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Heb. 6:1-6
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Today, I want to share with you some truths that play a tremendous part in revealing the truth of God and His salvation relationship with people. Reread John 10:28, 29. Why is teaching perseverance perverted so deadly, and dangerous? There are at least 5 deadly heresies to be considered:
- The 1st such heresy is: Man’s Pride is Exalted Above God’s Power. Those who teach God’s great gift of salvation can be lost demonstrate their arrogance by saying in response to v. 28, 29, no man can snatch them out of God’s hand, but they themselves can. When Jesus says “no man” He means no man, not even them. Beloved, Man’s sinful self is so evil that even when it comes face to face with Scripture, it will deny Scripture and say, what I want or think it more important than Scripture. Sin doesn’t just dim a person’s view of Scripture, it completely blinds them to God’s truth! Watch just how evil it is to think a person can take themselves out of God’s hand:
- If a person can take themselves out of God’s hand, they are more powerful than God. He is no longer omnipotent! If a person can take themselves out of God’s hand, God is not able to protect us from ourselves, and it is only a matter of time until we self-destruct to the point of complete annihilation!
- If a person can take themselves out of God’s hand God is made to be a liar. Look at John 6:39; we read earlier in the Lord’s prayer He prayed that none would be lost. John 18:9 records that same truth. When a person is erroneously taught they can lose their salvation, the teacher is clearly denying the truth of God that none who come to Jesus are lost! To call God a liar is to contradict Scripture. Num. 23:19 and Heb. 6:18 are just 2 references that say in these words, “God cannot lie.” To imply God is lying also denies Ps. 12:6; 18:30; and Prov. 30:5, 6 which all say, “every word of God is flawless.” Do you want to explain to God why you called Him a liar?
- A 4th reason this heresy is so deadly is growth to spiritual maturity cannot happen. When people are constantly confronted with the loss of their salvation, they are constantly crippled in learning and living a normal and productive Christian life. They are not free to move past the elementary doctrines because they are told they must always go back to square one and start over. Do you see how these victims are held in prison of law and legalism? They can’t possibly focus on the deeper things of Christ, sanctification, ministry, and certainly not persevering because they are always concerned about doing something that will cost them their salvation. These poor folks also miss the wonder of grace, mercy, kindness, patience, and forgiveness of God. Here is the most deadly and devastating truth in saying one can lose their salvation. 5. All hope of salvation is lost forever! Look at Heb. 6:4-6. Scripture uses many terms for redemption, or salvation. This list of some of those terms here in v. 4, 5 are all phrases used throughout The Bible to refer to salvation.
Here is the simple message of v. 4 – “It is impossible in the case of those who have been saved, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance!” If a person can do anything that costs them their salvation, they can’t just say, I’ll get saved again. Do you know why? If the 1st Calvary, 2k years ago wasn’t good enough strong enough to keep a person saved forever, then No one can go back to that same Calvary for redemption because it has lost its power to save.
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.