sgys banner books

OSAS: 2 Acid Test Questions

1. Is Satan’s first lie OSAS/eternal security? Yes (God said: Genesis 2:17, Satan said: Genesis 3:4).
They cannot and will not argue this one because it’s cold hard truth they hate and cannot refute.
2. Did Christ’s apostles teach OSAS? No.
Jesus invented the term “FALL AWAY” and so it must be possible and it is (Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1, etc.).
DID Jesus’ Apostles Teach “Eternal Security”? [podcast]

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages 

“Great podcast, 🔥❤️ – EVERYONE should and needs to listen to this. I found that too many believe that sharing these harsh truths that come from the Bible is putting out negativity……. Why anyone would think that God’s words are negative is beyond me. With this way of thinking, says a lot to me, of what their true beliefs are…. sad. – Thank You for putting up another great podcast, and I pray that everyone will take the time out to give it a listen to. God Bless! 🙏✝️”

GOD is going to judge and damn into hell all who console or in any way condone people in their sins – instead of calling them to the absolute necessity of repentance and turning from all sin. ALL who teach OSAS/eternal security are clearly false teachers. Did Jesus and His apostles teach this lie? No.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship …” Acts 2:41-42

The soul who is subject to Christ should clearly desire to continue “stedfastly in the apostle’s doctrine” and in so doing experience “fellowship” with His remnant – the true body of Christ.

The Message of Jesus Christ

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

Here Jesus Christ, the Almighty God, tells His own twelve disciples that those among them who persevere to the end of their lives, remaining and continuing in obedience to Him – “shall be saved.”

Notice here in Matthew 10, the utter difference between what Jesus told His disciples and what so many leaders today lead people to believe. First, realize that Christ hand picked these twelve men and one of them didn’t continue with him and went to hell (Acts 1:25). There is the complete absence here and throughout the New Testament Scriptures of words like:

  • “You are eternally secure.”
  • “No matter what you do, you are sure for Heaven.”
  • “You are guaranteed Heaven because God is not an Indian giver.”
  • “It’s eternal life not temporary life.”
  • “Jesus is the Good Shepherd, how could Jesus ever lose a sheep?”
  • “You can’t obtain salvation by works, so you can’t loose it by bad works (sinning), it doesn’t matter what you do, you still have it.”
  • “Once in grace, always in grace.”

These are a mere sampling of the many clichés we here today used by those who seek to promulgate the eternal security heresy. Yet none of these are Scripture and those clichés are contrary, in blatant opposition to what the Bible actually states.

Those who teach the fairytale heresy of eternal security/OSAS teach something Jesus and His holy apostles never taught and refuse to teach what they did teach – the necessity after being initially saved to “endure to the end,” to “abide” which means to remain, to continue in Him or lose all, whom He shall “cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21) 

SO, you aren’t personally responsible to “endure to the end” abiding in Christ? If this is your idea, you’ve openly called the Son of God a liar (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6, etc.).

Falling away and being lost again is a biblical reality and that won’t change. Jesus invented the term “fall away” and so that means it’s possible, and yet those who believe eternal security, in classic satanic style, have to try to redefine terms and twist their plain meaning (Luke 8:13).

Keeping the framework of Jesus’ teaching on the types of heart soil His Word falls upon is essential. Luke 8:11-15 – The second of the 4 types believes and then “fall(s) away”, which means it’s possible and that eternal security is a lie (v13). Also, the 4th of the 4 types of heart soil, is the person who chooses to have a “honest and good heart” and brings forth fruit to the end because such a person is rooted in Christ and endures to the end which Jesus says is necessary for final salvation (Luke 8:15; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Revelation 2:26, etc.). Jesus invented the term “fall away” and there’s no possibility someone could “fall away” from something they didn’t previous possess (Luke 8:13).

Concerning the last days, Jesus gives His disciples a vastly different message than what we hear today. Notice what Jesus says here and compare it to the messages of modern wolves who are doing everything they can to accommodate sin in the lives of their listeners:

“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience (perseverance) possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:12-19

The message the Son of God gives here to His very own includes:

  • Persecutions from the religious (v12)
  • Prison (v12)
  • Giving answer to rulers (v13)
  • Divine inspiration in words (v15)
  • Betrayal by family and friends (v16)
  • Death for some (v16)
  • Hated for Jesus’ sake (v17)
  • Protection (v18)
  • The necessity of patience (endurance) to the end (v19)

Then, in this discourse concerning the last days, Jesus warns His very own:

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36

As one can see from these passages, Christ’s message to His own was anything but a promise of ease and comfort in this life or automatic unconditional eternal security or some kind of fixed guarantee of immunity from judgment. There is no such language in the Word. All assurance is conditional upon the present state of the individual.

