2 Peter 1 v 8 - 11

The goal is before every believer, but the need is to press on towards the fulfillment of that heavenly calling. There has been much debate over the centuries concerning what can be termed as, 'Once saved, always saved...or not?'. There are passages in the New Testament which give us clear warnings about the possibility of losing our salvation, for example Hebrews 6 v 4-6, but if we have been adopted into God's family, how can we become un-adopted and if there is that possibility, where is our hope? Our faith returns to a flimsy trust in one's own abilities to maintain the right path, and I for one know that I'm not brilliant at doing that! 2 Timothy 2 v 11-13 remind us that we are in the hands of the living, faithful God who is in control of our destiny. I think that the warning is for those who become apostate, that is fully and consciously turn away from the Christian faith, no longer having faith in God. That to me is what the book of Hebrews talks about when it says about crucifying the Son of God all over again. The Parable of the Sower recorded in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8, gives us examples of those who come close to the Kingdom, but ultimately decide that it is not for them. I think it is good to have warnings in Scripture, for it is easy-especially with the Evangelical view of salvation-to become complacent, to mentally tick that box which identifies us as having a secure future and continue our lives of hedonistic pleasure. Paul talks in 1 Corinthians 9 v 24-27 of beating his body like an athlete to ensure he completes the race and so I would urge you to focus your mind, body and spirit on Jesus Christ. This is not an easy race, there are many attractions to encourage you to wander off and not all are intrinsically evil, they are just less than the goal of following Jesus with all our heart, mind and strength. The reward is to receive the grand heavenly entrance, just as the victorious generals returning to Rome experienced, and to hear ''Well done, my good and faithful servant''.