Backsliding To Hell
by Mike Peralta
If you have previously given your life to Jesus but are now
in sin you really need to read and take this book seriously.
Don't let the "Once Saved Always Saved teachers" deceive you.
They are not going to be there when you face God...
Backsliding To Hell by Mike Peralta
Have you ever wondered:
• Do Backsliders go to Hell?
• Can Names be Erased from the Book of Life?
• Will Sex with my Boyfriend or Girlfriend send me to Hell?
• Will Pornography or Lust send me to Hell?
• Will Drunkenness or Drugs send me to Hell?
These questions are seriously addressed in this book.
Don’t leave it to chance to find out at the moment of your death. Learn from the Bible what God says about these issues.
Testimonies about these issues are also included from people who have seen and talked to Jesus and have seen Hell.
Take this very seriously because your eternity is at stake.
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Backsliding-To-Hell-Mike-Peralta/dp/1479291501
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"Backsliding to Hell" by Mike Peralta
First 3 Chapters:
Introduction
A Message To Those Who Keep On Sinning.
"Should You Not Fear Me?" Declares The LORD.
"Should You Not Tremble In My Presence?"
- Jeremiah 5:22
God is to be greatly feared. The gospel is not a soft, shallow thing. It is a solemn matter which has to do with time and eternity, life and death, eternal mercy and eternal judgment, salvation and damnation, Heaven and Hell.
Jesus said to His friends, His disciples,: "To you My friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you Whom to fear; fear Him who, after He has killed, has the power to cast into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him." - Luke 12:4-5.
If His disciples were already secure in Him why did Jesus give them this warning? I suppose you can assume that Jesus was just being polite when He used the term “My friends.” But Jesus was and always is, very careful with His choice of words. In fact in John 15:14-15 Jesus reserves the term “friends” to those who are obedient and have been discipled extensively by Him., Considering that Jesus, when He was on earth, taught and gave this warning to His original disciples face to face, how much more should we take this as a very serious warning from Jesus. For Jesus never speaks idle or inaccurate words.
The “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrinal controversy has been around for many years. I will not go into its history. That is not the intent of this book. The intent of this book is to make an appeal to you, who in the past, truly repented and received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but with time have now gone back into a sinful lifestyle.
To those who are back into the mire of sin, I wish I could get across to you the extreme and eternal danger you are in. As I write this I am in tears about you and all the other people who are being damned to an eternity in Hell because of the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine. I realize you are currently in your sins because you don’t believe this way. But I hope you read all of this book before you pass judgment on what I have to say. Again the purpose here is not to win an argument but rather to help you understand and turn away from sin. Perhaps you have not thought about it much, but your sin, even your secret sins, has repercussions on those who have never known Christ - especially your family and friends. They see your sinful life and so are kept out of God’s kingdom by your sin. Many of those people will be damned eternally in Hell because of your sinful life. If your life is to be light, but your light is darkness, how great is that darkness. Matthew 6:23.
CHAPTER 1
“ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED” IS NOT BIBLICAL
Once Saved Always Saved: A Doctrine That Damns People To Hell.
In spite of very strong Scriptures against it, the claim of the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine is the belief that: “Once saved by an initial commitment to Jesus, a person can never lose their salvation regardless of how sinful they live after their initial commitment.” By looking carefully at the Bible, and if one believes the Scriptures one will be able to see that this belief is false.
The words "Once Saved Always Saved" are not found in the Bible. Nor is there anything like them. In fact, there are many Scriptural passages that strongly oppose the “Once Saved Always Saved” concept. Hebrews 10:26-31, 2 Peter 2:20-21, Ezekiel 18:24-32, Ezekiel 33:12-13, John 15:6, Revelation 3:5, Exodus 32:30-31, Genesis 3:1-6, 1 John 2:3-4, 1 John 3:7-8, 1 John 3:10, Luke 15:11-32, Luke 12:42-46, Titus 1:16, and many others.
