Many people are not sure whether a saved person can be lost again or whether once saved they are eternally saved. And as long as one is unsettled on this very important truth, doubts and fears are bound to hinder that soul’s peace and happiness.
In place of truth, man’s enemy, Satan, presents wrong teachings, doubts, and reasonings. In the garden of Eden he raised doubts, saying, “Yea, hath God said?” Gen. 3:11Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1). The Holy Spirit encourages simple faith — a prayerful and simple belief in the Word of God.
Happiness comes by accepting a plain statement of Scripture which one can understand, and by not allowing it to be overshadowed by a passage that is difficult to understand.
The Lord gave Peter a lesson on security. “And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me! And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matt. 14:29-3129And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:29‑31).
The Lord of heaven and earth walked on the sea as on dry land (Matt. 14:2525And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (Matthew 14:25)). Calmly, too, He slept in the ship with winds howling around and waves dashing over and filling the vessel, yet instantly at His word they sank to rest, and “there was a great calm.” Mark 4:37-4137And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:37‑41).
The overseeing of our lives and our eternal safety are in the hands of the Lord — our Saviour and everlasting friend. He would impart confidence to the weakest and feeblest believer. We are with Him and He with us in the ship and storm (Gen. 28:1515And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. (Genesis 28:15)). His safety is ours. The One who controls winds and waves, armies of heaven and earth, is Jesus who died to make us His own, who lives to keep His own, and who shall come to claim His own. What security! (Rom. 5:10; 8:3410For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)
34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34); 2 Cor. 1:10.)
Peter “walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” To reach his Master was his one object and goal. His eye on Christ, he walked on the rough waves, “but when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid.” Why did he look at boisterous winds while his Master was within sight? Fear instead of fearlessness is always the result of turning the eye from Christ. Although there are moments of danger and our hearts grow cold, yet His ever-watchful and never-failing eye is fixed on every real disciple and His grasp of power rescues from the peril. Peter’s terrified cry brought immediate and effectual help.
The Saviour’s love and power are equal to every demand made upon Him. Helplessness and self-distrust are golden keys to unlock the treasures of grace. If the need is great, the resource is infinite, for we have a great God and Saviour to count on. The sinking Peter did not secure his safety by “holding on”, but Jesus “stretched forth His hand, and caught him.”
If getting to heaven depended on our “holding on”, do you think one redeemed person would enter the mansions of glory? Certainly not. No flesh shall glory in its faithfulness. What presumption! “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Gal. 3:33Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3). How much better is the language of faith: “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.” Phil. 1:66Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6). From start to finish, “Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2:99But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. (Jonah 2:9).
As sheep, our security is the responsibility of our Shepherd (1 Pet. 2:25). Of each saved sheep it is written, “When He hath found it, He layeth it on His shoulders, rejoicing.” Luke 15:55And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (Luke 15:5). The struggles of the sheep would not be to keep on, but to get off. We are not saved by our “holding on”, for sheep have no hands to hold on by. Now all the Lord’s sheep are borne along on the shoulders of the rejoicing Shepherd, and thus all are equally saved. The Shepherd will take care that not one shall slip off His shoulders. When danger is past, the journey ended, and home reached (v. 6), the Shepherd’s note of joy is this: “I have found My sheep which was lost.” Thus the eternal safety of every sheep is the blessed Lord’s own personal responsibility and care.
“My sheep.” (John 10.) Whether they are white, black or brown, dirty or blemished, inclined at times to stray or to nibble at wrong food, yet they are His redeemed sheep having a nature which distinguishes them from goats, pigs and dogs.
“They follow Me.” Sometimes they follow “afar off” until He in His faithful grace restores them.
The Shepherd says, “I know them.” The weaknesses, fears, and temptations of each one of the purchased flock are perfectly known to Him! Yes, “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” 2 Tim. 2:19. He comprehends all perfectly, and in the absolute knowledge of each one’s name, character, and ways, He declares, “I give unto them eternal life.”
“The gift of God is eternal life.” Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). How can eternal life be anything else but eternal? It cannot be lost, forfeited, or sinned away, for “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Rom. 11:2929For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29). Eternal life once given is an everlasting gift.
He who gave has pledged His word not to recall it. A Christian, when he sins, does not forfeit the life he has, but he mars the enjoyment of it. The life is God’s free gift; it is unfettered by conditions and never withdrawn.
