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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. (35758 Views)
'Dressing Sexy' Is A Sin That Would Take You Straight To Hell! / Unforgiveness: One Subtle Sin That Would Take Many Christians To Hell / It Is Only One Sin That Sends People To Hell Fire (2) (3) (4)
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Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by loko50(m): 11:52am On Oct 18, 2020 |
The 10 commandments are black and white! |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by loko50(m): 11:53am On Oct 18, 2020 |
STENON: Aspire to be one |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by haddeylium(m): 11:54am On Oct 18, 2020 |
Shebi people can repent and be forgiven in your hellfire ![]() what all these nahh ![]() |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by loko50(m): 11:54am On Oct 18, 2020 |
Comedian2019: No escape. 1 Like |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by karo93: 11:56am On Oct 18, 2020 |
@OP you are going too far....the sins that will send people to hell fire 1. I agree....I have read the terms and conditions 1 Like |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by loko50(m): 11:56am On Oct 18, 2020 |
Omezif: Are the punishment for every sin the same? |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by nkemoma(m): 11:57am On Oct 18, 2020 |
emusmithyy: Stop teaching nonsense!!! Perfect Adam was sent to the dust where he came from at death. Imperfect you and I sent to burn in a fire for all eternity!!! Does that show justice ![]() Hell FIRE is a false teaching... At death All men go back to the dust, from dust we were taken, to dust we all return... This simple truth is what the CREATOR said! 1 Like |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by souljaslim(m): 12:06pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
emusmithyy:He did not do away with the law. he only simplifies it..you love ❤️ and you won't break the 10...there exist dietary laws nobdy taLks about cos of this error |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by ABCthings: 12:08pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
Shile981:Are you a Calvinist? |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by Libatine: 12:19pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
@An2elect2 Maybe I'm not getting ur points clearly, but the prodigal son came home and said I'm sorry. That means he became self-conscious, & repented. It is only a self-conscious man/woman that can say I am sorry, pls forgive. YES CHRIST HAS PAID IT ALL, BUT MAN MUST ACCEPT IT. In 1829, George Wilson committed a crime, was tried, found guilty and sentenced for execution. However, the president of the United States then, Andrew Jackson, exercising his power of Prerogative of Mercy decided to grant him pardon and have his death sentence changed to a 20 year prison term. Strangely, George Wilson refused the offer. In his comment, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote, "A pardon is an act of grace, proceeding from the power entrusted with the execution of laws... (But) delivery is not complete without acceptance..." Since Wilson rejected the offer of grace, he had to face the consequences of his crime.* I REST MY CASE. |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by Omezif(m): 12:20pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
loko50:Why do you want to be punish at all ? |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by BuchiPrinzy: 12:20pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
How sure are you that this HELL exits? |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by JoshOxborn: 12:28pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
Hell Fire? ![]() 1 Like |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by davidinchrist(m): 12:31pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
An2elect2: Yeah, but if one continues in sin: Romans 8:13 KJV For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall DIE (spiritually): but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (eternally). 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by TheWalkingMind: 12:35pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
Softhands:What gives you the impression they have to go somewhere? |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by MrNipplesLover(m): 12:35pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
I praise your holy name, my Lord. thank you, father. ❤ let's move. ✌ 1 Like |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by kushe: 12:38pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
We are saved by grace through faith. Jesus has paid the price for our past and future sins. The only reason anyone will be going to hell is for rejecting God on the cross in the place of Jesus the son. Most other theories on hell are simply man made and don't tally with the words recorded in the bible after the resurrection of Christ. |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by Softhands(m): 12:42pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
TheWalkingMind:Impressionist... Keep looking for evidences right under your nose... |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by Goalnaldo(m): 12:43pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
