The Perseverance of the Saints

A letter of testimony to the beloved

__________
Preethi David

The contents of this letter are roughly organized in order of the progression of the convictions that were brought to my soul in the past few months.

To the glory and thanks of my Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ.

Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Regenerated and Castaway? 3. The Parable of the Sower 4. Shipwrecked Faith 5. Hebrews 6:1-12 6. Laboring to Enter His Rest 7. A Temporary Standing before God, but Eventually Damned 8. Keeping His Covenant 9. The Heart of a True Leader Regarding the Potential for Apostasy 10. Preparation for the Great Falling Away that we face 11. Warnings against Falling Away* 12. Readiness to Stand before Him* 13. The Condition of Continuing * 14. Overcoming is Continuing in the Faith until the End * 15. Stronger Assurance through Laying Hold of Eternal Life* 16. The Obedience of Faith* 17. All Strides in the Narrow Path are by Enabled by Grace, Purchased by His Blood, and are the Fruit of Abiding in His Finished Work* 18. The Coexistence of Conditional and Unconditional Eternal Security 19. Impetuses for Obedience: we must believe that He is able to keep us from falling away* 20. Disillusionment and Consequences of Denying the Potential for Apostasy 21. What about 1 John 3:9?* 22. What about the Seal of the Spirit? 23. What about Limited Atonement/Particular Redemption? 24. Conclusion * indicates that this section contains a list of verses

1. Introduction
Set before me is a needful task for which I remain entirely at His mercy to fulfill. I have been compelled and prayerful about writing to you all a summary of the Lords conviction of my soul in the recent months from His Word concerning the Perseverance of the Saints. I am addressing primarily my dear fellows in Christ who have known and loved me, the Ill Be Honest Community, to whom I am forever indebted for the love and truth which I have received from many of you, and the larger bride of Christ scattered throughout the world. In contrast to most of my other writings, I have refrained from writing the testimony of my soul for an extended period of time during which I sought the Lord earnestly in His Word and in prayer. I must begin by conveying to you that my desire is to truly fellowship, to partake together of Christ Himself, with every person indwelt with the Holy Spirit, who glories in Christ, who puts no confidence in the flesh, who loves righteousness, who hates wickedness, and who loves the other saints with the tenderness of Christ. And this is regardless of whether a person adheres to Arminian or Calvinistic doctrine. Based on my own experiences I do believe with all my heart that there are individuals who fit the above criteria on both ends. In the past three years, I became strongly convinced with my whole being of each of the five points of Calvinism. Firstly, of I had discarded based my former on understanding predestination solely

foreknowledge to acknowledge that predestination was 5

apart from any will or act of man. As I understood the total depravity of mankind, I understood that this must be true. Secondly I understood, through my own encounters with the Lord that His grace was irresistible and was manifested in my own perseverance. I saw myself fall into sin, which had so thoroughly deceived my heart at those times, and then seen the almighty sovereign outpouring of His grace, a grace which I could not resist, to bring me back to repentance, not once, or twice, or thrice, but a multitude of time. How great are the multitude of His tender mercies! My life contained several, perhaps about 20, milestone repentances, during which a particular stronghold was irrevocably destroyed and the purging of my heart by His Spirit brought the true joy of His salvation, a true worship in my spirit of the Person of Jesus Christ, and a deeper understanding of His atonement. I believe that on several of these occasions in the past few years, the Spirit was poured out upon me when I was alone praying, and as a result floods of tears of worship and thankfulness came from my eyes. I turned towards the sky, overcome by my Redeemer, and the words irresistible grace were as a canopy over my soul. I could have fallen away numerous time, and yet my Good Shepherd kept me. He put exactly the right verses, graces of the Holy Spirit, people, and writings in my life at exactly the perfect times so that I may truly say today that He has never stopped doing good to me. I was foolish and blinded so oft, and yet He has kept me. He is keeping me. He has repaid all the locust eaten years, even those which 6

occurred after my regeneration. The New Covenant promises that the fear of the Lord would be placed within me so that I do not depart from Him and that I would be caused to walk in His statutes that I may keep His ordinances have been fulfilled. I do not deserve it to any measure, but in all reality, He made me believe, know, love, and obey Him to the measure that I have until this day. And every state of my heart and act of my will that has ever been pleasing to Him was the fruit of my comprehension of my Saviors love at Calvary. The comprehension itself was by His grace. And so I may boldly proclaim, Nothing in my hands I bring. Only to the cross I cling. As most of you know, our family spoke and prayed against a false doctrine in our former church, Free Grace Theology akin to the Carnal Christian doctrine which teaches that there are justified people who continue in a lifestyle of sinful rebellion with no growth in holiness until the time of their death, and are still saved on judgment day. By no means, my soul has cried. My Savior died to redeem me from my sins and to create for Himself a daughter conformed to the image of His Son. Such a great transforming sanctifying salvation He has purchased for us with His blood! In the past year I had come to believe in limited atonement. It was an intellectual argument that convinced me: if all the sins of all the people of the world are paid for, then even the sin of unbelief is paid for, and then everyone would be in heaven whether they believe or not. Well, I 7

knew that was not so. However, if the sin of unbelief was not paid for and the faith of mankind put the atoning power of the blood into effect, then it was the blood and the faith of man that saves. But I reasoned this to be a false gospel. It must be the blood alone that saves! And so I concluded that since the blood raises dead spirits to life that they may hear and believe, justifies, and progressively sanctifies, it must have only been shed for those who endure to the end unto salvation. As of several months ago, I was a strong proponent of unconditional eternal security: all those who are truly saved will persevere until the end. And I continue to hold this belief. True salvation is eternal life. It is eternal. It cannot be lost. God knows and has chosen His eternal sheep. All that the Father has given to Christ will come to Him and He will raise them up on the last day. They are saved for eternity. They will persevere. Their perseverance is bought with His blood. No one can snatch them from His hand. However, my understanding of the possibility of falling away has changed. As I sought the Lord in His Word I found that predestination to regenerative grace does not necessarily equal predestination to glory. My new understanding has not so much detracted from my past experience of my Good Shepherd, but has rather added deeper warning, conviction, zeal, and fear of the Lord to my life. In the past, when I read Hebrews 6, 10, and 2 Pet 2 which speak of apostates I regarded such individuals as those with false faith, a type of figment of the imagination 8

