Text: 1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV
Further Reading: 1 Timothy 4:1-3
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV
MESSAGE
Those who say that once a person is saved such is forever saved are either not reading their bibles properly or are intentionally dishonest.
Our text of the day explicitly contradicts that school of thought. As a matter of fact, the Holy Spirit says that in the last days, many people will depart from the faith; i.e. they will fall away from their faith in Christ.
The Lord Jesus while speaking about the signs of the last days also told us that the abounding level of iniquity and sin will cause the love of many for God to wax cold. The Lord concluded that remark with a warning that only those who endure till the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13)). Does it mean that many believers will not be saved in the end? Yes!
Multiple times in the book of Revelation Jesus said that only the overcomers will be rewarded. To the church in Smyrna, he said only those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11). The second death is the lake of fire and it is for those whose name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 20:15; 21:8).
To show us the seriousness of the matter, Lord spoke of blotting out the names of none overcomers out of the book of life.
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 3:5 NKJV.
It is not good enough to be sure of your salvation yesterday, you must be sure every day you live on earth. You must work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
So we know now that many people will depart from the faith as a sign of the end times, and that it is dangerous. Persons who used to be on fire for God may suddenly go rogue and begin to live a life other than that of Christ. These are indeed strong possibilities.
Let us see certain triggers that will make men derail from the faith. In the parable of the sower, the Lord gave us two categories of people who though looked like they have good prospects but in the end, were disappointments.
The seeds that fell on the rocky ground may be likened to beleivers who are not deeply rooted in Christ, and when tribulations and persecution come they easily give way. And we know that there will be great tribulations in the last days. Those believers who are without depth in the knowledge of Christ will be blown away.
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those believers who because of the cares and wants of this world deny Christ and go back into the world. The devil is out there using different material needs and desires of this world to lure many away from the faith. The enemy also uses hunger, lack, missed opportunities, or dashed expectations to sway people off their Christian race.
We must constantly cry to heaven for help. We must overcome or we are overcome. Christians can not joke about building themselves up in the Lord by putting on the whole armour of God. You must grow in grace and the knowledge of the truth.
If you don’t want to fall away into the world then be intentional about your Christian life, pray, study the word of God, know your God and you will do exploits.
REFLECTION
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Revelation 3:11 NKJV
Many will fall out of the race in the last times; ask God for the grace to endure to the end and overcome.
PRAYER
Father, Please give me the grace to endure till the end and overcome in Jesus’ name.
