CAN CHRISTIANS LOSE THEIR SALVATION
By Dr. James. A McBean D.Th., MCC
Copyright © 2008 Library of Congress
Washington.D.C.20559
C an Christians lost their salvation. can he/she backslide, turn back, looketh back, draw back, falling from grace, cast of their faith or just walk away? Yes, it can happen. It is the word lost That is causing the confusion. Second, it is the word salvation When you and I take these two words and look at their meaning it will look impossible for a believer to stop walking with God. You see stop walking with God does not necessarily mean that believer lost his or her salvation. Satan is not trying to make Christians lost their salvation. Satan has no say in such thing. He is trying to make you and I mist our calling.
Is the "once save always save doctrines correct?" No, it is not correct, however, it is not completely false. They say. If a person turn back from following God, the person was not really save in the first place. Sometime this is true, but not in all cases. Many of who turn back did not even started in the first place.
Can God keep a believer from falling? Yes. Does the believer have a say in his or her spiritual affaires? yes. Can a believer say no to God? Yes. Can the elect in the great tribulation be deceived? No. Many people confuse these tribulations saints with every Christians.
Matthew 24:24 (KJV) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Daniel 11:32 (KJV) And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Is it easy for the saints to fall out of favour with God? No! Almost impossible, but not impossible, because God give us enough grace to get us to heaven many time and back.
2 Cor. 9:8 (KJV) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Romans 14:4 (KJV) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
WHAT DOES IT MEANT BY LOSE?
lost (lĂ´st, 1. Past tense and past participle of lose. --lost adj. 1. Unable to find one's way: in the possession, care, or control of someone or something: No longer known or practiced: Unable to function, act, or make progress. 4. Spiritually or physically destroyed. 5. Completely involved or absorbed.
b. To be deprived of (something one has had): lost their lives; lost her youth through hardship. c. To be bereaved of: lost his wife. d. To be unable to keep alive: To be unable to maintain, sustain, or keep:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FALL
c[fall] Greek: pipto ), to fall down or out, meaning to be slain, or to lose one's favor or grace. This proves that Israel, by offending or by failing lost the grace or favor of God. "Fall" is used in this sense in many scriptures (Luke 8:13; Acts 1:25; Romans 11:11-12,22; 1 Cor. 10:12; Galatians 5:4; 1 Tim. 3:7; 1 Tim. 6:9; Hebrews 4:11; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 1:10; 2 Peter 3:17; Jude 1:24; Rev. 2:5). d[fall] Greek: paraptoma ), a falling aside, when one should have stood upright; a moral fall; a fall from truth and grace.
Fall (Romans 11:11-12); fault (Galatians 6:1; James 5:16); offence (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:15-20); trespass (Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:35; Mark 11:25-26; 2 Cor. 5:19; Ephes. 2:1; Col. 2:13); and sin (Ephes. 1:7; Ephes. 2:5; Col. 2:13).
THE FREE WILL OF CHOICE:
God do not make robots, he made people. God do not make clone, only one of you. God do not have any compulsory service. God do not rape people, nor push himself upon his subjects. Even if you want to serve God, you will have to seek him with your whole heart before you can find him.
Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV) And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
GOD DID NOT COMPEL MARY TO BE THE MOTHER OF JESUS, MARY AGREED WITH GOD REQUEST:
Luke 1:38 (KJV) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Note! That as the angel get her consent, he departed from her.
WHEN GOD CALLED JEREMIAH HE DID NOT COMPEL HIM TO TAKE THE ASSIGNMENT, HE TALK TO HIM, AND CONVINCED HIM LIKE A MAN WOULD CONVINCE A WOMAN:
Jeremiah 1:5-9 (KJV) Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. [6] Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
[7] But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. [8] Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. [9] Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
MOSES WHEN HE WAS CALL DID NOT WANT THE JOB, BUT GOD TALK HIM INTO IT:
Isaiah 6:7-9 (KJV) And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. [8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. [9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
ISAIAH DID AGREED RIGHT AWAY WHEN GOD CALL HIM:
Exodus 4:9-11 (KJV) And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
[10] And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. [11] And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
All of these people were given a choice. It is important to know that all these people that God call was already His servants. But God still did not COMPEL.
THE BIBLE SAYS WE MUST CHOOSE
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15 choose you this day whom ye will serve] Man has free moral agency and can choose his eternal destiny as well as what he should do every day of his life (Deut. 30:19; 2 Samuel 16:18; 2 Samuel 17:1; 2 Samuel 24:12; 1 Kings 18:23,25; Job 34:4,33; Psalm 25:12; Proverbs 1:29; Proverbs 3:31; Isaiah 7:15-16; Phil. 1:22; Hebrews 11:25). Other terms expressing volition are used over 4,000 times in Scripture. Whosoever WILL can be saved if he chooses the way of life (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Rev. 22:17).
