisdom. Send Your Word to save us! Send Your Word to heal us! Send Your Word to set us free, and provide the things we need for this life. O’ Lord, have mercy upon us. Grant us repentance, that we may do the deeds we did at first, when You poured Your Spirit on us. Remember Your loving kindness O’ Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Now, would you watch me go in the wrong direction until I perished without doing anything about it? I will try and do the same.
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.NKJV
I’m Alan Ballou; a no body. I have no degree, no seminary training, no worldly stature, and I don’t care for any. In fact, I am a high school drop-out, and I used to be an alcoholic, and homeless, among other things. However, the Lord my God has delivered me, and Him I shall serve wholeheartedly. If I may be of service to you, please contact me.