“If you don’t believe that you can live in victory over sin, you’d better cross omnipotence off your calendar.” – Leonard Ravenhill

Rather, Christ’s words were those of promise of great trials and tribulations and even martyrdom for some, and yet eternal bliss for those who endure.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus’ message was certainly no promise of tiptoeing through the tulips with automatic and irrevocable eternal security.

Based upon the whole testimony of Scripture we must conclude that only false teachers would tell believers, something the Word never promises – that they are guaranteed a place in Heaven no matter what, no matter how they live after being saved.

Neither Jesus nor His holy apostles taught an un-conditional eternal security. There is no such teaching as eternal security by the apostles and Christ. Jesus simply gave a promise of being kept in the hand of the Father and yet only to those who “abide” (remain, continue) in Him – those who get saved and who hear his voice, who keep his Word and follow Him (John 10:27-29). Those who do not “abide” in Christ “to the end” after being saved will be cast into the fire (John 15:6; Matthew 10:22; 24:13). That’s what Jesus taught.

The Message of Paul, the Apostle of Christ

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (reprobate).” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Notice the word “keep” here which denotes the necessity of staying in the will of God – to remain “crucified with Christ.” (Galatians 2:20) Paul tells us here of the essential nature of keeping the deeds of the flesh under subjection to the Holy Spirit and Word of God. He reveals that even though he himself was saved and “preached to others,” it was still a possibility that he could become “a castaway.” This apostle did not count himself exempt from becoming cast away from Christ. His words here reveal the distinct possibility of becoming reprobate. The apostle Paul would never have stated these words if he believed the myth of “once saved always saved.” This apostle did not consider himself unconditionally eternally secure (immune from holy and divine judgment if he resorted back to sin). The very phrase “I myself should be a castaway” introduces the clear and present danger that after all the LORD did to find and work in him, the apostle Paul could lose out if he did not “keep under” his “body, and bring it into subjection” to the Lordship of Christ.

It is clear from these words that the apostle Paul never believed he was UN-conditionally eternally secure. He divulges here that there was still the potential of becoming one who is cast away from God ultimately if he didn’t “keep under” his body which speaks of abiding in Christ, and when we are, the sinful man and its deeds will be subdued by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13-14).

Now if he were here with us today, this world-changing, historic apostle of Christ would agree and resolutely affirm the danger of becoming a “castaway” after knowing and serving Christ. If such is not the case, then God has changed and we know that can’t happen. The Holy Spirit gave this truth to His Church and God has not changed (Mal. 3:6). Yet as Jude foretold, today the landscape of the church world is littered with “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” and would argue against the truth in the face of volumes of Holy Scripture. They would argue with Paul that once a person is saved they are always saved no matter what (Jude 3-4). Such was never the message of Christ and His holy apostles. When we look at the lie in the Garden and throughout Scripture, we can clearly conclude that this falsehood is the message of Satan and his emissaries and is unthinkably being peddled today as a component of the Gospel or a Christian doctrine.

More from Paul:

“For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.” 2 Corinthians 5:2-3

This language is far different than that heard coming from those who corrupt the message of God’s grace in our day. The implication here is that even after being saved, one can be “found naked.” Being “found naked” means that the person in question is no longer clothed with the garment of Christ’s righteousness. Was this not the case with those believers in the church at Laodicea? See Revelation 3:14-20.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” 2 Corinthians 5:8-11

Under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, here Paul says that “to be absent from the body” is “to be present with the LORD” and therefore in light of this we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” As is plainly witnessed here by every honest student of Scripture, Paul upheld “labour” as a prerequisite of continuing in the grace of God and being ready to meet Him. “Labour” here refers to fighting the good fight of faith and laying hold on eternal life, continuing in the faith and not sinking or drawing back to sin and destruction (Col. 3:6, 14; 1 Tim. 6:12; Heb. 3:12-15, 10:34-39).

In the face of so much divine truth, why, why, why do some insist upon defending and promoting the unfounded “once saved always saved” myth which is not only NOT taught in Scripture by Christ and His apostles, but is actually refuted repeatedly and identified as the first and resounding lie of the enemy of God.

So far we have witnessed that Jesus never taught an abiding grace without holiness. Paul didn’t believe that he nor any believer was “once saved always saved.”

