Expert: Todd Tyszka - 7/6/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello again, Mr. Tyszka,

I hope this letter will find you blessed in the peace of God, full of joy and hope. The last question I asked dealt with Catholicism's claims about the origin of the bible.

Salvation:
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus said that not everyone is calls him Lord will see the Kingdom. He goes on to say to some people who performed miracles and casted out demons, "Depart from me, I never knew you." John 3:36 is also confusing. To paraphrase: he who believes in the Son will have eternal life, but he who doesn't obey will not see life.

My questions for this section is who exactly are the people that Jesus is talking about here? How can these men perform miracles and cast out devils, if Jesus says they are not of him? How do any of us know we're saved?

I'm not arguing for a life of sin. But for a Christian to meet Jesus after a life of persecution and loneliness only for him to say, "I never knew you..." well, is there a greater horror? I confess this has been messin' with my faith in a bad way lately. It feels like my best friend just said, "You got punk'd!"

Abuse:
On a personal note, I'm overwhelmed. I'm surrounded by many who hate me. Shunned by certain family who side with liars against me. It's 4 years of it now. It takes a lot to pray for them. Most of the time what I really want is God to give me justice: to humiliate them the way I am humiliated. Because of that I usually feel as though I've let Jesus down, and I fear that he will reject me because of it. I don't have the stamina anymore to even talk to most of them, though I remain civil. The pastor at my church says love your neighbor. I agree with him. It's what separates us from them. But my energy and heart is drained when I return to my neighborhood. I honestly believe there is a strong Anti-Christ spirit here.

My questions for this section are what if your neighbor habitually uses your good will as an opportunity to humiliate or mock you without ceasing? At what point does the bible say we can remove ourselves from gratuitous abuse? Am I wrong if I disconnect contact with neighbors who are evil (no kidding) and enjoy taunting me?

Nobody seems to understand. I am surrounded by evil. I've begun to notice that it grows heavier when I speak of Jesus Christ as the only Way in class or elsewhere. The only reason I've made it this far is because of God. I just keep wondering when is He going to vindicate me.

Thank you for taking the time for my letter. I do appreciate your patience and kindness, sir.

Sincerely,

David

ANSWER: Hi David,
Good to hear from you as always and thanks for sharing another side of your heart. :)

Mathew 7:21-23 are very significant verses in the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. Previously, Jesus talks about the narrow and wide gates and paths. We are told that only a few find the small gate and narrow road that leads to eternal life. Then Jesus talks about a tree (us) and it's fruit (our works). It is here that Jesus introduces these powerful verses which basically say that just because you have done good works, this doesn't mean you have a relationship with Christ. This is what Jesus is talking about when he says "I never KNEW you." Just because someone does religious acts doesn't mean they have a relationship with Christ. 1 John 2:4 says, "The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

As far as John 3:36, you have to let Scripture interpret Scripture. This verse is not saying you need to simply believe that Jesus lived or even believe that He was God. Even the demons believe (James 2:19). We understand from proper exegesis (interpretation) that believing and obedience go hand-in-hand. Jesus said if we love him (and know him as we previously saw), we will obey him. If we continually do not obey him, we have not been converted and therefore will not have eternal life. The Bible says we will not continue to sin (1 John 5:18 and be a slave to it (Romans 6:6,22).

Unfortunately Jesus is talking about a lot of people who call themselves Christians. You ask how we know that we are saved and my reply is that we need to continually examine yourselves" (2 Cor 13:5) and you need to "make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10). We need to have a life of repentance and be growing and fruitful (Luke 3:9). The good news is this: if you have been genuinely converted, God will never let you go, and if you are concerned about this, this shows that the Holy Spirit is working in your heart and convicting you. The Holy Spirit also bears witness with your spirit that you are God's child (Romans 8:16). If you are doubting your salvation, we can talk about this more.

Finally, as far as "abuse," that is exactly what Jesus promised would happen and we need o go through it. However, the good news is that we are rewarded for it. I highly recommend you read a book by James MacDonald who has been going through many trials himself. He is now fighting cancer. The book is called, "When Life Is Hard" and I think it will help you understand this a lot better. Trials and persecution have a lot of benefits and draw us closer to God like nothing else if we let it. Keep the faith and be sure to guard your heart but not your witness. God will vindicate you but it will be the day that you die.

Sory to end on that note but it's the truth. I will encourage you however I can and please let me know if you have any other questions or want clarification on any of this. I will keep you in prayer David... I pray that you will be strengthened in His Spirit as you are a bold witness for Him in your daily life!

Todd

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Mr. Tyszka.

Thank you for your reply. After reading your reply, I was disappointed. However, I came across Second Thessalonians that seemed to give me some peace. In particular, the first chapter seemed to speak to me.

Nonetheless, by what you are explaining to me, it seems clear that salvation is not a free gift. It seems clear that Christians are sorely mistaken by calling it that. Is this the case?

