"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." -Romans 4:5
I
hurts me to write this article, because I like Ray Comfort. I believe
Mr. Comfort is a very sincere man; but sincerely wrong. Unfortunately,
as is the case with
John
MacArthur and so many other heretical Bible teachers today, Ray Comfort
teaches damnable heresy. The great deception is that 95% of everything
they say is good wholesome Bible. Ray Comfort is an awesome speaker,
and he is certainly correct on the issue of God's Law, i.e., a person cannot
be saved without realizing their GUILTY condition, and condemnation under
the Law of God. However, the problem with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron
is that they teach the damnable heresy of
LORDSHIP
SALVATION. Like all Lordship Salvationists, Ray Comfort claims
that salvation is by faith ALONE in Jesus Christ, without works; but then he
turns around 100% and teaches sinners to forsake their sins in order to be
saved. No sir! You can't show me one verse in the entire Bible
that requires a person to forsake their sins to be saved. If that were
true, then who could be saved?... "For all have sinned and come short of
the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
The problem is that there is a common misunderstanding of the word "repent." Many false teachers today are saying that "repent" in the Bible means "to forsake one's sins." Nothing could be further from the Truth of God's Word. In Mark 1:15 Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." The word repent here is the Greek METANOEO, meaning "to change one's mind." When a person realizes that they're a GUILTY sinner, under the condemnation of God's Law, deserving of Hellfire; and then that person believes upon the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness--they are saved eternally. We are the sinners, and Jesus is the Savior. It's that simple. Please read, What is Biblical repentance?
On Ray Comfort's ministry website, at LivingWater.com, he has a short presentation titled "The Good Test." At the end of the presentation the following heretical teachings are found...
Do you see God’s great love for you? Do you see your need for His forgiveness? Do what He commands and “Repent…that your sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19) You must turn away from sin and turn to God. Desire to have NOTHING to do with sin, and surrender your life to the One who can save you. Jesus died to set you free, and then he rose from death to be your Lord. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If you will confess and forsake your sins (repent) and trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, God will forgive you and you’ll pass from death to life.
If you are not sure how to pray, read Psalm 51 and make it your prayer.
What does it mean to "put your faith in Jesus Christ?" It means to personally trust in Jesus the same way you’d trust in a parachute if you had to jump 25,000 feet out of an airplane. You wouldn’t just "believe" in the parachute; you would put it on! In the same way, the Bible says, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ..." and you will be saved. There are millions of people who "believe" Jesus exists . . . but they have not put on the Savior—there’s a BIG difference. And the difference will be obvious when you “jump” through the door of death.
Today, with all your heart—turn away from sin, and surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Please don’t put it off till later. You may die today and then it will be too late. You may not yet have all the answers to your questions, but better to put on the parachute first and then ask questions, then to pass through the door unprepared, grasping for the parachute when it’s too late. You can pray something like this—"Dear God, today I turn from all my sins (name them), and I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me, and grant me your gift of everlasting life. Amen." There is nothing magic about these words—it is the attitude of your heart that God cares about. (emphasis added)
Ray Comfort is a heretic! He clearly
states... "You must turn away from sin" to be saved. Say
what you will... anyone who teaches that a lost sinner MUST forsake their
sins to be saved is a LIAR. Romans 4:5 couldn't be any clearer on this
matter... "But to him that worketh
not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith
is counted for righteousness." It is sad that the simplicity
of salvation, i.e., the Gospel, has been perverted in so many ways today.
It is a shame that someone like Ray Comfort, who is a dynamic and charming
speaker, and a nice guy, is preaching a false gospel to the masses.
Perhaps Mr. Comfort does it ignorantly; but nevertheless, he is teaching
works salvation. There is absolutely nothing in the Word of God which
requires a person to "surrender your life to Jesus Christ" to be saved.
It is a damnable heresy to require people to
make a commitment to Christ to be saved. Jesus DIDN'T ask us to
surrender our life to Him to be saved; He asked us to BELIEVE on Him (John
3:16). Jesus DIDN'T ask us to forsake our sins to get saved; no,
rather, He asked us to BELIEVE on Him--that He could save us from our sins.
Being a Christian does NOT give us a
license to sin. Not at all. Every believer will give account
to God for their deeds at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:12;
2nd Corinthians 5:10). The notion that a lost sinner must "desire
to have nothing to do with sin" to be saved (which is exactly what Ray
Comfort teaches) is of the Devil. Most of what the Jehovah's
Witness cult teaches is 100% Scriptural; but it's that small percentage
of damnable heresy that condemns them to Hell. John MacArthur is a
dynamic Bible teacher and pastor; but ruthlessly
denies the literal blood of Jesus.
Therefore, John MacArthur is an unsaved heretic.