which was not of the Lord. I still believe that there is such a thing as false faith. Many of you have had it prior to your conversion. You thought that you believed, but you were not regenerated. Then the Lord brought repentance and faith to you and you were truly converted. As I read of those described in Hebrews 6 who had been enlightened, tasted of the heavenly gift, and been made partakers of the Holy SpiritI reasoned that it was possible for people to have experienced these things without having ever been born again. When I saw the phrase, they have regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified I reasoned that this referred to this persons own perception of his salvation or even an outward moral reformation that appeared to be sanctification, but was not in actuality, the inner sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit in those who are born again. I did not believe that someone could truly believe and fall away. If faith could not be found by our own efforts, how could it be lost by our own efforts? Why would God start a work in a soul and leave it unfinished? The thought of being regenerated and then falling away was appalling to me, and even seemed as a heresy which denies both the sovereignty of God to keep His children and the golden chain (foreknown, predestinated, called, justified, glorified), and which causes a person to look to his own righteousness rather than to rest in the righteousness of Christ. It seemed that it would result in tremendous fear, uncertainty, and lack of trust in the promises of Christ and the blessings of the new realm of 9

the Spirit, and an unwarranted placing of ones focus onto his own works. But I believe that the Lord has done a mighty work in my heart, soul, and mind to teach me some truth about eternal security and the perseverance of the saints. And before you cease to proceed, consider that I believe that no man has any goodness apart from Christ, that all of the perseverance of the saints is purchased by His blood, and that no flesh may glory in His presence. When it is all said and done and we stand before the judgment throne washed and worthy, it will only be because of the blood of the Lamb. We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. My only desire is to obey my Lord, and so I have sought His truth in His Word, and He has opened my mind to understand that there are some who truly believe, and fall away. I am not saying that one can lose his salvation. Salvation is eternal life. But the Counsel of His Word has made it exceedingly clear to me, that it is a real possibility to fall away from faith, not false faith, but real faith. By real faith I mean belief that for the time that it persists within the soul, gives a person varying degrees of knowledge of Christ, access to the heavenly realms, sanctification by the Holy Spirit, and a temporary standing before the Lord through the blood of the Covenant. It is a faith that temporarily gives the possessor intimate knowledge of the regenerative graces of the New Covenant. A main differentiating factor between false and real faith is the possibility to repent after being overcome by sin. With false faith, when the possessor 10

acknowledges his total depravity the opportunity for repentance remains, whereas for those who had real faith but who are now overcome by sin (not just temporarily fallen), there is no opportunity for future repentance. In the latter case, the sin committed, akin to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, leads to death. Oh dear saints, I may already sound like a heretic to you. I would have sounded the same way to myself several months ago. Some of your first thoughts may involve the element that such a belief is incompatible with limited atonement/particular redemption, and I will address this later on. In the rest of the letter I seek the Lords help to present His Holy Scriptures so that you will hear the voice of the Lord therein. I do not claim to be a teacher or to be perfect in my words and understanding. I am far from it. But I simply testify of what I see in His Word. I pray that the voice of the Lord through His Word and the spirit of the message I seek to convey will be heard by you in spite of any imperfections in my discourse.

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2. Regenerated and Castaway?

Calvinists (and myself until recently) believe that if someone falls away from the faith, it indicates that he was never regenerated to begin with: his faith was fake/false. Let us consider Pauls words in 1 Cor 9:27, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. The Greek for castaway used here means unapproved, rejected, worthless, or reprobate. Paul is explaining that he is bringing his body into subjection, that is, he is mortifying the misdeeds of the flesh by the power of God, for fear that that by some means, even after preaching the Gospel, he would be rejected by God and considered worthless in His eyes. Did Paul doubt his salvation? For when we consider his words from the standpoint of the Calvinistic Perseverance of the Saints, the only way that Paul could deem himself being castaway by God in the end is if perchance he were never regenerated. But Paul expressed clearly on multiple occasions that he had astounding assurance of his conversion. And rightly so with his miraculous conversion during which the Lord Jesus confronted him, spoke to him, and changed him as well as the gifts of grace and power granted to him thereafter as a bondservant of Christ and an apostle and minister of the Gospel. Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20). He had experienced 12

the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He had such a continual and tangible fellowship with the Holy Spirit that his assurance was deep and infallible. Paul knew he was regenerated. And yet he feared the possibility of becoming a castaway. Similarly King David says, Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth (Ps 71:9) and Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit (Ps 51:10-11). As both King David and King Hezekiah reasoned, Wilt Thou shew wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise Thee? Selah. (Ps 88:10) For the grave cannot praise Thee, death can not celebrate Thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for Thy truth. (Is 38:18) If they were unconcerned with the prospect of falling away from the faith, they would know that their physical death would amount to much worship in paradise. So what kind of dead people could not praise Him? Spiritually dead people cannot praise Him.

