Endless Prayer

Primary Verses:

• 1 John 1:7

1 John 1:7 - 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.

As I studied 1 John 1:7 and its’ surrounding verses I tried to keep an open mind as to what it could be saying to someone seeking the truth from God’s word. The first time I read this verse it seemed as though it was correlating our salvation to our walk with Christ. As with all of my studies when confronted with scripture that seems to contradict what I have learned in the past (notice I said “have learned”, not “have been told”) I read it and its surrounding verses many times to let what is being said sink in. Take some time now to read the entire first chapter of John and come back once you feel as though you understand the context and meaning behind the passage (or come back if you get completely lost and need guidance).

Now that we have read the chapter lets look into the theme of what is being said. The writer is speaking of fellowship in the first chapter of John (this is obvious since the word “fellowship” is used many times) . So how does this theme of fellowship apply to verse 7? Also what is meant by “cleanseth” in the last part of verse 7? It is apparent that our “walk” is key to fellowship with God. So to stay in “fellowship” with God we must “walk in the light”. The next thing we must understand is what cleansing we have by being in fellowship with Christ. First let us understand that being cleansed in this context is not speaking of salvation but of purification. We must understand that Jesus died once for all sin and that their remains no more sacrifice (i.e. - Jesus finished the job). What does remain is our purification, by remaining in fellowship with Christ we can be assured that sin in our life will not “build up”.

Imagine if you will a muddy stream and someone walking in the stream as long as the person walks in the stream the mud will not build up on the bottom of the shoe because the water continually washes it away. If however the person were to stray out of the stream then the mud from the bank would continue to build on the shoe making it more difficult to walk. This is how our Christian walk is as well, if we stay in fellowship (i.e. - in the stream) we stay clean even though we go through the mud but if we get out of fellowship (i.e. - get out of the stream on the muddy bank) our sin builds up making it harder for us to walk as Christians. This however does not affect our salvation but it does make it harder to walk in the light.

We can see this first hand. We all can remember a point in time that we got to busy in our lives and did not get to read God’s Word like we should have or did not get to pray as much as we should have. What happened during those times? Probably if you are like the rest of us your days did not run as smoothly as normal and this scripture shows you why. If we get our of fellowship with God it does not take long for us to see the effects of not being constantly renewed.

Salvation (Eternal Security) - Part 3

Primary Verses:

• 1 Corinthians 3:15-17

1 Corinthians 3:15-17 - If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

I originally found 1 Corinthians 3:15 as a verse to back the idea that one could not lose their salvation because if you read this verse by itself it seems as though that is what it is talking about but after reading it I noticed 1 Corinthians 3:17 which seems at first glance to state the opposite (i.e. - “him shall God Destroy”). So what, I then asked myself, is the true meaning of these scriptures? As with all scripture we can not get the true meaning if we do not keep the scripture in context, even if it does support our opinions ;-). Lets dig a little deeper and find what it is God would have us learn from this scripture go and read from the beginning of 1 Corinthians 3 through the end of the chapter and then continue.

Now that we have read the full chapter we can see who the writer is speaking to and in what context he is speaking. First we notice that from the beginning of the chapter the writer is chastising the Corinthians about divisions and disputes among the believers there at Corinth. There was obviously those who were “followers of men” disputing (For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?). The writer then goes on to further set up the context in verse 9 and 10 where he mentions Paul and Apollos as being “builders” and the believers at Corinth as being “God’s building”. The scripture then goes on to describe “God’s building” (i.e. - the believers) as the work done by gods builders (i.e. - teachers, preachers, ect.).

Now that we have set the context of our scriptures in question we can better understand their meaning. The “work” spoken of in 1 Corinthians 3:15 is the spiritual work that the builders have done, that is to say the things they have spoken, taught, preached, ect. So what verse 15 is telling us is that what we teach or preach to people will be tried by the fires of God and if it is burnt up (i.e. - we were wrong in what we said) then we suffer loss but we are still saved. Verse 16 goes on to describe our “spiritual building” as a “temple of God” which takes us into our problem verse 17. With the insight we have gained thus far we can now see that verse 17 is not speaking on spiritual salvation but of a physical state. The defiling of the temple that verse 17 speaks about is a corrupting of the spiritual building or in other words “false teaching”. God warns of the consequences of those who would spread false doctrine, the end being destruction.

Salvation (Eternal Security) - Part 2
Salvation (Eternal Security) - Part 4

Primary Verses:

• Hebrews 6:4-6
• Hebrews 10:26-29

I decided to look first at Hebrews in my search to answer the question: “Can you lose your salvation?”. I chose Hebrews because I recently had someone use these verses to defend the idea that one could lose their salvation. So to understand what these verses mean lets take a look at them in more detail.

Hebrews 6:4-6 - 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, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 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 am open shame.

