Program #L10—“What Must I Do To InheritEternal Life? (Cont’d)”

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Opening introduction byMark McWilliams…

Welcome and thank you forjoining this radio broadcast of Persuade The World Ministries. You’re about to hear our radio production of the bookwritten and taught by Gordon James Klingenschmitt, entitled“License To Sin, The Number One Reason America Is Losing ItsMoral Foundation.” If you call us in the next hour,we’ll mail you a free cassette tape of today’sbroadcast, which you can copy and give to your friends. Justcall our toll-free phone number: 866-Obey-God. That’stoll free, 1-866-O-B-E-Y-G-O-D. Gordon James Klingenschmittis a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and aseminary graduate of Regent University, holding both M.B.A. andMaster of Divinity degrees. He’s also the founder andservant of Persuade The World Ministries, a 501(c3) tax-exemptreligious non-profit corporation in Colorado Springs, dedicatedto persuading individuals in America and throughout the world toforsake their sins and submit their hearts and minds to theloving rulership of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And now withtoday’s teaching, here is Gordon James Klingenschmitt.

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Teaching by Gordon James Klingenschmitt…

(Start)Thanks Mark. Today we’re going to continue ourprevious teaching, entitled, “What must I do to inheriteternal life?” Now if there’s one question youreally have to figure out before you die, it’s this one: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Well,if there’s one person in all history who can answer thatquestion, it’s Jesus Christ.

“Onone occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inheriteternal life?” I want you to read this foryourself, in Luke chapter 10. This is what I call Luke 10 soteriology,or salvation theology according to Jesus.

Now listen carefully. The man asked Jesus, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied.“How do you read it?”

The man answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with allyour heart and with all your soul and with all your strength andwith all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor asyourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Dothis and you will live.” [1]

Oh my. Did you hearwhat Jesus said? Love God and love your neighbor. Dothis and you’ll inherit eternal life! Now it’strue that Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sins, butaccording to Luke chapter 10, if you don’t love God and loveyour neighbor, then what Jesus did on the cross doesn’tapply to you! This is the law of Christ. Love God andlove your neighbor. Do this and you will live.

(Higher) So are you saying,” asks Johnny Lukewarm,“that if I don’t love God with all my heart and love myneighbor as myself, then I’m going to hell?” Whatif it were true, Johnny, would it change your behavior? TheBible says this: through love and faithfulness sin isatoned for…[2] and We know that we have passed from death tolife, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not loveremains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is amurderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.[3] And theBible also says, everyone who loves has been born of God andknows God. Whoever does not love does not know God.[4]

Soif Jesus said in Luke 10 that you have to love God and love yourneighbor to be saved, then we’ve got to ask: who’s Godgoing to condemn to hell?

Before we try to answer that question let me say again that I amnot any man’s judge. I don’t have authority overyou. I am your equal, your peer, a member of yourgeneration, and I am not your judge. But I am called to bea messenger sent from the One who will judge you someday soon. And here is God’s message to you: Love God and love yourneighbor. Do this and you will live.

Did you know people who getdrunk, and people who eat like gluttons, are going to hell?

The Bible says, Do not bedeceived: …drunkards…will not inherit the kingdom ofGod.[5]

“But there’s nothing wrong with drinking alcohol,”says Johnny Lukewarm, “even Jesus changed water into wine,and drank wine at the last supper.” Yes, JohnnyLukewarm, if you’re out there listening, Jesus did drinkwine, but Jesus never got drunk. The Bible says, do notget drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filledwith the Spirit.[6] Doyou drink for the sensation, for the buzz? Do you bragabout how much liquor you can drink? The Bible says, Woeto those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixingdrinks.[7] ManyAmericans are addicted to drugs, even prescription drugs. Nomatter what your drug is—alcohol, narcotics, cigarettes,marijuana, or even food, or prescription drugs—willdrunkards inherit the kingdom of God? The Bible says Drunkenness…thosewho live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.[8]

“But there’s nothing wrong with eating good food,”says Johnny Lukewarm. “Food was made for the stomach, andthe stomach was made for food.” Yes, that’s true. But God will destroy them both.[9] America leads the worldin food production, but instead of feeding poor people instarving third world nations, we glutton ourselves into obesity. Americans eat and eat and eat as if food was their god, becausethey love sensual tastes more than they love God. We sing “Letus eat and drink, for tomorrow we die,” [10] Nowcan you enjoy gluttony, and call yourself a Christian at the sametime? Or does your gluttony make you an enemy of the cross? The Bible says many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach.[11]

Did you know envious and jealous people willspend eternity in hell? Some people are so materialistic,they just envy their neighbors belongings. Do you reallyhave to “keep up with the Joneses?” Why do youreally want a bigger house, or a better car, or a bigger diamond? Some peoples entire lives are spent maintaining their belongingsor pursuing bigger and better things.