I also realize there are many Scriptures that provide an assurance of salvation for those who are IN Christ Jesus. These Scriptures are also true and to be believed and cherished. Now, I hope you notice how I capitalized the word IN. For it is only those who remain IN Christ Jesus that are provided the assurance of salvation. As I will later explain, those who lose their salvation, lose it because, by their deliberate sinful lifestyle, they have separated themselves from Jesus and so can no longer be considered to be IN Christ Jesus anymore. Jesus Himself says in John 15:6 that, “If anyone does not remain IN Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” Please notice here that Jesus is referring to branches that did not REMAIN IN Him and so the branches are referring to true believers that were once IN Him but who later separated from Jesus. Remember sin always separates you from God. Ever since Adam and Eve we know this. Sin indeed separates you from God. All of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation reveals this. Isaiah 59:2 expresses this very thing:
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2.
Notice also 1 John 2:5b-6 which states that: “This is how we know we are IN Him: Whoever claims to live IN Him must walk as Jesus did.” and 1 John 3:24a, “Those who obey His commands live IN Him, and He IN them.” Notice also 1 John 3:10, which states that: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God.”
In other words, according to the Bible, you cannot be considered to be IN Christ Jesus or a child of God if you are being disobedient and are living in a deliberate sinful lifestyle. “Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God.” 1 John 3:10b.
With this in mind, I pray that those who believe the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine will completely and carefully read this book with an open heart and an open mind. Above all, I urge every reader to check and truly believe each Scripture presented as written – and then check the context that the Scriptures are quoted in by prayerfully reading at least ten verses before and ten verses after. And please pray to God to open your eyes to see the truth about this subject. The consequences to getting this wrong are eternal. I realize that if you are in sin, that your flesh will not want to pray - for you know in your heart that you are guilty. Ask the Lord to show you the vileness and ugliness of your sins. Ask Him to impart the fear of God into your heart.
In spite of your sins, God wants you back but He cannot accept you back unless you repent, renounce and stop your sinning. If you repent, God the Father will happily and joyfully accept you back just like the story of the prodigal son. But you must repent. Remember in the prodigal son story the father was waiting patiently and compassionately for his son to return back. I am sure he probably looked out several times a day to see if his son was returning. That is why he saw his son returning even when his son was far off. Oh, how God the Father loves you and desires so greatly for you to return to Him. Why continue to hurt Him so? Please come back to Him with all your heart. If you really want to turn away from all your sins and come back to the Father please read all this book with a believing heart.
I have prayed and prayed as I was writing this book that every word and phrase be inspired from the Holy Spirit. The whole intention of this is so that you are reconciled back to the Father and you will be blessed again with the joy of His salvation. The same joy you felt when you first came to Christ. If you believe, you will be able to repent and overcome all sin and then you will truly have an assurance in your heart because you will truly sense God’s presence in your life again. Remember, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8. I know sin has had a very destructive way in you with respect to your walk with God. You don’t sense Him any more. You don’t have His presence anymore. The reason is, because your sin has separated you from your God, Isaiah 59:2. Your sin has grieved the Holy Spirit. I know the Holy Spirit has spoken to you, telling you: “I love you, return back to Me, as My child. Let go of your sins.” His voice is so soft. He will not force you to repent, for He has given you a free will.
CHAPTER 2
WE ARE required TO WARN
Message To Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, And Teachers.
Even though this subject may seem to be a subject to be avoided, because of its controversial nature, it is vitally essential that the truth about this be dealt with earnestly and seriously. Why? Because precious eternal souls are hanging in the balance. If people believe and live by a false doctrine concerning salvation or its possible loss, they could end up in a Hell full of fire, brimstone and torments.
To those apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers that would rather avoid this subject altogether, consider 1 Timothy 4:16 which states that: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” Also recall what the Lord said through Paul, 2 Corinthians 10:5, let us “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Even if the leaders of the true body of Christ avoid this subject because of the fear of controversy, which is really just the fear of man, the demons of deception will not let up on their deception of scores of believers.
