Matthew 24:13

"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Part of the meaning of the word saved, from the Greek word sozo, is to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgement. The word that Jesus Christ spoke will judge in the last day (John 12:48). This being saved is clearly conditional. We must endure to the end. To endure means to remain, not to recede or flee, to preserve under misfortunes and trials, to hold fast to one's faith in Christ, to bear bravely and calmly ill treatments. It's the same word here: If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. Also, 2 Timothy 2:12 states that if we endure with Him, we will also reign with Him.

Matthew 24:24,25

"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand." The word deceive also means to cause to stray, lead aside from the right way, to sever or fall away from the truth, to be led away into error and sin. That is definitely the loss of salvation because it means to be severed or fallen away from the truth. They will stray and be led aside from the right way. They will be led away into error and sin. We have no license to fall back into the bondage of sin again. Some people want to think this Scripture means that it is not possible when He said "if possible," but Christ would not have said this just to be playing games with us by there being no way it can happen. The word for beforehand also means to say before the event: prophecies. This was Christ telling us that it would happen. So don't be deceived that you can't be deceived, or then you may wind up one of those who do in fact get deceived.

Luke 12:45,46

"But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." ~ Note: Someone can be a servant of Christ then start the practice of sin again and not be ready for eternal life when Christ comes back. This person will go where the unbelievers go. Verses 47 and 48 prove there will be varying degrees of punishment in hell. It will be worse for the ones who lose their salvation. 2 Peter 2:20,21 also proves this.

Luke 8:5-8 (The parable of the sower)

Jesus said, "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock, and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" 

If you can hear then you ought to know that in order for someone to wither away they had to once have a good life in the body of Christ. Someone can't wither away if they were never saved to begin with, because if they were never saved then they never had life that could wither away. Jesus then explained the parable of the sower.

Luke 8:11-15

Jesus said, "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved (These people do not become believers after they hear the word of God, but the others next do believe and get born again, but they lose their life in Christ and fall away because of sin). But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while. For a time they were born-again believers. It's the common word for believe, pisteuo. They had saving faith. They had the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative of law and soul. That is what to believe means. In other words, they had the power of God within them to drive them to have a distinctively superior advantage of having their souls obey His moral law, but they only did it for a while.) and in time of temptation fall away (Note: They had been set free from sin, but they didn't resist the temptation when they were enticed to sin. The word for fall away means they depart, desert, withdraw, fall away, whichever definition you choose to use, from having life in Christ. They became faithless. They got that way because they fell for the temptation of sin.)" The people who say that the ones who fall away were not real believers contradict God's word, because it clearly says they believed for a while. Plus you can't fall away from something if you were never with it to begin with.

"Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity." ~ Note: To go out also means to pursue the journey on which one has entered. They had entered into a life with Christ; but while seeking where that life would lead them, their fruit did not mature. They got choked. It means to choke utterly the seed of the divine word sown in the mind. Riches (wealth, abundance of external possessions) and pleasures (lust) is what caused it. I will show you later that you need to bear good fruit.

"But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it (Note: The word for keep means hold fast, keep, stay in regards to from going away. This is our personal responsibility to continue to believe the word of God and to stay faithful to Him) and bear fruit with patience." ~ Note: The word for patience more correctly means enduring, perseverance, the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. To be saved at the end, you must persevere while bearing good fruit. Jesus made it clear that a true believer produces good fruit, and that the human will is involved in remaining a believer, since He says we must keep it and persevere.

Luke 14:34,35

Jesus said, "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" ~ Note: Jesus' point is that the same is true of a saltless disciple. He will be thrown out. The word for salt also means wisdom and grace exhibited in speech. The word for lost its flavor also means to be foolish, to make flat and tasteless. So watch what you say. Don't be foolish and tasteless in what you say, have grace in your speech. ~ I've seen it denied that this has anything to do about how we talk, but look at this other Scripture with the same Greek word in it, and you will see that is IS about what we say. ~ Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. That clearly proves salt means having grace in your speech. The way we talk can make us lose our salvation.

