The bold proclamation of the Gospel of Grace over the past 15 years has compelled many churches and ministries, even strongly opposed religious traditional minded ministries to reexamine and confront Grace. Few can openly deny the central role of Grace in the redemptive work of Christ. Instead they have found ways to diminish Grace by injecting their traditions, denominational dogmas, church creeds and a fervent embrace of the Old Covenant as something still valid and in operation today.
Many will readily acknowledge that salvation is only made possible by Grace, and received by Grace through Faith. After that acknowledgement they then point to their checklist believers now need to get busy keeping. Grace is reduced to a mere footnote in the life of a believer, in favor of works, performance, keeping the Law and in some places even observance of Old Covenant rituals apart from animal sacrifice.
The message in most Christian gatherings is in essence God starts it but we finish it. Grace begins salvation, but works complete it. Now it's not all hopeless and bleak.This awakening to Grace continues to grow stronger than the traditions of men. Many believers are awakening to the beauty and sufficiency of His Grace. It is an exciting time in the Body of Christ.
Perhaps nowhere is this conflict between Grace and works more evident than in the truth of eternal security. If eternal life is truly a gift of Grace, then its permanence cannot ultimately rest upon the performance of the one who receives it, but upon the faithfulness of the One who gives it.
Believer's minds must be renewed to the New Covenant. So many see the forgiveness Jesus paid for as only reaching up to the point of receiving salvation. After the new birth, the believer is somehow responsible for obtaining the forgiveness for their sins.
Before receiving salvation, it was the Blood alone that procured and provided the forgiveness of sin. After salvation is received, the Blood is NOT what forgives. It is now obtained by apologies, acknowledgement of sin committed, and promises to not commit the sin again. Is this really the Gospel?
Hebrews tells us that only through the shedding of blood is their forgiveness of sins. If it's only the Blood that could forgive our "past" sins then it is ONLY the Blood that could forgive our present and future sins. The basis of forgiveness cannot be the Blood before salvation and then human actions after salvation. If the Blood was sufficient to forgive me when I was a sinner, why would it become insufficient after I become a saint? Has the Blood become less effective since I got saved?
The Good News Gospel is His Blood has forgiven ALL our sins forever according to Colossians;
24 “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 MEV
This settles it. Our salvation is secured and cannot be lost because of our sins, missteps, mistakes or failures. Once we are saved we will never come into judgment or condemnation. Jesus said it's the Father's will that none who comes to Him will ever be lost;
37 Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. John 6:37-39 CEB
Since so many churches and ministries have had to confront Grace and its fullness they have come to reluctantly accept this to a point. They conclude that salvation cannot be lost, we concede they say, BUT we can relinquish it. We can "walk away". We can "forfeit" it. We can "return" it. Is that really Good News? Is that really the Gospel?
4 Now the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, 1 Timothy 4:1 MEV
See brother, it is clear right there. Yes, that Scripture is a strong prediction. Yet, due to traditional biases, so many read into that the forfeiting of salvation. That these have departed and given their salvation back. The bigger question is would Christ receive this returned gift?
Sometimes we want to take back a bad Christmas present and try to return it, but some merchants have a no return policy. The Father has a no return policy because the Blood of Jesus and the Finished Work of Christ has completed the work once and for all time. Eternal life is not a lease agreement between God and man. It is a birth. Once born into God's family, a believer may wander, stumble, doubt, or become deceived, but he remains what God has made him. It is permanent once received.
This passage though isn't teaching departing salvation, but departing the Faith. Isn't that the same thing? No, Faith is believing, is trusting in. This one passage is lifted out of its setting. It is not left in context. This departure of the Faith, is about embracing false teaching, and wrong thinking. Look at the full context.
How many churches and believers have gone astray? This is a warning about embracing the false and erroneous and rejecting truth. Some churches embrace a return to observing the Old Covenant, keeping the Sabbath and avoiding certain foods. Some go into error embracing universalism and inclusionism.
This is what that passage is referencing. Paul addresses this walking away concept;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 NKJV
If we do not believe, yet he abides faithful; he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 NMB
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT
When we are Faithless He remains Faithful. He cannot deny Himself! God by the Spirit dwells in our hearts, God cannot deny Himself. Our salvation is therefore rooted and grounded in eternity forever.
Salvation is not a waiting period. Salvation is not a probationary term. Salvation is not founded on the faulty ground of man's faithfulness and ability to remain. It is founded solely upon Jesus' ability to maintain it, and for Him to keep us. Embrace His Grace and live in the everlasting Joy, freedom and supernatural peace and security and rest.
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