After leading people to Christ in Antioch, the apostle Paul returned to that city and notice here what his divinely inspired message to them was:

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

This was the perfect opportunity for Christ’s apostle to tell these new Christians that they were now “once saved always saved” or “eternally secure.” This is Satan’s first and ongoing lie to damn the souls of all who get save. He loses them at initial salvation and so the way he entices, seduces them away from Christ is with the same “Ye shall NOT surely die” lie he gave Adam and Eve in the Garden. They took the bait and died – death meaning they were now separated from God who is holy (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). Paul feared this exact enticement scenario for the believers he oversaw:

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 

Today, in stark contrast to the original apostles of Christ, we have people who have dedicated themselves to making those around them to feel “eternally secure” or assured of Heaven no matter how they are living and without the need to truly and to serve the One who bled to deliver them from all sin.  What are these people going to “feel” eternally in hell if they die in sin and stand before a holy God and Judge? (Mark 9:43-49)

The message of the apostles was not one of automatic security, assurance and ease, but rather that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Those who know the LORD and will be preserved in Him in this treacherous last hour, must be willing to endure trials and suffering (Matt. 24:10-13). Whatever the loneliness, anguish, and pain we may suffer here in this brief life, it is minuscule in comparison to the eternal terror to be experienced by all who deny Christ.

Mark This: Only a deceiver would neglect to preach the full-counsel of the original Gospel and name sin by name as the Bible does. Only a false teacher would promise eternal assurance to any person living in rebellion against the LORD (Ezek. 33:12-13; Lam. 2:14; Amos 9:10).

As we just witnessed firsthand in the Holy Scriptures, the LORD and His apostles admonished new converts to “endureth to the end” and to “continue in the faith,” and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” 

This view of an unconditionally guaranteed surety of salvation that requires no diligence of active and ongoing faith, is foreign to the authentic Christianity found throughout Holy Scripture, and is therefore “another gospel,” a false form of Christianity, facilitating a mere form of godliness, denying the need for the power or reign of Christ in the individual life (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 3:5, etc.). Such supposes that Christ will remain in the life of all who have been born again, no matter what vile sins they may now be living in. Nonsense. Unbiblical. Not true.

Wow! This is telling! OSAS/eternal security was never preached by Christ and His apostles. Repent.

Jesus Christ had the perfect opportunity to tell the Jews that had just believed on Him that they were now “eternally secure.” Is that what He said? No. Take a look:

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

Beloved, the truth is, if we are not diligently seeking the LORD this day, we are backslidden and in danger of becoming like one of the foolish virgins to whom the door of entrance into the kingdom of Heaven was shut (Matt. 25:1-13).

Acts 14:22 can’t be answered by the OSAS/eternal security crowd. It clearly and further demonstrates the fact that Jesus and His apostles never taught “eternal security” – which is clearly Satan’s teaching (Genesis 2:17; 3:4) …. Watch this ….
 
When the apostle goes back around to the churches that were formed at his preaching, he stands before them and says something – something that is on record. There the apostle stands to instruct these new believers in the way, the doctrine, the Word of God he is going to deliver. Let’s peak in at what he told them….
 
What exhortation did Paul give to these new believers in Acts 14:22? Did he promise that they were guaranteed Heaven, eternally secure due to being now saved? Or, did he, in what’s called “the apostles doctrine” confirm what Jesus taught – that you must “endure to the end” to be “saved”? (Matthew 10:22; Acts 2:42)
 
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to CONTINUE in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
  • “Continue in the faith”
  • “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”

We are wise to ask: If there were no possibility of not continuing in the faith, why O why would Paul have bothered to exhort these believers to do such?

Where O where do we ever read that God’s people lose their free will, their ability to choose? No where.

Beloved, the Holy Spirit of God had all the opportunity in the world here to tell these new converts to enjoy their salvation, be nice little Christians, attend church services on Sundays, build a denomination, give to the building funds, and live upstanding lives in their community. He didn’t! He could have told them that they are unconditionally eternally secure, but He didn’t. No, instead, Paul gave the same message Christ gave His twelve in Matthew 10:22 – continue and endure to the end and expect to be hated of all men for my name’s sake and much tribulation between now and Heaven. Every leader should be disclosing these things to those they oversee. Every saint should acknowledge these truths.

Paul was inspired by the Holy Ghost to write much of the New Testament canon, correct? Why didn’t he guarantee Heaven to everyone who was at one time born again? Why didn’t the Son of God do so?

In the message of the modern church, we are told that believers will be rewarded for their good works, but are not in danger of losing their souls if they don’t obey God. Some misuse 1 Corinthians 3 to come to this conclusion. Such a conclusion does not align with the whole of Scripture and therefore should not be embraced.

The early Church apostles obeyed the Master and taught new converts to continue in God’s grace, just as Jesus taught them what they must do to ultimately inherit His eternal kingdom (Matt. 10:22; 25:1-13; Acts 14:22; Rev. 2-3). Do we espouse and teach what Christ and His apostles taught?

