On July 7th, 2017, John Hagee Ministries tweeted the following:
“We all dream of absolute forgiveness of our transgressions. To attain this pardon, we must do our part, and He promises to do His.”
Claiming we must do our part to earn God’s forgiveness is a textbook example of works-based Salvation. John Hagee Ministries, which also promotes Dual Covenant Theology, the Prosperity Gospel, and other heresies, is promoting the ancient false gospel that claims we must earn our salvation. The claim that if we do our part, God will do His implies both that we even have a part and that God depends upon our works to save us. The Tweet claims that this is, “to attain this pardon.”
In truth, there is, “absolute forgiveness of our transgressions.” However, it is not true that, “To attain this pardon, we must do our part.” The Bible teaches that we are unable to do our part. Isaiah 64:6 teaches that even our good works are like filthy rags. Romans 3:28 teaches that we aren’t justified by works of the law. Galatians 3:10-11 (ESV) claims,
“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'”
There is a means through which God saves, but it is not by works. God saves through faith and through faith alone. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV),
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
This year is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. 500 years ago, Christianity split from Catholicism over this very issue. People heralded the idea of Salvation by Faith Alone, which was named Sola Fide. By embracing this false gospel, Hagee’s ministry is separating itself from Christianity (Well, even more than it has before). As Paul said about false Gospels,
“As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:9, ESV)
[Contributed by Brandon C. Hines]
*Screenshot of the Tweet:
