Can you lose salvation? You have to break down what we become when we are saved.
1) A new creature. Which means we change.
2) A child. Which means we need correction in order to change.
But what is our salvation called?
1)
A marriage. Which means we have vows and duties (conditions) to abide by. But it also means that there can be separation, or divorce. God does not ever divorce us, it is we who divorce Him by our actions. For salvation to be all that it is in the word of God, then all of how it is described has to apply. Or it is a lie. So if it's a marriage, then divorce applies. And if it don't, then either the translators made a mistake, or God did.
2)
A Gift. Because the salvation is given to all. Both rich and poor, none are excluded if they are willing to believe and have faith. A gift describes "how" it is given, not how it should be used.
Ac 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Salvation is spiritual, for how can something physical be given in return?
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What could you give in price for something that is priceless? God knew this.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:* it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.**
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.***
* Trying to find another way which would be by the golden rule. This is to show there is only one way to the Father, and that is through His son.
** We are to humble ourselves and not boast. For we become vessels in which God works through, so the works we do are not our own. And the Glory should go to God and not ourselves through boasting to one another.
*** Here it is explained again, in another way, that we are now different (new creatures) in Christ. And that what we do (works) are now good works for Christ, and this work is not of our own doing. For it is not ourselves that the work is done.
So when works are discredited in the God's word, notice that there is a reference to the work being of ourselves. But when work is referred to as a work for Christ, it is referred to as a good work.
This is because, before we were saved, who did we work for? Ourselves. Works that we can boast about that was our own. But after we are saved, our works should only glorify Christ. The testing by fire is to see whether we make this transition from our works to His works. Which is good works.
This is also why Christ said that He would have us rather be hot or cold, instead of lukewarm. Because when it comes to works of good and bad, you don't want a bunch of bad to stoke the fire they will be tested by.
Cold: Someone who follows, sets a good example, reads Gods word. The work here is not much, but it's not a bunch of bad work. Or carnal work that you can boast about that does not glorify God.
Luke warm: Someone who does not want to release the old work to become a new creature, wants to hold on to it. Allows pride to guide them and tries to glorify self more than God. Looks for more stuff to glorify self. And because they make others look at them more than God, what they do is considered lukewarm. And when their works are test by fire, what glorifies them, will burn up, and they will have the smell of smoke upon them.
Hot: Are those who strive for the mark that God would have us all strive for. Most everything they do Glorifies God in one way are another. When people look at them, they see the God this person lives for. They are good examples of what Christ is. And they set this example in every good work they do. And when it comes time to tests their works with fire, very little burns, but the good works, that are not carnal, becomes more purified and Holy in the eyes of God.
So let's see what verses have good works, and notice how it is worded to glorify God:
Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Joh 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many
good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Ac 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of
good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Ro 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to
good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Eph 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.etc...
Then we have wonderful works:
Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works?
Ac 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the
wonderful works of God.
Then we have the works of Christ.
Mt 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the
works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Then we have mighty works:
Mt 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the
mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Mt 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the
mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Mt 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these
mighty works?
Mt 13:58 And he did not many
mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Mt 14:2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore
mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
Mr 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such
mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Mr 6:14And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad
and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore
mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
Lu 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the
mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Lu 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the
mighty works that they had seen;etc...
Then we have what I call personal works. These works are either a reference to what is of God or man. God's word uses the term His works and their works to describe this.
Mt 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to
his works.
Ac 15:18 Known unto God are all
his works from the beginning of the world.
2ti 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to
his works:
Heb 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all
his works.
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with
his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation
his works with meekness of wisdom.
Then we have their works:
Mt 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after
their works: for they say, and do not.
Mt 23:5 But all
their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
2co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works.
Re 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and
their works do follow them.
Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to
their works.
Re 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to
their works. etc...
Are we saved by works? Nope. But bad works can mock God as a bad representation of who God is through the life we show unto others. Because our life is supposed to represent who our God is. For we are ambassadors for Christ.
2cor 5:20 Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Works for salvation are works that go along with the golden rule. Works for Christ after we are saved (good works) is what no-osas is.
And because works cannot save you, this is why the works judgement is separate in heaven. For once your in, works cannot condemn you. And is the reason that if your works burn up, you have to be purified by the same fire.
Good works gives us reward in heaven. Not salvation.
mt 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Even Christ spoke of works that he did as a witness to who sent Him.
jn 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Even Christ's disciples ask for what work can they do.
jn 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
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To more or less break this down. Works in heaven, and works on earth have two different meanings. And only the bad works on earth make you lose salvation while on the earth, but cannot make you lose it on judgement day.
For when you enter heaven for judgement, you are either saved or not. If you are saved, you pass unto the works judgement. This is what determines your reward for the good works, while the bad ones burn up. If you have no good work to show, the the same fire that burned up the bad works shall purify you because you cannot have a bad report in heaven about works.
mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Then we have the two judgements for the two covenants.
Revelation 20:
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and
death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Notice that this judgement is the only judgement were it is said that hell is brought up to be judged. The great white throne judgement is the only unsaved judgement there is for those "who never accepted Christ". Those who never accept Christ are in the Father hands for judgement. Because Christ cannot judge what does not fall under His covenant. And this is why these verses are said this way.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
These are the three conditions to receive what is in the next verses.
1) My sheep hear my voice.
2) And Christ knows them.
3) And they follow him.
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
If you meet all three conditions, you get three promises.
1) Eternal life.
2) Shall never parish.
3) Security of salvation, but only if the conditions are met in verse 27.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Who sent the Son to die for our sins? The Father. And who was the creator of man? The Father. So man is already in the Father's hands. Upon allowing a new covenant, the Father hands them to the Son. And there is no conditions for man to be in the Father's hands because the Father created man. So the two sets of hands are a representation of the two covenants. And security is only in place when the conditions of being saved are met in verse 27.
So you get three promises for meeting the three conditions. Which also goes along with all the other threes in the bible (trinity, three day resurrection, etc...).
Now for the judgement throne of Christ (new covenant).
The marriage......
One of the reasons salvation and the new covenant is called a marriage is because of James 5:19-20. Christ never breaks His end of the covenant bond, we do. This is what is called: to err from the truth*. Being convertible, means we can be accepted back into this bond.
The divorce......
When a divorce occurs, the head of the relationship gives the covenant partner a paper of divorce, which releases this person of the marriage bond. Now because Christ is in a marriage bond with us, while on earth, he will never release us by handing us a paper of divorce. And it is the reason that the separation actually take place at the throne. Even though no one is said to be pulled out of hell for judgement.
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Do you see anyone pulled out of hell for this judgement? And when they stand before Christ, they are together until Christ separates them.
Why is there a separation in front of the saved throne of Christ (sheep and goats)?
Because there will be some who don't meet the conditions mentioned earlier. This is why Christ never mentions they are being thrown into hell because they did not accept Him. They are thrown into hell because on earth, they were not a good representation of Him.
Example: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
This is a reference to the meat and milk of the word. This one verse is about spreading the gospel. Which is a work we are supposed to do.
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
A stranger means they do not know Christ. Taking them in means you are a good ambassador for Christ. Giving them cloths is a good representation of Christ. In prison is reference of where someone is who is not saved.
So the goats are being thrown into hell not for rejecting Christ, but for not doing the works of Christ. Which means all that stood before the throne of Christ, were saved. And Christ is serving the goats a paper of divorce for not meeting the conditions of the marriage covenant. But because the covenant with Christ is done by word only, the divorce is done in the same way. After the goats are shown they have not met the requirements of the marraige covenant, the word of divorcement is give. This word is "depart from me". You cannot depart from something you were never a part of.
So why are they called goats?
In the old covenant, a goat was the sin atonement. Which meant you had to do a work to maintain your salvation. This is why the white throne judgement will judge people according to their works.
The goats mentioned in Christ's judgement are those who are what's called lukewarm Christians. They only live by the works rule, even though they have been saved. The problem is, they allow good and bad works to represent themselves to others as Christians (a bad representation of Christ). Which tells others that accepting Christ allows you to sin, which mocks God.
So living a saved life through both good and bad works, makes you a goat if you do not repent and ask forgiveness.
