Heaven has little to do with our goal. Heaven is a staging area for the army of the Lord that is to return with Jesus and drive sin from the creation.

Where will you be in that day?

It is ironic that the New Age-Hindu religions and philosophies have as a main goal the removal of the idea of sin and guilt. You can do whatever you like. You make the decision whether it is good or evil. The concept of "sin" is archaic and must be removed if man is to find fulfillment.

Isn't it amazing that we Christians have come up with the same conclusion although arrived at in a different manner. It no longer matters whether we sin!

Whether determined from New Age beliefs or erroneous Christian doctrine, the result is the same. People are relieved from fighting the good fight of faith, the true Christian fight, the determination to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The eternal truth is, God will never receive anyone who is walking in darkness, except initially to forgive him and lift him back on the path so he can fight his way forward in God.

Today's pastors and teachers are presenting a faith that has little connection with reality. They are saying we gain righteousness by believing certain things and making certain statements. They teach that if a person believes what the Bible says is true, righteousness will flow from the Divine Throne whether or not the person is living a godly life.

Added to this is the theory that belief in the lordship of Jesus brings to the believer a state of righteousness that produces all necessary moral and character transformation apart from any effort on the part of the believer. Jesus has overcome all enemies, and by placing our faith in Him we also have overcome all enemies. Our part is to rest in the finished work of Christ. No struggle, no effort on our part is required. Jesus has done it all. Anything we are to do the Lord will perform in us and through us.

(It must frustrate Jesus and the Apostle Paul to hear the things being taught in their name!)

It is a sovereign grace, an unconditional salvation untouched by human effort. Many proceed further to claim that once this sovereign grace has been accepted it never can be changed or lost. It is from God alone and man's actions can neither add to nor subtract from it.

This concept does away with the "good fight" of faith. It is a demonic delusion designed by Satan to destroy the moral strength of the Church.

As we follow the Lord in the Christian warfare we learn how to lean on the Lord. We cannot gain victory by our own efforts to overcome sin. We soon will give up in despair if we do. It is "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon." We have to do the fighting but it is always the Lord Jesus who gives the necessary strength and wisdom.

To be continued.