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'An Independent Baptist Church' Once Saved, Always Saved? What happens to the backslidden Christian? We believe that once a person is truly saved, he is saved ETERNALLY and FOREVER. We have showed on a previous study entitled 'ETERNAL SECURITY' why we believe the Bible does indeed teach the Eternal Security of a person who has been born-again and we listed 43 reasons from clear Bible verses which seem to teach this beyond a shadow of a doubt. As a companion to that study, we now have this study which looks at the verses in the Bible which SEEM to teach that salvation CAN be lost. What do these verses mean? The Bible can't be saying one thing in one place and than say something just the opposite in another portion of Scripture! I believe when we 'rightly divide' the Word of God, we can see what these other 'difficult' verses mean, and that they are not contradicting the other many clear verses on Eternal Security! Now let me say, let's be clear that the teaching of 'once saved, always saved' is not teaching that the believer can go out and live 'any way he wants' and get by with it! The believer who does backslide into a sinful lifestyle should repent of those sinful acts immediately, or else face the possibility of God's Chastisement during this lifetime...and it can be pretty rough! Not to mention the shame of losing our testimony to other people and possibly losing further opportunity to serve the Lord, we face the loss of rewards at the Bema Judgment when we get to heaven! Oh, my Friend, the backslidden believer faces terrible consequences if he remains in his backslidden state, for this believer is out of fellowship with his Lord and that is a miserable state to be in! But we believe the following verses teach that this person will still go to heaven if he was truly saved to start with, even if God has to call him home through premature death! Please realize that many people who went to church at one time that you think are Christians possibly never were born-again to start with! Going to church and even being active in Church doesn't mean necessarily that this person was ever saved! Please keep this mind. Lots of people you think 'lost salvation'.....possibly never were saved to start with! I have listed some of the most common verses some folks believe must teach that salvation can be lost. I believe this study will show they are not teaching that at all. Verses are listed Chronologically from Old Testament up through the New Testament. I hope this study helps you. EXPLANATION OF VERSES WHICH SEEM TO TEACH SALVATION CAN BE LOST (chronologically from Old Testament thru the New Testament) OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES 1. If God's people PERSIST in a lifestyle or habit of rebellion and sin, PREMATURE DEATH could be sent by God Himself, and our name could be blotted out of God's Book of the Living! However, the Child of God will never be blotted out of the LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE...which contains the names of all born-again people who have trusted Christ and are going to heaven! Exodus 32:31-33 And Moses returned unto the LORD,
and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of
gold.
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin -; and if not, blot me, I pray thee,
out of thy book which thou hast written. Leviticus 18:29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Please note that 'soul' in the Bible often refers to one's physical life! For example, Revelation 16:3 to see an example. It says in this passage that every living 'soul' in the water died...and clearly refers to physical life. Remember our 'souls' or 'spirits' don't 'die'...they live on either in heaven or in hell. 2. It is a serious matter for the child of God whose heart turns away from the Lord Jesus to serve other Gods! God can call that believer home through premature death! It will not be a pleasant meeting either when that believer stands before the Bema Judgment! Deuteronomy 29:18-20 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; 19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: 20 The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven. Those who were living right weren't killed! 3. The Holy spirit during the Old Testament times would leave a believer when sin dominated that person's life...and not affect that person's salvation. Today, in the New Testament Church Age, the Holy Spirit will NEVER leave the believer according to Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30 and John 14:16.
