ETERNAL SALVATION AND OBEDIENCE
Monday – October 9, 2017
As I sat down to write I have just seen the early reports of the carnage in Las Vegas. This is the curse, the works of the devil, without restraint. It is one thing to be saved (born again) and go to Heaven when we die, it is another whole other level to walk in safety as a Christian. Every person that went to that concert were warned of God. Those outside of the body of Christ were warned due to the mercy of God and to prolong their days so they might receive salvation. The Christians were warned because they are family. If that be so why did they go? No ears to hear, hearts seared with hot irons, and various lusts of the flesh. The doctrine of devils and the traditions of men may have played a role for some. We generally don’t hear or see things (pay attention to) we are not expecting. I have prayed that the families of those killed will be comforted and led into the family of God. There are those who were wounded and will have the terror of those moments indelibly inscribed in their minds without the Word of God and healing that only comes from God. Then there are those who attended and were unhurt by the gunfire but like those who were wounded are scarred in their minds forever. Many cases of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder will be diagnosed however our God through us is the Healer. As we pray (one time is sufficient, God is not deaf or forgetful) our Father will send His people to minister healing to those who will receive.
Now let’s turn to our Bible Study from the Book of Hebrews and determine that we have ears to hear and eyes to see so that our name is not part of one of these tragedies.
As we review our primary text, we will start by focusing on the ninth verse.
Hebrews 5:8-12 (KJV)
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
The phrase “And being made perfect,” makes it sound like Jesus started like us at a point of imperfection and matured or became complete over time. What I am getting at is that Jesus was without sin His entire life; therefore, He was not on a continuum like we are of improving our walk with God relative to sin. As a hypothetical perhaps, we sinned ten times a day right after we were born again and now we are down to once every third day on our way to zero. This “being made perfect” phrase has to do with what He experienced over time. In other words, He was not presented with every temptation, every test, and every bit of information that He need to learn in a moments time. These things came to Him over time and at a certain point He completely understood the plan of God and His place in it, and He had been tempted at all points as we are and was thus complete or made perfect.
As I hope you know, last Friday I wrote on the topic of eternal salvation or what otherwise can be referred to as “once saved, always saved”. Our verse, Hebrews 5:9 tells us in pretty plain English that the Son, Jesus, is the author of eternal salvation for all that obey Him. If that be true then the reverse is also true which is that our salvation is not eternal for those who habitually disobey Him.
Luke 6:46 (KJV)
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Immediately following this Jesus tells about the foolish man who built his house on the sand and the wise man who built his house on a rock.
Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The preceding verse also makes it clear that the persons going to Heaven are the persons doing the will of the Father. Obeying Him is certainly the will of the Father. I will pick up here tomorrow.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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