No lie is of
the truth!
It seems as though of late, I have been surrounded by debate
over the issue of salvation; this contention of course being rooted in whether
or not we can somehow lose, walk away, or simply stop believing in Christ once
we have received Him into our hearts. The proponents of this theory generally
pull the meat of their argument from Hebrews chapter 6:4-6; further adding a
couple verses from the book of Revelation for good measure. And although these
arguments seem compelling at first glance, they quickly lose their veracity
once they are taken out of their immediate context, and placed within the total
context of the entirety of God’s word. It is no great feat to pull one verse
from here, and another from there in an attempt to validate one side of an argument;
however, it is an entirely different matter when these few scriptures can no
longer stand alone, but are met with 2 or 3 hundred that state the opposite.
In short, in all my wrangling with those that say you can
lose your salvation, I can count the scriptures used within the confines of my
two hands. Furthermore, upon close examination taking the totality of scripture
into account, I find time and time again that the scriptures folks use to
substantiate this claim do not say what they are attempting to make them say.
In fact in all, there seems to be a total lack of divine logic and discernment
throughout.
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must
go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and
scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside
and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not
happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are
an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things
of men.’
(Matt. 16:21-23)
Peter did not want to believe the pain Jesus was about to go
through in order to resurrect man from the dead and give him eternal life. This
was a bloody endeavor and much too costly to be left within the realm of human
weakness; for Peter was about to deny Him not once, not twice, but three times.
And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for
you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith
should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’
But he said to Him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to
death.’ Then He said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day
before you will deny three times that you know Me.’ (Luke 22:31-34) There is
only one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus! And there is only
one mediator between Satan and man, the man Christ Jesus! And He alone is our
victor!
Authors note:
I realize that there are many Christians who view this
argument as immature, but I beg to differ. This argument is essential; for it
is the power of man and his righteousness verses the power of God in salvation.
It is the truth verses error; a lie verses the promise of God. My friends, we
were drawn into this new covenant agreement by the very will of God, and we are
held by that will under the authority of Christ; and I can assure you that no
lie is of the Father; but there is only one liar and the father of them. Who
will you choose to believe, God or man?
Commentary by:
George L. Miller