[or the gods of the Amorites] Joshua was not giving them a choice only between the gods their fathers served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in Canaan, for the beginning of Joshua 24:15 shows that they also had a choice between these gods and Jehovah. Joshua was seeking for a confession of faith in Jehovah from them, and this they made clearly to him (Joshua 24:16-20).
Deut. 30:19 (KJV) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deut. 30:19 a [choose life] God commands men to choose life by choosing His grace and means of eternal life, thus canceling death and the curses that separate from Him. People can and must make the choice, because God does not force anyone to surrender to Him or remain obedient. All people are free to choose life or death, blessings or curses (Deut. 30:15-20).
b [that both thou and thy seed may live] The fivefold result in choosing God: 1. Both you and your children may live.
2. You may love the Lord (Deut. 30:20). 3. You may obey His voice. 4. You may cleave to Him.
5. You may dwell in the land promised to your fathers.
GOD CALL FOOLS BUT DO NOT KEEP THEM
James 1:5 (KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
1 Peter 4:16 (KJV) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
WHY PEOPLE BACKSLIDED
The reason is numerous, but we will look at a few.
PEOPLE BACKSLIDE BECAUSE THEY GET SPOILS BY MEN
Col. 2:8 (KJV) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
FALLING PREY TO SHEEP SKINNERS
Many Christians backslide because they fall under the ministry of false apostles. Do you ever notice how almost, every sermon preach on TV always end up on tithes and offering? Because that is what they are there for, to collect, and if they are not collecting enough milk from the sheep, they skin the sheep.
2 Cor. 11:13-15 (KJV) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Seven Ways that People Can Spoil Christians
1.Through philosophy (Col. 2:8)
2.Through vain deceit (Col. 2:4,8,18-19)
3.Through human traditions (Col. 2:8)
4.Through human religion and world principles contrary to the gospel (Col. 2:8,14-23; note, §Galatians 4:3)
5.Through circumcision (Col. 2:11-13; Acts 15:1; Romans 4:9-16; Galatians 5:1-11)
6.Through the law of Moses, demanding observance of the laws on meats, drinks, holy days, new moons, feasts, and sabbaths (Col. 2:14-17)
7.Through cults that puff up and imitate the gospel (Col. 2:18-23)
By all these means, unsuspecting souls are being carried off as plunder and booty by false teachers. The founders of false religions and human philosophies, which pamper the flesh and give their victims elated feelings of importance make an appeal to them.
b[philosophy] Greek: philosophia . Only here. It refers to the Mosaic institutions, human traditions of the Jews, and their vain reasonings against the gospel, as well as the various heathen reasonings in religion. Both Josephus and Philo used the word of all the Mosaic institutions—the philosophy of Moses, and in particular the hundreds of human interpretations and traditions that even nullified Moses (Matthew 15:2-13; Galatians 1:14; Col. 2:8).
c[rudiments of the world] World principles and ways contrary to the gospel (note, §Galatians 4:3).
d[not after Christ] That is, the Jewish and heathen philosophies and the rudiments of the world are not according to the simple gospel of Christ who died to save us (Col.1:20-25).
1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
2 Cor. 2:11 (KJV) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Ten Symbols of Satan
1. Serpent (2 Cor. 11:3; Genesis 3:15; Luke 10:19; Rev. 12:9,15; Rev. 20:3) 2. Crocodile (Job 41; Isaiah 27:1)
3. Great red dragon (Rev. 12; Rev. 13:4; Rev. 16:13; Rev. 20:2) 4. Angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) 5. Roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8; Psalm 91:13) 6. Fowls (Matthew 13:4,19)
7. Scorpions (Luke 10:19) 8. Wolf (John 10:12) 9. Fowler (Psalm 91:3) 10. Adder (Psalm 91:13)
CHRISTIANS BACKSLIDED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT PURGE THE OLD LIFE STYLE, AND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DO IT, THE OLD LIFE SPRING UP AGAIN AND HANDICAPPED THEIR LIFE:
1 Cor. 5:7 (KJV) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
2 Tim. 2:21 (KJV) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Hebrews 12:15 (KJV) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
The lord wants us to clean up our life so he can use us. Put away malice, covetousness, envy and all evil speaking. These sins are what drive some people to commit the sin unto death, the un forgiven sin of blasphemy.
