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The Days Are Growing Darker, Deception is Running Rampant, and the Truth Must Be Spoken from the Mountain Tops

How can a person be saved if he or she does not first realize that the deeds and thoughts of his or her flesh are in opposition to God?  How can one possibly believe he or she is in need of a Saviour without realizing how despicable the human heart/flesh can be?  As David said in Psalm 51:4, " Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight."  It would have been difficult for David to reach this state of brokenness and repentance if he had never regarded his deeds/actions as being evil.  He did not seek forgiveness until after his sinful choices were made apparent to him by a prophet sent by God.  May ministers for the Lord never forget to preach on sin and repentance.  We live in a society where, gradually, every sin is being downgraded.  Now, more than ever, believers must not sleep.    When you see a person attempt to downgrade sin by using a Bible verse, the answer is this:  KEEP ON READING.  The Truth is revealed in the Bible; read it in context.  When you see a person use a grace verse to support sinning, KEEP ON READING. 

Below, information within [brackets] offer the original Greek definition of the word listed before the [bracket].

Romans 8: 12-14

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify[to kill] the deeds [practices or acts] of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Galatians 5: 16
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

Galatians 5: 18-21
"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:  Adultery, fornication [harlotry - including adultery and incest; figurative idolatry], uncleanness [physical or immoral impurity], lasciviousness [licentiousness - lacking moral restraints, especially sexual restraint], idolatry [literal or figurative image worship], witchcraft [medication; magic], hatred, variance [quarrel], emulations [jealousy as of a husband or of God or of an enemy; malice], wrath, strife, seditions [disunion], heresies, envyings [ill-will, jealousy, spite], murders, drunkenness, revellings [carousal, partying, letting loose], 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" 

Ephesians 5: 1-6
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness [shamefulness; obscenity], nor foolish talking, nor jesting [witty in a vulgar sense], which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience"

Revelation 21:  6-8
 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
 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.


Do we not believe that the same Lord who lived sinless in the flesh, who patiently endured a brutal crucifixion, who resurrected from the dead, who performed countless miracles and healings, who cast out countless demons -- Do we not believe that He can help us, by His Spirit, overcome our sinful fleshly nature in this life?  Not by our works but by His Spirit, we can overcome!  Obedience is mandatory.  Believing this is not optional if one hopes to inherit eternal life.  We must die to our flesh daily. 

 We must be led of the Holy Spirit.  

Once Saved, Now Lost Examination

Below, I have copied a dear sister's thorough scriptural examination of the "Once Saved Always Saved" or "Once in Grace, Always in Grace" doctrine.  I pray this blesses those who read this, and I pray all who read this will do so with a heart of obedience to the Lord and His Word.  There are several article links within this blog entry.  Click on those as prompted.  You can visit this sister's blog by clicking The Latter Days Ministry.  (Her blog is not associated with the false church of the Latter Day Saints.)

 

Once Saved, Now Lost - Part 1a

Before getting into this topic, it should be stated that our purpose here is not to instill fear in anyone's heart or to cause one to be less assured in our standing before God. In His word, God has given us great and precious promises so that we may know that we know Him, and know that He has granted His people eternal life. The intent in this series is to examine a particular doctrine to see if it holds water in the light of Scripture.

What Saith Scripture?

There is a doctrine that has permeated parts of Christianity often referred to as Once Saved Always Saved, Eternal Unconditional Security, or Preservation of the Saints. This doctrine asserts that once one has received the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, such a gift is always assured. It can in no ways be lost.

Personally, I do not prefer the term "lost" as it gives the image of someone looking around for a set of misplaced keys. In terms of this series, the word "lost" refers to man's ability to determinately walk away from a covenant relationship with Him.


The purpose of this series is not to start debates or even change the minds of those who believe differently. This is not a matter of salvation one way or the other. However, I have been asked to breakdown Scripturally why I believe this doctrine to be false, and that is what I am attempting to do here.

It is my hope that the information provided will be sufficient enough to enable one to study the topic on his/her own and see what God has to say about it. Do not let any man's words (mine or any other) be your barometer for the truths of God. Hold everything up to the light of Scripture and in prayer seek God for understanding. He will give it.

