HELL'S CORRIDOR: ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER  9

          HELL’S CORRIDOR: ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED? PART 1

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

“... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL [CHOOSE OR DECIDE TO] ...DEPART FROM the [CHRISTIAN] ... FAITH !!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV).

“...Take heed, BRETHREN, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV).

“...If ye continue in the faith ... and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).

“... I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “…” (Malachi 2:16 NLT).

“...you may be sure that your sin will find you out...” (Numbers 32:23 NLT).

“…I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST [you] …[YOU HAVE]…LEFT [YOU]R… FIRST LOVE (which is God, the Holy Spirit…” (REVELATION 2:4 KJV). “… [YOU ARE DEMONSTRATING] ... an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV).  

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

                      *

Roger thought it was okay to make vows to his ex-wife Cynthia and break them by divorcing her, but NEVER thought he could do anything to end up divorced from God.  He thought once he was saved he would always be saved.

He thought the SECURITY of his SALVATION was simply in ACCEPTING CHRIST as his SAVIOR.

Roger had made vows to Cynthia and promised he would be with her until death did them part, but he had chosen NOT to keep his vows to her.

Roger exercised his human will and broke his vows to Cynthia. She didn’t want the divorce. She still loved him and chose to remain married to him, but he FREELY walked away and broke the vows he’d made on their wedding day.

Roger had chosen to accept Jesus Christ too. Roger had been given the FREEDOM from sin through Jesus and could have exercise his human will to CHOOSE to abide with Jesus his entire life upon earth, too but he had stubbornly done what HE wanted to do. “…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).

Cynthia NEVER married again and promised, even if he didn’t, to keep their marital vows until the day she died.  She remained faithful to him even though he went on to have other woman over and over again.

Roger didn’t care about Cynthia’s faithfulness or commitment to him. He chose the life he wanted, which didn’t include her. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [“YOU”]...choose life (the life “you” want)…” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Roger couldn’t believe the loving and faithful commitment Cynthia kept toward him. He thought she was crazy to stay commitment to him, because he had moved on and was doing his OWN thing. “…He [however]… remains faithful…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).

Roger was selfish. He actually wanted Cynthia to remain faithful to him. Maybe one day, he would come back and become her husband again. He like having that option. However, he wasn’t ready.

Cynthia told him over and over how much she loved him and how she would never leave him or forsake him. He would still do husbandly things for her just to string her along, but he choose not to fully commit. Sometimes,  he thought, he  wanted both Cynthia and his other life too.

Roger hadn’t just made mistakes or struggled through his marriage to Cynthia, but he had willfully and voluntarily chose to leave her.

Roger had literally walked away, vacated, moved on, divorced, separated, or broken completely from his vows and promises he’d made to Cynthia. She had NO say so over his life apart from her.

Yet, Cynthia continued to love him, until the day he died, but he had not fairly reciprocated that same love to her.

Roger had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior too, but he had NOT abided with him either. Just like he hadn’t abided with Cynthia. The bible says: “…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…” (John 15:6 KJV).

When people are married, upon earth, they freely choose to keep their vows and abide with one another.  Once Roger was  SAVED, upon earth,  it was HIS CHOICE to keep his covenant relationship with God and abide with him too .“...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” ENDURE (CONTINUE, BEAR UP, ETC.) UNTO THE END SHALL BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

Roger could have remarried and recommitted himself to Cynthia anytime. Roger realized the SECURITY of his marriage to Cynthia was HER LOVE for him and NOT his love for her.

If Roger had abided in Cynthia’s love for him, they would have stayed married, but he didn’t. Her LOVING commitment to him meant nothing and he had treated it like nothing. He STILL left her and did his OWN thing.

Roger thought she was FOOLISH for keeping her commitment to him and had tried to convince her time and time again to MOVE ON too, but she was relentless about keeping her vows to him and God.

Cynthia was like Jesus. “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). She never left him or forsook him. She was a witness of God’s love. “…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).

Roger could have gone BACK to Cynthia any time, because she truly LOVED him.  As Roger stood in HELL’S CORRIDOR, he also realized he could have returned to abiding with Christ as well.

The SECURITY of SALVATION  was BASED on God, the Holy Spirit’s IMMUTABLE LOVE too.  

The SECURITY OF SALVATION 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 in the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, is that he is YOUR GOD always. “…… 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). “ …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).

Roger had the SECURITY OF SALVATION, but just like he didn’t choose to remain with Cynthia, he didn’t have to choose to remain with God.

Cynthia never left him and neither did God. “HE” was FREE to LEAVE Cynthia and he was FREE to leave God, the Holy Spirit, ANY TIME!“…Behold, I AM WITH… [YOU] and … I WILL NOT LEAVE … [YOU] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). 