But the Bible says, Jealousy,…envy,…thosewho live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.[12]

Did you know that proud people will spendeternity in hell? The Bible says, The LORD detests allthe proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.[13] Whyare you really so ambitious? Do you work hard because youlove God and love your neighbor, or do you really just enjoypromoting yourself and making yourself look good to others? Do you want to make yourself a god, so that others will bow downand worship you? Selfish ambition…those who livelike this will not inherit the kingdom of God.[14]

Some of you listening are soproud and insecure you can’t even examine your own heart toforsake your sins. Do you search your heart and confessyour sins, or do you pretend your sins don’t exist? Whenyou say your prayers, do you say, ‘God, I thank you thatI am not a sinner like other men. Or do you pray‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’[15]

Youknow, If you confess your sins to God, He’ll forgive you andcleanse you from all unrighteousness. But if you’retoo proud to confess your sins, or you claim to be without sin,you deceive yourself. Can any man go to heaven withoutbeing humble enough to confess his sins and repent to God? Don’tbe proud, be humble.

Did you know those whopractice magic arts or pray to false gods will spend eternity inhell? Now many Americans play withhoroscopes, Ouija boards, tarot cards, crystals, Dungeons andDragons, they listen to fortune tellers, psychics, conjure up thedead, talk with spirit guides and demons, cast spells, practicetelekinesis, mind-reading, white witchcraft or black witchcraft,they’re both condemned in the Bible, Satanism, Mormon orMasonic cult rituals, occult practices, sacrifices, sayingprayers to false gods, praying to angels, praying to saints,praying to anybody except Almighty God through his son JesusChrist [16], bowing down to idols andimages of Ancestral gods, Animist gods, Buddhist, Confucian,Hindu, Martial Art gods, Shinto, Taoist, Tribal, Zoroastriangods, etc. etc. Many Americans do these things.

Now, do them or don’t do them. That’s up to you. Just don’t hope to be saved from hell while you do thesethings. The Bible says Those who practice magic arts,the idolaters…their place will be in the fiery lake ofburning sulfur.[17] The Bible says Let no one be found amongyou…who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens,engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritistor who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things isdetestable to the LORD. [18] If youhave occultic materials, like books, music, artwork, figurines,or whatever, destroy them immediately, no matter how much youpaid for them. In the book of Acts, people who practicedsorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came toover 3 million dollars in today’s wages.[19] Sohave a public bonfire and destroy your occultic materials. Otherwise,you’ll be disinherited from God’s kingdom. TheBible says, idolatry and witchcraft…I warn you…thosewho live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.[20]

Did you know thieves andswindlers will spend eternity in hell? You might think athief is somebody like a bank-robber or a burglar, but how manytimes have you cheated on your taxes or failed to pay your debts? You know only 5 percent of all Americans pay a tithe (a tenth) oftheir gross income to a religious center,[21] inaccordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.[22] So95 percent of all Americans are thieves who rob God, by refusingto pay their tithes and offerings. But the God of the Bibleasks, “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask,‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—becauseyou are robbing me...” says the LORD Almighty.[23]

Doyou claim to love God while you steal from God, spendingGod’s tithe money on your selfish pleasures? The WallStreet Journal reports that middle-class Americans spend eighttimes as much on leisure pursuits as they do in giving tocharity.[24] Do you love pleasure eight times more than youlove God? Look around at your possessions. How manyof your toys were paid for with money that you stole from God? Sell them all and give that money back to God.

(Higher) “Hold on a minute,” says Johnny Lukewarm. “Are you saying that if I don’t pay my tithes, thenI’m robbing God and I’m going to hell?” Whilethe Bible says in 1^st Corinthians 6, neitherthieves…nor swindlers…will inherit the kingdom of God,[25] I’lljust say this: Love God and love your neighbor. Do thisand you will live. Think about that for a moment,while we take this short break.