Because of the breadth of this topic, I am dividing it into 6 sections which will be posted and linked here as they are completed:

1. God Doesn't Mince Words
   • Names Blotted Out of The Book of Life
   • It IS Possible to Fall Away
2. "IF"
   
   • Conditions for Salvation
   • Cast from God's Body
     
3. Salvation is a Result of Covenant
• God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant
• Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?
• Covenant Responsibilities
4. Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
5. A Candid Look at OSAS "Support"
• Eternal Life is a Gift
• Nothing Can Separate You From the Love of God
• You Cannot Be Unborn
  
• You Can Only Lose Fellowship with God
• You Can Only Lose Your Reward
• Predestined by God
• Eternal Life is "Eternal"
• All means ALL
6. The ONLY Reason Salvation Can Be "Lost"

God Doesn't Mince Words

God means what He says and says what He means. Everything God says has meaning; every word, every nuance.

The Scriptures are a living word and - in His own wisdom - God uses a symmetry, beauty, consistency, and logic that is meant to impart life to the hearers. When God tells us something, it is because He wants us to be aware and prepared.

Let's examine what He says regarding whether our relationship with Him is irrevocable once established.

Names Blotted Out of the Book of Life

Everyone who has eternal life must have their names written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:12-15; Revelation 21:27). Yet, Scriptures assert that God can and will blot out names in that book.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Revelation 3:5

Clearly this is a promise from God to believers. It is meant to give us assurance in Him and should do just that! However, this verse does more than that. While it doesn't say that God will blot names out of this book, it sets forth the premise that He can. We must take notice that even the possibility of such speaks against the contention that one cannot lose salvation. If it is at all possible to have one's name blotted out of this book, then it is possible to lose salvation.


On the other hand, if God would never blot any names out of this book, then why does He use this language? If the object here is only to encourage believers about the assurance of salvation, then God could have made this statement in the affirmative. He could have said something like, "He who overcomes has their name written in the Book of Life and I will confess him before my Father." Instead, He uses a negative context and says He "I will not blot out...but will confess."


This is a rather bizarre statement if in fact it is not even possible for God to blot names out. Is He merely making an empty threat? And if so, what does that reveal about the character of God? That He desires to scare us into faith by alluding to horrible consequences that could never happen?


It would have been easy enough for God to make this statement in the affirmative, yet, He doesn't. We cannot just close a blind eye to what was said and grasp on to what we want to see. He phrased it in this way for a reason, and we need to understand why.

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Revelation 12:19

Here we see a similar reference to names being blotted out of the Book of Life. Unlike the previous verse where this was only alluded to, here God says definitively that He will remove names from the Book of Life.


Again, I ask you, "Why does God continue to say this if such is never possible?" He could have easily said, "Such persons are damned for they have never known me." God didn't have to set the premise that these individuals were once saved (being in the Book of Life)...yet He does. Why??


No one has any "part" in the Book of Life unless they have been given eternal life. Why does God state that they had received eternal life and it was being taken away, if in fact one can never lose it?

"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." Exodus 32:32-33

Again, God clearly states that He will blot out names from His book.


Some have said that this does not refer to the Book of Life, but a separate "Book of the Living" which they say records each person's existence. The 'blotting out' - they say - refers to physical death and not the loss of a relationship with God. Yet, there is much debate about whether there even is a separate "Book of the Living" as this term may simply be another reference to the "Book of Life."


Nonetheless, let's assume that there is a separate Book of the Living. This interpretation still presents a major problem for this text. First, the text says nothing about this being a Book of the Living; it simply says "Thy book."


Second, death became a reality for all men after the fall of Adam & Eve in the garden. God's people had no expectation that they would be spared a physical death. Yet God is distinguishing here between Moses (the righteous) and his idolatrous brethren (the sinners). He refuses to apply this penalty to Moses, but only those who have sinned against Him.


This "blotting out" cannot be physical death, because even the righteous were subject to physical death. The context of these verses indicates that God is discussing a punishment specifically for sinners.


The wages of sin is death. However, that is not just a reference to physical death. The only type of death that sinners suffer - as opposed to the righteous - is a spiritual death of being cast away from the presence of God.


Further, the only book which separates the "righteous" from the "sinner" is the Book of Life.

"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." Psalm 69:28

In this Psalm, David is asking God to blot out the names of his enemies from the Book of the Living.