“Hath everlasting life” is the Lord’s repeated declaration to all who believe on His name (John 3:15,16,36; 5:2415That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:15‑16)
36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). And this “life is hid with Christ in God.” Col. 3:33For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3). How then can it be lost? It is not in our hands to keep or to lose. Our “life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:1111He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. (John 5:11). “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.” 1 John 5:1313And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. (John 5:13).
“They shall never perish.” This brief statement of four words is a mine of gold. (The word “never” in the Greek language is the strongest, doubly-emphatic word possible. It’s stronger than saying “never, never” in English.) He declares the sheep shall never perish, knowing well their continual proneness to wander and their timidity and weakness to the slightest apparent danger. Nevertheless in John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24), He, who endured the judgment of God for them, assures them that they shall never come into judgment.
“Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” How safe the sheep are! No enemy can reach them there in His hand. Nor is it the good sheep alone which are grasped by and held in the secure hand of their omnipotent Saviour — all the sheep are equally maintained by divine power; all are equally safe. He will hold me fast. “My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all.” v. 29. Believers are the Father’s gift to the Son, and this very fact in itself insures the resurrection of every one given to the Son (John 6:37,39,40; 17:2437All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)
39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:39‑40)
24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)).
“No man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” We are in the hand of the Son (v. 28), and in the hand of the Father (v. 29). “Kept by the power of God.” 1 Pet. 1:5. Our eternal security is in other and more powerful hands than our own. Then comes the climax to this marvelous statement about our present and eternal safety: “I and My Father are one” (v. 30): one in divine nature and one in purpose to keep the blood-bought sheep (Acts 20:2828Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28); Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)).
Paul was a firm believer in God’s everlasting salvation. “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.” 2 Tim 1:12. (See also Rom. 4:20,2120He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (Romans 4:20‑21).) Chapter 8 of his epistle to the Romans is full of it. He opens that grand chapter with, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (v. 1), and closes with the equally emphatic declaration of no separation “from the love of God” (v. 39).
In delivering an address on the eternal security of the believer, I quoted the closing verses of that chapter, in proof that creation above and beneath, past and future, was challenged to produce anything that could separate believers from God’s love. At the close of the happy service, a friend remarked, “I can tell you something not named in these verses, which will assuredly separate you from God’s love.” Surprised, I asked, “What is it?” The answer was promptly given, “Sin.” Once more we read the precious words: “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Sin is not named, but it is surely included in the expression “things present”, for, the Apostle says in chapter 7:21: “Evil is present with me.” Thus we regard these verses as conclusively proving the ever abiding security of all in Christ Jesus.
Nothing can snatch you from the grasp of Christ, who has “all power” (Matt. 28:1818And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)), who is “the Almighty” (Rev. 1:88I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)), who saves forever “them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25); Rom. 5:10; 8:3410For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)
34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34). We are engraved upon the palms of His hands (Isa 49:1616Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49:16)), on His breastplate and on the stones upon His shoulders (Ex. 28:12,2912And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial. (Exodus 28:12)
29And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually. (Exodus 28:29)). “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Jer. 31:33The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3). His hold, His heart and His power will not lose one of His own (John 6:3939And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (John 6:39)).
In Romans 8:3030Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:30) we are furnished with a magnificent declaration on the security of God’s elect. “Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.” Here is a golden chain of four precious links stretching from eternity to eternity — each link in the divine chain dependent on the other. “Whom He did predestinate” in eternity, “them He also called” in time; and whom He called, “them He also justified”; and whom He justified, “them He also glorified” in eternity. Predestinated in the past, glorified in the future, and in the meantime both called and justified. Here there is no uncertainty. The infallible salvation of all believers is divinely secured, and no power of man or Satan can break any one of those four links. So absolutely certain is the divine result of God’s eternal counsel respecting each one that it is spoken of as already accomplished — “them He also glorified.” Our imperfect state and weakness are not taken into account at all in this divine assertion of eternal security. “God for us” brushes aside every difficulty and is the weakest believer’s triumphant answer to every unbelieving doubt (Eph. 1:3-113Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:3‑11); 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Pet. 1:2-5).
Every child of God should be well acquainted with these two distinct truths, for they are of the utmost importance for our spiritual understanding and happiness.
Our love is ofttimes low,
Our joy still ebbs and flows;
But peace with Him remains the same,
No change Jehovah knows.
We change — He changes not;
Our Christ can never die
His love, not ours, the resting-place,
We on His truth rely.
