The Way of Ray Comfort

By David J. Stewart

2nd Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

       His ministry is known as THE WAY OF THE MASTER; but it might as well be called, THE WAY OF RAY COMFORT, because Ray Comfort is teaching a perverted Gospel message. It is Ray Comfort's way; not God's way. The way of the Master, Biblically, is for sinners to acknowledge their guilty condition before God and then rest in Christ's righteousness. Unfortunately, this is NOT what Ray Comfort is teaching. 

Evangelist Ray Comfort is a wonderful speaker, humorous and a gentleman; but he is WRONG on salvation. I do not condemn anyone, for we are all guilty, dirty, rotten, hell-deserving sinners. I am simply taking a Biblical stand, contending for the Christian faith. Mr. Comfort teaches Lordship Salvation, a doctrine of devils, which Satan has crept into the world's churches today. It is a New World Order teaching that focuses on self-righteousness; rather than upon the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

I'll be the first to agree with Ray Comfort that most churchgoers have experienced false conversion, and that acknowledging one's guilt of violating God's Law is absolutely essential to salvation; but to require reformation as a prerequisite to regeneration is a false Gospel. It is Works Salvation.

On THE WAY OF THE MASTER website, on their FAQ page, Frequently Asked Questions, here is question one...

“I have just read The Way of the Master -- and I am scared that I'm not saved.

SOURCE: The Way of the Master

Now here's their unbiblical answer...

It is healthy to examine yourself and see if you are in the faith. Once you have repented of all sin (see Psalm 51, 1John 1:9), don't doubt God's promises. Doubt produces fear. It is also a great insult to God--if I don't trust you, it means I think you are a liar.”

SOURCE: The Way of the Master

Is repenting of all sin a plan of salvation? Why didn't Ray Comfort mention the righteousness of Jesus Christ? We are saved by Christ's righteousness; and not our own efforts (Romans 4:5; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9). Genesis 15:6 says that Abram believed the Lord and it was COUNTED unto him for righteousness. That is the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. We have no self-righteousness to offer God, and so Jesus paid our sin debt that we could have His righteousness, which is by faith alone (Matthew 6:33; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:3-4. Note: All Scripture references are from the trustworthy and precious King James Bible).

The person who came to Ray Comfort said, “I am scared that I'm not saved.” If someone is scared that they're not saved, then they need to understand that salvation is solely in God's hands, and not their own. Salvation is receiving, not giving. Titus 1:2 speaks of the PROMISE of eternal life, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” Ray Comfort speaks in one breath about the promises of God, and of trusting God without fear; but then in the next breath he says no believer who sins is safe in their salvation...

No one has Biblical grounds to continue in sin, assuming that they are safe just because Jesus died on the cross. See 1 John 3:4-6.” [Emphasis added]

SOURCE: THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, by Ray Comfort, pg. 1513; 2003, Bridge-Logos Publishers, Orlando, Florida

May I say, you ARE SAFE just because Jesus died on a cross. There is no sin which a believer can commit that could forfeit salvation. None! King David committed covetousness, pride, got Uriah drunk, adultery, theft, conspiracy, murder and then lived in denial for several months about the whole matter (2nd Samuel 11). Only a self-righteous person would dare claim that king David lost his salvation. If saved, always saved!

The question is: Have you acknowledged your guilt of sin for disobeying God's Law and have you believed on the Son of God for forgiveness? Have you been born-again? The only repentance that a person needs to be saved, is to acknowledge one's guilty condition of sin, and believe on the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness. We are SINNERS and Jesus is the SAVIOR. It's that simple.

Tragically, Ray Comfort, Jack Chick, Aiden Tozer, Arthur Pink, Paul Washer, John MacArthur, Benny Hinn and thousands of other popular public figures all errantly recognize repentance as a change of life and; thus, they all teach Lordship Salvation. In sharp contrast, the Bible simply teaches that repentance is a change of mind. You'll never find the phrase “repent from sin” in the Bible concerning salvation; but rather, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

The Gospel of John was written for the sole purpose of getting people saved... “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Yet, we find the word “believe” 85-times in the Gospel of John without even one mention of the word “repent.” Clearly, Biblical repentance is a change of mind that involves coming to God as a guilty sinner and believing on Jesus as the Christ for forgiveness. This is salvation. It is easy to be saved. Jesus did all the hard work at Calvary. Oh, that men would leave the Gospel alone and let Jesus SAVE SINNERS!

Let me repeat part of the quote I gave you earlier from Ray Comfort...