emusmithyy:You probably have listened to Joshua Selman's message about offense. The root of offense is disappointed expectations. Ever since I came across the portion of the scripture that said if we do not forgive people their shortcomings neither will our heavenly father forgive us our own, I have made it a point of duty to forgive. I pray for three things Grace to not be offended easily Grace to love people Grace to forgive people no matter what. |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by Kccheechy(m): 12:44pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
Can we in the name of Love, accept the LGBT community into the church?? conduct marriages for them in the church too? |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by kushe: 12:48pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
All our righteousness are like filthy rags before God ( dem no reach) and God knows is why he allowed Jesus to die once for all sins without exception. We deceive ourselves fighting sin with our will power. God has provided a vehicle to take you from Lagos to Ibadan but you dey tell God I don't deserve this air-conditioned ride,abeg make I trek. Heaven will shock many people when they enter and see all sorts of people inside. After all the person wet first walk the red carpet into heaven following the death of Jesus was a condemned criminal. 1 Like |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by Danniedpastor(m): 1:00pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
emusmithyy: Nice one but... 1. Stop watching those videos, you have the complete Bible and the Holy Spirit to guide you. Most of those people that claim to have gone to heaven and hell are liars, they tell you what you want to hear and also sell their beliefs. Sis. Magaret is a living example. 2. Why bring in "ladical Plophet " into the write up. Do you know that such allusions can ruin the entire message. Keep growing in the Lord. God bless you 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by Nobody: 1:02pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
ABCthings:obviously |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by iriakanns(m): 1:10pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
Happy Sunday Op. Just a quick question or rather opinion based on God's word. Is it even possible for someone to go to hell and come back? I think a balance should be that they were shown visions of hell or they were at the point of going in but God intervened and gave them a second chance.See 2corinthians 12:4 for more clarification.And also peruse through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.No one can enter hell and come out again. I am open to learning op. |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by phelonrays: 1:15pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
An2elect2: Great !! What an eye opening scripts.. God blesses you sis... |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by Mamijoh(f): 1:23pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
Oluromantic:This is absolutely true |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by highdon(m): 1:31pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
Bless GOD |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by raddyworld: 1:40pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
Shile981: God harden the heart of pharaoh bcus he had punished the Israelite prior to God intervention. Israelites are special children to God. Pharaoh never wish them well. Taking for example if you had the desire to rape , it is a seed ur brought itself into ur life. The bible said we are tempted when we are drawn away by our lost. So Pharaoh has the intention |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by STENON(f): 1:41pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
loko50:Nobody can be a saint here on earth. |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by JESUSisKING1: 2:44pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
An2elect2:Can You Lose Your Salvation? Can God’s Judgment Fall on Believers?Summary: For 20 centuries the greatest scholars of the Christian church have wrestled with the question: Can a born-again Christian lose his salvation? Good Calvinist theologians can quote a dozen scriptures that appear to strengthen one side of this issue. And similarly capable Arminian theologians can likewise bring forth a dozen scriptures that seem to provide a different answer to the question. I will not be presumptuous enough to suggest that I can resolve this ancient debate with any degree of certainty.My intention in this Bible study, rather, is to offer some Scriptures for you to ponder, to pray about, and to seek illumination on God’s Word from the Holy Spirit. In my 74 years on earth I have seen a growing looseness in American Christianity. The downward moral decline seems to have quickened in our 21st century. I see an increasingly casual approach to sin among believers. In response to that, I offer the Scriptures and comments below in a sincere desire to encourage a striving for Christ-like holiness and for ever-increasing victory over the world, our flesh, and the devil. May the Holy Spirit give you enlightenment and wisdom. Romans 11:22, KJV Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. First, let it be established that the apostle Paul is clearly writing this epistle to Christians, to believers in Christ. Fully ten times he addresses the letter’s recipients