Other questions asked included: “Is ‘once saved always saved’ the truth or “once saved always changing” the truth?
“Why can't we just take the chance to live sinful lives for a few years of enjoyment and then get it right with God again before we die?”
“Can I live like hell and then repent later in purgatory?”
Questions like this have been argued about for centuries, with one side saying, “Yes” and the other resounding, “No” with both quoting verses to prove their points.
Sometimes logic is used in such debates with some stating that God would never abandon His children nor Jesus His Bride, while others will reason, “Yes, God would never abandon us - as a corporate group - but He cannot allow hypocrites in Heaven because they cause so many to go to hell.”What is the truth here? Should we flip a coin or yield to the loudest voices? Shall we look for the best argument and go that direction?
With our having established in this series, why we believe the Bible is true and inspired, (see an earlier blog) I think we should go there first for our answers to tough questions like this one.
What does the Bible - as a whole – have to say about this important issue? I write the words “as a whole” because we should not hold any beliefs as Biblical, if our understanding, of the verses we use as the basis for those beliefs, is contradicted by other verses. The Scriptures talk about something called the whole counsel of God and that is what we should look for here.
For the next few minutes let’s suspend our previous understanding about this query and see with fresh eyes what the Bible has to say.
JOHN 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved. - JESUS CHRIST
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved. - JESUS CHRIST
Our salvation began with God giving His Son to live, die and arise from the dead for all of us. This was His initiation totally, given up for us all so that we might believe in Him and receive eternal life.
JOHN 6:40, 47
And this is the will of Him who sent Me,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him
may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
47) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
And this is the will of Him who sent Me,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him
may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
47) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
Our eternal life begins when we believe in Jesus, not only after we die and go to Heaven or when we are raised up at His return; (that great event will be the manifestation of what we already have).
JOHN 10:27-28
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
If you are a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ, you already have eternal life and no one can take it from you, period.
JOHN 11:25-26
…."I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me,
though he may die, he shall live.
And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Do you believe this?"
…."I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me,
though he may die, he shall live.
And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Do you believe this?"
For those of us who have eternal life, death is no longer something to be feared, because we understand that ultimately it does not bring an end to our lives.
HEBREWS 2:14-15
….as the children have partaken of flesh and blood,
He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death
He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage
….as the children have partaken of flesh and blood,
He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death
He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage
QUESTIONS
1 JOHN 5:13
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God,
that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue
to believe in the name of the Son of God.
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God,
that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue
to believe in the name of the Son of God.
We could go on and on reading scriptures that reveal the security and eternal life have as believers in Jesus and receivers of the gift of God’s saving grace. When understood, such truths will inspire us to love and good works.
Some believers set up camp right here and do well without understanding some of the other things I am about to share from the New Testament. While others are living hypocritical lives of disobedience and defend their lack of repentance by quoting wonderful scriptures like those we have just read.
It is here where today’s question arises the most, not so much because of those who may have stumbled and need some of help to get back on the way of Jesus, but because of those who use the Bible to defend their hypocrisy.
1. PERHAPS HYPOCRITES WERE NEVER SAVED TO BEGIN WITH.
2. HYPOCRITES SUFFER FROM THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.
3. SIN AND HYPOCRISY IS NO BIG DEAL.
MATTHEW 13:24-30
Another parable He put forth to them, saying:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27) So the servants of the owner came and said to him, '
Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
28) He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.'
The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'
29) But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat
with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest
I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles
to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "
HERE ARE 3 PERSPECTIVES ON THE HYPOCRITE ISSUE.
1. PERHAPS HYPOCRITES WERE NEVER SAVED TO BEGIN WITH.
2. HYPOCRITES SUFFER FROM THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.
3. SIN AND HYPOCRISY IS NO BIG DEAL.
Let’s read a couple of things Jesus had to say that can relate to this first perspective.
MATTHEW 7:21-25
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day,
'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonders in Your name?'
23) And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness!'
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day,
'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonders in Your name?'
23) And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness!'
MATTHEW 13:24-30
Another parable He put forth to them, saying:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27) So the servants of the owner came and said to him, '
Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
28) He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.'
