Can You Lose Your Salvation?

They are always a blessing , and that is sarcasm , because you just like to tell everybody how much you know instead of helping brothers and sisters out . But whatever , that is the internet today , but some of you are maybe new to Christ .

Some of you may be more seasoned Christians , but you don't have exactly the knowledge that maybe someone who's been studying the Word of God for 20 years , or maybe you've known Christ for 20 years and you've never really studied the Bible . So today we're going to talk about something that's more of a theological stance .

My denomination is what is called Church of God , and our mothership , as I call it , is in Cleveland , tennessee . That being said , I want to talk to you a little bit about something that is a prominent stance for the modern church , and we're going to phrase it up like this okay , can you lose your salvation ? Can you lose , um , your ?

Can it be taken from you . Can it be , uh , stolen ? We're going to dive into some of those questions . We're also going to , instead of doing a argument and me giving you my opinion , we're going to go to scripture , and I think that needs to be key above all . So stick with me .

Before we get into today's video , I just wanted to say thank you to all of the new subscribers . If you haven't yet consider subscribing , hit that bell notification so that you can see every time I put out a new video . A major portion of you that watch my videos haven't subscribed yet , so why not ? It's free .

You can also find a PayPal link below if you want to give a one time or give a monthly to support the channel . Anything , great or small , is appreciated . Now let's get into the video . So what does it mean if someone uses the phrase once saved , always saved ? What does it mean when someone says that ?

What does it mean when someone says you can't lose , or you can lose your salvation , now , these are kind of loaded questions .

Salvation , now , these are kind of loaded questions , and people use twisted up scripture to support , like a lot of people do , especially with minimal understanding or not wanting to have more of an understanding , but will only see or have scripture that fits their narrative .

So we're going to walk through some things Jesus said , we're going to walk through some things that Paul said and we're going to . I'm going to leave it open to you to make your own assumption , but coming from how I believe , I believe that there is no room for error in this , that no one can steal your salvation .

So the devil , the devil himself , okay , one of the the the highest ranking , important angels , which is , I believe , a part of the ego of why he fell and became prideful and all that stuff is because he , he was so beautiful , he was so important , and I think he plays a lot of that into today's culture and if you see it growing and growing and growing and

growing , it's because that is the normal of the devil and so he's trying to pass on , make us be like him and design us in his likeness , because we're created in God's image .

So , if he can twist up God's creation , like he did with himself and like a third of the angels that fell with him , yes , they are angels we call them demons down here , but they are fallen angels . So , that being said , can the devil himself come and steal your salvation ? No , he cannot . Can your mother , father , neighbor , brother , sister , wife , husband ?

Can they come in and steal your salvation ? Absolutely , mother , father , neighbor , brother , sister , wife , husband , can they come in and steal your salvation ? Absolutely not . They cannot steal your salvation . But because we have free will , we can walk away from God . We can walk away after knowing him , just as Lucifer did . Lucifer was in the presence of God .

Some people try to use it as like well , if they turn away from God , they were never saved . Bible okay , strictly Bible you talk about the beginning . You have Adam and Eve in the Bible that knew God . They literally walked with God . God walked with them in the cool of the day , and yet they had the free will to turn their back on God .

But there was a consequence to that . There became a separation that was not there before . The same thing with Lucifer he had the presence of God around him at all . But then he began to seek after and desire the same thing he presented Adam and Eve with he himself had already partaken of .

He was trying to get a beautiful creation you and I , adam and Eve that God created and designed , and he saw that they had no worries . They had no issues . Just , I believe , from his perspective , as once he did , and then he ruined it . So if he's already destroyed , he's already been defeated . He knows his end is coming . It was just a matter of time .

Then why not take something else ? He had already taken a third of the angels . Why not take something else that God had created , that God had designed , and try to make it for himself ? This is the error of self-righteousness .

This is the error of our hubris , where we think that we are better or more than what God has actually designed us for , and we have been made and designed in his image to worship him . But he gives us that free will to do so . So let's dive into some scripture . So I'm going to show you my screen and make sure I got the right one teed up here .

