The Apostate Man spirit soul and body! We believe better things than these for the believer; yet the warning remains.
Apostate Man Chart!
Eternal separation from God through trampling Christ, counting the blood as common, and insulting the spirit of grace. Hardened by spirit of bitterness; Counted the blood of Jesus as worthless; Trampled the Son of God underfoot!
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
We ended our last lesson talking about the correction that the Father brings to all His children. Spurning the correction of God is a dangerous life to live. There is the sure solid foundation that God knows the children that belong to Him. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. He was wounded for our transgression but he was bruised for iniquity. Bruising is from a wound on the inside. God wants His children to walk in wholeness. The wounds of our soul can be healed fully. Jesus breathed on the disciples and said receive the Holy Ghost. Then He told them whoever sins are retained they are retained and whoever sins are remitted they are remitted. Iniquity is the disobedience we walk in because of our wounded soul. Walking with this wound can lead to un-forgiveness and hardness of heart. It can lead to the pathway of apostasy.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
Departing from the faith begins with giving ear to false doctrines and deceiving spirits. Heeding the lies causes us to spurn the correction of God and sear our conscience.
2 Peter 2:20 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. 21 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. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."
As Peter carefully writes departing from the faith is more than an entanglement of sin; it is entanglement and being overcome by the entanglement. Sin is dangerous and the word is replete with the warnings.
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 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.
If one falls away it is impossible for them to be renewed again. That which is not underlined describes those who are candidates for falling away. It is someone who is enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, and have partook of the Holy Spirit. They have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. This is not a new Christian. This is one who was mature and begin to fall away to the degree their heart and conscience is seared over with a hot iron. It is like Esau who grew bitter spurning the correction of God and sold out his birthright for a bowl of soup. It is imperative that we the believe hold on to the confession of our faith in Jesus and value His work of the cross is the most precious action of heaven.
Hebrews 6:7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
While we discuss the falling away from the covenant of grace it is not the expected end. Our confidence is in the things concerning salvation. Yet the warning remains take heed.
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the D ay approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Salvation is a confession of faith toward Jesus Christ with changing of your heart by making Jesus your Messiah; apostasy is the opposite, it is a denial of faith in Jesus and a change of heart away from Him. You on purpose denounce Jesus and take your will back from Him. One counts the blood is common and not holy. One spites the spirit of grace by denying its influence.
Also let me say what Apostasy is not. It is not a believer sinning on purpose; if that be the case we would all be doomed the first time we sinned on purpose. Let the word of God define in this passage.
Hebrews 10:28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LOR D will judge His people.“ 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
It is one who has been sanctified by the blood of the covenant. They count the blood as a common thing and insult the Spirit of grace. It is spurning the new covenant that Jesus brought.
Hebrews 3:5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
While eternal security is found in grace it is not equated with once saved always saved. If we hold fast to the confession of Jesus Christ to the end we are in His house.
Romans 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
We must preach the whole counsel of God; not just parts and pieces that appeal to us. Continuing in the faith is imperative!
1 Corinthians 9:24 D o you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Paul seen it as a distinct possibility of becoming disqualified. It is important to present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God. We must continue to the end.
Matthew 10:32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Jesus too, made very clear we must endure with the confession of our faith to the end!
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Understanding between spirit soul and body is very important to help us live in victory. God has called His children to be vessel of honor. Flee youthful lusts; pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Do it in the company of those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. Practical application of the word will keep us from the possibility of apostasy.
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