Even though many pastors and teachers know in their hearts that the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine is not right they avoid preaching against it in the name of unity. They don’t want to offend other leaders in the church that, incorrectly, believe in the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine. But you must realize there is no real unity unless the unity is with Jesus and the truth. Unity apart from Jesus and His Word is called rebellion. For example, when Jesus was on earth, those sitting in the seat of Moses - the Pharisees and the experts of the law - were all in unity against Jesus. So we see that unity for unity’s sake is dangerous and in fact detestable if it is not unity with and in Jesus. Remember also the unity that man tried to accomplish, separate from God, in the tower of Babel.
The type of unity that God wants us to embrace is one where we all believe and obey Jesus, and lovingly teach the truth of God’s Word. And remember presenting a warning should always be done because of love for those in danger. If you truly love those who are backslidden you will warn them in accordance with God’s Word.
Some brothers and sisters in the Lord may disagree with you greatly, but you must not forsake the truth of God’s Word. This is not to say that one should name names and publicly condemn others who disagree with the truth as you have learned it. Rather as a good and faithful ambassador of Christ, present the truth that Jesus has taught you without malice or rancor. People may oppose you, but be faithful to Jesus. In the end, many of those who oppose you will be won over because of your obedience and faithfulness to Christ.
Of more immediate urgency, is the destruction that the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine has had on weak believers - causing them to fall and keeping them separated from Christ. This is the most urgent reason, that as a leader, you must warn and correct God’s people about the falseness of the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine and about the eternal destructiveness of sin.
To see how destructive this doctrine really is, reflect on the following testimony a concerned mother had about the devastation that the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine is having on her four oldest children.
“When I first came to the Lord 30 years ago, we got into an independent Baptist Church which, of course, taught eternal security, Once Saved Always Saved. Now my four oldest children believe it doesn't matter how they live. They seem to find no problem in drunkenness and fornication, etc. My eldest daughter, 31, tells me that I cannot be telling them or anyone they are doing wrong because I'm not to judge. I do know I am to warn and how can a loving, caring parent not want to warn the off-spring of the dangerous lives I see them living?”, Testimony From: Evangelical Outreach, P.O. Box 265, Washington, PA 15301.
Her four oldest children are only four of multitudes that have been spiritually hurt, and even eternally damned, by the venomous teaching of the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine. There is extreme, eternal harm in this doctrine. This is not about arguing fine points of theology. Real people are going to the real Hell as a direct result of this deceptive doctrine. Truly, this teaching needs to be openly refuted as never before. Please pray for these deceived ones to repent before it's too late.
According to Ezekiel 3:17-20 the Lord will hold us, leaders and lay people alike, accountable for the blood of those fallen believers that we had opportunity to warn but didn’t. Because of this, to the leaders of the church I submit the following Biblical command from the Lord:
“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: BECAUSE THOU HAST NOT GIVEN HIM WARNING, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; BUT HIS BLOOD I WILL REQUIRE AT THINE HAND.” Ezekiel 3:17,20 KJV.
Dear leaders of the church. God has given you much influence among believers. He did this specifically and primarily, so that you could warn and protect God’s people. I not only urge you, but I beg you, for the sake of our weak and prodigal brothers and sisters, that you please study and pray and fast concerning this subject until you get a revelation and impartation from the Holy Spirit concerning this subject. After this, when the Lord directs you to devote yourself to preaching the truth about this subject, recognize that satan will attack you even through those believers around you. Remember how even Peter, the Lord’s chosen apostle, tried to dissuade Jesus from the sacrifice that the Father had willed for Him.
It is guaranteed that you will suffer reproach. As 1 Timothy 4:10, KJV, says “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God.”
When you earnestly start trusting in God’s Word alone and not those prevailing doctrines that are not based on the full counsel of God’s Word, then you can expect a great deal of opposition. And the opposition will come from people and leaders inside the church. Even some of your closest friends and family will end up opposing you. When this happens, there is no if about it, it will happen, don’t fall into hate, resentment, bitterness, etc. with them. Rather pray and love and teach the truth - don’t succumb to the fear of man. This will be a hard but worthwhile road. And as the Lord directs you to do it, you will end up saving “both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16.
