[HarleyD]

Isn't the New Covenant open to ALL men? Didn't Christ die for the remission of the sin of the WORLD?

No, Christ blood covers only those who accept Him as their Lord. Christ did not die for everyone.

Your view appears to be rather exclusive

The Church/church has always held this view until recently. It is a warp perspective on theology and the history of the Church/church to include everyone.

My concern, brother, is PRESUMING that I am of the elect and that I CANNOT FALL. This is totally against Scripture. We must continue to walk in Christ.

Do you believe that our Lord Jesus is powerful enough that He can keep you and will help to see you home? If He wants to save you do you think He will keep you?

He HIMSELF says he continues his work so as not to be disqualified!

Paul was talking about his works and reputation. How many ministers and priests have "ship wreak" their ministries by doing something foolish? Those who are true believers haven't lost their salvation but they certainly have caused a number of people to stumble. Undoubtedly they've lost rewards.

I know people who appeared very strong in their faith. They denied the possibility of falling. They went off to mission in Africa. They saw so much hunger and death, it shook them. They fell away - "how could God allow such suffering to children?" The point - you do NOT know what your future holds.

This is a beautiful and glorious creation tainted by the evil and corruption of man. I'm reminded of this every time I look at a beautiful field or forest and see litter thrown about. It is a perfect analogy of how man corrupts everything of God. And yet He loves us. People see the litter and wonder where is God. They don't see the forest.

People do fall away. John writes they were never believers to begin with. They might seem like the greatest Christian ever but let a trial come their way and they denounce everything. Some have no roots.

Others, true believers like Peter, fall but then shuffle back. It may be the next day, the next month, or ten years. Who knows but I wouldn't make the assumption they have lost their faith. You can't see all ends.

I don't know what the future holds. Our faith is not centered around trying to make sense of a corrupt and dying world along with all the injustices that takes place. Our faith should be centered around understanding that God is just and wise and is going to rectify this entire situation justly. If not on earth then certainly in the our next life.

[jo kus]

No, Christ blood covers only those who accept Him as their Lord. Christ did not die for everyone.

I didn't ask "did Christ's blood cover only those who accept Him". I asked "Did Christ die for the remission of the sin of the entire world"?

The Church/church has always held this view until recently. It is a warp perspective on theology and the history of the Church/church to include everyone

Warped? Christ taught that EVERYONE was our neighbor and that the Gospel was to go to all men - to help ALL men KNOW more about God. The "law" that is placed on ALL men's heart is not as good as the Gospel preached to men. Original sin has distorted our own conscience of what is right and wrong. However, the very fact that God printed a law on ALL men speaks volumes to this subject that God doesn't desire all men to be saved.

Do you believe that our Lord Jesus is powerful enough that He can keep you and will help to see you home? If He wants to save you do you think He will keep you?

Of course. And He will do just that for the elect. I am pretty sure I am of the elect, if I was to die while typing this letter. But 10 years from now? That is our difference. I don't know I am of the elect, so I can only judge my own actions to gauge whether I am or not TODAY. I abide in Christ if I keep the Commandments. How do I know I will next year? I don't. IF I had access to the Book of the Elect, and saw my name there, well then certainly, I would then KNOW. But I don't have that level of security. Don't you remember those verses I gave you from Ezekiel that stated that a righteous person who did wicked deeds would no longer be considered righteous and would "die"?

Paul was talking about his works and reputation.

I disagree. He didn't care about his reputation - he called himself the worse of sinners.

How many ministers and priests have "ship wreak" their ministries by doing something foolish?

What does Jesus say about those who lead "these little ones" to sin? I recall something about being cast into the ocean with a millstone around their necks! I think it is safe to presume that pastors have quite a responsibility to their flock - failure to live up to it has some heavy consequences that go beyond "losing their ministry"!

Undoubtedly they've lost rewards.

The reward of eternal life.

People do fall away. John writes they were never believers to begin with. They might seem like the greatest Christian ever but let a trial come their way and they denounce everything. Some have no roots.

I am not so sure that is what John meant by saying that. That makes YOU the determinant of your salvation. If you only have "x" amount of faith, then all is well. If you have it today, but next year, you don't, well, then you added up your faith quotient wrong. I don't think so. If a person was obeying the Commandments in love, then Christ was abiding in that person. NO falling away in the future can change that!

I don't know what the future holds. Our faith is not centered around trying to make sense of a corrupt and dying world along with all the injustices that takes place. Our faith should be centered around understanding that God is just and wise and is going to rectify this entire situation justly. If not on earth then certainly in the our next life.

Well said.

Regards