When I first read these verses the thing that jumps out at me the most is the word impossible. Impossible is a big word whose meaning I think we all understand but if we take the opinion that these verses refer to salvation then this would also imply that if salvation is lost it is impossible to get it back. Well, I do not think there are any of us who would like to even think that as a possibility and in fact other scripture contradicts that completely (one account that comes to mind is David of the old testament which we would all agree fell away after his encounter with Bathsheba). So if it is not talking about salvation then what is it talking about?

We must first understand that we can never just pluck scripture out and use it to support our opinion. We must take all scripture in the context which it was intended or we risk confusing ourselves and others. So that being said lets put things in perspective. I would suggest you read the entire book of Hebrews up to this scripture to get a full understanding of what is being said but we only need to go back and start reading in Hebrews 5 verse 1 to get ourselves in context. So read Hebrews chapter 5 up to the verses we are talking about and then continue below…

So to get in context we must understand that the writer of Hebrews at this point in scripture is speaking to the teachers (read Hebrews 5:12) he is also reproving them for not being as scripturally mature as they should be (read Hebrews 5:12-14). He then in the first part of chapter 6 challenges the teachers to go beyond the “milk” and on to the “meat” by leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ and moving on unto perfection (read Hebrews 6:1-3. The writer then goes on to explain why in our verses in question (i.e. Hebrews 6:4-6).

So, we know that scripture says that with God “all things” are possible (nothing is impossible with God) so this verse can not be talking about an action of God but must be speaking of an action of man. It is the teachers that are being addressed here and the writer is explaining to the teachers that it is impossible for “them” to renew those who fall away. I assume by this that the writer knows that the teachers keep teaching the same things (i.e. - repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, judgment) trying to win back those who may have fallen away. The writer wants them to understand that renewal is not something man can do no matter how hard we try it is only something God can do.

Hebrews 10: 26-29 - For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Lets not beat around the bush here. To understand what this scripture is saying we must get it in context! So go and read from the beginning of Hebrews 10 through this scripture and then continue below…

After getting things in context the scripture becomes much more clear. We now see by reading from the beginning of the chapter that the writer is comparing the old covenant with the new (i.e. - Sacrifices of the old testament with the ultimate Sacrifice of Jesus in the new testament) . As people of this time were in the midst of an upheaval of sorts many of them were trying to figure out how their old beliefs fit in with their new found faith. Many people still thought that sacrifice was something that must be done even though they believed in Christ. With this in mind lets look at our scripture in question. First the writer is telling them that now if they sin they do not have to sacrifice because their “remaineth no more sacrifice” (read Hebrews 10:26). He then points them to judgment so they to not feel as though they can freely sin (read Hebrews 10:27). Lastly, the writer of Hebrews shows them the importance of putting all of their Faith in Jesus (read Hebrews 10:28-29) by warning them of what they are “thought worthy” to receive by not holding the “blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified” as being Holy and the only thing needed for Holiness. It is also important to noe that that verse 29 does not state that anyone would receive any type of punishment but what type of punishment they would be “worthy” of.

I hope this has helped you to gain a greater understanding of God’s grace and Salvation and if you have anything to add feel free to leave a comment.

Salvation (Eternal Security) - Part 1
Salvation (Eternal Security) - Part 3

This is part 1 of my study on Salvation as it concerns eternal security. As with all my studies I approach the question with an unbiased view. Although one could argue that I have my opinions I let the scriptures speak for themselves. Below is a list of all the verses that I have found concerning eternal security. This list consists of verses used by each side of the debate. As God’s word has only “one truth” and is not open to “personal interpretation” my plan is to search out that truth and document that journey. So in the end I pray that I have done due diligence in discerning God’s truth and shed light on the question: “Can you loose your salvation?”

Primary Verses:

• 1 Corinthians 3:15-17
• Hebrews 6:4-6
• 1John 1:7
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-12
• Romans 8:35-39
• John 10:28-29
• 1 John 3:1
• John 3:3-7
• 1 Peter 1:3-23
• 1 John 3:9
• Romans 8:1-2
• Luke 15:11-32
• Matthew 7:21
• John 15:5-8
• Romans 11:19-24
• 1 Corinthians 9:27
• James 2:24
• 2 Peter 2:20-22
• Hebrews 10:26-29
• John 4:14
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
• Colossians 1:21-23
• Matthew 24:13
• Philippians 2:12

Secondary Verses:

• Matthew 13:3-23
• 2 Peter 3:9

These verses are a collection of verses that I have found while searching both sides of the debate on eternal security. They are in no particular order.

Also if you have any other verses that I may have overlooked post them in the comments and I will add them to the list.

Salvation (Eternal Security) - Part 2
Salvation (Eternal Security) - Part 3
Salvation (Eternal Security) - Part 4