Shipwrecked

“38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

These words of truth and encouragement which the apostle Paul wrote by inspiration do warm the heart, and give assurance to the faithful, that no external power, no matter how great it may be, can tear us from the hand of God. What comfort, what resolve, resolution, what promise we have received for our loving Father through the Word of His Grace. Yet though God’s Word is always true, some have perverted the Gospel of Christ by addition and subtraction (Gal. 1:6-12).

Such is the case with Calvinists who make claims of once saved always saved, by only quoting scripture which supports their evil views: “A text without a context is a proof text”. I would challenge the faithful to read Paul’s words again and understand what the Spirit says. Everything in the list is a “created thing”. Life is a creation of God, death did not exist when Adam and Eve were created, they were to live for eternity but because of sin, death entered, (Geneses 2:17) and angels, everything was created by God. So, this text tells us that nothing outside of ourselves can tear us from God’s hand. The Word of God is true always. But when you imply that once a person is added by God to the church (Acts 2:47) that one cannot fall from grace, then you are no longer quoting God, but you are quoting one of the five teaching of John Calvin’s “Free Grace Doctrine” which most usually prefer the less technical terms of “eternal security”, “unconditional assurance”, and “once saved, always saved” to characterize their teaching. But be assured of this, what Calvin taught is not God’s doctrine, but the doctrine of men. If this is so, how is it that so many who claim their faith is in Jesus continue to believe it? The answer is simple, one joins “a” church, they learn what “their church believes” and over time that teaching of man becomes true. But for our benefit God has said that “So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). That is why the true church of Christ still exists today. Below are Words from God, that clearly teach that Calvin was wrong, and that though nothing external can cause one to lose their salvation, the most power internal device of man can, that is a man’s own heart or mind, which he can turn away from the living God, and again be most miserably lost. All these words of warning are spoken by inspiration of the living God to the saints in the Lord’s Church. The question is: Do you believe God or man? “…Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar….” (Rom. 3:4)

What says the scripture? “…you have fallen away from grace” (Gal. 5:4) If a Christian cannot fall from grace, why does God say you have fallen away from grace? Is God then a liar? “if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:19). Again, is God a liar when He said He can take away a man’s part from the Book of Life?  “be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position” (2 Pet. 3:17). How can I fall, if falling is impossible? By accepting the “error of lawless men” (1John 3:4). “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Cor. 10:12). If you cannot fall, why the warning? Jesus said: “Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Rev. 2:5). These words of the Lord were written to the church at Ephesus, Christians as a warning from Him that continuing to live in sin, without repentance will cause their “lampstand”, “salvation” to be removed. How can this happen if once saved always saved? “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Heb. 10:26-27). Letter written to the saints. Strong language! “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:4-6). Can God be more clear? Speaking to “those” the saved, who have partaken in every way, saying that IF THEY FALL AWAY, it is impossible to renew them again. Jesus said: “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Want more? Read these (Col. 1:21-23; 1Tim. 1:18-20; John 6:63-69)

What about you? Do you accept all the scripture that speaks of those who can and have fallen from grace, of no more sacrifice for willful sin, of those lost because they turn back to the ways of the world, and of those who do not remain faithful? Do you accept these truths alongside and equally with the amazing promises that IF we remain faithful, we will not fall?

Remember what Jesus said in John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Now listen to verse 26 that most do not include in their writings and quotations. Next time someone quotes you that text ask them to quote verse 26 they likely can’t. Jesus said in verse 26 “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.” IF you do not believe the inspired words of God, “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15) or IF you do not “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21), then you are not hearing Christ nor following Him.

The instruction is “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Rightly dividing means we take all that the scripture says together and not just one verse here or there. The Word says, no person can snatch you from the hand of Father or the Son, IF you hear His voice. Paul said no “created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God” (Rom. 8:39) and the scriptures also teach that we can “depart from the living God” (Heb. 3:12).

A warning from the apostle Paul: “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” (Heb. 3:12-14). Do you hear the words, the language: “Beware, brethren” written to the saved, who are in jeopardy of “departing from the living God”. How can you depart from the living God if it is impossible to lose your salvation as Calvinist claim?  One last IF for you to consider as you chose whether you are following God’s voice through His Word or Calvin’s voice through his word. By only teaching pieces and selective texts from the Bible, by suppressing the words that “don’t support my own belief”, men like Calvin and others are detestable to God. Paul said in the letter to the Romans “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18).

Will you hold fast that word, or believe in vain? To the glory of God, the Father.

In Love

David Scarpino