From
the way Jesus frequently warned us about those who could fall away, I
don't think Jesus had ever given us any 'once-saved-always-saved'
assurance. Anyway it can never fit well in all His teaching or warning
about the false prophets (who came from the believers), the tares (among
the believers), the separation of the sheep and the goats (separation
of the believers), the foolish steward (the believer), the foolish
virgins (the believers), the foolish servant (the believer), the foolish
believers, the foolish churches (in Rev 3), being diligent, and etc.
Jesus has made it SO CLEAR for all of us to take heed and to live a
diligent life.
However, we may still argue with one another today
on this .. .. It may go on and on if we are still not cleared about
what the Lord has already taught us, for example, on Paul's words in the
following Bible verses:
Heb 6:4-6 KJV For it is impossible for
those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift,
and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (5) And have tasted the
good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (6) 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.
We understand that there are two interpretations of the Bible verses above:
1.
"If they are saved and they shall fall away again, they can never be
re-saved again and again. Hence, saved believers can never fall. Or else
this will put Jesus to an open shame"
2. "If they are saved
and they shall fall away again, they can never be renewed again unto
repentance. Hence, some believers can fall after rejecting repentance,
and their subsequent 'repentance' (again and again) will only put Jesus
to an open shame"
Yes, I know it is difficult to determine which
of the above is the real interpretation of Heb 6:4-6 because of the
construct of its words. So in such a rare occasion, we may need to
resort to the use of Bible context by looking at the Bible verses after
the passage:
Heb 6:7-8 KJV .. For the earth which drinketh in the
rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by
whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: (8) But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
The
above could be a continuation of the previous passage which talked
about those who shall fall away. Now, let us go back to our previous
passage Heb 6:4-6 and find out which interpretation will fit well with
its continuation in Heb 6:7-8.
I believe that the second
interpretation will fit well with its continuation which talks about the
judgement of both the saved believers and those who shall fall away.
Obviously the second interpretation which mentions about repentance fits
well with its continuation which also mentions about the fruit related
to repentance too.
That's why we must be serious about
repentance; if possible, we will guard our hearts not to lose our
repentance. We don't make 'loose' repentance. Repentance is not 'cheap'
because it is by the grace. It came by the grace of God. Hence,
repentance is more than just physical confession of words or repetitive
prayers that we made in front of the people. We mean it when we confess
our sins before God and we ought to always (daily) keep this spirit of
repentance as we walk in Him or walk after His commandments.
We do not just confess verbally; we must repent
Hence,
I believe that when John told us to confess our sins, he did not mean
only physical confession of words; he meant repentance (with confession,
recognition, thinking, or admitting of sins before God):
1Jn 1:6-10
KJV If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness,
we lie, and do not the truth: (7) But if we walk in the light, as he
is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of
Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (8) If we say that we
have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins (if we repent),
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make
him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Of course, God would not just
want us to confess sins verbally, repetitively, and meaninglessly
without any repentant attitude. Now please think, If God would want
everyone to confess his sins with the repentant attitude, can a believer
'overdo' it until it becomes an insult to Him? No, repentance is an
attitude or process which must remain in every believer or us who have
repented, and it is not a shame for us to confess sins or say 'sorry' to
God if we need to !
This is how we should read the words of God with the Bible context.
Is it possible for the believers to reject repentance and preach it again superficially or 'lukewarmly'?
I said earlier in point 2.
on the interpretation of Heb 6:4-6 above that some believers can fall
after rejecting repentance (or because of their rejection of
repentance). Did Paul talk about a fictitious group of believers who
will come back again (with their own 'repentance') to put Jesus to an
open shame after their rejection of Christ's repentance? Yes, Paul did
say that it was impossible for them to be saved, to believe, and to
preach repentance genuinely if they have rejected it; but it is still
possible for us to find such people who will still come back and argue
with us on their 'repentance' or mind changing philosophy today.
Probably they were carnal believers who had rejected repentance many
years ago or they could have departed from God's churches when they were
young. But now they want to come back and claim that they know more
about grace or repentance than God's preachers. But we know that they
are not God's preachers or believers who have truly repented. They may
even preach 'metanoia', repentance, or grace, with more dramatic
definitions (eg. radical grace or hyper grace), but we know that they
come back to preach the words of God with hidden bitterness like
Simon's. They would take the gift of the Holy Spirit or grace for
granted:
Act 8:13-25 KJV Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles
and signs which were done .. .. (18) And when Simon saw that through
laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered
them money, (19) Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I
lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. (20) But Peter said unto
him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift
of God may be purchased with money. (21) Thou hast neither part nor
lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
(22) Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. (23) For I
perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of
iniquity. (24) Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for
me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. (25)
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord,
returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the
Samaritans.
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