So this is coming from Matthew 24 , 13 . I always use New Living Translation is a very easy , easier understandable instead of King James . I even have a new King James study Bible , but when I'm teaching scripture in my church , I'm a pastor of a church , lead pastor of a church .

I want to tee up things as easy as possible so that anybody who hears can understand , and I think that's the point . Jesus had a very awesome way of doing that , and that's actually one of my prayers and harsh desires is that he gives me that ability . So , matthew 24 , 13, .

As you see on the screen right here , salvation is not a one-time event , but a continual process of faith and perseverance . Faith by faith , through grace , we are saved , so that no man can boast and perseverance .

Now , perseverance means that there is a lasting element , there is a remaining element to this context , but the one who endures to the end will be saved . Salvation is not a one-time event , but a continuous process of faith and perseverance . I wanted to tell you that before I read the Scripture , I wanted you to understand .

Perseverance is an endurance to the end , an endurance to the scripture I wanted you to understand . Perseverance is an endurance to the end , and endurance to the end in scripture we may get to it . I don't remember if it's in my notes or not , but in the uh , I think it's in revelation it talks about there's a great falling away .

Okay , there cannot be a great falling away unless there is a great following . You understand what I'm saying . It cannot be one way here and then it's the opposite over here . That doesn't even logically make sense . That means that once you will follow him , the next you will fall away , and not just as Lucifer did when he fell from heaven .

So salvation is not a one-time event .

There is an initial agreement . For instance let me use this I've been married before . I've been divorced . I'm divorced right now . I'm divorced right now . Let me back up I was divorced , I was married before .

I'm married again now to my wife , put on paper before a judge , with a lawyer , with representation , and that agreement established the rest of our child's life that we had together . It gave custodial parenting to one person where I was at that time , it was her and then we flipped it later .

Now he's been with me for six years now and the written agreement by my choice can be stepped out by her choice . There's child support , there's insurance , there's there's all kinds of things in the agreement . There's visitations , you know . There's child support , there's insurance , there's all kinds of things in the agreement . There's visitations , you know .

There's a set time where she has them . There's a set time where I have them . Set time for tax returns , set time for holidays , which we're in the middle of right now . There are agreements that are on paper , odd and evens and all the stuff that the judge worked out for the benefit of the child and the parents have agreed upon .

That being said , both of us the mother and father can step outside of the agreement anytime we want , but there are consequences to stepping outside of that agreement . Okay so , and also another , let's go a step even further that would be .

I think a good point is that at any point the other parent can sign an agreement to step outside of that and no longer be involved in that child's life . So on paper that now you can say nope , I refuse to be in relationship with that child . Now , obviously he's a good parent . I would never want that , his mother would never want that .

But as an option , we have the option , the free will , to change up the contract to where I no longer have rights . And the same thing with your Christian walk . You can , you are not forced to have a relationship with God . You have the ability to step into agreement or to step out of the agreement , and there's repercussions for each one .

So Jesus emphasizes here in Matthew 24 , but the one who endures put it on screen one more time the one who endures to the end will be saved . There is an endurance quality . There is a perseverance necessity . Jesus emphasizes the need to remain steadfast , implying the possibility of falling away if endurance is lacking .

Let's go to the second scripture , colossians 3 , verses 7-8 , and it says this you used to walk in these ways in the life you once lived , but now you must rid yourself of all such things as these anger , rage , malice , slander and filthy language from your lips . Okay , paul is encouraging believers to continue to live in a transformative life .

To live in a transformative life . He is telling them that failure to do so will implicate you in falling away or excluding yourself from relationship with God Excluding yourself , relationship with God . Now let's go to number two . I said we're just shooting through this . This is scripture . This is not my opinion . This is scripture .

Okay , just setting this up because it's pretty hard stuff . Okay , for it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened . It's talking about those who once knew the truth , those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit .

Now , this is after the book of Acts , where the Holy Spirit came down and people were able to impartake on each other pray and the Spirit would fill them over and over again . It was a description of laying hands on and an impartation would happen and they would be saved .

They would come to Christ , they would give their lives over to Christ and they would be filled with the Holy Spirit , as in Acts 2 demonstrates . Filled with the Holy Spirit , as in Acts 2 demonstrates .

Those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit , who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come , and who then turn away from God , away from God by rejecting the Son of God , they themselves nailing Him to the cross once again and holding Him up in public shame .

It is so evident in just this scripture alone , in just this scripture alone . When you phrase it up , see , it's a presupposition . You pre-presume , you presume , you assume . When someone says once saved , always saved , or someone can't steal your salvation , this is an accurate statement , but you can give it away . Salvation is even called a gift from God .

I believe God has given us in the physical world every single thing we need to understand spiritual principles in the Bible . I don't believe he has left us out there , not understanding . Now there's some things we won't know to the other side of heaven , that is , heavenly things that we , just our minds , can't comprehend .

For instance , my mind cannot comprehend the angels that surround his throne , with the wings and the eyes , and all my mind cannot comprehend that . One day I will see it and I hope I won't be scared while I'm in heaven . But you know , it is what it is Now . That being said this , right here there is no room for misinterpretation .

It says let's put it on your screen one more time and I'm doing this so that you will know , and maybe you have somebody who thinks that they can just do whatever they want , they can live however they want , they can step outside of God's will and they're still good because they read the Bible or they pray a lot .

Praying and reading the Bible does not save you . It doesn't . The Pharisees in the Bible knew the scripture . The devil , he knows the scripture . It does not mean you're going to heaven . Okay , it is a product having that hunger and thirst for his righteousness and his word and getting to know him more .

It is a product of salvation , but it is not what produces salvation , for it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened , those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit , who have tasted the goodness of the word of God , they've known scripture , they've known what is right , they have known what is

wrong but they have fallen away and they've shared in the Holy Spirit but yet now they reject it , who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come , and who then turn away . So there is a turning to God and then there is a turning away .

So this passage suggests that the individuals who were once saved have the free will to turn away , losing their standing and being blameless and righteous before a holy God . I think this is a little bit .

A part of how we get so confused on all this conversation is that we're not really understanding that it takes a holy life before a holy God , through Christ Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit , to live in such a way . So let's go to another scripture Told you , we're going to hammer this home .

Get it up here , teed up for you on the For if you wait a minute , is that the right one ? Galatians 5.4 . Yep , I got two computers going and it's messing with my brain . So that is not the right verse that I have . That's okay . Galatians 5.4, . Why is it not right ? I don't know .

I'm going to read you , for if you're trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law , you have been cut off from Christ . You have fallen away from God's grace . Okay , well , the one I have on my , my screen . I'm not sure why it's different . You have been severed from christ .

You who are trying to be justified by the law I think it's a different translation is what it is . You have fallen away from grace . So , yes , it's the same one , just a different translation . But both of them say new , living translation anyways . So we'll read what you see on the screen .

If you're trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law , okay , what is law in the Old Testament and New Testament ? The law given by Moses , by God to Moses , for God's people , the Ten Commandments .

And then you have , if you read in the Old Testament , like it gets very detailed on what is right and what is wrong and what to wear , what not to wear . This is a today like Catholicism or legalism in the Protestant church or in the evangelical space .

It is a way of doing things , keeping the law , like you're doing it right , you're doing exactly what you're supposed to do , and these are all great things .

Even Jesus looked to the Pharisees and he was like listen , they are perfect at keeping the law , do what they do , but don't act how they act , like they're so stuck on themselves and self-righteous and all these things . So Paul is explicitly stating that believers can fall from grace . It says right at the end you have fallen away from God's grace .

The only way to literally fall away from something is to be close to it . You cannot fall away unless you are drawn near . You cannot fall away unless you were up on it . It does not make any logical sense . So for people to say and use the statement like any logical sense . So for people to say and use the statement like well then , they never knew God .

