ARE YOU SURE?
THE FREEDOM TO STAY (ENDURE) AND THE FREEDOM TO DEPART
“...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV). “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm (enduring) and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB). “... Stand fast (keep enduring) therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage..” (Galatians 5:1 KJV)
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Once you are married to someone are you “ALWAYS” married to them or do you have the FREEDOM, AT ANY TIME, TO BREAK THE VOWS YOU MADE ON YOUR WEDDING DAY and walk away? “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).
Even if your spouse continues to keep and maintain every VOW he or she MADE to you on “THAT” wedding day; will that guarantee you will do the SAME for them? “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [“YOU”]...choose life (the life “you” want)…” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
God has made a loving and faithful commitment with you forever, but humans don’t always remain that same commitment to him. “…He [however]… remains faithful…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
Within relationships, including the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, we make mistakes, we struggle, we are imperfect, we are weak, and we fail, but we DON’T LEAVE each other. To LEAVE is to walk away, vacate, move on, divorce, separate, or break completely from your vows.
The ETERNAL SECURITY in the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit is that he WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU! “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). God will “…Never leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). “…Behold, I am with … [you] and will keep … [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
The SECURITY OF SALVATION is in the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, the Husbandman, the Caregiver , First Love, and the Lord, God “WHO” PROMISES to be ETERNALLY FAITHFUL to EACH of HIS sons and daughters, personally!! “…… 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).“ …‘My people …I will PUT my SPIRIT in you and you will LIVE …Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV). “…so you will know that [GOD “IS”] the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…Then you will know that [GOD is] the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).
However, “YOU” are FREE to LEAVE God, the Holy Spirit. “…Behold, I AM WITH… [YOU] and … I WILL NOT LEAVE … [YOU] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). If God NEVER leaves you, who is he talking about in Revelation 2:4? “…. THOU HAST “LEFT” THY FIRST LOVE….” (REVELATION 2:4 KJV). He was talking about His people, particularly, the church of Ephesus. “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB). THEY (THE WERE "FREE" TO STAY WITH GOD OR TO LEAVE GO.
YOU can FREELY decide to depart from your spouse or God, the Holy Spirit, ANYTIME you choose and there is NOTHING to STOP you. “... If we sin willfully AFTER... we have received the knowledge of THE TRUTH, there remaineth NO more sacrifice for sins...” (Hebrews 10:26 KJV). “…Choose (make a CHOICE) you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL [choose to] ... DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV).
THE PROOF, that spouses FREELY leave their marriages, IS IN THE DIVORCE RATE AMONG CHRISTIANS WHICH IS AS HIGH AS THE DIVORCE RATE AMONG NON-CHRISTIANS.
ONLY 50% OF MARRIAGES (Christian and non-Christian) LAST, BECAUSE ONE OR BOTH SPOUSES MADE A WILLFUL OR VOLUNTARY DECISION TO END THE MARRIAGE.
Even if one spouse does not or did not choose the path of divorce; they cannot stop the other spouse from departing. “... If we sin willfully AFTER... we have received the knowledge of THE TRUTH, there remaineth NO more sacrifice for sins...” (Hebrews 10:26 KJV). .“… it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened. …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
The committed spouse can only sustain their portion of the marriage, thus they are forced to LET GO and give the spouse over to the desires of their hearts. “… [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). He has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…love, which is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He [however]… remains faithful (WE ARE SECURE IN HIS FAITHFULNESS)…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…They DID NOT like to retain God in their knowledge, GOD GAVE THEM OVER (WE ARE SECURE IN HIS RESPECT FOR OUR CHOICES) to a reprobate mind (AN unrepentent, wrong doing, fallen, departed mind) …” (Romans 1:28 KJV).
The committed spouse may not choose the path of divorce, but because they love the other spouse and want them to FREELY choose the life they want, even if it does not include them, they respectfully and graciously give them over to their desires. "…For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel..." (Malachi 2:16 NASB). “…[Yet]...GOD GAVE THEM OVER to a reprobate mind to do those things which are convenient...being filled with all unrighteousness...” (Romans 1:28 KJV). “…, …We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
The committed spouse does not become a different person because their spouse chooses to leave them. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
The committed spouse may be sad, disappointed, heartbroken, and mourn the loss of their loved one, but they should not internalize it. God ALWAYS struggled with GIVING OVER his PEOPLE to the consequences of SIN or a life SEPARATED from HIM. "... Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows...” (Hosea 11:8 NLT).
