Archived at Biblelineministries.org is Dr. Hank Lindstroms Bible teachings. Dr. Hank Lindstrom wrote the following, in 2001: Christ Plus Equals Nothing Most Christians are not aware of how serious it is to add to what Jesus Christ has finished! It is the difference between whether or not a person is saved. It is the difference between heaven and hell. The salvation that God has provided though Jesus Christ is by grace. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9) Acts 15:11 says, But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. Eternal life is not received by, attained by, or kept by a persons works, conduct or behavior. We are saved by grace through faith. Grace by definition excludes all works. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6) One work added to grace would render it no more grace. If you were to add one drop of poison to a glass of pure water, it would render it no more a glass of pure water, but a glass of poisoned water. The gospel of grace becomes poisoned when just one human work is added to the plan of salvation. Christ plus works equals no salvation! This is a Biblical formula made clear throughout the Scripture. For example: Christ plus church membership equals no salvation; Christ plus baptism equals no salvation; Christ plus the Christian life equals no salvation; and so on. The tragedy is that those who are teaching this error and those receiving this error think that they are more secure in the salvation as a result of their works. Satan has blinded their minds. (2 Corinthians 4:4). Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4). The Scripture is quite plain on this subject, yet this error of Christ plus still persists. Notice the above verse, Galatians 5:4. To whom is it speaking? We are told within the verse that it is addressed to ...whosoever of you are justified by the law (works)... These are the ones who had fallen from grace (not the saved, for that is impossible.) These are the ones for whom Christ will count nothing. Again, in Galatians 5:2, we read, Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised (keeping the law for salvation: see 1 Corinthians 7:19), Christ shall profit you nothing. Christ is become of no effect unto you (Galatians 5:4), and Christ shall profit you nothing (Galatians 5:2), are contrasted with, For we though the Spirit wait for the hope of the righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:5). A large crowd of those who are in the Christ plus category will stand before Jesus at the judgment Day. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 7:22). Notice these are Christ Plus persons. They brag about (1) preaching, (2) healing, and (3) many wonderful works done in Jesus name. This is a perfect example from Scripture of Christ plus works. What were the results? How does Christ respond? Does He let them enter heaven? Lets see! And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23) Jesus said to this Christ plus crowd, I never knew you. Not, Once I knew, and I lost you, but I never knew you. Also, Jesus called their good works INIQUITY. Why? It is because they were trusting in those things to save themselves from hell, in addition to faith in Christ. How sad! This crowd thought that they knew Christ, but Jesus said He never knew them, and He told them to depart from Him.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:18:25 +0000
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