Eternal Security

[Hosanna]

Those we're not his last words. It was the end of the interview because he couldn't talk anymore as he was tearing up and becoming an emotional. He knew he was wrong. That right there shows that God was working on his heart. I've seen a few people come back to the Lord on their Deathbed. So it definitely wasn't over. Someone mentioned here and I've heard it many times before that we're going to be surprised who we see in heaven and who we thought would be there that we're not going to see. I'm believing Charles will be there.

One thing they leave out of the article and I've researched the topic is he didn't walk away from Christianity over evolution. He actually fell into adultery during one of his Crusades and ended up getting a divorce. Now that time divorce was a real big deal and his ministry would have been ruined anyway. So he chose the easy way out. Rather than look like an adulterer He became an evolutionist.

If you look at that part of his character he's the perfect candidate to lay down his pride and go back to his father's house.

 

[TibiasDad]

Cuz we're not his last words. It was the end of the interview because he couldn't talk anymore as he was tearing up and becoming an emotional. He knew he was wrong. That right there shows that God was working on his heart. I've seen a few people come back to the Lord on their Deathbed. So it definitely wasn't over. Someone mentioned here and I've heard it many times before that we're going to be surprised who we see in heaven and who we thought would be there that we're not going to see. I'm believing Charles will be there.

One thing they leave out of the article and I've researched the topic is he didn't walk away from Christianity over evolution. He actually fell into adultery during one of his Crusades and ended up getting a divorce. Now that time divorce was a real big deal and his ministry would have been ruined anyway. So he chose the easy way out. Rather than look like an adulterer He became an evolutionist.

If you look at that part of his character he's the perfect candidate to lay down his pride and go back to his father's house.

It is not a question that we can answer with certainty, and I hope you are correct, but I don’t read any hope of change in Strobel’s recollections.

Doug

 

[dwight92070]

Again, no need for warnings about falling into apostasy if such were impossible. The words fall and apostasy become meaningless if OSAS were true.

No verse says God keeps the Christian UNCONDITIONALLY saved no matter how the Christian chooses to live, even if the Christian falls away. The context of Jude shows the Christian has responsibilites to keep from falling..contend for the faith, build themselves up in the faith and keep themselves in the love of God and those who do will not fall. Those Christians who follow God's instructions in contending for the faith, building up thier faith and keeping themselves in the love of God will not fall. Hence God is ABLE to keep the Christian from following IF the Christian follows God's word. Man has a role in his own salvation, salvation is not all God while men sits doing nothing.

Seabass, you are a breath of fresh air. It's good to hear someone who sees clearly what the scriptures are saying, without filtering it through man-made doctrines.

 

[dwight92070]

Precious friend, depends 'which' Dispensation one lives in, and
'which' Tense you are considering:

In God's ( earthly ) Context (Dispensation) of prophecy / Covenants / law

Christ, the Humble Servant ( on earth ) taught the gospel of the
kingdom ("at hand") to Twelve apostles, for the Twelve tribes of Israel...
(Matthew - John) "faith PLUS works" (James to Twelve tribes 1:1):

"And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."​

(Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15}​

"He that believeth And is baptized Shall Be Saved;​

but he that believeth not shall be damned..."​

​

Also, prayerfully and Carefully notice "what accompanies water baptism":

​

"...And these signs Shall Follow them that believe; In My Name​

shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;​

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing,​

it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they​

shall recover." (Mark 16:16-18)​

Thus, If water baptism is for today, then these are Also, Correct?

Carried out, Correct?:

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you​

in The Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive​

The Gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) [ Notice Two baptisms ]​

However "God Changes things", after Israel falls, and the above "Cannot
bless the world" through them (Right Division points 6-7):

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From "Things That Differ!" (online)

In God's Other ( Heavenly ) Context (Dispensation) Of Grace, According To His
"Revelation Of The Mystery" (Romans - Philemon) Christ, The Risen / Glorified
Lord Of Glory, From Heaven, To One apostle, Paul, for One Body, Today:

Repent and believe, receiving "By Grace Through faith" (apart from all works):

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance​

toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21)​

​

"...( By Grace ye are Saved; )...For By Grace are ye Saved through faith; and that​

not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."​

(Ephesians 2:5, 8-9)​

​

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, But According To His Mercy ​

He Saved us, By The Washing of Regeneration, and Renewing Of The Holy Ghost;​

Which He Shed On us Abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being​

Justified By His Grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."​

(Titus 3:5-7 cp Romans Chapters 3-5)​

​

"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." (Romans 11:6)​

+
Double notice:

One Baptism (Ephesians 4:5) =​

God's Grace Context Of His "Seven Spiritual Unities" [ = No water! ]:​

"For By One Spirit are we all Baptized into One Body,​

whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond​

or free; and have been all made to drink into One Spirit."​

(1 Corinthians 12:13 cp Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27;​

Colossians 2:10-13 Complete In Him ( Jesus Christ )!)​

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ↑ "Declaration Of Righteousness!" ↑

Amen.
------------------
Part 2 By Grace Through faith, to be continued...

