Is Tim Delello A Follower Of Anderson, Spurgeon, Calvin, MacAurthur, Hyles, etc?

 The simple answer is wholeheartedly - NO. I do not follow any of these men. It is the responsibility of you, the reader, to ask me questions about what I believe and teach and not rely on what the internet or other people claim that I am. I study my Bible and I constantly challenge myself on what I believe. I am constantly analyzing what I have said or done and how I could do it better. 

If you believe everything you read on the internet you shouldn't be in the office or position you are in. I am NOT a follower of anyone. I am unaffiliated. I am not part of a denomination or a camp. I may have similar doctrines that so and so has but I am not to be held accountable for them and they are not accountable for me. I am an INDEPENDENT, FUNDAMENTAL, UNAFFILIATED BAPTIST. 

(Please forgive the overemphasis) 

It Has Been A Year...

 Jesus spoke a parable in response to people asking about the current events surrounding the blood of the Galileans that Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Many were questioning whether this the end. The answer Christ gave was measured against their persons rather than against the misfortune or injustice on others. Christ responded with more current events referring to the souls which perished when the Tower of Siloam fell. He asks if they were exceedingly sinful above the sinners in Jerusalem. Jesus then uses the parable that I was called to remember last night in my sleep. 

Luke 13:6-9

6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

That is the end of the parable. To us we know there is more. To those gathered around they didn't have the bible as we have it today. So, When Christ spoke these words they weren't misapplied. There was not a hidden message. Jesus was speaking to them directly. He was using an illustration that struck the chord in their hearts. There was no doubt that he was referring to their lack of repentance. He previously stated this in the verses dealing with the fallen tower and killed Galileans. 

A fig tree had been planted and it was not producing fruit although it had good ground and good seed. The tree failed to yield fruit. It was without excuse. The man didn't blame the Dresser. He didn't blame the soil. He didn't blame the crows or the weather. He blamed the tree. He didn't question the work ethic of the vinedresser. He didn't question the times they were in. He blamed the tree. 

The Tree was given everything necessary to produce fruit. The Dresser, knowing the vineyard having been in it for years, intervened and asked if he could do some more detailed work on the tree. He would cultivate the soil. He would fertilize it. He wanted to give it another year. The owner wanted to destroy the tree so it would not cumber the ground any further. Isn't it sad that the tree was less valuable than dirt?)

We see that the tree was given an extension of life. The Dresser had a year to dig it and dung it before it was discarded. Make no mistake when we read this; it wasn;t going to be transplanted into another field for a few years. The tree was going to be broken off and burned in the fire. It was going to be refused. There was no coming back to this unprofitable tree. 

Fast forward a year from this time. Jesus made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people thronged the way waving palm branches, laying their coats on the ground and cheering 'Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the kingdom of our father David. Hosanna in the highest.' 

Jesus entered into Jerusalem, looked around upon all things, and went out with his disciples unto Bethany (Mark 11.) 

THE NEXT DAY, Jesus saw the fig tree afar off and having leaves, he came, haply. 

Haply means (by chance, luck, on accident) 

Jesus had surveyed the parable of the fig tree the day before. The same crowd that escorted him in with pomp and circumstance went back about their day. There was leaves. There was activity. There was no fruit. It was just a burdensome tree. It cumbered the ground and was a waste of potential. Jesus cursed the tree. No man would EVER eat fruit of that fig tree ever again. It wasn't seasonal. It as a severed end. That tree was done. That tree had failed to do its job. That tree was a false flag. It should have had fruit since it had leaves. Even if it wasn't time for the fig season. 

Jesus entered into Jerusalem, the same city that celebrated his coming the day before, and they were short cutting the sacrifices, desecrating the temple, and dishonoring God with their dishonesty. Jesus put an end to all of this. The Scribes and Pharisees heard of it and they sought how they might destroy Christ. They feared Christ not because of his person but because of his presumed popularity with the people. 

As Christ walked back out of the city on the way back to Bethany, Peter noticed the cursed fig tree and how it was withered away. Jesus tells them to have faith in God. The third entry into the city Christ was met with oppositon. The first entry Christ had faced involvement. The second day Christ had faced indifference. The third day Christ faced indignation. HOW DARE he over throw the figless tree? How dare he dig it and dung it? By whose authority did he do these things? 