For more on what Paul was inspired to teach, see 1 Corinthians 9:27-10:12 and Romans 11:19-23. Any thought that this Holy Spirit inspired, true grace teacher taught an unconditional eternal security will be soundly silenced upon the honest reading of these texts.

If OSAS was an doctrine of the original Gospel to the New Testament Church, wouldn’t the apostle Paul have included it in the books he contributed to the canon of the New Testament Scriptures?

The Message of Peter the Apostle

Okay so Paul clearly taught against OSAS/eternal security. So, since some just use the Bible to justify their own sin and aren’t truly interested in being honest with God, with “ALL scripture”, let’s see if we can get a better answer from the apostle Peter to justify living in sin…..

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22

After Simon believed upon Christ, Peter told him:

“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done…But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”  Acts 8:13, 20-23

Did you notice that there is anything but eternal assurance in this divinely inspired communication of the apostle Peter? Peter told Simon that he was going to “perish” after he was saved (“believed”) and “was baptized.”

Of course we all hope Simon repented before it was too late, yet all we know from this text is that he asked the apostle Peter to pray that none of the judgments pronounced would come upon him (v24). It is frightening to think of the millions of souls who when living in sin like Simon was, after being saved, do not have the voice of true, godly authority (like Peter) who follow Christ authentically, warning them to repent or they will “perish.” Simon got saved then turned to sin again and Peter called him to repent or “perish.” Simon was blessed because he had a man like Peter to rebuke the error of his way. Today, it is regrettably all too rare to find those authentic New Testament Christians, who endeavor to live and declare the apostolic faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3-4). Beloved, are you willing to answer the call of God to learn and live real New Testament Christianity as we witness on the pages of New Testament Scripture? This would include helping “Christian” people living in sin by calling them to “repent” or they will “perish.” Living like Jesus and His apostles means giving no hope of assurance or “eternal security” to anyone living outside of obedience to Christ’s Word/will, but rather calling people who are living in rebellion and sin to “repent” or they will “perish.” This means that they would ultimately go to eternal hell if they don’t repent – and this is all regardless of any past relationship experience they had with the LORD as is clear in this instance with Simon (Ezek. 33:12-13; Acts 8:13, 20-23).

Those under-shepherds who truly fear the LORD, endeavor to speak the truth in love to safeguard the precious souls of those they oversee with divine truth (Eph. 4:15; Heb. 13:17).

The apostle Peter had all the opportunity in the world to overlook this new convert’s sin. Peter had full and open occasion here to assure Simon that he was “eternally secure” no matter how he chose to live because he was now “saved.” But Peter didn’t. Why not? Because such would have been treason and utterly in opposition to the truth of God.

Even a cursory look at the New Testament Scriptures reveal that the LORD Jesus and His apostles had a completely different approach and instructions than do most ministries today. Unlike original and authentic Christianity found on the pages of New Testament Scripture, most ministers today give no admonition or warning to new converts.

The Message of Jude, the Half Brother of Jesus

“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire…These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” Jude 4-7, 12-13

By direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Jude says that “ungodly men” who have “crept in unawares (secretly)are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” and by doing such are “denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then he begins to innumerate how the Almighty has destroyed those who were once in His kingdom and then departed. He brings New Testament believers into remembrance of the fact that “the LORD, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” Then he reminds us of how Lucifer and one-third of the angels who once occupied Heaven are now fallen into the eternally irrevocable state of condemnation: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

Not once do we see the Son of God, any of the apostles, or any other believer, telling the newly saved that they are “once saved always saved” or intimating that they are unconditionally “eternally secure.” Such a message is completely foreign to genuine and original New Testament Christianity. In the canon of Holy Scripture there is no hint of any God fearing man teaching or insinuating the diabolical lie that the believer has no need to trust God by faith, and to obey God in their daily life. Instead, there is abundance of warning that if after being saved, one goes back into sin, judgment awaits that transgressor. The teaching of “eternal security” is nothing new and is entirely alien to the teachings of Christ and His apostles and is therefore “another gospel.” (2 Cor. 11:1-4; Gal. 1:6-9)

Please allow me to exhort true Bible believers to offer a challenge to any teacher or proponent of an unconditionally eternally secure salvation. The challenge is this: To produce any biblical record of such a teaching which would include a preponderance of Scripture in context with the passage it has been placed in. If such evidence cannot be clearly demonstrated through the preponderance of Scripture, I hope and pray that God will grant repentance to any who still believe such, that they might turn to the truth and away from this deadly fable (2 Tim. 2:2-5).