As to my relationship, having been born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)), I am a child of God, I have eternal life, I am “in Christ” and a member of His body (1 Cor. 12:13). I am no longer in Adam, but a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
Yea in the fullness of His grace
God put me in the children’s place.
Safe in Christ the weakest child
Stands in all God’s favor.
Yet Lord, alas! what weakness within myself I find,
No infant’s changing pleasure is like my wandering mind.
As to my behavior, I should no longer live unto myself (2 Cor. 5:15) and in fleshly lusts (1 Pet. 4:2). Since I have become a child of light, I should walk as a child of light (Eph. 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8)). “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:88This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,” and everything that magnifies Christ (Gal. 5:2222But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22); Isa. 26:1212Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. (Isaiah 26:12); Eph. 2:1010For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10); Phil. 2:1313For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13); Heb. 13:2121Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:21)).
Good behavior is never the means of keeping saved; it is the evidence that one has been saved.
Our relationship to God as His children is unchangeable. Natural birth constitutes you a child of your parents. The relationship is an eternal one. Good conduct cannot strengthen it, nor failure weaken it. That which is born of God abides forever (1 John 3:99Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? (John 3:9)). Once you are God’s child, you cannot cease to be His child: To “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12); Gal. 3:26; 126For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26) John 3:22The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (John 3:2).)
Behavior unbecoming to such a blessed relationship as child of God, will certainly mar the feelings proper to the relationship, and one will forfeit for the time being the joy of salvation. But neither the relationship of child nor the salvation can be lost.
The advocacy of Christ with the Father (1 John 2:11And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (John 2:1)), and the prayer of Christ for the self-confident disciple Peter, were not to restore a relationship, which was not broken, but to restore the state of soul from waywardness and loss of joy (Luke 22:31,3231And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:31‑32)). David, after his sin, did not pray for the restoration of salvation, but for the “joy” of it (Psa. 51:12; 23:312Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalm 51:12)
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:3)). Your child may require correction because of his misbehavior, but he is still your child.
Satan is ever on the alert with his subtle temptations, entangling wiles, compromises, and snares. So if we are not alert to judge ourselves and to depend on the Lord, we may have to learn some very bitter lessons (Ezra 4:2-62Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. 4Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, 5And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. 6And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. (Ezra 4:2‑6); Luke 22:3131And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: (Luke 22:31); 1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:26). Nevertheless, “all things work together for good to them that love God,” and in the end none of them will be lost (John 6:3939And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (John 6:39)).
The sins a child of God commits must come under God’s governmental chastening in this life, but he cannot come into God’s penal judgment when the world is condemned. The distinction between God’s chastening and God’s eternal judgment is clearly made in 1 Corinthians 11:32: “When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” See also Psalm 89:31-3331If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. (Psalm 89:31‑33) and Hebrews 12:5-115And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:5‑11) which describe His governmental chastenings in disciplining His redeemed children. But John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24), Romans 2:55But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (Romans 2:5) and Revelation 20:11-1511And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15) refer to God’s eternal judgment of wicked unbelievers.
Fear not, dear fellow-believer. Remember the Lord’s own hand shut Noah and his family in the ark (Gen. 7:1616And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in. (Genesis 7:16)), which was made judgment-proof —without and within (Gen. 6:1414Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. (Genesis 6:14)). God Himself secured the door. None could enter, and none could get out. “The Lord shut him in.” God took charge of the door — safety — while Noah looked out of the window above — communion.
Noah and his family were just as safe as God could make them. The ark had three stories, and Noah had his place in the third, the one nearest the heavens. Instead of Noah’s going down to the “lower” level and grumbling and fumbling at the door to get out, or to see that it was properly secured, he occupied himself at the window which was at the top and through which he could gaze up into heaven (Gen. 6:16; 8:616A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. (Genesis 6:16)
6And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: (Genesis 8:6)). His safety was founded on God who “shut him in”. Is not the application to us simple? Have we not entered the Door? (John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9).) Are not we quickened, raised, and seated in the heavenlies? The hand of God has set us there (Eph. 1:4,6,13; 2:4-6,18; 4:30; 5:304According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:4‑6)
18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30); Col. 1:12-1412Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:12‑14)).
Carefully distinguish between the backsliding of real believers, such as Peter and Lot, and the real falling away of apparent believers, such as Judas and Simon Magus.