CHAPTER 3
DOUBTING GOD’S WORD IS FATAL TO THE SOUL
It was a lack of faith that was the first step that Eve took when she decided to doubt God and then, thereafter, disobey Him by eating of the forbidden fruit. Recall that satan told Eve that she would not die if she ate of the fruit, whereas God told her she would die. Notice that Eve chose to doubt God’s explicit Word and instead chose to believe satan. Let us read what God told Adam and Eve:
Genesis 2:15-17. “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’ ”
Please take very special note of the phrase that God gave Adam, “you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Take careful notice that the word “die” meant spiritual death and not only physical death, which also was part of the warning but not the primary part. Although it’s true that part of the consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience was their physical death the more serious consequence was their spiritual death which caused a separation between God and Adam and Eve, and all of mankind thereafter.
Let us now read where satan, the serpent, enters in to deceive Eve:
Genesis 3:1-6 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, `You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ " The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, `You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' " “You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”
The fall of all mankind, all of the sins, crimes, wickedness, murders, adulteries, immorality, violence, and all forms of evil, are a result of the sin of unbelief leading to disobedience that Adam and Eve committed against God. Again, with regard to the death that God mentioned, this death was about their spiritual death. Which in time had consequences on the physical body in the form of physical death.
As you can see, satan’s trickery worked on Eve for basically three reasons:
1. Eve was disposed to accept satan’s lie by the lust of her eyes “When the woman saw the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye”,
2. She was seeking to depend on her own mind instead of faith in God’s Word, “desirable for gaining wisdom,” and
3. Satan was able to convince Eve that she would not surely die if she ate of the tree, “‘You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman.”
It is uncanny how satan’s trickery of Eve resembles the current “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine. Through the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine, satan has been able to convince many of God’s people that: “You will not surely die if you indulge your sin”, or “As a ‘believer’ you will not surely lose your salvation if you live a sinful life.”
I certainly hope you see the parallel. The same tactics that satan used to deceive Eve toward sin is the same that he is using on Christians today in the form of the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine. Satan told Eve, in so many words, “God is easy - he won’t punish you for disobeying. You can eat the fruit and indulge your lust. You won’t have to pay for it!”
That was a deadly lie from Hell. And satan is using the same lie on Christians today to advance greater and greater lawlessness even among professing believers. Day after day, he’s convincing multitudes of believers that they can indulge their sins without paying any great penalty - if any. It’s a demonic scheme to pervert Christ’s gospel of grace, turning it into a license for immorality. The situation is precisely just as Jude 1:4 says, “They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”, Jude 1:4,
Tragically today, many who profess to follow Christ, but who love to sin, are using the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine as a license to sin. How can we deny this? I am sure you have seen or heard about believers backsliding and committing adultery and staying in that situation, not repenting, or those who persist in sleeping around and even living with their girlfriends or boyfriends. And the worst part about it is that those who do such things still think they are in good standing with Jesus. And all because they have been led to believe that there was no way they could lose their salvation even when Scripture after Scripture tells them they are not in good standing with Jesus under such a life of sin. , Hebrews 10:26-31, 2 Peter 2:20-21, Ezekiel 18:24-32, Ezekiel 33:12-13, John 15:6, Revelations 3:5, Exodus 32:30-31, Genesis 3:1-6, Jude 1:4-5, 1 John 2:3-4, 1 John 3:7-8, 1 John 3:10, Luke 15:11-32, Luke 12:42-46, Titus 1:16, and many others.
Jude 1:4 describes the situation perfectly. The Lord has given us Scripture after Scripture warning us against falling away because of sin. We very well know that people use the “Once Saved Always Saved” as a license for immorality but we still refuse to believe that Jude 1:4 and the other Scriptures about falling away are talking about loss of salvation. What will it take for us to believe God’s Word as written?
The following testimony, given by a Vietnam veteran, reveals how deceptive and destructive the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine really is.