What one will find, in studying the New Testament Scriptures, is that no such hint of the notion nor teaching of an unconditional eternal security is found among the early disciples of Christ. The apostles of Jesus continued in His doctrines as He instructed them to do and no such doctrine of an unconditional ‘eternal security’ is taught.

The Million Dollar Question:  If God wanted His people to believe that once they believed unto salvation, there was no further need to obey Him in faith, why didn’t He simply come out and tell us so in His Word?

Why in 66 books is there the deafening silence of such a teaching and yet, so many today in the evangelical church world teach and believe such?

Before leaving the earth and when sending forth His apostles, the Son of God commanded:

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

Notice in particular the command: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Jesus Christ never taught that a person is without responsibility after he is born again, but rather just the opposite. He commanded that all those in Him must abide or remain in obedience to Him or they will be thrown into the fire (Jn. 15:6). His many warnings alone make the reality of the jeopardy of the soul clear to the honest-hearted student of His Word (Matt. 24-25).

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide (remain) in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me…for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:4-6

We must ask ourselves: Why would the very Son of God ever so much as mention abiding (continuing; persevering) in Him if such were automatic or some kind of a fixed state of grace? Was Jesus just filling pages with His words, or is this a divinely-given mandate – the personal responsibility of each and every born again believer?

“Salvation is of the LORD” said Jonah – after he had repented from his rebellion and returned to the LORD (read Jonah 2). Salvation surely is of the LORD and yet the LORD has made it clear that He never forces any person to love and serve Him or continue to remain in relationship with Him (Deut. 28; 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Isa. 1:18-20; Jn. 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; 15:1-6; Rev. 3:20). Remaining with Christ is volitional. The one who is “willing and obedient,” and “planted in the house of the LORD” will “flourish in the courts” of the LORD and be embellished with the blessings of the LORD (Deut. 28:1-14; Ps. 92:13-14; Isa. 1:19-20).

Jonah had rebelled against God. He then cried out in distress when the LORD blessed him to be swallowed up by a large fish (Rom. 2:4). As we learn in the parable of the prodigal son, the LORD will lead the wayward to repentance yet He will never force Him to repent even though He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9) The perfect will of God and the individual appropriation of such are two different issues. From the belly of that fish the prophet cried out to God in repentance and his prayer came into the ears of the LORD in whom is all salvation. The LORD heard, forgave, and restored Jonah. In his restored state Jonah said that those who “observe lying vanities forsake their own mercies.” As a direct result of his returning to the LORD, the LORD then told that fish to spit His man out upon the beach and it did. Read Jonah 2. It wasn’t till he repented that the LORD restored Jonah. When Jonah came to himself in the presence of God, he realized that he had embraced “lying vanities” in thinking he could forsake the LORD and not be forsaken by the LORD (2 Chron. 15:2).

If abiding in Him is a divine command, what is the consequence for not staying with Jesus? What did Jesus say is going to happen to all who do not remain in Him? Christ stated that any person who is in Him and doesn’t continue faithful in His Word, will be “cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Jn. 15:6)

So, to teach that after a believer is saved, he is going to automatically go to Heaven, no matter what he does or does not do, is clearly not a New Testament teaching. Only those who get saved and continue to make the decision to “abide” in faith and obedience to Christ, will be eternally with Him – all others will be cast into eternal fire.

“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:25-26

If unconditional eternal security was an original doctrine of Christ and the New Testament apostles, we would find it in the canon of New Testament Scripture.

Saint of the LORD, be exhorted to keep your soul diligently by removing yourself from any leader who espouses such a dangerous falsehood. Such a lie is a cancer to the soul, eating away at fervency and crippling the necessity of diligent faith in and obedience to Jesus.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 1:10-11; 3:11-14

PRAYER: LORD Jesus, please bless me to continue in the apostles doctrine once delivered to Your saints in Your Word. Quicken my heart to a deeper relationship with You and fervency of spirit, born out of the fear of the LORD. Please cause my conscience to be extremely sensitive to Your conviction and grant repentance to my heart for every depraved motive or action. Father, thank You so much for the sacrifice and resurrection of Your only begotten Son. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

IF God’s saving grace is un-conditional, WHY then did He warn the first man and woman? WHY did He promised they’d “die” (be separated from Him) if they sinned against Him? (Genesis 2:17; 3:4) Remember, Adam and Eve were in perfect relationship with God when He warned them – because no sin had entered into the world as of that point.

God is “Holy, holy, holy” and “the wages of sin is death”“death” in Scripture means separation from Him (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 6:23; Revelation 4:8).