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3. The Parable of the Sower

In the parable of the Sower, I was deeply convicted by Christs words, Know (understand) ye not this parable? And how will ye know (understand) all parables? (Mark 4:13). It is of utmost important that we understand this parable. The warning of falling away from the faith is conveyed in the outcome of the rocky and thorny soils. In the case of the rocky soil, the plants sprung up quickly, but were scorched by the sun and withered, because there was no depth of soil and no moisture. Jesus explains that such people receive the Word with joy and for a while believe, but when persecution and temptation come, they fall away. In the case of the thorny soil, the plants were choked out by the thorns. Jesus explains that the cares of life, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts for other things come in and choke the plant making it unfruitful/ causing it to bring no fruit to perfection or to bear no fruit at all (depending on the passage). These people may be akin to those described in Jude who are trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead (Jude 1:12). Undoubtedly, the good soil refers to the eternal sheep who with an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. These have faith to the preserving of the soul (Heb 10:39). These are kept by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Pet 1:5). Reflect on the fact that in the case of the rocky and thorny soils, the plants came up. And the seed by which they sprung up was the Word of God. Whatever faith that these people 14

temporarily had was associated with the development of the plant from the seed of the Word of God. The plant was born of the Word of God, bore no fruit in some cases, or became unfruitful in other cases, and died through scorching or choking. (Matt 13, Mark 4, Luke 8)

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4. Shipwrecked Faith
There are numerous instances in the epistles where people are mentioned who had departed from the faith or shipwrecked the faith. These texts make no indication that the faith that was departed from was fake. The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Tim 4:1). Paul told Timothy to hold faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck (1 Tim 1:19) and speaks of faith unfeigned, from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling (1 Tim 1:5-6). Paul warns Timothy that the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Tim 6:10), and to keep that which is committed to his trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith (1 Tim 6:20-22). The younger widows were not to be supported by the church, for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. Some had already turned aside after Satan. (1 Tim 5:11-13, 15) When Paul could no longer forbear, he sent to know about the faith of the Thessalonians, lest by some means the tempter have tempted them, and their labor be in vain (1 Thess 3:5). In the early church, the Spirit was repeatedly poured out. The fruit of the Spirit and the ability to discern such fruit 16

abounded. The community was intimate, such that the believers saw the fruit of conversion in one another. And in the verses described above, Paul speaks of departing from the faith. How can one depart from the faith that he never possessed?

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5. Hebrews 6:1-12
Here, I seek the Lords help to write what He has been teaching me about the passage below. By His grace, He has refused to bring to my attention outside resources for me to guide my perspective; rather, I have been forced to seek Him alone. The primary question we are addressing is: were the people regenerated before falling away? described herein truly

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we 18

desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6 The Context: The believers are exhorted to go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God: the primary components of regeneration. The believers are told, You have already been regenerated. Now, grow towards His perfection. And God-willing, we truly will do so by His power and grace. The State of the Unregenerate: Recall the state of the unregenerate man: he walks in the vanity of his mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in him because of the blindness of his heart (Eph 4:17-19). We were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord (Eph 5:8). For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6). We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that we should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9). The Message: The believers are told, You have been regenerated. Now, after experiencing such grace manifested in inward revelation of the glory of God, if you fall away, there is no more opportunity for repentance. You will have become

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eternally unfruitful. Let us take apart each of the Spiritual experiences described here: 1. Once Enlightened: The Greek word for enlightened, phtiz, means to enlighten Spiritually, to imbue with saving knowledge, to instruct, inform, teach, or give understanding to. To understand the Biblical use of this word, we may see its presence in other passages. Luke 11:36 speaks of the state in which the whole body is full of light, having no dark part, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give light. Similarly 1 Cor 4:5 speaks of the final judgment when the Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkness. Of great relevance is Eph 1:18-19 where Paul prays that the eyes of the Ephesians believers understanding be enlightened; the result is that they would know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. Later in the book of Hebrews, the saints are called to remember the former days in which, after they were illuminated, they endured a great fight of afflictions (see Heb 10:32-35). Finally the new Jerusalem of heaven has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. From the use of this word in these texts, we have no reason to believe that the enlightenment here is any kind of superficial experience, but rather the true opening of the eyes to the realities of the heavenly realms that may only happen upon regeneration. 20

2.

Tasting of the Heavenly Gift, the Good Word of

God, and the Powers of the Age to Come: The Greek word for tasting, geuomai, means to taste, perceive the flavor of, enjoy, experience, or feel. Another important usage of this word is Peters command to the believers, as newborn babies, to desire the sincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby: if so be it that they have tasted that the Lord is gracious (1 Pet 2:2-3). What is the heavenly gift? Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift (2 Cor 9:15). For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8). Unto each of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Jesus Christ (Eph 4:7). The heavenly gift can be none other than the blessings of knowing Christ. For even when we were dead in sins, God hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace we are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:5-6). While we were dead in sin, we could not taste the heavenly gift. Furthermore, the Word of God cannot be intimately tasted by the unregenerate man. The Word does not profit them for it is not mixed with faith as they hear It (Heb 4:2). 3. Partaking of the Holy Spirit: The Greek word of partaker, metochos, means to share in, partake of, fellowship with, or be a partner of. The author of Hebrews uses the same word earlier in the book when he says, Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus (Heb 3:1). God forbid that an 21

unregenerate man could be partner with or have any degree of fellowship with the Holy Spirit! What fellowship does light have with darkness (2 Cor 6:14). The carnal mind is at enmity with God: for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be (Rom 8:7). Impossible Renewal to Repentance: The Greek word for again in the phrase If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, palin, means again, repeated, or in an oscillatory manner. The state of falling away here certainly does not refer to a stumbling proceeded by a returning to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:14-16), but an irreversible hardening of the heart, after having repented, not falsely, but truly, as evidence by the above accompanying characteristics. Had their repentance been false, there would Lord-willing yet remain opportunity for repentance, but in this case there is none, for they have tasted the salvation of the Lord, and refused continually to display diligence, faith, and patience. Their prolonged slothfulness has resulted in their own casting away of their former faith. The Pertinent Message: The author mentions to these beloved saints that he is persuaded of better things concerning them, and things which accompany salvation, though he spoke this way. What accompanies salvation? As Paul told the Corinthians, Christ died for them all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again (2 Cor 5:14-15). The fruit of true disciples, love and obedience, 22

accompany salvation. And the author is hopefully persuaded that these will be the outcome of the faith of his beloved audience rather than the falling away that he recently described. In this hope, the passage states, 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