Jesus goes on with more parables of a rented out vineyard and men who killed the owner's son. He was asked about Political affiliation; Christ rejected political affiliation. He IS KING of Kings. He was asked about heritage and lineage. Christ IS THE SEED. HE was asked about so many rapid fire questions to try and put him into a corner. Jesus at last departs Jerusalem overlooking the city and cries out a lamenting proclamation against them. A cry of despair, dereliction and destruction. It was being thrown into the fire. He had given the people another year. 

My friend; it has been a year. You have all things pertaining to life and godliness. Got figs? 

If God spared not the natural branches; what makes you think he will spare you? 

Abide in him and he in you - bring forth much fruit. 

Everything But What The Text Says

 I have an estranged friend who has cut off fellowship with me because of my Eschatological belief. He considers me a cultist. I still consider him a friend and often pray for his family, health, and his Christian walk. He can take a passage of scripture, count the number of words in it. compare it to some mathematical equation and find the number three or 7 in any passage. He can tell you the number of verses, words, chapters, paragraphs, jots and tittles in the Bible. It is something to see. He can tell you the history behind the verses. He can draw parallels to the illustrations, he can even tell you what preacher preached on the topic recently out if his vast selection of online resources. He is mesmerizing. Something he cannot do as well is to allow the passage to tell you exactly what is being said. What does the Bible say? What does it mean? How does it apply to my life? 

Imagine with me we are in a dark room. There is no light to be seen except for a red lettered illuminating sign above the door. WOW. Great imagination! I can see it too. Ok, what does that sign say? I am not asking what it does not say. I am asking what does the sign say? E X I T. 

This means that this is the exit. While some will grope around in the darkness and clawing at the walls trying to provide their own way of escape; someone has provided a designated way out. It is called an EXIT. That way out is clearly and boldly identified by the illuminated letters giving hope to those struggling and stumbling in the dark. 

It is not condescending. it is not inferring that someone is less intelligent or incapable of one day finding the exit as they bump into things. It is merely stating that this is a designated exit. E X I T. That is it. That is what it is clearly stating. 

What does it mean? It means that someone involved in the construction of the building knew that one day there would be a power outage or a fire. some urgent need to find the exit. They knew there would be no light source from the outside since there are no windows. They knew that people would one day need to find a portal out of the danger they were in. They knew people normally do not embrace physical darkness. Nobody who faces diminishing eye sight rejoices that they will soon lose their sight. Last night I was in a large building when the power went out. It was dark. My heart skipped a beat as I sat startled for a split second. I began formulating a plan of how I would safely secure my possessions and escort my two girls to safety. I heard in the darkness "where is the exit?" Imagine that. Someone wanted to see E X I T above a physical means of escape. It also means that there is not a way to climb out from the ceiling or tools to dig a hole in the wall from the inside. If someone was going to escape this dark room it would have to be through the EXIT. 

How does it apply to our life? 

Hey, genius! USE THE EXIT. WALK TOWARDS THE GLOWING RED SIGN. FIND THE DOOR AND ESCAPE. 

Ok, so, did i really just write a blog about an exit sign? Kind of. 

The Bible tells us that we are going face sudden impending danger and darkness. A darkness that wages war against the saints. A darkness that seeks to destroy. It seeks to persecute all who do not embrace its wickedness. Yes, I am speaking of Antichrist. He will force marks upon the forehead and hand of all those who conduct according to his government, religion and economy. There will be a righteous remnant who have already been marked. They have the mark of God upon their hearts and head. The earth will not be hurt until God marks his own. You are either going to take the mark of the beast or you will have the mark of God. YOU are NOT EVER your own. You are not a free entity. You are either a servant of God or a slave to sin. 

The way of escape is not a secret gentile door. It is Christ Jesus. We are not appointed unto wrath. (I Thess 5:9) The wrath of God is slowly yet exceedingly and purposefully tilted and will be poured out upon unrighteousness. Have you found your exit? 

Should I follow The Lord's Anointed or the Lord's Anointed or the Lord's Anointed?

 Perplexing question; is it not?! 

