"...IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY"----------------- Hebrews 6: 1-6

          
           "For it is impossible for those who were once 
            enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly
          gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
            And have tasted the good word of God and the
              powers of the world to come,
           If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
         repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the
        Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

                                   * * *  Hebrews 6: 4-6, kjv * * *

        There are certain passages of Scripture,  where  a lack 
of understanding  causes doubt and  failure in  our walk with
our Lord.  This passage just  may be one.  When we look at
this  one,  without  that  understanding, we  may  accept  the
notion that we have fallen from  grace.  I do not  believe that
these verses  teach that a born again believer in our Lord is
in  jeopardy of  losing  his relationship with Him  because  of
weakness or failure to live up to high standards of  behavior.

     When we read it carefully we see a  soul who  has come
to a head belief in Jesus,  enlightened to certain facts of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ,  but has backed away after  making 
the statement that he has received the Lord to the saving of 
his soul. He then,  by his lifestyle and  testimony, refutes this
testimony,  bringing a reproach on  the Lord God.  There are
men who  seemingly started well,  but  because of  factors in
their  lives,  turned  their  backs  on  the  Lord  and  became
detractors from  the  faith  rather than  followers  of  our Lord
Jesus Christ.     

     This  passage of  Scripture gives  me pause since there 
have been instances over the years when my conduct and 
lifestyle has been "questionable."  At eleven years of age I 
made a profession of  faith in Christ and have always been 
a  believer  that Jesus is the only way for one to know God,  
and  personal relationship with him is  required for  the New
Birth.  My  hangup  has been the  failure  on my  part to live 
in a way that honored my  Lord.  The  resultant  doubting of 
my  relationship with Jesus Christ  caused me to live a "rol-
ler  coaster" life  and my witness and prayer life were weak 
and largely ineffective; my Bible study was not dynamic.   

     During  the  past 10 years  there has been a gradual, but
perceptible gain of assurance based on  understanding that 
salvation  is neither gained  through  righteousness,  nor  do 
our  failures cause  the Lord to  take  it away.  I attribute this 
turn around to deeper study and  understanding of  Scripture.
Writing this  blog has kept me disciplined in the area of Bible
study and  teaching a Bible study at  my church  has  been a
big help.

   To help in the application of  this  Scripture one must learn
the disposition of  the persons to whom this  book, Hebrews,
was written.  This portion of Scripture was written, of course
to  the world at  large, but  specifically to  Hebrew  or Jewish
believers. The new believers were certainly legalistic having
been steeped in the traditions of  the Old Covenant from the
perspective of  Priests, Levites, Pharisees, Sadducees and 
their  community, family and associates.  On every side they
were  constantly  under  pressure  from  believers and  non-
believers  from  that community, to  return to  the keeping of
Jewish Law, statutes, commandments,  precepts and of  the
"lore"  surrounding any  large group of persons from  a com-
mon ancestry.  In effect, they were ostracized by family and
friends.  Given the situation it  is understandable that a num-
ber  of  them would  turn back.  This  passage  is a dire war-
ning  against  turning  back  to  the  "weak and  beggarly ele-
elements of  the  law," that  were unable to deliver one in the
first place.  

       In  Galatians 4: 9, we find:  "But now,  after that ye have
  known God, or rather are known of God, How turn ye back
  to  the weak and beggarly  elements, whereunto ye desire
  again to be in bondage."  

And in Galatians 3:10: 
"For as many as are of the works of  the law are under  the
curse:  for it  is written, Cursed is every one that continueth
not  in all  things which are written in the book of  the law to
do them."   This is  referring to  the  known fact that not one
soul, outside of Jesus Christ, ever kept  the  law continually
or  perfectly.  So,  anyone  who  went  back to  the  law was
accursed, and required to keep the commands perfectly. 

     Happily, this Scripture does not teach that persons who
are  born again by the Spirit of  the living God will return to
the letter of the law that  kills, but is kept through the grace
love and mercy of  our Savior, Jesus  Christ.  We could not
save  ourselves, and  that is  why we needed a Savior.  We 
are  unable to keep ourselves saved and still must be "...in
Christ."  In  Ephesians 2: 8  we  see:  "For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it  is the gift
of  God, not of works lest any man should boast."   Could it
be otherwise? 

