Although I have touched on this issue in many of my blogs and videos, I wanted to do a specific writing to focus on just the subject of eternal security alone. I am going to somewhat limit the amount of scriptures I choose. Once again, this is not my theology, it is the Lord's. (Note: I will not be including Revelation chapters 2 and 3 in this writing because in my video, Revelation, Part 1, I addressed the issue of eternal security. You can watch that video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ2wHIp3hV4&t=172s )
Just a quick note before I begin with the first verses: I do not want anyone to think I am suggesting we are saved by our works. If you read my blogs or watch my videos, you know I believe Jesus' death on the cross, our salvation, and grace are free gifts we do not have to earn. My point here is to encourage you to treat these precious gifts with the utmost care and not neglect them, because they and your soul can be lost.
I will begin with the old testament. Ezekiel was a mighty prophet who saw things as far into the future as the end of days of this planet as well as had many visions of God and heaven.
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Ezekiel 18:24 & 26
Pretty clear cut, don't you think? A man who heard directly from God tells us when the righteous, or the Christian, turns his back on God and intentionally chooses to sin, he will loose his salvation - die in his sins! This is not speaking of minor offenses, of course, but as Ezekiel says, "abominations," or rebelliously refusing to do what you know is right in the eyes of God. Just as when we sincerely repent from our sins, they are blotted out by the blood of Jesus (Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:27-28), the exact opposite is true. Righteousness is canceled out by sin until we sincerely repent again. (These same words are repeated in Ezekiel 33 as well.)
Now let's look at the words of Jesus:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:1-6
According to dictionary.com, The definition of the word abide is "to remain; continue; stay." Therefore, Jesus is telling us that if we leave our fellowship with Him (cease abiding with Him) we will be "cast forth... into the fire and burned." Obviously, He is speaking of the fire in Hell. In other words, if you give your life to Christ and become a Christian, but then refuse to follow the ways of Jesus by leaving your morals behind, you are no longer bearing good fruit, and you will be cast away. Jesus does not say that you can stay grafted into the vine no matter what, and that you will be eternally secure. No, if you make the choice to leave, you will be cast off!
The more you abide in Jesus: read the Bible, pray more than just when you are asking for a favor, and worship Him with a contrite heart, the more it will be clear what He expects of you. The more you will understand His character and His will and you will want to do what is right (...the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Romans 2:4). The Holy Spirit will convict you of your sins and testify to your spirit what must be done to see the face of God for all eternity (I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1).
Let's go again to the words spoken by Jesus:
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. Matthew 7:21-23
This is obviously about someone who is calling himself a Christian, otherwise why would he be calling out to the Lord and prophesying, casting out demons, etc. But Jesus says that even if you call on Him and work for Him, you can still be in danger of losing your salvation if you are doing all these things while living in sin. No, eternal life with Christ is not automatic just because you use the name of Jesus or work for for Him; you must keep the sin out out of your life or He will tell you to "depart from" Him. In other words, He will send you to hell.
The next scriptures are speaking of the end times.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; II Thessalonians 2:3
My argument here is a simple one: the term "falling away" would not even be used if falling away from your salvation was not possible. In other words, before the beginning of the tribulation, a large number of people claiming to be Christians will fall away from their walk with the Lord and lose their salvation.
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:4; 7-8
There are many more verses I can list where it says in the Bible that all people will be judged according to their works. That Truth alone shows we are not automatically eternally secure. If so, there would be no reason for God to judge our works. Finishing the course and keeping the faith means the same as abiding in the vine. In order to obtain the crown from Jesus, you must not let go of your righteous ways or give in to sin.
Here are a few more verses on obtaining crowns from God, our judge. Note when you read all these verses that they state you must endure to the end in order to receive the crown. No where does it say the crown of righteousness will be given to every single person that says some version of the sinner's prayer. There are conditions that must be met! In the below verse, Paul makes it very clear that even he could be cast away from heaven if he falls into sin.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Corinthians 9:24-27
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Phillipans 4:1
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. II Timothy 2:5
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12
The message of these verses are clear: stand fast in the Lord, strive lawfully, endure temptation, and you will receive a crown of righteousness. Stray away from the Lord and holiness, and you will be cast away.
The last verses can be the easiest way to sum up that our salvation is not eternally secure. Note the list of sinful actions does NOT say, "If you call yourself a Christian you can do all these things and still go to heaven," NO! It says, if you commit the sins listed, you will not inherit the Kingdom of God. There are no exceptions to that rule. You must daily repent of your sins, and strive to be holy as the Lord is holy, or you will not have eternity with the Father - not my words, this is scriptural (see below verses)!
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: I Peter 1:14-17
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:7-8
No comments:
Post a Comment