THE MYTH; ETERNAL SECURITY



God Bless you all in your searching and hunger, to "get understanding", as the Psalmist said... (The question here is, are you willing to lay what you believe aside for a moment, and prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit to open your understanding so you may know the truth?)


Thank you for joining us we search out the  scriptures and seek to get understanding.....  this is just a scratch on the surface, but my hope is that as you come to understand these hidden, but remarkably simple truths, that you will realize you have an active role to play in your walk and sanctification, and that you will be set at ease to know that as you have embarked on journey, to walk with the King of Glory, you are joined together in an intimate and personal relationship.

When I went to seminary, (and I graduated with a 4.o, for those of you who use those sorts of facts to gauge a man....),  I was very much grounded in my understanding of the scriptures, through scriptural and biblical understanding, and experience, not in knowledge from worldly books, commentary's,  or "teachers". (this is not to say that I do not study, or read others'  writings, or their research, because I indeed do- what it means is that rather than lean on a commentary to teach me bible doctrine, I use the source- THE BIBLE- which is what YOU should do- that is, if you want to know what GOD said.  If you want to know what the other guy believes, and believe just like him, then by all means, don't do your own research, and put your life and eternity into their hands- BUT and if you have the Holy spirit, (and that is the question), because HE is THE SPIRIT of TRUTH, HE will reveal TRUTH to you. The Problem here is, that so many who call themselves believers, have allowed themselves to be taught by the very same people who have blasphemed the HOLY SPIRIT, (and were taught by other blasphemers), and thereby are subject to deception by the enemy, their own  arrogance, ignorance, and vanity, and in their trusting in their own intellect, missing the mark.) When I attended, I found myself coming against blasphemous teachings and the doctrines of devils. I had a professor teaching that there was no such thing as [christian] revival, and that you couldn't find it in the scriptures...  (it actually started  in Genesis, when the Lord came to Cain, BEFORE he slew his brother Able...). I had professors who rejected speaking with tongues, teaching that it is fake, and doesn't really exist. I have encountered some of the most prominent present day theological teachers declaring that speaking in tongues, (a biblical scriptural promise, experience, and necessary manifestation), is jibberish, phony, and demonic. THAT'S the blasphemy (unpardonable sin) against the HOLY SPIRIT which is spoken of in the scriptures. And almost all of today's seminary's are teaching, and sending, these blasphemers out into our churches, and teaching so many of you today.... and teaching such doctrines of devils as the doctrine of Eternal Security.

The scripture used most often to fabricate the doctrine of eternal security is found in Ephesians 1:13.  A careful study of this scripture, and surrounding scriptures, seeks to address and explain a totally different meaning of what it means to be "sealed", and is not talking being sealed as in the "permanently preserved" in salvation- but you have to dig deep, and understand what the reference is to, and the meaning in the original tongue.


I have found that this doctrine causes a lot of contention amongst believers. I believe this is another tool satan uses to deceive believers into complacency, and minimize the fact that the Lord saves us into relationship where we begin the purging, sanctification and maturing process. If allowed to go unchecked, this doctrine often leads to self centered, lazy "christians". It brings the Calvinist and Arminian camps head to head unnecessarily, and promotes contention and confusion, rather than unity, as well as causes division, which is a prime /tactic/purpose of satans ministry. Isn't it more edifying to teach that we are all in a "relationship", and responsible for our actions? And what of that in fact, JESUS himself placed conditions on salvation, that those who declare that the doctrine of "conditional salvation is not biblical, (which is in truth and plainly stated in the scriptures), and that's it's the very crux that the Lord wanted us to understand, have simply failed to read the "fine print", and properly apply His teachings ? The proponents of conditional security understand, that as with any contract there are two sides to the arrangement. Both parties are coming together to make a deal- both parties are declaring what each of their responsibilities are, and what the rewards or benefits, as well as the negative actions imposed for failure to live up the one's own responsibilities of the contract. ( pulling out the once saved always saved doctrine is like someone who calls themselves believers, having to have the "get out of jail free card in their pocket, "just in case"....).  In fact, when JESUS declared "he who believes and is baptized, will  be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned." It is conditional from the very point of being able to be saved, and if YOU stop believing, (or never believed enough to obey in the first place), you will be condemned. We are also told that "we believe with the heart, but that confession is made unto salvation". ( the greek word homologeo, which in context denotes the active participation of the believer, in a contract, to publicly declare, enact, and bind us). Since the meaning behind "to believe" is in it's proper definition means to implement, apply, obey, CONTINUE in, we can learn from the scriptures that while we can definitely not save ourselves, nor earn salvation, the Lord does graciously accept those who are willing to follow Him, and work with those who enter into covenant agreement with Him.  Some say you can't lose your salvation,  ( like you lose a set of keys?-) that the Lord will save you, and it's all pie in the sky, do whatever you want, live however you want,  no accountability, no cooperation necessary, etc. I think what the message in the scriptures is, is this. We are saved by grace, through faith. We can not be taken out of the hand of the Lord by anyone, except ourselves. You can choose to stop believing, to stop obeying, to stop following. ( and if we are honest, we all know people who fit this scenario...). YOU can break rank, and go  A.W.O.L.  You can enter the covenant, (because Jesus died and shed His blood for you), but if refuse to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, refuse to obey the scriptures,or seek out pastors who will tell you what you want to hear so you can live how you want to live,  then, when the game is over, you'll realize  that the selfishness, complacency, disobedience, and laziness you worked so hard to maintain, or cover up, will be punished. Does not the parable of the sower speak to us about the groups of people who believed and STARTED out following the Lord? ARE we not told in the scriptures the differences between the groups? This speaks of Gods love for us all, but that not all would love the Lord back, and as a result, only one group went on to produce fruit-.

