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NASB | Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 10:33 "But the one who denies and rejects Me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven. |
Subject: Easy to deny Christ? |
Bible Note: Dear 'blessed' Makarios, Greetings in the name of Jesus! You well know that I lean strongly toward 'once saved, always saved,' but I just cannot state unequivocably, absolutely that this is "God's final word." The reason is that the 'other camp' DOES have soem good points! However, for all intents and purposes, for virtually every practical application, I still believe that God will keep us close to Him, and protect and guard His own. That said, your (by the way, VERY GOOD!) comments do lead me to ask if the only way we (here on earth) can tell if a person is saved is if he lasts 15 rounds and 'takes it to the judges?' If we finish the race without denying Christ, it is proof that we are saved, a new creation? Please understand that I am not arguing against a secure salvation, but for it! I am simply trying to answer the 'naysayers' effectively. I know that the Lord has made me alive together with Christ Jesus, and I am certain that He will keep me until that day. I am just as certain that the Lord has similar plans for many, even if they do not produce the same fruit of an outward appearance of salvation. Trust that I am NOT saying all are saved, only those that have confessed Christ, but have a more difficult time manifesting that salvation. I think that those who are sensitive to the Holy Spirit can discern salvation beyond outward good works, and that we must be careful not to become too 'selective' in who we call saved. (I am sure that God is not as hard to please as man is!) Some might say I am arguing both sides. Indeed, I might be doing just that! Both sides have merit, but only in a matter of scale. I am 99.99 percent in favor of eternal security, with the remainder totally in God's hands, and beyond my ability to grasp. Thank you for a well thought out answer, good friend. In Christ Jesus, charis |