What a convoluted "interpretation" of scripture. This is the confusion that comes from the man-made twisting of scripture called dispensationalism. Your "interpretation" is riddled with error. Matthew through John were, and still are, for all men, not just the Jews. Yes, the New Covenant was originally given only to the Jews, but when Peter received his vision in Acts 10, about the gospel message being for Gentiles as well, God opened up the invitation for all men to come in and to be part of that covenant.
There are not 2 gospels, one for the Jews, and one for the Gentiles. Paul makes that very clear in Acts 20:24 and 25. In verse 24 Paul says: " ... and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about PREACHING THE KINGDOM, ... " So THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD and the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM are one and the same gospel.

BOTH Jesus and Paul taught and preached the following:

1. They BOTH proclaimed the arrival of the Kingdom of God. Jesus (J)- Mark 1:15; Matthew 12:28; Luke 17:21 Paul (P)- Acts 20:25; Acts 14:22; Romans 14:17
2. They BOTH taught that God is a loving and merciful Father, whom we should imitate.. J - Luke 15:20-24; Matthew 7:11; Luke 6:35-36; Matthew 5:45 P - Romans 5:7-8; Romans 11:32; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:1
3. BOTH taught the same things about Christ's identity. J - John 5:18; John 10:36; Matthew 28:18; Matthew 16: 16-17, John 13:13 P - Philippians 2:6-7; Romans 9:5; Romans 1:3; Galatians 2:20; Acts 17:17; Acts 9:22; Romans 10:9
4. BOTH taught that men must repent and believe to be saved. J - Mark 1:15 P - Acts 20:21
5. BOTH taught that a man can be justified prior to doing any righteous deeds. J - Luke 18:13-14; Luke 23:42-43; John 5:24; John 6:40; John 6:47 P - Acts 13:39; Romans 3:26; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7
6. BOTH taught that love for God and for one another is the supreme test of one's salvation. J - Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35 P - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:6
7. BOTH taught that good works (works of obedience to God) are essential to the Christian life and will be the basis of the final judgment. J - Matthew 5:16; Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 6:46; Matthew 16:27 P - Ephesians 2:10; Romans 2:6-10: Romans 6:15-18: Galatians 5:16-25: Colossians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:8: Titus 2:14
8. BOTH taught that ceremonial laws do not rank in the same class as ethical and moral standards in the Law. J - Matthew 12:7 P - Romans 2:25-27: Colossians 2:16-17
9. BOTH taught (for example) that Sabbath and festival observance and kosher diet were not absolute requirements. J - Matthew 12:2-8; John 5:16; Mark 7:15-19 P -Romans 14:1-5; Colossians 2:16-17; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Galatians 4:10-11
10. BOTH taught that the Law of Moses was holy, just, and good. J - Matthew 5:17-20; P - Romans 7:12; 1 Timothy 1:8-10
11. BOTH taught that Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial (e.g., the sacrificial) requirements of the Law. J - Matthew 5:17; Mark 10:45 P - 1 Corinthians 5;7; Hebrews 9:25-26; Hebrews 10:11-12
12. BOTH taught that a New Covenant has been established, and ratified by Christ's death. J - Luke 22:20 P - 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:13
13. BOTH taught that following the teachings of Christ is the only true discipleship, and that those who do not agree with Christ's teachings are confused and dangerous. J - Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 28:19-20; John 8:31 P - 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Timothy 6:3-4
14. BOTH taught that there will be a general resurrection at Christ's second coming. J - John 5:28-29; John 6:40 P - Acts 24:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
15. BOTH had the same attitude toward women's roles. They respected them and trusted them with ministry responsibilities. J - John 4:28-29; Mark 4:6, 8-9; Matthew 28:5,7 P - Galatians 3:28; Romans 16:1-2; Romans 16:3; Philippians 2:2-3; Titus 2:3-4
16. BOTH did not choose women as church leaders. J - Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-14 P - 1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:2-5; Titus 1:5-6
17. BOTH taught the same things concerning slavery. The slave should humbly obey. J - Matthew 24:45-46: Luke 17:7-10; Mark 10:44 P - Ephesians 6:5-7; Titus 2:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Colossians 3:22
18. BOTH taught the ideal master is generous and kind. J - Matthew 24:46-47; Luke 12:37 P - Colossians 4:1; Philemon 16

Peter also taught the same things about servants and masters. 1 Peter 2:18-21

So there is only ONE GOSPEL and ALL of the New Testament authors are in agreement as to what it consists of - including James.