This , all the scriptures we have read the one , two , three , four scriptures we've read so far says the exact opposite that these people have known God and yet they have fallen away because God gives us free will . It doesn't mean if you don't understand this or it doesn't , it's not clicking in your head . It doesn't mean you're ignorant .

It doesn't mean if you don't understand this or it's not clicking in your head . It doesn't mean you're ignorant . It doesn't mean you're stupid . It just means you don't have an understanding of what it actually means to be close to God and then fall away . And I promise you there's people out there that can speak to this . I was one of them .

I was raised in church my entire life . I felt the presence of God multiple times in my life . I followed God as good as a young teenager could , and then a young man . But then when I got out on my own , I realized that my salvation was tied to the protection of my family's house .

It doesn't mean I didn't know God , but I didn't have that personal relationship with God . And so I got that personal relationship with God . I followed after him . I prayed , I read , I read , I fasted , but I let . In my early adulthood I finally got it Like I gave my heart to Christ .

When I was young I knew that's what I was supposed to , but it took a level of of kind of development and maturity for me to really understand what it meant to give my heart to Christ , to give my life to God .

And so when I did , I went and I started going to a Bible college as a good , you know Bible , uh , as a good young , uh pastor's kid does , I guess . Um , and there was nothing in my life that was not pleasing to God . I even saw at the university the Bible college , bible school . There was beer in the dorms and stuff like that .

And I'm like what is going on ? Like they were hiding it , and I'm like this is so . I didn't drink , I didn't smoke , I didn't do anything Like my life was God's , like I really wanted to do . I really wanted to live my life for God .

But I let my selfish ambition and there's churches around here that do the same thing , pastors that do the same thing their selfish ambition of what they . They want to be a celebrity pastor , they want to be famous , they want to be known instead of being known by God , which is the most important , and there begins to be a separation .

Most of the pastors , or most of people that love the Lord , they don't set out to live a life separate from God , but it ends up being that way because they fall away . It's sometimes the way life ends up happening . It's terrible , it's not fun when you have to learn the lessons the hard way , but that's .

I knew God , I knew him , I wanted to live my life for him . I was going to college to be a youth pastor for ministry . I wanted to give everything I had over to God , but I let my flesh destroy the path God had for me . And so I'm not saying I'm not saying people fall away just pulling it out of my .

I'm saying it because I did it Like this was a path that I went down and it destroyed every good thing in my life . So for me to stand here and try to try to argue that it's not possible . I've seen it firsthand . And the wake of bodies that leaves is detrimental .

Every relationship was destroyed , every witness of who I was or who I wanted to be , who I aspired to be for the Lord , was destroyed . And God has had to rebuild it from ground zero Because I let it just completely be demolished . So , anyways , so Galatians 5.4, .

Paul is writing and saying explicitly that believers can fall from grace , from grace , indicating that salvation is not a constant , always , no matter what , that it can be walked away from . So let's look at this other scripture . Alright , we only got six more to go . So let's look at thisrews 10 , 26 .

Dear friends , if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth . So what is salvation ? Salvation is ? It is a revelation , receiving a , a divine knowledge that you are not enough , that you are not righteous , that you cannot do it on your own , that you need a savior .

And you have received knowledge of the truth , which that is the truth . There is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins . Okay , that's great right . Deliberate sin after coming to the truth nullifies the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice in an individual's life , highlighting the importance of ongoing obedience . So look at this scripture , dear friends .

You always followed my instructions when I was with you and now that I'm away , it is even more important Work hard to show the results of your salvation , obeying God with deep reverence and fear . I'm actually at the end of the year , we're wrapping it up , but there's a I'm doing a John Brevere's book . Where did I put it ? Hold on .

So this book right here . John bevere uh , let's see , we can see the all of god . John bevere uh , he also has podcasts on YouTube and anywhere you listen to podcasts . Very good book . It's talking about living in the fear of God and I think this type of right here . This is something that has been lost on church people .

