For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why doth he yet hopes for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 8:24-25.
Christ died for our sins to save us from the condemnation of eternal death according to the scriptures. Salvation is an obtainable free gift through faith which cannot be purchased or earned on any merit; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Christ took on flesh and blood, the just for the unjust died to bring us back to God by his unblemished blood which was shed on the cross of Calvary for our redemption from sin, death and Satan (Hebrews. 2:14), otherwise, none shall be saved from the curse and wrath of God upon mankind as the result of the sin and fall of Adam and Eve at the Garden.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. We see from this text that eternal life is a promise based on faith - whosoever believe. Certain promises of God are given to be obtained and profit therein while we are alive in the flesh, but the promise of eternity can only be consumed at death. The promise of eternal life is the greatest of all the promises of God, it is the greatest promise to pursue and to make sure to obtain for nothing can be given in exchange for a man’s soul. While we are in the body, we are absent from the Lord. Eternal life is not now, but in the future - in hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie has promised before the foundation of the world. Titus 1:2. None of these promises of God is unconditional. There are rules of engagements in our walk with God and in our relationship with one another in the church or with the people of the world: if a man also strives for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strives lawfully. 2 Timothy 2:5.
Heaven is the race and eternal life is the prize or reward from the fruit of the tree of life which Christ shall give to all those who shall overcome the false doctrine of once saved, forever saved (Revelation 2:7), if they put their hands into the plough and not look back – if they have forsaken all that they have to be Christ disciples – if they are abiding and fruitful in the vine- if they are walking worthy of God unto all pleasing, and being fruitful in every good works. Are we not his workmanships created in Christ Jesus unto good works ordained by God for us to walk therein?
Let those who have not being washed by the blood of the Lamb from sin not ever think of being saved by the Lord Jesus. And, let those that are saved not be neglectful of their so great a salvation by working out their salvation with fear and trembling; Let them not trodden underfoot the Son of God, and not counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and let them not do things in defiance of the Spirit of grace by which they are saved. Hebrews 10:29.
Salvation is a gift of the grace of God, but eternal life is the reward of how you live, use and value the gift of God’s salvation in Christ Jesus. By grace you are saved through faith? In this common salvation, but how are you living in the grace of God? Have you received it in vain? Have you grace to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear? Are you despising the spirit of grace? Are you living the gospel life? Philippians 1:27. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6. Are you building again that which was once destroyed? Galatians 2:18. Whosoever committeth sin transgresses the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abides in him sinned not: whosoever sinned hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remained in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:4-10.
Are you saved but living an ungodly and worldly lifestyle in the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life? How are you obeying the grace of salvation teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14. This is by the practical obedient life: for Christ become the author of eternal salvation unto all of them that obey him. Hebrews 5:9. The Lord himself says that few shall be saved. The assurance and security of eternal salvation is guaranteed on doing the will of the heavenly Father. Many shall be disowned and rejected by the Lord himself as workers of iniquities. The Lord shall be selective as to the type of bride he will go into the banquet hall with him - let every man that names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. Of the seed which fell on four different kinds of places, only one place is good among the four which signifies that it is only those who hears the word, live daily by it, purifies their lives and ways by taking heed to the word, and bringing forth fruits through it shall be accounted worthy of eternal life.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is and every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3. Psalms 119:9-11. The inheritance reserved in heaven for the saved sinners called to be saints on earth is incorruptible and undefiled, this is the reason why access of regeneration is given to each because of their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead: being born again: that is, receiving the ability to partake or manifest the nature of God through the power of God while we are in the flesh in preparation for heaven. 2 Peter 1:3-5. We are saved by hope. This is what the bible calls as by living in the lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that faded not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5. This is the unsearchable riches and wisdom of God in Christ Jesus to redeem sinner and enables him to live God's kind of life of incorruption through divine power while on earth for the hope which was laid up for him in heaven. Christ by his precious unblemished blood obtained eternal salvation or redemption for us (Hebrews 9:12): but is there is anything like eternal redemption without the works or actions of faith that accompany your salvation in the bible? Hebrews 6:9-12: (i) apostle Paul could not have revealed how he fights and resists to overcome his flesh to put his body under subjection against sin so that after he has preached to others, he should not be a cast away. 1 Corinthians 9:27: (ii) should have been warnings for us to draw examples from the Israelites who were once saved out of Egypt, but many were rejected and destroyed in the wilderness, not allowed to enter into the Promised Land because they chose to serve God in their own ways and not God's ways and principles. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13: (iii) it should be useless to warn the believers against the danger of eternal condemnation and judgment, and to exhort them to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ behind them, and to go onto perfection: not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works (stop sinning and awake to righteousness. 1 Corinthians 15:34) and of faith toward God to highlights the impossibility to bring anyone who was once saved, but shall be lost forever, having received the baptism of the Holy- Spirit, having tasted of the goodness of the Lord (Hebrews 6:1-6), and having put his hand into the plough, but looking back, not fitted for the kingdom of heaven. Luke 9:62.