Recently I heard a sermon out of Psalms 52 where David is writing about the involvement of Doeg the Edomite when he killed 85 priests, their families and possessions at the command of King Saul. You can read the entire story in Psalms 52 as well as 1 Samuel chapters 21 and 22. Everyone sees Doeg the Edomite as a wicked man. He was. I do not question that. I do however see the story in a different light. It is something that I was sharing with one of the men after church when he asked me if I was a Doeg (playfully.) 

Saul

Saul was anointed king of Israel by Samuel when the people demanded that they be like other nations. God told Samuel that they had not rejected Samuel but rather they rejected God. He allowed the people to have their King and begin a reign of Monarchy rather than God's government. Saul disobeyed God and failed to execute righteousness against the Amalekites who had wronged God's people coming out of Egypt. Because of his disobedience which is as the sin of witchcraft, God had Samuel anoint David, the shepherd boy son of Jesse, to be King in Saul's place. Saul was still King. Saul knew his kingdom was being taken from him and instead of repenting and accepting his failure and consequences he began to be jealous of David. David was his Son in law and as a son to King Saul. Saul's vengeful pursuit of David should have been the intolerance that he had toward Amalek. Sadly, many preachers today will take a stronger stand against a brother than against the world or their flesh (another topic for another day.)

Saul, in his unrighteousness, sought to destroy David. When he found out that David had been to see Ahimelech he ordered his soldiers to destroy the priests and everyone around. His army refused and he turned to bloodthirsty Doeg who was all too willing. Here is the kicker; Doeg was obeying the Lord's anointed. 

David

David was the Lord's Anointed king upon Saul's death. He was the son in law to Saul. He was a dear friend of Jonathan. David was brokenhearted as he fled from Saul as a fugitive and became public enemy number One. David fled to Nob hill and met up with Ahimelech, the priest. David sought for bread from the Holy place. The bread was from the table of shewbread which was reserved for the priests. It was not for the common man. Yet, David insisted that he take of their provisions. He was the Son in law of the King and according to Ahimelech, he was understood to be the most dependable servant in the land to the King. David had no part of the Lord's table. He was not authorized to that bread. It was sacred. It was holy. David knew Saul was the Lord's anointed and he wouldn't even protect himself against Saul while the opportunity presented itself. It convicted him deeply that he even cut a part of Saul's clothing off as Saul slept in the cave. Saul was God's Anointed. David was Saul's Anointed. 

Ahimelech

Yes, Ahimelech was God's Anointed. The priests were anointed for a special purpose. They were to represent Man to God. They were responsible for carrying out the sacrifices and all things pertaining to the tabernacle. They were Holiness Unto The Lord. Let's be clear - When David asked for the bread that was specifically for the priests - David was willfully pressuring the priests to disobey God and break rank. Ahimelech disobeyed God as a result of this. My! My! MY! What a tangled web of deceit! 

Doeg The Edomite

We degrade Doeg for OBEYING the king. We condemn Doeg for showing no mercy in assassinating the anointed servants of God. Here is the kicker - Doeg was obeying the worf of the King. He was submitting himself to the "man of God." How did obeying the Anointed King turn into a man's reputation being that of a bloodthirsty man? Let's understand something. Doeg was in error before jealous ol King Saul ever rode up Nob hill. He was already being detained at the Tabernacle. David knew he was not a good person even when breathing the same air. He knew Doeg was trouble from the start. Doeg was an opportunistic, self- serving, blood thirsty, vile soul.  Yet, he was obedient to the command of the King. He obeyed the Lord's Anointed, King Saul. 

Before I close out my thoughts on the story I would like to remind the reader of another instance in God's Word. There were two unnamed prophets of the Lord whose lives intertwined in a horrible relationship and it cost the young prophet his life. I Kings 13.

God told the young prophet to go and preach against the altar and then go home. do not pass go; do not collect $200. The preacher did what God instructed and went on his way. Along the way the older prophet heard of what happened and latched on to the young man. He decieved the young prophet and deceived, delayed and derailed the young prophet all under the banner of "THE LORD TOLD ME TO TELL YOU." 