YOU can plainly see when someone is refusing to be honest about their sin when they migrate to the grace, grace, grace, “sovereign grace” delusionment. Simultaneously they evade truth, holiness, judgment to come, hell, the daily cross, etc. BEWARE of devils like this (Jude 3-4).

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Eternal Security/OSASAccounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed?The Return of Christ | SupportLie of the Ages [podcast]10 Questions about Eternal SecurityIs Salvation Eternal?The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast]

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Abiding

What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]


In spite of all the evil that is me, dear LORD You have been so gracious (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7; Titus 3:5-7). Thank You Jesus. Please bless this life to be crucified with Thee!

If OSAS/eternal security is true, WHY did Paul say he himself that he could be “castaway” from God in the end if he didn’t endure to the end, perpetually keep under his body (the cross life)?

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Here Paul speaks of his own need for the crucified life – to keep under his body, the flesh – in light of the sins that kept God’s people out of their promised land and his own jeopardy of soul if he were to neglect the cross in his own personal life (1 Corinthians 9:27-10-13).

Why O why would this apostle of Christ have uttered these words if he believed he was “once saved always saved”/”eternally secure” or that he was automatically going to be in Heaven no matter how he lived his life after being genuinely saved? Why would he ever had said that he would be cast away from the LORD in the end if he didn’t keep under his body if such were not possible? Paul follow Jesus and knew he was responsible to “endure to the end” of his earthly life to be saved into eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, etc.).

Most evangelicals have been sold on the lie that initial salvation means a saved person will automatically be in Heaven, no matter what he does after being saved. Not. Jesus and His holy apostles taught initial and final salvation.

Though the vast majority of those who pretend to represent Christ today do not preach His original Gospel, Jesus says that to follow Him, one must deny self and take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24). These are what Paul calls “enemies of the CROSS of Christ” who are building a ministry busine$$ and know that the golden calf heresy of eternal security $ell$ (Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

The idol of self is the enemy, the antichrist we deal head on with everyday with the cross which slays the god of self!

We therefore can safely conclude that this daily denial of self, this cross, this crucified life, is exactly what the apostle is speaking of when speaking of keeping under his body, his flesh. When Paul penned these words, he was speaking of what he so often spoke about – the cross.

What is there to crucify, to “keep under”, to subdue?

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

Believing we can live sanctified, abiding in Christ without the cross He prescribed is self-deception and only further confirms our need to be truly crucified with Christ, buried, and raised up daily by Jesus (Galatians 2:20).

I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” = the cross, the crucified life.

Some who are hell bent of corrupting the plain words of Christ would say that this is not speaking of eternal glory, of one’s salvation being in jeopardy. Better think again.

Of this passage, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible notes:

“9:24-27 RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN. Paul illustrates the principle that if one fails to exercise self-control, self-denial, and love with regard to others, he himself will be rejected by God, even if he is a gospel preacher.”

“9:27 I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY. ‘Be a castaway’ (Gk. adokimos) conveys the idea of ‘failing the test,’ ‘being rejected.’ Paul uses this same term in 2 Cor. 13:5, where he states that Christ does not dwell in any who are ‘reprobates’ (Gr. adokimoi). Paul is not referring merely to the loss of ministerial reward. What he recognizes is the possibility that he may fail to obtain the prize (i.e., the inheritance of final salvation (vv24-25) if he should cease living a holy life, exercising self-control, and enduring hardships for Christ (vv 25-27).”

The correct preaching of the full counsel of God’s WORD creates in us the desire to be set apart to our LORD (holy) and to cease the things, the sins that defile such purity necessary to abide in vital union with our Maker who is our Savior!

Notice below how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body – the iniquitous fallen nature – with the destiny of the eternal soul.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms – living the crucified life! (Luke 9:23-24)

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

There’s no such thing as a Heaven-bound person who does not love God enough to offer their life to Him a living sacrifice and thereby overcome sin. Read this passage closely.

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 
17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you
18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness
19  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 
20  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness
21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 
22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life
23  For the wages of sin is death (separation); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23

Notice in verse 22 that those having been born again and now truly abiding in Christ of the fruit of holiness, not sin. And to them alone will end up with everlasting glory!

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms.

The deeds of the body must be kept under the power of the Holy Ghost and such is only possible by way of adhering to the cross Jesus mandated!

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

The cross is the condition for overcoming the ensuing 5 sins that Paul then teaches kept some of the children of Israel out of their promised land. Our promised land is Heaven and just as some of the God’s people didn’t make it, didn’t “endure to the end”, were like the 5 foolish virgins, some of those Jesus had saved will not “endure to the end” and be in glory with Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-3, etc.).