Luke 15:13 (The parable of the lost son)

Jesus said, "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living." The verb for wasted means to scatter abroad, disperse. So this is doing something like what we call "throw your money away." The word for prodigal means riotous, dissolutely, profligately. These words mean immoral, corrupt, extremely wasteful, recklessly extravagant. So the son took his inheritance and squandered it all away living a recklessly extravagant lifestyle. But when he came to his senses (it doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit convicted him...he had to personally choose what to do), repented, and turned back to his father, he said this...

Luke 15:21

"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son." ~ Note: This guy knew he fell into the bondage of sin and was no longer considered worthy to be a child of God, but his father said...

Luke 15:24

"'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry." The word for dead here means spiritually dead, destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God because given up to trespasses and sins. The word for alive again here means to be restored to a correct life, of one who returns to a better moral state. The words restored and returns ("alive again") are actions of things that once had it, then did not have it, then had it again. The words dead and alive again clearly mean that the son had lost his salvation but later got it back. You probably know that the words lost and found are about someone who is or is not going to heaven. Clearly, this parable explains that someone can be a child of God, then leave God and start the practice of sin, and become dead and lose their fellowship with God, because God just said that "he was lost." Unless, of course, one comes to their senses, repents, and turns back to God like I did after I backslid and in the way it is portrayed in this parable. Then they will be "alive again." But just because this parable has a happy ending, it doesn't mean that it always turns out this way.

Luke 22:31,32

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! (Peter) Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  The word for sift means by inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow. You see, Satan can try to get you to overthrow your faith). But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail (Note: I see the Lord implying that it is possible that our faith could fail. If that were to happen, then we would no longer have the condition to receive grace, and our relationship with God would cease); and when you have returned to Me. The word for returned means turn again, turn back, come back in regards to the love and obedience of God.

It is possible to stop obeying God. Then we would need to turn back to Him.), strengthen your brethren." Peter was dangerously close to having his faith failing when he denied that he knew Jesus 3 times. This was when Satan was sifting him. It is a good thing Jesus prayed for him so that he did not totally abandon Jesus. Since Peter was in danger of his faith failing, we should also be aware of this possibility.

John 15:1,2 (The vine and the branches)

Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..." ~ Note: This is someone in Christ who gets taken away because they did not bear fruit. The word for fruit means that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result; or, work, act, deed; or, praises which are presented to God as a thank offering. This is obviously something a servant of God personally needs to have or else God will take that person away. The word for takes away here means to take off or away what is attached to anything; to remove. So this Scripture is about God removing someone from being in Christ. Clearly, this is about someone losing their salvation.

John 15:6

Jesus said, "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered (In order to be cast out, one must first be in Christ).; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." ~ Note: The word for abide also means remain, continue, endure, not to depart, to continue to be present, to remain as one, not to become another or different. Surely, this is a warning to stay in Christ, which means it's possible to not do so. To be thrown into the fire and burned is clearly about God casting someone to hell where they will be consumed with fire. This will happen to a former branch in Christ. This is a clear teaching of Jesus that it is necessary for us believers to continue to walk in the sanctification given us at the new birth. We must keep believing and obeying His word (John 15:9,10), or we chose to stop our relationship with Him. That would be some of us not bearing fruit, which stems from not obeying Him, that causes some to be cast out.

Romans 11:17-22

And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. That is conditional. I suggest that you continue in His goodness that led you to repentance (Rom. 2:4), and set you free from the bondage of sin (Rom.6:16-22); or else God just might cut you off from being in Christ. This passage shows the Christian's responsibility to remain in the Lord's goodness by standing by faith. You stand by faith certainly implies willful cooperation with God.

1 Corinthians 3:16,17

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. ~ Note: The word temple is a metaphor. It means the spiritual temple consisting of the saints of all ages joined together by and in Christ. So ourselves are the temple with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. To defile the temple means to lead away from the state of holiness in which you ought to abide. Then God will destroy you and you will perish. Some people want to think the word temple here is only about a church building. But the truth is that the word temple refers to the individual believer just like in 1 Corinthians 6:19. God does not destroy and to make perish a church building. The word states God will destroy him, not it. What, you think God is going to make the building catch on fire and burn it down to destroy it? No way is this about a building. It is about each of our own individual spiritual lives that God can make perish.

