Accountability Can Affect Time with God
Don’t Lose Your Salvation
Don’t Lose Your Salvation
My Story
Hi everyone, I need to get a little personal here. There was a period of my life when I didn’t spend time with God. If you read my “about” page, I briefly mention a time when I was angry. More so at my earthly father than my Heavenly Father.
My anger was simmering and slowly growing for years because of events in my home over which I had no control or any ability to change. Emotionally, I felt isolated and trapped, so I started to rebel. This rebellion was created by my low self-esteem and my immaturity in Christ at that time.
My Mistake
I walked away from God, and the church. I realized the last straw of respect I had for my dad was severely damaged. I came to the conclusion he would never accept me nor love me.
I was 18 years old, impressionable, and not very self-sufficient. However, on the outside, I gave the appearance I had it all together when, in reality, I was a scared little boy who needed to hear he was loved and accepted unconditionally. That would never happen in my family.
I knew God. I knew He was there, I knew Jesus, and I knew then, as I know now, what He did for me. I was saved, and yet, I still walked away from my Lord and Savior.
God Had Other Plans
Oh, and for the people who doubt the fact I was saved: I gave my heart and soul to Jesus at the age of seven. I saw and felt the heart of Jesus. When I was thirteen, I saw the white light some speak of when they are at or near death. I felt the peace and joy only God could give. How, you may ask? I became extremely sick with type 1 diabetes and double pneumonia. While being transported to the hospital, my heart briefly stopped. Jesus used this event to bolster my faith and grow my love for God. However, this was not my time to return home to Jesus. God had other plans for me.
These events convinced me of His sovereignty, but five years later, my stubborn immaturity, mixed with hurt emotions, allowed Satan to take advantage of my low self-esteem. Satan attacked my weak faith. The evil one made me doubt the truth. I believed the lie that I was unloved, useless, and had nothing to offer anyone, not even God. My dad saw nothing of value in me, so why should God? I began to engage in dangerous and ungodly behavior. I was angry on the inside, and this unforgiving spirit lasted for nearly ten years.
Voluntary Separation
I was lost. If I had died at that time, my rebellion would have ensured my separation from God. I was, at that time, not interested in forgiveness, redemption, or repentance. I am not a “once saved, always saved” Christian. There are too many passages in the Bible, stating salvation is contingent on staying in the will of God.
A Little Study
I have done a little study on Christian history. John Calvin first mentioned the “once saved always saved” doctrine about 500 years ago. He reads in John 10:28 that no one can snatch a Christian away from the hand of Jesus Christ. Indeed this is true. Grace and forgiveness will always be there. In this instance, this is meant for followers of Jesus who have not turned their back on God. Cultures, contrary to Christianity, forced many people, even to death, to renounce their Christianity. This passage gave confidence to those who were faithful, even in great turmoil.
However, I have met many people today who are aware of God and the judgment of Jesus Christ that is sure to come, but they don’t seem to care, just as I didn’t care so many years ago.
“Once saved, always saved” is not found in original texts. I know that there are no contradictions in the Bible. These are the very words of God. God can’t disagree with Himself. However, in my research, I have found some passages where people who were saved turned away from God. For example:
John 15:4, Jesus says to His disciples, “Abide in Me and I in you” and continues in John 15:6, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” This branch implies you were once a part of the vine; the body of Christ, and then had to be pruned away as a branch that withered and died.
Colossians 1: 21-23
“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and …” Well, did you catch that? “If indeed you continue in the faith.” This is clearly a conditional requirement.
Hebrews 3:12-14
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,…” This is another conditional statement “…if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,…” and what if we don’t? We must be steadfast in Christ, always
A Sincere Heart
Jesus died for our sins. He will always accept our repentance and always forgive our sins if we have a sincere repentant heart. However, if we ask for forgiveness and continue in our sin, our sincerity for forgiveness diminishes each time we engage in sin. Continual sin will harden your heart and separate you from the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus. An unrepentant heart just doesn’t care.
1st Samuel 16:14 says: “But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing (evil in the original Greek translation) spirit from the Lord troubled him.” The Holy Spirit left King Saul. The King decided to go his own way and not listen to God’s instructions. King Saul even sought evil mediums to search for anything prophetic about upcoming events and battles. God regretted making Saul king of Israel.
