|
The following commentary is a
continuation from the article, "False Teachings Regarding
the Eternal Security of Continually Sinning Christians. The question the writer is addressing is this: Can a Christian who
continually sins against God lose their salvation?
The writer never wrote about continual sin; he spoke of "acts of
sinful indulgence" which is of course serious and needs to be dealt
with in sincere repentance and a renewed walking in the light (see 1
John 1:7) so that the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse us of all
sin. He also did not explain what believers must do for these acts of
sinful indulgence, which is confess them to God. "If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.-1 Jn. 1:9
Consecrated believers do commit acts of sinful indulgence at times.
This is what Paul called being "otherwise-minded" rather than
pressing on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul told us God is faithful to reveal it to us when we are
otherwise-minded (sinning) so we may deal with it God's way-which is
confessing and forsaking it. God is very involved and caring in the
lives of those he has purchased with the blood of his own dear Son, and
works mightily in us that we might stand fast in the faith. (See Phil.
9-15)
The writer even made this statement: "He warns them of the
misery sin will bring them in this life, but he doesn't strip them of
the Holy Spirit and send them headlong into the Pit."-
Lisa's note: Paul did not have the authority to "strip"
anyone of the Holy Spirit or send them headlong into the Pit (God has
committed all judgment for sin unto the Son) but let's let God have the
last word on this.
God made it plain and clear in the book of Hebrews what would happen
to a habitually, willfully sinning believer: "For if we sin willfully
after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the
adversaries."-Heb. 10:26-27
In the context of these verses, WHO are the adversaries? We find out
by continuing to read: "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall
he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God,
and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was
sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit
of Grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I
will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his
people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God."-Heb. 10:29-31
Looking at the passage we can see plainly WHO the adversaries are:
those who were washed in the blood of the lamb-they had come to the
knowledge of the truth- but whose willful sinning lifestyles caused God
to see them as trampling the blood of Jesus and counting the blood
covenant of salvation an unholy thing! God considers this to be done
despite unto the Spirit of Grace! I believe he is saying that in spite
of the Spirit's conviction, this willfully sinning believer quenched and
grieved Him to the point of where the Spirit of Grace would no longer
call to him...the chance to repent was lost forever, and there was
literally no more sacrifice for sin.
It is of no concern how WE as believers, view continued, deliberate
sin. God is our judge and HE has the last word on this. God views those
who take their salvation lightly-who view the blood of the covenant as
an unholy thing-to be adversaries who have nothing to look forward to
but judgment and fiery indignation. God says that vengeance belongs to
him and that He will judge his people.
When the Holy Spirit is bringing conviction to your heart, please
regard him as he is- God. He is God, and we must have "ears to
hear" what his spirit is saying to us in the churches in these
apostate days. We must regard his conviction as his strong arms of love
and care, because it is. The Holy Ghost is reaching out to believers to
separate them from the apostasy that is rampant in his church today. He
wants to keep you and preserve you blameless unto the day of Christ
Jesus.
Won't you submit to him as he ministers to you to keep you from
falling? His spirit will not always strive with men, and we don't know
how many times he will be affronted until the line of "sinning
willfully" has been crossed in his judgment (not ours). Don't cross
over that line! No matter what happens, God wants to keep you from
falling! God is able to keep you from falling! It is your job to
appropriate for yourselves the grace he has available to keep you from
falling in the same way you appropriated the grace to be saved.
How is this grace appropriated? You already know...by faith! Hold
your faith in a good and pure conscience and you can be sure you will
not put your faith away (sin willfully) and have your faith
shipwrecked...no more sacrifice for sins. (See 1 Tim. 1:19)
When you feel the slightest, faintest conviction that something you
are involved in is wrong, heed this as coming from the Spirit of Grace
(the Holy Ghost) who is doing his best to work his grace in your life.
Ask him to search you and try you and show you if there is any wicked
way in you. He will do this because this is his ministry in keeping you
from falling and enabling you to have faith with a good, pure
conscience.
We have such a wonderful, wonderful God! "According as his
divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and
godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and
virtue:" He has given us everything we need to be saved and keep
from falling and it is all by his marvelous grace!
True
Gospel Vs False Gospel Articles
|