     There is this, however; bringing reproach upon our Lord
and  Savior, God the Father or particularly against the Holy
Spirit  is serious business. One to start out claiming to be a
believer  and  seems to have  gifts  of  the Spirit  in life,then 
turns back to a life of apparent unbelief, "back sliding," and
public sin;  gives evidence that  this one was  never born of
the Spirit, or has fallen away. This reproach places one in a
precarious, and doubtful  state. The chances of  that  one to   
be restored to  faith is  in question.  To say more than this is
beyond the knowledge of this poor sinner saved by grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ. The question; as to whether one may
lose  his Salvation, once he is born from above of  the Spirit 
of God must be worked out by each individual believer.  The
best way, is to  be faithful  to our Lord  to keep  anyone from
questioning your steadfast faith. 
  
    My mindset is  always; If  you  can shed  light on anything
addressed in  this  blog, do not hesitate; let me  know on my
email; jlrsbnch@msn.com, I will gladly read and  update any
post on this blog with your timely comment.  

     One further comment:  If  you have  knowledge about the
 Kingdom of God, His Word, or  life principles relating to the
 Kingdom, and a personal relationship with our Lord, I would
 be  privileged to have you as a "guest" on this blog. I will be 
 happy to post well  written original articles  for you here and
 give credit if you choose.Thanks...God Bless!!  

donporter,sr.  12.25.14   


     

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED...

    Tonight I ask myself; What have you learned
during the past  few years and has it changed
your life/behavior for the better?
                    
*****************************************
     There  is always  turmoil in  our world.  Some
of it has direct effect on our lives,  the rest gives
us pause as we consider  the  fallout.  Scripture
gives us information as  to what to expect in the
future and  for what we should look as  signs of
the times  and  ways to  prepare for  the closing
of the book of life, as we know it.  There will  be occurrences without apparent precedent,and to
those of us who are uniformed, we will watch in  
disbelief and  in  dismay.  Scripture  relates  the
things  that happened in  "prehistory."  Much of 
it is mystery; some discussed with specifics.
 One must search the Bible for this information,
since it  is not laid out neatly  and cleanly.  It is
there, none-the-less.  The first seven chapters
of  the  Bible, Genesis 1 through 7, are prehis-
toric according to secular theorist. We, as con- 
servative  followers  of  our  Lord Jesus Christ,
    Those who believe the Scripture is infallible,
consider this  to be the first  seven chapters of
history.  It is the only reliable source of the era.  

    So, now it  is time to  inform ourselves of the
preparation needed for this future and to begin
seriously working  toward  that  end. There has
been much  talk during  the  past  few years on 
preparation needed for  emergency,  economic
collapse and political changes for the worse.  

   There  are some who go to seeming extreme; 
stockpiling  foodstuffs, medical  supplies, water,
weaponry, and  other necessities in case of the
seeming  inevitability of  various  failures in our 
culture.  

     Without getting into details of  these factors, preparing for
them in a reasonable manner would seem advisable. We are
advised  in  Scripture;  if  one does not  provide for his family
he is worse than an infidel.  This must  mean we  prepare for
every contingency.   (Infidel:  Without faith, untrustworthy,)

     Since we have mentioned the inevitable changes  above,
spiritual, social, cultural and  political, let's consider the first 
of these, since it is most important: 
     Our future on  this planet is finite  and time is  most likely 
short in comparison to  the 6,000+ year  history of  the earth. 
Prior to  those  years, nothing  can  be known  from  secular 
knowledge that is  not uneducated  guesses, speculation or
myth.  In  spite of  the  "fact,"  this  is  taught in  the  halls of 
academia  today , as  facts  of  "pre-history."  This "pseudo-
doctrine"  which  cannot  be "questioned,"  is  a  theory, The
Evolution of the Species."  This theory  cannot  be substan-
tiated, but must  be taught  as fact by  all educators who are
approved to teach in  our universities,  colleges, secondary
schools and even in some elementary schools.

    This is  not our topic of  our discussion here, since I am
no  more  qualified to discuss  it,  in depth, than are  those 
who teach it in our schools and write books on the subject.  
It  simply will not  stand  objective consideration.  If  one is
convinced as to the accuracy of one of these  theories that
are  promoted for  the existence of  mankind on this planet,
he  must  be of  the  opinion that all  the other  theories are
outside  the  realm  of  possibility.  A  property  of  Entropy
indicates that without  some force interrupting  the process,
everything degrades over time. This principle of physics is
irrefutable and flies in  the face of millions of years of  earth
"history" In my understanding, Darwinian Evolution  contra-
dicts this undeniable principle of physics.  

