Yield

My greatest fear, often times, is sharing the Truth that God has revealed to me through His Grace.  

As I prayed this morning, my head rested on my son's bed. 

 I asked the Lord to help me to be loyal to Him.  -That He would help me to avoid being loyal to man over being loyal to Him, for He knows that I sometimes hold back sharing all that He has taught me through His Grace for fear of offending man and the  doctrines of men.  

As I prayed for His anointing and presence in my heart to carry out His will, my eyes opened and went directly to a symbol on my son's blanket.   As I had prayed with eyes closed, unknowingly my head rested on this symbol:   It was a road sign.  I paused and really considered its meaning before rising up and going downstairs.    My son's blanket has a "construction" theme - trucks, dump trucks, etc.  The Lord had brought my eyes to this particular sign on the blanket -- a Yield sign.  

The YIELD Symbol on My Son's Blanket

It was one of those moments that I knew the Lord had put His finger on His instructions for me.  I am to YIELD to His will and what He has taught me through His Grace.  

The story doesn't end with this moment.  Even a few hours before this moment, I had shared a passing thought with the Lord.  

"If only there were a verse in the Bible, Lord, that says I am to share with others the revelations you have taught me through Your Grace."   

 I know that probably sounds silly because God has continually shown me that I am to speak what He says to me, but Satan truly battles me and makes every attempt to keep me silent.  So a few hours before my prayer in my son's room, I had shared that particular thought with the Lord. 

After contemplating the meaning of the YIELD sign, I went downstairs and eventually went outside to watch my boys play on their big wheels.  I read the Bible as they road up and down the driveway.  During that time, the Lord very obviously directed my reading to Romans chapter 12.  I will include it below;  His revelation did not stop with a YIELD sign, for the great Creator was still attempting to teach me, confirming and answering two specific areas of prayer  from moments before and earlier that morning:  

12 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.

² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
³ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
⁴ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

While reading this chapter, the Lord instructed me to examine the word PRESENT in verse 1.  I'll include a picture of the word's original Greek definition as it appeared in my Strong's Concordance.   As I flipped through the Concordance in search of the definition of PRESENT, I quite literally thought, 

"What if it means yield..." 

No sooner did I think that, I turned to the page with Present's definition.  I have no recollection of this moment, but some time in the past, I wrote the word Yield using a pink pen right beside of the Greek word paristemi.  This Greek word ~paristemi~ is translated as eleven English words in the KJV.  What am I saying      ...     Present and Yield are both the same Greek word ------>  paristemi.  

The Actual Entry in my Strong's Concordance

1.  In Romans 12, believers are told to yield/present their bodies to and for the Lord's work.  The Lord had shown me the word YIELD earlier in the morning as I prayed, and then, soon after, had brought me to this verse.

2.  Earlier in the morning, I had what seemed to be a passing thought:  "If only there were a verse in the Bible, Lord, that says I am to share with others the revelations you have taught me through Your Grace."
 In verse 3, Paul states that he is speaking to us by the very GRACE given unto him.  What is he admonishing us to do....  to fulfill the function that the Lord has given us to fulfill.  He goes on to outline the list of offices. 

As Paul shares in Romans 12, believers do not all have the same office (practice, act, function).  Yet, whatever office the Lord's Grace has imparted to a believer, the believer is called in verse one to present his or her body a living sacrifice.  Share, do, speak, perform the very office (function) that He has imparted to each individual believer.  
 
Satan would have me deny the office that the Lord has given me.  The gift that His Grace has bestowed on me.  I must choose as to whether I want to obey the Lord and present (yield) myself a living sacrifice by sharing this gift/this office that His Grace imparts to me, or I can choose to be silent.  I can choose to YIELD (present in verse 1) or I can choose to resist the Spirit's  teaching and revelation.

Merriam Webster's definition for yield is "to give up and cease resistance."   Paul, through the Spirit, exhorts believers in this chapter to carry out whatever measure of grace each has been given.

His Grace imparts various gifts to believers.  We are not called to keep those gifts to ourselves.  Instead, they are to be shared with the body of Christ - for edification and for our perfecting, so that we can all come to the knowledge of the Truth.  

I want to continue yielding to the Lord and sharing the areas of Truth that He has taught me through His Grace. Man-made and man-led doctrines & practices are against the will of God and lead the flock astray.  I will continue to share as He leads.    If I do not fulfill the office that He has given me, then I will have denied Him.  And that is unacceptable by Him and by me.    

I humbly thank the Lord for His answers this day.  Satan seems to have fled, as he often does during such times.  

    

Lord of Hosts

While I was praying a few minutes ago, I was crying out to the Lord to equip me so that I could be a part of His HOST.  At that exact moment, my two year old (who had been in the toy room opposite of my location) walked up to me in the most sincere way with two pieces of army equipment in his hand.  He then proceeded to sit in my lap.  I then looked up the word "host" as it is used in the Bible to describe the Lord.

Almost three pages in Strong's Concordance are reserved for the following phrases that come from the Old Testament:   

Lord of Hosts
God of Hosts

The word hosts in the original Hebrew means:  "a mass of persons, especially organized for war (an army)."    

Satan's darkness is ever growing in our society, and although he hopes to confuse so many with lies, those who are a part of the Lord's Army -His Host- will be victorious!  

Fight the good fight of Faith!  

Stay in the Word of God, and I cannot stress enough how important humble prayer is in the eyes of the Lord.  He can transform even the most fearful person into a warrior for His Glory.  As I prayed to Him earlier, I said, "Lord, help me to live a life pleasing to you.  A life that emits Your Light, Lord.  A life lived without You is in vain."  

