Let us consider one other important example that touches born-again believers and the absolute need of their works of faith, of striving, going on unto perfection of their soul and spirit, lest they should enter the DANGER ZONE OF LOSING THEIR LIFE ETERNAL.
The Word of God in Heb. 6:1-3 tells us: “Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, LET US GO ON UNTO PERFECTION, not laying again the foundation of repentance from DEAD WORKS and of FAITH toward God; of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permits.”
The above means that we – soul and spirit – are not perfect in our natural “as redeemed” state and thus not acceptable to God in that state! We must leave all the basics of our childish Christianity, not repeat them for ever, waste the precious time of our earthly lives and ignore the very Purpose and Command of Our God to be perfect. (Mt. 5:48)
Then the Word of God says that we will do it, IF GOD PERMITS. Why would God not permit such a desirable thing? He will not permit us to undertake the above journey toward our perfection, if we are not walking on the narrow way or if we would try to do it “ourselves” walking on the broad way. (Mt. 7:13) The Spirit must have sufficient access to our soul and build there the right foundations after the Lord is allowed to enter our heart. (Rev. 3:20) Otherwise, God would not engage His Spirit in this transformation work and permit us to “go on unto perfection”, deliverance, renewal, rebirth of our natural, carnal soul without having the necessary foundations and thus conditions in us for such a journey and work.
DELIVERANCE OF OUR SOUL FROM FLESH IS NOT ONLY VERY UNPLEASANT; IT IS A PAINFUL THING, SOMETIMES VERY PAINFUL THING CAUSING SUFFERING TO OUR SOUL. THAT IS THE PRINCIPAL REASON WHY BELIEVERS ARE NOT “INTERESTED IN THIS PROCESS”! (Heb. 12:11)
What then follows is a solemn warning of the Lord to all those believers, who do not heed His call in Heb. 6:1,2, resist the Spirit in His mission to transform them into His Own Image, refuse to cooperate with God and endure this painful process. To such, God will not permit to even start this process.
So, what is the warning to such believers? The Lord clearly declares that they are in the DANGER ZONE of FALLING AWAY… away from their faith, from their position in Him, from His Grace. How? By their continued resistance to be separated from their carnal soul and thus resisting to fulfill the Will of their Father. The Word of God concludes:
“FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE… IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame.” (Heb. 6:4a,6)
THIS IS THE LOSS OF SALVATION! If you fall away from the faith and do not abide in Christ, you cannot repent again and return, you cannot be redeemed again! This is what that Word means.
Finally, let us consider one more important example from the Word of God showing what may happen to born-again believers, who resist God’s Purpose, ignore or refuse to obey His Word or are not watching and praying as advised by Our Lord. (Mk. 13:33-37) To such slothful and disobedient soulish believers the Lord says the following:
“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 (in the world), 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 has 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.” (2Pet. 2:20-22)
Our Lord calls such redeemed believers (for whom He shed His Blood) “dogs” and “sows”! How do you truly feel about this Word? How does it sound and “taste” to your Christian sense? And how do you view it in the judgment of your Christian kindness and decency and politeness? This Word is the Judgment and pronouncement of Christ Jesus, the loving, merciful, meek and lowly in heart! (Mt. 11:29) Do we truly SEE it? NO, we don’t! We, in our human kindness, would never do it because WE DO NOT SEE WHAT MEN ARE DOING TO GOD IN THEIR DEPRAVED, FILTHY AND DEVILISH NATURE… EVEN AFTER HAVING BEEN REDEEMED! They do not value their Salvation, God’s Grace, His Word and the price He paid for us, in any acceptable or even decent way. They remain fools and care not even for their eternal life. Animals have a far greater instinct for survival than men have. Are we able to see this depth of reality with man and God?
Do the above facts make any difference, any impact on your thinking, emotions or on your willingness to ponder it before the Lord? I do pray that it would. The Lord has been patiently waiting for any open and willing heart and mind and soul! This could be a sure stepping stone to your narrow way which alone leads to perfection and to your becoming a beloved son/daughter of God Almighty, even now, in your present living experience!
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To be continued next week in chapter 3 – part 12
brother Hanola
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