Here are the ensuing words, the text immediately following 1 Corinthians 9:27. It’s a contiguous theme, warning from the apostle. Let’s read the whole passage, the context. He made no chapter divisions when he penned this divinely-inspired letter. Paul speaks of the personally responsibility and necessity of the crucified life in light of the 5 sins we all face which if we live in, will disqualify us from eternal glory. Here’s our main Bible verse, truth again and what follows:

“27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea (represents salvation)

2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 

3  And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 

4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 

5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness

6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED

7  Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

8  Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

9  Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 

10  Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 

1 Corinthians 9:27-10:12

Clearly in this passage we see that the cross is a prerequisite for overcoming the 5 disqualifying sins. | The 5 Sins that Kept God’s People from their Promised Land

Life in the Spirit Study Bible on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

10:1   I WOULD NOT THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT. The fact that one may be redeemed, partake of divine grace, and yet later be rejected by God, a “castaway” (see 9:27), because of unbelief and evil conduct is now verified by examples from the experience of Israel (vv. 1-12).

10:5   THEY WERE OVERTHROWN IN THE WILDERNESS. The Israelites had experienced the grace of God in the exodus. They had been delivered from bondage (v. 1), baptized (v. 2), and divinely sustained in the wilderness, experiencing close fellowship with Christ (vv. 3-4). Yet in spite of these spiritual blessings, they failed to please God and were destroyed by Him in the wilderness; they forfeited their election and hence, failed to reach the promised land (cf. Num. 14:30. Paul’s point is that, as God did not tolerate Israel’s idolatry, sin, and immorality, so He will not tolerate the sin of believers under the new covenant.

10:6   THESE THINGS WERE OUR ESAMPLES. The terrible judgment of God upon the disobedient Israelites serves as an example and a warning for those under the new covenant not to desire evil things. Paul warns the Corinthians that if they repeat Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (vv. 7-10), they too will receive His judgment and fail to enter the promised heavenly country.

10:11   WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION. The history of God’s judgment of His people in the O.T. was written down in the Scriptures to provide those in the N.T. with ample warnings against sinning and falling from grace (v. 12; see Num. 14:29).7

10:12   TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL. The Israelites, as God’s elect, thought they could safely dabble in the sins of idolatry, and immorality; yet they met with God’s judgments. Those who believe they can securely live without turning away from unrighteous conduct and worldly passions should take notice of the warning of God in this passage.

10:13   GOD IS FAITHFUL. A professing believer may not justify sinning with excuses that he is simply human and thus imperfect, or that in this life all born-again believers continue sinning in word, thought, and deed (cf. Rom. 6:1). At the same times, Paul assures the Corinthians that no true believer need fall from the grace and mercy of God. (1) The Holy Spirit explicitly affirms that God provides His children with adequate grace to overcome every temptation and thus to resist sinning (cf. Rev. 2:7,17,26). God’s faithfulness expresses itself in two ways: (a) He will not allow us to be tempted above that which we can bear, and (b) He will with each temptation provide a way by which we can endure the temptation and overcome sin (cf. 2 Thes. 3:3).

   (2)   The grace of God (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 2:11-14), the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:24), the Word of God (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:5), and the heavenly intercession of Christ bring sufficient power for the believer to be victorious over the poser of sin  and demonic influences (Eph. 6:10-18; Heb 7:25).

   (3)   If the Christian yields to sin, it is not because Christ’s provision of grace is inadequate, but because the believer fails to resist his own sinful desires by the power of the Spirit (Rom 8:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:3).”

Was Paul involved in a relationship with Christ? Was Paul required to participate or was he a robot? Was it “all God,” “all grace” as the calvinist would claim?

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have FOUGHT a good fight, I have FINISHED my course, I have KEPT the faith: 8 Henceforth (therefore) there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

If a person whose has been saved in the past is not fighting the good fight, finished what God began in him and called him to do – finishing his course, and keeping the faith, how can he possibly say with Paul “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness”?

The kingdom of Heaven is to be pressed into and not taken casually.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12;

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14 

Colossians 3:1-10

1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 

6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 

7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 

8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 

9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 

10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

“The old man” must go down before “the new man” can be raised out of that grave – death and burial.