The Commander of His Hosts Trains His Army Well!  There is Victory in Jesus!  Stay focused on Him - no matter what.  Our nation is transitioning to a new and more diabolical persecution of the Christian Church. 

 No matter what, do not surrender!  

Remember how the Book ends.

 

1 Samuel 17: 45-46

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

2 Kings 19: 31  For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.

Psalm 46:11

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psalm 48:8

As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.

Psalm 59:5

Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

Isaiah 6:3

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Isaiah 9:19

Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.

Isaiah 10:33

Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.

Isaiah 13:13

Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Romans 8:37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

The Dangers of Being a Carnal Christian

1 Corinthians 3
There are ministers who plant the word and ministers who water the word.  Paul spends a great deal of time in Chapter 3 explaining the role of a minister to the carnal Christians who are at Corinth.

Paul calls them carnal early in chapter 3:  “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are carnal: for there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3: 2-3).

 carnal - sarkikos - pertaining to flesh, i.e. bodily, temporal, or animal, unregenerate.
               
            Unregenerate means not reforming or showing repentance; obstinately wrong or bad.

The verses below further address being carnal or fleshly:
Romans 8:5-7
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

                             Notice that Paul is specifically naming the brethren here. He is warning believers against becoming an enemy to God = being carnal (walking in the flesh)

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Again, Paul uses ye several times in this verse to indicate that he is specifically addressing/warning the brethren.  Since every person lives literally and dies literally, Paul is not making a reference to physically living and dying.  Instead, he is confirming what so many verses of the Bible state:  If one does not abide in Christ and is not led of His Spirit, that once believer will face eternal damnation instead of eternal life.  

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

A believer is a son of God only if the believer is LED by the Spirit.  Verse 13    just before this verse shows Paul warning believers that they must through the Spirit - which means being LED of the Spirit - mortify the deeds of the flesh.  If a believer continues to be carnal, that believer is not being led by the Spirit of God.  

Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul exhorts this group of carnal Christians for good reason.  A Christian must grow in the faith from milk to meat.  A babe in Christ does not have mature fruit, and we know that Jesus speaks of fruit many times to exhibit how we will know those who have eternal life. Before continuing in 1 Corinthians 3, it is necessary to further address why a believer must grow beyond milk.

In Hebrews chapter 5, those on milk instead of meat are addressed:
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
        unskilful - apeiros - inexperienced, i.e. ignorant
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Immediately after he states this to the believers who must be taught again (verse 12) with milk (verse 12 & 13), he begins chapter 6 of Hebrews.  The Lord showed me some years ago by His Spirit of Grace that a believer can reject the faith he once believed in, can remain carnal and never bear fruit ( fruit indicates maturity in Christ), and thus will not inherit eternal life. 

Immediately after ending chapter 5 with verse 13, he then moves straight into chapter 6 with an undeniable truth regarding believers:
1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
        perfection - teleiotes - a completer, i.e. consummator
        He is telling these believers who are "back on milk again" that they must continue to grow and to mature. 
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Immediately after telling these believers in Hebrews that they needed to be taught again on “milk”, he then illustrates that a believer who has the Holy Ghost, is enlightened, and has tasted the word of God and the powers to come will be rejected and burned IF those believers fall away.  There remains no more sacrifice for sins because those who fall away have newly crucified Christ.  He is telling them this for a very specific reason.  He is using this as a warning.  This should be a warning to all believers who are carnal or who have made progress but falter on their journey in Christ.  Repent and continue on to perfection/completion IN CHRIST.  A believer’s heart that is gradually hardened can find him or herself in this very same situation of possible eternal damnation.

We must understand the danger of remaining a carnal believer or making progress only to digress and become carnal again.  Romans 8 and Hebrews 5 & 6 specifically warn us of the dangers.  

This is why Paul exhorts the Church at Corinth very specifically.

Again, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:,

“I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are carnal: for there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3: 2-3).
            carnal - sarkikos - pertaining to flesh, i.e. bodily, temporal, or animal, unregenerate.
           Unregenerate means not reforming or showing repentance; obstinately wrong or bad.
He then goes on to explain that there are divisions within the church.  They are not united - some of them say, “I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos” (verse 4).    Both Paul and Apollos have ministered to the Corinthians.  Acts 19 shows that Apollos has ministered there:  “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth” (verse 1).  

Paul explains that they are carnal in their divisions.  He explains that he and Apollos are ministers (teachers) and that the Corinthians should not say,”I am of Paul or Apollos”, but instead they should say, ”I am of God.”  

By the standards set forth by many today, many would say that Paul is "judging" these church goers. "Shame on Paul!", many would shout.  He would be voted out of many of today's churches, but those who read the Bible know that Paul had a genuine love for believers.  What a laborer Paul was for the Lord in so many churches.  ---> Paul addressed sin IN the church.  Laborers for the Lord cannot look the other way within the church when sin is present - when carnality rears its face.  As we read in Romans, 1st Corinthians, and Hebrews above, believers are urged and exhorted to grow in the Spirit.  If we are carnal Christians, our fruit will never ripen and instead will wither on the vine.  Useless branches that bear no fruit are cast forth from the vine of Christ.  It is serious!  Christians must call on the Lord daily and abide in His Power - His Grace - so that our flesh and carnality is nailed to the cross - the very cross He called us to carry daily! 

Remaining silent on these issues would be a grave sin on my part, a denial of what His Grace has taught me these last years.  I love Him and others too much to do that.

Keep On Reading!

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