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6. Laboring to Enter His Rest

Here, we will be conversing about the verse Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. The holy brethren (Heb 3:1) are addressed here1. A warning is given to them

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into

his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore

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in vs 1: a promise had been given to them of entering into Gods rest, and yet they were to fear lest any of them should seem to come short of it. The Greek word for come short of, hystere, means to come in late, miss the mark of excellence/worth, or to be wanting. The state of coming short is similar to that displayed within the 5 foolish virgins who neglected to keep oil with them or the man who had been given one talent who did not meet the masters requirements, not even the basic requirement of keeping the talent in the bank to acquire the interest. Note the apparent irony displayed here: we are to LABOUR (hasten, exert oneself, give diligence) to enter into His REST (putting to rest, cease from labour). It is plausible that many would think that this command involves a striving to obey the Law of God. Indeed, it does mean this in a sense! But we must examine the means by which we are to labour to enter into that rest. Before we examine the means by which we are to enter His rest, let us define this rest from the passage. The rest refers to the work of God finished from the foundation of the world (vs 3). Recall that Jesus is referred to in Rev 13:8 as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Christ came as the High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more tabernacle, not made with hands, nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4

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eternal redemption for us all (Heb 9:11-12). For any man to enter into this rest, his hearing of the Gospel must be mixed with faith (vs 2) and it is specifically those who believe who are able to enter into this rest (vs 3). As the Scripture says, whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed (Rom 10:11). Therefore, the rest of God is the outcome of His eternal redemption for His people: nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and new earth, in which righteousness dwells (2 Pet 3:13). Now, let us discuss what the labour does not mean. Does this labour refer to keeping the law? For God says that it is not the hearers of the law that are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law to themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. (Rom 2:13-15) And the prophet Isaiah concludes that we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Is 64:6). As our passage itself explains, the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Nothing is hidden from the eyes of Him to whom we are 26

accountable. (vs 12-13) His eyes of blazing fire and the Sword of His Word that proceeds from His mouth administer the just penalty towards men. And when men are weighed by their fulfillment of the law, none can stand! Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom 3:20). Christ is become of no effect unto those who seek to be justified by the law; they have fallen from grace (Gal 5:4). So we conclude here that the labor does not refer to a striving to be justified by keeping the law. In fact, consider Gods warning to Ezekiel, 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. (Ex 33:13) There are two things we gather from this warning: 1) this is yet another piece of evidence that a righteous man can lose what he had attained if he turns away and falls into iniquity; the Hebrew word for righteousness used here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to refer to the perfect righteousness of God or that of His people 2) the very stumbling block that causes him to turn away is, namely, that he TRUSTS TO HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. Contrast this with the Hebrews 4 passage above which commands us to labor to enter into that rest so that we will not seem to fall short of it. And yet, this warning to Ezekiel explains that it is the very act of trusting in ones own righteousness that leads to such a falling short of His rest. Thus, God forbid that we strive to be righteous before God 27

on our own and that we replace that labor which Hebrews speaks about with a form of striving after self-righteousness! How do we labor, then, to enter into His rest? The followers of Christ asked this very same question, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent (John 6:28-29). For we which have believed do enter that rest (vs 3) and those who do not enter fail of UNBELIEF (vs 6). Our to do so because gives a perfect passage

description of the true labor that we are called into: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (vs 14-16) Thus, the labor involves: 1) SEEING that we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God 2) HOLDING FAST our profession 3) REMEMBERING that our High Priest sympathizes with us in our weaknesses, and has triumphed over all temptations known to man 4) COMING BOLDLY to the throne of grace, that we may OBTAIN MERCY, and FIND GRACE to help in time of need.

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You see, dear saints, our labor is to continue believing in the Gospel! Our righteousness flows out from our abiding relationship with Christ, who has reconciled us to the Father on the basis of His own blood. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (Rev 19:7-8) As Ephraim says, What have I to do any more with idols? God hears and observes him saying I am like a green fir tree. From ME is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. (Hos 14:8-9) The righteous acts of the saints are granted from above. They have labored. Yes, they have labored to continue believing in their precious Gospel of their salvation! And the outcome of their belief is the bountiful, visible, enduring harvest of righteousness!

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7. A Temporary Standing before God, but Eventually Damned

Consider the following passage: Heb 10:26-312. This passage explains that there remains no more sacrifice for sins for those who sin wilfully after receiving (or laying hold of for oneself) the knowledge of the Truth, but only a fearful looking for of wrath. Those who continue in wilful sin after receiving the knowledge of the Truth have trodden underfoot the Son of God, counted the blood of the Covenant, by which they were sanctified, as an unholy thing, and have insulted the Spirit of grace. Such people will be damned. I had believed before that the sanctification referred to such a mans perception of his Spiritual state (i.e. he thought he was sanctified though he was not) or perhaps an outward moral reformation with no inward change. Yet, the word for sanctification used here is rarely used in the New Testament to refer to anything but the true sanctification of the soul that occurs with
Heb 10 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 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 (hagiazo; G37: to make holy, venerate), an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto (enubrizo; G1796: to insult) the Spirit of grace? 30 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. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
2