Satan is a Master Deceiver
Ray Comfort is awesome in every way, which is
why he is so dangerous. Most "everything" you read from this man is
99% right on target; however, Ray Comfort adds WORKS to God's Plan of
Salvation which renders it VOID and USELESS. The most effective lies
are the one's that sound the most like the truth, and Satan is the Master
Deceiver behind Ray Comfort's ministries (Living Waters, Way of the Master,
etc.).
Ray Comfort misdefines "repentance" and does not use the original Greek
meaning that Christ talked about, which is "metanoia" (a change of mind
about sin and Christ). He is very accurate in other areas; yet, what
he is telling us is that WORKS are necessary for salvation (even though he
explicitly tells us that works are not necessary for salvation in other
writings). Why the total contradiction? Mr. Comfort mixes
discipleship with Grace, i.e., works of righteousness
with Christ's Blood. This, according to the Bible, is a FALSE GOSPEL
which cannot save a lost man from Hell.
Ray Comfort is just "one of thousands" who twist the Bible to make it say
what he wants it to say, rather than telling us what it really says -- he is
a tool of Satan because Satan's time is short. We've not long to go
before the Rapture, and Satan is busy deceiving everyone he possibly can.
Remember, the best lies are the one's that sound the most like the truth.
Ray Comfort is a master deceiver.
What the Bible Says
Let me refute and rebuke Ray Comfort using the King James Bible by giving
you references:
1a) What Ray says: Ray tells us that in order to be saved we must forsake all sins.
1b)What the Bible says: Forsaking sins is a condition for being a disciple, not for being saved (Luke 14:26-27 / Luke 9:23 / Luke 14:33 / Romans 4:5 / John 12:42 ).
2a) What Ray says: Commit your life to Christ / Turn from your sins to be saved / Surrender your life to Christ / Make Him Lord of your life, etc...
2b)What the Bible says: Jesus Christ is the Savior! Living the "Christian Lifestyle" cannot save us (John 5:39-40).
The Bible is clear that man's good works and intentions have no part in gaining him salvation, just look: "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the Gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Ray Comfort is subtle, as are many false prophets today. Here is Ray Comfort's doctrinal Statement of Faith, and it is 100% Biblical. But then you listen to his videos, and The Good Test I just mentioned, and Mr. Comfort teaches something totally different. Benny Hinn does the exact same thing. Mr. Hinn's website presents the basic plan of salvation, and it is Biblical; but then in public he endorses Catholicism's Our Lady of Fatima, praises the Pope, never condemns works salvation, never condemns Baptismal Regeneration, etc. Benny Hinn exploits the Gospel to make merchandise of his victims... 2nd Peter 2:3, "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." Martin Luther, as do Lutherans today, are guilty of the same hypocrisies. Martin Luther is renowned for his realization from the Bible that "the just shall live by faith"; YET, Luther hypocritically, and damnably, clearly taught Baptismal Regeneration in his Catechism writings. In fact, Martin Luther taught many damnable heresies after his alleged salvation experience, even Mary worship. Martin Luther is burning in Hell today. Ray Comfort speaks out of both-sides-of-his-mouth, as do John MacArthur, and Martin Luther. All these men claim salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ; BUT then PERVERT the Gospel by requiring people to either give up their sins, get baptized, or surrender their life to Christ to be saved. It can't be both ways! Salvation is either by faith, or by works--not BOTH. Titus 3:5 plainly states that salvation is NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE! Ray Comfort's doctrine is flawed, and he needs to reconsider what he is teaching people. You don't have to forsake your sins to be saved, just realize that you are GUILTY and bound for Hellfire because of them; thus, you need a Savior, and Acts 4:10-12 tells us His name--Jesus Christ.
Please read,
Guilt verses Feelings in
Salvation, and, No Salvation Without
the Law.
Conclusion
On Ray Comfort's website, http://www.wayofthemaster.com, under the drop-down-menu "Get Equipped," there's a link titled Answers to 100 Common Questions. In this section you'll find Ray's heretical answer to the question... "Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?" The answers are directly from The Evidence Bible, which was compiled and commented by Ray Comfort. This heresy also appears on Mr. Comfort's other website at... http://www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/browse.shtml. Here is Ray's unbiblical answer to the question...
Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation? ...
We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and until we forsake them through repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ.
I didn't write this article to be unkind, but to warn people about the dangers of Lordship Salvation. Shame on Ray Comfort for teachings such things. If Mr. Comfort would stand true to his Statement of Faith on his website, then there would be no problem; but he doesn't. Instead, he teaches lost sinners that salvation is conditional upon forsaking the act of sin. But the Bible teaches salvation is receiving; NOT giving (John 1:12; 4:10). Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15). There is a fine line between the turning from sin that genuine repentance brings; verses the turning from sin that false prophets require for people to get saved. Ray Comfort is putting the cart before the horse, as does pastors John MacArthur and Aiden W. Tozer.
Ray Comfort is condemned by his own words. The Bible is clear... "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Ray Comfort's Best kept Secret
