ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED? PART 1 THE DEPARTED

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED?

ARE YOU SURE?

WILLFULLY DEPARTING FROM GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL [CHOOSE OR DECIDE TO] ...DEPART FROM the [CHRISTIAN] ... FAITH !!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). “...Take heed, BRETHREN, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “...If ye continue in the [christian] ... faith ... and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).

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I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “…” (Malachi 2:16 NLT).  Divorces, separations, broken MARRIAGEs are all PARALELTIC VISIONS OF CHRIST’s covenant relationship to certain believers who have willfully and voluntarily divorced him,  ABANDONED HIM, FORSAKEN HIM,  HAVE BLATANTLY BROKEN THEIR VOWS TO HIM, fallen away from him, or departed from him. “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL [CHOOSE OR DECIDE TO] ...DEPART FROM the FAITH !!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). “…[MY PEOPLE] ... broke [THEIR] ... covenant ..[WITH ME], though I (GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT) loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord…” (Jeremiah 31:32 NASB).

There is nothing wrong with the commitment loyalty, or faithfulness, with the vows and promises, God makes to his covenant people. “…If we are faithless, he remains faithful…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NIV). “…As many as are the promises of God,.. in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). God is “…watching over [his[… word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall [his]… word be that goeth forth out of [his]… mouth: it shall not return unto [him]… void, but it shall accomplish that which [God]… please[s], and it shall prosper in the thing whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

 There is, however, SOMETHING terribly wrong with the commitment, loyalty, and faithfulness, with the vows and promises, some of God’s people have made to HIM, the Holy Spirit. [YOU]… FORGOT all about ME,” says the Lord…” (Hosea 2:13 NLT). “…for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).“…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT

Many have willfully and voluntarily departed from God, the Holy Spirit, separated from him, divorced him, forgotten about him, forsaken him, and have blatantly broken their vows to him.“…We will continue to live as WE WANT TO, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…They KEPT DOING WHATEVER THEY WANTED, following the stubborn desires of their [OWN] evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

THEY maintain a “FORM” or an appearance of being in a covenant relationship with God (performances of godliness) by DOING CHRISTIAN DEEDS or making Christian GESTURES, WHILE at THE SAME TIME SERVING THEIR TRUE MASTER; THEIR “OWN” sinful nature.“… men shall be lovers of their own selves, … unholy… Having a form (practice) of godliness, but denying (rejecting, negating) the power (the indwelling power) thereof: from such turn away. … men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. ….  evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived…”(2 Timothy 3:1-13 KJV). “…The one who does what is sinful is ...of the devil… …” (1 John 3:8 NIV). “…They …serve ….their OWN belly (appetites)…” (Romans 16:18 KJV).

“… ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV). ).“…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).

The fallen and departed are successfully fooling everybody around them and at the same time, losing their soul to hell. “…What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world (fool other humans with outward phoniness), and lose his (her) own soul?...” (Mark 8:36 KJV). “...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). “…No one needed… to tell him (God) about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “…[The] ...Lord (God), which knowest the hearts of all men…” (Acts 1:24 KJV). “… He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked…” (Psalm 11:4-5 NLT).

Many BELIEVERS quote the cliché that “ONCE SAVED; “ALWAYS” SAVED”, and many USE the following scriptures to SUPPORT their CLAIM: “... In Him ,.. you WERE SEALED ...WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.…” (Ephesians 1 NLT).  “... Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption...” (Ephesians 4:30 NASB).“...after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise...” (Ephesians 1:13 KJV). “... Do not quench (extinguish) the [Holy]... Spirit...” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NASB).

The WORD of GOD “ALSO” says SIN SEPARATES YOU from God, the “HOLY” Spirit and his GRACE. “…Your INIQUITIES … separated … you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).  Even through, “... In Him,.., you WERE SEALED IN HIM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.…” (Ephesians 1 NLT).  “... the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,....” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB).

You ARE sealed, but the WORD can CUT asunder the SEAL between the SOUL AND SPIRIT when it TELLS you “SIN” will put a separation between YOU and God. Sin will CUT you OFF from God, the Holy Spirit and SEAL. “…Your INIQUITIES … separated … you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).

God NEVER changes. “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that … [will] ...cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). . “…Your INIQUITIES … separated … you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…what fellowship (CONNECTION OR RELATIONSHIP) hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion (CONNECTION OR RELATIONSHIP) hath light with darkness? And what concord (RELATIONSHIP OR CONNECTION) hath Christ (the Word of TRUTH) with Belial (the DEVIL or Father of LIES)? Or what part (CONNECTION OR RELATIONSHIP) hath he that believeth (depends upon God) with an infidel (one who doesn’t depend upon God)?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

“... In Him,.., you WERE SEALED ...WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.…” (Ephesians 1 NLT).  “... the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,....” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB). “…you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).

Two oxen can be joined together with a wooden bar called a yoke and together they pull whatever load they are given as a team.

However if one oxen is stronger, taller, weaker, shorter, smaller, or bigger than the other oxen they will be unequally yoked.

If the oxen are unequally yoked they will not be able to fairly share the load or finish the task they’ve been given. The two oxen can end up being completely off balance or going around in redundant circles. “…Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together…” (Dueteronomy 22:10 KJV).

The bible says, “…Be ye not unequally yoked together. with unbelievers...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV). The fallen or departed (infidel) has moved to the opposite side of God, the Holy Spirit, which means they have NOTHING in common. “…What part hath righteousness with unrighteousness?...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

We are NOT talking about MISTAKES. We are talking about people who have willfully and voluntarily fallen away or departed from God through an ongoing LIFESTYLE of SIN. Sin WILL ALWAYS CREATED a separation or BARRIER between SIN and HOLINESS. “... the word of God...piercing ....to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit....” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB).

HOLINESS can NOT and will NOT “EVER” MIX with SIN. SIN and HOLINESS SEPARATES; just like oil and water. “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God (who is HOLY)…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

“…[ONLY the ONE who remains] ... joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [united with the HOLY God]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

Jesus miraculously enables the HOLY God and SINFUL mankind to JOIN or UNITE together in a covenant relationship and become ONE [unbreakable] SPIRIT. “…What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate…” (Mark 10:9 NASB). “…Love … is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He that is JOINED unto the Lord is ONE Spirit…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…Let no one split apart what God has joined together…” (Mark 10:9 NLT). However, “... the word of God...[is powerful enough] ....to  [divide] asunder [the] ...soul and spirit....” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB).

When there is a BARRIER it separates the natural realm from the supernatural realm, it creates an impenetrable chasm. “... And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).

This chasm separates you from God, cuts you off from him, and he can’t even hear you. HIS Holiness WON’T allow him to mix or show favor with SIN of any kind. “…You can not look on wickedness with favor…” (Habakukk 1:13 NASB). “…Your eyes are too pure to approve evil…” (Habakukk 1:13 NASB). “…Because of YOUR SINS, he … turned away and can… not listen anymore…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

HOLINESS simply can NOT bond, MIX, or be yoked together with SIN. The HOLY God desired to be yoked together with mankind, but SIN creates a chasm. “…Be ye NOT unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

Remember the biblical story of the poor man and the rich man? “…The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).

Without Jesus, there “WILL” ALWAYS remain an impenetrable BARRIER or CHASM between mankind (SIN/oil) and God (HOLY/water). However, because of LOVE and GRACE: “…There is … one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

God RECONCILES you and BLESSES you with UNTOLD GRACE, but you can willfully and voluntarily CHOSE to DEPART from the covenant relationship at ANY TIME, but “NOT” without CONSEQUENCE! “… For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,  who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).“... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV).

There are 5 infallible, biblical TRUTHS that provide PROOF that Hebrews 6:4-8 is TALKING about BELIEVERS who have FALLEN from GRACE and DEPARTED from God, the Holy Spirit. “…those who were once enlightened—and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were partakers of the Holy Spirit,  and have tasted the good Word of God and the power of the world to come …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).

1. A believer is “enlightened” with the Gospel when they are first saved. 2. Jesus Christ is the “heavenly gift” accepted, in the heart, of every believer as the atoning sacrifice. 3. Every believer is a “partaker (participant) of the Holy Ghost) which comes to dwell within them. 4. Every believer has also “tasted the GOOD Word of God” through revelation knowledge, and; 5. Every believer has “tasted the powers of the world to come” first, through the confirming work of the Holy Spirit in the miracle of salvation and through one or more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“... It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit doesn’t ever choose to lose you (John 6:39) or let anyone take you away from him (John 10:28), yet he is in control, but never controlling or forceful. You freely choose to depend upon the POWER of his Holy Word to KEEP you. “... [To believers] ... who are kept by the POWER of God through faith (dependence upon) unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time...” (1 Peter 1:5 KJV).

It is the indwelling Holy Spirit that saves you, sustains you, empowers you, produces fruit in and through you, and keeps you from falling “WHEN” you choose to depend upon the POWER of God’s Word. “... Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy...” (Jude 1:24 KJV).

If you CHOOSE to willfully and voluntarily depend upon HIS POWER to keep you by STAYING and ABIDING with God, the Holy Spirit, he will keep you strong to the end! “... And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom... “ (2 Timothy 4:18 KJV). “…HE (the indwelling Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “... But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil...”(2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV).

We started this brief discussion on the cliché that “ONCE THEY ARE SAVED; “ALWAYS” SAVED” based, particularly, on  the following scripture to SUPPORT their CLAIM: “... In Him,.., you WERE SEALED ... WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.…” (Ephesians 1 NLT). 

But we SAW two things: GOD’s WORD or HIS TRUTH can cut asunder the SEAL between SOUL and SPIRIT and that “SOME” will decide or choose to depart from the Christian faith. “... the word of God...piercing ....to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit....” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB).“... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). “...Take heed, BRETHREN, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “... For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them...” (2 Peter 2:21 KJV). “...If ye continue in the [christian] ... faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).

The above Scriptures are talking about Christians or Believers.

Therefore, the bottom line to “ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED” IS this: “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV). 

ETERNAL LIFE IS THE DESTINY. JESUS IS THE "WAY" TO THAT DESTINY. IF YOU DEPART FROM THE "WAY" YOU WON'T MAKE IT TO THE DESTINY, WHICH IS THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE. YOU MUST CHOOSE TO ENDURE TO THE END (THE DESTINY OF ETERNAL LIFE IS THE "END" GOAL).