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regeneration. In this same chapter, the author uses the same word to say that by one sacrifice Christ has perfected forever them that are sanctified (Heb 10:14). Similarly, consider the parable of the unmerciful servant3. Initially the servant had pleaded with his master for mercy, and mercy was shown to him. The lord of the servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him of his debt. And yet because of the same servants unwillingness to show mercy to his fellow servant, in the end he fell under the wrath of his lord and
Matt 18:23-35 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
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was given over to tormenters. So likewise shall the heavenly Father do also to us, if we from our hearts forgive not our brothers of their trespasses. What we can observe in both the case of those who continue in wilful sin after receiving the knowledge of the Truth and that of the unmerciful servant is that for a time, each had a standing before God. Each remained in a state in which he experienced some grace of the New Covenant, but was eventually damned. This is also seen in the way the false prophets are described in 2 Pet 2. These false prophets privily bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction (2 Pet 2:1). Originally Balaam had the Spirit of God upon him, his eyes were open, he heard the Words of God, and saw the vision of the Almighty (Num 24:2-4). These false prophets had forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of wickedness (2 Pet 2:15). For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (2 Pet 2:19-21) Likewise, in the Parable of the Talents, each of the three individuals were the very own servants of the 32

master. The master delivered unto each of them his own goods. For those who were faithful with the masters goods, more was given to them. But for the unprofitable servant who was wicked and slothful, even what he had was taken from him. And he was cast into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said, For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (Matt 25:14-30) For a time such wicked servants possess the Masters goods, but because of wickedness and Spiritual slothfulness, they are eventually damned. Finally, consider Parable of the Wedding Feast. The wedding was ready but those who were called at first were not worthy. They loved the pleasures and cares of this life more than Christ. But many from the highways, both good and bad, came to the wedding and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests he saw a man without a wedding garment and said to him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? The man was speechless. The king ordered for him to be bound hand and foot, taken away, and cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called but few are chosen. (Matt 22:1-14) Remember those in the church at Laodiceans who said they were rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing. But they did not realize that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Christ counseling them to buy from Him gold tried in the fire, 33

that they may be rich; and white raiment, that they may be clothed, and that the shame of their nakedness does not appear, and anoint their eyes with eyesalve, that they may see. For as many as He loves, He rebukes and chastens. He commanded them to be zealous therefore and repent. (Rev 3:17-19) Jesus says, Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame (Rev 16:15).

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8. Keeping His Covenant

We know that His New Covenant is unconditional in the sense that it is entirely by grace that was purchased by the blood of Christ. All of the regenerating, justifying, sanctifying, and preserving power is by the strength of His own righteous right arm. There is not a single portion of the righteous fruit manifested within us that came from our own self apart from His grace. In this sense, our perseverance is unconditional, because it depends on God who shows mercy and not man who wills or runs. And yet, the Word of God lays a responsibility upon mankind to keep His Covenant, and I do not refer to the Lords commandment to His people to keep the Old Covenant so as reveal to them their total depravity and bring them to Christ. The Word of God commands us to keep the New Covenant itself. Moses tells the Israelites, Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth Covenant and mercy (mercy is found in the New Covenant alone) with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations (Deut 7:9). King David says, All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His Covenant and His testimonies (Ps 25:10) and But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto childrens children; to such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them (Ps 103:17-19). God says, If thy children will keep My Covenant and My testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon 35

thy throne for evermore (Ps 132:12). Daniel prayed and confessed to the Lord saying, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the Covenant and mercy to them that love Him, and to them that keep His commandments (Dan 9:4). God desires mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But His people like men had transgressed the Covenant; they had dealt treacherously against Him. God proclaimed woe and destruction to them. For they had fled from Him and transgressed against Him: though He had redeemed them, yet they had spoken lies against Him. (Hos 6:6-7, Hos 7:13) Again, mercy is only found in the New Covenant. This is the Covenant which we must keep. Regarding wisdom and instruction we are commanded to take hold of her, not let her go, and to keep her for she is our life (Prov 4:13). We are commanded to not let her words depart from our eyes, but to keep them in the midst of our hearts (Prov 4:21). We are commanded not to let mercy and truth forsake us, but to bind them upon our neck, and write them upon our hearts (Prov 3:3). For with the pure He shows Himself pure; and with the forward (crooked) He shows Himself forward (Ps 18:26).

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9. The Heart of a True Leader Regarding the Potential for Apostasy

God warns Ezekiel that when a righteous man turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and God lays a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because the watchman had not given him warning, he would die in his sin, and his righteousness which he had done would not be remembered; but his blood would be required from the hand of the watchman. (Ez 3:20) It is of great importance that we understand what the Lord is telling us through this example. This is an example of a man whom the Lord, who sees the hearts of men, considered to be righteous. He committed sin and the Lord chose to lay a stumbling-block before him and he was eternally hardened. He fell away from the faith and was damned. And yet the responsibility of the leader/watchman of Gods peoples was to warn the righteous man from apostatizing. A just and merciful watchman warns the righteous from falling away. Let us consider the heart of a true leader of the people of God: the apostle Paul. He declared to the Ephesian elders that he is pure from the blood of all men for he had not shunned to declare unto them all the Counsel of God. He warned them to take heed to themselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers, to feed the church of God, which he had purchased with His own blood. For Paul knew that after his departing, grievous wolves would enter in among them, not sparing the flock. He told them that of their own selves men would arise, speaking perverse things to draw 37

away disciples after them. He told them, Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:26-32) Similarly Paul warned the Colossian believers though he was confident of the sincerity of their conversion: Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints (Col 1:4). He preached Christ to them, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that they could present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Col 1:28). Paul mentions Epaphras, one of them, a servant of Christ, who always labored fervently for them in prayers, that they may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Col 4:12). Day and night Paul prayed exceedingly for the Thessalonians that they would see their faces and perfect what was lacking in their faith (1 Thess 3:10). The Godly leader Paul had discernment to see the fruit of true conversion in these saints, and yet he warned them constantly for three years and prayed for them fervently that they would not fall away but rather be presented perfect before Him.

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10. Preparation for the Great Falling Away that we face

During my prayer times, I have felt deeply in my soul that as we are approaching the end of the present world, the Lord would have for His bride to be warned to continue in Him that they may not fall away. The truths which are conveyed in this document by the Holy Scriptures are important for our perseverance until the end. This is especially so now because, at the time of the end, Christ promised a great falling away. He said that many false prophets shall arise and deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that endures unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matt 24:11-13) Paul warns the Thessalonians not to be deceived by any man that the day of the Lord had already arrived, for it will not arrive except there come a falling away first (2 Thess 2:3). The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Tim 4:1). Oh dear saints, how shall we prepare for this falling away if we think one cannot fall away?

