Now Thanks Be To God Who Always Leads Us In Triumph Christ, And Through Us Diffuses The Fragrance Of His Knowledge In Every Place
Once Saved, Always Saved?
2 CORINTHIANS 2:14-17
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”
II Corinthians 2:14-17 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.2.14-17.NKJV
God has made us believers His very own; even giving us His Holy Spirit to live within as a guarantee (EPHESIANS 1:14; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:22).
He paid a high price on a cross and will not easily let us go even when we make mistakes or choose wrong paths.
He started a work within all who submit to God in repentance; a work that brings transformation by the renewing of one’s mind, that he shall come to understand what is that good and acceptable and the perfect will of God (ROMANS 12:1-2).
That is not to say once saved always saved, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”
Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV
But one would have to choose to deny Christ after receiving the knowledge and experiencing His truth to be lost.
Jesus said, ““Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Matthew 12:31-32 NKJV
When one commits to God in baptism and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, He commits to a forever covenant with God, and God to the believer and he or she is saved.
God would never break His covenant, and since He knew the sins of His chosen people, past, present, and future, sin in itself cannot undo the covenant.
For “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV
One’s sin becomes the responsibility of God, and for that reason, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2 NKJV
Jesus blood paid the penalty of one’s sin; yesterday’s , today’s, and tomorrow’s, but sin would certainly bring harsh consequences in this life.
Therefore, it’s not once saved, always saved, because if one blasphemes the Holy Spirit, that person cannot be forgiven, for there isn’t another sacrifice either in this age or the age to come, but it is practically impossible to become unsaved.
My beloved, when one receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit joins with our spirit, and “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Romans 8:16-17 NKJV
The Holy Spirit manifests through our soul to do good works through the flesh according to the Spirit, for, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:38 KJV
But if one slips back into sin, the Holy Spirit immediately retreats back into our spirit.
He doesn’t leave us, for His promise still stands (JOHN 14:15-18).
But it certainly will feel like that, because our soul, which is our mind, will and emotions will not experience His presence.
It feels like one is abandoned or is alone in the wilderness, and repentance convicted by God starts from within.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (PHILIPPIANS 1:6).
From time to time, God test us, like children at school, and in those times it can also feel like He has left us.
But He is always close by, ready to calm the storm and lead you to safety and then calming the storm (MTHEW 14:22-33).
Furthermore, whilst this good work progresses in you, God will work through you and with you to spread the Knowledge of Christ to all.
He leads us, His very own people in a triumphant procession, attracting non-believers to His Kingdom. The righteousness of Christ is like a sweet life-giving perfume coming from us, attracting many to turn to God.
But not everyone will perceive this perfume in the same way, for to those who are to perish, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom, and you can expect them to avoid us believers or even get very angry, for they are like the plague, hating Gods every word.
My brethren, we are God’s people, called to share His Good News, and indeed, we should do so with vigor, for the Spirit of God lives in you, to lead you, help and guide you to do God's will (JOHN 14: 15:18) and it is His aroma radiating from you that will attract His chosen and repel others according to God’s will.
My beloved, sharing the Good News isn't just the work of the evangelist, pastors, and church leaders, it is the work of each and every one of God's children, and we should seize every opportunity to shine for Christ and share the Good News to all who willingly listen.
Furthermore, the lost are not likely to walk into your place of worship and ask about Jesus; we must all seize every opportunity to share the Good News; in the supper market, or on the train, or walking through the park, taking Gods truth into the streets and communities, shining for Christ.
My beloved, be watchful of your agendas, for you have a deceitful heart (JEREMIAH 17:9).
Therefore, do not stray from the truth. Do not use God’s word to manipulate people into believing, serving, attending, or giving by twisting the Scriptures or exaggerating testimonies to make false promises of reward.
God does not promise a trouble free life and riches here on this earth, He promises to provide all our needs, not our wants that may drag us back into the pits of hell.
Neither can we sell the knowledge that God has gives us through His word.
Ties and offerings are not biblical in the New Testament times, therefore giving should always be Spirit led and not motivated by the promise of blessings or as a result of emotional blackmail.
Jesus said, “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”
Matthew 10:5-10 NKJV
We believers are all called to give to both the church and to the needy, but we must be wise and give only by the leading of the Spirit.
To give outside of God’s leading may undermine His work in others and lead oneself into a pit of poverty.
Equally, if we need funding, whether for ministry, projects, or personal need, we must ask God, not people.
“”Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV
My brethren, keep sharing the Good News; look out for every opportunity God puts before us, for when we complete our work of sharing the Good News to everyone in every nation around the world, the end shall come (MATHEW 24:14).
Jesus will return in all His glory and we shall be reunited forever. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
I Thessalonians 4:15-18 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
