“… 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).
*
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).
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). “… [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.
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?
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