ALL THINGS COME "INTO" EXISTENCE THROUGH THE POWERFUL WORD OF GOD!

THE WORD OF GOD WILL BRING "IT" INTO EXISTENCE!

“… He (Jesus) had a name written, that no man knew … his name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).

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 “…The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship.  ….” (Psalms 19:1 NLT). Some of the visual manifestations of God are the heavens and they SPEAK.  All of creation, in fact, speak about God; his goodness, his wisdom, and his power.

King David, the psalmist, says the heavens SPEAK and TELL of God’s glory through the WORKS of creation. The heavens TELL, without a single written or human word, that God is infinitely GREAT, good, and powerful. The heavens SPEAK through the spacious sky, the sparkling stars or vast astronomy, the various planets, the sun, and the moon. “…The heavens are … a marvelous display of his craftsmanship.  ….” (Psalms 19:1 NLT).

The heavenly displays are DECLARING , PREACHING, TELLING that God exists. “…The heavens are telling the glory of God.  ….” (Psalms 19:1 NLT).

Creation is a LANGUAGE that speaks to all nations and tongues. “…The heavens are telling …[and]… are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship.  ….” (Psalms 19:1 NLT). “… Day unto day [they] uttereth speech, and …  sheweth knowledge…” (Psalms 19:2-3 KJV).

The CREATION is a LANGUAGE written by the WORKS of the Holy Spirit and it SPEAKS knowledge, nonstop, without a single human word. “… Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge…” (Psalms 19:2-3 KJV).

It can be read and understood without skills in any particular spoken or written language by humans. “…There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard…” (Psalms 19:2-3 KJV).

The Creation language is always speaking through its glorious heaven, its magnificent earth, its perpetual fruitfulness, its nourishing vegetation, its common and rare animals, its manifold benefits, and its sustaining operations.

“…The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race!  The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat…” (Psalms 19:4-6 NLT).

The author of the creation language is God and he SPEAKS through every WORK that can be SEEN by what has been MADE. “…Since the CREATION of the world God’s INVISIBLE QUALITIES … have been “CLEARLY SEEN”, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE…” (Romans 1:20 NIV). “…Then God SAID, “Let there be light”; AND THERE WAS LIGHT…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB).

As CREATOR, God is discovered through the revelation knowledge of a LANGUAGE spoken by his creative WORKS.

This CREATION is an example of the POWER of the WORD OF GOD.  “…BY THE WORD of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

The WORD of GOD is PROOF that creation did not happen by chance or a big bang, but was MADE or came into existence by a UNIQUE POWER; God himself!! “…In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth …” (Genesis 1:1, 31 KJV).

“… BY FAITH (by depending upon God's powerful Word) we understand that THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED at God’s command (WORD), that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen…” (Hebrews 11 NLT).

      CREATION is PROOF of a LANGUAGE spoken by God and ACTIVATED by the WORKS of the Holy Spirit. The CREATION is PROOF of a HOLY language that SPEAKS ALL things INTO existence. The WORKS of the Holy Spirit was ACTIVATED by the WORD OF GOD, which reveals God's presence through his acts of goodness. “…In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB). “…BY THE WORD of the Lord the heavens were made…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

The CREATION is PROOF of a LANGUAGE spoken by God and ACTIVATED by the WORKS of the Holy Spirit. It REVEALS God.

God’s WORKS speak, which means what God does or his actions speak for him. When God’s WORKS speak it REVEALS who he is.

Jesus was a creation or workd of God.“…so you have made ready this body (earthen vessel) of mine …” (Hebrews 10:4-8 NLT).

Jesus SPOKE and REVEALED GOD. “…The only begotten (specially created) Son (Jesus, the WORD), of the Father, he hath declared (explained or REVEALED) him…” (John 1:18 KJV).“... He (THE WORD) is a light to reveal God to the nations...” (Luke 2:32 NLT). “.. A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB).

Thus, God’s “HOLY” NATURE is also revealed through HIS “GLORIOUS” WORKS. “…God’s … DIVINE NATURE …[is]…“CLEARLY SEEN” … FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE…” (Romans 1:20 NIV).

God’s glorious WORKS speak of his glorious NATURE.  “… “I AM WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…The invisible [GOD]…from the creation of the world is …clearly seen, being understood by the things that are MADE …” (Romans 1:20 KJV). “ ... All things came into being (was created) through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being (was created) that has come into being…” (John 1:3 NASB).  “… I am He...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB). “… I am the first and I am the last…” (Isaiah 44:6 NASB). "… I am the Alpha and the Omega," …" (Revelation 1:8 NASB).