Peter, in self-confidence, yet real love to his Master, vowed that he would face prison and death for his beloved Lord, and yet at the voice of a servant-maid denied His Master with oaths and cursing! Peter sinned, but his faith did not fail (Luke 22:3134,54-6254Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. 55And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean. 60And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:54‑62)). It is so with each one of us. Even in the darkest season of fiercest temptation, those who have the weakest faith always cling to Christ, the Son of the living God (1 Pet. 1:4-7), although the lips may cruelly deny that they know Him! “Peter followed Him afar off.” “My people have forgotten Me days without number.” Jer. 2:3232Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number. (Jeremiah 2:32). “Yet will I not forget thee.” Isa. 49:1515Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. (Isaiah 49:15).
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love.
A believer may, alas, go down into terrible depths of evil, and, for the time being, wreck present happiness and usefulness, as Lot did in Sodom (but see 2 Pet. 2:7,8) and Jonah (Jonah 1:2-5; 2:92Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 4But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. 5Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. (Jonah 1:2‑5)
9But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. (Jonah 2:9)) and the fornicator of 1 Corinthians 5 (but see 2 Cor 2:6-8). But there is one thing he cannot do. He cannot, like Judas, absolutely give up Christ. How many weak, yet true believers needlessly worry about the fear of being lost, citing the sin of Judas and his awful end. But reasonings as to Judas, Satan, angels, and Adam falling, overlook the difference made by the “eternal redemption” that is in Christ Jesus for the believer (Heb. 9:12; 10:3912Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)
39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39); Rom. 8:3434Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)).
Many a believer has followed in the footsteps of Peter, the backslider, but no true child of God has ever gone, nor can go in the way of Judas, the apostate. Backsliding is not renouncing Christianity, but failing in that holy separateness of walk which God expects from His children. Peter was a backslider, and one for whom the Lord prayed, and on whom the Lord looked (Luke 22:32,6132But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32)
61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. (Luke 22:61)). That touching look of grieved and injured love broke the heart of the poor backslider. “Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”
Judas was an apostate and so the word he had heard and received had “no root” in him (Luke 8:1313They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13)). He was a mere professor, not a saved man, nor quickened of the Holy Ghost (John 13:10,1110Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. (John 13:10‑11)).
An apostate is one who professes to believe and receives all the outward privileges of Christianity , yet with no divine work in his soul, and so later he gives up Christ. Thus Judas, an apostate, sold his Master, but Peter, a backslider, temporarily denied his Master.
An apostate has “tasted” of the heavenly gift and rejects it, having neither faith nor life. A true believer is one who has “tasted”, but more also — he goes on to “eat the flesh, and drink the blood of the Son of man.” John 6:34,53,54,5834Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (John 6:34)
53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:53‑54)
58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. (John 6:58). One may “taste” and perish (Heb. 6), but to “eat” is to “live for ever”.
Judas sinned wilfully by rejecting the only Saviour and thus made it manifest that he would incur the awful judgment recorded in Hebrews 10:26-2926For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of 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? (Hebrews 10:26‑29), a judgment which cannot possibly overtake the weakest believer. He had shared in that external sanctification which includes all who outwardly separate from Judaism and Paganism to embrace Christianity, the only soul-saving system which reveals a Saviour. (Outward sanctification is also seen in 1 Cor. 7:14.) To “sin wilfully” is to deliberately, with heart and mind, give up Christ and Christianity completely. That, no child of God could or would do. (1 John 2:1919Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19).)
If an unredeemed professor deliberately renounces Christ for Mohammed, the Bible for the Koran or Christianity for Atheism, he embraces a system without a Saviour, without a sacrifice, and without a heaven. So there is nothing before him but a “certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation.” The solemn warnings contained in Hebrews 6 and 10 refer to mere profession, to giving up Christianity to go back to Judaism and do not at all assume that the persons referred to were ever true children of God. See the contrast in chapter 6:9 and 10:39.
Beloved of God, heir of glory, rest your soul in unshaken confidence on the imperishable Word of God. God has pledged Himself in word and oath to secure your blessing and has anchored your soul in Christ. Your ship may be tossed on stormy seas, but fear not, you will ride out every storm successfully. The anchor cannot drag, nor can the divine chain which links the ship and anchor ever break. All, all is as solid and enduring as the throne of the Eternal! You cannot be more safe in the glory than you are now. You are as completely beyond judgment in this world, as Christ is at God’s right hand: “Because as He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:1717The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: (John 4:17). “When He shall appear, we shall be like Him,” bodily. 1 John 3:22The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (John 3:2).