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11. Warnings against Falling Away

The following Scriptures reveal warnings against potential apostasy. The nature of these verses is such that the true believer is warned from drifting away from the true knowledge of Christ that may only be had upon regeneration. It seems highly unlikely that all of these verses are referring to impossible hypothetical situations. 2 Chronicles 15:2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you. John 15:2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (Jesus tells His disciples to abide in Him, keep His commands, let His Word abide in them, abide in His love, continue in His love, love one another, and thus bear fruit. (John 15:4, 7, 8-10)) Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Heb 4:2 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Matt 24:12-13 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 40

Col 1:21-23 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Rom 8: 12-13 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Gal 6:7-8 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 41

II Tim 2: 11-1311 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. 1 Tim 3:6-7 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Heb 3:12-15 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Heb 12:15-17 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 1 Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 2 Cor 11:2-4 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to 42

Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another Gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 1 Pet 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 2 Pet 3:17-18 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Rev 2: 4-5 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Rev 2:15-1615 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Rev 3:1b-3I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how 43

thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

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12. Readiness to Stand Before Him

Contained in the understanding that one can fall away from the faith must be a Godly sobriety and watchfulness. We must be ready to stand before Him. We must continue in Him, in His love, lest we be found unready and lazy when He returns. The Scriptures below convey the Lords requirement for us to be ready for Him when He returns and we stand before Him. This kind of constant watchfulness characterized the early church believers and accounts for the some of the intensity with which the epistles are written. Luke 21:34-36 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming. Heb 10:36-39 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. 45

1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 2 Tim 4:5-7 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 1 John 4:17-19 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 Tim 6: 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Rev 21:7-8 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Eph 5:1-5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish 46

talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 1 Thess 5:4-10 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Pet 5:8-10 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 2 Pet 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until 47

the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: James 2:7-8 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James 5:10-12 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

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13. The Condition of Continuing

The Scriptures below warn us of the need to continue in Him until the end. Matt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Luke 22:27-28 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as He that serveth.28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; John 15:9 As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Gal 2:4-5 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy 49

out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you. Col 1:21-23 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 1 John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 1 Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Tim 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

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14. Overcoming is Continuing in the Faith until the End

Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Rev 2:25-2625 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels. Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him My new name. Rev 3:19-21 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 51

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.

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15. Stronger Assurance through Laying Hold of Eternal Life

Many may propose that viewing apostasy as a real prospect would cause us to be doubtful and insecure all the time. As we are warned from falling away, we are called not to strive to be righteous on our own, but rather to continue to believe the Gospel. Understanding the potential for apostasy should cause us to cling to Christ more strongly and more frequently. We will require more grace than we may have calculated before. We will truly need grace every moment until our last hour in this earthly life. Is He not worthy of our constant love and obedience? Remember again the parable of the 10 virgins. The wise virgins kept oil with them all the time, though the bridegroom tarried for a while to come. May we not be foolish! Many set out with lamps to see Him in His day of glory, but who are there among us who carry the oil of prayer and anointing constantly? Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of Man comes, shall He find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:7-8). The verses below show that we are to lay hold of eternal life by faith. As we are repeatedly laying hold of eternal life, our assurance is not diminished, but rather strengthened as we are putting to death the sins of the flesh and continually abiding in Him. Oh what great assurance we have as we fellowship with Him and His blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:9)! 53

1 Tim 6:11-12 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Heb 6:18-20 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Heb 4:14-16 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 54

2 Tim 1:12-14 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Heb 12: 1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 1 John 5:10-13 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 Tim 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 55

16. The Obedience of Faith

The following verses describe the obedience of the saving faith of the saints: 2 Cor 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name: Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering (obedience) of the people be. 1 Pet 1:6-8 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1 Pet 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 56

1 Pet 3:10-12 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Pet 4:16-19 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 2 Pet 1:3-7 3 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: 4 Whereby are given unto us 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. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 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. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar 57

off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. James 1:21-22 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 2:12-13 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. James 2:24-26 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 2 Cor 5:14-15 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Cor 6:16-2 Cor 7:1 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in 58

them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Hos 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

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17. All Strides in the Narrow Path are by Enabled by Grace, Purchased by His Blood, and are the Fruit of Abiding in His Finished Work
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. Col 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily. Heb 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. 1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Cor 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Heb 4:9-11 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God 60

did from His. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. John 6:28-29 28 Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him Whom he hath sent. 1 Thess 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 2 Thess 1:11-12 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess 2:16-17 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 2 Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thess 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Ez 36:26-27 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take 61

away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them. 2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 10:14 For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 2 Cor 1:20-22 20 For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 2 Cor 9:8-9 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor: His righteousness remaineth for ever.)

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18. The Coexistence of Conditional and Unconditional Eternal Security

