How Do We Get To Heaven?
Once
embracing the truth but have now abandoned or forsaken it.
This
can be a gradual occurrence
Apostasy
is prophesied in scripture
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for
that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted
great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and
the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of
perdition),(AMP)
Occurring before the coming of Christ---before the
appearing of the Antichrist
Those claiming to be Christians falling away
This doesn’t happen over a short time period.
A church doesn’t one week stop using the bible
and the truth contained in it.
One well know person said if you made an honest
effort to be a good person God will accept you.
One
person asked a religious leader what if you don’t believe but do good things---He
said that person would be saved by a work of grace
Others
say believing in Christ is not a necessary proponent to go to heaven. Just as long as you believe in God.
John 14:6
Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
BUT THE [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly
declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving
attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,
Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared
(cauterized),(AMP)
in latter times some will turn away from the
faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that
demons teach
Not in the appearance of evil but in the form of
enlightening their understanding
All false religion propagates doctrine
energized by seducing spirits
The source of apostasy is demonic.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan
himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great
thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of
righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.(NKJV)
Coming as a minister of righteousness---energized
by seducing spirits
One popular belief is that there are
many pathways to heaven
Jesus Christ is not just a way, but only the
way
Luke 18:8
I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge
them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence
in] faith on the earth?(AMP)
Jesus is asking the question will He find
persistence in faith on the earth?
Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed
that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the
Christ,' and will deceive many.(NKJV)
Take heed that no one deceives you.
The risk of being deceived exist or Jesus wound not
have mention it
Remember that apostasy is always a process.
There are a variety of beliefs on this
subject.
Can a true Christian commit apostasy?
Colossians 1:21-23
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your
mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh
through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His
sight-- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are
not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached
to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.(NKJV)
This is talking about a person who once alienated
which has been made spiritually alive unto God through Christ
The condition is He will present you holy and
blameless and above reproach in His sight------IF
The first
step towards apostasy is embracing a doctrine opposed to the
scriptures.
Apostasy also comes from another motive.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching
ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears
away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (NKJV)
itching ears--- meaning looking for
something pleasing or gratifying---something more palatable certainly not the message of
repentance
Our first clue is when a person, especially a spiritual leader,
beliefs and actions don’t line up with
the word of God.
Cotton candy sermons They taste good
but have no substance
Matthew 7:13
"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. (NKJV)
The narrow gate is Christ himself
Acts 4:12
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no
other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."(NKJV)
We can’t take away or add to the word
of god to make it more palatable
Something nicer than the old fashioned message of sin
salvation and hell
You can be a fine church going person all your life,
a good neighbor, concerned citizen, dedicated parent and still be spiritually
deceived
Remember that apostasy will occur before the rapture
and rise of the Antichrist
Can you see how our resolve and beliefs can be altered---slightly
over time
Itching ears may be crying out make us feel good about ourselves
Do we really have to persevere or endure in our
faith to go to heaven?
Matthew 24:12-13
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of
many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.(NKJV)
A defection from the Christian faith
We understand that rejection of Jesus Christ will
ultimately result in condemnation John
3:18
What
is the unpardonable sin?
In
Mark 3:22
The scribes who came down from
Mark
3:28-30
"Assuredly,
I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever
blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never
has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"-- because they
said, "He has an unclean spirit."(NKJV)
Jesus said he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness
They
said Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan
We should never point to something as demonic, which may be influenced by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Apostasy is a willful, deliberate departure from
God and is never accidental.
Hebrews 6:4-6
For it is impossible for those who were once
enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of
the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age
to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they
crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open
shame.(NKJV)
Some people say that this refers to people who were
never Christians.
But the verse says to renew them again to
repentance
I don’t think this is referring to someone
having a struggle with sin.
I believe it refers to the apostate----a deliberate departure
from the gospel of Christ
Apostates cannot return because they have rejected
the only sacrifice available to them.
But again we can’t judge ever situation by a blanket
statement.
We can never judge who an apostate is
by certain behavior----Only God can judge.
Neither can we say that person was never saved
to start off with.
How do we hold on to our salvation?
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see
whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test
and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know
[thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in
you--unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?(AMP)
We are to test and evaluate ourselves to see whether
we are holding to our faith in Jesus Christ and showing the proper fruits
of it.
Why didn’t the verse say make sure your obedience
level is at least 90%?
If we are saved by grace through faith
we are kept by grace through faith.
Some well intentioned but deceived Christians
will tell other Christians that they go to hell if they commit a certain sin.
This is so dangerous because we are discounting the
imputed gift of righteousness.
If we have continual faith in Jesus Christ our faith
will have fruit.
How do we check or evaluate our faith------by
its fruit.
James said I will show you my faith by my
works.
Works giving an indication of faith
and not of righteousness.
Righteous living is a fruit of faith
Righteous standing before God is a gift made
possible by Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:3-4
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and
seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the
righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to
everyone who believes.(NKJV)