Those who support the idea of a separate book claim that this verse speaks of two different books: The "Book of the Living" (where names are requested to be blotted out); and the "Book of Life" where the written names of the righteous are referred. They then conclude that the "blotting out" does not happen in the "Book of Life" at all, but in the "Book of the Living."


Yet, Scripture proves that this is not the case. The names of God's people are written in the Book of Life from the foundations of the world (Revelation 17:8). God is not in Heaven busily writing down names of the righteous in His book. So, David was not asking God to refrain from taking steps to write down these names. Every name which will ever be written therein has already been written before the world began. The only way to ensure that names - which are already written - do not appear, is to blot them out.


We know that only the Book of Life separates the righteous from the sinner. We also know that all names of the righteous are already written in this book. Therefore, the request to blot out the names must be directly tied to the request for them not to appear with the righteous.


It can be seen therefore, that the "Book of the Living" referenced here is the "Book of Life", and as such, God continues to confirm that He can blot out names.

We have listed a variety of Scriptures which indicate that God can and will blot names out of the "book" that determines who has eternal life. He has continually promised to do so in the Old and New Testaments.

It bears repeating that even the possibility of such speaks against the contention that one cannot lose salvation. If it is at all possible to have one's name blotted out of this book, then it is possible to lose salvation.

While the position against OSAS doctrines could rest on this alone, there are a myriad of ways in which this doctrine is contradicted by Scripture. It is important to look at all of these things as they impact our understanding of Scripture and the nature of salvation itself.

Oftentimes in discussing this topic, people will just begin to throw out Scriptures that they think support one side or another. Such is not our intent. ALL Scripture must harmonize with other text in order for it to hold true. As such, we are attempting to take a holistic approach in this review, covering specific texts speaking against this; discussing reasons why the concept is erroneous; evaluating purported support for this doctrine; and examining the one reason Scripture gives for why salvation can be lost.

I also realize that this topic may generate questions or even disagreements. However, it will likely prove difficult to engage in discussion in the comments section of this blog. As such, I have created a section on the message board for this series and people are free to post there as they feel led.

In the next article in this series, we will look at other Scriptures which show that God does not mince His words, specifically when He says that man can forsake Him.

Righteous Judgment

A brother in the Lord recently shared biblical wisdom pertaining to judgment.  With his permission, I share it below:

 

 

How do Christians judge righteously?

John 7:24
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” – Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 2:15
But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

Should We Never Judge?

Love without Truth is unbalanced. The bible says that a false balance is an abomination to the Lord. Love isn't always kisses and hugs, telling people the truth is an example of the love you have for them. If I ignore the condition of this backwards generation and say nothing, then that means I don't love them and I wouldn’t be walking in Christ-like characteristics. There is an extremely serious error that is being believed by the vast majority of people in the world and sadly even in some churches. This error is literally making those people unable to discern righteousness, truth or holiness. Do you want to know what the serious error is? It is believing that all “judgment” is wrong. If this is true, then what would we have to say about the inspired writers of the bible or even Jesus’ words above? Jesus Christ clearly tells people to judge righteously, aids people in their judging, and judges manners himself. Humanity cannot avoid its responsibilities to discern good from evil or eventually what will happen is a slow decaying of justice, peace, prosperity, love, etc.

The primary point that we all must understand is that not all judgment is wrong. But there are certain types of judgments that can be wrong. The types of judgment that are wrong according to Jesus Christ are condemnation, as well as hypocritical and self-righteous judgment. Righteous judgment includes the judging of manners to be either right or wrong in light of God’s truth. God is the ultimate form of “right”, and He gives us of His Spirit to discern situations rightly. The sincere, serious and sober judgment of our own sins, as well as the gentle and compassionate judgment and correction of other beliefs concerning sin. We must not sentence people, but we must warn people for their spiritual betterment.

