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Apostasy

Is YOUR Work Finished just Because Jesus’ Work is Finished?

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30

These are the 3 most powerful words ever uttered. What did this mean? What did it not mean? Did “It is finished” mean that those who believe on the LORD Jesus, receiving initial salvation, are free from all present and future responsibilities before God?

The finished work of Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, but His accomplishment does not arbitrarily guarantee the final salvation of the individual believer. Christ’s perfect and completed redemptive work to save mankind does not change the God-given free will of each human being – nor does it change His conditions, the ones Jesus and His holy apostles gave, for final salvation. God’s grace through Christ did not change His definition of sin and the fact that sin separates the sinner from God – no different than how it separated sinless Adam and Eve after they sinned. The wages of sin is still death (Romans 6:23). Any person who was saved in the past and then dies in sin, will be in hell forever. Read Ezekiel 33:12-13; Revelation 22:11. God is “Holy, holy, holy” and that never changed and never will (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). 

One’s works won’t save them, yet one’s works clearly prove WHO they are truly serving.

The simply fact that Jesus command His people to do many things, clearly proves that our work, your WORK of faith, and labour of love” are not finished….

“Remembering without ceasing your WORK of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” 1 Thessalonians 1:3

“Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the WORK of faith with power:” 2 Thessalonians 1:11

True saving faith is always seen in good works.

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2:18

All those truly saved by grace through faith are doing the good works of God in the earth – the Great Commission, etc. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47, etc.). Those without the fruit of good works clearly prove they don’t have saving faith. | What are the 4 Types of Faith

To the church at Thyatira Jesus says that keeping His “works to the end” is required to be given “power over the nations.” (Revelation 2:26)

Paul was ready to meet Christ and could be assured of such, of his eternal destination being with the LORD and not hell because he truly abode in Christ – which Jesus says is a must after being saved (John 15:1-6). Paul did things God’s way and not his own.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth 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 4:7-8

IF you “love his appearing” you will fight “a good fight”, you will endure to the end by finishing your “course”, and keeping “the faith.” In abiding in Christ you are assured to have waiting for you from the LORD “a crown of righteousness.”

The LORD commanded and expects each of His children to “fight the good fight of faith,” to finish his course, and to keep the faith of the Gospel to the end of his life on this earth.

Jesus’ work was perfect and yet He gave conditions for the appropriation of His gift of salvation.

Jesus said HIS work is finished, not yours. See Revelation 2:26; Philippians 2:12-13; John 6:29.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:29

And one must believe “to the end” of his life to enter eternal glory (Ezekiel 33:12-13; Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Acts 14:22; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3; 22:11, etc.).

Believing upon Christ and being saved begins with an initial repentance and faith and yet doesn’t stop there. The recipient of His salvation has entered into a relationship with Christ. We must conclude, through an honest reading of the whole of Scripture, that enduring to the end, abiding, remaining, continuing with Christ, is essential to final salvation. Salvation is not a one-time event but rather a lifelong walk, relationship with the living God. Sin, lack of repentance, unbelief will derail, make shipwreck of this relationship (1 Timothy 1:19).

No, your work doesn’t save you (Romans 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-10). Yet when you’ve truly repented and Jesus has saved you, your life is changed, it’s all about God and not you (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). ALL who are truly saved by divine grace are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) As you yield to Him, abide in Him, HIS work in you will produce certain fruit, good fruit (Matthew 7:16, 20; John 15:1-6; Galatians 5:22-23).

Millions have been taught that because Jesus said “It is finished” – paid in full – that they have no further personal responsibility to obey God. Those who peddle this heresy erroneously conflate (lump together) Christ’s perfect sacrifice with their own personal accountability to “be ye holy” as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Regrettably, we have a prophesied whole generation of “Christians” who want nothing to do with truly obeying Christ. They want the crown but not the cross.

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:26

It’s the counterfeits who want “It is finished” to mean they have no more personal responsibilities to obey God. When Jesus cried “It is finished,” He was speaking of HIS OWN WORK and not our personal responsibility before God when He said “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

The fact that Jesus “finished” HIS work perfectly in no way negates your personal responsibility to learn, acknowledge and obey EVERYTHING He commanded. Obeying God is true faith, true saving faith, worship, and required. Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46; 1 John 2:4-5, etc. People who refuse to get real with God by true repentance, HATE, despise, and will argue themselves sick to justify themselves behind the groundless, lame, no-personal-responsibility eternal security fairy tale. Not going to fly at Judgment Day. Mark it.

The same Savior who declared that His work was “finished” on the cross also commanded each and every person who would know and be with Him to deny self, take up the cross, daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24).