Sometimes, it is not wise to listen to the Lord's anointed. The Lord's anointed can sometimes ruin you. When the old prophet heard of the young prophet's demise he fetched him and buried him. He mourned his passing. He lamented his death. Maybe if the old prophet would not have lied to the young upcoming prophet - there wouldn't have been a funeral. Perhaps YEARS had gone by between the time God had the older prophet go and do that ONE single act. Maybe there was jealousy as Saul had. All I know is that FINALLY the Word of the Lord came to that old prophet and his message was death to that young prophet who was lied to by that veteran prophet. 

Don't be a Doeg. Don't be an opportunist and jump at the chance to destroy God's Anointed. 

Pastor Appreciation In Light Of The Bible

 We live in a society which either reveres the preacher or they ridicule the pastor. I realize that there are many men masquerading as pastors today who have no more business leading an ant farm than they do overseeing a local body of believers. I also realize that there is another side of the spectrum to where there are churches who harm the pastor by not cooperating with him. They won't join the church. They won't tithe/give regularly. They won't attend consistently (sporadic attendance) and yet they want the pastor to remain a pillar of consistency and a bulwark in their life. Guess what; Pastors are human too. Pastors also have days where they need fellow believers to lean on. They also have days where they need to be carried. They have crazy family lives. They have children. They have bills. They have health issues. They have the flesh to deal with too. They also have a congregation full of little "thems" that they have to work with. They have to handle multiple personalities at one time (sometimes in one person) and yet they have to behave themselves as flawless as the average person expects them to act. They are human. It has been said that there is no lonelier place than that of the ministry. It is a place of solidarity. It is a place where any spare moment apart needs to be spent apart or else they will come apart. 

It is the responsibility of the church to properly care for and encourage the Pastor in good days and in bad days. How then does a church do this? 

Gifts:

"If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" 

I Corinthians 9:11

Throwing money at the pastor is demeaning. It isn't about the money. Money isn't the focus of his ministry. Money is cliché. it is impersonal. It screams "I haven't really thought enough of you to get you a gift which reflects my gratitude for your involvement in my life." 

A new Bible! Face it, A Bible to a Pastor is like a broom and a dustpan to a wife. Growing up, my mom would buy us school supplies for Christmas. That was cruel. During my first pastorate a church member wrapped tablets of paper and a pack of ink pens each year for Christmas. I understand that it is the thought thought that counts but that is just it; THOUGHT. 

The Pastor always needs new ties. Let us go get him new ties from the second hand store. No, lets not. Lets go to Joseph A Bank or Men's Wearhouse and buy him a tie and cufflink set. Put thought into his interests. Pay attention. Pay for a new vehicle. Have the church purchase a new car. If the pastor is driving a beater with a heater and everyone is driving a newer car - upgrade his car. I am not saying a newest model but a decent upgraded car. Send he and his wife on a week getaway. Pay for college courses. Pay for extended education. Splurge on his family. Love his wife. Be generous to his children at home. 

Self

"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also." Romans 16:1-2

Imagine if you will a Christian filled with the spirit and able to both identify her spiritual gifts and also using them in such a way to further the kingdom without becoming a woman preacher. Imagine a church being secure in the fact that a spirit filled woman could actually be used by God to help many in and out of a church? Women have a great propensity for Christian gifts and are often limited within the church out of misunderstood application to Scripture. Here we see Phebe who was not only a commended sister who served a local church but was personally recommended by Paul as an aide. Someone who came to his assistance in a time of hazard or peril. Some preachers (I will not discredit the title Pastor by associating it with them) believe that it is unscriptural for women to teach other women except how to have children and how to stay silent in church at all times. I believe we do much harm to each other and ultimately to the cause of Christ when we silence women from exhortation and service. No, I do not believe women should have any authority over men. No, they should never be pastors or deacons(deaconess) but they have a purpose in a church. Miriam led a congregation in song upon the deliverance  from Pharaoh and the Red Sea. Priscilla helped Paul and Apollos in their ministry. Lydia was an aid to the Apostles. 

There is a great need within churches for people to help the Pastor. The pastor needs a kind word. The Pastor needs administrative or secretarial assistance. The Pastor needs an accountant. The Pastor needs a greeter. The pastor needs help. The Church needs everyone to find out what they are to be and go about to do it. 