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. ~ Note: Paul was talking about being disqualified to receive the prize of the imperishable crown (received in eternal life) as the 2 previous verses in the Bible explain. Disqualified  means reprobate, rejected, not standing the test, not approved, that which does not prove itself such as it ought. Other times the word (the Greek word adokimos) is used in the NT, it's talking about the lost (2 Cor. 13:5-7 , 2 Tim. 3:8 , Titus 1:16). So since Paul was aware of the danger of not being approved and becoming lost, we also should be careful. Paul was being careful by when he disciplined himself and brought his body into subjection. That means he made himself to be a slave subject to stern and rigid discipline.

1 Corinthians 10:1-12

... I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea... and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. The word for fall also means to fall under judgment, come under condemnation, to fall out, to fall from i.e. perish or be lost, to fall from a state of uprightness, come to an end, disappear, cease. That's definitely a loss of salvation.

1 Corinthians 11:31,32

For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. To judge ourselves also means to be at variance with one's self, hesitate, doubt. So think about it and be careful of what you do. The word for chastened also means to punish in order to correct by the afflictions of evils and calamities. So if life seems a misery and you're going through extreme misfortune that brought great loss and sorrow, then it might be God at work causing that so you don't lose your salvation. The word for condemned also means to be given judgment against, damned. Surely that means God corrects and punishes us so that we don't go to hell with the lost people. The word world here also means the ungodly multitude, the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ. So that proves this passage of Scripture applies only to saved people and not the lost people as well. God does this for our betterment so that we don't become lost.

If hard times make you depressed knowing the previous Scripture should give some relief because we know its for the good. Here's some more good news: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God - 2 Cor. 1:3,4. Comforts also means to encourage, strengthen. The word tribulation here also means oppression, affliction, distress, burden. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ - 2 Cor. 1:5. Sufferings also means misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction. So that's just like what the chastening of the Lord is in 1 Cor. 11:32. Consolation also means exhortation, admonition, encouragement, comfort or refreshment. So be of good cheer because God will comfort us even though life may be tough. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation - 2 Cor. 1:6,7.

1 Corinthians 15:1,2

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you -- unless you believed in vain. The word for if is a primary particle of CONDITIONALITY meaning if, whether. So clearly it makes being saved CONDITIONAL. The phrase hold fast also means retain from going away, to keep secure, keep firm possession of. The word for in vain has the idea of failure. It also means without a cause, inconsiderably, without success or effort. So obviously our believing in the word of God can fail. We must keep believing the word of God and hold on to that word by letting it be real in our lives.

Galatians 5:4,7

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law (the O.T. law); you have fallen from grace... You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? The KJV has Christ is become of no effect unto you. The Greek words are apo and katargeo. Apo also means of any kind of separation of one thing from another by which the union or fellowship of the two is destroyed. Katargeo also means destroy, loose, to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency, to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul, abolish. The word for fallen from also means to fall from a thing, to lose it, to perish, and to fall powerless, be without effect regarding of the divine promise of salvation. Obviously those who have fallen from grace were running well (the race of faith, 2 Tim. 4:7) and obeying the truth at some earlier time, but then they fell from grace.

Philippians 2:12,13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  The verb for work out also means to perform, accomplish, achieve, to fashion i.e. render one fit for a thing. Either way you look at it, this is something that we are told to do. While Christ purchased our salvation and offers it to us as a free gift, there still is a part that we must do if salvation is to be completed in our case. The way trembling (tromos) is used with fear (phobos) here, it means used to describe the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religously does his utmost to fulfill his duty. This Scripture is a warning that salvation is never ultimately guaranteed, but must be worked out. If we are guaranteed entry into heaven, then it makes no sense for the need to work out our salvation. The loss of rewards doesn't produce fear and trembling, for how bad can heaven be? But this Scripture is not about rewards, because it says salvation. So hold on to your salvation through faith and work it out with fear and tremblng before our awesome God who is the One energizing us to respond to His grace.