The person giving this testimony explicitly mentioned the name of the “Once Saved Always Saved” teacher. I changed the teacher’s name to CTA - not his real initials. I won’t mention his name because at some point I hope he realizes his folly and turns to the real truth of God’s Word. Before getting into the testimony I want to mention a few things about CTA. Although there are several “Once Saved Always Saved” proponents, CTA is one of its key and most popular teachers. He is a well known radio and television teacher. If I mentioned his name you would probably immediately recognize his name. He has a very wide audience and is a very well known leader in a main line Christian denomination. This particular teacher has, for the most part, many correct biblical teachings, that is why he attracts such a large following. But the one area that he is definitely dead wrong on is in his doctrine of “Once Saved Always Saved.”
Because of his popularity and his otherwise respected position he is causing tremendous harm in the Christian community. Because of his teachings millions are going to be damned to Hell. Even though he may not realize it now, CTA will have the blood of millions on his hands and he will regret promoting the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine for eternity. I will restrict most of the exposition here to the “Once Saved Always Saved” teachings of CTA - because his teachings accurately represents the whole of the “Once Saved Always Saved” camp. The other teachers of this false doctrine seem, for the most part, to fall in with CTA’s view.
Testimony by Vietnam veteran:
“I have never believed in the eternal security, Once Saved Always Saved, doctrine that is being taught today, I think it is one of the most dangerous doctrines on earth, I am a Vietnam vet and believe me when I say that I lived life to the fullest and was a firm believer in the saying ‘If it feels good, do it,’ but when Jesus came in, all that other stuff, sin, had to go, I cannot understand how people can say they are saved and still do the things they used to do. I couldn't, nor wanted to, I do believe you are wasting your time trying to explain your position to eternal security believers, their desire and lust for the things of this world has hardened their hearts to the truth. They really do believe that they can have it both ways - righteousness and sin.
I give this example. I have a friend at work who is a 100% believer in, CTA’s, teaching, he also loaned me a copy of, CTA’s, book, which I read and after reading it, am totally convinced that he is wrong, As I stated earlier, I think this doctrine is extremely dangerous. This friend of mine is married, one son, another child on the way and a girlfriend on the side that he sees several times a week. He smokes, drinks and curses. He is also one of the largest drug users and dealers in our area. This guy is always telling me that he is ready to go. Ready to meet the Lord. He even tries to witness to other people whenever he doesn't have a drug deal or a party or a girlfriend to go to. I have seen first-hand the damage that this person is doing and it sickens me, All of this because of the eternal security doctrine, It doesn't matter what I say or what Scriptures I give him. He thinks he's OK, These people love the world too much to listen to reason.”, Testimony From: Evangelical Outreach, P.O. Box 265, Washington, PA 15301,
Tragically, many who came to know Christ - who at one time lived a righteous life - are succumbing to this spirit of lawlessness. They have been ensnared by this deception of satan. They have been convinced by satan’s subtle but powerful lie - that “God doesn’t punish for sin!”
In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 Paul says deception and deceivers will rise to power because people will be blinded and deceived by their own sin: “and with all deceivablenesss of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved”, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. I realize this particular verse applies to non-believers but the same principles apply to believers. When it comes to sin, God doesn’t have a double standard - one for non-believers and another for believers. If anything God has a higher standard for believers.
The apostle is saying, “Those who refuse to obey or respect God’s Word will fall under a powerful delusion. At first they’ll wink at their sin. They’ll justify it. But soon they’ll actively seek out a message of easy grace. They’ll invent grace that is far beyond what God intended. His grace never leads to license. It always leads to repentance!”
Many, even professing believers are under the seductive power of a satanic lie. The demonic lie that is blanketing them is a false assurance. It’s the idea that they can do whatever they please with no fear of consequences. How can anyone say they are desiring and following Jesus and desiring and following sin at the same time?
It is astounding to contemplate but there are scores of professing believers who are involved in immoral relationships, sleeping with their girlfriends or boyfriends and thinking very little of how or whether it is breaking God’s heart. Many others are carelessly destroying their lives and their family’s lives through drugs and alcohol. People of all ages who profess Christ, and truly came to Christ at one time, are now treating God’s laws casually, thinking, “What I’m doing must be okay, because I’m getting away with it.”
