Jesus had a lot to say about and this taught that the path to eternal life is narrow and that few find it. In
Matthew 7:13-14, He said;
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
This shows that salvation is not guaranteed for everyone, and only those who stay faithful and follow His teachings will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
I find the narrow gate concept a good description of what salvation is. We are called to keep going through that narrow gate when the open road seems so attractive in this world. Its a sacrifice and its hard.
Jesus also warned that some would hear the word and believe for a while, but eventually fall away. In the Parable of the Sower, He explained;
"But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles." (
Matthew 13:20-21).
This illustrates that some will start their walk with God but will not persevere when faced with trials or temptations.
This seems to be the destinction that it is about being willing to persevere through difficulties and even persecution. This is a hard idea for humans who by instinct every cell in their bodies is trying to survive. If its just about this world and the natural human then following Christ goes against this.
Not that we cannot enjoy life in this world. But in a different way. Christ said he offered true peace beyond our understanding.
In
John 15:6, Jesus made it even clearer, saying;
"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
Here, Jesus compares Himself to a vine and believers as branches. A branch must remain connected to the vine to stay alive and bear fruit. If a person disconnects from Christ through disobedience or unbelief, they wither spiritually and face eternal judgment.
I think Christians can know they are alive in Christ. Christ says 'abide in me'. Paul says that we die to ourselves and it is no long I that lives but Christ that lives in me. So its like a relationship where each adides in the other. I think thats the best way to see it. Its organic and a personal relationship that grows and is alive.
As opposed to when a relationship breaks down and you know the signs. Less communication and commitment and it slowing disappears. But I believe that we can re-establish that relationship because God never gives up. Like the prodigal son. We can come to our senses and come back home.
The original apostles also confirmed this truth. Peter warned in
2 Peter 2:20-21;
"For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them."
This shows that a person who was once saved and returns to sin is in a worse condition than before they knew the truth.
I like the image of Peters description of "escaping the pollution of the world". It shows how we realise how evil sin and the world is. Then it says we have come to know this through knowledge of Christ. So a person can have this knowledge where they can see what the world cannot see. Yet still not be saved because they were not willing to live that knowledge. Put it into practice.
There is a saying in AA where a person who stops drinking and recovers. That if they then start drinking again that the person has a "head full of AA and a belly full of beer". They are twice as conflicted and need to drown their sorrows because they know the truth of their plight.
James also affirmed this truth when he said;
"Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."
This verse reveals that a believer can wander away from the truth and face spiritual death unless they repent and return to God.
It mentions that this will cover a multitude of sins. Maybe this is one way to fertilise salvation. If you can turn people from the error of their ways then your too busy being saved than going back to sinning.
This is a basical life principle and one used in therapy. By helping others you are actually covering most if not all of the issues that will cause the malady. Its positive for both those helped and the helper. It is cultivating a good heart and mind. Which ultimately is Christ the great therapist.
The Bible does provide examples of those who lost their salvation. Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, yet he betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus Himself said about Judas;
"It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." (
Matthew 26:24).
This shows that Judas was once in the faith but fell away and was lost.
This shows that Christ understood how sin destroys and can control a person. Like Paul said 'I do what I don't want to do and know is wrong'. Judas was preoccupied by the world and money and all that came with it. Which was to have priviledge and pleasure in this life. He was not will to sacrifice all that for Christ who he had seen do miracles. That is the power of our fallen nature.
Another example is Balaam, a prophet who once heard from God but later led Israel into sin for personal gain. Peter referred to him, saying,
"They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor." (
2 Peter 2:15). King Saul is yet another example; he was chosen and anointed by God but later disobeyed and rebelled, and the Spirit of God departed from him (
1 Samuel 16:14)
I have been reading the old testament again. One theme that keeps coming through is how God saved His people and while in the desert they had God among them. So they too knew of Gods reality but still choose to go their own way and make their own idols and gods.
This is repeated again and again and God always sends a prophet or king to save them. But while they are rejecting God they are plagued and in conflict. Nothing could break this repeating history until Christ. All led to Christ.
Jesus' words make it clear that salvation is not a one-time event but requires endurance and faithfulness until the end. As He said in
Matthew 24:13,
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Therefore, those who abide in Christ, obey His commandments, and remain faithful will receive eternal life. However, those who turn away from Him and return to sin risk losing their salvation and facing eternal separation from God: "Here is the patience of the saints: here
are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Rev 14:12
I think you have mentioned an important aspect of salvation. Some may think its an instant and permanant change. Like a spell has been cast over us and we are saved. But salvation is hard work. Not by good deeds. But by self sacrifice of our flesh to God in Christ.
The ways of God are foolishness to man. Christians are sacrificing their life in this world for Gods kingdom. Making this life less important. Thats hard to do when the world is coming at you and all around you. Especially today where every sense is being accentuated.
I heard a sermon a couple of weeks ago and the preacher mentioned that when we sacrifice for God it leads to the right path and success in this life. So its not as if we are being like the world thinks and throwing our life away. It actually leads to true life and we can know and experience this in our life.
God bless and thankyou.