Service

"But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah. And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him." 2 Kings 3:11-12

Face it. Someone has to clean the toilets. Someone has to change the trash can in the nursery. Someone is going to need to straighten the song books in the pew. Someone has to stack the chairs. Someone has to help in soul winning. Someone has to help fold bulletins. I need to rephrase that. Someone SHOULD do these things; other than the Pastor. It isn't that he is above it but it is that he has an important duty and although he is the servant of the Lord he is not the slave of the church. We get the idea that all Jesus did was stoop down and wash feet, heal sicknesses, deal with lepers and feed multitudes. He also spent time alone in prayer. Pardon the bluntness but Jesus wasn't a pastor. He never intended himself to be the pastor. He came to die. He didn't pattern his life for a life long service. His ministry was for 3 years. If the pastor of your church did what Jesus did in a week he would be burnt out in a day. 

Elisha poured water on the hands of Elijah. It wasn't that Elijah was helpless or that Elisha was some second rate servant boy. It was that Elisha was a servant heart. He was a worker. He was the same man who was found by Elijah plowing behind twelve yoke of Oxen. He was a hard working man. He was not spiritually deficit. He had the double spirit of Elijah on him. He was a good man. A Godly man. He was a spiritual man. Yet, he saw his role as a place of service.  If you want to show appreciation to your pastor, be a servant. 

Find a way to be a blessing to the church and you will be a blessing to the pastor. 

In the month of October, for whatever reason, people have designated it as "Pastor Appreciation Month." I do not know who came up with it or why they chose a month which is synonymous with Halloween but it is never good to trick your pastor into thinking he is in store for a treat. (See what I did there?) 

How can you show your Pastor you appreciate him? 

1. Be genuine. Examine yourself. If you don't appreciate him...either learn to or leave. I am being kind here. Do not stay at a church where you cannot respect a man who is trying to serve God. If he is a lousy pastor - leave. If he is a good pastor- fix yourself. simply put. 

2. Be graceful. don't say or do things you'll regret. Don't gift something with strings of remorse. don't hold it over his head. What kind of sadistic person does that? 

3. Be thoughtful and insightful. Someone once offered to take me to a bakery knowing I was trying to lose weight. Be intuitive. Get to know him. 

4. Space it out throughout the year. Don't be a commercialized appreciator. Do it often. 

Grace Through Forbearance Or Forbearance Through Grace?

Grace Through Forbearance Or Forbearance Through Grace?

Rom 2:1-4
¶ Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

I am not God. However, The Holy Spirit did teach me something a few years ago as I was holding my little kitten. I was petting the kitten and it began to purr. It's "Motor" was really going. It was loudly purring so contently. Suddenly, the kitten began to bite at my fingers and began to paw and scratch at my hand. I tapped it on its nose and said "NO. It is love time not play time". Again I resumed petting the kitten. Again the kitten began to purr. However, after about 2 minutes of it, the kitten resumed biting, pawing and scratching. Again I tapped its nose and said "NO. It is love time not play time". Same thing...same result.

I picked up the kitten and held it to my face looking it in the eyes and said "what are you doing? why doesn’t the kitten want love?". As soon as I did that the Holy Spirit griped my heart and said "what are you doing? Don't the human want love?" Doesn't the man want Grace? Doesn't the man want freedom? Doesn't the man want security? Doesn't the man want peace? Doesn't the man want forgiveness? WHY DOES MAN REJECT MY LOVE? The same reason why my kitten wanted to play...nature.

here are some things that hinders man from God's grace.

1) Timing. Our timing is NOT on the same "page" with God. We want everything NOW NOW NOW. However, the ONLY thing God is honestly offering us NOW is Salvation through Repentance from dead works (Ro 2:4 =Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?)

Our timing is not God's timing.

Jas 4:13
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jas 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

2) Self Pleasure. That kitten wanted to do what IT wanted to do. If it wanted to play...it was going to play. If it wanted to eat...IT would eat. If it wanted to use the "box" it would use the box. If I call it to come, sometimes it does not come to me. I usually have to go to it. Isn't that what Christ said in John 10? "I AM COME....That THEY might have life....and life more abundantly". Man does not go to God on his own. At Babel, man TRIED to get to God....via his own hands....and where did it lead them? Confusion. No man draws to God unless God draws him first. WHY? Self-pleasure. Self-Satisfaction. It does not please self to ASK God for something. It is humiliating. It is rather humbling to depend on a savior. James 5 says that God resisteth the proud but gives grace to the humble.

