The modern Doctrine of once saved always saved has been the focal point of many heated debates, not just within the denominations but even within the same house. Husband and wife, sister and brother have all taken sides in this discussion, each defending his interpretation of the scriptures.
What I believe is at the center of this debate is in fact the lack of agreement in what “being saved” is. The devil has deceived the modern ecclesiast into believing the message of “Jesus Loves You” will bring a man to Christ, that it somehow has power to convert his sinful heart to righteous. I can’t stress how wrong and biblically incorrect the practice of reciting a sinner’s prayer is, for salvation. Not even once is the sinner’s prayer taught in the bible, neither by Jesus nor any of the apostles, and for us to teach that after saying this mystical prayer, that a sinner is saved is akin to making salvation not a gift, but an act of works.
However Psalm 19:7 [a]tells us that “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;” and 2Corinthians 7:10 tell us that Godly sorrow brings forth repentance that then brings forth salvation. Ezekiel 36:26 tells us that God, not ourselves will take away or stony heart and give us a heart of flesh[d]. So it is clear to see that without Godly sorrow there can be no salvation[g]
So what is Godly Sorrow?
When a man comes into the realization that his actions are antagonistic to God’s Law; that he has spiritually injured God with his iniquity; that his sins has made him an enemy of God; It is that realization, (Godly Sorrow) not the fear of getting caught, or remorse once he was caught, but the desire to get right with God that brings about repentance. When King David recognized this through his confrontation with Nathan the prophet he said “I have sinned against the Lord” [b] he accepted his guilt, and wanted to be right with God.
When a man comes into the realization that his actions are antagonistic to God’s Law; that he has spiritually injured God with his iniquity; that his sins has made him an enemy of God; It is that realization, (Godly Sorrow) not the fear of getting caught, or remorse once he was caught, but the desire to get right with God that brings about repentance. When King David recognized this through his confrontation with Nathan the prophet he said “I have sinned against the Lord” [b] he accepted his guilt, and wanted to be right with God.
With Godly sorrow there is an accepted accountability of the transgression, and the sinner than realizes that his sin when measured against God’s law has become exceedingly[f] sinful (abounded in his spirit), that his sin has separated him from God[f] and now the sinner desires to fix whatever he can to become right with God
(repentance) when this happens the Grace of God can much more abounds[e] and salvation is given to the sinner.
Now it gets ugly, there are many people that are church members, that have never come to a biblical place of repentance, and even though they never miss a Sunday, are at all bible studies and prayer meetings, even though they love to fellowship with the saints they have not been saved.
The goal of this blog is not to identify them to show that they do exist, with that in mind let’s return to the bible.
In 2timothy 4, Paul writes to Timothy that Demas, someone Paul held in high regard as a Christian had been swayed by his desires of the things of the world. Demas was disciple of Paul, alone with Timothy, Mark and Luke, and Demas had been with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome. But even though Demas carried himself like a believer he was still able to be swayed by the things of this world. Forsaking Paul was bad, but the horror of Demas’ life was when he made himself a friend of this world his desires made him an enemy of God of this world [j]
Now let us consider Judas who betrayed our Lord. This false convert traveled for years with Jesus, he seen the miracles, he heard the wisdom. He could recognize Jesus as the Son of God, but because a biblical place of repentance he was not saved. We know this to be true because Jesus says of Judas while speaking to the disciples’ one of you is a devil[k].
To betray the Son of God is a horrific thing, but I believe that God is such a forgiving God that even the betrayal of His Son He would have forgiven. However Judas rather than falling on his knees to ask God for forgiveness for his actions, committed suicide[k]. Now don’t get me wrong he felt remorse, that is why he threw the money into the temple, but because there was no godly sorrow there could be no repentance and he died in his sins
In the same way many people are in church doing all that they can do look like disciples but having never come to a biblical place of repentance they still don’t see themselves as having a need for a savior. They don’t take accountability for their transgressions, blaming others or diminishing the crimes as just little sins, and they don’t see their sins as making a separation between them and God; many of them depend on God’s Grace for their salvation not knowing or maybe not caring about their requirement for their own salvation. These converts are in the presence of light but they are still walking in darkness. And Just like Demas and Judas if they don’t come to a place of godly repentance they will die in their sins.
T. Charves FireSpeaks
References
a).Psalm 19:7 b).2 Samuel 12:13 c).Isaiah 59:2 d).Ezekiel 36:26 e).Romans 5:20 f).Romans 7:13
g).2 Corinthians 7:10 h).2Timothy 4:9-10 j).James 4:4 k).John 6:70 l).Matthews 27:5
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