“I have just read The Way of the Master -- and I am scared that I'm not saved.

SOURCE: The Way of the Master

Of course the person is scared, Mr. Comfort is teaching that salvation is conditional upon cleaning up one's life of sin as part of salvation. Instead of comforting the person who came to him with doubts about salvation, Ray Comfort added even more burdens to that person's shoulder, telling them to do more spiritual housecleaning for any sins remaining in their life. It's all just a false Gospel.

If one's salvation is conditional upon cleaning up one's life, then no one is saved, because everyone deliberately sins.
 

Ray Comfort's Flawed Theology

Ray Comfort does NOT teach that salvation can be lost; but he does teach that professed Christians who deliberately lie, lust and openly allow any sin in their life are not saved...

“When someone is soundly saved, God says I'll take my Law and I'll write it on their hearts, and cause them to walk in my statutes. That's what happens when someone is soundly saved, they have regard to the divine Law. No longer are they workers of iniquity. They don't lie, they don't steal, they don't kill. They don't commit adultery. They don't lust. They don't hate. They don't get angry without cause. They don't covet. It's those we erroneously call backsliders, who fall away, because they have never slid forward in the first place.

SOURCE: Ray Comfort, audio sermon, TRUE & FALSE CONVERSION

Soundly saved? Ray Comfort says that a “soundly saved” person doesn't lie, steal or lust. Ray Comfort has his own vocabulary of frightening terms; such as, “soundly saved.” Prey tell me, what other kind of believer is there? Are there believers who are unsoundly saved? Ray Comfort claims he believes that salvation is by God's grace through faith in the finished work of Christ; and yet Mr. Comfort totally contradicts himself when he teaches that a believer who lives in sin is not “soundly saved.” May I say, ALL BELIEVERS ARE SOUNDLY SAVED!

Which is it, works or grace? Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” God deliver us from the plethora of evangelists, pastors and Christian authors today who subtly teach that salvation is by grace and works. This is exactly what the Catholic Church teaches. It is Satanic. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ Jesus, and not works. Works are a result of saving faith; but are not mandatory for salvation. Eternal life is the free gift of God.

Ray Comfort readily admits that works are NOT necessary for salvation; but then he states...

“The forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ is conditional upon ‘repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 20:21). It is a gift that God offers to everyone, but individuals must receive it by repenting and trusting in Christ, or they will remain dead in their sins. No one has Biblical grounds to continue in sin, assuming that they are safe just because Jesus died on the cross. See 1 John 3:4-6.” [Emphasis added]

SOURCE: THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, by Ray Comfort, pg. 1513; 2003, Bridge-Logos Publishers, Orlando, Florida

Ray Comfort doesn't teach that salvation can be lost. However, his preceding comment that believers who live in deliberate sin are not “safe just because Jesus died on the cross” is 100% contradictory. I tell you, the born-again believer who deliberately lives in sin is as much SOUNDLY SAVED as the holier-than-thou churchgoer who does their best to live above sin. Both believers are still sinners, who sin every day, and neither deserve anything less or more than eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire.

Yes, repentance is necessary for salvation; but not in the sense that Lordship Salvationists teach it. Clearly, Ray Comfort recognizes repentance as a change of life, i.e., a ceasing from one's deliberate sins, as a requirement to be saved. Thus, a woman who is shacking up with her boyfriend in fornication cannot be saved unless she is: 1) gets married, or 2) breaks off the immoral relationship. This is exactly what Lordship Salvationists teach.

However, the Bible does not teach that. Romans 4:5 plainly teaches that Jesus justifies THE UNGODLY solely by faith. The repentant sinner's faith is counted for righteousness, and there is no mandate to give up sinful bad habits. The changes that God desires in that person's life will come over time, as the Holy Spirit teaches, guides, convicts and encourages them through the Scriptures (John 5:39; 1st Peter 2:2; Hebrews 4:12). JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS!

Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) states in his excellent book, Dr. Rice... Here is My Question...

“When you get saved, you get saved not because you deserve it, but because you simply let God save you and because you confess your own poor sinful state and your inability to save yourself.”

SOURCE: Dr. Rice... Here is My Question, by Dr. John R. Rice, pg. 304; 1962, Sword of the Lord Publishers; ISBN: 0-87398-158-8

I couldn't agree more. This is what the Bible teaches. Dr. Rice also states in his Gospel tract, What Must I Do To Be Saved...

“The change in your heart, sinner, is God's part and you may be sure He will attend to that. Your part is to simply believe in Him. Whatever else is necessary in your eternal salvation, the Lord attends to when you trust in Him, or believe in Him.”

SOURCE: What Must I DO To Be Saved, by Dr. John R. Rice

In sharp contrast, Ray Comfort focuses upon ceasing from one's sins as part of saving-faith, because he has a Catholic view of the meaning of repentance. Catholics consider repentance a form of penance (i.e., to sorrow, feel remorse and forsake one's sinful lifestyle). But that's not the Biblical meaning of the word “repent.” Repent in the Bible simply means “a change of mind.”

Dr. Harry Ironside (former pastor of Moody Memorial Church, 1930-1948) correctly understood repentance to mean…

"Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership — the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word."

SOURCE: Except Ye Repent, by Dr. Harry Ironside, chapter 3

Paul plainly states in Romans 3:20 that the purpose of God's Law is to bring “the knowledge of sin.” The Law of God points us to the Savior, Jesus, for salvation. Ray Comfort knows this; but he foolishly makes the fatal mistake of recognizing repentance as a changed life. A changed life is the FRUIT (the result) of genuine repentance; and not a part of the ROOT of saving faith. Ray Comfort confuses the two, and in so doing corrupts the simplicity of the Gospel.

Ray Comfort's teachings are scaring a lot of people, understandably, because everyone struggles with sin and Mr. Comfort says they're likely not saved. Thankfully, the Bible teaches that the Christian's salvation is rooted in Christ's righteousness, and NOT our own, and so we can rest assure in the gift of God (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:5-6; Acts 10:43; Romans 10:3,4; 2nd Corinthians 5:21; Titus 3:5). God wants His children to KNOW that they are saved (1st John 5:13).

There are many sinister ministers today, such as John MacArthur, who falsely teach that one's salvation is CONDITIONAL upon the life we live. Tragically, MacArthur has influence over MILLIONS of religious people all around the world.

 MacArthur errantly states:

"Submission to the will of God, to Christ’s lordship, and to the guiding of the Spirit is an essential, not an optional, part of saving faith" (EPHESIANS, p. 249).

"Salvation isn't the result of an intellectual exercise. It comes from a life lived in obedience and service to Christ as revealed in the Scripture; it's the fruit of actions, not intentions. There's no room for passive spectators:  words without actions are empty and futile...The life we live, not the words we speak, determines our eternal destiny" (Hard to Believe, p. 93).

MacArthur boldly states... “The life we live, not the words we speak, determines our eternal destiny.” Ladies and gentleman, that is a false Gospel. MacArthur even titled his book, HARD TO BELIEVE. Is it hard to believe? The Bible tells us that God only requires childlike faith to be saved (Mark 10:15). It is NOT hard to believe. Just get on the ark.
 

Ray Comfort Says Sinful Believers are Not “Safe” in Jesus

On page 1513 of THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, under the section “Questions & Objections,” Ray Comfort addresses the statement: “Because Jesus died on the cross we are forgiven of every sin.” Here’s Ray Comfort’s reply to this statement…

“The forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ is conditional upon ‘repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 20:21). It is a gift that God offers to everyone, but individuals must receive it by repenting and trusting in Christ, or they will remain dead in their sins. No one has Biblical grounds to continue in sin, assuming that they are safe just because Jesus died on the cross. See 1 John 3:4-6.” [Emphasis added]

SOURCE: THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, by Ray Comfort, pg. 1513; 2003, Bridge-Logos Publishers, Orlando, Florida

Those are some very dangerous words at the end, “…assuming that they are safe just because Jesus died on the cross.” Are not all believers “safe” in Jesus Christ? Yes, they certainly are safe (Ephesians 1:13; Isaiah 28:16; Romans 10:11); but Ray Comfort teaches they are not. Ray Comfort is teaching heresy to say that believers who fail to cease from their sins are not safe in their salvation.

Such reasoning places a heavy burden upon the sinner, requiring one to depart from sinful bad habits as a prerequisite to be saved. Ray Comfort's teaching here beckons the question: How much sin is considered "safe"? Aren't we all willful sinners at times? Yes indeed. All of us! Is any amount of sin "safe"? Clearly, Mr. Comfort interprets "repentance" for salvation as ceasing from one's sins, which is entirely wrong. Man's only part in salvation is to believe on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43).
 

Psalm 51 Does Not Concern Salvation

On THE WAY OF THE MASTER website, on their FAQ page, Frequently Asked Questions, here is question one again...

“I have just read The Way of the Master -- and I am scared that I'm not saved.

SOURCE: The Way of the Master

Now here again is their unbiblical answer...