Even if the committed spouse kept every marriage vows; did everything humanly and spiritually possible to sustain those vows and promises; LETTING the uncommitted spouse GO is all that is left. “…They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…, …We will continue to live as we want to…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “...GOD GAVE THEM OVER...” (Romans 1:28 KJV).
Nobody, including the uncommitted spouse, should be “forced” to keep the vows and promises they made to another “unless” they choose to. God gave every man and woman a “will” to choose life or death; right or wrong; STAY OR LEAVE. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose (make a decision) life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19). “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).
A believer is totally and completely MADE FREE from SIN; their CHOICES are MADE in the FREEDOM, in which Christ has set them FREE!! They have the POWER and STRENGTH to choose righteousness or unrighteousness and NOTHING can STOP them! “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).
Even in the relationship with God; a believer is never “forced” to keep the vows and promises, to give their lives to God, through Christ, “unless” they choose to. “…Choose (make a decision) you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).
So once married always married? Or once saved always saved? “…Choose (make a CHOICE) you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL [choose to] ... DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).
Marriage was meant to last until death parted the spouses. Many marriage vows are not fully realized until they have endured to the end, when one of the spouses dies physically; “...until death do us part...”. “…Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it…. nourisheth and cherisheth it…for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh…” (Ephesians 5:22-33 KJV). “…What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate…” (Mark 10:9 NASB). “…Let no one split apart (not even the married couple) what God has joined together…” (Mark 10:9 NLT). “…God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage…” (Malachi 2:14-16 MSG).
Salvation was meant to last forever “unless” spiritual death departs the believer, again, from God, the “Holy” Spirit. “...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’s YOUR SINS that … cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). “…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). “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
Many covenant relationships vows, believers make with God, won’t be fully realize either because they willfully choose “not” to endure to the end in order to be saved. “…‘We’ve given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). And Jesus said to him, “…I assure you that everyone who has given up [anything or whatever to ENDURE]... for MY SAKE and for the GOOD NEWS, will receive now....And in the world to come that person will have eternal life...” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). “... And in the world to come that person will have eternal life...” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT). “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV). “ … [they will receive] ... eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
ETERNAL LIFE is the END RESULT or BY PRODUCT of “ENDURING” by living in the FREEDOM, in which Christ has set you FREE. “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB). “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE [through their walk of freedom] ... UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV). “ … [they will receive] ... eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
Many people are invited to weddings to see two people get married, which allows them to share in the love and commitment they have already made to one another.
Many people are invited to baptisms to see people get baptized, which allows them to share in the love and committed “that” person has already made to God when they “gave” their hearts and lives to him.“…Peter said to them, "REPENT, and each of you be baptized ….” (Acts 2:38 NASB). “…Confessing their sins, THEY WERE BAPTIZED by him in the Jordan River… (Matthew 3:6 NIV). “…He that believeth and IS BAPTIZED shall be saved…” (Mark 16:16 KJV).
The newlyweds actively and clearly demonstrate they are “now” a committed couple.
The new convert will also demonstrate they are “now” a committed believer. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)."…My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).
However, at any time, if one or both parties, in the marriage, start to live as a single person again; it would reveal they are not truly committed to their spouse, in their hearts, as they said they would be in their vows. “...For if, after they have escaped ... they are again entangled in them (their former sins) ... 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 ... 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).
In addition, if at any time, the converted person starts to live as a pagan again; it would witness they are not truly committed to God, in their hearts or lives, as they said they would be in their salvation vows. “…He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6 KJV). “…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God…” (Acts 8:21 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). God zooms in on the “…hidden [woman or] man … of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV).
During marriage vows or during a “prayer of salvation” you pledged to be committed to either a spouse or to God, the “Holy” Spirit. “…confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV). “…Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God…” (ACTS 8:37 KJV).
However, once you are married it does not mean you will “always” be married, especially if you fall away or depart from your spouse.