In the discussions that I have had with other saints who hold the view that it is impossible to fall away from real faith or that falling away reveals that the former faith was false, I have observed a tension that I have come to understand is needless. The heart of the God-fearing Calvinist, when faced with the idea that one can fall away from real faith, may be characterized as follows: My God is sovereign. His work is perfect. He does not abandon any of the children whom He saves. My perseverance does not depend on me for it is God who works in me to will and to act according to His good purpose (Phil 2:13). It depends on the finished work of Christ. His justification has fulfilled once and for all my entire salvation. I cannot lose it. My perseverance is in His hands. Though I fall seven times He will lift me up (Prov 24:16). The Lord forsakes not His saints; they are preserved forever and ever (Ps 37:28). For this is our God forever and ever; He will be our Guide even until death (Ps 48:14). And to this my heart cries with tears of gratefulness, Amen! My Good Shepherd is able to keep me from stumbling. Without Him I have no hope. I can do nothing without Him. By His blood and grace alone I will persevere until the end. I believe in both the doctrines of conditional and unconditional eternal security at the same time; yes, it is a mysterious paradox. I believe that the Calvinistic view of the perseverance of the saints will characterize those who are predestined to glory: those who stand before the judgment throne washed by the blood of the Lamb and worthy. They will have been kept 63

unconditionally by the grace of God. Their perseverance is unconditional in the sense that it is enabled by the grace of God alone. However, those who fall away do so because they did not fulfill the conditions of the eternal covenant; they have cast off their faith. For we have access by faith, yes, it is a gift of grace, into the grace in which we stand (Rom 5:2, Eph 2:8). And thus, there is an element of responsibility, on our part, to hold on to the faith such that when we have fought the good fight and finished our course we may say as the apostle Paul, I have kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7) and But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Again, we will need far more grace each hour than we had calculated before to abide in Him until the end. And it is granted in the Beloved. Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

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19. Impetuses for Obedience: we must believe that He will keep us from falling away
The impetuses, or driving forces, for our obedience arise from the whole Counsel of the Word of God, given by the inspiration of God, and which is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim 3:16-17). Thus, both the compelling love of Christ revealed at Calvary, the promises of the Shepherd to protect and keep us, and the warnings of the gracious Shepherd from falling away are motivating factors for our obedience. Indeed the very thought of the Good Shepherd rescuing me from every evil attack, protecting me from wolves, disciplining me when I go astray, and keeping me in His fold has elicited joyous obedience oft times. Believing that He will keep us is part of persevering faith. Surely His rod and staff comfort us (Ps 23:4). Below are verses which reveal motivating factors in our obedience:

1. The Love of Christ Compels Us

I John 4:19-20 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love Him, because He first loved us. John 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another. 65

Heb 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Col 3:4-6 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 2 Pet 1:4 Whereby are given unto us 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. Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 Cor 6:17-2 Cor 7:1 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord 66

2. His Warnings Promote Godly Fear

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Almighty.7 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Matt 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

3. His Promise to Keep us From Falling Away Encourages us

2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Ps 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. 2 Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, Who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 1 Thess 3:23-24 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it. Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Jude 24 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 67

7 Therefore

I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the

God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. 9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness. (Mic 7:7-9)

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20. Disillusionment and Consequences of Denying the Potential for Apostasy

We have discussed that it is of great importance that we understand the potential for apostasy as we prepare for the great falling away that we face (see section 10). Denying the potential for apostasy would seem to be a great hindrance in our preparation. We discussed the responsibility of true leaders of the flock to warn the righteous from falling away (see section 9). When leaders fail to administer such warnings from the whole Counsel of the Word, the apostate will die in his sin, but his blood will be on the head of the unfaithful watchman. There are several other related consequences of such a denial. Many of these consequences relate to our understanding of the state of souls around us. Many of those faithful believers who believe that one can fall away from the faith have first-hand experience of loved ones who have fallen away by being overcome by sin. In the Spirit of the Lord these faithful believers had discerned the true fruit of the Spirit and genuine conversion in these people at some point. Such discernment must be exercised by all Spiritual men. For he that is Spiritual judgeth all things and has the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:15-16). Jesus told us that we will know them by their fruits (Matt 7:16). Thus, we can and must discern the fruit of the Spirit within professing believers. Many have seen such fruit of genuine conversion in souls and seen the same drift away entirely. And thus regardless of prior doctrinal views, such believers who see these 69

occurrences know that apostasy is real. In the early church, the community of believers was characterized by intimate fellowship and physical proximity. The fruit of the saints was discerned. The potential for apostasy was likely well established in the minds of all because they saw it happen (see section 4). One of the problems that we face in the United States is our individualism: we do not truly know one another. Or in some cases, we have not been trained in discerning the fruit of the Spirit in others because we are afraid to judge. For strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb 5:14). Many of these mature discerning believers have seen real undisputable apostasy. And apostasy simply is and will be taking place in greater and greater magnitude in the time ahead. Many of us have seen apostasy as well, but because we did not believe that one could fall away from real faith, we concluded that the faith of these individuals was false. And thus we became very disillusioned with what had seen in these individuals because we concluded that their experiences were not the real fruit of conversion. We start to question what truly the fruit of conversion is since what we had seen in the person was not real. We compare our own experiences with that of former devout followers of Christ who are presently apostate, and begin to question the authenticity of our own conversion. We start to doubt the voice of the Lord, the work of the Spirit, and the fruit of our regeneration up until this day. We become

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disillusioned to the work of the Lord in regenerating souls. Our assurance becomes shaky This is not what the Lord wills for His children. His will is that we remember His miracle of regenerating us. We must remember that at one time we were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus we who were sometimes far off are made near through the blood of Christ (Eph 2:11-13). He tells us to remember His marvelous work that He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth (Ps 105:5). We must remember the days of old, meditate on all His works, and muse on the work of His hands (Ps 143:5). For He has made His wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion (Ps 111:4). We must continue in the things we have learned and been assured of (2 Tim 3:14). Even as we consider the prospect of falling away and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, we are granted great power and assurance to call to remembrance the former days, in which, after we were illuminated, we endured a great fight of afflictions (Heb 10:31-32). When the Ephesians had left their first love, they were not called to doubt their salvation, but to remember from where they had fallen, repent, and do the first works, or else Christ would come to them quickly and remove their candlestick out of his place, except they repent (Rev 2:4-5). Likewise when Jonahs soul fainted within him He

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remembered the Lord: and his prayer came to Him, into His holy temple (Jon 2:7). Denying the potential for apostasy would also affect our treatment of believers who have fallen into a state of carnality and adultery against God. If we are convinced of their prior conversion, we would be lax in dealing with them as we ought: having compassion, making a difference, saving with fear, pulling out of the fire, and hating even the garment spotted by flesh (Jude 22-23). Or if we are unaware of their past conversion, we may treat them as though they have never known the Lord, when the voice of the Lord to them would rather be Remember from where you have fallen and repent! that Christ may be formed within them, the flesh destroyed, and their soul saved. In the past couple months during which the Lord has warned me of the potential for apostasy, I have seen my love for the saints become stronger. The interconnectedness and household of God interdependency involves the of the common

acknowledgement of the potential for apostasy. For then we may take full heed, lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But rather we will exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of us be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:12-13). We will look diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble us, and thereby many be defiled (Heb

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12:15). The concept of laboring to present every man perfect will have true meaning among us.