Ephesians 4:20-24

20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 
21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 
22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 
23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 
24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

Prayer of Returning: Holy Father, You gave all when You gave Your only begotten Son who came and died for our sins. You’ve also called me to lay down my life, to lose my life in this fleeting world. I have not done well at giving over my life to You … You alone who are worthy of my full, unreserved worship. Right this moment I ask You to forgive my sin of having another god before You which is self idolatry and spiritual adultery. I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You LORD and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You Jesus. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands LORD. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done LORD Jesus! I am no longer my own. I am Yours. I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God. I love You Jesus and am ceaselessly grateful that You bought me with the price of Your own blood! You must increase but I must decrease. I ask You to unite my heart to fear Thy holy name! Teach me daily to lay myself aside and to give the reins over to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | The Return of ChristStewardshipApostate Modern Church Exposed | Beware of the BUZZ WORD Bandits [podcast] | Preach the WordWolves Exposed | Church Membership Exposed | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich Podcasts | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Abiding

Going Directly to the Source [podcast]


IF you desire to truly hear from GOD, read His own Word for yourself. King James Bible.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Nourished Up” – like a wise virgin Heaven bound saint.

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:

“Nourished up in the words of faith” is a biblical phrase from 1 Timothy 4:6, meaning to be continually fed, strengthened, and built up by scripture, sound Christian teaching, and doctrine, much like food sustains the body, these spiritual words sustain and grow the soul, leading to spiritual maturity and a deeper walk with God. It signifies a deliberate, ongoing intake of God’s truth, which fosters growth, guards against false teachings, and fuels a believer’s life.” (Source?)

It’s one thing to have a mere human giving you encouragement and yet another thing to get your encouragement, your spiritual nourishment from God—directly. King James Bible.

Psalms 73

“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure [podcast]10 Clues Your Love for God is Waxing Cold [podcast]

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Abiding

“Fervent in Spirit” [podcast]


“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11

Concerning being “fervent in spirit,” one commentator notes that this means to:

“Maintain zeal to the boiling point.” Dake

“Fervent” – A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest): – be fervent.

“Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged.” Adam Clarke

“Never let your zeal flag (lag, drop, tank), maintain the spiritual glow, serve the Lord.” Here we are reminded of the words of Jeremiah 48:10: ‘Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully,'” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Apollos was “fervent in the spirit.”

“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being FERVENT in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:25 

In all things Christ’s saints are to be “fervent in spirit”:

“Not slothful in business; FERVENT in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11

Disciples of Jesus are to have a “fervent mind” toward all saints and ministers of His blessed Gospel:

“And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your FERVENT mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” 2 Corinthians 7:7 

“Fervent prayer” is to be offered to God for other of His saints:

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James_5:16

Jesus’ people are to have “fervent charity among” ourselves:

“And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

“Fervent heat” will soon consume the wicked who refused the salvation that comes from Christ alone:

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10 

“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat.” 2 Peter 3:12 

On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:

“2 Peter 3:

To be ‘fervent in spirit’ means to have intense, burning passion, zeal, and enthusiasm for spiritual matters, often linked to serving God, rather than being lukewarm or apathetic. It implies being ‘boiled’ with spiritual energy, actively engaged, and diligent in faith, as described in Romans 12:11, (‘not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord’). It’s a passionate, fiery commitment, distinct from fanaticism, involving earnest application and a deep love for God. 

Key aspects:

  • Intensity: A deep, glowing, or boiling heat of emotion and dedication. 
  • Diligence: Not being lazy or half-hearted, but actively applying oneself to spiritual duties. 
  • Spiritual Zeal: A strong desire and excitement for God’s will, the Gospel, and spiritual growth. 
  • Source: Often described as being moved by the Holy Spirit, a fire within. 
  • Biblical Example: Apollos was described as ‘fervent in the spirit’ as he taught diligently about the Lord (Acts 18:25). 
How it’s expressed:
  • Passionate prayer
  • Diligent study of God’s Word
  • Active, loving service to others
  • Bold witnessing for faith
  • Being ‘on fire’ for God, not lukewarm” 

Jesus says that those in His church who are “lukewarm” will be spued or rejected (Revelation 3:15-16). What’s the opposite of being “lukewarm”? – being “fervent in spirit.”

“Amen! Don’t let your fire die as the church in Laodicea did! They were neither cold nor hot. They were lukewarm. Comfortable! Indifferent! Their fire for the Lord had gone out. God’s not looking for people who play it safe but people who burn with fire for Him!!!” Karen Cochran

YOUR PRAYER: LORD, make me Yours. Please keep me close to You, NO MATTER what it takes. Break me dear LORD. Let the holy light of Your presence permeate and shine through my inner man. I am Your temple Jesus. Shine Your light on all darkness. I love You my LORD. In Jesus’ name.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry UpdatesBecause You Care Page | Bible/Word of God | Gifts | Prophetic or Pathetic? | ChristologyFinal Divine Authority At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ | Knowing God | The Cross Life |

Join Us

We saved a place for you to receive our weekly newsletter.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Continue Reading

Categories

donate button round
sgys-books01

Trending