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Middle segment by MarkMcWilliams…

Thanks Gordon. He’llbe back in just a moment. But first, do you know somebodywho needs to hear today’s message? If you call ourtoll-free number in the next hour, 866-Obey-God, we’ll mailyou a free cassette tape of today’s broadcast, which you cancopy and give to your friends. All our tapes are copyableand free, but please remember we need your donations to stay onthe air and to give away these free tapes. So please prayand obey, then send us your best possible donation, after youreceive your free cassette. (Gordon: Hey time out! If it’s your first time calling us, no donation is required! Just call us!) Our toll free number is 866-Obey-God,that’s 1-866-O-B-E-Y-G-O-D. And please specifyyou’re requesting today’s program. Do you believeAmerica needs to hear these messages? If so, then we needyou to sponsor us, by joining the Persuader’s Club with amonthly pledge of just $15. If you join thePersuader’s Club, we’ll also send you an autographedcopy of Gordon’s book that you’ve been hearing. Justvisit our web-site at persuaders-club.com. Or call us inthe next hour at 866-Obey-God. Right now, let’s returnto Gordon James Klingenschmitt.

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Teaching continued by Gordon James Klingenschmitt…

Thanks again, Mark. Did you know liarswill spend eternity in hell?

A Rutgers University study found that 71 percent of all Americancollege students admit to cheating on tests, exams, papers, andother graded materials.[26] In other words, 71 percent of you collegestudents out there lie to your professors, representing somebodyelse’s work to be your own, trying to get a higher gradethan you deserve. Then you lie a second time by taking yourinflated GPA into a job interview and telling your employer thatyou’re smarter than you really are. Then when you gethired, you steal a job away from somebody who didn’tcheat, who also applied for that job, and then for the rest ofyour life you steal a bigger paycheck than you deservefrom your company. If you cheat in college, it makes you aliar and a thief for the rest of your life. And if you callyourself a Christian, that makes you a liar yet again. TheBible says, if we claim to have fellowship with him yet walkin the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.[27]

“Are you saying” asks Johnny Lukewarm, “that if Itell a little white lie, or cheat on a quiz, God will hate me andcast me into eternal fire?” Well, the Bible says, theLORD hates...a lying tongue.[28] And inRevelation 21, it says all liars— their place will be inthe fiery lake of burning sulfur.[29]

Did you know that slandererswill spend eternity in hell?

Some people wonder what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Jesus said,“Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spiritwill never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”[30] Nowif you think you’ve blasphemed the Holy Spirit andyou’ll never be forgiven, don’t worry. Ifyou’re still breathing, it’s not too late to repent forwhatever you think you’ve done.

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is when you say to him,“you’re not the Holy Spirit, you’re an evilspirit.”[31] In other words, you hear the voice of the HolySpirit calling you to repent, but by refusing to repent, youstate with your actions that repenting is evil, and delayingrepentance is good. Woe to those who call evil good andgood evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, whoput bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.[32] Whenyou resist the Holy Spirit, you’re saying with your actions,“you are an evil spirit.” You grieve Him away,and he may never return to convict you again. And if youdie while resisting repentance, or calling Him evil with youractions, then you are guilty of an eternal sin which cannever be forgiven. But while you’re still alive, youcan repent, no matter what you’ve done. When the HolySpirit convicts you, and you repent, your repentance says to theHoly Spirit, “you are a good spirit.” This bringsgreat honor to Him, and your sins are forgiven. You know,there’s only one unforgivable sin, and that’s notrepenting before you die. The only sins that can sendyou to hell are the ones you don’t forsake. Sowhatever you do, don’t die with unconfessed sin in yourlife. Confess all your sins to God now, while you’restill breathing, and forsake all your known sins before you die.

People who gossip, rumor mongers, back-biters, and people whocan’t control their tongue have slandered God’sprophets and teachers throughout history. People evenslandered Jesus, and some of you listening may want to slander meand slander these teachings. It doesn’t hurt myfeelings, because I’m only trying to please God, not win apopularity contest. But if you want to slander myteachings, you’d better make sure my teachings aren’teven just a little bit inspired by the Holy Spirit. Everyonewho slanders me will be forgiven,[33] butwhoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never beforgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.[34] TheBible says slanderers will not inherit the kingdom of God.[35]

Did you know that unbelieversand cowards will spend eternity in hell? Do you have thecourage required for salvation? Are you brave enough torepent, and wholeheartedly submit to God’s rulership? Orare you a coward? Are you afraid to love God with all yourheart? The Bible says, the cowardly, theunbelieving… their place will be in the fiery lake ofburning sulfur.[36]

Now some of you might askif I’m guilty of these sins. Oh, how I am guilty. With my own voice, right here before the entire world, I, GordonJames Klingenschmitt, confess to you, before Jesus came to rulemy heart I was a slave to lust, drunkenness, pride, greed, anger,unforgiveness, and the list grows longer than this radio program. God, I plead with you, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Butthen, because of God’s gracious influence on my heart, Irepented and confessed my known sins to God. And he gave mea new new heart, and he cleansed my conscience, and Jesus movedin and took over my life, and He is able to keep me from fallinginto sin, and he’s forgiven me and granted me eternal life. But if I hadn’t repented of my sins, and invited Him to comeand rule my heart, I too would be spending eternity in hell.