Acts 13:45 (KJV) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Ephes. 4:31 (KJV) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
PEOPLE BACKSLIDE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT PUT ON LOVE AND PUT ON CHRIST
Galatians 3:27 (KJV) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Ephes. 4:24 (KJV) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Col. 3:10 (KJV) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Col. 3:12 (KJV) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col. 3:14 (KJV) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
If a Christians is not putting on, that mean he/she is not putting off the old life style. This is what it means to grow in grace. Sooner of later the old life style will entrap the person and bring them down.
PEOPLE BACKSLIDED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT ENDURE HARDNESS AS A SOLDER
2 Tim. 2:3 (KJV) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
PEOPLE BACKSLIDED BECAUSE THEY ARE SEEKING A GOOD REPUTATIONS, AND SATAN GET THE ADVANTAGE OVER THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING REPUTATIONS
2 Cor. 2:11 (KJV) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Philip. 2:5-7 (KJV) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Satan is going to slander you, defame you, lied on you, if you are living clean and he cannot get you. If you crave people to speak well of you, it is not going to happen, if you are hurting Satan their master and father.
Luke 6:26 (KJV) Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Many people backslide at this point. People do not praise you in Christianity when you are making sense. They will only speak the truth about you, years after you are dead. The people that you see they are honoring in the church did not do well.
Acts 13:45 (KJV) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Jeremiah 3:22 (KJV) Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.
FALLEN FROM GRACE
Galatians 5:4 a [ye are fallen from grace] That falling from grace is possible is clear here (Galatians 1:6-8; Galatians 2:21; Galatians 3:1-5; Galatians 4:9-10,19; Acts 13:43; 2 Cor. 6:1; Hebrews 12:15; Jude 1:4).
Hebrews 6:6 a[If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance] Fourfold Apostasy and the End of Apostates 1.If they shall fall away (Hebrews 6:6). "Fall away" is from the Greek: parapipto to fall aside; apostatize; fall away.
It means to throw overboard all faith in the experiences of the gospel and to deny them. People are here warned that such is possible. How could they fall away from the experiences of Hebrews 6:4-5 if they never had them? The language is past tense and factual so it cannot be denied that the ones referred to did at one time have experiences.
2.To renew them again to repentance is impossible. The reason given is that they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to open shame. This is the final act of apostasy. They publicly judge Him an imposter and worthy of death. That is, they do not believe in Him or His atonement any longer. Since such faith is the only thing that could renew them again to repentance, it then becomes impossible. How could they be renewed again to repentance if they had not experienced repentance before? The word "again" means once more; another time; anew; and this require repentance once before 3.As that which bears thorns and briers, they are rejected Heb 6:8)
4.The end of apostates (Hebrews 6:8). Just like that which bears thorns and briers is burned, so apostates are to be punished in eternal hell (Isaiah 66:22-24; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-49; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 20:10-15).
THE SIN UNTO DEATH
1 John 5:16 (KJV) If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
Matthew 12:31-32 (KJV) Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. [32] And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Matthew 12:31 a[manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost] Every kind and every single sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but one. (Matthew 1:21; Matthew 12:31; 1 John 1:7-9; 1 John 3:5). b[sin] Greek: hamartia §John 1:29). c[blasphemy] Greek: blasphemia), from blasphemos, to: 1.Speak evil of (Jude 1:8; Ephes. 4:31) 2.Rail (1 Tim. 6:4; 2 Peter 2:11) 3.Revile (Matthew 27:39) 4.Defame (1 Cor. 4:13) 5.Slander (Romans 3:8) 6.Insult by blasphemy (Matthew 12:31)
Proverbs 26:11 a [As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly] This verse is quoted in 2 Peter 2:22 where it refers to backsliders going back into sin.