God’s glorious NATURE is “clearly” revealed throughout creation because it is filled with his glorious WORKS.  “…the earth is filled with the LORD's GLORY (his divine nature; his powerful works)…” (Number 14:21 NLT). “… “I AM WHO I AM … who is … who was and who is to come, the Almighty (the holy nature; the holy power)…" (Exodus 3:14-15 & Revelation 1:8 NASB).

God’s glorious nature and works, in the world, is HOW GOD makes himself KNOWN to mankind. “…the whole earth is full of his GLORY (his holy presence in the goodness of his holy acts) (Isaiah 6:3). “…the earth is filled with the LORD's GLORY (his holy presence revealed in the goodness of his holy acts)…” (Number 14:21 NLT).

God’s holy works say “I exist” or I am real.  His HOLY NATURE is realized through CREATION, which is PROOF of a Godly language. “…Since the CREATION of the world God’s INVISIBLE QUALITIES—… HIS DIVINE NATURE—have been “CLEARLY SEEN”…” (Romans 1:20 NIV).

“…HIS DIVINE NATURE—have been “CLEARLY SEEN”, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE…” (Romans 1:20 NIV). “…God who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:3-4, 9 NASB). “… there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things …” (1 Corinthians 8:6 NASB).“..Worthy art Thou, our Lord and God … for Thou didst create all things…” (Revelation 4:11 NASB).

God is love. Love introduces himself through CREATION.  CREATION says God is POWERFUL, MAJESTIC, GOOD, LOVING, SOVEREIGN, a PROVIDER, A GUIDE, and is DEPENDABLE. . “…the whole earth is full of his GLORY (his holy presence witnessed in the goodness of his creation)…” (Isaiah 6:3). “…the earth is filled with the LORD's GLORY (his holy presence witnessed through the goodness of his holy, creative actions)…” (Number 14:21 NLT).

From the very beginning the CREATION is PROOF of the power of the WORD of God revealed, to you, through the WORK of the Holy Spirit. “…In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB).

The CREATION is PROOF of the POWER of the Word of God and is a HOLY, SPIRITUAL, and LIVING message, which reveals God TO THE NATIONS. “... He (THE WORD) is a light to reveal God to the nations...” (Luke 2:32 NLT). “.. A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB).

For example look at his HOLY nature, HOLY word, and HOLY power of God in the CREATION : “….Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters…[In the beginning was the WORD. Therefore,] God said (SPOKE), “Let there be light,” and there was light (the Holy Spirit CREATED)….God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” ^…God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” …God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. …God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness.  …God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.”  …God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.  …God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. ^…God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds…” (Genesis 1 KJV).

“…the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are CLEARLY SEEN…” (Romans 1:20 KJV).

“… HE Himself GIVES to all people LIFE and BREATH and all things…” (Acts 17:25 NASB). 
“…In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth …” (Genesis 1:1, 31 KJV).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

The CREATION continues to SPEAK through the sustaining WORKS of the Holy Spirit. AND the Holy Spirit continues to DO whatever the Word of God instructs by bringing THINGS into existence or creation.

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord … All things came into being … and apart from [the WORD] nothing came into being that has come into being … ” (Psalms 33:6 NASB & John 1:1-4 NASB).

THE WORD OF GOD IS THE SOURCE OF IT ALL!

BEING SAVED IS AN "ACTIVE" PROCESS; NOT A FREE PASS TO ETERNAL LIFE!

BEING SAVED IS ACTIVE PROCESS; NOT A FREE PASS TO ETERNAL LIFE!

“… 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).

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The “ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED” debate can go on and on until the day of redemption, but for THOSE in Hebrews 6:4-8 it is TIME to REPENT while you CAN!

To conclude this perspective of the ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED I want to say this doctrine is called CALVINISM and focuses on the preservation of believers.

CALVINISM does not SUPPORT the
falling away from God’s grace or the departure of “true” believers from the “Living God.” “…You have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 5:4 NLT). “...Take heed, BRETHREN (fellow believers), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). 

CALVINISM says it is IMPOSSIBLE for “true” believers to LOSE their salvation. The BIBLE says, “… 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; …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).

In all honesty, the book of Jude very explicitly talks about the “preservation” of the believers “IN” Jesus Christ. “..preserved in Jesus Christ....” (Jude 1:1 KJV).