The days of the earth opening and swallowing fornicators, or fowl falling from the sky and burying people alive is of a past purpose. Not withstanding, now, dont you think it is more a matter of stewardship, (as we are taught repeatedly in the scriptures, and that our focus ought to be on being surrendered, pliable, obedient and immersed in the presence and the will of God?). Wouldn't you say that if we start out by trying to hold GOD to HIS word, but we arn't focused on cooperation with the Holy Spirit, and full filling our end of the covenant,-(which is live and walk like true believers, see Romans 12:1&2)-  haven't we somehow minimized our Lord Jesus Christ's work (and HIS sacrifice) of and for Salvation, and redemption, by relieving ourselves of our responsibility to act through the free will we have been given?-or, do we instead roll it onto the Lord's shoulders and call it predestination?  The question has been raised, "what shall separate us from the love of God".....  the author goes on to list several things to paint a picture describing the height and the depth and the width of GODS LOVE FOR US.... Stop debating it, it has been settled! Romans 5:8 tells us " BUT GOD demonstrated HIS love toward US, in that while we were STILL sinning, Christ died for us". Does that settle the question of God's love for you? Let us move on to understand the part we have in this relationship.....
 
Eternal security is a Calvanist doctrine, and seeks to remove the responsibility we share in this covenant, from us, and puts it onto Gods shoulders....   This doctrine comes from" an entitlement mentality", (like being part of a union- though it's not), and I assure you, the Lord is one "BOSS" that wont be muscled or intimidated-.  Rather than try to justify ourselves, we ought rather to seek out the scriptures to determine, as Paul warned, in 2nd Corinthians 13:5, "to examine YOURSELVES as to whether you are in the faith". Why would he say that if there were not people who were not (or were it not possible to), believing and acting contrary to what it MEANT to be a believer?  One of the most powerful scriptures to refute eternal security is found in Matthew 7:21-23. I use this scripture because it reveals the immutable reality that ONLY God knows, and eternity will tell, who is and was really saved. There are countless scriptures that refute eternal security, however I am just using this one example to show that regardless of what one says they believe, or how they have the masses fooled, there is one in heaven who is not, and never will be fooled, and thereby creating doctrines such as eternal security are neither scriptural, nor our rightful place as servants of God, to make such declarations. Bearing in mind, as you read those scriptures, understand that these people the Lord is talking about/to, are people who went to church, were involved in the fellowships, moved in the supernatural- performing miracles, prophecy, healings, etc... It seems that instead of worrying whether or not we are "sealed" and can never lose our salvation, we ought to humble ourselves and submit to the understanding that our Heavenly Father isn't sitting there, playing with us like a cat n' the string.  Rather, as the scriptures say, some will walk away, some will find that on that day as we stand in front of the Lord, we will find out that we may have had others fooled, but we knew we were playing a dangerous game, and we never had the Lord fooled! He knew the intents of our heart, He knew the thoughts, the plans, the fears, the risks we took- HE also knew that as HE offered the opportunity to repent at hearing some spiritual truth preached, or a "lone" preacher, sent to deliver a message, how it (and he)was rejected because of  man's pride. Perhaps,  due to the unwillingness to admit to our own fears and questions-and/or get the answers,- and some just want their favorite little sins, (addictions), and think they are going to convince the Lord it was ok,  and so, having never dealt with the issues, we will stand and receive accordingly from the Lord.

Let us not question GODS love for us, but OUR love for GOD! (our commitment, our obedience, our conformity to the scriptures....)- the scriptures are filled with warnings and examples of falling away, not being kept, being cut off the vine, walking away from the faith, making shipwreck of our faith, etc.... and YES, CONDITIONS of what it means to be a Christian, and to be KEPT! Israel is the epitome of this, (AND WHY THERE WAS A NEW COVENANT GIVEN),  and the scriptures tell us that it is for an example FOR US to see that GOD IS love, and HE loves us, but if we persist to take advantage of HIS grace, HIS mercy, if we refuse to follow and conform, (and let's bring it home), HE IS LORD, GOD, KING, CREATOR, AUTHOR, FINISHER.  He is not our little pet, or a genie to draw out of a bottle when it is convenient, we will suffer the same end. 

I think what happens is that sometimes, people who want to comfort themselves ( AND I MEAN JUSTIFY THEMSELVES), wrongly apply the scriptures and confuse the tense and the causative of Gods word.