Colossians 1:22,23

...to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight -- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel... ~ Note: This is conditional with the phrase IF indeed you continue. The word for continue also means to stay at or with, to tarry still, still to abide, remain, to persevere. This Scripture implies that one can stop having faith and move away from the truth of God's word. Don't stop! Stay strong in the faith. It is our responsibility to remain abiding in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:5

For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.  Endure means to cover over with silence, to keep secret, to hide, conceal (of the errors and faults of others). So Paul couldn't keep quiet any longer. He had to ask them about their faith. The word for tempter and tempted also means to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin. I know God is not playing games with us by putting this in His word if it can never really happen. I also know through experience, and because it is right there in His word.

1 Thessalonians 3:8

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. Surely the word if makes this conditional. The word for stand fast also means to stand firm, to persevere, to persist, to keep one's standing. This is definitely our responsibility to be firm and persevere in the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day (the return of Christ) will not come unless the falling away comes first. The falling away is not a so-called Pre-Trib rapture as some people think. The word for falling away also means to forsake, defection, apostasy. This is about apostate Christians who rebel, defect, and fall away from God. In the tribulation, when more severe persecution comes, many believers will grow cold and abandon the faith. Only those who continue until their end will be saved.

1 Timothy 1:5-7

... sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. That clearly says some have strayed from sincere faith. It also means err, to deviate from, miss (the mark). So these people deviated from sincere faith. You must not do that. You must keep the faith!

1 Timothy 3:6

...not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. ~ Note: The word for novice also means newly planted, a new convert, neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian). So what this is saying is that a new convert can become puffed up with pride if they are put into the position of an elder at a church; then that pride makes them fall. The word for fall means to fall into, to fall among robbers, fall into one's power. So this is action of a real Christian who has been out of the devil's power, but then falls back into it because of puffed up pride. What it is that there is a possibility of falling into is the same condemnation (judgment, damnation) as the devil.

1 Timothy 3:7

Moreover he (the bishop, overseer, elder, officer of a church) must have a good testimony among those who are outside (the people who are lost), lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. The word for must also means it is necessary, there is need of, a necessity in reference to what is required to attain some end. So the bishop or elder better have a good testimony of how the Lord Jesus Christ set him free from sin, and not be puffed up with pride, or else the lost sinners could have him fall into the devil's trap.

1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. Paul sounds like he's really trying to get the point accross by stating "the Spirit expressly says." With this kind of language, we better pay attention. The word for giving heed also means to turn the mind to, give attention to, to apply one's self to, to devote thought and effort to. So don't give much attention to people who tell you that you can not lose your salvation. People who are devoted to teaching the OSAS false doctrine have definitely given heed to deceiving spirits. They paid attention to misleading, corrupted, deceiving spirits and now they may be departed from the faith. The word for depart also means to desert, to fall away, become faithless, to withdraw one's self from. Either way that you look at it they stop having faith. So be careful of deceiving spirits and keep the faith. Real faith that is, not one of an imposter.

1 Timothy 5:12

Having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.  The word for cast off also means despise, reject, bring to nothing, to do away with, to set aside, disregard, nullify, make void. Clearly, their faith is no good anymore, and they will be condemned at the last day. These people become spiritually dead.

1 Timothy 5:15

For some have already turned aside after Satan. They no longer followed Christ. To come to Christ is not a one-time deal and it is all over with. You can turn aside after Satan just like these people did.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Strayed means seduce, to lead away from the truth to error. Surely, the love of money can seduce a person and make them lose faith that they once had. The word for from also means out of, off, of separation, of departing, of fleeing, of any kind of separation of one thing from another by which the union of fellowship of the two is destroyed. Clearly, this is strong proof that someone can destroy their salvation. I don't think money in and of itself is a problem if you are not selfish and helping people with it, but the love of money that makes one greedy is.

