"Be Not Deceived is an apt title for this book because of its stern warnings against believing the Satanic lie of antinomianism, which promotes sin among Christians by getting them to believe they need not obey God's law. Gaining victory through refuting Satanic lies also plays a prominent role in gaining victory over sin by Christians who do want to obey God, as Neil Anderson showed in The Bondage Breaker. Both these books show how devastating Satanic lies can be and that clear courageous Scriptural thinking is needed to defeat them and gain victory." --
F.W. Schultz (Under the Auspices of Active Christian Media) April 6, 2007"Mrkvicka argues that over the past 50 years, Christianity in America has trended toward a theology of "once-saved-always-saved," relegating Bible-based social views and lifestyles to the realm of "legalism." This new theological stance is seen as a surrender to secular humanism, and to society's emphasis on a material culture in which self-denial is anathema. The author explains that most Christians who accept this teaching are doing so with the best of intentions, but that they are being deceived by Satan. He presents the scenario as a black-and white contrast between true salvation through following the precepts of God provided by the Scriptures, and a false sense of salvation caused by rationalizing sinful actions.
The book is well-written...engaging...thought-provoking." -- KIRKUS Discoveries, March 21, 2007
"Mrkvicka provides a literal understanding of the Bible to help Christians understand the Word of God.
The author explains that Christians have drifted away from the messages of the Bible to create a God that fits their lifestyle. The belief "once-saved-always-saved" is an important topic discussed throughout the book. Mrkvicka explains that abandoning the Word of God to justify current social behaviors will not lead to eternal salvation. One of the most important points the author makes and discusses is that eternal salvation is not a right, but a righteous gift. The author explains that we now live in a society where people expect rewards without sacrifice. This view has led many Christians to adopt the false belief that we are automatically saved as long as we believe and, therefore, repentance is not necessary.
Obeying the Word of God is a key message throughout the book. The author explains that Christians must go back to the Word of God as written in the Bible to achieve eternal salvation and avoid hell. Mrkvicka provides a Spiritual Guide to the many problems confronting Christians today. The author emphasizes that every problem has a biblical solution.
The book, "Be Not Deceived," offers Christians a guide to truly accepting the gift of eternal salvation." -- Write Field Services, March 1, 2007
Ever heard someone professing Christianity make comments like these? Ever make them yourself?
"I may be backslidden, but I'm still a Christian. You don't know what's in my heart." "All Christians sin; the bible even says we're never going to stop sinning - so get off my back, already!" "I know I'm saved - I said the prayer and asked Jesus to save me." "Who are you to criticize me? Judge not, lest ye be judged."
If you know that Christian, or if you are that Christian, you can't afford to not read this book. Be Not Deceived examines salvation, repentance and obedience - and the doctrine of "once-saved-always-saved."
"The present-day doctrine of once-saved-always-saved is, in a historical context, a fairly new belief introduced approximately 50 years ago. Certainly prior to the turn of the 20th century, there was not one major denomination that preached salvation without obedience. Quite the contrary. Salvation and obedience are, and always have been, synergistic. Research denotes it wasn't until society demanded the right to be in open spiritual rebellion that some clergy found it necessary to create a worldly interpretation of salvation, thereby meeting the needs of the growing numbers of disobedient. Since then, others have simply followed the doctrine as Gospel, even though, because it is incomplete, it is not biblically sustainable."
Is it possible to have justification without sanctification? Can Jesus be your Savior without being your Lord? What does biblical obedience really look like, and what does it mean if you're not doing it? Be Not Deceived challenges professing Christians to take a long hard look at what's inside - because where you spend eternity really does depend on it.
The first few chapters of the book discuss doctrine in plain English. Too many churches these days spend all their time on application and not doctrine, and many Christians simply have no idea why they profess what they profess. Be Not Deceived tackles the doctrine of salvation in a way that you don't need a divinity degree to understand. A particularly useful section of the book is chapter 5, the "Spiritual Guide." It is an alphabetized topical listing of bible verses. While the lists are not comprehensive, they do make a good start - if you're interested in learning what the bible says about hypocrisy, ingratitude, or premarital sex, for example, these lists are the beginning of some good bible studies. Finally, Be Not Deceived dispenses with today's "cheap and easy grace" and lays out the reasons why Jesus can't be your Savior without being your Lord. In no way does this book put Christianity on the "works" side of the equation - but it does make clear that works, including obedience, are an essential part of the equation.
