Subject: "Once Saved Always Saved" |
Bible Note: Hi Joe, we haven't crossed threads for a while. It is interesting to note how God the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God, in the Bible, to bring us to life in the spirit. I think that is why born again believers, as it were, get so down on the teachings of Catholicism. It seems that so much time is spent on ritual and not the exegesis of scripture, which can cause one's spirit to come to life. James talks about the Bible or the Word of God as though it is a type of sperm. The person receiving it can actually be impregnated by God's word. James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. The word engrafted is the Greek word EMPHUTOS and it carries the implication of germination. James brings this further to light in verse 18 with the word (begat). James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. The word begat is the indicative, aorist, active of APOKUEO. The indicative is the mood of reality, the aorist tense say it occurred in a point of time, when we believe God's Word and the active voice tells us that the subject produces the action. Praise the Lord what a process!! Peter backs this up as well. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Time spent in any church service, if it is not giving praise or reflection sure needs to be spent on the exegesis of God's Word. 2 Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. I was teaching a home Bible study one day and a couple of Catholic priest showed up; I think they must have been in their mid fifties or so and I was in my thirties. I did a lot of silent praying that the Lord would keep me on track as they made me more then a little nervous. There were about 35 people in all that attended the study. Someone said that one of them was a relative of a lady that often came. I set the ground rules before I started, that it was to be a Bible study and not a religious study and that everything would have to come from Scripture. Well everything went fine during the course of the study I even ask them several pertinent questions. I must admit that before the study was over I kind of felt sorry for them because they had a very limited knowledge of the Bible but then again I have found the same to be true of some liberal protestant ministers. The following verses in Matthew hit me like a ton of bricks after that study was over and I wish that I could have said more because those poor fellows had no assurance at all that they could have eternal life, and know it, on this side of the grave. Matthew 7:15-23 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. CDBJ |