1 Timothy 6:20,21

O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge -- by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. We see that what a person says can make them stray concerning the faith. Guard means observe, beware, to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe, to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired, to guard from being lost or perishing. Clearly, this is something that we have to do. The Lord doesn't do it for us. When we are told to do something, it implies the possibility of us not doing it.

The word for idle babblings also means empty discussion, discussion of vain and useless matters. The word for contradictions also means opposition, that which is opposed. The word for knowledge also means science, knowledge signified in general intelligence, understanding, the general knowledge of Christian religion, the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of this religion esp. of things lawful and unlawful for Christians, moral wisdom such as seen in right living.

2 Timothy 2:1

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Study (Be diligent) has the meaning of to hasten, to exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence. It is something that we personally have to do. God does not force us to automatically do it nor does He do it for us. Approved also means accepted, pleasing. Rightly dividing also means to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly. The word is the word of God, the moral precepts given by God. Truth also means the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of His purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and the precepts of the false teachers even among Christians. So definitely this Scriptures does not mean we are "Once Saved, Always Saved." We have personal duties that will make us be accepted and pleasing to God. If anyone teaches otherwise, then they are a false teacher with no truth of the matter and we should oppose them.

2 Timothy 2:17,18

And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. That is why this is a big deal to teach correct doctrine because the false doctrine spreads and makes others to not know the truth and have their faith be overthrown. The word for overthrow also means overturn, destroy, subvert. Clearly this Scripture is saying that what people say and teach can destroy the faith of others. This is not any other thing that can separate us from the love of God. It is still the personal fault of the one who allows their faith to be overthrown. Then when that happens, Scripture implies here that they are in sin, so it's still that person's personal sin that causes the loss of salvation. I write this because of what the very next verse says. 2:19 - Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and "Let everyone who names the name of Christ (the Lord) depart from iniquity.  Sin is the issue. A Christian who perseveres stays set free from sin (stays departed from iniquity). This Scripture here is the basis of Christianity. But the "O.S.A.S." doctrine says that you are always saved no matter what.

2 Timothy 3:14,15

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of... the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ~ Note: The word for continue also means abide, remain, endure, not to depart. So this is saying not to depart from what we were taught with God's word that makes us know how to be saved. Salvation is not as easy as knowing your ABC's, like I've seen some people preach. A = admit you're a sinner, B = believe in Jesus, C = confess... Well it is not that easy. In Matthew 7:14, Jesus said, "...difficult is the way." The word for difficult also means narrow, press hard upon, a compessed way, contracted. That is not easy.

2 Timothy 4:3,4

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. The word for endure also means suffer, bear with, forbear, to hold up, to sustain. The word for sound in sound doctrine also means of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error. So bear with the correct doctrine of Scripture and not man-made doctrine that's full of errors. The word for itching in itching ears means desirous of hearing something pleasant.

Hebrews 2:1-3

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord...? The word for the more earnest also means more abundantly, more exceedingly, more in a greater degree. So you better be real sure that you believe and obey God's word. The word for heed also means beware, to turn the mind to, give attention to, to apply one's self to, to devote thought and effort to. The word of God needs to be real in your life by being a real born again Christian set free from sin not letting your salvation slip away from you. It also means lest the salvation which these things heard show us how to obtain - slip away from us. The word also means payment of wages due. The word here means more like punishment instead of reward. The wages of sin is death. If the people who heard the message delivered through angels (Deut. 33:2 ; Acts 7:53 ; Gal. 3:19) were justly punished when they disobeyed the Law, how can believers expect to escape punishment when they neglect the even greater message delivered through the Son of God?

Hebrews 3:12,13

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. This says that brethren have to beware of departing from God. The word for departing also means to desert, to fall away, become faithless. The word for exhort also means beseech, comfort, to call to one's side, to admonish, to encourage, strengthen, to instruct, teach. The word for hardened also means to become obstinate or stuborn. To be obstinate means to be unreasonably determined to have one's own way, not yielding to reason or plea, stubborn. So don't do that, but listen to me urge you to believe and obey God's word.