THERE ARE DIVINELY REQUIRED CONDITIONS TO BE SAVED INITIALLY AND INTO GLORY – ETERNALLY. JUST ASK THE 5 FOOLISH VIRGINS WHO WERE ENGAGED TO THEN SHUT OUT OF THE ETERNAL BRIDAL CHAMBER! (MATTHEW 25:1-13) GOD’S PROMISES ARE CONDITIONAL AND HE WILL ONLY GIVE THEM TO THOSE WHO MEET HIS STATED CONDITIONS.

GOD sovereignly placed conditions on appropriating His salvation. If you have a problem with that, you have a problem with the LORD. He didn’t ask your puny permission to do anything that’s in His power alone to do. It’s time to shut up and obey (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

Those who espouse lies, while claiming to love God and to be “eternally secure” are frauds who are full of self-love. It’s proven in that they simply don’t want to give up self and this is why they hide behind this OSAS fairy tale. You see, they simply do not want any part of true repentance, laying down their life, losing their life, and being crucified with Christ. Jesus is unchanging and He commanded these things which He requires, which are essentials, and which He holds each of us personally accountable to do (Matthew 7:21). Counterfeits want the crown while refusing the daily cross Christ requires, commands.

The following are the words of the Son of God to His own people:

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26

Flash Point: The finished work of Christ makes you even more accountable to obey God, live holy, and “endure to the end” – or you will be cast into hell!

“He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer (more severe) 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 10:28-29

“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. 21 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.” 2 Peter 2:20-21

If a true believer can’t “fall away,” why would Jesus have given this exact warning? Why would the Son of God ever have used the words “fall away” if such were not possible?

“They 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

“There would be no ‘FALLING AWAY’ described in 2 Thessalonians, if such were not possible.” William Pavichevich

The fact that you may not wish this to be true changes nothing. The truth doesn’t go away based on how you receive or reject it (Romans 3:3-4).

“Cut Off”

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off (the Jews), and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, IF IF IF thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:20-22

Those who obey God appropriate His blessings. They come with conditions. The honest student of Scripture will acknowledge and obey God – proving his saving faith. Faith that is not accompanied with the fruit of good works is not saving faith but is rather devilish faith.

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:17-20

Works based salvation? Not at all. Fruit saves no one and yet, those who are truly known of God produce the fruit that comes from this abiding relationship (John 15:1-16; Matthew 3:7-10; 7:16, 20, etc.).

Counterfeits deeply hate any biblical teaching that convicts them, calling them to true repentance, fruit-bearing, and obedience to the God they claim to love and be saved by. Beware.

Counterfeits love to cling to the positional while ignoring the essential of the practical. They feast on Ephesians while purposely evading, staying clear of biblical truth that requires them to truly repent, lay down their lives, and obey Jesus. And, anyone preaching these BIBLE truths will be called “legalistic” and “works based.” In other words in their corrupted minds, obeying Jesus is “legalistic.” Unreal. In light of this, let’s read what Jesus said…

“Not 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.” Matthew 7:21

Did Jesus give initial and continual conditions for appropriating His justification? Is salvation a one-time event or a life-long relationship? What does the whole counsel of God’s Word reveal on this matter?

You see, it’s the eternal security counterfeits who simply want to use Jesus to get to know Him but they have no intention of truly worshiping Him, obeying Him.

To one deceived OSAS person, the response was: You were given several Bible verses and texts which clearly prove that no saved person is un-conditionally eternally secure and we are all personally responsible to “endure to the end” or we lose all (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.). Yet, like the hell bound pharisees of Christ’s day, you let your tradition trump divine truth (Mark 7:6-9, 13). Also, there is no divinely given guarantee that any saved person on earth is automatically going to be in Heaven. The terms “once saved always saved” and “eternal security” appear no where in Scripture and the apostles and Jesus never taught it.

Jesus promises that those in Him who do not “abide” or remain, continue in Him, will be cast into the fire.

“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 15:6

The reason many clinch tightly this OSAS teaching is that they are simply hiding behind it. These are the un-repentant, self-serving, Savior-denying, cross-less counterfeits we read about in the New Testament Scriptures so often (Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 4:2-4, etc.).

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (stories told by story tellers).” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

True Heaven-ready disciples of Christ “endure sound doctrine.” To “endure” here means to hold ones self accountable to.

According to Jesus, we know exactly who is “of God” and who is “NOT of God.” Memorize His words recorded in John 8:47:

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Satan

After he loses you to Jesus at initial salvation, his goal now becomes getting you to be lukewarm and therefore spued. That’s all it takes to go to hell after being saved.

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16

WHO WAS THE VERY FIRST APOSTATE ON RECORD? An apostate is one who departs from God, from the truth. Lucifer and a third of the angels who were once with God in Heaven.