Paul warns, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from truth, and shall be turned unto fables, lies.”, 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
Who are these deceived people that Paul is talking about? They are deceived Christians! Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonian church - to born-again believers! He was addressing people who had truly received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and had known God’s truth. Yet they went back into their lusts - and now they sought out heresies that would comfort them in their sins! Those in bondage to their lustful pleasures, turned to false teachers and false doctrine to try to find peace. They ended up accepting “damnable heresies.. and many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”, 2 Peter 2:1-2, And notice in this last verse that the ones promoting those “damnable heresies” were professing Christians! That is why Peter said, “by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
All of Paul’s messages on backsliding and deception were aimed at compromisers in the Christian community. They weren’t meant for the idolaters of Rome, the heathen of Greece, or the pagan tribes in remote places. Paul’s message was one of urgent importance to the church - and he wrote it to be read in churches, directly to believers!
In addition to Paul’s messages about backsliding all of the book of 2 Peter, all of the book of 1 John, and all of the book of Jude are warnings about backsliding into sin. In 2 Peter 1:10, Peter tells us, “be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.” In 1 John 2:1, John explains that, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.” In Jude 1:3-4, Jude felt it urgent to tell us, “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Notice very carefully that all these books were addressed to believers - to the elect, to God’s dear children, to the saints - and they were all warning us against backsliding and falling away back into a sinful life-style.
I hope you are starting to understand that doubting God’s word about the consequences of sin is most definitely fatal to the soul. How could it be a just thing that God would send a lost sinner, who never knew Christ, to Hell for eternity for his sins, and not send someone who came to know Jesus but went back to sinning in the same detestable way as the lost sinner? Do you really think God has a double standard? That sinning is not acceptable for the non-believer, but it is allowable for God’s people? That those who are supposed to be righteous can get away with a sinful lifestyle, but that the non-believer cannot? Is this not calling evil good, and good evil? Is this not calling bitter sweet, and sweet bitter?
Paul addressing believers states: “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God ‘will give to each person according to what he has done.’ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil . FOR GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM.” Romans 2:5-11.
I realize the Blood of Jesus covers us when we truly repent and live the Christian life genuinely from the heart. This is why Paul said in Romans 2:7 that, “those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.” Believe me, I know that it is only by being covered with the Blood of Jesus that anyone will go to Heaven, Eph 1:7. But as will be described later, there are very strong Scriptures that tell us that THE BLOOD OF JESUS DOES NOT COVER SOMEONE WHEN HE PERSISTS IN AND DELIBERATELY KEEPS ON SINNING. Hebrews 10:26-31, 2 Peter 2:20-21, Jude 1:4-5, Romans 11:17-22, etc., I realize that this is something we do not hear much, if at all, from the pulpit. But it is extremely vital that you believe God’s Word about this. It really can mean the difference between you or someone you know going to Heaven or going to Hell. Sin always destroys. And when you deliberately keep on sinning you are in danger of Hell, Hebrews 10:26-31.
The reason Eve disobeyed God is because she chose to DOUBT AND NOT BELIEVE God. God told her - you shall surely die if you eat from the tree of good and evil. Instead, Eve chose to believe Satan's lie which was that she would not die if she ate from the tree of good and evil.
As Genesis 3:1 shows, satan can be very crafty. And we must always be on guard against his schemes and deceptions. That is why Jesus instructed us to “be as shrewd as serpents, but as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.
It is also instructive to understand why Eve was disposed to doubt God’s Word - because of the lust of the eyes. The enticement of sin and doubt work very much together. This is the situation for those who love their sin and feel they can get away with it, and not lose their salvation, because they have been led to believe that “Once Saved Always Saved.” Can’t you see how the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine is a direct attack against God’s Word - casting doubt on God’s first warning to man that “If you eat of it, sin, you will surely die” ?
