Is it or isn’t it; Where is the heart set?

Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

Discovered in 1930, the icy Pluto was small in comparison to the other planets. It was the farthest from the sun and had an unusual orbit. Though it didn’t quite fit the pattern of the other planets Pluto became planet number 9; until recently. Some scientists had their heart set on having some of the other celestial bodies orbiting Pluto also classified as planets, others had their heart set on other plans. So approximately 2,500 astronomers and scientists meet in Prague to determine the fate of planet Pluto. There was one “minor” inconvenience, science had never given a scientific definition as to what does or does not constitute a planet.

After some debate the scientists from the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reached agreement on the first working definition of planets. They came up with several criteria to determine if a celestial body (excluding satellites) would be classified as a traditional planet, a dwarf planet or a small solar system body. Small Pluto, with its noncircular orbit didn’t make the cut as a traditional planet and was reclassified. There have been mixed reactions to the news of Pluto’s demotion. Here was the response of one school age teenager: “It’s one less planet to memorize.”

To some this response might be amusing, but Christianity is struggling with another dilemma of definitions. There is confusion today among Christians as to what constitutes salvation. One extreme involves doubts that the assurance of salvation can ever be obtained, while another involves feeling that once “saved”, the person can never be lost. It appears that the confusion stems from a multitude of opinionated definitions of salvation. If so then the answer lies in accepting the Biblical definition or explanation. Is there one? Of course. God gives us all the answers we need in the pages of Scripture.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. That includes every human who has ever lived on planet earth. Salvation belongs to God (Ps 3:8; 9:14) and is obtained when a person accepts the gospel. It is received as a gift from God (Ps 37:39). And the same conditions involved in receiving salvation are involved in continuing in salvation: learning, loving, trusting, repenting, confessing, forgiveness, accepting grace, and a continual walk with Jesus. (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 1:6, (Lk 1:77, Acts 2:38, 1 Jn 1:9, Jn 15:5). Praise God that we can live in the ongoing assurance of salvation (1Jn 5:11-13).

To many, myself included, it seems odd and certainly contrary to Scripture that when a loving God would remove the freedom to ever change or reverse their choice when they make a choice to walk with Jesus. Equally contrary is that He would force them to keep the gift of salvation and not allow them the freedom to live outside the conditions of salvation (Heb 5:9) should they choose to? Created perfect and walking with God, Lucifer, Adam and Eve were not denied these freedoms.

Can a righteous person ever choose to become wicked (Ps 119:155)? Can a Christian ever reach a point where they no longer trust or love God; where they no longer desire to repent from sins or ask for forgiveness? Can they choose to reject the gift of grace and no longer walk with God?

I believe the answer is yes, although tragic, it is possible. The Bible gives many examples: Lucifer, King Saul, David prayed that God would not remove His Spirit because of his sin, the nation of Israel. Jesus told a parable describing people who received salvation for a while and then lost it (Lk 8:13) and another parable of vine branches that were removed and destroyed (Jn 15:6). Jesus rebuked the Christians at Ephesus (Rev 2:4-5) because they lost their first love for Him. Ananias and Saphira lost their salvation when they lost their faith through greed (. Both Paul and Peter warn believers against losing their salvation (Heb 3:12-14; 2 Pet 2:20-21). Paul even warns of a falling away among believers (2 Thes 2:3). And while Adam failed to trust God in the garden of Eden, fortunately he repented and accepted a saving walk with Jesus.

In light of these warnings how can we be certain we remain in the right “classification”, in an ongoing condition of salvation”? By setting your heart upon Jesus. By continuing your walk with Him, daily accepting His gospel, never growing weary but dying to self daily, and abiding in His love as He works out His life in you. Each today is the day to choose to set your love upon Jesus.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

A friend and servant in Jesus Christ,
Pastor Michael Wise