It is healthy to examine yourself and see if you are in the faith. Once you have repented of all sin (see Psalm 51, 1John 1:9), don't doubt God's promises. Doubt produces fear. It is also a great insult to God--if I don't trust you, it means I think you are a liar.”

SOURCE: The Way of the Master

Ray Comfort attempts to use Psalm 51 in the first quote I gave you, to justify his false teaching that a person must cease from living in sin in order to be saved. However, Psalm 51 has nothing to do with salvation. David was a backslidden believer coming back to God. David never lost his salvation as some self-righteous people claim.

According to Ray Comfort, king David wasn't saved, because David fell away for nearly one-year...

“If someone is soundly saved, then he will never fall away.”

SOURCE: Rap Comfort, audio sermon, TRUE & FALSE CONVERSION

Psalm 51 shares with us king David's prayer of repentance to the Lord; but please understand that David went nearly ONE YEAR in sin before he repented. David had impregnated Bathsheba and murdered her husband, Uriah. We know that it was almost one year since David's sin, because the child was about to be born (which had been conceived in the adulterous affair). As part of the judgment upon David and Bathsheba, as announced by the prophet Nathan, the child died. Charismatics foolishly teach that David lost his salvation. That is unbiblical. David never lost his salvation, only the joy of God's salvation (Psalm 51:12).
 

Lordship Salvation—Satan's Biggest Lie Today

Satan is a master deceiver (Matthew 7:15; 2nd Corinthians 11:13-14). Never forget that. Even the Godless New International Version (NIV), a piece of trash, teaches Lordship Salvation in Romans 10:9, which explains why this horrible teaching has saturated the world's churches today. The name above every other name., JESUS, is removed in 38-places from the NIV. Need I say more?

Christians were diligent to expose heresies and false doctrines decades ago; but today apostasy has set into America like rigor mortis into a corpse. The lie of Lordship Salvation quietly crept into America's churches announced, and naive pastors bought into the Devil's lie. Today, everyone from Moody Bible Institute to Ray Comfort are teaching this damnable lie of the Devil. The timeless words of the mighty man of God, Dr. Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951), blows Lordship Salvation sky-high into pieces...

“When anyone comes promising salvation to those ‘who make full surrender' of all that they have to God, and who 'pay the price of full salvation' he is preaching another gospel, for the price was paid on Calvary's cross and the work that saves is finished. It was Christ Jesus who made the full surrender when He yielded His life on Calvary that saves us, not our surrender in any way to Him.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside, from the Gospel tract, Another Gospel?

Dr. Ironside is doctrinally correct. Salvation is of the Lord. Surrendering one's life to Christ for salvation is a false gospel.

Romans 4:5 couldn't be any clearer on this matter... "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." It is sad that the simplicity of salvation, i.e., the Gospel, has been perverted in so many ways today. It is a shame that someone like Ray Comfort, who is a dynamic and charming speaker, and is a nice guy, is preaching a false gospel to the masses. Perhaps Mr. Comfort does it ignorantly; but nevertheless, he is teaching works salvation. It's not just a matter of semantics. 


Ray Comfort Teaches Works Salvation, Twists the Scriptures

Ray Comfort teaches concerning salvation...

“He'll no longer be lawless... So the Law holds no dominion over us. We're filled with a humble gratitude to God for His mercy, demonstrated in Christ. It's a wonderful sacrifice, expressed on the cross, and now we bring forth the fruit of a new lifestyle that is pleasing to God. We are no longer workers of iniquity.

So what are the FRUITS of a new convert?

  • Fruit of Repentance (Matthew 3:8)
  • Fruit of Good Works (Colossians 1:10)
  • Fruit of Thanksgiving (Hebrews 13:15; Galatians 5:22)
  • Fruit of Righteousness (Philippians 1:11)
  • Bring Good Fruit (Matthew 3:13)

So as witnesses of Christ we should do everything we can, not just to get church members, not just to get decisions, or youth group members; but with God's help we must make sure that those we bring to the Savior have the things that accompany salvation.”

SOURCE: Rap Comfort, audio sermon, TRUE & FALSE CONVERSION

Ray Comfort dangerously teaches that a sinner must have the fruits of repentance as a prerequisite to be saved. He is putting the cart before the horse. The fruits are the result of genuine repentance; and not a part of the root of saving-faith. Ray Comfort preaches a false Gospel, requiring lost sinners to possess the fruits of repentance (works) as a requirement to get saved. This is exactly what he just said. Read it for yourself. According to Mr. Comfort, professed Christians who lack the fruits of repentance are not saved because they've never repented. This is a false Gospel of Works Salvation, because Ray Comfort requires a changed life as part of saving faith. It all boils down to his corrupt understanding of the meaning of Biblical repentance.

