Ps 145:18 The LORD is near all those who call on Him, all those who call on Him in truth.
We read in the NT that 'whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved´ and such is made the basis of many a false gospel message in our day. And why? Because most have never even heard of Ps. 145:18 where we are told here the precise nature of this calling. It is a calling that is done within the confines of the truth.
Many people call upon a god who is ignorant of the future. He must
'look
ahead', down the corridors of time to find out who will do what.
Yet Scripture clearly teaches the true God knows all things before
they ever come to pass.
Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient
times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand,
and I will do all my pleasure:
...because He has ordained everything that comes to pass.
11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth
my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring
it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Ro 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Therefore such people are not calling on God in truth. They are calling in a lie. God is far from them.
They call upon a god who loves
e-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y;
no exceptions.
Yet Scripture clearly teaches the true God does not love everybody;
Rom 9:13 Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
Therefore such people are not calling on God in truth. They are calling in a lie. God is far from them.
They call upon a christ who has died for
e-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y;
including Judas Iscariot and everyone in Hell. Again no
exceptions.
Yet Scripture clearly teaches the true Christ gave His life for His
sheep.
Jn 10:11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Therefore such people are not calling on God in truth. They are calling in a lie. God is far from them.
They call upon a god who is powerless to save unless they let him by
the exercize of their free will.
Yet Scripture clearly teaches that salvation has nothing to do with
man's will;
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Therefore such people are not calling on God in truth. They are calling in a lie. God is far from them.
They call upon a god who, when he saves, leaves them in the same
condition
of wickedness and depravity as they were when they came into the world.
They remain unchanged in their character as well as their
conduct.
Yet Scripture clearly teaches that when God saves a man He changes
him in both his character;
2Cor 5:17 So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new
creation;
the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!
Mt 9:16 But no one puts a piece of new cloth onto an old garment.
For its filling up takes away from the garment, and a worse tear takes
its place.
Mt 9:17 Nor do they put new wine into old skins; otherwise, the
skins are burst, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be ruined.
But they put new wine into fresh skins, and both are preserved
together.
..as well as his conduct;
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and
cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his
works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.
Ro 6:4 Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life.
Therefore such people are not calling on God in truth. They are calling in a lie. God is far from them.
Some even call upon a god who saves apart from truth as expressed by
correct doctrine. They say 'We are save by a person, not doctrine.'
Others
even go so far as to say we are not saved by doctrine at all. When
asked
the question..'how much doctrine does one need to know in order to be
saved?'
they answer.. None! The expression of doctrine, they say, is the
'evidence'
that one has been saved. Both of these ideas deny the truth that;
Scripture teaches that proper doctrinal truth is the means God uses
to save His people.
Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
1Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2Tim 3:15 And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Therefore such people are not calling on God in truth. They are calling in a lie. God is far from them.
Have you called upon the Name of the Lord in truth? If not then God is far from you.
1Ki 18:21 And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
He who limps is lost.....