 

[Seabass]

Seabass, you are a breath of fresh air. It's good to hear someone who sees clearly what the scriptures are saying, without filtering it through man-made doctrines.

Thank you for the kind words.

 

[Diserner]

“Calvinists, who deny that salvation can ever be lost, reason on the subject in a marvelous way. They tell us, that no virgin’s lamp can go out; no promising harvest be choked with thorns; no branch in Christ can ever be cut off from unfruitfulness; no pardon can ever be forfeited, and no name blotted out of God’s book! They insist that no salt can ever lose its savor; nobody can ever “receive the grace of God in vain”; “bury his talents”; “neglect such great salvation”; trifle away “a day of grace”; “look back” after putting his hand to the gospel plow. Nobody can “grieve the Spirit” till He is “quenched,” and strives no more, nor “deny the Lord that bought them”; nor “bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Nobody, or body of believers, can ever get so lukewarm that Jesus will spew them out of His mouth. They use reams of paper to argue that if one ever got lost he was never found; that if one falls, he never stood; if one was ever “cast forth,” he was never in, and “if one ever withered,” he was never green; and that “if any man draws back,” it proves that he never had anything to draw back from; that if one ever “falls away into spiritual darkness,” he was never enlightened; that if you “again get entangled in the pollutions of the world,” it shows that you never escaped; that if you “put salvation away” you never had it to put away, and if you make shipwreck of faith, there was no ship of faith there!! In short they say: If you get it, you can’t lose it; and if you lose it you never had it. May God save us from accepting a doctrine, that must be defended by such fallacious reasoning!”

~ John Wesley

 

[civic]

“Calvinists, who deny that salvation can ever be lost, reason on the subject in a marvelous way. They tell us, that no virgin’s lamp can go out; no promising harvest be choked with thorns; no branch in Christ can ever be cut off from unfruitfulness; no pardon can ever be forfeited, and no name blotted out of God’s book! They insist that no salt can ever lose its savor; nobody can ever “receive the grace of God in vain”; “bury his talents”; “neglect such great salvation”; trifle away “a day of grace”; “look back” after putting his hand to the gospel plow. Nobody can “grieve the Spirit” till He is “quenched,” and strives no more, nor “deny the Lord that bought them”; nor “bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Nobody, or body of believers, can ever get so lukewarm that Jesus will spew them out of His mouth. They use reams of paper to argue that if one ever got lost he was never found; that if one falls, he never stood; if one was ever “cast forth,” he was never in, and “if one ever withered,” he was never green; and that “if any man draws back,” it proves that he never had anything to draw back from; that if one ever “falls away into spiritual darkness,” he was never enlightened; that if you “again get entangled in the pollutions of the world,” it shows that you never escaped; that if you “put salvation away” you never had it to put away, and if you make shipwreck of faith, there was no ship of faith there!! In short they say: If you get it, you can’t lose it; and if you lose it you never had it. May God save us from accepting a doctrine, that must be defended by such fallacious reasoning!”

~ John Wesley

Warning passages are meaningless if they are not written to believers.

 

[Ahar]

Throughout this whole thread it has been demonstrated, through Scripture and logic, why nothing in the nature of God forces Him to take back the gift of eternal life when a Christian sins. Those of us who hold to the doctrine of eternal security are often accused of having a deficient grasp of God’s holiness. In actuality, however, the opposite is true.

The doctrine of eternal security is supported by the belief that God is so infinitely holy and good that there is nothing—not one thing—we can do to attain or maintain our salvation. Salvation in every facet is by grace. It is a gift from start to finish. God’s holiness is so far out of our league that even the best of our good deeds carries no weight in matters of salvation. The The scriptures attest to this,

For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.
Isaiah 64:6

 

[Diserner]

nothing—not one thing—we can do to attain or maintain our salvation

We still have free will.

We have to accept the gift.

We have to keep the gift.

Logic is literally no different there—if you reject one, you have to reject the other.

 

[dwight92070]

Warning passages are meaningless if they are not written to believers.

