2 Peter 1, Part 9

 Blind and in danger. 

Welcome. If you have been with us for the past 8 weeks, you know that we have been doing an in-depth study of 2 Peter 1. We have been going through it word for word, and really diving into not only what it says, but the meaning behind it. I encourage you to check out the whole study in the archives if you missed any. Today? Today is going to be heavy. It really is. It may even be a bit offensive to some of you. It may go against what you heard in Sunday School. It may go against what you have heard from your last church, family member, or elsewhere. It may go against what you choose to believe. But I, especially in these types of messages, beg you, to read them for yourself. Read the Word of God. Pray about it. See it for what it actually says.

What are we going to talk about today? Losing your salvation. Yup. Is it once saved always saved? Or can you, once saved, actually lose your salvation? Remember, we are going through 2 Peter 1 and we have gotten to this passage.

"For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:9-11

Now, what are the qualities that Peter is referring to?

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Read that again. This is what we will be talking about today.

"For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins."

Why is this a big deal? Because it begs the question of once saved always saved? If that is the case, then what's the problem? But is that true? Look what Jesus called the Religious leaders of the day. If anyone was saved it was surely the rulers of the synagogues, and religious elites, right?

"Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." Matthew 15:14

He called them white-washed tombs.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27.

He also called these people, the children of the devil.

"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44

This should tell us that even though these people were religious, and they were the leaders of the religions at the time, they were NOT saved. Ok, if we see that, I hope you do, then what about those that are truly saved, can you lose your salvation?

Look what Peter tells us in the next chapter.

"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them." 2 Peter 2:20-21

In other words, it would be better if you were never saved, to begin with. That once you are, you then know and understand the truth. If you turn away from that truth, you become even worse off than you were before. Jesus puts it this way.

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits eviler than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation." Matthew 12:43-45

When you are not saved, there is nothing preventing you from being controlled by your flesh or even evil itself. You belong to the world. To sin. To death. To the devil even. But once you are saved, all that is put to death, and the evil is cast out. However? According to Jesus? Evil can and does return, and when allowed, the state of the person is far worst off. Look here in Hebrews.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:24-31

Read that again and highlight it if you need to.

"For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,"

"There no longer remains a sacrifice for sin." Now do not misunderstand. We all sin. As long as you have a repentant heart and are trying to overcome that sin, all is good. But if you chose to sin, and say something like, "Hey I'm saved, I can do whatever I want," or "I do not have to do what God tells me to in His Word," Then there is no longer Jesus's sacrifice for you. Look what it says.

"How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?"

If you accept Jesus. You allow His blood to be your blood, His sacrifice to be your sacrifice, and His death, to be the substitute for you, then you decide that you do not want to follow what the Word says, and you choose to accept sin or justify sin, or just go on sinning, then you are "Trampling under foot the Son of God, and profaning His blood." Does that sound like once saved always saved? God, is talking to the saved. He is talking to the Church. The body of Christ. Can you lose your Salvation? It would appear, the answer is, yes. It seems that the human concept of once saved always saved is not a truthful saying.

It does make sense if you think about it. If you come to me, and say, please adopt me into your family. I agree. However, I tell you to be a part of my family, I will require from you the same as I would require from all my children. If you are a faithful and good child, you, as with all my children, will inherit part of my vast estate and fortune. You will receive all the same things that my own children will receive and you will be loved as one of them.

However, you decide to stop coming to my house. You decide to go off and do your own thing. You decide to forsake me and my family. That is totally your choice. By doing this though, you are disqualifying yourself from all my blessings and promises. I can not bless you, help you, or even love you if you are no longer with me. As in all things, the choice is yours. As it says in Revelation 2:4-5

"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."

Once saved always saved? That is an entire church God is talking to here. This is what Peter is talking about, and we went into an in-depth study of these qualities. Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Why? Because if you work out your faith, exercise your spirit, and train it to learn and grow in these qualities, then and only then,

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

And they will keep you from going blind and forgetful of your walk in life. Stay focused on God.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Let your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, comment, questions, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!!

Many gods, Sin

Slave to Sin

Hello friends. We could continue on in this series for weeks if we were to choose to, but we are just talking about the big three. We will be starting out Christmas Series "The Gift" next time.

Anything you place in the forefront of your life. Anything that you serve, IS your god, lord, and master. We talked about the god, lord, and master named Money. We talked about the god, lord, and master, who is growing in popularity, named Self. We will be talking about a god, lord, and master that we all have served and if you are not careful, you can still serve, even though you claim you are serving God. It is called Sin.

"Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." John 8:34

Here is the thing. You do not have to go out and look for this god. You are born into its religion. You are born into the flesh and therefore you are born into Sin.

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." Psalms 51:5

This is just the reality. Since Adam gave all domination over to the Devil,

"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20

And we know because The Word tells us so.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Jesus came to give us a choice.

"Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?" Romans 6:16

Even though you were born into Sin and are a Slave to Sin, and without Jesus, make no mistake about it..

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

Who? ALL Who? All. Jesus came to free you from Sin.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

You cannot free yourself. You cannot change who you are. Sorry, I know some try to teach that you can. That in some way you can control you, yourself, and your Sin. However, this is not true. If you are not serving God, you ARE serving Sin. If you are walking in the Flesh, you CANNOT serve God.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:5-8

It really is so simple. You CHOOSE to accept God's Grace and the Sacrifice of Jesus. You CHOOSE to stop thinking fleshly, or worldly and start learning who God is. Learning what He says about this or that. What the truth really is. Thinking Spiritually.

"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:9-11

You must choose. Who do you serve? First, you have to accept Him. Then, and only then, you must then choose. Oh, you can continue to Sin. You can think, and sadly some do, that being Saved is a License to Sin. This is NOT the Truth at all. James warns us this.

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17

Peter gives us this very stern warning.

"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them." 2 Peter 2:20-21

Is there Salvation for the Saved? Is it once Saved always Saved, no matter what you do? No. Sorry. I do not believe the Bible tells us this.

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins," Hebrews 10:26

It does make sense if you think about it. If you come to me, and say, please adopt me into your family. I agree. However, I tell you to be a part of my family, I will require from you the same as I would require from all my children. If you are a faithful and good child, you, as with all my children, will inherit part of my vast estate and fortune.

You decide to stop coming to my house. You decide to go off and do your own thing. You decide to forsake me and my family. That is totally your choice. By doing this though, you are disqualifying yourself from all my blessings and promises. I can not bless you, help you, or even love you if you are no longer with me. As in all things, the choice is yours. You CHOOSE who you serve. Choose to serve God. Have God as your only God, Lord, and Master. There is only one true one. He is the great "I Am." There is nothing better, bigger, or more important. Choose wisely.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believe He raised from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord.