Lesson 23
It is commonly believed that all a person has to do to receive eternal life and salvation is to claim the redemption Jesus provides, as their own. They are taught that from that moment, they are on a one way street to heaven no matter what. Can these Bible verses dispute that belief? If not, how are they reconciled with it? Only the person who declares to be a believer can know if they are truly sincere. We need to test ourselves so we are not self deceived. Do any of your beliefs deny Jesus?
Luke 9:62 Complete Jewish Bible
62 To him Yeshua said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and keeps looking back is fit to serve in the Kingdom of God.”
Hebrews 6:4-8 Evangelical Heritage Version
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 and who then fell away, to be restored to repentance because they are crucifying the Son of God again, to their own harm, and exposing him to public ridicule. 7 For the land that drinks the rain that often falls on it and produces plants useful to those farming it, this land receives a blessing from God. 8 But the land that grows thorns and thistles is worthless and will soon be cursed—its end is to be burned.
1 John 2:19 International Standard Version
19 They left us, but they were not part of us, for if they had been part of us, they would have stayed with us. Their leaving made it clear that none of them was really part of us.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Living Bible
5 Check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians? Do you pass the test? Do you feel Christ’s presence and power more and more within you? Or are you just pretending to be Christians when actually you aren’t at all?
Hebrews 10:26-31 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
26 For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire which shall consume the adversaries. 28 A man making void the law of Moses, dieth without any mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath esteemed the blood of the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an affront to the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said: Vengeance belongeth to me, and I will repay. And again: The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.