So those warnings are meaningless to you? That's a dangerous place to be in as a believer - to think that any part of the Bible, especially warnings, don't apply to you.
Which book of the Bible is written to unbelievers? None of them are. Sure, unbelievers can read it, and some get saved, thank God for that, but MOST unbelievers don't make reading the Bible a habit. I never did when I was an unbeliever. Why would they? Not being saved, they wouldn't understand much of it. I thank God for any who do read it, but until they're saved, it will be almost like reading a different language. Because it's not written to them, so all those warnings are for believers, for us. How can you be so unaware of that truth, when you simply look at the warnings themselves?

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; SO THAT THE MAN OF GOD (BELIEVERS) may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16

"Take care, BRETHREN (he's talking to believers), that there not be in ANY ONE OF YOU (a believer who is very close to abandoning his belief and falling away) an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God." Hebrews 3:`12

"My BRETHREN (believers), IF ANY AMONG YOU (AGAIN BELIEVERS) strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner (A BELIEVER WHO STRAYED FROM THE TRUTH) from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." James 5:19

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away (apostacize) from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, ... " 1 Timothy 4:1

You don't fall away from the faith, if you never had the faith to begin with.

 

[civic]

So those warnings are meaningless to you? That's a dangerous place to be in as a believer - to think that any part of the Bible, especially warnings, don't apply to you.
Which book of the Bible is written to unbelievers? None of them are. Sure, unbelievers can read it, and some get saved, thank God for that, but MOST unbelievers don't make reading the Bible a habit. I never did when I was an unbeliever. Why would they? Not being saved, they wouldn't understand much of it. I thank God for any who do read it, but until they're saved, it will be almost like reading a different language. Because it's not written to them, so all those warnings are for believers, for us. How can you be so unaware of that truth, when you simply look at the warnings themselves?

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; SO THAT THE MAN OF GOD (BELIEVERS) may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16

"Take care, BRETHREN (he's talking to believers), that there not be in ANY ONE OF YOU (a believer who is very close to abandoning his belief and falling away) an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God." Hebrews 3:`12

"My BRETHREN (believers), IF ANY AMONG YOU (AGAIN BELIEVERS) strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner (A BELIEVER WHO STRAYED FROM THE TRUTH) from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." James 5:19

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away (apostacize) from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, ... " 1 Timothy 4:1

You don't fall away from the faith, if you never had the faith to begin with.

You twisted my words.

Warnings are meaningless if they were not written to believers. Which means those warning passages are written to believers not unbelievers.

hope this helps !!!

 

[Begotten]

Eternal life cannot be forfeited, otherwise it would not be eternal.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” John 5:24

 

[Diserner]

Eternal life cannot be forfeited, otherwise it would not be eternal.

The reason this logic doesn't work is because it assumes the aspect is quantity over quality.

The only way someone would LITERALLY have eternal life in this strict sense, is if they ALREADY lived eternally.

There is another adjective being assumed in addition, "unqualified eternal, unconditional eternal, permanent eternal."

And of course that "extra" adjective is not actually there, but just assumed.

 

[Persevering]

Eternal life cannot be forfeited, otherwise it would not be eternal.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” John 5:24

The number one reason for assurance of eternal life is that whatever God starts,he finishes.

being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thess.5:23–24

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thess. 3:1–5

 

[Ahar]

The number one reason for assurance of eternal life is that whatever God starts,he finishes.

being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thess.5:23–24

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thess. 3:1–5

Exactly, If we must first remain faithful, only after which God promises to be faithful on our behalf, why should he bother at all? That is to say, if we are not only responsible but ultimately capable of keeping ourselves in faith and obedience without God’s faithful presence to preserve us there, his action is rendered moot. There is no need for the promise of divine faithfulness if human faithfulness will get us by.

 

[Studyman]

I wasn't able to locate anything here on this topic so I figured I might as well Get the ball rolling. Let me ask this question.

Is there anything keeping you from accepting God’s free gift of salvation right now?
Hopefully your answer is no. If not then the Holy Spirit is not done with you yet. Since salvation is a gift of God, there's nothing that we do to earn it, Do you think there's anything we could do to lose it? Would God take back a gift that he has freely given? Know this, God’s grace toward you did not stop with forgiveness. His grace will continue to be poured out on you forever! That was His purpose from the very beginning.

This truth underscores the depth of the love that moved God to begin with. Unlike the nature lover who stops to rescue an injured bird, God’s love goes beyond pity. He did not save us just to keep us out of hell. He saved us to guarantee an eternal relationship with us, a relationship in which we would continue to be the recipients of His kindness.