The doctrine of once saved, you’re forever saved irrespective of the lifestyle you are now living is a fallacy and fantasy world of lies and deception from the serpent which was once preached to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden that they shall not die, but eventually died according to God's word and warning. If God cast Adam and Eve away from his presence, out of the garden of Eden, he will likewise send anyone away from his eternal presence, though they are now in his kingdom, but (a) they are fruitless branch in the vine (John 15:2), showing no godly sorrow, it shows that they have not really given up their sins, not producing fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11), not winning souls (Proverbs 11:30), and not turning sinners unto righteousness, but walking the broad way and wide gate leading to destruction with the false hope to get to heaven. Daniel 12:3: (b) they are not cold or hot to be spew out of Christ mouth ever before they get to heaven. Revelation 3:16: (c) they are not abiding and walking in the truth, love and purity for the assurance and confidence of abiding in Christ not turn away from him in shame when he comes. 1 John 2:28: (d) they will not cleanse themselves from all the filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1: (e) they will not abide in the doctrine of Christ, even the doctrine which is according to godliness is profitable unto all things and has the promise or reward of the present life, and of that which is to come - beware of the doctrine of once saved, forever saved. 1 Timothy 4:8. No one can keep sowing to the flesh to reap incorruptible life after death. The assurance of our eternal salvation is based on the guarantee of the spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) given to sow continually to the spirit that we might reap eternal life instead of eternal corruption. Galatians 6:7-8: (b) how can we be living carelessly to cause anyone for whom has Christ died to go astray but hoped to be spared by God to enter heaven? You don't want to be held responsible and accountable for the lost soul of others before God? This is the reason why you must be steadfast and upright in the ways of the Lord. Matthew 18:6-7. 1 Corinthians 8:12-13. The assurance of our eternal salvation is guaranteed on our obedient love (hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and do his commandments. 1 John 5:2) when our moral and spiritual life is not a stumbling block or an occasion for someone's else to fall aside into sin in the kingdom. You are the light of the world, a good example for others to follow. We should be careful of the effect and impact of our Christian lifestyles on others, otherwise, misrepresentation of Christ in the world can prevent us from inheriting eternal life. 1 Timothy 4:16. Ephesians 5: 1-8. (Hebrews 6:9-11). Dull hearers and slow learners with no intention to change cannot make it to heaven. Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2:1-4.
God is love. Christ shown this love for giving his life as a ransomed for us – greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.
I know of everlasting love from the scriptures, but there is nothing like unconditional love in word of God. God have good plans for you, and he always thinks good of you, even before you were conceived and born into the world. This is what is known as everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3. What many people presumed as the unconditional love of God is the call of the gospel – the good news onto the grace of God for sinners of all categories of life to receive the free salvation with opened arms of divine love, accepted in the beloved; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Christ has promised to receive anyone and would not reject whosoever comes to him for his gift of free salvation wrought by his atonement and sacrifice for redemption, regeneration and righteousness by faith in him.
If there is an unconditional love of God, he will not require of anyone to repent and forsake their evil ways: he can just leave them to live anyhow and love them anyway. Even when you come into the love of God, it requires that you abide in it by keeping his word (John 15:9-12), that you might continue in it, that by that obedient love, you may obtain his mercy on the last day. Jude 1:21.
The first Adam was loved and created in the likeness and God’s image, but was not shown unconditional love when he sinned, but was cast out of the Garden to prevent him to eat the fruit from the tree of life: this is the reason why the second Adam, that is Christ, though has died to save sinners that all might obtained forgiveness and eternal life by him: yet, he's issuing serious threats, encouragements, and rebukes of love that all might live up to the expectations and standards to fulfil the purposes of our salvation set by God to obtain the rewards of eternal inheritance, lest they should lose their salvation and be rejected, not by the Lord, but for their conducts and manners of life in the kingdom of God while they lived. 1 Peter 1:17.
(A) Onto the Angel of the church of Ephesus write, Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is amid the paradise of God. Revelation 2:1-7.
(B) And onto the Angel of the church in Smyrna write- Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 2:8-10.
(C) And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamos write. I know thy works, and where thou dwell, even where Satan's seat is and thou hold fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelled. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it. Revelation 2:13-17.
(D) And onto the Angel of the church in Thyatira write; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:19-23.
(E) And onto the Angel of the church in Sardis write; these things say he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou live, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:1-3.
(F) And to the Angel of the church in Philadelphia write; Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man takes thy crown. Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Revelation 3:11-12.
(G) And onto the Angel of the church of the Laodicea’s write; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou says, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knows not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that thou may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:15-20. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Christ will be back very soon to make his final selection of those who shall be counted worthy to enter into the banquet hall with him among all those that calls on his name there is going to be spiritual selection, disqualification and rejection among the multitudes that are called and few shall be chosen according to how those who are presently live according to God in the spirit. 1 Peter 4:6. There are lots of self-incriminating, self-disqualifying attitudes and many false steps and lifestyles not becoming Christ like which many in Christ Jesus are rebelliously living against the word of God in the name of the grace of God and liberty in Christ. To start with, the first Adam was disqualified by sin and was substituted by the second Adam who executed the continuation and accomplishment of divine plan that the fellowship sought by God with his creature (man) should not be disrupted forever by Satan.