Preservation of the believer, in Jude 1:1, is an ASSURANCE that believers “WILL,” without a DOUBT, be SAVED from spiritual death. Thus, they are SAFE and SOUND from falling away or losing their salvation EVER. “... Now unto HIM (Jesus Christ) that is ABLE to KEEP you from falling (away), and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy...” (Jude 1:24 KJV).

Jesus Christ, the Word of God, “IS” more than capable of “keeping” you or “guarding” you, or “protecting” you from falling away, but there are THOSE who will fall away ANYWAY. “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 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 5:4 KJV). “ ... continue in the 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 PRESERVATION of the believer is about God’s protection and how he keeps a loving WATCH over his people. “…… I am God, and there is none like me…" (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). indw  “… [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…Then you will know that [GOD is] the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).  “…Behold, I AM WITH… [YOU] and … I WILL NOT LEAVE … [YOU] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).

God, the Holy Spirit, is the believer’s PROTECTOR, for sure and when his people choose to ABIDE with him, he FOREVER watches over them: GUARANTEED.

A believer’s PROTECTION or PRESERVATION, however, is “NOT” forced upon them; nor are they HELD captive against their human wills.

ABIDING with Jesus Christ is a CHOICE and the believer won’t EVER LOSE their salvation, but they are FREE to DEPART from it any time “THEY” CHOOSE. “...Take heed, BRETHREN (fellow believers), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). 

A believer CAN choose “NOT” to be transformed by the renewing of their mind and develop an “evil heart (mind) of unbelief” instead. If an “evil heart (mind) of unbelief” was NOT possible, there would NOT have been ANY need, whatsoever, for this scriptural admonition.“...Take heed, BRETHREN (fellow believers), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief,..” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). 

Like it or not, UNBELIEF, can invade the mind (heart) of the believer, just like it did the Israelites in the wilderness. They willfully and voluntarily LEFT or FELL away from their faith or dependency upon God.

God WILL keep you from FALLING away as long as you choose to ABIDE with him. STAYING within the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit is the guarantee that HE WILL KEEP watch over your SOUL. “... Now unto HIM (Jesus Christ) that is ABLE to KEEP you from falling (away), and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy...” (Jude 1:24 KJV).

“…[YOU CHOOSE]...  this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…[You choose to] ... abide in [him], and [he] … in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine…” (John 15:4 KJV). “…If a man abide NOT in me (or chooses “not” to abide in him), ‘he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned…” (John 15:6 KJV). “…apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

There is NO DOUBT many scriptures that SUPPORT ETERNAL SECURITY where the FULL responsibility "SEEMS" to rest UPON God “keeping” the believer.

 However, there are just as many scripture that SUPPORT the SECURITY of SALVATION that is based upon the IMMUTABLE love of GOD and what Jesus Christ did for the believer, ALREADY, upon the cross.

Therefore, scriptures that SUPPORT the SECURITY of SALVATION gives credence to the TRUTH that the FULL responsibility DOES rest UPON God “keeping” the believer "WHEN" the believer CHOOSES to continually trust in or depend upon God, the Holy Spirit, to keep him(her) by ABIDING with HIM.

The SECURITY of SALVATION based on God’s IMMUTABLE LOVE assures the believer, as long as they choose to ABIDE with him, there is ABSOLUTELY “nothing” that can prevent them from reaching the destination of ETERNAL LIFE!

The SECURITY of SALVATION based on God’s IMMUTABLE love means, as long as you choose to ABIDE with him, “no one will snatch you out of his hands,” “...he will keep you from falling, “...he will raise you up on the last day...,” and “...you are sealed until the day of redemption...” (John 10:27-29; 39-40, Jude 1:24, Romans 8:38-39,  & Ephesians 1:13-14).

In addition, he CHOSE you for SALVATION through election and predestination, right? God may CHOOSE you, but you DO NOT have to CHOOSE him BACK. You are MADE in God’s LIKENESS.“… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). 

God is in control, but he is not controlling. Jesus proved that God, the Holy Spirit, is not controlling. Jesus, himself, said, “…[I].. have authority to lay down [my life]… and [I have]…authority to take it up again. This command [was given to Jesus and]…received from [HIS]… Father” (John 10:17-18 KJV). 

God ELECTED and PREDESTINED Jesus to be the SAVIOR, but Jesus CHOSE, with complete authority from God, the Holy Spirit, to lay his OWN life down. “…therefore CHOOSE life, …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). Jesus said, “…[I].. have authority to lay down [my life]… and [I have]…authority to take it up again. This command [was given to Jesus and]…received from [HIS]… Father” (John 10:17-18 KJV). 