A question: “Do you believe you have the power to block the purposes of God?” Once God has made up His mind He is going to do something, do you think you have the power to throw a wrench into the works and foul things up? To believe that a man or woman can lose his or her salvation is to believe that a human being can frustrate the eternal purpose of God. Good luck with that one!

God has plans for all of us who were dead in our trespasses and sins and have been made alive with Christ. To hold to a theology in which man can do something that throws him back into a state of spiritual deadness, thus denying God His predetermined purpose, is to embrace a system in which man is in the driver’s seat and God is just a passenger.

One final thought, is that we Can not undo what God has already done. We're just not that powerful.

The issue isn't accepting God's Free Gift according to the Scriptures, it's about accepting God and His Word, without which no free gift exists. "Turning to God", "Repenting towards" God, Glorying God "AS God", Seeking first the Kingdom of God and HIS Righteousness", As the Jesus of the Bible teaches;

Luke 13: 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

And again;

John 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

And again;

John 6: 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned "of the Father", cometh unto me.

And again;

Matt. 6: 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

And again;

Matt. 7: 22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

We are warned over and over and over, by the Prophets, Apostles, and even God's Own Son that HE sent, to "Take Heed" of men who "Profess to know God, but in works deny Him". Religions that preach Peace, Peace, when there is no Peace.

From the Prophets.

Jer. 23: 16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. 17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, "No evil shall come upon you".

And again from the Apostles this same God chose and sent;

2 Cor. 11: 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found "even as we". 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

And again from the very Son of this same God.

Matt. 24: 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I (Jesus) am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Since my youth I have been told, "Come as you are" to our religion, and you will be eternally secure, no harm shall come upon thee, thou shall surely not die. But when I turned away from the religions of this world, as all men are called to do, I found another gospel which warned me of this very thing.

From the Jesus of the Bible, "Now Go and Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you".

From Paul, Rom. 11: 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

From Peter. 2 Peter 3: 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, "be diligent" that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

And again;

2 Cor. 5: 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

God, knowing that these religious philosophies were coming, inspired Paul to warn against these very things exactly in 1 Cor. 10.

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for "our" admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him "that thinketh he standeth" take heed lest he fall.

The doctrine of "Eternal Security" opposes the warnings of the God of the Bible, and the warnings of His Prophets and the Apostles HE sent to us, and the Words of His OWN Son.

God knows who will endure to the end, but we don't. That's why we need Faith in God and the Words of those who God sent. Not just a word here, and a sentence there, but as the Christ of the Bible teaches, "Man shall live by "Every Word" that proceeds from the mouth of God.

As Paul teaches.

Rom. 2: 7 To them who by "patient continuance" in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,


My hope is that all men might consider these warnings and "Come out of her".

 

[Hosanna]

I will not let you fall, for I am watching over you day and night.

Psalm 121:3 (WEB)
He will not allow your foot to be moved.
He who keeps you will not slumber.

God does not sleep and He does not slumber. He watches over us day and night so that we will not stumble and fall. The image that comes to mind as I write today's devotional is that of a doting father watching over his little toddler as the child is learning to take its first steps. Wherever the little one goes, the father is following very close behind to make sure that no accidents happen.

The NLT translation of Psalm 121:3 says it this way... He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. No matter where you go, no matter what time of the day or night, God is watching over you, caring for you to make sure that you don't stumble.

What a loving Father we have! Just as no earthly father would want to see his toddler bump his/her head on a coffee table or fall down a step, so our Heavenly Father is watching over us to make sure that we don't stumble and fall. May this simple picture of God's protecting love bring encouragement to our hearts today.

Father Heart Communications

 

[Begotten]

Dictionaries define “eternal” as “without beginning or end”; “everlasting”; “timeless”; and “forever the same; always true or valid; unchangeable.”

If the purposes of God in salvation have been established from eternity, nothing in time can thwart them because time itself is foreign to eternity. To state the obvious, whatever is established in eternity for eternity is established forever.

The bible repeatedly uses the term “eternal life” in reference to the believer. But this is much more than merely having eternal existence. Eternal life refers not only to the duration but to the quality of an eternal existence. Consider again the meaning of “eternal.” God gives us life “more abundantly” John 10:10

Words lose all meaning if eternal does not mean eternal. Why would God have used the term “eternal” if He meant something that is, quite literally, less than that? Eternal nullifies all time, and thus if at any point one can be said to possess eternal life, by definition this life cannot be less than eternal. In other words, it cannot be temporal. Again, time has no meaning compared to eternity. The believer who possesses eternal life, therefore, can never be lost, or else he could never have possessed eternal life to begin with.