(Higher) “Butall these sins you mentioned are legal today!” says JohnnyLukewarm, “It’s not against the law to get drunk, or beproud, or worship false gods. Our constitution allowsAmericans to do all these things freely without penalty. Andif the government can’t throw me into jail for these sins,how can God throw me in hell?” Isn’t it ironic,you usually don’t trust politicians, but now you entrustthem with your soul? I love our democracy and ourconstitution, but it’s just temporary. God’sgovernment is eternal. God’s laws are the ones thatmatter. When you stand trial in God’s courtroom on theday of judgment, and you have to give an account for the way youlived your life, what will God say to you? Will God saythat it wasn’t against His law to be greedy, or sexualimmorality or unforgiving, according to His laws? Sureabortion may be legal in America, but is it legal in God’scourtroom? The God of the Bible says, “As theheavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher thanyour ways…[37] We can only respond one way: “OLORD…all your words are true; all your righteous laws areeternal.”[38]

(Higher)“But if all those people you listed are going to hell,”asks Johnny Lukewarm, “then how can anybody be saved?” They asked Jesus that same question: thedisciples…were greatly astonished and asked, “Who thencan be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said,“With man this is impossible, but with God all things arepossible.” [39]

Don’t be afraid, Johnny Lukewarm, if you’re out therelistening. When you invite God to come and rule your heart,He will. God will come and rule your heart, but you’vegot to invite Him to do it. Love God with all your heart,love your neighbor as yourself. Change the priorities ofyour heart, and God will do the rest.

“Oh,I already love God,” says Johnny Lukewarm, “I justdon’t want to obey His commands.” No, JohnnyLukewarm, if you’re out there listening, you don’t loveGod. This is love for God: to obey his commands.[40] Jesus said, If you love me, you will obey what Icommand…Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is theone who loves me…If anyone loves me, he will obey myteaching…He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.[41] Do you claim to love God, but you don’t wantto obey God’s commands? Invite God to come rule yourheart. Love God wholeheartedly, and love your neighbor asyourself. Do this and you will live.

“Are you saying” asks Johnny Lukewarm, “that if Idon’t love God with all my heart, and love my neighbor asmyself, then I’m going to hell?”

Yes, Johnny, that’s exactly what I’m saying.

Nowbefore we pray, I want to encourage everybody listening:don’t think that other people’s sins are worse thanyour own. The sins I have committed, and the sins you havecommitted, are just as bad as the sins we’ve mentionedtoday. And apart from God’s mercy, none of us deserves to goto heaven.

ButJesus died on the cross to forgive all of our sins, if we’lljust turn to him and repent and change our hearts. Love Godwith all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Dothis, and no matter what you’ve done, God will forgive youand give you eternal life. Let’s look to Jesustogether, and pray for his forgiveness. Would you praythese words with me to God? Wherever you are, just stopwhat you’re doing for a moment and pray with me to God.

“Father in heaven,I’m so sorry for my sins. I confess all my sins to youright now. I confess drunkenness, and gluttony. I’msorry for eating and drinking to excess. I confess envy andjealousy. I’ve pursued materialistic, selfish things. I confess pride. I’ve never humbled myself to you andconfessed my sins to you. God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I confess participating in magic arts and consulting psychics,and praying to false gods and participating in occultic rituals. I forsake these sins, God. I confess that I have stolenfrom you, God, by not paying my tithes and not giving to thepoor. I confess lying and cheating, God, and I’llnever lie or cheat again. I’ll even go back andapologize to those I’ve lied to and cheated. I confessthat I have slandered people who teach the Bible, and made themineffective by mocking them. I confess the sin of unbelief,God, that I’ve not submitted my heart and mind to yourtruth. I’ve been a coward, Lord, and I’ve beenafraid to love you with all my heart. But right now, Irepent. I turn away from all my known sins. I chooseto love God with all my heart, and to love my neighbor as myself. I ask you to forgive me for my sins, Lord Jesus. I trust inyour atoning sacrifice on the cross, and right now, and I inviteyou to come and rule my heart forever. In your name I pray,Amen.”

