This morning I read 1 Tim. 4:1 (I usually study my bible one verse at the time) where we read Paul's warning that in later times some will abandon the faith.
I think I have always been more Arminian than Calvinist although I admit that it is not an easy subject and triggers a tremendous lot of controversy. I concise introductionairy explanation you will find here.
I grew in a church where it is not easy to get lost. Once in, praying the sinners prayer, you're in and can't get out because Jesus said: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-28).
You see, once we're in Jesus is going to make sure that no one snatches me out of His hand and I can't perish anymore, no matter how much I screw up! I'm in, you know!
But what about that one thing that is so dear to God that He allowed for us to rebel against Him and to be free to make up our own minds: free will.
What if a sheep wants to leave the pen? Will Jesus, like a wrestler, throw Himself on this person to keep Him protect him from the evil, fleshly voices within? Will Jesus say: "You can't get out, you're saved and can't get lost, pal! I lured you in and I'm very sorry (actually I'm not) to say that there is no way you can't get out".
Isn't this verse in John's gospel about His promise to keep us safe and that, as long as we live our lives on earth and stay close to Him, listen to His voice, no one, not any single force can snatch us out of His hand!
I believe the perishing bit that Jesus talks about is about this life on earth. He is not telling us that we don't have an option anymore. I believe we do have. We are safe under His protection. We can still walk out of Him and He will have to let us go. He will come and look for us but He will have to let us go. He is not forcing anyone to live with Him.
And, people do walk out of Him. Paul knew it was happening and it would continue to happen. Why? Because of deceiving spirits, things taught by demons and becoming legalistic! He is niot talking about people that walk out of Jesus to become druggies instead, or crooks. He is talking about people becoming religious again and end up putting yokes on the shoulders of Gods people.
Yes, we can walk out of Gods Kingdom, submit to other ruling systems where power, position, being right, and ruling others try to satisfy the emptiness in their souls.
Why would people do that? Drawing from Jesus' analogy in John 10 I want to suggest that sheep are stupid animals. They generally follow their leader and are rather submissive, yet do stupid things. Who wants to be called stupid and simple?
There you go.
I have been sticking to Jesus for the past 28 years and I like being a sheep. He cares and knows what I need. I don't want to become religious, I just want to follow my shepherd. That's safe. That's simple. For some a little bit to simple...
With what result? Abandonment.
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