Psalm 119:105 (NASB) 105
Lots of Scripture today.
After a brief look at the word eternal and the concept of neverending that it conveys, we now want to focus on whether one can lose their salvation as a result of sin. There are several passages of scripture that on the surface seem to support the possibility of a salvation that can be lost. I will list a few but will not take the time to argue against them here. Next week we will look at the most problematic of these, the "if" clauses in Hebrews and the Queen Mother of them all, Hebrews 6:4-8. Here's a list of verses(not comprehensive)
Matthew 24:13 (NASB) 13 "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
1 Timothy 4:1 (NASB) 1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 Peter 2:20 (NASB) 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
Romans 11:21-22 (NASB) 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (NASB) 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Matthew 7:22-23 (NASB) 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
John 15:2 (NASB) 2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
There are more but this will give you an idea. You can study them for yourself if you want to.
Just like last week,there are few questions that jump out at us if we accept the premise of conditional security. Does Jesus Blood atone for all of our sins, past, present and future?Also, if you can lose your salvation, at what point do you lose it? What is the sin or sins that cause the loss of salvation? If there is a "drifting away," where in the drift do you lose your way? Not to mention how would anyone know except God? How can anyone know the condition of our heart except God and us? The Bible clearly states in the New Testament this truth.
The Greek verb "to be saved" is often in the Greek Aorist(?) tense(don't ask me) This tense, I understand emphasizes a singular act. It happens singularly, only one time. We only get saved once. Unlike confession of sin, which is never said to be singular,salvation is not repeatable. To add to that, there is not one single case in the Bible where someone gets saved, loses their salvation, then regains it. Nowhere is that recorded in the Bible. Even any recorded instance conveying that idea or concept is absent from the Scriptures. On top of that, it flies directly in the face of a host of Scriptures that speak to the believer's security . Turn your attention to Romans.
Romans 8:30 (NASB) 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Do you see the progression here? This speaks of an act or better, acts that God has already accomplished. We have been predestined, called, justified, and glorified. It's all been accomplished according to scripture before the foundation of the world. Look at what Paul says.
Ephesians 1:4 (NASB) 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
Ephesians 1:11 (NASB) 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been PREDESTINED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE WHO WORKS ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS WILL..(CAPS MINE)
If the loss of our salvation were possible it would negate God's sovereign will and His sovereign purpose. We have been in God's plan from all eternity past. Understand that. Those verses speaking about foreordained and predestined are not speaking to some non descript goop of people, no, no. In the Greek they are speaking individually. To the individual, you and me. It is a comfort if you will. He predestined YOU. He predestined ME from eternity past to be called, justified, and glorified. Don't ask me why, I do not have a clue. It is God being God. All I can do is fall on my knees and say "thank You" It is beyond our comprehension when you take some time and meditate on it. That being the case, He will not allow His grand purpose and plan to be thwarted.If He has done all that, do you imagine that He is going to accept a sacrifice that does not have the power to save and preserve our salvation without anything being contributed on our part.?
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
............"not as a result of works....." Understand what this says. You and I are helpless. We are without merit(works) to obtain or maintain our salvation. Not the slightest tittle. For our discussion this means that if it is possible to lose our salvation, then there is no hope of ever regaining it. No work of our doing will suffice. Not confession, not repentance, NOTHING! We are doomed to an eternal hell once we lose it. That doesn't really fit does it? God sends His only begotten son to live a perfect life, endure a torture and death that is past our ability to comprehend, then raise Him from the dead, all for the purpose of losing His creation at some point because of sin or sins in the life of His children. I just can't buy that.
Here is what the Bible says concerning Jesus' sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:12 (NASB) 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Hebrews 10:14-15 (NASB) 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
Hebrews 10:18 (NASB) 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Read the entire Book of Hebrews. It is the Leviticus of the New Testament. It will give you an idea of just how perfect Jesus Blood is. The Lord Jesus' sacrifice has to be sufficient. It is essential that His death cover and REMOVE ALL OF OUR SIN past, present, and FUTURE. Otherwise, we are all lost and undone even now. Should we cheapen His passion by insisting or even hinting that His death is not enough? If we do, then how can we enjoy the benefits of His resurrection? Amen.
Psalm 110:4 (NASB) 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."
God Bless
No comments:
Post a Comment