When I talk about sinners , we're talking about church people . This whole podcast episode is about church people , people in the church doing church but forgetting to be the church . There's a big difference .

Your brothers and sisters work hard to show the results of your salvation , so salvation does not produce I mean , works does not produce salvation , okay , but salvation does produce works and we have to work hard to continue to keep that witness alive . So that means there is effort on our part . It's not just a one and done .

There is a initial yes , initial agreement , but it takes an ongoing process to keep this alive in your heart and your mind and the reputation of the Lord and yourself . Let's go on to the next one . I got too many screens going .

All right , let's look at this one when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior , jesus Christ , and then so there's a before , and then there's an after , okay , and then okay , and then , tangled up and enslaved by sin again , they're worse off than before .

This is literally describing someone who has known Christ , who has given their life to Jesus , and they are then getting tangled up back into the sin that they once gave up a lifestyle they once ran from . I have these people in my mind right now . They started coming to church , they gave their life to God . They were , they were just .

You know , from the exterior you would think they were completely sold out . And then something happened and all of a sudden they started drinking again , they started partying again and it was like they were .

They were , they were right on the edge of like really surrendering , coming to the altar every , every time and praying , and it was like man , they're doing it , you know , and as a pastor , that's that is something to celebrate .

That's something that , like it gave me life , and you know what I mean Like breath in my lungs to see somebody who was once , who I was once , like that that , you know , played a little bit of the game , but finally it's like they got some traction . They were getting it . They were , they were really wanting to serve the Lord .

They were wanting to share their testimony . They , they had overcome so many things in their life and then it was just like they stepped outside just a tad of the will of God and when they did , it was like the house of cards began to crumble , like everything that they were saying out of their mouth . They wanted to do .

Saying out of their mouth , they wanted to change . Saying out of their mouth , they wanted to to let God take and let God do what only God can do and let the Holy spirit transform , renew and just elevate them in a way that only the Holy Spirit can do . And the power , and you know the speaking in tongues , and it's like man .

They're about to get it , man , their life's about to break through . And then it was as if something pivoted in their life and I don't know what it is Like . I'm not the pastor anymore , I don't know , but they stopped showing up to church , they stopped listening to the Lord , they stopped listening to correction .

They stopped , and it was like man , it they were so close and I don't , I , I do not believe that they are too far gone . I mean I , I've never believed that about anybody . People ask me it's kind of funny because , honestly , it's the law . So I mean the law can do what the law says . It was in the Bible as well .

But like , not corporate punishment , isn't that spanking ? Where they kill them , when it's like you messed up so bad , we're killing you , the death penalty . I just can't get behind that . And I'm not saying people don't deserve it , but I just , in my heart , I'm like man . I just I just want them to have a chance to turn back to God .

And I feel the same way about this couple . I'm like man . Just they were so close and listen . I don't know why I'm getting off on this , but if that's you and you , you have been like on the fence of a breakthrough or on the fence of , like , giving everything to God .

Stop playing games before it's too late and don't turn away from the Lord but run to him . Like , give up that sinful nature , the alcohol , the pornography , the sleeping around , the adultery , all the things that you think you need to satisfy that hunger that's inside of you . Stop it , because it will not sustain you . It's as if you were eating .

It's like I call people cool whip Christians , cool whip . You know the big old tub of stuff . It looks like there's a lot of substance but there's no weight . You know what I mean . It looks like there's a lot but there's not a lot

going on . Don't be that . Be a person of substance . Be a person of character . Be a person that you know who you are , not by the world's definition or the culture's definition , or them telling you what you need to be successful or telling you what you need to look like you're succeeding in life .

God needs to be that definition for you and you need to let him be that Lord of your life , and not the material things , not your spouse , not your parents , not your kids . Let the Lord be the Lord of your life . That is the only way you're going to find satisfaction of your life . That is the only way you're going to find satisfaction in this world .