Tragically, through this form of failure to discern, Satan is taking advantage of some so-called Christian organizations in regards to confusing people over the issue of judgment. People have been lead to believe that it is “un-loving” to correct someone who is walking in error. And of course some people have aided this false doctrine of "don't judge nobody" by being carnally and fleshly led, resulting in them being overly harsh and unmerciful in their judgments concerning hell. It is easy for an individual to jump on the false doctrine ban-wagon when they encounter a person who mis-represents the gospel of Jesus Christ resulting in that individual being pushed to believe that all “judgment” is wrong. But coming from another perspective an individual could very will experience the conviction by the Spirit of God and ignore the call to repentance to suit they worldly desires to stay the same. In many, many passages in the bible, Jesus Christ spoke about heaven and hell, and the Lord delights that we are whole in our communication as He is. We are commended to communicate the goodness and severity of God. Again, we must not sentence people, but we must have a love led desire to warn people out of their perishing conditions and into their spiritual triumph through Jesus Christ.

The ideas behind the concept of “don't judge nobody” or “all judgment is wrong” are ludicrous from the roots because the same people that are quoting these types of phrases are judging and can’t live by them. Righteous judgment is necessary for life to progress both physically and spiritually. Guess who is being judged as un-loving in these last days? The same Jesus Christ himself is being judged as un-loving by many because they don’t understand that Jesus Christ is Love in action and is ultimately the reinstated Peace between God and man. Nothing else matters until a person knows Him and commits to Him. Jesus’ bold statements cleared up all vagueness concerning eternal life, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).

Don’t we all make judgments? For example: If you’re witnessing your neighbor’s home being robbed while he wasn’t there, then you call the cops on his behalf. Aren’t you making a judgment? If your very young child linked up with some very bad behavior, reckless friends which influenced your child to do various juvenile crimes and your child was escorted home to you by the cops, and you told your child not to be friends with them anymore for his/her own good. Aren’t you making a judgment? If you are a non-smoker and you’re waiting on a bus sitting on a bench at a bus stop. Then someone else who does smoke comes along and sits next to you on the bus bench and begins to pull out a cigarette to smoke, and you politely stand up and move to be at a slight distance as to not inhale any of the cigarette smoke. Aren’t you making a judgment? Telling people not to judge is irrational, to doing so, you yourself have judged their words or actions, and that is why you told them not to judge.

The Lord delights in righteous judgment (John 7:24, 4:24, 8:28-32) God gives wisdom and discernment so that we would be a blessing to everything around us through the revealing of His truth. And again, I must stress that we must not get caught up in the sentencing of people, but we must have a love led desire to warn people out of their perishing conditions and into their spiritual triumph through Jesus Christ.

“JUDGE RIGHTEOUSLY, WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST.”

The Engrafted Word

A portion of James' epistle to the 'Brethren' (Believers in Christ):

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  - 1: 21

lay apart - apotithemi - to put away
filthiness - rhuparia - dirtiness
superfluity - perisseia - superabundance
naughtiness - badness, depravity, malignity, or trouble
meekness -  mildness; humility
engrafted - emphutos - implanted

James calls those who are believers in Christ to put away the sins and temptations that allure them.  The word has already been engrafted (past tense) into their hearts.  He is, in the present tense, further calling them to receive with meekness the truth of the implanted word.  

Why?  Because the engrafted word has the power to save their souls.  If believers do not allow the word of God to continually grow within their hearts, then their souls will not be saved. 

The Parable of the Sower exemplifies this:

Matthew 13: 3-9 & 18-23
Luke 8: 5-15

 

My Journey Today

This evening, I left my home, on a short journey.  The journey would only take 5-8 minutes at the most.  

But on the way, the Lord sought to teach His child more about Him.  Before I share His teaching, I want to say that while I was driving, journeying to pick up my two year old from his grandma's, I was marvelously overwhelmed with praise for the Lord and the way He was taught me His Truth over the last weeks, months, and years.  While Truth spoke to me on the way to pick up my two year old at his grandma's, I was so overwhelmed by His Glory that I pulled over at a nearby unused car wash in order to write down all that He was revealing and confirming. 

 I've dealt with the devil enough to know that He loves to steal the Lord's Truth when it is planted in a person's heart.  So I found an old pay check stub, dug a pen out of the bottom of my purse, and began to write hurriedly what He was revealing.  All the while praising Him.  The JOY that only the Lord can shed in our hearts is beyond this world.  

We are told in His Word:  "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14: 17).  The Lord surely knew what He meant.  Righteousness, peace, and joy.  Only His Holy Ghost can bring such beauty to a longing heart.  These three ARE the kingdom of God.
 