     Recognizing the future of life on this planet to be finite 
   might be construed as  a belief in "Global Warming," or 
   "Climate Change."   While  we stipulate  the  planet has
   warmed over centuries, this warming has had miniscule
   effect on  the atmosphere or climate.  The cause of  this
   warming probably comes from a multitude of factors. 
   That is another discussion.  See link below...  

https://w3.newsmax.com/LP/Finance/CTI/Dark-Winter?dkt_nbr=f74kulk1

   Getting back to our thought. If we accept Scripture to be
true and dependable, there is no basis for the belief in the
myth that mankind  arrived here  after millions of years of 
evolution on the part of some "primordial soup" or pre-life
form.  What now?  I  believe in a  person with intelligence,
power and personality who created it all.  As the Scripture 
says, the event took about 6 days. Well, you might say, it 
could not have happened in such a short time. To that, we 
say; One who has  power, intelligence and  forethought to 
create something that had not been, out  of nothing, could 
well get it done in His own good time. Time was not in evi-
dence  prior to this event, and  came about, as  part of the 
first step of that creative act of God.  (Genesis 1: 1-5)

    If  you cannot bring yourself to accept facts as recorded   
in the Word of God, you cannot  know God.  (The only way  
to a  life without end.)  If you will begin to honestly read the 
Bible on a consistent basis with a mind toward learning the 
truth, you will  be moved  by it  and come to  be a  believer.  
Many who say they do not believe Scripture to be from the 
all powerful God of  the Universe, have  never even read it
with an open mind, or without preconceived notions. 

                In Romans 10:17, "Faith cometh by
      Hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

I subscribe to the Biblical account of creation, not
only  the creation of  mankind, but of  all we know 
in this vast universe. There is a person in  a place 
beyond  our  experience, who is all powerful, wise 
and  "omnipresent."  The  belief in  Biblical crea-
tion is  the only option open me, since every other 
explanation to which I have been exposed is quite
faciful, impossible and  does not give  account for 
origins of anything.  There is a Prime Mover and
creator of  all who exists outside of time or space  
as we  know it.  When one reads the Bible there is
a  ring  of  authority  unlike other literature.  The
only way to know the Lord God is by  faith in His
Word, Jesus Christ, God the Son.

The only way to know and experience the True and
Living  God is by faith.  ("Faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.")

    The only way men (mankind) are approved of
God and accepted in his family is through a con-
fession of  faith in  the Son of  God, Jesus Christ, 
and the proof of this is through subsequent righ-
teous behavior as the Lord has His hand on him
or  her.  See the Law of God given Moses on Mt.    
Sinai. Moses recorded the Law, the first five divi-
sions  of  the Old Testament,  and delivered  it to 
the people of God. (Exodus 33:11)  Reading this
account of Moses' extended "face to face"  with
the Lord God, Jehovah, you will see how Moses'
countenance changed. His face shone so brightly,
he had to cover it to communicate God's Word to
his people. 

     During this period of time Moses became the
most humble man on the face of the planet. Face
to  face with the Most High God would  produce
that.

      Now we have the "obstacle" of  religion in the
mix. True religion  may be  defined as, "Pure reli-
gion and undefiled before God and  the  Father is 
this,  to visit the  fatherless  and  widows in  their
affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the
world."  James 1: 27)  The  result of  true or pure
religion, is to lift one from a  degraded and hope-
less existence into the presence of the Living God.
This is explained in  many places in  the 27 books 
of  the New Testament  or  Covenant.  In  the Old 
Covenant, principle, precept, law and command-
ment is given along with examples of mankind of 
the era showing their  struggles and successes as 
they lived out the Law of God.
       (The Word of God sugar coats nothing.)
                   We find in Ephesians 2:4-7,  
    "But God, who is rich in mercy,  for his great love 
    wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead 
    in sins,  hath quickened  us  together  with  Christ,  
    (by  grace  ye  are saved;)  and hath raised us up 
    together,  and made  us sit  together  in  heavenly 
    places in Christ Jesus."

      In the New Testament  the Lord God comes to  earth,
born of a virgin, without  the sin-curse  that mankind had 
brought  upon himself. This one, Jesus Christ came, not 
only to show us a more perfect way to live, but to enable 
us to  receive  his Spirit  within, as a guide and power to 
live that true religion.  He was God in flesh. If you do not
have faith to  believe this, as  it is  recorded in  Scripture, 
you cannot please God...
   "...But, without faith it is impossible to please Him..."
     (God  the Father, God  the Son, God  the Holy Spirit,
     the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, King of Kings
     and Lord of Lords.)  One God many descriptions...

