Jon David Banks

As some of you know I was separated to God that I might receive the gospel from Him. I was told to read no books other than the Bible and to seek not the counsel of men, but to listen only to God. I was told that God has placed a golden thread of healing in me to mend the hurts of all mankind. This was in the seventies. Since then I have read only the Bible and have only sought counsel from the Lord.

All along the way some have tried to catch me saying something wrong. Others have deliberately misconstrued things I’ve said and spread their lies around in a venomous way.

I understand that those who are taught by men are bound to have a little man-made theology. That is only natural. And, since the church has been in a state of sleep for centuries, the impact that teachings of men have had on the knowledge of Christianity is bound to be tremendous.

To this day I remember how foreign things seemed when Jesus separated me to Himself and began teaching me the truths of God. The things He began showing me were so contrary to what men were preaching at the time. Back then the Full Gospel people were teaching that we should claim the promises of God. I was amazed at the ignorance and foolishness of people who rushed headlong into this heresy. Again I say, “CLAIMING A PROMISE IS NOT IN THE WORD OF GOD.”

Why would anyone who wanted to please God do it? I don’t believe anyone who wanted to please God would claim something from Him. Only those who think they deserve something would claim it. That’s the definition of the word claim. It means to demand something you think you have a legal right to. You’ve been set free from the law and now you want to use the law to get what you want? Isn’t that hypocritical?

We no longer live by the law. We now live by faith in the grace and truth in Jesus through whom we were crucified to the law. The promises of God are yes in Jesus, and only in Jesus, not in, or through, the law. Why would we who have been set free from the law bind ourselves to the law again just to receive the promises of God that come not from the law, but through grace and truth in Jesus. Do you now see the absurdity of the name it and claim it bunch? Those who claim the promises of God profess to have faith in Jesus, but use the law to bolster the littleness of their faith just in case it doesn’t work. They appeal to God on a legal basis as well as a faith basis just in case. This is referred to as double-mindedness in James 1:7,8. And that man will receive nothing from the Lord.

Some may think claiming promises is a small thing, and that God knows we don’t mean it in a bad way. My friends, if you claim a promise for God, you are doing something that is NOT in the Bible. You are doing something that is bad whether you mean to, or not. And what about young Christians who hear you? Aren’t you afraid of them being influenced by what they hear? THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CLAIMING THE PROMISES OF GOD IN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. And yet people do it. Go figure!

Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant

Author: Jon David Banks

Taught by Men