If God uses "eternal" to teach the idea that a believer could never be lost, He could not have spoken in clearer terms than to use the term eternal. If He had intended to convey the idea that a believer could be lost, He would never have spoken of eternal life as a present possession.

 

[Diserner]

He would never have spoken of eternal life as a present possession.

Really can't follow the logic there, seems like one big ad hoc non sequitur. What word would be used for conditionally eternal? It's still eternal, the eternality is just conditional. Some may want "conditional life." But conditional life is not necessarily eternal. You can have conditional temporal life. So then you need a minimum of two words, "conditional eternal life." But the Bible already gives tons of conditions—so why is there a need?

If the Bible is full of conditions, how can you say God did not make that clear? That's unfair, that's setting the bar to an arbitrary standard more than is necessary than to convey the actual meaning. And if you demand eternal life means it's outside of time, that it is somehow timeless, you can't go from non-eternal into eternal life—logically you have to already have it, or you don't. You have to be born with it outside of time.

[On a side note, of course the original word for eternal is not a direct correspondence with the English word, but we can work with the idea. We have to the age, or to the horizon and again, as the original words used for eternal. But I can accept the idea behind them being virtually the same.]

 

[Ahar]

The issue isn't accepting God's Free Gift according to the Scriptures, it's about accepting God and His Word, without which no free gift exists. "Turning to God", "Repenting towards" God, Glorying God "AS God", Seeking first the Kingdom of God and HIS Righteousness", As the Jesus of the Bible teaches;

Luke 13: 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

And again;

John 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

And again;

John 6: 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned "of the Father", cometh unto me.

And again;

Matt. 6: 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

And again;

Matt. 7: 22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

We are warned over and over and over, by the Prophets, Apostles, and even God's Own Son that HE sent, to "Take Heed" of men who "Profess to know God, but in works deny Him". Religions that preach Peace, Peace, when there is no Peace.

From the Prophets.

Jer. 23: 16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. 17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, "No evil shall come upon you".

And again from the Apostles this same God chose and sent;

2 Cor. 11: 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found "even as we". 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

And again from the very Son of this same God.

Matt. 24: 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I (Jesus) am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Since my youth I have been told, "Come as you are" to our religion, and you will be eternally secure, no harm shall come upon thee, thou shall surely not die. But when I turned away from the religions of this world, as all men are called to do, I found another gospel which warned me of this very thing.

From the Jesus of the Bible, "Now Go and Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you".

From Paul, Rom. 11: 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

From Peter. 2 Peter 3: 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, "be diligent" that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

And again;

2 Cor. 5: 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

God, knowing that these religious philosophies were coming, inspired Paul to warn against these very things exactly in 1 Cor. 10.

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for "our" admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him "that thinketh he standeth" take heed lest he fall.

The doctrine of "Eternal Security" opposes the warnings of the God of the Bible, and the warnings of His Prophets and the Apostles HE sent to us, and the Words of His OWN Son.

God knows who will endure to the end, but we don't. That's why we need Faith in God and the Words of those who God sent. Not just a word here, and a sentence there, but as the Christ of the Bible teaches, "Man shall live by "Every Word" that proceeds from the mouth of God.

As Paul teaches.

Rom. 2: 7 To them who by "patient continuance" in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,


My hope is that all men might consider these warnings and "Come out of her".

The Scriptures are clear that salvation is a gift. Ephesians 2:8 teaches that salvation “is the gift of God.”
In John 10:28 NASB Jesus said, “I give eternal life to them and they shall never perish.”

Romans 6:23 NASB teaches that “the free gift of God is eternal life.”

Scripture also teaches that the grace of God is a gift given the believer.

First Corinthians 1:4 refers to “the grace of God which was given you.” Ephesians 3:7 speaks of “the gift of God’s grace.” The Bible also says that we have been “justified as a gift” (Romans 3:24), and therefore we have “the gift of righteousness” (Romans 5:17).

So the question arises, Would God ever take back the gifts He has freely given? If salvation is a gift consisting of irreversible actions, can it ever be returned?

Romans 11:29 says that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Consider this verse in other translations.

Wuest renders it, “For the gifts in grace and the calling of God are with respect to a change of mind irrevocable.”

The Living Bible reads, “For God’s gift and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises.”

The Amplified Bible teaches, “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]”