So anyone who comes to Jesus for forgiveness, who doesn't have all of the qualities that Ray Comfort just listed, cannot be saved according to Ray Comfort. Ray Comfort is subtle, and Satan loves his ministry, because he is teaching Lordship Salvation, which is a false Gospel. I never hear Ray Comfort talking about Christ's righteousness. He's always talking about whether or not people have repented of ALL their sins. Salvation is simply admitting your sinful condition to God and then trusting on the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to take away your sins by His precious blood. Salvation is NOT cleaning up your life, trying to better yourself, being sorry for your mistakes in life. Those are all proper in their place; but they have absolutely NOTHING to do with salvation, which is the gift of God (Romans 5:15; 6:23).

Ray Comfort plainly teaches that cleaning up one's life is a part of saving-faith. There are at least three major problems with Comfort's teachings:

  1. The Bible doesn't agree with Ray Comfort's teachings.

  2. Ray Comfort often twists Scriptures in an attempt to prove his false teachings.

  3. Some of the best Christians in the Bible lived lives of sin.

King David was a "man after God's own heart" (1st Samuel 13:14); yet he commit adultery with Bathsheba, impregnated her, and then murdered her husband to hide the sin (2nd Samuel 11,12). Noah got drunk (Genesis 9:21). Samson had sex with a prostitute (Judges 16:1). Jonah ran from God (Jonah 1:3). Peter cursed the name of Jesus and used profanity (Mark 14:71). One-third of the Bible was written by murderers: Moses, David and Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus). With the exception of Paul, Moses and David were already saved when they commit murder. 

“If someone is soundly saved, then he will never fall away.”

SOURCE: Rap Comfort, audio sermon, TRUE & FALSE CONVERSION

The Bible is filled with Christians who fell away, going into what is commonly called “deep sin,” but they didn't lose their salvation. There is NO such thing as a Christian who is not SOUNDLY SAVED. Every believer is safe in Jesus.
 

Ray Comfort Twists the Meaning of Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Ray Comfort corrupts the meaning of “ye that work iniquity.” Mr. Comfort teaches that this phrase refers to committing such sins as lying, lusting and stealing; however, Matthew 7:21 plainly reveals the context of this passage of Scripture. These false prophets were found guilty on Judgment Day because they had failed to DO THE WILL OF GOD. In contrast to Mr. Comfort's teaching, these workers actually did MANY WONDERFUL WORKS (verse 22). This clearly disproves Ray Comfort's theory. John 6:40 plainly tells us what the WILL OF THE FATHER IS... “And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” The sinners standing trial in Matthew 7:21-23 were workers of iniquity because they were unsaved, having rejected the Son of God as their Savior.

Matthew 7:21-23 has nothing to do with carnal believers who choose to live in sin. Every believer sins every day, one way or another, even if only sins of thought. We don't have a single fault... we have MANY faults! Romans 7:14-25 shares with us the spiritual struggles of the Apostle Paul. This ought to encourage us that even the best Christians struggle.
 

What About Charles Spurgeon?

As with other false prophets, Ray Comfort leans heavily upon the quotes of historically great men to support his unbiblical position. THE EVIDENCE BIBLE quotes Spurgeon often. Unfortunately, Ray Comfort (as does John MacArthur) horribly take Charles Spurgeon's words out of context, and claim that Spurgeon taught Lordship Salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth, as this quote by Spurgeon himself plainly reveals...

"You must not expect that you will be perfect in 'repentance' before you are saved. No Christian can be perfect. 'Repentance' is a grace. Some people preach it as a condition of salvation. Condition of nonsense! There are no conditions of salvation. God gives the salvation himself..."

— Charles Spurgeon

SOURCE: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0044.htm (from a sermon preached at the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, on September 23, 1855)

Why doesn't Ray Comfort quote those words by Spurgeon? Ray Comfort is guilty of twisting the Scriptures around and misrepresenting the beliefs of Spurgeon to support his unbiblical position.

If Ray Comfort ever stops preaching heresy, and starts preaching the righteousness of Jesus Christ, then I will be his biggest fan and promote his ministry; but until that time comes I must contend for the Biblical faith, and so should you as a Christian, because Satan is working relentlessly to corrupt the church through false Bibles, false prophets and false doctrines.

Ray Comfort is Wrong On Salvation!

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