John MacArthur is a Pharisee - so much for "Grace to You"

John MacArthur of the ministry "Grace to You" and Grace Community church says assurance is not based on Christ's finished work.

Instead, it's based on the "zealous efforts" and "moral pursuits" of the sinner.

Macarthur is inconsistent. He seems so concerned about prayer - he advocates a "National Day of Prayer" - but he says some believers cannot pray. After all the Holy Spirit "abandons" some believers. And can a believer without assurance cry "Abba, Father"? Is it possible for a believer uncertain of God's love, to thank God in prayer? Of course not. So MacArthur - by saying that believers sometimes have no assurance (and therefore cannot pray) - denies one of the main privileges of a believer.

Also...

Response to user "Heathec", who attempted to defend MacArthur.

I wrote... Sorry Heathac. Nothing really separates your your view position is basically the Catholic position. Catholics say we are saved by faith + works. OK. They say faith is belief, and on top of this belief, we need to be humble, obey the Law etc. Now, I know, I know you're crying out, "I believe faith alone without works". But how do you define faith? Is faith more than belief? Is something more than belief required? If you say "yes, something more than belief is required", then you are simply echoing the Catholic position of faith + works. For example, I know that you say that faith is humility, faith is love and faith is obedience. Now, seriously, isn't that a subtle trick? You say, "I'm not teaching salvation by works - Faith alone! Is what I believe". But all along you are teaching works salvation. When you say, "faith alone" you really mean "humility and sincerity alone" because you say faith is humility. When you say "faith alone" you actually mean "obedience alone" because you say faith is obedience. So... at the end of the day, you have divided faith into many parts -- by saying that faith is humility, faith is obedience etc - so that every time you say "salvation by faith" you really mean salvation by humility, salvation by obedience, salvation by commitment...

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[1apadilla]

This is yet another video that makes no sense. JM preached an unadulterated message. Pure sound doctrin.

[rokwing]

AndrewcBain, delete this video now, and end your slander of one of God's great servants. Chrrist work is enough. MacArthur is simply explaining what we need to do to have personal assurance of salvation (no doubts). He says being saved is by faith alone. But that faith is more than intellectual assent.

[willpower242]

Andrew ........you condemn yourself w these videos..........you dont know what you are talking about..........

[HeReformedMe]

John McArthur would be the first one to tell u, obedience to the law is not a REQUIREMENT for a relationship with God, rather obedience to God and His law is a RESULT of a relationship with the God of scipture. In this view is the truth pronounced over and over again throughout the Bible that God is in control, our efforts are futile and like filthy rags in the eyes of God. He gets all the glory and all the credit due to Him for mans salvation.

[igniteJC]

The author of this video and those of you commenting are flat out wrong and heretical. John Macarthur does not teach what you are claiming. That is false. I am a member of Grace church and can honestly say that he is being taken out of context and with 100% certainty this is false and inaccurate! Those of you who are calling MacArthur a heroic and Pharisee, let's go to the Scriptures to see who is the heretic and who is believing in a false gospel. I guarantee you it won't be John.

[chrissyferraro]

@MrDiscernment2011 Unfortunately it is true. They love to talk about "putting on, and putting off." yet, they know nothing of "if you speak, do so in gentleness and truth." and "love in sincere." They unfortunately are trapped in a system of works, and pride. A very foolish combination. Putting emphasis on the self, rather than on God. It is sad, how he is a wolf in sheeps clothing. People, can't see it. They can't see it in themselves either, because they believed the lie, rather than the truth

[chrissyferraro]

That is precisely what it is, a naked gospel. One not in need for clothes to cover up the truth, & therefore corrupt its true beauty. Which is freedom in Christ.

The gospel, is the gospel, no one can strip it's power. For those who seek, they will find, when they seek with all their heart. Have we forgotten the power of God?

JM does his service, but he is not perfect in his theology, nor interpretation of application. He does not live in the power of God, but the power of man. A true deception

[MrDiscernment2011]

@chrissyferraro "I found it incredibly ironic how the church is called "Grace" when it's the one thing... that they are furthest from truly understanding." Sooo true.. I use to attend MacArthur's college, The Masters College, and found the exact same thing. The school promotes legalism and doing good works as a means to prove salvation. No Holy Spirit, No devotional times, No ability to use any of the gifts mentioned in 1 Cor,. 12-14. MacArthur think He is the only one who can know scripture.

[jasonc0065]

@rokwing sounds pretty twisted to me. Looking at my own works can never assure me, never has, and never will. Only falling on the blood of Jesus seems to work.

[TheOringinalBRad]

I always thought the was a pharisee, sneaky man describes himself as a leaky dispensationalist. In other words He has covenant issues, and forsakes Israel for the sake of the Jews.

[gallantentry]

@chrissyferraro MacArthur's ministry is responsible for hundreds of cases where true believers were questioning their own salvation.

[gallantentry]

John MAcArthur is a very deceptive teacher. He may be correct on most of his teaching., but Lordhsip salvation is non-Biblical and therefore lie. The other are where JM teaches heresy is his position on the blood of Christ. Andrew is 100% right, JM teaches us to find assurance in ourselves, therefore no one can have assurance. Our assurance should be on God's promises and based on His character. We are saved because of what He has done. Jesus said, "It is finished."