King Saul sinned against God, his successor King David also sinned against God. So why is it that God’s spirit never left King David? Saul’s heart was hardened, and he never submitted to God’s will; David had a repentant heart and sought forgiveness from and gave submission to God. King David was a man after God’s own heart.
Turning Up The Heat
I have probably ruffled quite a few feathers with this article, but God’s word does not lie. Satan is a crafty little weasel that will sneak in any way he can. Do you know how to boil a frog? This animal will slowly adapt to its environment. Place a live frog in a pot on your stove with room temperature water. Very slowly, turn up the heat. Eventually, you’ll get the water to boil, and the frog will never notice that he is allowing himself to be slowly boiled to death. Satan has ever so slowly advanced his agenda over the last few hundred years, and we are letting him.
If you think you’re always saved despite any wrong you willingly choose to do, please remember we must be held accountable to Jesus. We must answer to the very face of God Himself and explain our actions. There is a reason why Jesus said, “Go and Sin no more,” not “it’s OK; it doesn’t matter.” If you do lose your salvation, it is by your choice. No power, no principality, no person can remove you from the Hand of God, except you. Your heart, your soul, your acceptance of Jesus as your Savior decides your salvation.
Is He your Savior? Is Jesus your Lord? He said, “If you love Me, follow my commandments.” Well, do you? Follow his commandments, I mean?
Consequences and Accountability
Following the world was the worst thing I could have done with my life. Although Jesus has forgiven me of my sins, there will always be consequences for my actions that will probably last my entire life. My life didn’t turn around until I cried out to God and tearfully begged for forgiveness. Instead of dying a wretched sinner, I lived and enjoyed a forgiven and blessed life. Your life can be blessed as well, accept Him, and seek God.
An Offer
Please, return to God. His Son, our Savior, is asking you to come to Him. Rejoin or join for the first time and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. He made you. He wants to offer you peace and redemption, to join Him in Heaven forever and enjoy everlasting peace.
Please, find a Jesus-loving, Bible-centered church near your home. Find a Bible and start a new friendship with the very person who saved you from hell. Spend an abundant amount of time with God, and welcome back.
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Thank you Vanessa for your input. My “info” comes from the Bible and my own personal experience. Satan will harm and deceive any person with no regard for compassion. The evil one will destroy lives, families, countries, with the sole purpose of separating you from the love of Jesus Christ. If you reject Christ even after you have seen the love of God, you are putting your soul in GREAT jeopardy. p.s. Just what is your mission?
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Thank you so much for your interest in this post. I very much appreciate the “A” for effort. I am very much open to civil debate about an article. I am unsure of the facts you dispute. Please be more specific; are you question my childhood references or the Biblical references I use. The Bible does state in Romans that a person will be given over to the sins they refuse to give up. An unrepentant heart hardens each and every time a person engages in sin. Please read “The Cost of Sin” article for more details. Stay safe in this questionable time and let God lead you in the path you should go. God Bless
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Hi Ophelia, I absolutely invite readers to comment and give opinions on the material. I enjoy civil and lively dialogue. The more time we spend in the Bible researching His word means we have more time for the Holy Spirit to do His work in and through us, His children. However, I am careful to screen each comment that is posted. If a person feels I have misquoted something or disagree with my view please comment. I’m just as human as the next person. I may allow other bloggers on this site in the future but for now, I am using this platform to promote greater knowledge of the Bible and the power of God within it. Thank you! Hope to hear from you soon.
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Thank you, Fleta for your input. I assume you disagree with a portion of this article. An open debate is a good thing especially when discussing our Lord and Savior. This was one of my earliest posts. Maybe my writing style is not clear and I left a few people wondering about my goal. I apologize. Can you be more specific? When it comes to Jesus we all need a better understanding of His love for us.
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Thank You, Emily. Seek Jesus regarding your problem, and No I’m not your cousin. I however write these posts from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as I read my bible daily. Is it possible our Savior Jesus Christ is trying to say something? Only you can decide if this is God. I only write what He inspires. Give Him the credit.
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