If God NEVER leaves you, then who LEFT or DEPARTED him or God? Obviously, Roger had left. In Revelation 2:4? “…. THOU HAST “LEFT” THY FIRST LOVE….” (REVELATION 2:4 KJV).

The church of Ephesus or God’s OWN people had LEFT OR DEPARTED, which means they were not FORCED to abide in the covenant relationship. It is a willful choice and they were FREE to choose.  “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).

Roger had FREELY decided to depart from Cynthia and he had FREELY decided to depart from God, the Holy Spirit. Who or what could STOP him from departing from God?  “... 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).

Roger, himself, was THE PROOF, that spouses FREELY leave their marriages. Cynthia did not choose the path of divorce; but she could NOT  stop Rodger from departing. The bible says: “... 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).

Cynthia could only sustain her portion of the marriage vows, but NOT HIS. Thus she had to concede to HIS WILL and LET GO. Cynthia LOST to Roger’s human will and had to give him over to the desires of his hearts. Roger had FREE will in his decision to leave Cynthia and God. He left them both, yet they continued to love him. “… [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). “…[God’s] ... 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 wicked, unrepentant, wrong doing, fallen, departed mind) …” (Romans 1:28 KJV).

Neither Cynthia or God had chosen the path of divorce, but because they loved Roger, they wanted him to FREELY choose the life he wanted. The life Roger wanted didn’t include Cynthia or God. Cynthia and God had respectfully and graciously gave him over to HIS human WILL. "… 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).

Cynthia never changed or became a different person because Roger left her.  God doesn’t change either and neither does his LOVE. “…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).

Yes, Cynthia was sad, disappointed, and heartbroken over his departure, but he felt she’d get over it. In the bible, God ALWAYS struggled with the departure of his PEOPLE, who choose to live 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).

There is NO greater covenant companion than God, but his people STILL forsake and abandoned him. “…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).

Roger was not  “forced” to keep his vows or  to be faithful to God or Cynthia for that matter. He freely CHOOSE not to.  God gave every man and woman a “will” to choose life or death; right or wrong, or to abide or not to abide “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose (make a decision) life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19). “…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…” (John 15:6 KJV).

SALVATION was about the FREEDOM to CHOOSE to ABIDE with Christ, without sin being a problem anymore.

Roger was totally and completely MADE FREE from SIN and the SIN nature. He was FREE to ENDURE and ABIDE with Christ, upon earth.

Christ had set Roger FREE and he had the POWER and STRENGTH to choose righteousness over unrighteousness. NOTHING could STOP him accept his OWN human will! “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).“…[YOU CHOOSE]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

"…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). 

Even in the relationship with God; Roger was NOT “forced” to keep God’s Word, or be faithful to his instructions, or give his life to God, through Christ, “unless” he 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 saved always saved boils down to the CHOICE of the human will. “…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 the physical death, upon earth, of one of the spouses. Many earthly marriage vows are not fully experienced 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 the husband or the wife) 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 5:4 NLT). “...HE THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

Many covenant relationships, made through accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, will not be fully experienced either IF proclaimed believers, like Roger, have  willfully chosen “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).

 “...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).

Roger accepted Christ, but he didn’t choose to live his life, wholeheartedly, as a FOLLOWER. He did what he wanted most of the time.

Roger lived like an unbeliever, in his private life, much of his time, upon earth. He had accepted Christ, but he wasn’t truly committed to God, in his heart, and he was often entangled with sinful lifestyle practices. “...For if, after they have escaped  ... they are again entangled in them (their former sinful lifestyles) ... 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).

Roger had been very religion, devoted to many scriptural values, and followed traditional practices. Yet, he’d divorced Cynthia, lived with many different woman over his life time, lied regularly, smoked a little recreational drugs, was hypocritical, and half-hearted. His life VIDEO showed his life through his heart. His heart witnessed Roger was NOT truly committed to God at all. “…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).

Roger SAW that salvation” was also a pledge of committed to God, the “Holy” Spirit.  A pledge to be faithful to the Savior, his Word, and his instructions for your life. “…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).

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).

Salvation meant Roger was a NEW CREATION and God’s indwelling Holy Spirit set a standard for HOLY living. God didn’t FREE people from sin to keep sinning, but to empower them to LIVE holy or FREE from sin.  

Apostle PAUL made himself CLEAR when he WARNED Christians in Galatia about God’s standard and instructions for HOLINESS! “... It was for freedom  [FROM SIN] ...that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).

“...BRETHREN (FELLOW BELIEVERS)... you were called to freedom ... 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 (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).