I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU
CHOOSING TO LEAVE GOD, PART 2
“…God has said “Never will I leave [my people ]; never will I forsake [them]…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I AM WITH [my people]... ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
“... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV).
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God, the Holy Spirit, MADE a unilateral covenant with Abraham. “... He (God, the Holy Spirit) said to him (Abraham), “Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other...Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions ... It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates...” (Genesis 15:9-21 NLT).
The unilateral covenant that God, the Holy Spirit entered with Abraham, gave him and his descendants the promise land and demonstrated God’s unconditional faithfulness to HIS covenant VOWS and PROMISES. God was the ONLY one to walk through the bloodied animals, because Abraham was asleep. “...Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram ...On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates...” (Genesis 15:9-21 NLT).
Abraham was asleep and didn’t participate in the covenant agreement, but God made it anyway and Abraham’s descendants were given the promise land. God KEPT his promise, which was an unconditional commitment to Abraham.
All of Abraham’s descendants made it to the promise land EXCEPT those who choose not to trust in or depend upon God’s unconditional faithfulness to the covenant promise he made. “... “Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief...” (Hebrews 3:7-19 NASB).
The “covenant unity” relationship God forges with EACH of his people is SECURE because of HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and FAITHFULNESS. “... [Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God (GOD’s PEOPLE ARE SECURE IN HIS LOVE), which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “…[God’s] ... love .... 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). “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). God will “…Never leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
GOD is always FAITHFUL to the “covenant unity” HE makes with his people. They are SECURE “IN” Christ.
HOWEVER, "His people" can willfully choose to abide WITHOUT Christ or the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. It is the CHOICE and will of his people to trust in or depend upon Him or the finished work of Christ upon the cross. “…abide in me, and I in you. (John 15:4 KJV). “...Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief...” (Hebrews 3:7-19 NASB).
“…If a man (WOMAN) abide NOT in me, ‘he(SHE) is cast forth as a branch, and is withered…” (John 15:6 KJV).“…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me ... apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).
"... He (Jesus) 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). “...HOWEVER, …abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). “...bodies fell in the wilderness...[and it was those who sinned]... we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief...” (Hebrews 3:7-19 NASB).
God, basically, makes an unilateral covenant with HIS PEOPLE. While his faithfulness is UMMUTABLY; God’s people’s faithfulness to him is NOT and thus, it is a willful, voluntary, CHOICE to trust in, depend upon, obey, and abide with God, the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…[YOU CHOOSE]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…[YOU CHOOSE to]...abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV).
Again, it is the choice of his people’s HUMAN WILL that DECIDES to TRUST, DEPEND, OBEY, and ABIDE with God, the Holy Spirit. “…[YOU CHOOSE]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…[YOU CHOOSE to]...abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV).
CHOOSING to TRUST, DEPEND, OBEY, and ABIDE with God, the HOLY SPIRIT is a life-long commitment. “... continue in the faith (continue to trust, depend, obey, and abide being) grounded and settled, and ...not moved away ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).
God doesn’t LEAVE his people to try to keep this commitment, to HIM, alone, but he HELPS them.“…He helps [his people]…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…The Lord who made [his people] and helps [them] says: Do not be afraid …my servant …my chosen one…” (Isaiah 44:2 NLT). “… The Holy Spirit helps [his people] in [their]... weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You are [your people’s]... helper and [their]... savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT).
Jesus, therefore, EMPOWERS his people, if they choose to have faith in him, to be committed to the “covenant unity” relationship they SHARE. “..Therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that [you]… may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). God will “…strengthened [his people]… with might by his Spirit in the[ir] inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “… [God will strengthen his people]…according to the POWER that worketh IN [them]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).
“… God … work[s] … in … [his people] … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father... [that DWELLS within his people]… he doeth the works…”(John 14:10 KJV).
“...[Nonetheless]... we see ...[some of god’s people]....were not able to enter...[the promised land]... because of unbelief...” (Hebrews 3:7-19 NASB).
The book of JUDE discusses the HISTORY of those who CHOSE willfully and voluntarily to LEAVE 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 redeemed souls who ONCE had a “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit.
Accepting JESUS CHRIST is the BEGINNING of the Christian journey. It is not a FREE PASS into eternal LIFE. After a person is SAVED, they willfully CHOOSE to “….WORK OUT [their]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV).
“WORKING” out your OWN salvation IS A sanctifying PROCESS God’s people will experience WHILE they follow THE PATH that LEADS to ETERNAL LIFE. “… Jesus (the WORD) opened a new and life-giving WAY ... into the Most Holy Place (THE CENTER OF GOD'S HEART and LOVE)…” (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 and sanctifying 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).
The redeemed soul is EMPOWERED to “work out their own salvation” through Jesus Christ. “….WORK OUT [YOUR]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV).
“…[They]... can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). .“…it is God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) which worketh in [them]… both to will and to do...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT), [they]... can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“...Working out their OWN SALVATION...” is God’s people’s CHOICE. “….WORK OUT [YOUR]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV).
“… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“… [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 (attention) TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND “ELECTION” SURE; FOR IF YOU (choose to) “DO” THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL...” (2 Peter 1: 4-9 KJV).
“...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (choose to) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and FAITHFULNESS TO THE UNILATERAL-LIKE “COVENANT UNITY” makes it SECURE.
GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and FAITHFULNESS TO THE UNILATERAL-LIKE COVENANT relationship with his REDEEMED people provides them with numerous chances to grow in his GRACE, his MERCY, to get it right, to live more righteous, and to empower them to endure.
The APOSTATE, who breaks or has broken the “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit can CHOOSE to repent and return to God as long as they have breath in their physical body. “ ... Return ... to the Lord ... [your] ... God... [AND GOD] ... will heal [your] ... apostasy ... [AND] ... will love [you]... freely..” (Hosea 14:1-4 NLT). “… the GRACE of God, and the gift by GRACE, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath ABOUNDED unto many…” (Romans 5:15 KJV).
“…God is able to make all GRACE abound toward ...[his people]; that ...[they will], always having all sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV). “…My GRACE is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV). “..Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
“…where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound…” (Romans 5:20 KJV). “…They which receive abundance of GRACE … shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:17 KJV). “….mercy triumphs over judgement…” (James 2:13 NASB).
God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…The Lord is ...of great mercy…” (Number 14:18 KJV). “…The Lord God, [IS] merciful …” (Exodus 34:6 KJV). “…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).
Therefore, “…He helps [his people]…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him…” (Psalms 37:40 NLT). “…Blessed are those who wait for his help…” (Isaiah 30:18 NLT). “…The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid …my servant …my chosen one…” (Isaiah 44:2 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT).
“…You are my helper and my savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT). “..Therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that [you]… may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).
GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and FAITHFULNESS TO THE UNILATERAL-LIKE “covenant unity” relationship is the APOSTATE’S “ONLY” SAVING GRACE. “ ... Return ... to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity (YOUR apostasy). Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips. “Assyria will not save us, We will not ride on horses; Nor will we say again, ‘Our god,’ To the work of our hands; For in You the orphan finds mercy.” [THE LOVING and FAITHFUL GOD SAYS:] ... I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them...” (Hosea 14:1-4 NLT).
Even if you have had a rebellious soul for years, God, the Holy Spirit’s, LOVE and FAITHFULNESS is UNIQUE and MIND-BLOWING. There is NONE like God! “…… 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 also says to his people, I AM] … 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).
God’s people are bonded ALWAYS to God’s LOVE and his unconditionally FAITHFULNESS.
God, the Holy Spirit, is always in the ROLE of husbandman and man’s soul is always in the ROLE of recipient if they willingly choose to be.
God’s ROLE is immutable. His LOVE and FAITHFULNESS to his people will NEVER be BROKEN, CUT-OFF, or SEPARATED through HIS CHOICE or his DOING.
God, the Holy Spirit can GUARANTEE his unconditional love and never ending faithfulness to his people? “…Great is his love toward [HIS PEOPLE], and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “… [GOD] remembered his covenant with [his people through Abraham] …” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).
Though HIS people had LONG forgotten, God remembered the covenant he’d made with Abraham? “ ...On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates...” (Genesis 15:9-21 NLT).
The bible PROVES, through his covenant with Abraham and the SALVATION offered to every redeemed soul that God REMAINS FAITHFUL. “…If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “… [God has]... loved [his people]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
He keeps his part of the covenant through thousands and thousands of generations. “…Showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments…” (Exodus 20:6 NIV).
Even when God’s people don’t keep their part of the covenant relationship, God faithfully continues immutable LOYALTY. God says, I “…am WATCHING over my word to PERFORM it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB “…So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).
“…If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
Because of God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant – Israel (Abraham's descendants) took possession of the land. “…So the Lord gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies. Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true. …” (Joshua 21:43-45 NLT).
God’s FAITHFUL love and commitment to his covenant vows survived the continual and repeated abandonment of his people as witnessed in biblical history. WHY? God has “….loved [them]... with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “….neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate [his people]… from the love of God which is “in” Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:38-39 KJV). “... [God’s]…love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “…not that we loved God, but that he loved us ...” (1 John 4:10 KJV).
God’s FAITHFUL LOVE endures the CHRONIC rejections and apostasies of his people. “..When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him. I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him. “But since my people refuse to return to me, they will return to Egypt and... They will destroy them, trapping them in their own evil plans. For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me. “Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you …My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy. For someday the people will follow me. I, the Lord, will roar like a lion. And when I roar, my people will return …And I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT).
“...And now, O our God, what can we say after all of this? For ONCE AGAIN we have ABANDONED your commands!” (Ezra 9:10 NLT).
“….They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them…” (Nehemiah 9:17 NLT).
God’s MAKES an IMMUTABLE covenant with his people. “... I (God, the Holy Spirit) will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them...” (Ezekiel 37:26).
God’s people OFTEN forget about the covenant they’ve made with 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 kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
“…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).
God ALWAYS remains LOVING and FAITHFUL to the covenant HE makes with HIS PEOPLE. “…If [God’s people] are unfaithful [to the covenant relationship], he [God, the Holy Spirit]... remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
“…God has said “Never will I leave [my people ]; never will I forsake [them]…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I AM WITH [my people]... ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
…Behold, I AM WITH… [my people] … and … I WILL NOT LEAVE [them] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “… Behold, I am with … [my people] and will keep … [them] whithersoever [they]… goest…I will not leave [them] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
“… The LORD thy God …will not fail [his people], nor forsake the[m]…” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV). NONETHELESS, “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART (leave) FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV).
“…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).
“…. THOU HAST “LEFT” THY FIRST LOVE….” (REVELATION 2:4 KJV). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).
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