I wrote all that I needed on the paper and then pulled back onto the road with just a few miles to go.  I continued to laugh with pure joy and with pure thanksgiving to Him for what He had revealed and confirmed to me.  The Lord is the master weaver.  Each thread is so intricately woven into another . . . fitting the story of a believer's life perfectly together.  What a masterpiece.  

As I approached my destination, I gently asked:  "Lord, do You want me to share this?  Is this from You?"

I do this so often with a completely humble heart.  I value His Presence above everything.  I never want to speak or write in such moments without knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that He, the King of kings, is the One who has spoken to me.  Right after asking Him that, He brought to my mind the following verse:

"My grace is sufficient for thee."  

In that moment, He brought me back to yet another gentle Truth He had revealed to me a few weeks ago.  A Truth that revealed how He speaks to me.  How He has always revealed the Truth to me over the years.  Even since that time, He has further ministered to me in that verse and opened up my understanding of that verse and those surrounding it.

 And now, while pulling into my in-laws' driveway, He had spoken it to me again.  I parked and walked into their home.  My two year old sat smiling on his grandma's lap.  I had planned to simply pick him up and head straight back home, but he wanted to ride the 4-wheeler with grandaddy before going.  

I agreed, and for some unknown reason, I found myself walking toward the window above their sink.  I gazed out into their back yard when something hanging from that very same window caught my attention.  My eyes focused in on it.  I serve a right on time God, who truly does have His eye on the sparrow and hears a heart that longs for Him and His Truth.  
 

I took a picture of what the Lord confirmed as I looked out the window.  It reads:  "My grace is sufficient for you."  2 Corinthians 12: 9

  I hope I can convey in words how perfect all of this worked out - from His revelation in speaking to me ... to His confirming it as I pulled into my in-laws . . .  as I looked out their window waiting on my two year old to ride the 4-wheeler with grandaddy.

Now, I will share what the Lord shared with me on my short journey this afternoon.  These are the ideas I wrote down and that the Lord revealed:

When I think of what His grace has taught me in these last years, I weep.  I literally weep tears of complete, humble joy and love toward Him.  When I think of all the ways His Grace has imparted Truth and Power to me, His perfection is apparent to me!  It has been during my lowliest moments of seeking Him through tremendous prayer - through tremendous and transparent cries to Him, that He has shed His Grace - His teaching - on and to me.  I often refer to all of these times in the last weeks, months, and years of His Grace teaching me as being revelations, and they are - but He kept imparting to me while driving today that THIS IS WHAT HIS GRACE DOES!  I have fought tremendous battles seeking His Truth, and the road, many times, has been very lonely when no one seemingly stood with me.  There was much affliction of the mind during such times, but He sought to reveal to me today that it has always been His Grace that provided the answers during those lonely times of seeking Him.  

Beyond this personal revelation of my life and journey with Him, He also revealed the following:

Those under the old covenant were made aware of their sin by the law.  Romans 7:7 - "I had not known sin, but by the law."  

However, under the New Covenant, we have a Saviour, through His GRACE, teaching those who believe how to live in righteousness and goodness and TRUTH.   

Over the centuries, there have been many who have distorted purposely or ignorantly misunderstood Grace.  Grace does not permit sin.  No. The Truth is GRACE will teach a believer how to overcome sin- Not to continue IN sin. 

Does He not work in such beautiful ways?  I can't stop praising His Goodness.  His Grace.  To have brought this journey full circle with "My Grace Is Sufficient for Thee" simply astonishes me.  I tell you that I love Him more all the time. 

 To know Him and for Him to know me - that is the journey of my life and ultimately, my destination.


I cannot help but share these moments with others.  There is something that burns deep within me during such times.  I don't share to spotlight anything about me,  for I have never believed that I am anything special.  He IS the One I seek to glorify to others.   I don't like any attention drawn to me; I have always carried that persona since being a young girl, but again, there is something bigger than me that beckons me to speak about such things and to write about such things!  I must obey Him, for He is my everything.  

May you be drawn closer to Him.  Call out to Him with a pure heart seeking only His Truth.  

He. Will. Answer.  

And His Grace will teach you how to overcome IN CHRIST.  Amen.  

Click on the blog entry below (written before the one above) blog  in order to see fully how magnificently the Lord spoke to me:

Strength Made Perfect