When we sin as Believers we need to confess the sin and ask forgiveness so our FELLOWSHIP can be restored just as David needed the Lord to restore the JOY of his salvation which had been taken away. He didn't say restore his 'salvation'....but his 'JOY........ 4. If the born-again believer TURNS from Righteous living to a lifestyle of iniquity and sin, the consequences could be DIRE....premature death! Ezekiel 3:20-21 Again, When a
righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a
stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him
warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall
not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. At the Bema Judgment of Rewards, the unconfessed sin will be dealt with...and RIGHTEOUS DEEDS done earlier in life....will not prevent the devastating loss of rewards and shame and regret AT THE THIS BEMA JUDGMENT! 5. When 'RIGHTEOUS' souls turn to a lifestyle of doing all the abominations that the wicked do, God says that 'soul' shall die.....and here refers to physical death! 'Soul' often means one's physical life in the Bible. Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. v24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Note here again that 'Soul' often in the Bible refers to one's physical life. Recall in Revelation 16:3 where it says every living 'soul' in the water or sea was killed, clearly referring to physical life, not one's spiritual being. Revelation 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. Peter also speaks of Noah's flood and says 'eight souls were saved by water' meaning that Noah and his family were saved from drowning in the flood because they were on the ark! Other Old Testament
Passages..... NEW TESTAMENT PASSAGES 6. It is possible to be busy in church work and even involved in positions of leadership in ministry...and NOT BE SAVED...because we have never trusted Christ as Savior! Matthew 7:22,23 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. The scary thing here is 'high profile' people in 'successful' public 'ministries' can perform miracles and 'many wonderful works' and even be UNSAVED! Did you catch that in that passage! Amazing. Just because someone can do 'miracles' and 'many wonderful works' does not mean they're of God or even saved! It can be through occultic powers! We must beware!! Notice Jesus says "I NEVER knew you"...he doesn't say "I once knew you and now I don't know you anymore".... 7. There is only one UNPARDONABLE SIN that will not be forgiven...and that is for a person to go through this lifetime and never trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour! Matthew 12:24-32 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. The Unpardonable Sin 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. It is possible for a person to hear the Gospel and witness and even experience God's wonderful workings...and turn away time after time, and never accept Christ as Savior. One's heart can become HARDENED to the point their mind is closed to ever trusting Christ as Savior! There is a danger in walking away from a Gospel service time and time again and never trusting Christ as Savior! When one gets to the point they have no care or no concern whatsoever about spiritual matters...this is a dangerous situation to be in! We can continue to pray for these folks! These PHARISEES saw Jesus perform these miracles and yet attributed them to the power of Satan because they had hardened their hearts so much! 8. It is possible for a person to REFORM himself outwardly and clean up his life, but still be LOST! Because that person never trusted Jesus as Savior, who alone can make the real change in one's life! Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 9. ENDURING in our Christian life might save our physical life from death during the Tribulation Period, but receiving eternal life and being born again is given to us FREELY by grace through faith throughout all ages! Matthew 24:13,22 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. v22..And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. This passage in Matthew refers to the Tribulation Period and has to do with saving one's PHYSICAL LIFE as clearly shown in verse 22....'no flesh be saved' 10. The Christian who fails to endure in confessing Christ to others during this lifetime in WORDS and DEEDS will not receive public recognition from Jesus as the BEMA Seat Judgment when He sets up His Kingdom on this earth when He comes back to earth! The unfaithful servant will be denied REWARD and PRIVILEGES in Christ's Kingdom. This entire passage in Matthew even back to verse 24 is instructing BELIEVERS in discipleship and walking in fellowship and obedience to the Lord after we're saved. Matthew 10:32-33 Whosoever
therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father
which is in heaven.33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also
deny before my Father which is in heaven. 11. The Christian who refuses to FORGIVE another person for some matter will have broken fellowship with God the Father and this person's prayers will not be answered! Mark 11:25,26 And when ye stand
praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is
in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. The believer who does not FORGIVE others and holds a bitter unforgiving spirit will not have FELLOWSHIP with the Lord and Joy in his Christian life until he does! As far as salvation is concerned, JUDICIALLY all of our sins are forgiven at the moment we trust Christ and we are perfected FOREVER! (Hebrews 10:14) After a Christian is saved, however, sins we commit can break fellowship with our heavenly Father. This passage in Mark 11;25,26 is a matter of fellowship being broken and restored for Believers. 12. It is possible to RECEIVE the Word of the Gospel and become born-again, and due to temptation and trials, that Christian fall away and STOP BELIEVING! Notice this verse reads these believe 'FOR A WHILE'. Well, my friend, how long does one have to believe in Jesus in order to be saved? Evidently a person can be born-again and then stop believing in Christ later on due to temptations and trials. That person is still saved and is God's Child and going to heaven, but a terrible price will be paid unless that believer comes back to Christ! There will be a miserable and unhappy life with chastisement from the Heavenly Father, shame of testimony, and possibly premature death. But nowhere here does it say this person goes to hell! Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. Remember 2 Timothy 2:13 says that even if a born-again Christian 'STOPS' BELIEVING, Jesus will not deny His promise of Eternal life! "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." Evidently a Christian can 'stop believing' and still go to heaven! 13. The Christian who never gets busy serving the Lord, but always makes EXCUSES why he can't serve the Lord right now at this time...will never be trusted with much responsibility by the Lord in this life or in the future life in heaven for all eternity! Luke 9:59-62 And he said
unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my
father.60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and
preach the kingdom of God.61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee;
but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.62 And
Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking
back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 14. The Child of God who leaves the Father's fellowship and WASTES his substance with RIOTOUS LIVING in the pigpen of this world and what it has to offer will SUFFER much loss....loss of years he or she could have been serving the Lord Jesus with joy, not to mention much heartache of being out of fellowship with the Lord! And possibly enduring the chastening Hand of the Lord due to our rebellion as well as loss of future reward! However, notice nowhere in this passage did he CEASE to be the Father's son...He was always his dad's son even while he was away! To his dad, he was physically and literally LOST, because his dad didn't know where he was! For all he knew, the son was probably dead. But he never ceases to be the boy's father! Luke 15:21-24 And the son