If Adam was disqualified because of the wrong choice he deliberately made before God and was replaced by the second Adam for his failure to walk worthy of God unto all pleasing to make his calling and election sure until God will decide to give to eat the fruit of life, why should you think that Christ will be your author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9) if you should keep walking presumptuously and wilfully in deliberate disobedient (keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Psalms 19:13) by ignoring the authority of the word of God to walk and live in the new creature and in newness of life? Romans 6:4. The first Adam failed to strive lawfully to be crowned as the head of the human race and was disqualified and replaced, but the second Adam humbled himself and was obedient unto God to the end, even the death on the cross and God exalted him, given him the name which is above every other name. Do you think you will be selective by Christ at the end, though saved by his grace, but not doing the will of the Father in heaven? Are you self-willed because your lifestyles seriously disagree with the scriptures and the principles you live for are contrary to the gospel life, do you think Christ will take you in when he comes back?
Adam sought to improve on himself (the outward man) and not on God’s image he was created to portray in resemblance through obedient. Now, we are saved to portray the image of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but if in any way, any should ignore to walk in Christ as they have received him, rooted and grounded in him, built up in him, and abounding and increasing therein with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7), how dare should they ever think that they shall be qualified, accepted and admitted into the banquet hall with the bridegroom at his coming?
Once saved will not forever be saved for eternity if such a person will not heed the warning to hold fast that which they have, lest someone else should receive or take the crown reserved and made ready for them in heaven. Revelation 3:10-11.
God deserves and demands our reverential submission to his will as it is revealed in the scriptures. To abide, walk and live daily for the will of God as it is done in heaven; this is the foundation and blessed assurance of our hope of any safe relocation to the city whose foundation and maker is God. It is not by any cheap talk of the lips and tongues but by active joyful obedience in submission to the word and will of God. The scripture says that the doer of the word shall be blessed in deeds. Has Christ the Saviour not openly said that the gifts of the Holy spirits in the church through prophetic utterances and the gift of power to display signs and wonders with many other great and wonderful works done in his name are not suffice in themselves before God to get us to heaven if we are not doing the will of God in a complete and fulfilled obedience? Once saved will not always be saved eternally, if God was not served by such person acceptably with reverence and godly fear because our God is a consuming fire. Has Apostle Paul not warned Timothy to be careful of his lifestyles to balance and modifies it according to the principles of the doctrine of Christ, that by framing and directing his life by the word of God, he will save himself and his hearers? Job 35:5-8. 1Timothy: 4:16.
King Saul was rejected and eternally perished for his sin of consulting the witch at Endor – little children keep yourself from idols. Queen Vashti was replaced by Queen Esther for her pride: from the heart comes pride and defiles a man to make him unworthy of heaven – God resist the proud, they that do such thing shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Matthias was chosen to replace Judas who betrayed our Lord – all traitors of their brethren in Christ or traitors of the gospel of Christ shall not make heaven. Whosoever is ashamed of Christ and of his word in this sinful and adultrous world shall not make heaven.
Are we not called unto holiness? Called to separate from the world unto the Lord, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love? But if our religion is not taking us away from the world (James 1:27. 1 John 2:15-17) not to be conformed and defiled by it, how can we claim that the true love of God is in us? How can we say we are crucified to the world? How can we say we have come out of the world to be identified with Christ in the likeness of his death, bearing his reproach? How can we say we have suffered with him that we might also reign with him, if we are presently in friendship with the world which is an enmity against God? Galatians 6:14. Isaiah 3:16-24.
Yes, the scripture says God has not called us unto wrath or to perish, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. What if you are not bearing fruit as a branch in the vine, shall you be saved to the end? You are called to be a soul winner; otherwise, once saved shall be cut off from the vine because such person is a fruitless branch among other branches.
Are you truly an imitator of Christ? Are you portraying and glorifying the Lord in your body with the way you dress as man or woman of God? Though you are now saved, but your dressing or other things in your life making others to fall from the will of God or making others to sin against the will of God – think that God will spare and keep you with him throughout all eternity while you made others to perish? It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence comes. Woe to the world for temptations to sin: for it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! Matthew 18:7. Romans 14:21.
Once saved shall not always be eternally saved if that servant has chosen to serve two masters – a servant cannot serve two masters.
Once saved shall not always be saved eternally if he neglects so great a salvation and will not take heed to things heard, lest at any time he should let them slip. Hebrews 2:1.
Once saved shall not always be saved eternally if he will not endure to the end, whosoever shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.
Once saved shall not always be saved eternally if such a person by envy or evil heart misuse his tongue to blasphemed the Holy Spirit in the life or Ministry of others – it is a sin without forgiveness - a fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. Proverbs 18:7.
Once saved shall not always be saved eternally if he will not do away with his fornication, and all uncleanliness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh the saints ; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. Ephesians 5:3-7.