"God's grace is victorious over sin and gives strength to those subordinated to His knowledge of what is best in and for their lives. False grace supposedly saves the sinner while allowing him to remain in his wretched condition. Lest we fall into Satan's trap of having the redeemed believe the lie that everyone sins (and therefore it is spiritually acceptable), understand, in Him, we are made holy and sin no more. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosever sinneth has not seen him, neither known him. (1 John 3:6) It is sacrilege to believe the secular lie that we all sin, and the grace of God covers our willful disobedience. The grace of God is an animate blessing giving us a way out of the filth of the world. Its purpose is not to allow us to exist in, or make peace with, indecency. Nor is it necessarily just a future, supernatural blessing, but rather an integral part of the here-and-now for those who claim His name. The problem is that too many of us want to remain in our sins, or at least those sins we like. ... We cannot abuse God's grace and expect to receive salvation. Christ is either our Lord and Savior, or He is nothing at all."
Author: Edward F. Mrkvicka, Jr. with Kelly Helen Mrkvicka Publisher: Trafford Publisher Title: Be Not Deceived Genre: Nonfiction Rating: 5 of 5 -- Pursuing Holiness (Laura, May 15, 2007)
Get ready for a spiritual sledgehammer right between the eyes of your heart:
THE MAJORITY OF US WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL.
That is the premise of this very well written and Scripture supported book. The author is unflinching in his warnings to re-assess the once-saved-always-saved belief. God's grace is not an insurance policy that covers willful disobedience. He does not send us to Hell. We send ourselves by the choices we make.
The author says in the preface, "...I came to understand that the worst thing possible is believing you're going to heaven, only to find on Judgment Day that your name is missing from the Book of Life."
We learn that in the last 50-plus years, new salvation without obedience doctrines have emerged to accommodate worldly interpretation of Scripture for those in open spiritual rebellion.
The author begins with an explanation of something with which many Christians are unfamiliar: The Nicolaitan doctrine. That is one of two things Jesus said He hated - that, and the deeds of those who practiced it. What does it mean?
"Nicolas, the father of the Nicolaitan doctrine was one of seven men chosen by the Church to oversee the needs of widows... (Acts 6:1). Nicolas was seen by believers as a wise, spiritual man, yet, in brazen impudence, he gave birth to a doctrine that led to idolatry and open fornication within the Church. He and his followers believed the world and the Kingdom could exist together, notwithstanding the teachings of the Son and the commandments of the Father to the contrary." (P.4)
Under the cloak of piety and claims to be followers of Christ, the Nicolaitans embraced shameless pleasures and self-indulgence. They professed love for the Savior but at the same time immersed themselves in blatant sin. In other words, they believed the Kingdom and the world could exist hand-in-hand; that behavior did not matter.
"The Bible never gives us any indication that a walk with God is a walk through a religious smorgasbord where we can choose what we like and discard that which we do not. In fact, the attitude of disobedience is the very essence of sin, and it is false teaching bordering on blasphemy to suggest that God will welcome into heaven those who willfully reject His rightful authority over their lives." (P.6)
The author says he takes every opportunity to ask his brothers and sisters in Christ, "Who is God?" The majority answer, "God is love." Of course, that is correct - it just doesn't go far enough.
"The simplistic answer that God is love is in no small part due to the fact that many Christians worship a divided Christ; i.e., too many of us readily accept Christ as Savior, but, by our fruits of disobedience, reject Him as our Lord." (P.8)
He explains the rest of the story:
Yes, God is love, but He is also...
1. Intelligent beyond human comprehension. 2. Supremely powerful. 3. Jealous. 4. Righteous above all else. 5. Vengeful (if we sin willfully after knowing the truth of the Word, we have exercised our free will to reject what we once embraced and will meet the same fiery fate as non-believers who oppose the Lord). 6. Omnipresent (we shouldn't treat Him as something irrelevant to be used as necessary). 7. Our provider 8. Our peace 9. Our Judge 10. Our Shepherd 11. The One who sanctifies us 12. Yes, God is love, but He is so much more.