Then, what happened? Lucifer, not Satan, cast to the earth, placed a stumbling block in the path of the first man and woman to trip them up and get them separated from God. After all, he himself, Satan, was rejected by God, ejected from His presence, for a certain reason. Sin. … The Very First Apostate 

What are We Hiding?

“HE THAT DOETH TRUTH COMETH TO THE LIGHT”
 
The true remnant are known in that they come forth into the light, and continue to do so – to the end.
 
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But HE THAT DOETH TRUTH COMETH TO THE LIGHT, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

There’s still darkness in each of us. When confronted, what do we do? Do we repent or rebel?

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Examining Ourselves Honestly [podcast] | FRESH Start with GodEternal Security Audios [podcast]

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“You can’t lose your salvation. When Christ said it’s finished he finished the payment of our sin debt.

REPLY:

Not correct. Just because Jesus paid the whole and perfect price for the sins of mankind, in no way negates the conditions He placed on appropriating that salvation – faith, repentance – initially and ongoing. Jesus meant that HIS perfect work was finished. Jesus also commanded repentance, denial of self and following Him daily, and the necessity of enduring to the end, abiding / remaining in Him or you will be cast into the fire (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21). God placed conditions on appropriating His salvation – initially and ongoing. ALL who die in sin are going to hell and it’s going to be worse for those who once knew Christ then departed from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Jesus told His own: “nd he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” (Revelation 2:26)

Those who buy the OSAS lie do so usually because they simply refuse to be personally accountable. Jesus is not truly important to them. They simply want to get their ticket punched (initial salvation) but don’t want to be bothered with laying down their lives in this fleeting world, denying self, taking up the cross, obeying the Savior they claim they are saved by. These are counterfeits.

Self-serving counterfeits want Jesus as Savior but not the LORD of their lives and yet Jesus taught that if He’s not LORD in a person’s life, He’s not Savior either. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) See also Matthew 7:21, Titus 1:16 and 1 John 2:4. Counterfeits prove they do not truly love or know Christ by divorcing Him from His own words, His conditions.

One disciple notes: “Peter wrote, ‘…receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.’ That is evidence that nothing we do is eternal until we cross the finish line.

If one wants eternal security, he or she should make an eternal commitment to the Lordship of Christ (a condition for salvation—Romans 10:9-10) and faithfully keep that commitment. That is what it means to believe in one’s heart that Jesus is Lord.

Want eternal life? Give your temporal life to be hidden with Christ in God. Soaking in Satan’s kingdom will load one’s soul with sin and weights—the condition for eternal death.”

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“Your satan meme is nonsense. We humans are different from satan. Christ didn’t die to redeem satan like he did us. This makes no sense for you to use that meme.”

REPLY:

Lucifer was God’s creation and hadn’t sinned. It was only when he sinned that the LORD ejected him and Jesus spoke of this – Luke 10:18. This is the same thing that happened with Adam and Eve – exactly (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; 24). Lucifer had no sin and obviously had free will as do we and he chose to sin as we can choose to do.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“The rate at which the OSAS falsehood is spreading? Hmm only God can help us.”

REPLY:

Amen brother. It was satan’s first lie which he continues to tell – yet he can only snare those who refuse to truly repent and obey God. This is what is playing out before us in this late hour before Christ’s return. Satan can only seduce those foolish virgins who aren’t faithful to the Bridegroom they are espoused to – just like a fiance’ who has an adulterous heart. If they don’t repent, they will be shut out of the eternal kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13). See 1 Corinthians 11:19 and how God uses Satan to filter out counterfeits (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

REPLY TO A PERSON PEDDLING THE OSAS HERESY……Christ’s perfect sacrifice saves us yet it gives license to “be ye holy as He is holy” and not license to sin and you are denigrating the cross of Christ by saying it does (1 Peter 1:15-16). ALL who name the name of Christ are to “depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19) Please tell us all why the “wages is of sin” is no longer death. (Romans 6:23) Please tell us how and why God changed (Malachi 3:6). Tell us how God is no longer “Holy, holy, holy” and can now somehow still have a relationship with someone living in sin (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2) The last time sin was found in Heaven, it was immediately kicked out of Heaven (Luke 10:18; Ezekiel 28:13-15; Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:7-12, etc.). The words “once saved always saved” or “eternal security appear no where in the Bible, nor does the concept, other than when taught by Satan and the false prophets (Gen 2:17; 3:4; Jer 23:17, etc.). 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)

The finished work of Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, but His accomplishment does not arbitrarily guarantee the final salvation of the individual believer. Christ’s perfect and completed redemptive work to save mankind does not change the God-given free will of each human being – nor does it change His conditions for final salvation.

Did Jesus and His Apostles Teach Eternal Security? Take a Look.

Eternal Security? | “It is Finished”!

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