I have a flurry of questions:
Are we consigned to hell if we make a few mistakes, a lot of mistakes? Where does mercy start and end? How does the Christian know if He is saved when it seems clear we will never know? I examine myself, but I am a mere mortal and I need mercy because I don't know everything! Am I to understand that as long as I am being bullied, hated, mistreated and betrayed that this is every indication that I am saved? What happens when people like me again- does this mean I am not saved?

This is a very, very important subject to me. It should be to every Christian, because we depend on God who we believe loves us. It's very hard to rejoice when to compound our persecution we don't know if Jesus will reject us. It's very hard to rejoice in that. I had always believed that we were different from other religions because they work for their righteousness while we receive it through belief in Jesus. But it seems as though we are not unlike them at all. It's impossible for me to be saved on my own accord and so the wonderful love of God affords me that through Jesus, right? This is our confidence. But you seem to be saying that it is not a free gift and God is demanding that we not only walk the narrow path, but an oppressively restrictive path with no guarantee of salvation, and I keep wondering where is the mercy of Jesus.

In First Thessalonians 2:14-20, Paul tells how he was spitefully hated and it hindered his coming to the brethren. In 3:1, he says, he left because he could not endure it any longer. If the mighty apostle Paul couldn't endure all that hate, why would Jesus hold it against me because I'm tired?

It's hard for folks to understand unless they've been hated and shunned and embarrassed by neighbors and family without mercy for 4 years. So am I damned that after 4 years, I'm sick of it? No offense to Mr. James McDonald, because I am awfully sorry for his malady. There must be considerable pain and fear in his experience. But atleast Mr. McDonald has support from loved ones because normally when you're ill, everyone comes out on your behalf. I am a hated man- ! By some who call themselves Christian no less. And that is an enormous difference, sir. What good is it then to draw closer to God when He's going to discard me anyway? This doesn't sound like mercy. You're giving me truth, but no mercy.

Tell me. What about the man who is near death who gives his life to Jesus before he dies- does he still go to hell?

Where is the hope, Mr. Tsyzka? Because, I don't see hope for you and me right now. Where is our comfort? Our assurance?

David.

ANSWER: Hi David,
Unfortunately a watered-down gospel has been taught by many here in the US and elsewhere, that we simply say a prayer and we will be automatically converted, like it's a formula. There is no "sinners prayer" in Scripture and one Scripturally becomes converted when the Holy Spirit convicts the sinner that He needs the Jesus He is hearing about through the preaching of the Gospel and a relationship with Christ is begun. It is not simply reciting a prayer that makes one a converted Christian.

You are right that Salvation is not a free gift. It cost Jesus more than we could ever understand. Salvation is a gift for us, but it will cost us too. However, salvation is a gift so wonderful, we cannot understand how wonderful it is until we get to heaven, which will be wonderful beyond comparison.

As far as hell, it is not about making a few mistakes, it's about someone wanting their sin more than God. God ultimately gives them what they asked for, nothing to do with God. They live without God for eternity.  Someone who receives Christ on His deathbed will go to heaven if he is sincere. For the converted, they know they are saved through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Sure, we all have doubts and need to "examine ourselves" as we discussed in the previous question, but as we grow closer to the Lord, the Holy Spirit "bears witness" with our Spirit and until then, we of course have the Word of God that tells us so. Being "bullied, hated, mistreated and betrayed" is not an indication that you are saved, it's just a natural by-product. Jesus said that we would be hated. I am not sure what you meant by the question, "What happens when people like me again- does this mean I am not saved?" I do not know if you are saved and cannot judge you in this way, only you know your heart. You appear to be a Christian but so did those in Matthew 7:21-23. You could completely walk away from God but that would indicate that you were never saved in the first place. However, if you are continuing on the narrow path and sense God is working in your life, convicting and revealing truth to you, helping you grow, etc, you should have an assurance that you are saved. The Holy Spirit gives you this peace and if you don't have it, ask Him for it.

You are right that we receive our righteousness through Christ. It is imputed to us and we receive it completely through Christ and not through any "good works" that we do. The only thing we do, but it is not a good work, is that we participate in our salvation, we have a responsibility to respond to Christ, but He of course, gets all the glory because He is the one drawing us. You have the choice right now to obey God or not. God doesn't make you obey him. But the Holy Spirit is drawing you to obey Him as He is inside you and working as you work out your salvation. I hope that makes sense.