PEOPLE WHO WALK AWAY FROM SALVATION SOME RETURN TO GOD AND SOME DID NOT: Twelve Examples of Returning to Sin
1. Aaron and Israel (Deut. 32:16-18; Exodus 32:32-33; 1 Cor. 10:1-11; Jude 1:5) 2. Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-20) 3. Korah and company (Numbers 16) 4. King Saul (1 Samuel 10:13-24; 1 Samuel 16:12-23; 1 Chron. 10:13-14)
5. Many disciples of Jesus (John 6:66) 6. David (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51) 7. Judas (Psalm 41:9; Psalm 55:12-14; Psalm 69:25-28; Psalm 109:8; Matthew 26:24; John 13:18; Acts 1) 8. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-14)
9. Many Galatians (Galatians 1:6-9; Galatians 5:4; Galatians 6:7-8) 10. Many early Christians (1 Tim. 1:19-20; 1 Tim. 5:8-20; 1 Tim. 6:1-21; 2 Tim. 2:18-21) 11. Demas (2 Tim. 4:10) 12. Whole churches (Rev. 2-3)
Ezekiel 3:20 (KJV) Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Ezekiel 3:21 (KJV) Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ezekiel 13:22 (KJV) Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
FAITH CAN BE OVERTHROWN FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
2 Tim. 2:18 (KJV) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE US STAND AND NOT FALLEN
Romans 14:4 (KJV) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
THE SAINT ENEMIES
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Seven Things Satan Is Compared To 1.A roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) 2.A fowler (Psalm 91:3) 3.Fowls (Matthew 13:4,19) 4.A wolf (John 10:12)
5.A thief (John 10:10) 6.A serpent (Rev. 12:9; Rev. 20:3) 7.A great red dragon (Rev. 12:3-12) f[walketh about, seeking whom he may devour] Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7. g[devour] Greek: katapino , to gulp down. Translated "devour" (1 Peter 5:8); "drown" (Hebrews 11:29); "swallow" (Matthew 23:24); and "swallow up" (1 Cor.
15:54; 2 Cor. 2:7; 2 Cor. 5:7; Rev. 12:16). It is not everyone that Satan can gulp down. Those who obey the commands of §1 Peter 5:5, cannot be swallowed up by him.
Ezekiel 3:20 a [righteousness] Righteousness Defined Some argue that this righteousness is not personal holiness of obedience to the gospel, but mere legal righteousness-the righteousness of the law-and that it does not prove a man to be saved from sin, or born again. However, this is but human theory. If it was the righteousness of the law, that is what must be fulfilled in those who are born again (Romans 8:1-4). Whatever the kind of righteousness it was something that:
1. One could turn away from (Ezekiel 3:20). 2. If he did turn from it he committed iniquity or sin. 3. He died if he left it and went into sin (Ezekiel 3:20; Ezekiel 18:24-26; Ezekiel 33:13,18). 4. It would not be remembered if he did turn from it to commit sin (Ezekiel 3:20). 5. It gave him life as long as he kept it and did not turn from it to commit sin (Ezekiel 3:21; Ezekiel 18:24). 6. He had it until he did sin (Ezekiel 3:21). 7. It would not deliver him from death if he left it; but if he kept it he lived (Ezekiel 33:12).
We have to conclude that if it had the power of life and death in it, depending on whether one kept it or not, then the kind of righteousness here is that which God demands in the N.T. of those who are born again (Matthew 6:33; Acts 10:35; Romans 4:3-22; Romans 6:13-20; Romans 8:4; 1 Peter 2:24). We have no authority to make this righteousness different from what God has always demanded, in both testaments. God requires us to fulfill the righteousness that the law demanded (Romans 8:4), so if a person was righteousness under the law for keeping it and one is righteous under grace for keeping it, then what is the difference? If all have been required to live by it, in either testament, then all must have it, or be lost (Ezekiel 3:20; Ezekiel 18:24-26; Ezekiel 33:12-13; Jeremiah 22:3; Jeremiah 33:15; Hosea 10:12). b [he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered] To continue to live the righteous man must not return to sin or die in sin (Ezekiel 3:20-21).
BACKSLIDED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GET PROPER SPIRITUAL DIET
2 Tim. 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim. 4:2 (KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
The believer needs to take advantage of the four spiritual food group mentions here. "Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness." People only want the doctrine part of the word of God.
Proverbs 15:10 (KJV) Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Proverbs 9:8 (KJV) Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
IF THE LORD CANNOT SCOURGE YOU WITH THE WORD, HE CANNOT KEEP YOU
Hebrews 12:6 (KJV) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Backsliding is two fold, one when the person leave the faith on their own, and the second is when the lord cast them off.
WHEN THE BELIEVER SET THEMSELVES UP TO BE A STUMBLING BLOCKS FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS
Romans 14:13 (KJV) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
NOT BEARING THE RIGHT KIND OF FRUIT
St John 15:5 [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [6] 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.
WE ARE CHRIST BRANCH
John 15:2 (KJV) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
If you and I are not bearing fruit, we will not remain in the vine for long, and ruin it. We have to go.
Luke 13:7 (KJV) Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
JESUS IS THE BRANCH OF JEHOVAH.