Hebrews 3:14

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. That also is conditional security of being in Christ. If we hold steadfast to the end implies that one can possibly not do it, and fall. You may be confident in Christ now, but the word if is a big word. It means that you could not have that partaking of Christ at the end. So be careful and hold on. The word for confidence also means that which has foundation, is firm, that which has actual existence, the substantial quality - nature of a person or thing, the steadfastness of mind, firm trust, assurance. So are you sure that you have actual existence of abiding in Christ and that you are set free from the bondage of sin? If you are not sure, then you have no firm trust nor assurance. If you are sure, then keep abiding in Christ steadfast to the end.

Hebrews 3:18 - 4:1

And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. The word for rest also means the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells, and of which He has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils and trials of life on earth are ended. So since it still remains for us to enter it, we should fear not getting there, because Scripture in this book, Hebrews, says brethren have the possibility of departing from God and not entering this rest. The word for come short also means lack, be behind, be in want, fail, be destitue, to come late or too tardily, to be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal, to fall short of the end, fail to become a partaker, fall back from, to suffer want, to be devoid of, to lack in excellence or worth. So clearly, this shows the possibility of not being good enough.

Hebrews 4:11

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. This is making sure that you keep your salvation. Don't give me that "we're saved by grace, not by works," because this is not work of working the OT Law. The word for fall also means to fall under judgement, came under condemnation, to fall out, fall from i.e. shall perish or be lost, to fail of participating in, miss a share in. So exert yourself to obey God, because there is a possibility to miss out and perish. This is talking about being diligent by obedience to the word of God, because of what the verses that come after it state.

Hebrews 4:12,13

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, ... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. The word for discerner also means relating to judging, fit for judging, skilled in judging. The word for intents also means mind, the act of thinking, consideration, meditation, a thought. So even our thoughts are judged by God's word. The word for heart also means the centre and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind. This explains why heart is often used for soul or spirit. The word for eyes also means the eyes of the mind, the faculty of knowing. You see, God knows our thoughts and He judges them by His word; so we better not have a corrupt mind, but believe and obey God's word.

Hebrews 6:4-6

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. The word for enlightened also means imbued (permeated) with saving knowledge. The word for tasted also means partook of, enjoyed, experienced. So that proves these people were real born-again Christians. The word for if here does NOT mean if. It means and, also, even, indeed, but. The NASB has the correct translation here: and then have fallen away The if is not justifiable. It makes it look like if you ever fall away then you can never get back. That is not true. and then have fallen away means that they are and still in the fallen away state. The Greek word for fall away means to deviate from the right path, turn aside, wander, to error, to fall away from the true faith. But one can get out of the fallen away state by no longer being deviated from the right path, and no longer not having faith, by turning back to God. Then God's goodness leads them to repentance (Romams 2:4). This Scripture clearly indicates that a person may become a partaker of the Holy Spirit, obviously a true born-again Christian, and yet fall away and be lost.

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin willfully (as opposed to sins committed inconsiderately, and from ignorance or from weakness) after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. The phrase there no longer remains means that they did once have the sacrifice for sins. So this is about former Christians. This next Scripture also proves it, because it shows the person was sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ. But it implies a worse punishment because of falling back into sin.

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified (note: this person was saved, see, he had been sanctified) a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? It's a much worse punishment for the backslider who does not repent. You will see that in 2 Peter 2:20,21. The word for thought worthy also means deserving. The word for trample... underfoot also means to treat with rudeness and insult, to spurn, treat with insulting neglect. So don't insult and neglect Christ, who set you free from the bondage of sin, by willfully sinning again; or else you will deserve to have a worse punishment.

Hebrews 10:38

"Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him." ~ Note: Be careful, one can draw back from faith. Here the word if means if. The word for draw back also means to withdraw one's self, of those who from timidity hesitate to avow what they believe.