On the other hand, once you are saved it does not mean you will “always” be saved, especially if you willfully and voluntarily fall away or depart from God, the Holy Spirit. “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
Vows, agreed upon, in marital relationships, are made in order to set the standards for maintaining and sustaining a happy, loving, and lasting marriage.
Salvations vows, agreed upon, in the salvation prayer, are also made in order to set the standards for maintaining and sustaining a blessed, enduring, and everlasting covenant relationship with God, the “Holy” Spirit. Apostle PAUL made himself CLEAR when he WARNED Christians in Galatia about God’s standard and instructions for HOLINESS! “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB). “...BRETHREN... you were called to freedom, brethren; only. do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh .. “ (Galatians 5: 13a KJV). “... Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
“…If you love me, you will (not might, maybe, sometimes, when I feel like it, or occasional, etc.) keep my commandments…” (John 14:15). However, “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “… The people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…Thus saith the Lord; ‘Cursed be the MAN (or woman) ... whose HEART departeth from the Lord…” (Jeremiah 17:5 KJV) Thus, “…They (MY PEOPLE) broke [THEIR] ... covenant [WITH ME], though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord…” (Jeremiah 31:32 NASB).
“... I forewarn you ... that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
A prayer of salvation is a sinner’s prayer, which includes a request for forgiveness of your sins, a vow or promise to repent, confession of your belief in Jesus Christ (his death, burial, & resurrection), and an acceptance of him as your personal Lord and Savior. “For Christ also died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins... ” (1 John 1:9 KJV). “…confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). .
Making vows to a spouse or saying the salvation prayer to God is not a “ONE” time event or one time prayer. They are your own personal pledges and commitments you intend to keep as you go forward in life with either your spouse or to God, the “Holy” Spirit. “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
Therefore, you cannot say the vows or pray the prayer of salvation without actively keeping your part of the reciprocal relationship with your spouse or the covenant relationship with God. “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
If you believe, you can do anything you want in marriage and reject keeping your vows; you will not be married long and eventually you will find yourself departing from your spouse by your own willful choices.
If you believe you can do anything you want in the covenant relationship with God, the “Holy” Spirit and reject keeping your salvation vows to him; you will not be SAVED long and eventually you will find yourself DEPARTED from God, the “Holy” Spirit, by your own willful choice. “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL [choose to] ... DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). Yet, “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
You gave your heart to your spouse when you married him or her; just like you opened your heart and life to God when you married into the covenant relationship with God, the “Holy” Spirit. “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] his Spirit as PROOF that [you]… live (are alive) in him and he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). Therefore, “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…He that is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).
The committed spouse will “never” divorce you by his or her choice and God, the “Holy” Spirit will “never” divorce you or send you to hell by his choice. “…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
THIS IS THE SECURITY OF SALVATION; GOD WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL; EVEN IF YOU DO NOT!
You can, however, choose, ANYTIME, on your own accord to depart from your spouse or God, the “Holy” Spirit. “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL [choose to] ... DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV).
You willfully choose to depart from a relationship at the risk of losing either your marriage or the covenant with God, the “Holy” Spirit.
When or if you willfully and voluntarily choose to leave or depart from your spouse or God, the “Holy” Spirit, on your “own” accord, you will lose your marriage or the covenant relationship with God. “... If [you] ...sin willfully AFTER... [you] ... have received the knowledge of THE TRUTH, there remaineth NO more sacrifice for sins...” (Hebrews 10:26 KJV). “…Choose (make a CHOICE) you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL [choose to] ... DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). “… [Your] … iniquities (sin) …separated ... [you, by your own choice]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
The committed spouse, most likely, will not give you up or leave you. God does not give you up or leave you, however, you can FREELY LEAVE him, on your own accord, without any help from your spouse or God, the “Holy” Spirit. “… [YOU]… FORGOT all about ME,” says the Lord…” (Hosea 2:13 NLT). “…Yet for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).
These truths are obvious throughout biblical history where lessons about falling away and departing from God were written for our learning. “…For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 KJV). “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV).
In the Old Testament, God’s people accepted God, the “Holy” Spirit, as their God too, but they would willfully and voluntarily fall away or depart from him. “…for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).