Salvation, as understood by many, is explained by this analogy. If you are trying to put together a child's bicycle, the instructions usually say you will need a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. That does not mean if you have those things you have a bike that will roll. It just means you are ready for the next step in the process.
Because we have free will, salvation does not begin and end here: For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16) KJV.
The author offers pages of verses that reveal the gift of salvation, "...not in the simplistic form we might wish, but in the loving breadth it is offered." He says we are called to hear the Word, believe the Word, repent of our sins, confess and witness, be baptized, obey, and endure.
"An alter call and the 'Sinner's Prayer' are like a cancer operation. Yes, the operation is important, but what really matters is whether or not your cancer is cured." (P.30)
"The biblical doctrine of repentance is dead in many churches and in the minds of their flock. It has been replaced with a doctrine of being sorry...There is no forgiveness or pardon of a sin while the sin remains active...We have to stop doing what we're asking God to forgive, for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13). Notice, He didn't say He had come to call sinners to be sorry... Replacing repentance with being sorry is replacing the Holy Word with a lie." (P.36)
"The truth is, salvation is free, but it carries obligatory responsibilities. The world tells us we need not repent because we are saved, but the Bible tells us that unless we repent, we will likewise perish (Luke 13:5)."
This author very succinctly states, "... a moment, or even years of sincere belief, is not a righteous response to the most valuable gift ever given...and because we have free will from birth to death, the gift of salvation can be returned. Satan depends on this truth. If he didn't, why would he waste his time on those saved? These are harsh realities, but the truth doesn't make compromises."(P.40)
"Salvation is a gift Satan wants to trick you into surrendering, and what better way than to convince you that you haven't lost what you have lost?" (P.62)
"We are told that narrow is the gate leading to heaven and few will find it. Once-saved-always-saved says, by implication, that the gate is wide open to once saved sinners and many, not a few, will enter." (P.63)
"Spiritual obedience is a concept the world rejects. We reject it because it gets in the way of doing what we want." (P.74)
"And herein lies an important point. Are you having trouble obeying God? Are you shading the truth, playing fast and loose with lying, cheating, being faithful, loyal, or are you 'just slightly' out of sync with God's Word? Hear me, this is important. Obedience is God's barometer of our faith." (P.75)
A short review of such an outstanding book cannot begin to encompass its depth. I have quoted liberally from its passages, since Mr. Mrkvicka's words are so effective in piercing to the heart of the matter. To try to put the author's offering in perspective, he reminds us over and over, "...we declare ourselves Christian, but if we do not exhibit the works of our Lord and Savior, we will not be believed by the One who matters. We can fool others. We can even fool ourselves. But we cannot fool God!" (P. 172)
Although this is well written and easy to understand, I do not consider it light reading. Gaining insight into our relationship with our Creator, the one who holds our eternal lives in His hands, is as serious as it gets.
This is a hi-liter and pen-in-hand kind of study. No matter on which side of salvation theology you stand, I highly recommend this book as part of any seeking, thinking Christian's library. -- Faith Writers, Reviewer: Linda Germain September 10, 2007
Salvation is a free gift. Scripture backs that up. The problem is that in our culture of instant gratification and achieving without giving anything up, doing anything or submitting to anyone or thing, many have "dumbed down" God's gift and what He intended for those who claim His name.
Many preach and live a Christianity that is simply a weekly comfort fix, which is a far cry from the submitted followers God asks us to be. Salvation is only part of the picture as faith without works is dead. We show we know Christ by our thoughts, words and actions. If we aren't living our faith, can we truly claim to know Christ?
The author bravely dismantles the myths of American Christianity and draws us firmly back onto the foundation of Biblical faith. As James 2:20 says, "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?." A thoughtful and well-written call back to Biblical Christianity and Christ. -- Author's Choice Reviews, November 1, 2006
The reader will become engaged and compelled to keep reading. This is an interesting book. -- The Writer's Edge, December 13, 2006