said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no
more worthy to be called thy son.22 But the father said to his servants, Bring
forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on
his feet:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and
be merry:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is
found. And they began to be merry. 16. The Believer who lives a disobedient life of drunkenness, immorality, and mistreats others, and causes discord and trouble in Church, will be 'cut to pieces', figuratively speaking, when the Lord comes back and we stand before Him at the Bema Seat Judgment. That person will suffer shame and rebuke and terrible loss of reward as will all Christians who did not believe and take seriously the many such warnings in Scripture given to believers who live hypocritical lives! There will be weeping of shame and regret when we stand before Jesus. Luke 15:21-24 But and if
that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to
beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;46 The
lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an
hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his
portion with the unbelievers.47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will,
and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten
with many stripes.48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of
stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of
him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they
will ask the more. 17. A similar passage in Matthew 24:51 adds that the unfaithful believer will look back upon his life of WASTED OPPORTUNITY and weep in shame and gnash his teeth in regret! Loss of reward and inheritance in heaven forever is squandered away when we could have lived for the Lord! Matthew 24:48-51 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The next chapter in Matthew continues taking about faithful service and discipleship in this life with future rewards as a result. The parable of the talents told by Jesus uses the illustration of a banquet reception for a landowner returning home after an extended journey. The servants who were faithful and did good work during the Master's absence were given rewards at the the banquet, while unfaithful servants who were lazy and did not work hard while the master was gone were not even allowed to attend the banquet, but were left outside the lighted banquet hall....as stated by being 'cast into outer darkness'...or literally in the illustration...the darkness OUTSIDE the lighted banquet hall! We misinterpret when we imply that HELL is meant here by this 'OUTER DARKNESS' in this particular story! Now it could refer to hell in another context, but it does NOT here in this one! Matthew 25:41-31 Then he
which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art
an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not
strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo,
there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou
wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and
gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money
to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with
usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath
ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have
abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he
hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 31 When the Son of man shall come in his
glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of
his glory: John 5:28,29 Marvel not at this:
for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his
voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection
of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 6:64,71 But there are some
of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that
believed not, and who should betray him. 20. Many believers in their lifetime stop walking daily with Christ in a close and obedient fellowship. This is a tremendous mistake which will have a very high cost in this life and the one to come, but his does NOT mean that person's salvation is lost! John 6:66 From that time many of
his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto
the twelve, Will ye also go away? 21. To be a real disciple and CHAMPION for Christ we must continue in His Word and remain faithful as a follower or disciple of Christ! Salvation is a FREE GIFT, but discipleship and walking closely with the Lord during this life will COST us plenty! John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those
Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples
indeed; 22. The UNFAITHFUL and UNPRODUCTIVE Christian can lose his testimony before other people due to his behavior and actions, to the extent that God can no longer use that person effectively to produce SPIRITUAL FRUIT for Him. John 15:2-6 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. This certainly could mean removal from our ministry or place of public service in our local church, and even PHYSICAL DEATH if we persist in our backslidden state that caused this removal! In Bible days, vines that no longer produced fruit were removed and destroyed by fire, because they were no good for building or any other purpose. This passage in John 15:2-6 has to do with FRUIT PRODUCTION, not someone being cast into hell! First of all, other MEN do not cast people into hell! Secondly, this same author in this same Book of John back in 6:37 promises He will never cast any of His children away into HELL for any reason! (John 6:37 "All that the
Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise
cast out.") Some may be disturbed or confused by the word 'FIRE' used in this passage in John 15:2-6, but we must remember that 'FIRE' is used as a metaphor often in the bible in reference to CHRISTIANS and does NOT refer to HELL at all! Recall in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 where 'FIRE' will test the 'works' or life of service of believers at the Bema Judgment! (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because
it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what
sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall
receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:
but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. In John 15:2-6 'Fire' is used in the horticultural illustration of Vines and Branches and those that do not bear fruit! The Believer who does not produce spiritual fruit is of no practical use to the Lord's Work and this person is a HYPOCRITE in the eyes of other people! 23. God could take the PHYSICAL LIFE of the believer who DEFILES his body (which is now the home of the Holy Spirit!). The believer can defile his body with moral sin and undoubtedly other sins as well. The believer who CONTINUES in adultery, sexual activity outside of the marriage union, homosexuality, and other such sins, could certainly face the prospect of the extreme chastisement from God's hand, even premature death...and certainly loss or reward in heaven! 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 1 Corinthians 5;1,5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. The believer described above who is involved in continued sexual sin, including incest as above, is in danger of being turned over to Satan for actual destruction of that believer's physical health, even to the point of death...with the ultimate GOAL being that the disobedient believer repents of his actions! Ananias and Sapphira were examples of believers who committed the sin UNTO DEATH many bible teachers believe. Acts 5:3-5 But Peter said,
Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep
back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?