as “brothers and sisters.” This 11th chapter speaks in detail about the unbelief (vs. 20) of the majority in ancient Israel. Their unbelief and disobedience (vs. 30) brought upon them God’s severity (22). The Assyrian and Babylonian Captivities and centuries later the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. are some clear historical examples of God’s severity against His people Israel for their disobedience and unbelief. But thankfully for the Gentiles, “because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles” (11). And thankfully for Israel, the apostle Paul looked prophetically down the corridors of time and foresaw a great ingathering of natural Israelites to faith in Jesus Christ (vss. 12, 15, 23, 24, 25f, 31). In this chapter’s context, the urgently important point of vs. 22 applies to us believers. Paul declares that the Israelites “which fell” experienced God’s severity in judgment. But to us, to born-again believers in Jesus Christ, Paul spoke of God’s goodness, but with a very big “IF” — “if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Towards those who fell, severity. Towards the believers, goodness. But the Christian must continue in God’s goodness, avoiding the disobedience and faithless transgressions done by Israel of old — things that brought God’s judgment upon His people and were “written to teach us” (Romans 15:4) … and “were written down as warnings for us” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Those Roman believers, and just as certainly we believers today, were exhorted by the apostle to “continue in His kindness [by faith and obedience to Him]; otherwise you too will be cut off” (vs. 22, Amplified Bible). 2 Peter 2:20-22 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” Peter is not speaking of people who have never known the Lord. He is speaking of people who “have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Their serious error was that they “are again entangled in it and are overcome.” They had come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. But then rather than remaining wonderfully freed from the corruption of the world, they returned to it, were again entangled in it, and were overcome. The result of their first entering, then forsaking, God’s way of righteousness and being overcome by the world once again is that they are “worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” Shocking but true is the apostle Peter’s Holy Spirit-inspired statement (vs. 21): “It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.” You may be finding that thought disconcerting. But it is the infallible word of God! And the Spirit-inspired writer goes on to liken such a person to a dog who vomits the sickening contents of his stomach, then turns right around and eats again that disgusting vomit. And remember, Peter is not speaking of those who hear the Gospel and simply reject it. No, he is speaking of people who have come to Christ for salvation “by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and thereby have “escaped the corruption of the world.” But sadly, they have later on “turned their backs on” the way of righteousness, have returned to the world’s corruptions, and are “again entangled in it and are overcome.” They are like the proverbial sow who, having been washed, goes right back to wallowing in the mud! Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith… It takes some serious stretching of the imagination to try, as some commentators do, to portray these people as not really saved in the first place. To the contrary, they show multiple characteristics of having experienced the Lord’s salvation: enlightened”• they have “tasted the heavenly gift” (Romans 6:23)• they have “shared in the Holy Spirit”• they have “tasted the goodness of the word of God” (1 Peter 1:23)• they have “tasted the powers of the coming age”• clearly at some point in their lives they had repented of their sins (vs. 6) Whether the writer was speaking of real people or hypothetical examples, they had clearly heard God’s Word with faith and had tasted the heavenly gift of eternal life and had the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Yet they had “fallen away” from all that, “to their loss”! This was not just a one-time or occasional sin followed by repentance. No! This was a falling away from the Lord that was so significant, so total, that it was the equivalent of that person “crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace” (6). Of such a deeply fallen believer it is said that “it is impossible for [them] … to be brought back to repentance, to their loss…” Two things stand out here: no longer repent.” (loss of salvation?). However one interprets this, the eternal ramifications of these two items are catastrophic! Hebrews 10:26-31 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. As in the Scriptures we have looked at already, this epistle is clearly written to Christian believers. Five times the author addresses the recipients as “brothers and sisters” (3:1, 3:12, 10:19, 13:1, 13:22, NIV). Then in verse 26 he addresses his fellow believers: “If WE deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth…” Read that verse carefully. This is not a one-time or occasional sin followed by sincere repentance. To the contrary, this is a “deliberate” continuance in sin — “If we [believers] deliberately keep on sinning…” This person