 “…[God]… does whatever pleases him (whatever he CHOOSES to do)...” (Psalms 115:3 NIV). “…He does as he pleases with …the PEOPLES of the earth. NO ONE can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “…I WILL DO “ALL” MY  PLEASURE…” (Isaiah 46:10 KJV). “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  

Like jesus, “…[you].. have authority to lay down [your life]… and [you have]…authority to take it up again. This command [was given to Jesus and]…received from [HIS]… Father” (John 10:17-18 KJV). ). “….let us make man .... after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). You have the same authority to TAKE UP or LAY DOWN your  "OWN" life!

In addition, to having the “authority” to CHOOSE is the question of predestination.  If God choses you before the foundation of the world what choice do YOU have in election? 

While it is true that God, the Holy Spirit,  is sovereign and omniscient, you “STILL” choose to respond by faith to his ELECTION CALL. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”( John 1:12).

You have nothing to do with being chosen by God. "You did not choose me but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide:  that whatsoever you ask of the Father in my name he may give to you.” (John 15:16 ASV). 

God is the Chooser. God chose you “…before the foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4) “….[.having been] predestined according to [His]… purpose who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11 KJV).  God “…is ... not willing that any should PERISH, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).

Therefore, on that day God, the Holy Spirit, CHOOSES and ELECTS you based on the predestined CALL to SALVATION: “…[YOU CHOOSE]...  this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

Further, the SECURITY of SALVATION based on God’s IMMUTABLE love and the believer's CHOOSING to ABIDE “IN” him is UNDENIABLE! For instance, he began a good work IN the believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit and HE WILL bring that spiritual work to completion  (Hebrews 12:2 & Philippians 1:6).

The indwelling Holy Spirit, KEEPS the believer SECURE.

Thus, the SECURITY of SALVATION and ALL that it promises is BASED on, the believer, trusting in and depending upon the ROLE of God’s IMMUTABLE love and his IMMUTABLE, HOLY nature. “... Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God (WE ARE SECURE IN HIS LOVE), which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “…[God’s] ... love, which is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He [however]… remains faithful (WE ARE SECURE IN HIS HOLY FAITHFULNESS)…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).

Even with ALL the “ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED” scriptural support, there is a willful, voluntary, and personal responsibility of the human will, of the believer, to CHOOSE to depend upon and abide with God, the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…[YOU CHOOSE]...  this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…[YOU] …. abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). 

The personal responsibility for the believer is to CHOOSE to DEPEND upon and ABIDE with God, the Holy Spirit. “…[YOU CHOOSE]...  this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). 

Believers are NOT robots. Believers are NOT forced to stay in the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit. God is ABLE to keep the believer IF they so CHOOSE to be kept. God PRESERVES the believer if they CHOOSE to be preserved. God ELECTS and PREDESTINES believers, but they CHOOSE to respond.

CHOOSING to DEPEND upon and ABIDE with God, the HOLY SPIRIT is a life-long intimate, covenant commitment where a mutual, enduring, continual relationship, with the believer, moves, develops, and grows them spiritually during the journey toward the gift (reward) of eternal life. “... continue in the faith (continue to depend upon God’s word) grounded and settled, and be not moved away ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV)

The book of JUDE discusses the HISTORY of those who CHOSE willfully and voluntarily to DEPART from God, the Holy Spirit. “...Dear friends ... some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus (the Word) first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful. And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment...” (Jude 1 NLT). 

“... These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.  And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day. Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age...” (1 Corinthians 10:9-11 NLT).

“...For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them...” (2 Peter 2:20-23 NASB). 

“... it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment ......” (2 Peter 2:20-23 NASB).

“...It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire...” (2 Peter 2:20-23 NASB).

These passages are TALKING about converted believers. After a person is SAVED, they willfully or voluntarily choose to “….WORK OUT [their]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV). BELIEVING, alone, is NOT a FREE pass to ETERNAL LIFE. 

“... Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith (SALVATION); others have good deeds (CONTINUALLY ABIDING).” But I say, “How can you show me your faith (SALVATION) if you don’t have good deeds (CONTINUALLY ABIDING)? I will show you my faith (SALVATION) by my good deeds (abiding, staying continually with God, the Holy Spirit).” You say you have faith (SALVATION), for you believe  that there is one God (depend upon, the truth, that there is ONE God, the Holy Spirit). Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith (SALVATION) without good deeds (ABIDING) is useless?...” (James 2:18-20 NLT).