and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived
this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And
Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear
came on all them that heard these things. 24. The Christian who behaves UNRIGHTEOUSLY during this life in the sins listed below will not INHERIT reward and special privileges when he does get to heaven. Can a Christian still do these things and be saved? Certainly. Will he or she still go to heaven? Yes, if he has been born-again, no sin we commit after we are saved can cause Jesus to cast us out. (John 6:37) But remember, there will be a terrible price to pay! Loss of fellowship with the Lord in this lifetime, no joy, life of misery, chastisement, and loss of reward in heaven! Remember, INHERITING something is much different than ENTERING it! I can ENTER a house but that doesn't mean I inherited it. INHERITANCE in the bible, most of the time, has to do with REWARD. There are some instances when the context uses 'inherit heaven' to mean 'enter heaven', but in other places it does not mean 'to enter. Here the context is referring to rewards and inheritance. Every born-again believer will enter heaven but not every believer will have the same inheritance and reward. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not
that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers
of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were
some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. The Born-again Believer who practices UNRIGHTEOUSNESS such as homosexuality and all the sins listed above, will still enter heaven if they have trusted Christ as their Savior, but there will be loss of inheritance and reward at the Bema.....and consequences during this lifetime as well! 25. The Believer who is not able to CONTROL his body and his passions...and his fleshly nature (temper, lust, covetousness, stealing, gluttony, etc) will become a CASTAWAY (Gk. disapproved of) for future service to the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and
bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to
others, I myself should be a castaway. John 6:37 All that the Father
giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast
out. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 25. The Believer who allows UNCONFESSED SIN to continue...and that believer takes the communion of the Lord's Supper in church on Sunday without confessing that sin RISKS facing chastisement from the Lord by means of physical sickness or other means. If it continues for an extended period of time, the Lord could call that believer home through premature death! It is a serious thing!! 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. "Damnation" here means to bring God's Chastisement or judgment upon the Believer. It is not talking about 'damnation' in the sense of being cast into hell. The Believer is to examine himself regularly to see if his lifestyle and works and behavior are what they should be so that we are the proper testimony for Christ and to others! 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 28. The Believer can FALL FROM GRACE when he starts believing and teaching that SIMPLY TRUSTING CHRIST is not enough to save you and keep you saved. Galatians 5:4 Christ is
become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are
fallen from grace. Notice in this 'falling from grace' there is no mention of HELL....no mention of terrible backsliding into moral sin...in fact the quarrel Paul has with these Galatian believers is that many of them have been 'bewitched' into believing 'another gospel' and that 'circumcism' and other 'works' are now necessary for one to be saved .....and that faith in Christ's death on Calvary was not enough! This was making Christ's death of 'no effect' to the eyes of the unsaved people watching! The irony here is....the very people today who believe salvation can be lost unless you 'perform' and 'live holy' to a certain level to 'keep' yourself saved, are actually the ones who have 'fallen from grace' and are living a 'works-way' of living thinking they are 'keeping' themselves saved! They don't realize Jesus has done it all for them! 29. The believer is to 'WORK OUT' his salvation with 'fear and trembling' realizing that our failure can cause others to stumble in their walk with the Lord...or hinder others from coming to Christ if they see hypocrisy in our life as a Christian! Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but
now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling. We KNOW Paul is not saying we must WORK for our salvation...because Ephesians 2:8,9 and Titus 3:5 clearly says we're not saved by our WORKS and performance or behavior! Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not
of works, lest any man should boast. The Believer who does not..... will 'SUFFER LOSS'...of reward and approval from our Lord Jesus Christ at the Bema! Colossians 1:22,23 In the body of his
flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in
his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to
every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; |