Did you just pray with me? If you prayed with me, would yousay Amen? Go ahead, say it out loud. Amen, LordJesus. Some of you are receiving a physical healing in yourbodies right now, as God’s forgiveness takes over in yourheart. But if you said Amen just now, I hope you’llwrite to us and get a copy of this book you’re hearing meteach from. I’ve been very fortunate and blessed tohave this book read and endorsed by people like C. Peter Wagner,and professors Tony Campolo and Jon Mark Ruthven, Pastors TedHaggard and Floyd McClung, and Joy Dawson and Bill Hamon. Soyou know it’s trustworthy. In our book and in ourfuture broadcasts, we’ll answer the questions you may haveabout faith versus works or eternal security, and you’llhear more theological adventures of Johnny Lukewarm and PastorLoophole. So I hope you’ll write us and tune in nexttime. Now I love you, and I care about you. Sohere’s Mark with more information.

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Closing trailer by MarkMcWilliams…

Thanks Gordon, and thankseverybody for listening. Do you know somebody who needs to heartoday’s message? If you call our toll-free number inthe next hour, 866-Obey-God, we’ll mail you a free cassettetape of today’s broadcast, which you can copy and give toyour friends. All our tapes are copyable and free, but pleaseremember that we need your donations to stay on the air and togive away these free tapes. So please pray and obey Godabout how much these teachings are worth to you, and return to usyour best possible gift after you receive your free cassette. (Gordon: Hey time out! If it’s your first timecontacting us, no donation is required! Just call us!) Our toll free number is 866-Obey-God, that’s 1-866-O-B-E-Y-G-O-D,and please specify you’re requesting today’s program. Now do you believe America needs to hear these messages? Ifso, we’re specifically asking you to join thePersuader’s Club, and to sponsor this radio broadcast with amonthly pledge of just $15. If you join thePersuader’s Club as a monthly partner, we’ll send youan autographed copy of the book you’ve been hearing, writtenand taught by Gordon James Klingenschmitt, entitled,“License To Sin, The Number One Reason America Is Losing ItsMoral Foundation.” Just visit our web-site atpersuaders-club.com. That’s persuaders-club.com. It’s the monthly donations of our Persuader’s Clubpartners who keep this program on the air. Now if you havecomments or questions about today’s broadcast, you can emailus at “persuadetheworld@yahoo.com,” Or you canwrite to us. Or you can always call us toll free, at866-Obey-God. And if you remember, please tell us the callsign of the radio station you’re listening to. May Godbless you, and thank you for supporting Persuade The WorldMinistries. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, wepersuade men.

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[1] Luke 10:25-28 (NIV)

[2] Prov 16:6 (NIV)

[3] 1 John 3:14-15 (NIV)

[4] 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

[5] 1 Cor 6:9-10 (NIV)

[6] Eph 5:18 (NIV)

[7] Isa 5:22 (NIV)

[8] Gal 5:19-21 (NIV)

[9] 1 Cor 6:13 (NIV)

[10] 1 Cor 15:32 (NIV)

[11] Phil 3:18-19 (NIV)

[12] Gal 5:19-21 (NIV)

[13] Prov 16:5 (NIV)

[14] Gal 5:19-21 (NIV)

[15] Luke 18:10-14 (NIV)

[16] See 1 Tim 2:5

[17] Rev 21:8 (NIV)

[18] Deut 18:10-12 (NIV)

[19] Acts 19:19 (NIV)

[20] Gal 5:19-21 (NIV)

[21] Barna, Index of LeadingSpiritual Indicators, p. 111.

[22] See Matthew 23:23 and Luke11:42

[23] Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV)

[24] Those who earn between$50,000 and $75,000 per year give an average of 1.5% to charity,religious or otherwise, and spend 12% on leisure pursuits. WilliamD. Hendricks, “What’s Wrong with This Picture?” Wall Street Journal, 6 Aug 91

[25] 1 Cor 6:9-10 (NIV)

[26] Study cited by The AmericanTimes television news program, broadcast 29 Apr 96.

[27] I John 1:6 (NIV)

[28] Prov 6:16-17 (NIV)

[29] Rev 21:8 (NIV)

[30] Mark 3:29 (NIV)

[31] Mark 3:30 (NIV)

[32] Isaiah 5:20 (NIV)

[33] Luke 12:10 (NIV)

[34] Mark 3:29 (NIV)

[35] 1 Cor 6:9-10 (NIV)

[36] Rev 21:8 (NIV)

[37] Isa 55:9 (NIV)

[38] Ps 119:159-160 (NIV)

[39] Matt 19:25-26 (NIV)

[40] 1 John 5:3 (NIV)

[41] John 14:15-24 (NIV)