I grew up in church. At 8 ask Jesus into my heart, main reason I didn’t what to go to hell. Never knew how big of an issue “once save” and “you can lose your salvation” was. To the point it divides Churches and Christians alike.
Growing up in a small church either I didn’t pay attention at the time or no one talked about. So as a kid to teenager what do you do when you come across a verse in the bible like this.
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Most would most likely go to the pastor or some one knowledgeable in this area. That is not what I did. If God is the one that makes that decision then logical choice is to get the answer from God Himself.
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
I wanted to make sure of my call of salvation. I don’t care want side you take. Have you made sure of your salvation? I don’t care if a man or a pastor told you you were saved. God is the one that gives the answer to that question. More over the bible helps guide us on that path.
Looking at the last part of the verse “ if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” . And what is that thing, being diligent about are calling. This is not, say this pray and you are saved. If you have a problem with a person, you don’t just do all the talking and expect every thing is good. Without them saying anything to you how are you to know things are good between you two. You don’t, so should it be any difference with God. (side note there are different ways God speaks than with HIS voice).
2 Peter 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
That was only part of this journey in seeking the Lord on this matter. Looking to Judas that betrayed Jesus.
John 6:70-71 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? (71) He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
What we get from those two set of verses is God is calling Judas a devil and giving him power to heal and cast out demons. That can be a bit hard to get your mind around for some. Judas was like hire help both not part of it.
John 10:12-13 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (13) The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
There is more I wish to share leaving Judas behind us and moving to the old testament
Exodus 21:2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
Exodus 21:5-6 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: (6) Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
When looking Jesus is the one buying the Hebrew servant or in this case the Christian. When looking at these verse I see to groups here. I also am reminded of the parable the five wise and the five foolish virgins. This my brother and sisters in the Lord, the one in verse 2 is making an active choice to leave his master. Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us if we don’t deny HIM. Just as Esau gave up his birth right for a bowl of soup so to do Christians given up there eternity in heaven with God.
Did this group lose there salvation? No they gave it up. Were they once save always saved? No they made a choice to deny Him.
In verse five why does the other stay? It is out of love for the master and that master is Jesus.
1 John 4:18 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.
I may have asked Jesus in my heart out of fear of Going to hell, but in my diligence of making sure of my salvation I have found the love of God and can see it though the scriptures. Jesus sacrifice on the cross made a way for us to God.
Through HIS word I will share what God had shared with me.
Numbers 32:19-23 For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward. (20) And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, (21) And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, (22) And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. (23) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
There were a few tribes that had there inheritance, our inheritance is heaven. I am as one that has his inheritance but I must go and help others to secure there inheritance. Building up Christians in the faith or leading them to Christ, either way to fight the good fight till its time to go home and not blindly but I try to follow were the Master leads me out of love for HIM.
Blessing to those God will bless through this. 🙂