Therefore, CHOOSE to ….WORK OUT [your]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV).

 Working out your own SALVATION includes: “…[Choosing to put]… aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to SAVE YOUR SOULS….” (James 1:21 NASB).

 It is actively “…[choosing to] …throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life…” (Ephesians 4:22 NIV).

“…You must [also choose to]…put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor…” (Ephesians 4:25 NLT). 

It is “….[choosing to]…let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice…” (Ephesians 4:31 KJV).

“….Ye also [choose to]…put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth….” (Colossians 3:8  KJV).

“…Wherefore [choose to lay] … aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings…” (1 Peter 2:1 KJV).

How can you do these things in order to work out your OWN salvation? “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ (the Word of God) which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). .“…it is God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) which worketh in [me]… both to will and to do...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the Word of God), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Working out your OWN SALVATION  is a CHOICE. “… [You]… are given...exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to PATIENCE godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…GIVE DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND “ELECTION” SURE; FOR IF YOU “DO” THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL...” (2 Peter 1: 4-9 KJV).

“...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

“… Jesus opened a new and life-giving way  ... into the Most Holy Place (ETERNAL LIFE)…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT). “Jesus saith…I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…"This is the way; walk in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV). “…THE WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and there are few who find it…” (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB).

This blog was NOT written to get into the DEBATE with the refuters or supporters of ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED, but to broaden the perspective on the topic and make believers aware there is a group called THOSE in Hebrews 6:4-8.

The book of Hebrews was written “to the Hebrews” “brethren,” “saints,” and Jewish Christians who lived in Jerusalem at the time. Therefore “THOSE” were a part of the audience the author of Hebrews was writing to THOSE in this letter.

The SECURITY of your SALVATION is based upon God’s IMMUTABLE LOVE and your CHOICE to continually DEPEND upon and ABIDE with God, the Holy Spirit.

ETERNAL LIFE is a destination, but JESUS is the way or path to the destination.

If you believe ONLY in ETERNAL SECURITY that requires NO personal responsibility of “your” human will in CHOOSING to continually DEPEND upon and ABIDE with God, the Holy Spirit, you may be SURPISED on the day of redemption.

“…Apart from Me (God, the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…[YOU CHOOSE]...  this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). “…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…” (John 15:6 KJV).

You can CHOOSE to get into or remain in the DEBATE with the ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED supporters and refuters who are concerned with one of two perspectives. Perspective 1: The SAVED “will” make it to heaven, because God, the Holy Spirit, does ALL the work of sustaining their SALVATION. Perspective 2: The SAVED “will” make it to heaven, because God, the Holy Spirit, did everything for them upon the cross, through Jesus Christ and they CHOSE to CONTINULLY depend upon and abide with him to the END. “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

“… 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; …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).

Obviously, there is a third perspective, which is about THOSE in Hebrews 6:4-8. It is better to be AWARE of THOSE, from a BROADEN VIEW, than to get to the END and God, says he doesn’t even know you. “…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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV). “…For thou art Not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity…” (Psalms 5:4-5 KJV).

Your SALVATION is determined when you REPENT and are CONVERTED by GRACE through FAITH in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Being SAVED is a PROCESS which culminates in ETERNAL LIFE, the REWARD or GIFT, for the ones who ENDURE to the END. “... it is this Good News that saves you “if” you continue to believe the message...” (1 Corinthians NLT). “…abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). “... continue in the faith... grounded and settled...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV). “...be not moved away ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).“... “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

“... by faith (by continually depending upon God, the Holy Spirit) ye stand (endure to the end (eternal life))...” (2 Corinthians 1:24 KJV).

Regardless of the position you DECIDE to take in the ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED discussion a continual, uninterrupted FAITH in or DEPENDENCY upon and ABIDING with God, the Holy Spirit, must be part of the journey to the end, which culminates in ETERNAL LIFE. “... it is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message...” (1 Corinthians NLT).“…abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). “... continue in the faith... grounded and settled...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV). “...be not moved away ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).

“... by faith (by depending upon God, the Holy Spirit) ye stand (endure to the end)...” (2 Corinthians 1:24 KJV). “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

“…[Have]... you have been cut off from Christ! [IF SO] ...You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 5:4 NLT). 

However, “…REPENT YE (Change your mind), AND BELIEVE the Gospel (depend upon the power of God’s Word)…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). 

"… REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB). 

ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED?

ARE YOU SURE?