THE OVERVIEW OF CHRISTIAN SECURITY
Most nominal Christians assert that once saved always saved! However this assertion is challenged by a number of scriptures, primarily in regards to the dead church.
Revelation 3:5, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (NKJV)
Those in the Sardis congregation who are spiritually dead will be removed. Those not overcoming would be erased from the book of life. One can assume this applies to all believers who are “spiritually dead.” However, we can feel secure in Christ's love of us. Obviously, God does not want us to live in fear of failure. When we make a mistake just repent and push ahead in trusting Jesus for our salvation.
Philippians 1:6-7, “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.”
John 5:24, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
Is the word of God contradicting itself? It really isn't when we view all available information and put it into the correct context. Believers are secure. However, there are dangers for those who backslide away from Jesus' sacrifice and love.
BELIEVERS ARE SECURE IN THE UNWAVERING SUPPORT OF CHRIST
Jesuswill hold us secure but He also warns us of dangers and pitfalls, like in some way reversing ourselves and denying the sacrifice of Christ, trampling on the grace of God.
Hebrews 6:4-6, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
The Apostle Paul is warning some believers who are considering going back into Judaism to avoid persecution. They were becoming weary of well doing. Paul is warning them if they go back into the world and reject Jesus's sacrifice they will not be able to repent of that action and be lost forever. They will face the lake of fire.
Verse 7, “For the earth...receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.”
Hebrews 10:26-27, “…26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”
What is a willful sin? How is it different from weaknesses, addictions and slip up sins? If one cares about the price Christ paid for sinners like themselves, they will eventually repent and keep struggling against our sinful nature. The apostle Peter warns:
2 Peter 2:20-22, “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
“21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to TURNfrom the holy commandment delivered unto them.
“22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
If a believer would under pressure or desire, turn away and say to worldly associates that Jesus was a good man but not God incarnate, he has denied the sacrifice. It would be better for him or her to never to have known the truth.
CHRIST DEMANDS WE ENDURE AND PERSEVERE AND NOT BE PASSIVE
Many clerics say that God requires absolutely NOTHING of believers. They assert that one is not required to persevere –– in effect they define grace as a license to do nothing.
Hebrews 6:11-12, “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (NKJV)
Paul is demanding and warning those brethren he feared were considering going back into the world's religions. He WARNS do not become LAZY.
Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”
Never ever surrender to the world and turn back and then minimize the magnificent selfless sacrifice of Jesus! We need not be in a state of insecurity just remember to repent as needed and never ever give up or disrespect the sacrifice of Christ. No one is good enough to earn salvation, however never stop pushing for growth to show appreciation for the loving sacrifice of Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:11-13, “For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful:”
Verse 22, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race…”
OVERALL CONCLUSION
Paul asserts that those he was warning would continue with Christ and probably only a small percentage went back to worldly religious positions and turned their backs on Jesus.
Hebrews 6:9-10, “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation…10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints…”
Furthermore, God appreciates all the sacrifices and services we have given to His Son. Please persevere!
Hebrews 10:39, “But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.” (ASV)