“The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him.” Deut. 33:1212And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. (Deuteronomy 33:12). “The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you His people. . . . Consider how great things He hath done for you.” 1 Sam. 12:22-24.
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:7)) and makes us “whiter than snow” (Psa. 51:77Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7)). “Your sins are forgiven” (1 John 2:1212After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. (John 2:12)), “blotted out” (Isa. 44:2222I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. (Isaiah 44:22)), “put away” (Heb. 9:2626For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)), “as far as the east is from the west” (Psa. 103:1212As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)), “into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:1919He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)), and those sins He “will not remember” (Isa. 43:2525I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25)).
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1). “Chosen in Him . . . accepted in the beloved.” Eph. 1:4,64According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6). “Complete in Him” (Col. 2:1010And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:10)), “bound in the bundle of life with the Lord” (1 Sam 25:29), “members of His body” (Eph. 5:3030For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30)), “preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 11Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: (Jude 1)), “and shall not come into condemnation” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)), “shall never hunger . . . shall never thirst” (John 6:3535And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)), “shall never perish” (John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)).
We learn the true sense of a verse by its context. If we ignore the context, we are apt to miss the mind of God.
1 Cor. 9:27 — A counterfeit coin is rejected because it is a counterfeit, not because it has become one. This verse does not teach that a real believer can become unsaved, but that a real believer like the Apostle Paul (who was being “examined” by the carnal Corinthians, vv. 1,2) can so run by the Spirit (Rom. 8:1313For 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. (Romans 8:13)), “not as uncertainly,” but certain that he himself would not be finally rejected! Judas had “preached to others” while he all the time was “the son of perdition”. See John 17:1212While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12); Matt. 7:21-2321Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many 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? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21‑23); 2 Cor. 11:15; 13:5-7; 2 Tim 1:12; John 6:37,3937All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)
39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (John 6:39).
Ezekiel 18:24 — Carefully distinguish between the Old Covenant which demanded righteousness, and the New which bestows God’s righteousness. See John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17); Rom. 3:10,19-24; 9:30-32; 10:2-410As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)
19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:19‑24)
30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (Romans 9:30‑32)
2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:2‑4).
Matthew 12:31 — These hardened opposers of God seal their own doom by blasphemously charging that the perfect expression of the Holy Ghost’s power in the Lord was Satan’s power. See vv. 24,28; Rom. 4:88Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Romans 4:8).
Matthew 12:43-45 — “My house” is reformed Israel become apostate. See 2 Chron. 34:1-7; Matt. 23:29,36; 24:15,2129Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, (Matthew 23:29)
36Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (Matthew 23:36)
15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (Matthew 24:15)
21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21). Luke and Peter refer to privileged professors of faith in Christ in a similar way. See Titus 1:1616They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16); Luke 11:24-2624When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26Then goeth he, and taketh to him 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. (Luke 11:24‑26); 2 Pet. 2:20-22.
Matthew 18:27,34 — Here the unforgiving is governmentally punished as also the child of God now (1 Cor. 5:5; 11:32; Eph. 4:3232And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)); and the nation of Israel (Luke 23:3434Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34); 1 Thess. 2:15,16; Isa. 40:22Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:2)). The mere professor is eternally punished (Jas. 2:1313For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. (James 2:13)).
Matthew 24:13 — This is a physical deliverance to tribulation saints when Christ comes. See vv. 3,6,14,22. It has nothing to do with the Christian of this age.
John 15:2,6 — Mere profession is a worthless “branch”. See John 6:60,64,66; 13:10,11,30; 15:360Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? (John 6:60)
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (John 6:64)
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (John 6:66)
10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. (John 13:10‑11)
30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. (John 13:30)
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 15:3); Matt. 13:6,86And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. (Matthew 13:6)
8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. (Matthew 13:8).
Acts 8:13,20-23 — Simon Magus was not real. See Luke 8:1313They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13); John 2:23-25; 8:30,31,3723Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:23‑25)
30As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (John 8:30‑31)
37I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. (John 8:37).
Romans 8:13 — Our manner of life proves which road we travel! See v. 6, also 2:6-11.
Romans 11:22 — For the present God has put aside Israel and His testimony is now toward the Gentiles (vv. 13,25), but soon, due to slighting their privileges, Laodicean Christendom in turn will be spued out and God will take up Israel again (Rev. 3:1616So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)).