That is the only way you're going to find purpose in this world . And don't be tricked by thinking because you had a moment with God and it was real and it was good and in the moment you were satisfied . And now you're just walking around , not caring about his will , walking , stepping out of sight of his will . You are not .

If you are walking outside of God's will and you're not listening to him , you are not his child . That's just the facts . Like you , have fallen away and have been tricked into living in a comfortable prison cell . That is just satisfying enough to keep you where you're not really living in your purpose .

Satisfying enough to keep you where you're not really living in your purpose . God desires for us to be and have more than that . So that was for free . So I don't know why I got off on that , but here we are . All right , salvation must be worked out with fear and trembling , signifying that it requires continuous effort and dedication .

All right , so this is my fourth point , warning against apostasy . So let's look at this . I actually had wait a minute . Did I skip ahead already ? Oh , I did , sorry . We've already read that scripture . Yeah , 2 Peter 2.20 . I'll read it one more time . Why not ? Let me put it back on the screen . Put it back on the screen for you .

And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior , jesus Christ , and then get tangled up and enslaved , which is what sin does , it will keep you bound by sin again . They are worse off than before , and that couple I was talking about , like it , does it really looks like they are worse off than they were before .

So let's look at this . So I highlighted this right here . I had it in my notes that I was going to do just 319 , hebrews 319 , which is where we are , but I started reading and I just want to read from 16 to 19 . If that's all right with y'all , get this man . You know how much I hate . You . Can't stand ads and junk , all right ?

No , you can't even see it on your screen . Well , that's good's good . So let's start at 16 . And who was it who rebelled against God , even though they heard his voice ? Wasn't it the people Moses led out of Egypt and who made God angry for 40 years ? They had a good streak right . At least they were consistent .

Wasn't it the people who sinned , whose corpses in the wilderness ? God buffed that out . And to whom was god speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest ? Wasn't it the people who disobeyed him ? So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest . So , oops , sorry , wrong computer .

Even after being delivered from Egypt , many Israelites failed to enter the promised land due to unbelief . Christians can fail to enter eternal rest if they fall into unbelief . This goes back to free will . All of us have the free will of believing or not believing . God is not going to force you into heaven , and probably the truth be told you .

Probably some of you wouldn't like it . There there's going to be all kinds of people of different races and colors and beliefs and when I say beliefs I'm talking about they believe in the one true God and Jesus Christ , but different denominations . There ain't going to be denominations in heaven .

It's going to be every person who has called upon the name of the Lord , doesn't matter about Bible study , doesn't matter about seminary , doesn't matter about baptism , doesn't matter about speaking in tongues . Guy on the cross next to Jesus went into paradise with Jesus that day .

He had no seminary , he had no baptism , he had no speaking in tongues , he did not produce any fruit of the Spirit . He did not even produce any gifts of the Spirit . But he said yes to Jesus and that's the point . The rest of it comes after . But the point is to say yes to Jesus and consistently say yes to Jesus

. I had somebody ask me the other day about forgiveness . Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do as a Christian , as a believer , because most of the stuff that we feel is accurate , it's justified , but God doesn't call us to act immaturely when it's justified .

We're supposed to be spiritually mature people that , in spite of how we're treated or how we are done , just as Jesus did . We still forgive and we love them . Well , how do we do that ? Sometimes you have to forgive them multiple times every day . When it comes to your mind , you have to say you know what .

And here's the thing that for me it works , because I've been done like anybody else . I've been done a lot of wrong , deep hurts , deep cuts . Thank God , now they're just scars and no longer cuts . Scars remind you of the pain , but they are not any longer painful , and that's the point . Any longer painful .

And that's the point is that I realized that the person that hurt me the most and cut me the deepest , that they were just as selfish as I once was , that they just were a sinner like I once was . Like . They are in need of a savior , just like I need a savior , just like I need a savior .

That is just the raw , unfiltered truth is that they are sinful . They are flesh . We are evil and we need Christ to change that evil from bad to good , from selfish to righteous , from dirty to clean . Without the element of Jesus Christ and his blood to wash us and make us white as snow , there is no hope .