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21. What about 1 John 3:9?

1 John 3:9 says, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. How does this verse coexist with the potential for falling away from the faith? The elect, the eternal sheep, those representing good soil, cannot fall away. Those representing the good soil had honest and good hearts, hear the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. However the plants that sprung up in the rocky and thorny soil by the same seed eventually died. The Counsel of Scriptures make it clear that those who are finally saved hold fast to the Word and the effect of the Word is mete with the faith of the person in whom It is implanted: Rom 11:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. 1 Thess 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. Heb 4:2 For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 1 Tim 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of 74

Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 2 Tim 1:13-14 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 1 Pet 1:21-25 21 Who by Him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.

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22. What about the Seal of the Spirit?

God has sealed us, and given the earnest (seal) of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Cor 1:22). The Spirit Himself is the seal of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory (Eph 1:14). Because we have the Holy Spirit we are sealed. But the Holy Spirit cannot tolerate indwelling wilful sin. A Christian who falls into sin will be repeatedly convicted by the Holy Spirit and chastised by the Father. Do we not know that we are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in us? If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple we are. (1 Cor 3:16-17) Our bodies are the members of Christ. Shall we take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid. For he that is joined to an harlot is one body. For two shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. We must flee fornication. For every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit in us, which we have from God, and we are not our own. We are bought at a price: therefore we must glorify God in our body and spirit which are Gods. (1 Cor 6:16-20) Consider the outcome of King Sauls life. Initially the Spirit of the Lord came on Him and he prophesied and was turned into another man. Then he did as the occasion served him, for God was with him. (1 Sam 10:6-7) God had given him another heart (1 Sam 10:9). Yet eventually he 76

was turned back from following God and did not perform His commandments, and it repented God that He had made Saul as king (1 Sam 15:11). King Saul committed rebellion and stubbornly repeatedly and wilfully rejected the Word of the Lord and thus God rejected him from being king. (1 Sam 15:22-26) Finally the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him (1 Sam 16:14). the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (Matt 12)
44 Then 43 When

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23. What about Limited Atonement/Particular Redemption?

The Gospel of our salvation involves the powerful and atoning blood of Christ which altogether raises our spirits to life that we may hear and believe the Gospel, justifies us and gives us a righteous standing before God, sanctifies us, enables us to persevere, causes us to bear fruit unto His glory, and enables us to be glorified. His blood is effectual, purchases our souls, and cleanses our consciences. I would like to briefly share my heart on limited atonement/particular redemption. If the blood was only shed for the elect, and if apostasy exists, it seems difficult to account for the temporary grace given to the apostates. Perhaps the blood purchased the temporary standing, but not full redemption? But I must convey to you that I have questioned the applicability of the atonement to only the elect. I know that our offenses were infinite and required the infinite payment of the drinking of the infinite cup of Gods wrath. Christ has drank it to the last dregs for our sake. He drank the whole cup. All of His blood was poured out. His sacrifice was infinite. Our offense was terrible. Does our Savior intend for us to parcel out the blood and the degree of Christs sacrifice to specific individuals? It was a glorious redemption. He bore unfathomable shame and scorn for our sakes. I doubt that it would be pleasing to the Lord for us to quantify such a sacrifice. We know that the atonement accounts for our entire salvation and that it is effectual in the elect. We also 78

know that God urges us to pray for all men for he will have for all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth (1 Tim 2:4). Consider Hebrews 10:26, 29: 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins29Of 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? There is no more sacrifice for sins for those who continue in wilful sin after being sanctified. It is assumed here that the first sacrifice is used up. How can one treat as unholy the blood of the Covenant by which he was sanctified if no such blood exists? Calvinists may consider the terms here to be figurative. I believe that the nature of the atonement remains a mystery in terms of its applicability. Godly men have understood it in a variety of ways.

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24. Conclusion
At the very same time that the Lord warns us from falling away, we are given His great and precious promises. It is perfectly pleasing to Him for me to say, My God of peace will sanctify me wholly. He will preserve my whole spirit, soul, and body blameless at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ. My God who called me is faithful and He will do it. (1 Thess 5:23-24). I am confident that He who began a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6). He is able to keep me from falling, and to present me faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 1:24). Unconditional eternal security is found in the cleft of the Rock where the everlasting arms are underneath. It is found with the Good Shepherd. But apart from Him there is only insecurity resulting in damnation. For though it is true of the elect, the eternal sheep, that they are all predestined, called, justified, and glorified, we must remember that many are called but few are chosen. So let us continue in Him and overcome by Him. Let us remember His great sacrifice, let Him daily wash our feet from the filth of our wanderings, and come boldly to His throne of grace that His blood may cleanse our consciences. Let us continue in His love that our joy may be complete. Let us lay hold of eternal life and full assurance in the present time. Indeed, believing that He will keep us and confirm us to the end is an essential part of persevering faith (1 Cor 1:8).
26 If

any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and

mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, 80

yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple. is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 14) Sound doctrine is in accordance with Godliness, conforms the present church to the vibrant state of the early church, and conforms the saints to the image of Christ. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)
Love Forever in Christ,
Preethi
34 Salt

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