Just what have I learned over the 50+ years as a believer;
This  blog is my  answer to  the question.  I  do not do this
with any other motive than to get the message of the Love
of God to  as  many  persons as possible.  I trust  you find 
HIM faithful as have I. Psalms 136 "...and his mercy endu-
reth  forever."   His love is extended to all who will "...con-
fess  with thy  mouth the  Lord Jesus, and  believe in thine
heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.  For  with the  heart man  believeth unto  righteous-
ness, and with the  mouth confession  is made  unto salva-
tion."    "For  whosoever  shall  call  upon the  name of  the 
Lord shall be saved."  (Romans 10: 9-10,13) kjv       

http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2015/01/god-is-sovereign.html

Thanks for looking;    donporter,sr 12.22.15

SEATED WITH CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES... Ephesians 1:3-14

         Blessed be the God and  father of  our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly 
places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the founda-
tion of the world,  that we  should be  holy  and  without blame  
before Him in Love.  Ephesians 1:3-4 

  * * *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 
In this letter (epistle) from Paul the Apostle to a 
fellowship  apparently  persecuted, with  few of 
this  "worlds"  advantages,  he  is  encouraging  
them  to look at  their spiritual  blessings. They, 
rich  in  things  pertaining  to  the  Spirit,  seem 
impoverished  as  the  "world"  measures  suc- 
cess.  We  first see, they  were chosen of  God
before  the "foundation of  the world,"  adopted 
as sons by Jesus Christ "according to His own 
good  pleasure."  They  are  accepted, sins for- 
given;  wisdom  and  prudence is theirs. Those 
outside the fellowship of  faith might  pity them. 
They are being made aware of their eternal po-
sition in Christ Jesus. 

  When we are  tempted  to be  discouraged or 
think ourselves victims of our dedication to our 
Lord, we have only to look at the way Paul the 
Apostle  encouraged  this  fellowship.  Just  as
they were, we are chosen of  God, adopted as
sons  according to  "His  Good  pleasure."  We
are  accepted in  the Beloved, our  sins are for-
given  and  we  are  offered  wisdom  and  pru-
dence  unavailable those outside the family of
faith. 

     When we are tempted to be discouraged or
think ourselves victims of our dedication to our
Lord, we have only to look at the way the Apos-
tle Paul  thought.  When we  consider  as mere 
precursors to eternal life in a place beyond our 
imagination in the presence of  our Savior and
Lord Jesus Christ  and  our  like-minded  family 
of faith;
          

  Can there be any situation to which we
may be subjected on this earth that is not
happily enduring for such a prize?
                 
   (There is also the alternative for unre-
    pentant sinners to consider.) We have 
   the best of both "worlds" 
           The Lord God be praised...)

                donporter,sr  12.08.14, edited 6,25.16, 3.09.17,
                                                4.15.17...  8.21.17

     

     

IGNORING TRUTH ISN'T HELPING...

COPIED FROM "ONE NEWS NOW" WITHOUT COMMENT

Pastors -- Ignoring the truth isn't helping anyone, Charlie Butts   
(OneNewsNow.com)  Tuesday, September 16, 2014 


With the release of a new Barna survey, a ministry leader believes
people in  the pews are not always hearing what they need to hear 
from the pulpit.

According to study, 90 percent of pastors surveyed believe the Bible 
says a lot about pressing political and social issues, but less than ten 
percent actually preach about such topics. Sam Rohrer of the Ameri-
can Pastors' Network (APN) tells OneNewsNow America's culture 
is  suffering because of that.

Rohrer, Sam (PPN)"When those in the pulpit choose not to preach 
the controversial  portions or the portions that really affect our cul-
ture and the people in the pew, when that is done, confusion reigns" 
Rohrer contends. 
  "And I  would say that  the pastors in  the pulpit have sinned, and 
they are going to have an awful lot to answer to before God himself 
when they stand before him."

   The study suggests that pastors do not want  to offend people and 
want their congregations to leave feeling warm and fuzzy, so they fail 
to preach  about  sin,  about the  necessity  of  living a  righteous life, 
making biblically obedient decisions, because those tend to be uncom-
fortable;  those challenge us, the APN president submits. "But that's  
exactly what the Word of God is to do. So if we do not challenge peo-
ple in their lives, in their choices by what God says, we are failing in 
the  pulpit to  deliver what  God says,  and our culture will  suffer the 
results."

Rohrer adds that if pastors do not speak to the culture in their ser-
mons, then people will not be equipped to impact the culture. 

This post is from "OneNewsNow" with one single edit.  The word 
"God"appearing five lines from the close was rendered  "Got" in 
the original.  Thanks and God bless.  

                          donporter,sr 12.31.14, edited 4.15.17