Hebrews 12:15-17

"...looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. Here we see 2 cases of how a Christian can fall short of the grace of God. looking carefully also means beware. So beware, because you can suffer want of and fail to be a partaker of God's grace. The writer of Hebrews got the root of bitterness from Deut. 29:18-20. "...so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood; and so it may not happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, 'I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart' -- as though the drunkard could be included with the sober. The Lord would not spare him, for then the anger of the Lord and His jealousy would burn against that man, and every curse that is written in this book would settle on him, and the Lord would blot out his name from under heaven. Here we see that the root of bitterness is the willfull turning away from God which might make one think it's OK to be a drunkard. The consequence of that is at the end there in verse 20.

Another way we see here in Heb. 12:16,17 of becoming apostate is to be like Esau when he sold his birthright. Salvation is compared to a birthright because we become born-again into God's family. If we sell our birthright like Esau did, just like it was for him, it will be impossible for us to recover if we stay in that state. Esau couldn't change his father's mind. Esau lost his inheritance, which included God's gracious promises, by despising it and caring more about the pleasure of food over it (Gen. 25:32-34). We must care more about the eternal inheritance in the life to come, more than we care about the pleasures of this life now, or else we can fall short of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15) and God will blot us out. Hebrews was writen for Christian brethren.  It's only impossible for us to recover if we don't repent while we have the chance. The verse at the bottom shows that we can get turned back to God.

James 1:14,15

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 5:19,20

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. If the backslider does not get corrected, his soul will perish with spiritual death. That is not everlasting life. The word wanders also means to sever or fall away from the truth, to be led astray into error and sin. The word from also means of departing, of fleeing, of any kind of separation of one thing from another by which the union or fellowship of the two is destroyed. Clearly, this is about brethren who are no longer saved. The word turns also means to cause to return, to bring back to the love and obedience of God. The word save also means to preserve one who is in danger of destruction. The word death is the same one in 1:15 above and it also means with the implied idea of future misery in hell, the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth but lasts and increases after the death of the body in hell.

1 Peter 1:9

receiving the end of your faith -- the salvation of your souls. Beforehand, Peter was talking about enduring through trials we get tested by and having our genuine faith glorify God at the end. The word for trials also means adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, and holiness. This is like the chastening that God does to us found in 1 Cor. 11:32. We must persevere through whatever comes our way, all the way until the end; then we will be found good enough to be saved.

2 Peter 1:10

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. The word diligent also means endeavor, labour, to exert one's self. The word do also means to act rightly, do well, to carry out, to execute, to perform. Come on, just do it; so that you don't do this. Fall means to err, make a mistake, to sin, to fall into misery, become wretched. So be firm in the faith, and make sure that you are born again and set free from the bondage of sin.

2 Peter 2:15,16

They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. God really meant business here. He has even made a dumb donkey speak with a man's voice to correct a person. To forsake the right way means to disregard and cease to care to do what is right in one's course of conduct. The word for gone astray also means to be led into error and sin. They were on the right way, but sin caused them to go astray.

2 Peter 2:20,21

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. The word knowledge means precise and correct knowledge, used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine. This is about real Christians who have been changed by the Lord Jesus Christ. They had the correct knowledge of Him. To be again entangled in the pollutions of the world means to be again involved in the foulness of the ungodly mass of mankind. The word overcome also means to be conquered by one, forced to yield to one. Here it means to be conquered by and forced to yield to sin. Then that makes the person a slave of sin again, as the previous verse, 2:19, implies. The word known in known the way of righteousness also means know well, to become thoroughly acquainted with. This is definitely about a former true Christian who was set free from sin, but then turned from that and became a slave of sin again. The latter end is one's last state. So these people will have a worse punishment in hell than if they never got saved to begin with.