YES, GOD knows who are HIS. It is established, names written in the Lambs Book of Life, and the scriptures tell us that HE, GOD, foreknew and predestined...   Bear in mind, we are told that the LORD knows the end of the thing before the beginning! (WE DO NOT)-  HOWEVER, we are told in the scriptures that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling...  there is a training, a maturing, a growth process at work. (It warrants stating for the record, that God has saved us to WORK for HIM. (And YES, we are saved by grace, through faith,  FOR WORKS! ) We are told we are soldiers, laborers, prisoners, etc. The Eternal security  argument that some use (one prominent reason), is because they dont want to deal with their ongoing sinfulness, or are seeking to justify themselves to live unrighteously.)

Some make it through the training, sifting, and maturing process, and some dont. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, and in fact a violation of the scriptures to "judge" a brother or sister, and say that" if they fall away, then they were never saved"... (which is a key point of the eternal security doctrine)- we are not qualified to make that determination,  it is not for us to say!  A careful study of Hebrews tell us that we are in a war- a battle-  a battle in our mind, in our heart, in our flesh! Are we going to keep pushing, or will we let up? Will we be overrun by fear, sin, or as the scriptures say in Hebrews 3. We are warned to be on guard, per v.12, 13, 14...  we are told we have an active part in fighting, pushing and persevering so that we may complete our course, and finish our race, and make it into eternity!  (if all we had to do was say "I believe in Jesus", then, live whatever way we wanted, that would be a direct contradiction to the scriptures, cheapen grace, and defy the blood and the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (especially since the scriptures condemn laziness, slothfulness,  and LUKEWARMNESS!).

Being mindful of the fact that we are all works in progress, and that we will fall, we will sin, we will "fall short of the glory of God", as long as we are honest with Him, and the Holy Spirit, and we stay engaged, stay humble, and repent, we will continue to work out our salvation- "with fear and trembling". We do not lose our salvation because we fell, or sinned, or struggle with an ongoing sin, but we need to be honest and willing to seek the Lord for forgiveness, cleansing, and deliverance. If we allow our sin to master us, if we cave in, and accept our sin after we come to the knowledge of Christ, then we have allowed something else to be exalted above Christ, worshiping an idol, rather than our creator.
Of course the goal is, as we mature and grow stronger- (as a toddler matures and grows stronger), fewer falls, and fewer knee scrapes... eventually, strong, seasoned and tempered, we stand and serve as surrendered and humble and finished/perfected "kingdom kids".

If we look at the scripture in James 2:19, we see that the act of believing is not enough-  "for the demons believe" !

SO what? OK, let's look at what it means to REALLY believe.

In Romans 10:9  we are instructed- the verse states that if we confess with our mouth AND BELIEVE in our hearts, ....  the word believe is the Greek word, pistueo - from the verb pistis, [ or in English, FAITH], it means to be so totally convinced, and relied upon, that it produces submission and OBEDIENCE! Obedience to the scriptures and submission to the discipleship training of new converts, as well as the older and more mature believers who go onto to produce fruit, and if it should please the Lord, to suffer as a believer. This goes way beyond a mere "intellectual" regard, acceptance or belief. This is what separates the sheep from the goats.... and is indicative of those who really love the Lord, are actively involved, not pretenders, counterfeits, or those ignorant to the truth because of false teachers and those who teach a watered down, sociable gospel.

We need to apply the lessons as our Jesus taught in the parable of the sower, and realize that if we are truly wise, we will be willing to be emptied and turn our backs on this world to possess Christ, and eternity! If we allow the the world, or the cares of it, or our lust's of and for  it, to draw us away, then we are going to find ourselves in trouble! 

As a pastor, and as an evangelist, I have seen too many experience the saving power of the Lord, but then, take their eyes off of HIM, and get tangled back into this world-  somehow, we think we are smarter or wiser, or more blessed than that of our founding fathers and the early church (believers). We think that instead of separating ourselves from this world, selling what we have, and investing it, and our lives,  in the KINGDOM OF GOD, that we can have it all....   sad to say, we cant.  What usually happens is that in the struggle to have it all and "balance it all", we lose our faith, (and pierced through with many sorrows  1 Tim 6:10), or our spouses, or our material wealth- the LORD IS STILL A JEALOUS GOD, and HE meant what HE said about  idolatry and adultery. As a result, there is a spiritual deadness and erosion of our faith, instead of an earth-swallowing mechanism. Yes, you may still go to church, stay in your ministry, have everybody fooled..... but not the Lord.

And now, we live beyond our means. Instead of living humble, and simple lives, we want to try and live as close to the edge of the world, and still call ourselves a christian- but the bible says, "where your treasure is, there shall your heart be also." Matthew 6:21


Your questions and comments are welcomed, but not for arguing and disputing. 



more to come...... Why is this important? How does this affect us? What does this mean to me...? The errant teaching of the "prosperity" doctrine....


All for Him,
Pastor Paz
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