1 Corinthians 8:11 — If we lead a brother to act contrary to his conscience, he will suffer in the flesh. See 1 Cor. 5:5; 11:30; Heb. 12:1313And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:13); 2 Cor. 4:16. Romans 14 teaches us to respect such a believer’s weak and limited intelligence in the truth.
1 Corinthians 10:12 — Paul warns lusting professors against trusting in privileges instead of Christ (vv. 1-12; Heb. 3:17-4:217But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For 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. (Hebrews 3:17‑4:2)). But it is not presumptuous for the believer to be certain of going to heaven. See Phil. 1:6; 3:20,216Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20‑21); 2 Tim. 1:12; 1 John 3:2; 5:10-132The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (John 3:2)
10The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. (John 5:10‑13).
2 Corinthians 5:10 — This judgment is not judgment to determine the Christian’s eternal destiny (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24); 1 Pet. 2:24), but it is a review of his works, and the giving of rewards (1 Cor. 3:11-15). Ponder and believe Revelation 20:66Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6).
Galatians 5:4 — The Galatians were giving up the principle of grace (which saved and kept them) by making their “keeping saved” depend upon their works. Paul condemned this bad teaching. See Gal. 1:6; 3:3; 5:16I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Galatians 1:6)
3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3)
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1); Acts 15:11,2411But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11)
24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: (Acts 15:24); Rom. 11:1616For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16).
Colossians 1:23 — Philosophy would soon sift any of the Colossians who were not established in the faith. See Col. 2:4,7,84And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. (Colossians 2:4)
7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:7‑8); Luke 8:13,1513They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13)
15But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15).
Hebrews 2:3 — There was danger of the Hebrew professed Christians giving up Christianity. See Heb. 12:25; 10:38,3925See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)
38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:38‑39); 2 Tim. 3:7; Luke 8:13,1513They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13)
15But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15).
Hebrews 3:6 — A warning to any who lacked faith in the “promised land” lest they give up the journey. Firm confidence of faith in His Word is strongly commended. See Heb. 6:11,12; 10:35,36; 11:611And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11‑12)
35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:35‑36)
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6); Rom. 9:3,43For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; (Romans 9:3‑4); Acts 13:38-4238Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. 42And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. (Acts 13:38‑42).
Hebrews 6:4-6 — Privileged by Judaism (vv. 1,2) and by Christianity (vv. 4,5), those Hebrews who had been enlightened by “tasting” Christ and His word and were companions with the Holy Ghost in the assembly, yet who rejected it all and fell away, had no hope. They had turned from the best God had to offer — salvation through the death of His Son. See v. 9; Matt. 26:15,16; 115And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:15‑16) John 2:1919Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19).
Hebrews 10:26 — For those who were not real to turn from the cross back to Jewish sacrifices would mean certain doom! See vv. 29,39, also Heb. 10:8,98Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:8‑9); John 8:24; 124I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24) John 2:1919Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19).
2 Peter 1:10 — Spiritually-diligent Christians will not fall into a state of gloom and unfruitfulness. See Prov. 13:4; 19:15; 24:30-334The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. (Proverbs 13:4)
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (Proverbs 19:15)
30I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: (Proverbs 24:30‑33); Psa. 37:2424Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. (Psalm 37:24); Jude 2424Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 24).
2 Peter 2:21 — Mere professors knowing the way of salvation, but lacking faith, give it up. They were never sheep, but only washed sows — mere dogs. See v. 22; Ruth 1:1515And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. (Ruth 1:15).
1 John 1:7 — John speaks of not how we walk, as does Ephesians 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8), but where, as in Colossians 1:1313Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13) and 1 Peter 2:9. It is not a question of “applying” the blood, as in John 6:5353Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (John 6:53), but its abiding efficacy for all Christians.
Revelation 2:10 — All believers “have” eternal life (John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; 136He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47) John 5:1313And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. (John 5:13)). But here, in view of persecution unto death, vv. 8-11, the crown is promised as an encouraging reward. See Jas. 1:1212Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12); 1 Cor. 15:55,57; Acts 7:54-8:354When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (Acts 7:54‑8:3); 2 Tim. 2:13.
Revelation 3:5 — “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (v. 1). Such a person may be written in the book of some denomination. But of a child of God (1 John 5:4,54For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. (John 5:4‑5)), God says He “will not blot out his name out of the book of life.” See Rev. 13:8; 17:88And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)
8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17:8); Eph. 1:3-63Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:3‑6); Rom. 8:28-30,3728And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:28‑30)
37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:37).
Based on a pamphlet by Walter Scott.