is essentially doing the following (29): This is a knowledgeable, calculated, conscious choice to continue sinning after having come to the Lord as Savior. The results are catastrophic: And finally, lest we erroneously try to apply these warnings to the unbeliever only, the inspired writer pointedly says (vss. 30-31): The Lord will judge his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” I can hear the “but, but” reactions! There’s nothing difficult, deep, or mysterious about that verse. It is clear New Testament Scripture, written to “brothers and sisters,” to “make every effort…to be holy.” Why is this pursuit of holiness so important that it is worth our every effort? Because without holiness no one will see the Lord! In fact, our awesomely high calling in this matter is spelled out in Ephesians 4:24 — “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” I have heard John 8:1-11 (the woman caught in adultery) referred to by some as if it allowed us to take a light approach to sin. In front of a hostile crowd, Jesus forgave the woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery — a death-sentence crime in ancient Judaism. Yes, Jesus graciously said to her, “Neither do I condemn you.” However, far too few people go on quote Jesus’ next words to the newly-forgiven adulteress: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Forgiven? Yes. But also commanded by Jesus to stop sinning? Yes! A terrible looseness, a casual treating of sin, has infected many portions of the Lord’s Church. You’ll hear Christians excusing unholy living with such nonbiblical justifications for sin as: “Oh, God understands” … “God wants me to be happy” … “Our church is not into a ‘performance’ mentality” … and similar justifications for corrupt lifestyles. I would love to suggest a two-point sermon outline for preachers to share with their churches this coming Sunday. Here it is: without holiness no one will see the Lord” Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Churches are full of people exclaiming, “Lord, Lord.” Likewise, at the Judgment Day there will appear many before Jesus who will say to Him, “Lord, Lord.” Some will say, “Lord, we prophesied, we drove out demons, we did miracles.” Sadly, to some of them Jesus will say, “Away from me, you evildoers!” Lest we forget, Jesus listed the ultimate standard of His judgment (for good or bad) upon all people: “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20, KJV). And immediately after saying that came His words in vss. 21-23 above, ending with His ominous words, “Away from me you evildoers!” The fruits of their character and conduct did not match up with the confession of their mouths (“Lord, Lord, we prophesied, cast out demons, did miracles.”) But Jesus ignored all that and called them "evildoers." He knew them and judged them by the fruits of their character manifested in their conduct. In closing: I have deliberately avoided tackling the long-standing Calvinist-Arminian debate on salvation (eternal security or not? once saved always saved?). After centuries, scholars still have not resolved it conclusively, nor can I. My intent, rather, has been to quote some biblical warnings to believers, warnings that clearly speak of very negative consequences to those Christians who might take a casual, nonchalant approach to their salvation and their own personal conduct. In His crucifixion Jesus paid an indescribably horrible price for our sins. He did this so that we could be forgiven, be born again, and become sons and daughters of God Almighty. As the apostle Peter wrote, Jesus “Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness…” (1 Peter 2:24, NASB). The very grace of God that saves us (Titus 2:11) also “teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12). I trust that each and every one reading this today will incorporate that Scripture into your lives and will see great blessings come from it, as you grow increasingly into the image of our magnificent Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. ------------------------------- If God has spoken to your heart today and you would like to come to know Him personally, His Son Jesus Christ is ready and willing to impart His salvation to you and to usher you into the family of God. I encourage you to let evangelist Billy Graham help you pray a sincere prayer that will bring you into God’s wonderful salvation. Please go to https://peacewithgod.net/ You’ll be eternally thankful that you did! |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by davidinchrist(m): 2:45pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
John 5:14 KJV Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. |
Re: The "Small Sin" That Will Send The Most People To Hell-fire. by JESUSisKING1: 2:47pm On Oct 18, 2020 |
