Do not fall away...

Today I was reading a wonderful book about baptism, and in a certain section it spoke of the fact that real Christians that have real faith can fall away from their faith, and perish for eternity. The author gave a list of several verses, and these are the ones I thought were most potent.

Hebrews 2:1-4
1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3How 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;
4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

We should heed all the things the Lord tells us in the bible, and not neglect this great salvation. These things were first spoken of by the Lord, confirmed to us by those that heard him, and then God also bore witness with signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Next is Hebrews 3:13

13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

We should daily encourage one another in the faith, so that we are not deceived by sin, and hardened against the Lord.

Then Hebrews 4:1

1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

We should have reverent fear of God that we do not fall short of entering into God's rest (or salvation).

And Hebrews 4:11

11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

We must labour, or work, so that we do not fall into unbelief.

Hebrews 10:26-31 says:

26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29Of 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?
30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

This is a scathing commentary on those who fall away from the truth of Jesus. If we decide that sin is more fun, or that we would rather have the things that this world offers (if we sin wilfully) after we know the truth, there is no more sacrifice for sins. If we decide that Jesus sacrifice was nothing, of little worth, without value, and we would rather sin, there is no more forgiveness. At that point we have rejected for ourselves the only offer of forgiveness the LORD has made, and there is no recourse from that. The only thing that remains is a looking for of judgment, and the vengeance of God.

These things are hard to hear, but need to be heard, or the Lord would not have added them to his word. We must heed the warning, lest we fall away from faith in Christ and are condemned as unbelievers, apostates, infidels.

Hebrews 3:14-16 tells us what we should do....

14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Let us glorify Jesus, who abased himself for us. Let us thank him for our salvation, and beg for his mercy, and ask that he strengthen us to perform the good works that he made for us to do. All that the glory may go to Jesus, who gave his life for our salvation. Amen