John MacArthur Perverts Hebrews 12:14!

By David J. Stewart

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" -Hebrews 12:14

Dr. John MacArthur teaches the damnable heresy of LORDSHIP SALVATION, i.e., the false teaching that a sinner MUST forsake their actual sins to be saved. Nothing could be further from the truth. No such false doctrine is taught in the Word of God. Proponents of this heresy pervert the Biblical meaning of the Word "repent." Jesus exclaimed in Mark 1:15, "...repent ye, and believe the gospel." The Greek word for "repent" here is METANOEO, which means, "to change one's mind." This is irrefutable evidence against the heresy of Lordship Salvation, which perverts the meaning of "repentance" to mean forsaking one's sins.

Mr. MacArthur states...

“Eternal security is a great spiritual truth, but it should never be presented merely as a matter of being once saved, always saved--with no regard for what you believe or do. The writer of Hebrews 12:14 states frankly that only those who continue living holy lives will enter the Lord's presence. [emphasis added]

SOURCE: Kingdom Living Here and Now (pg. 150).

Mr. MacArthur horribly perverts Hebrews 12:14, by alleging that the Author of Hebrews was teaching that a believer must continue in holy living in order to go to Heaven. LIES! The Word of God is adamantly clear in Romans 4:5... "But to him that WORKETH NOT, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." What are you talking about Mr. MacArthur?

Here is a correct interpretation of Hebrews 12:14 by the mighty Bible-teacher, and man of God, Oliver B. Greene...

'Verse 14: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

This injunction has been so often misunderstood and misapplied that many believers who have endeavored to live holy lives have been tormented and discouraged, thus becoming useless as good stewards, good soldiers in God's great army.

The Greek word here translated "follow" means "to pursue, to follow after." Many believers have been taught from the pulpit that if they do not live above sin - (meaning "sinless perfection") - they cannot hope to see God...

It is not through perfect peace and perfect holiness that we see the Lord: it is by grace through faith! When we have been saved by God's grace, we are to pursue peace and holiness; but we see Jesus because we are covered by the blood and saved by His marvelous grace...

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." We note here our attitude concerning our fellowman, and also our disposition toward God the Father who loved us, and Jesus the Son who saved us.'

SOURCE: The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews; pg. 547-548; 1965; by Dr. Oliver B. Greene

Hebrews 12:14 is speaking about our influence upon other people. If we don't pursue peace with others, and live holy lives, then lost sinners WON'T see the Lord in us. You are the only Jesus someone knows. That person may go to Hell if they don't see the Lord in you. As believers, we are supposed to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Jesus said in Matthew 5:13... "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?..." Do you know what salt does to people? It makes them THIRSTY! Christians are supposed to be the salt of this sinful world, that cause lost sinners to thirst for God. Have you lost your saltiness, i.e., savor? This is what Hebrews 12:14 means.

In sharp contrast, John MacArthur corrupts Hebrews 12:14, claiming that a person cannot see God unless they continue in holy living. Mr. MacArthur perverts this Scripture to mean that one's salvation is dependent upon holy living. Clearly, John MacArthur is a false prophet, who doesn't understand the Word of God. He is an unsaved heretic, a Modernist who pretends to be a Christian. See also, John MacArthur's heresy on the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 12:15 Explains Verse 14

Hebrews 12:15 states... "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." This Scripture warns us that we have the potential to cause others to sin. A believer who lives in unrepentant sin influences others for evil, like a poison.

Hebrews 12:15 speaks of a "root of bitterness." This Scripture is a quote from Deuteronomy 29:18 in the Old Testament... "Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood." Thus, when a believer sins, it often causes other believers to fall by the wayside. There's no better example of this than the false prophet, Balaam, in the Old Testament.

Clearly, we see that Hebrews 12:14 refers to our Christian influence upon others; and NOT to our personal salvation.

Lordship Salvation is Evil

The problem is that Lordship Salvation confuses the ROOT of a believer's faith, i.e., faith in Christ (Romans 4:5), with the FRUIT of that faith, i.e., good works (James 2:18). The ROOT should bring forth the FRUIT; but the FRUIT cannot come before the ROOT. DO you understand the difference? Lordship Salvationists are demanding the FRUIT as a prerequisite to salvation. They are putting the cart before the horse. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 states... "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Carefully notice that the Bible says, "...if any man BE IN CHRIST..." He is already saved, and then the change comes AFTERWARDS. Lordship Salvation puts the cart before the horse. You cannot mutate the ROOT and the FRUIT of a believer's faith into one, for in so doing you have created a works-based salvation, which is NO salvation at all. Lordship Salvation is a two-headed monstrosity, and is straight from the pits of Hell.

It's the Blood of Jesus!

R.B. Thieme, Jr. and John MacArthur... Heretics!

Bible Study

Ye Must Be Born Again!