BELIEVERS CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION,
BUT CAN BE DECEIVED, FOOLED…and led Astray from the Truth, into false teaching, which dishonors God…
“Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings “-{Hebrews 16:9}
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. ” – {Col 2:8}
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! “-
{Gal 1;6-9}.
The above passages show that Believers are not bullet proof,…
but can be led astray, fooled, conned, deceived, displacing Truth with error! True Believers cannot lose their salvation but can be led astray, dishonoring God through displacing His Word, and not walking in the freedom that is theirs in Christ. Putting themselves back under a yoke of bondage. Paul wrote to the Galatians who had been led astray, voluntarily, they made the choice, they substituted the grace of God for works salvation and growth! He reminds them that “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”-{Rom 5;1}.
How can you keep from being conned and deceived?
God’s Word is the ultimate authority and ‘Sound Doctrine’ is His way to protect and promote healthy spiritual life in His people! Turning away from it will lead to opening yourself up for all kinds of false teaching.
The teachings of people who can come with such teaching such as “I have a word from the LORD” and do not know what the revealed Word of God declares! And once they say, “The Lord told me,” it is like a “spiritual stop sign!” You cannot challenge them because they believe they have the final say, based on what they “feel.” Even if it can be challenged by the Word of God.
Spiritual Pride; They elevate themselves above the WORD OF GOD
and place themselves in the place of the Holy Spirit and the naive can be intimidated by their supposed confidence and authoritative stance. And when trouble come, the naive look to that person rather than the Word of God as their authority! And as a result their lives are unstable, insecure, confused, double-minded, tossed to and fro, and it is sad, tragic, but the good news is that exposure to His Word, “Sound doctrine,” wholesome teaching from His Word can deliver them from the lies and they can once again walk in the liberty the LORD Jesus has purchased for them.
In Colossians 2- four times the believers are warned
against such false teaching that attacks the Sufficiency of Christ and Salvation. Seeking to say it is “Christ plus!”- {Read 2;8;16;18;20-23}. All the cults operate this way, and the attack is the same today, “Christ plus” to save or to become spiritually mature! Paul counteracts the lie and false teaching with “sound doctrine,” telling them “You Are COMPLETE in Christ.-{Col 2;10}. The Word “complete,” speaks of No deficiency! No Deficiency in your salvation -{2:10-12}; No Deficiency in your Forgiveness- {2 :12-14;} No Deficiency in your SAVIOR!- {2:14-15}. How do we know this? His Word reveals it!
Believers can be led astray through believing the lie
that yes, salvation is by Grace through faith in Christ alone, But to grow spiritually is no longer by grace through faith in Him, but self works is what is needed to please God and gain His favor! The lie that you have to work to Keep His favor, to appease Him into accepting you! It attacks the Work and WORD of The LORD Jesus as sufficient. It is “Christ plus!” The Galatians fell into this trap of self works to merit favor with GOD. Whereas His WORD SAYS we are “ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED”-{Eph 1:6} and are “THE BELOVED OF GOD”-{Rom 1;7} and having been justified by faith we have peace with God.”-{Rom 5:1-2} to list three promises regarding our standing with God, which is irreversible! “Good Works” are an expression of our new life in Christ, but we don’t work to gain, earn, His favor but because we have it! -{Eph 2;10}.
Do You Want To Be Wise? Then Build your life upon the WORD OF GOD;
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. ” -{Matt 7:24-25}.
His Word is your Guide and to Govern;
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”- {Eph 4:14}
“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.“-{Matt 4;4}.
“…Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”- {Eph 4:14}
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things,…“-{1 Timothy 4:16}.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God. “-{Eph 6;17}. The Holy Spirit calls the sword of the Spirit the Word of God. It is dagger like for up close contact, the Word of God! Jesus overcame the evil one’s solicitation to tempt Him to disobey his Father and sin by responding with, “it is written, it is written, it is written,”-{Matt 4:4-10} Jesus used the Word of God to defeat the evil one in time of temptation!So must you and I!
His Word reveals Truth and as we continue to “renew” our mind. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—is good, pleasing and perfect will.” -{Romans 12;2-3}.
His Word guards us and grants us discernment to know truth from error!
His WORD frees us up -{John 8:31-32};
Builds us up-{Acts 20;32};
It Wises us up -{Heb 5:14};
Grows us up -{1 Peter 2:1-3};
It Changes us-{John 17:17};
Strengthens us- {1 John 2:14};
It contains “precious and magnificent promises” to empower us -{2 Peter 1:3-4};
It is Sufficient for all we need to live Godly – {2 Peter 1:3-4;Psalm 19;7-11}
It Reveals Jesus Christ to us-{Luke 24:27};
MEDITATE UPON HIS WORD; –
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”- {Psalm 1:2; Phil 4;8}
OBEY HIS WORD ;
– “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” –{James 1:22; Phil 4:9; John 14:21}
” All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” -{2 Tim 3:16-17}.
HIS WORD is Sufficient to meet the need of your heart, my heart and every human heart!
“The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.”-{Psalm 19:7-11}
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.”-{Rom 10:17}
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…”-{Col 3:16}
The Word of God is not Optional But Imperative.
And God has given it to save you, sustain you, change you,reveal himself to you, equip you for loving Godly and to protect you from error!!