And can’t you see that any doctrine that leads to doubt of God’s warnings is not of God? And can’t you see that through doubt of God’s warnings the way is made clear for someone who wants to sin to go ahead and indulge their lust? Can’t you see that the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine truly is a license to sin? And lastly can’t you see that any doctrine that gives a license to sin cannot possibly be a correct and godly doctrine? Do you really think that God would put forth a doctrine that encourages evil?
Those who don’t seek to live in sin may end up believing the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine because they try to depend on their own fallible human minds “human wisdom” instead of the Holy Spirit and all of God’s Word together, to make sense of God’s assurance of salvation Scriptures. For they make the mistake of forsaking, that is doubting or practically rejecting, for all intents and purposes, those Scriptures that warn believers about falling away because of sin. Hebrews 10:26-31, 2 Peter 2:20-21, Revelations 3:5, Exodus 32:30-31, Genesis 3:1-6, Ezekiel 18:24-32, Ezekiel 33:12-13, John 15:6, 1 John 2:3-4, 1 John 3:7-8, 1 John 3:10, Luke 15:11-32, Luke 12:42-46, Titus 1:16, and many others.
As you can see, in the fall of Adam and Eve, man first destroyed His relationship with God through a lack of faith. In contrast, it is now through faith that man regains and remains IN relationship with God. With this, it is now very understandable why God puts such a premium on faith - not just for your initial salvation but throughout all your life. If you believe God - which means believing His Word - then you will subsequently obey Him. If you doubt God then you will, at some point, disobey Him. In other words, if you choose to doubt God then you will get ensnared with the lies and deceptive power of the enemy.
Take as another example, the people in the city of Nineveh repenting at the preaching of Jonah. They repented because they believed God’s warning. Let us read.
Jonah 3:4-10. “On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: ‘Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.’
THE NINEVITES BELIEVED GOD. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: ‘By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.’
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.”
I wish I could write the four words in Jonah 3:5a in 100 foot letters: THE NINEVITES BELIEVED GOD! The Ninevites repented because they believed God!
But let’s say that the people in Nineveh had decided NOT to believe Jonah. What if they had said to themselves, “The Lord will not destroy us. We’ve been carrying on this way for scores and scores of years. God will not destroy us. He is too good to destroy us.” What do you think would have happened? Almighty God most definitely would have destroyed them.
But the Ninevites did believe God. And because they believed God they subsequently obeyed Him and acted in the way that pleased God. Hence we see the truth of Hebrews 11:6 which says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” From this we see that faith and obedience to God is very much intertwined.
Why am I making such a big point about having faith in God’s Word? The reason is because the Scriptures that I will be presenting in the rest of this book will involve passages that you probably have either “breezed over” too quickly in the past to properly and fully understand, or that have been “explained away” and so practically rejected, for all intents and purposes, by those who promote the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine.
It is extremely and vitally important that you do not reject the Scriptures that warn of the dangers of falling away. All Scripture is to be believed and not to be ignored, taken lightly, or doubted. For it may be that those scriptures you ignore or doubt, or drop because other Scriptures, that you prefer, seem to contradict it, can make the difference between salvation and damnation. Those Scriptures indeed can make the difference between Heaven and Hell - either for you or someone you know. Because of this it is vital that any interpretation of Scripture must adhere to all the relevant Scriptures and not just those parts you prefer.
On the other edge of the sword, and remember it is the same sword, the assurance of salvation Scriptures are also very valuable and are to be believed as written and as they are intended. Many times people fall into sin, accept defeat, feel like they are powerless to overcome it, and don’t believe that God will or has forgiven them when they validly repent. Others feel that even when they genuinely confess and repent of their sins, God will not forgive them until they perform some kind of penance or something to make up for their past sin. The Lord knowing this has included both type of Scriptures, as well as others such as forgiveness Scriptures, for example the scripture 1 John 1:9.
Remember, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”, 2 Timothy 3:16, The point here is to believe all of God’s Word - especially those Scriptures you don’t prefer. In fact it is probably those scriptures that you don’t prefer that you are most susceptible to deception and error. It is not wise to ignore or reject any Scripture.
