THE COSTLY PRICE OF "BEING" SAVED AFTER "BECOMING" SAVED!

THE COSTLY PRICE OF "BEING SAVED" AFTER "BECOMING" SAVED.

The SECURITY of SALVATION and ALL that it promises is BASED on 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 [ALSO]… remains faithful (WE ARE SECURE IN HIS HOLY FAITHFULNESS)…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).

THE SECURITY OF SALVATION IS ALSO BASED ON "YOU" SIMPLY CHOOSING TO ABIDE WITH GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND "YOU" DEPENDING UPON "ALL" THE FINISHED AND "LOVING" WORK OF CHRIST UPON THE CROSS.

"... he said, IT IS FINISHED…” (John 19:28-30 KJV).  “…HIS divine power hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “…[ IT IS] … SO GREAT … [OF A] … SALVATION … with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST, according to his own will (HIS OWN HEARTS DESIRE)...” (Hebrews 2:3-5 KJV).“ THEREFORE, …abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV).

Even with ALL the “ONCE SAVED; ALWAYS SAVED” scriptural support, there is a willful, voluntary, and personal responsibility of the human will 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). “…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).

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 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).

“... Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness ...  the one who practices sin is of the devil ...  No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of GOD...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB).

“... Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him (ABIDE WITH HIM) will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him ... who he is. Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s [SPIRITUAL] ... life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone (NO EXCEPTIONS) who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).

The book of JUDE also 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 or saved believers. After a person is SAVED, they choose to “….WORK OUT [their]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV). Becoming SAVED, alone, is NOT a FREE pass to ETERNAL LIFE. Being SAVED IS A PROCESS, which is THE PATH to ETERNAL LIFE.

“… 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).

 Working out your own SALVATION (the being saved process) 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 (work out "being" saved)? “…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 (the being saved process)  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 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, to the end of this earthly life.

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

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

“…Apart from Me 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.

BECOMING SAVED IS A ONE-TIME DECISION TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST INTO YOUR HEART.

BEING SAVED is a decision too and it is also a LIFE-LONG PROCESS which culminates in ETERNAL LIFE for the one who ENDURES to the END of this earthly 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).“... “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

“... by faith (by depending upon God, the Holy Spirit) ye stand (endure)...” (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 of this earthly life, 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)...” (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?