The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'
29) But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat
with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest
I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles
to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "
So we can see from the words of Jesus that there will be counterfeit converts. Simon the sorcerer - of ACTS 8 fame - may be an example that illustrates this point, i. e. they are not saved to begin with.
In relating to our second perspective, the lack of knowledge, I know that I have suffered personally from a lack of knowledge and experienced HOSEA 4:6a where Hosea wrote, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge……..”
The lack of knowing that we are saved, i. e already possessing eternal life, makes us vulnerable to living joyless lives that are motivated by guilt, fear, performance and legalism; thus setting us up for failure.
The mystery of legalism is that it empowers sin rather than overcomes it, because the pressures of performing can over-load us to the point that we might eventually look for relief in something sinful.
The knowledge of our salvation should inspire us to have a walk – worthy of our calling - reflecting our faith in the One we love and appreciate. While God does reward obedience, His rewards are not like carrot sticks - used to manipulate us into performing - but rather, they are blessings, that are over and above the gift of eternal life and the opportunity we have to know God, which is the ultimate reward we now have.
JOHN 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
1 JOHN 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding,
that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true,
in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
1 JOHN 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding,
that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true,
in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Unlike puppeteer strings that move a marionette from above, God’s blessings - past, present & future - motivate us from the inside out, thus producing continuing inner transformation and a growing Christ-likeness in our lives.
On another hand, if the lack of knowledge is blinding us to our need to be transformed and obedient, we have the promise of God’s correction and discipline, which I think should give us great security.
HEBREWS 12:6-8
FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS,
AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons;
for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers,
then you are illegitimate and not sons.
The apostles John and Paul, blow this 3rd perspective away.
1 JOHN 3:2-10
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
5) And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7) Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous,
just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,
that He might destroy the works of the devil.
9) Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him;
and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest:
1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-11
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards,
nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified,
but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS,
AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons;
for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers,
then you are illegitimate and not sons.
The apostles John and Paul, blow this 3rd perspective away.
1 JOHN 3:2-10
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
5) And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7) Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous,
just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,
that He might destroy the works of the devil.
9) Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him;
and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest:
1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-11
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards,
nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified,
but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Like those addressed with the words, “such were some of you”, we too can be redeemed from our wicked pasts.
GALATIANS 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness,
revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand,
just as I also told you in time past,
that those who practice such things
will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness,
revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand,
just as I also told you in time past,
that those who practice such things
will not inherit the kingdom of God.
BOTTOM LINE: People with wicked lifestyles are not going to Heaven.
EPHESIANS 5:2-11
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3) But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness,
let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting,
which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5) For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man,
who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
3) But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness,
let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting,
which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5) For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man,
who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Some of the Scriptures we have looked at here may appear to contradict we read earlier but we must remember - if the Bible is truly inspired - the Scriptures will not have contradictions.
Therefore, it is our understanding that must be adjusted and not any verse.
What looks like an inconsistency here can rightly be called a paradox. Like the opposing banks of a river, such things - when understood properly - can serve the purpose of bringing us the pure waters of truth, with established boundaries.
Similar to the positive and negative poles of a battery, the power of truth is present when what looks like polar opposites are both fully embraced. It is only then that we begin to approach the whole counsel of God. (May His truth shock the wickedness out of us).
This is also demonstrated in marriage, where two totally opposite people can become one.
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
If we are true believers in Jesus Christ, our eternal life has already begun and is secured by Almighty God, who will not allow anyone or anything to remove us from our relationship with Him. (Review this lesson).
When we sin, we can be secure in the promise that - if we confess our sin - He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness, (1 JOHN 1:9). The fulfillment of this promise prevents us from becoming hypocrites, resulting in today’s question becoming irrelevant for us personally.
This question, “Can we lose our salvation” is still an important one for those who need to become true believers and/or stop living hypocritical lifestyles.
If I can encourage you in your walk with God in any way, please let me know.
Alan Latta
· Do you believe in Jesus?
· Have you called on His name to save you forever?
· Do you know you have the free gift of eternal life?