David, God IS rich in mercy but that doesn't mean he is not a just Judge. We are sinning constantly in word thought and deed. We break every one of the Ten Commandments on a daily basis. What is worse, Scripture doesn't say we stop sinning when we die. I believe those in hell are cursing God like never before and the eternal punishment is warranted by the eternal sin. God's grace is extended to us in that while we were sinning, Christ died for us. While we continue to sin, He loves us and promises us eternity if we will follow Him. While we are on this earth, we go through a tremendous amount, yet God is there to help us through it all. That does not mean He will take away the pain, nor would we want Him to if we understood all the blessings we will receive on the other end. If you are hated, that means you are living the normal Christian life. Do you know that every one of the disciples (beside Judas who killed himself) was persecuted? All but John were tortured and killed for their faith. The same goes for the Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark and Luke), as well as Paul, Timothy, Peter... Do you think God was wasn't graceful to them? Do you think God didn't bless them when they entered eternity such that their momentary troubles on earth paled in comparison? Therein find the hope, that we have a Father who loves us more than we could ever know on this earth, who filters our life according to His will such that whatever happens serves a purpose as we commit ourselves to Him. We can trust Him, that based on His Word he will work all things out for our good and reward us eternally, not just temporarily. We will be hated here but we will be rewarded beyond your imagination for taking a stand for Christ and sharing in His sufferings.

Todd

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mr. Tyszka,

Let me be clear that I do not subscribe to the "Joel Osteen" method of being saved. But Paul has said that if we call on Jesus we will be saved. This is why I am confused.

Sir, it occurs to me that a gift is just that. Isn't it loveless to take back the gift? This is what troubles me deeply because it undermines my trust in the Lord. I no longer understand what scripture means when it says that there are greater and lesser people in heaven.

But sir, how do we know if we are converted?? Who are the lawless that Jesus is referring to? On one hand you say the damned are "...wanting the sin more than God", but on the other hand you say we are breaking the 10 Commandments all the time. I do not understand where the grace and mercy comes in if by breaking the Commandments, we want sin more than God. I have nowhere else to go, Mr. Tyszka, so I'm not walking away from God. My great pain is where is the assurance that He will love and be faithful to me?? That's not a terrible thing to want. I have asked the Holy Spirit for this peace, but now I am asking you to show me where I am assured.

I ask again, referencing Paul from the II Thessalonians scripture I mentioned: if by discontinuing contact with the gleefully abusive, am I disobeying God? If by ignoring them and leaving them alone, am I wrong?

I never said that God wasn't a just judge. I have to believe that He is. It's the only hope that I have of ever being vindicated. I am fully aware of what happened to the apostles. Let me tell you what is so distressing, so full of anguish for me: that this is the magnitude of my life from now, and that it must be that for others too. There is a little baby girl who is not mine, but a friend's, and yet I love her as though she were my own. I love her dearly! You see, her real father didn't want her. Is this the real pain of life that I have to tell this beautiful, precious little baby girl? How do you watch someone you love being persecuted by demonics like I am in this neighborhood? How do you not break down from crying at the awful thought of seeing her profound discouragement? This is awful for me. So awful that I find myself begging God to give her a better life than the one I have. I find this same sentiment for my parents. I cannot bear the awful pain of being persecuted by the Anti-Christs in this neighborhood and see the same pain befall them.  

I'm sorry, sir. I'm sure you're doing the best you know how, but it's still not clear. All I'm trying to do is find the link between God's mercy and love for those who believe unto His Son. Again, how do you cast out demons if you do not have the Holy Spirit? Didn't Jesus say, "How can Satan cast out Satan?" So then, why did Jesus reject them? Where is our assurance?

Thank you for being patient with me. I realize that I was quite emotional, but I hope you will understand as God is very important to me. I am sorry if I was harsh.

Respectfully,

David

Answer
Hi David,
You cannot take one verse out of context to represent all of Scripture. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved is not representative of all of Scripture. What does it mean in the original language to "call?" What is "the name of the Lord?" What does it mean by saved? Saved from what? I encourage you to read some commentaries on verses you have a had time understanding and they should help you in proper interpretation from the original languages.

Who is saying God is taking back a gift? If one hasn't received the gift, how is it taken back? As far as heaven, that's a huge topic but as you know, we will occupy a "new earth" and that could very well be somewhat similar to this earth, yet there will obviously be no sin and God will live here with us.

As far as the assurance you are seeking, that is going to come from God and His Word. Be patient with God as He has been very patient with you. Everything is in His timing and He knows a lot better than you. Beware of pride. I do not know why God allows a young girl to suffer, nor do you. All I know is that God is her Father and loves her more than we could ever understand in our flesh. I do not know what persecution you are speaking of but I have spoken to people at Voice of the Martyrs conferences who have been tortured for more years than you have had life and yet God was real to them, and they know God has and will bless them for what they endured. I recommend you read some of their accounts, it will humble you to silence on this issue. I can't tell you if you should ignore these people or not, I don't even know the situation, but God does and He will guide you if you listen.

As far as how they can cast out demons and not go to heaven, you are again guilty of trying to make a verse in a parable (Mark 3:23) fit a situation it was not intended to fit. Who is saying that the people Jesus mentions in Matt 7:22 are demon-possessed or being used by the devil to cast out demons?

Well, I hope this helps and let me know if you have other specific questions.

Thanks,
Todd