But we as Christians should be able to answer for that hope , and sometimes how we answer for that hope that is within us is by forgiveness , that we know that we , our sins , put Jesus on the cross , just as their sins put Jesus on the cross . So look with me in John , chapter 15 . John , chapter 15 . Yes , this is Jesus talking .

Yes , I am the vine , you are the branches . Those who remain in me and I in them will produce much fruit , for apart from me you can do nothing . Anyone who does not remain it's a key word who does not remain in me .

So the word remain is very specific , because to remain means you were outside , Then you came inside , and to remain , you have to stay on the inside and not fall to the outside . Okay , that's just logic . Follow the logic . The Bible is very logical .

We try to church it up and make it all where we have to know the foreign , you know the original language and American Greek and all that stuff . But I mean it's pretty simple . Sometimes we just overcomplicate things and get in stupid church arguments when there's not even a need . So who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers .

That's tough . Jesus didn't pull punches . He loved the sinners . But I mean , if you think about who he's talking to right now , he's not talking to sinners , he's talking to church people . He's talking to religious people .

He's saying listen , if you're a part of me and you're a part of God , you're a part of me because I'm in him and he's in me you better remain or you will be cast aside .

The only way you can cut a branch listen , the only way a branch has life is to be tapped into the true vine , right , so it has to at one time been in the true vine and cut off . And that is when it becomes useless and it withers . Such branches are gathered into a pile and burned . That may be foreshadowing of hell , I don't know .

Think about it , it's not that hard . Jesus teaches that branches believers must remain in him to avoid being cast away and burned . And you probably guessed it . We're going to end on Revelation . Okay , so I'm going to wrap this up . Revelation the book of life can be blotted out . Look at revelation , chapter 3 , verse 5 .

All who are victorious will be clothed in white . I will never erase their names from the book of life , but I will announce before my father and his angels that they are mine . Now think about this . Think logically for a second . Read the text .

The promise not to erase suggests very bluntly that they can be erased . Why would you promise not to be erased if it's a known that it can't be erased ? Do you see what I'm saying ? Like it's kind of a logical like oh well , that makes sense . Why would I promise to not do something if there was a possibility to do something ?

Like if my son does something stupid and we're out in the public area , say , we're at a mall and we're shopping and he's acting like a special and he's being disrespectful , well , now I'm going to promise him a spanking , because there was , until he acted up , a promise of no spanking . And now there is going to be one , I promise .

So he is literally giving a two side of the coin right here by saying this way and that way , all who are victorious will be clothed in white . I will never erase their names victorious . Now what happens ? How do you get victory ? You last until the end and you win . Think about it . You cannot be victorious . Okay , I'm just going to let .

I think you got it . I'm not going to keep going , but I will announce , before my father and his angels that they are mine . So he is promising not to erase would suggest that there is a possibility for it to be erased by our free will . Okay , so here's the closing thoughts . All right , so stick with me just for a second .

Salvation is a gift by grace , through faith , but Scripture consistently highlights the importance of ongoing belief , repentance and obedience . You cannot say you love Christ and not obey Him . You cannot say you are made righteous before God if there is no repentance , and you cannot endure until the end if your faith is not ongoing .

The warnings and exhortations in the New Testament indicate that salvation can be forfeited if one turns away from God and fails to persevere . So that is 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 passages that we went over in this 45 , almost 45 minute podcast episode , and there are more , but there's no way I'm going to do a five hour podcast episode .

I'm not my Mike Winger . That being said , nobody can take or steal your salvation . So if you're newer to Christ or whatever the case may be , understand that somebody can't come up to you and just like snatch it out of your hand .

Okay , but you have the free will to make decisions , to stay under the covering of Christ or to step outside of the covering of Christ . The choice is yours . Whether you know God or whether you don't , all of us are one day going to stand before the judge , before the Heavenly Father , and we are either made righteous or we will be damned for eternity .

That choice is completely up to you .