They forgot about god. .“… [YOU]… FORGOT all about ME,” says the Lord…” (Hosea 2:13 NLT). “… you became proud and FORGOT ME….” (Hosea 13:6 NLT). “…Does a young woman forget her jewelry, or a bride her wedding dress? Yet for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).
They abandoned him. “…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). “…The Lord replies, “This has happened because my people have ABANDONED MY INSTRUCTIONS; they have refused to obey what I said….” (JEREMIAH 9:13 NLT).
Yet, He remained faithful to the promises and vows he had made to them; even when they did not. “…If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP “IS” THE SECURITY OF SALVATION. ETERNAL LIFE IS THE GIFT OR REWARD FOR “YOUR” FAITHFULNESS!! “…The GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
WHAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS? YOU FAITHFULLY DEPENDED UPON THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT TO EMPOWER YOU TO WALK IN FREEDOM AND ENDURE TO THE END! “… [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).“…He will keep you strong to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT). “…When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV). “…[God’s] strength is made perfect in weakness...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV). “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
Because he remained faithful to the vows he made to them, every time they separated from him, they divorced him, forgot him, abandoned him, or departed from him; his faithful love would rescue them over and over again. “…. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin. Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love…” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
The difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament is salvation. It is such a great salvation it fills the believer with the indwelling holy spirit, which “empowers” them to remain faithful to the covenant relationship “if” they so choose. . “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (GOD or SELF)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…choose LIFE (GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT)…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…He will keep you strong to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).
Yet and still, many believers, still “choose,” on their own accord, to fall away from his Grace. For instance, somewhere along the way the church of Ephesus fell away from God. “… remember, therefore from whence thou art fallen…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
They also FELL away from his FAITHFUL, EVERLASTING LOVE FOR THEM. “… Thou hast left thou first love…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
They fall away from God’s GENEROUS AND AMAZING GRACE. GOD still feels the same way about you since the day you choose to enter into a covenant relationship with HIM and HE NEVER changes. “…If you are trying … [in your OWN effort] … to make yourselves right with God (or gain favor) by keeping the … [commandments on your own accord], you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
To FALL, in this blog, will refer to departing from a HIGH position of covenant relationship FAVOR and falling down to a LOW position of NO covenant relationship favor. YES, God’s people willfully and voluntarily CHOOSE to DEPART from God. “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!! Giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and KNOW THE TRUTH (or are in an intimate covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV).
When you willfully or voluntarily choose to leave, separate, or depart from the lofty height of covenant relationship FAVOR; you will return to a lowly depth of DICTATORSHIP where there is NO covenant relationship FAVOR. “… Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (NOT depending upon the indwelling of the Holy Spirit or God’s powerful Word, therefore,) ... departing from the living God…” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV).
To FALL or DEPART from the elevated position of being a child of God, being saved, or being in a covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit is a WILLFUL or VOLUNTARY departure. “…an evil heart of unbelief (NOT choosing to depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit or God’s Word, therefore,) ... departing from the living God…” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt (disrespect)? How long will they refuse to believe in me (DEPEND UPON ME (MY WORD), in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?” (Daniel 14:11 NIV).
To DEPART from the LIVING GOD is to return to a state of darkness, or needing to repent all over again, or start the walk of faith anew like a babe in Christ. “… Let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith (our dependence upon) in God…” (Hebrews 6:1 NLT).
“...BRETHREN... you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh ... “ (Galatians 5: 13a KJV). “... Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
“…If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” (John 14:15). However, “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “… The people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…Thus saith the Lord; ‘Cursed be the MAN (or woman) ... whose HEART departeth from the Lord…” (Jeremiah 17:5 KJV) Thus, “…They (MY PEOPLE) broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord…” (Jeremiah 31:32 NASB).
“... I forewarn you ... that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED?
ARE YOU SURE?“... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB). “...BRETHREN... you were called to freedom.... “ (Galatians 5: 13a KJV).
YOU CAN FREELY CHOOSE STAY OR TO DEPART FROM GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, BUT REMEMBER: “…EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise PERISH…” (Luke 13:3 KJV).
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