We must approach God's Word with an intention to believe fully and obey fully - without ignoring any Scriptures relevant to the case at hand. For spiritual truth cannot be worked out soley or even primarily through mental means. It must be worked out with faith in all of God’s Word, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, and in actual practice. You obtain the assistance of the Holy Spirit by praying earnestly for understanding of Scripture and with a true willingness to obey it., This is the only way to a right understanding of God's Word - especially those Scriptures that seemingly contradict each other. This principle is in accordance with our Lord's teaching in John 7:17 where He said, "if any man does His will, he shall know of the doctrine." The essence of our Lord's word here is that understanding follows obedience.
Therefore, when it comes to spiritual truth, the goal is to walk it out in faith rather than to just figure it out. When we do walk it out in faith, the understanding part of it will amazingly take care of itself. This is not to suggest that the study of Scripture ought to be abandoned. Rather, I'm specifically addressing the proper motive and attitude by which we are to approach our study of the Scriptures., The Scriptures are given to us to be fully believed and fully obeyed, so that we can “be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
With this in mind let us look at how destructive and fatal, unbelief and doubt of God’s Word can be.
Jude 1:4-5. “For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered His people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.”
As you know, deliverance out of Egypt is symbolic for deliverance out of the evil world system into the Kingdom of God. In Jude 1:5 God saved the people. Then they believed not or entered into unbelief so He had to destroy them! God destroyed those who did not believe Him after He had saved them! “the Lord delivered His people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.”, Jude 1:5.
Here in Jude 1:4-5 we have such a perfect description of the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine. It has changed the grace of God into a license for immorality. It denies Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord by, for all intents and purposes, permitting disobedience without much penalty - thereby denying Christ’s Lordship.
And what is the ultimate consequence of such immorality and unbelief? According to Jude 1:5 it is DESTRUCTION!, “but later DESTROYED those who did not believe”, The type of destruction described in 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 whereby “He will punish those who . DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS. They will be punished with everlasting DESTRUCTION, Hell, and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power.” The destruction being talked about in Jude 1:4-5 and 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 is everlasting Hell!
And notice that this is being promised for those who “do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” - for those who persist in their sinful ways. And notice Jude 1:4-5 is referring to those who at one time believed, remember they applied the Blood to their doorposts - having once escaped the corruption of the world. This Scripture is much too clear for us to avoid this truth.
And notice here that the key means through which God’s people went back into sin was because of unbelief. They didn’t believe that God would destroy them for their sin.
I urge you with all my heart and soul that you please believe God’s warning about sin. When God says “you will surely die and suffer everlasting destruction if you continue in sin.” Believe Him! The Lord never, ever gives idle warnings. He always means precisely what He says, and He will most certainly do precisely what He says.
Don’t count on the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine - which is a man made doctrine - to save you. The teachers who promote “Once Saved Always Saved” are not going to be there with you on the day you stand before God face-to-face on the day of judgment. Don’t risk your eternal life on a doctrine that gives license to what God detests. God has never given anyone license to sin and to do evil. God hates sin with a passion. There is no way that He will allow any unclean thing or person into His Kingdom. “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.” Revelations 21:27.
And as Paul said TO BELIEVERS in Romans 11:20b-21, “Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either.” Meaning that if you persist in your unbelief against God’s Word and warning, by deliberately continuing in your sins, your name will be stricken out of the Lamb’s book of life, as Revelations 3:5 and Exodus 32:33-34 shows. Chapter 7 of this book discusses who will be erased from the Lamb’s book of life more at length., I realize this all sounds very severe but God’s Word cannot be broken. The Lord truly means what He states in His Word. And He gives you these warnings so that you can come to your senses and come back to Him with all your heart.
Jesus will graciously and lovingly forgive if you truly repent. But if you don’t repent He cannot forgive you. God is perfectly and eternally Holy and He will never, ever accept evil into His Kingdom. For if God were to accept evil that would mean that He Himself would be evil. And you know with all your heart and being that God is perfect and good without even a hint of darkness. “For God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5.
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