phelonrays:Can You Lose Your Salvation? Can God’s Judgment Fall on Believers?Summary: For 20 centuries the greatest scholars of the Christian church have wrestled with the question: Can a born-again Christian lose his salvation? Good Calvinist theologians can quote a dozen scriptures that appear to strengthen one side of this issue. And similarly capable Arminian theologians can likewise bring forth a dozen scriptures that seem to provide a different answer to the question. I will not be presumptuous enough to suggest that I can resolve this ancient debate with any degree of certainty.My intention in this Bible study, rather, is to offer some Scriptures for you to ponder, to pray about, and to seek illumination on God’s Word from the Holy Spirit. In my 74 years on earth I have seen a growing looseness in American Christianity. The downward moral decline seems to have quickened in our 21st century. I see an increasingly casual approach to sin among believers. In response to that, I offer the Scriptures and comments below in a sincere desire to encourage a striving for Christ-like holiness and for ever-increasing victory over the world, our flesh, and the devil. May the Holy Spirit give you enlightenment and wisdom. Romans 11:22, KJV Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. First, let it be established that the apostle Paul is clearly writing this epistle to Christians, to believers in Christ. Fully ten times he addresses the letter’s recipients as “brothers and sisters.” This 11th chapter speaks in detail about the unbelief (vs. 20) of the majority in ancient Israel. Their unbelief and disobedience (vs. 30) brought upon them God’s severity (22). The Assyrian and Babylonian Captivities and centuries later the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. are some clear historical examples of God’s severity against His people Israel for their disobedience and unbelief. But thankfully for the Gentiles, “because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles” (11). And thankfully for Israel, the apostle Paul looked prophetically down the corridors of time and foresaw a great ingathering of natural Israelites to faith in Jesus Christ (vss. 12, 15, 23, 24, 25f, 31). In this chapter’s context, the urgently important point of vs. 22 applies to us believers. Paul declares that the Israelites “which fell” experienced God’s severity in judgment. But to us, to born-again believers in Jesus Christ, Paul spoke of God’s goodness, but with a very big “IF” — “if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Towards those who fell, severity. Towards the believers, goodness. But the Christian must continue in God’s goodness, avoiding the disobedience and faithless transgressions done by Israel of old — things that brought God’s judgment upon His people and were “written to teach us” (Romans 15:4) … and “were written down as warnings for us” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Those Roman believers, and just as certainly we believers today, were exhorted by the apostle to “continue in His kindness [by faith and obedience to Him]; otherwise you too will be cut off” (vs. 22, Amplified Bible). 2 Peter 2:20-22 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” Peter is not speaking of people who have never known the Lord. He is speaking of people who “have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Their serious error was that they “are again entangled in it and are overcome.” They had come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. But then rather than remaining wonderfully freed from the corruption of the world, they returned to it, were again entangled in it, and were overcome. The result of their first entering, then forsaking, God’s way of righteousness and being overcome by the world once again is that they are “worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” Shocking but true is the apostle Peter’s Holy Spirit-inspired statement (vs. 21): “It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.” You may be finding that thought disconcerting. But it is the infallible word of God! And the Spirit-inspired writer goes on to liken such a person to a dog who vomits the sickening contents of his stomach, then turns right around and eats again that disgusting vomit. And remember, Peter is not speaking of those who hear the Gospel and simply reject it. No, he is speaking of people who have come to Christ for salvation “by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and thereby have “escaped the corruption of the world.” But sadly, they have later on “turned their backs on” the way of righteousness, have returned to the world’s corruptions, and are “again entangled in it and are overcome.” They are like the proverbial sow who, having been washed, goes right back to wallowing in the mud! Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith… It takes some serious stretching of the imagination to try, as some commentators do, to portray these people as not really saved in the first place. To the contrary, they show multiple characteristics of having experienced the Lord’s salvation: enlightened”• they have “tasted the heavenly gift” (Romans 6:23)• they have “shared in the Holy Spirit”• they have “tasted the goodness of the word of God” (1 Peter 1:23)• they have “tasted the powers of the coming age”• clearly at some point in their lives they had repented of their sins (vs. 6) Whether the writer was speaking of real people or hypothetical examples, they had clearly heard God’s Word with faith and had tasted the heavenly gift of eternal life and had the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Yet they had “fallen away” from all that, “to their loss”! This was not just a one-time or occasional sin followed by repentance. No! This was a falling away from the Lord that was so significant, so total, that it was the equivalent of that person “crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace” (6). Of such a deeply fallen believer it is said that “it is impossible for [them] … to be brought back to repentance, to their loss…” Two things stand out here: no longer repent.” (loss of salvation?). However one interprets this, the eternal ramifications of these two items are catastrophic! Hebrews 10:26-31 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. As in the Scriptures we have looked at already, this epistle is clearly written to Christian believers. Five times the author addresses the recipients as “brothers and sisters” (3:1, 3:12, 10:19, 13:1, 13:22, NIV). Then in verse 26 he addresses his fellow believers: “If WE deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth…” Read that verse carefully. This is not a one-time or occasional sin followed by sincere repentance. To the contrary, this is a “deliberate” continuance in sin — “If we [believers] deliberately keep on sinning…” This person is essentially doing the following (29): This is a knowledgeable, calculated, conscious choice to continue sinning after having come to the Lord as Savior. The results are catastrophic: And finally, lest we erroneously try to apply these warnings to the unbeliever only, the inspired writer pointedly says (vss. 30-31): The Lord will judge his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” I can hear the “but, but” reactions! There’s nothing difficult, deep, or mysterious about that verse. It is clear New Testament Scripture, written to “brothers and sisters,” to “make every effort…to be holy.” Why is this pursuit of holiness so important that it is worth our every effort? Because without holiness no one will see the Lord! In fact, our awesomely high calling in this matter is spelled out in Ephesians 4:24 — “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” I have heard John 8:1-11 (the woman caught in adultery) referred to by some as if it allowed us to take a light approach to sin. In front of a hostile crowd, Jesus forgave the woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery — a death-sentence crime in ancient Judaism. Yes, Jesus graciously said to her, “Neither do I condemn you.” However, far too few people go on quote Jesus’ next words to the newly-forgiven adulteress: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Forgiven? Yes. But also commanded by Jesus to stop sinning? Yes! A terrible looseness, a casual treating of sin, has infected many portions of the Lord’s Church. You’ll hear Christians excusing unholy living with such nonbiblical justifications for sin as: “Oh, God understands” … “God wants me to be happy” … “Our church is not into a ‘performance’ mentality” … and similar justifications for corrupt lifestyles. I would love to suggest a two-point sermon outline for preachers to share with their churches this coming Sunday. Here it is: without holiness no one will see the Lord” Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Churches are full of people exclaiming, “Lord, Lord.” Likewise, at the Judgment Day there will appear many before Jesus who will say to Him, “Lord, Lord.” Some will say, “Lord, we prophesied, we drove out demons, we did miracles.” Sadly, to some of them Jesus will say, “Away from me, you evildoers!” Lest we forget, Jesus listed the ultimate standard of His judgment (for good or bad) upon all people: “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20, KJV). And immediately after saying that came His words in vss. 21-23 above, ending with His ominous words, “Away from me you evildoers!” The fruits of their character and conduct did not match up with the confession of their mouths (“Lord, Lord, we prophesied, cast out demons, did miracles.”) But Jesus ignored all that and called them "evildoers." He knew them and judged them by the fruits of their character manifested in their conduct. In closing: I have deliberately avoided tackling the long-standing Calvinist-Arminian debate on salvation (eternal security or not? once saved always saved?). After centuries, scholars still have not resolved it conclusively, nor can I. My intent, rather, has been to quote some biblical warnings to believers, warnings that clearly speak of very negative consequences to those Christians who might take a casual, nonchalant approach to their salvation and their own personal conduct. In His crucifixion Jesus paid an indescribably horrible price for our sins. He did this so that we could be forgiven, be born again, and become sons and daughters of God Almighty. As the apostle Peter wrote, Jesus “Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness…” (1 Peter 2:24, NASB). The very grace of God that saves us (Titus 2:11) also “teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12). I trust that each and every one reading this today will incorporate that Scripture into your lives and will see great blessings come from it, as you grow increasingly into the image of our magnificent Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. ------------------------------- If God has spoken to your heart today and you would like to come to know Him personally, His Son Jesus Christ is ready and willing to impart His salvation to you and to usher you into the family of God. I encourage you to let evangelist Billy Graham help you pray a sincere prayer that will bring you into God’s wonderful salvation. Please go to https://peacewithgod.net/ You’ll be eternally thankful that you did! |
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