3) Nature. By nature, the feline is independent. It hunts on its own. It honestly does not need a human. Felines are still a WILD animal. They are not tamed. They are not docile by nature. Honestly, this is the biggest reason why man does not come to God. Their nature is that of rebellion. They don't need God...or so they think. They are just as good as God (Genesis 3). They can make it by the sweat of their brow (Genesis 4). They can save themselves (Gen 6). They can get to heaven by their own labor (Genesis 11- Babel). They don't need Godly advice (Lot choosing Sodom Genesis 13). They get carried away in their choices (Genesis 14). They do not understand the promises of God (Genesis 15). They work OPPOSITE of God's provision (Genesis 16). They Mock and Scorn and Doubt God (Genesis 17). They call God a liar (Genesis 18). They are comfortable with the sins around them. They Become the sins around them. Even when delivered from their wicked surroundings, they return to the same wickedness, as a dog to its vomit and a sow to its mud and as a fool to his folly, so does a leopard his spots. (Genesis 19, 2Pet 2:22, Jer 13:23)

WHY WON'T MAN JUST TAKE LOVE? Because his nature is hatred. Why won’t man choose God? Because he does not like to retain God in his knowledge. Because he does not worship God as God. Why won't man choose Grace? Because they are proud, evil, boasters, heady, high-minded, inventors of evil things, evil surmisings, desperately wicked, reprobate, implacable, without natural affection, jealous, disobedient to parents. We stand in absolute rebellion against God even to the point where we will not submit to his righteousness. (II TIM 3, Romans 1, Jer 17:9, Romans 10:1-4)

My kitten will learn over time that when I want to extend love to accept it. However, unless man recieves the new nature, he will NEVER choose God over time, self-pleasure and nature.

Seven Out Of Ten Ain’t That Bad?!

James Melton recently published a Facebook post redefining his position on “repentance of sins for salvation” to say that one doesn’t have to repent of all their sins for salvation but that they must be willing to repent of all their sins for salvation. Too much emphasis is being put on the unsaved to stop sinning (the essence of this doctrine) rather than on the Biblically correct definition of repentance.

This man, James Melton, also goes on to discuss the necessity of a changed life in order to prove one has been “truly” saved. He goes on to give a statistic saying that if one has supposedly led 100  people to Christ but only 70 have a changed life that 100 didn’t receive Christ. The change they are insisting on is a result of repentance of sins after salvation. While I do agree that there will be a change in one’s life as they grow in the Lord I denounce this man’s assertions that a new convert will suddenly or even gradually cease from sins (or be willing to cease from all sins) after salvation.
The Bible does say in 2nd Corinthians 5:17 “that all things are become new” but it doesn’t say how instantaneous that change is made evident in a person’s life.

This also opens the door to the following line of thought: if the repentance of sins is the focus of salvation then wouldn’t it also stand to reason that a person who, twenty years after salvation, goes back into one of the sins (not all the sins) that he repented of to be saved would also be under the same scrutiny as the new convert who fell back into the old lifestyle that he “repented of?”

Let’s go a step further. If one did lead 100 people to Christ and 70 people had a change of life but thirty did not - could we declare that only 70 got saved?
We want the new convert to stop drinking alcohol, smoking, dressing immodestly, fornicating, and to start faithfully attending church 4 times a week and carry a KJV, get baptized and become a chalk artist Ruckman yuppie but don’t expect the same of those who have been saved for decades who are still gossiping busibodies!

Repentance is nothing more than a change of mind. When I Believe on Jesus for salvation and call on His name as the Bible demands it goes without saying that I have had a change of mind about my eternal destination, my sinful state and God’s righteous demands.

I have been saved since 1984. I am not sinless. I have besetting sins. I repent of those sins and strive to keep from doing those sins. There has been a change in my life. I was passed from death unto life. I love the brethren. I have had answered prayer. I long for the coming of Christ. I am indwelled by the Holy Ghost. I have fellowship with the Father.

New converts need to be followed up on. “Cults are the unpaid bills of the Church.” Van Baalen. (Chaos of the Cults)

When we don’t follow up on them we cannot expect them to grow in the Lord.