Zech. 6:12 (KJV) And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord:
PEOPLE BACKSLIDE BECAUSE THEY LET OTHER CHRISTIANS KEEP BEATING UPON THEM
Matthew 24:48-49 (KJV) But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; [49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Eccles. 7:7 (KJV) Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
3 John 1:9-10 (KJV) I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. [10] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
THE LORD CALL US TO STAND UP TO SOME PEOPLE, IF WE ARE CANNOT STAND UP IN THE CHURCH TO ONE OF OUR OWN, HOW ARE WE GOING TO STAND UP TO POLITICIANS?
Proverbs 28:1 (KJV) The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
You are not supposed to let people beat upon you then ask you to suffer for Christ. It is ok to tell people that they are hurting you, and hurting others. The lord grant all his servants a temporary conjunction so as to defend themselves. This constant beating take effect slowly, and one day you just walk away from the faith. You must either fight or flee. If you are going to stay there, you must have a way to let the punches roll off you. If it is hurting you that mean it is not rolling off, you are absorbing the punches and you need to run and go meet new people.
Matthew 10:23 (KJV) But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
a [when they persecute you in this city ...] Note the alternate warnings and instructions on what to do in persecutions: warnings (Matthew 10:16-18), then instructions (Matthew 10:19-20); warnings (Matthew 10:21-22), then instructions (Matthew 10:23-26).
b [flee ye into another] Not a cowardly flight, but a wise act to further the gospel. It deprives persecutors of their evil design, and conveys truth to others. If the preacher stayed and was killed he could not help the local flock or start others elsewhere.
Ephes. 4:26 (KJV) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
SIGNS OF BACKSLIDING
In a backsliding conditions the backslider is un aware that he she is slipping backward. However, one of the first signs, the person will begin to beat upon other Christians. This is why the Bible advice us to examine ourselves.
2 Cor. 13:5 (KJV) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Proverbs 14:14 (KJV) The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
BEWARE OF THESE GROUPS OF SPIRITS THAT ARE PROMINENT AMONG CHRISTIANS
For years I did not believe that a Christians can be demons poses, but as time goes by I came to the realizations it is possible. I came across hate and resentment among people who are handling the Sacred word of God, that could not be any thing but demons possessions.
Romans 11:8 (KJV) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Isaiah 63:10 (KJV) But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
1 Thes. 4:8 (KJV) He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
When they keep hurting each others because of covetousness, they do not know that it is God they are doing it to. Some get poses because they make every body that comes preaching lay hand on them.
2 Thes. 2:11 (KJV) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
(1) THE SPIRIT OF SLANDER AND CHARACTER TAINTING
Rev. 12:10-11 (KJV) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. [11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Satan cannot take down a born again child of God, who are walking according to God's will. However Satan can taint your CHARACTER to the point where you became ineffective in a certain arias.
At one time I was living in a certain community, and one man who was baring a grudge. Told the people in the community not to listen to me, because he was in prison, and I was in prison the same time he was an inmate. At the same time the man has never gone to prison. To make the people believe him, and to make me became ineffective he put himself in the shame. My wife ask" Why should the man lied on himself? I went to the police and applied for my police record. The police did a deep search, and return their finding. This name has never appeared on our criminal list. Only then I could clear my name. I know something was wrong, because even if I told somebody good morning they would say something about prison. You will find the same spirit in the church. Satan told them that you is a fornicator, and all of them remain behind your back and feed upon it. Every sermons end up about fornication, but only when you are there. The way to deal with this is to humors it. Say "A men" Encourage them to preach it. After awhile they will begin to commit these sins which they wish to see you commit, and will compel to learn humility.
(2) THE SPIRIT OF PHARISEESISM
This is the ability to see the calling of God upon the life of a person, confirming by miracles, and denied it flat out. In the Christians churches, if you are given a gift, like dynamic preaching, healing, prophecy and working of miracles, and if you are not one of the elite members of the church, they will never acknowledge that you have a gift.
THE PEOPLE WOULD NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS.
Mark 6:2-3 (KJV) And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this, which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? [3] Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF ENVY GRUDGES AND COVETOUSNESS
Matthew 27:17-18 (KJV) Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? [18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
THEY EVEN WENT TO KILL LAZARUS WHOM JESUS RAISE FROM THE DEAD.
John 12:9-11 (KJV) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. [10] But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; [11] Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
Isaiah 6:10 (KJV) Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
(3) THE SPIRIT OF FALSEHOOD
Micah 2:11 (KJV) If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
The spirit of falsehood
TO PREVENT BACKSLIDING YOU MUST ADD TO YOUR FAITH.
2 Peter 1:5-10 (KJV) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. [10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
The Bearers Of The Mind Sword