Some people try to say 2 Peter 2:20,21 is about the false teachers, but the context of Scripture proves that is not true. In 2 Peter 2:18 there is "For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness." THAT is the false teachers, but not the ones who the warning is for... "they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from them who live in error." Those are real Christians. They escaped already from the lost people who live in error. These saved people are what the warning of 2:20,21 is for. In 2 Peter 2:19 it has "While they promise them liberty." That's the false teachers promising liberty to real Christians. "they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he brought into bondage." Yes, it proves the false teachers are lost, but it also is a warning to real Christians not to listen to the license to sin preachers, because they can wind up like them, overcome by and slaves of sin again. The word does not explain that false teachers try to allure real Christians with sin for nothing. Scripture is there to take heed to. So be careful of the alluring of the false teachers.

2 Peter 3:17,18

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. To fall from also means to lose it, to perish, to fall powerless, be without effect of the divine promise of salvation. That happens when one is led away with the error of the wicked. The error of the wicked is the wrong opinion relative to morals or religion, a wrong mode of acting. The word wicked doesn't have to be someone very evil. It means one who breaks through the restraint of law and gratifies his lusts. So lustful sin is the issue. The grace of God doesn't allow you to gratify your lusts. If you are led away into that, this Scripture implies that you have lost your salvation.

1 John 2:24,25

Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us -- eternal life. God's love of giving us eternal life is conditional. The word if proves this. We must let the truth keep abiding in us.

1 John 2:28

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. ~ Note: John is telling Christians to abide in Christ. What if they didn't abide? They wouldn't have confidence at the Lord's coming is what it implies. Why wouldn't they if they were "Once Saved, Always Saved?" The word confidence also means free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance. You see, if you do the condition of abiding in Christ, you can have assurance of your salvation. But this is not eternal security. There is the condition of continuing to remain abiding in Christ. In addition to remain and continue, abide also means not to depart, to last, endure, not to become another or different. I hope that you realize that this is our personal responsibility, and just because you abide in Christ today doesn't mean that you will definitely stay that way. Scripture proves that, because some have already turned aside after Satan (1 Tim. 5:15).

Revelation 2:5-7

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." Surely, this is a threat from Christ to His church with the words or else. The word fallen also means to lose it, to perish, be without the effect of the divine promise of salvation. That means they lost their salvation. The word repent means to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins. They had to repent of the sin that made them fall. The word works also means an act, deed, thing done. They had to do the things they did when they were saved before they fell. The word overcome also means to conquer, of Christians that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions. They had to conquer the sin they had been tempted by that made them lose their salvation.

This is the case for all backsliders. Since the word fallen involves losing salvation, that would mean God was telling the entire church that they all lost salvation. Plus the words "He who has an ear, let him hear" makes this individually, as does "To him who overcomes." That proves this is not collectively of the entire church having the danger to be removed.

Revelation 2:10,11

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." Christ tells us to be faithful until death then we will be given the crown of life; and if we overcome the testing we won't be hurt by the second death. If you have an ear to hear, you know that this means that if we don't remain faithful and don't overcome the testing, then we won't get the crown of life and we will be hurt by the second death. Clearly, we have to be faithful all the way until we die. We must hold onto our faith even unto death, or else we will be hurt by the second death, which is the lake of fire.

Revelation 3:1-5

..."I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before My God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 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." These people had the name of being a Christian thinking they had eternal life, but they had become spiritually dead. Some had the chance to live because He says they were only ready to die. The term "ready to die" is of eternal death. They are subject to eternal misery in hell. They were not living the life of how they first received the word. They had defiled their garments (by sin) and needed to overcome this to be worthy enough to eventually walk with Christ in white garments; or else He will blot out their name from the Book of Life. The word "defiled" is used in the NT of those who have not kept themselves pure from the defilement of sin, who have soiled themselves by fornication and adultery. You must overcome and conquer sin if you fell back into the bondage of it. Repent and turn back to God for help.

Revelation 13:8 proves that not everyone's name gets started in the Book of Life. Some people say everyone starts in the Book of Life to make it look like this Scripture above doesn't mean a loss of salvation from someone who was saved. But only saved people get their names written in the Book of Life. So this does mean saved people can get their names blotted out by God from the Book of Life. Then they would no longer be saved.

Revelation 3:16

"So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth." ~ Note: Christ wants to vomit these believers out of His mouth. Then they would not be in Christ anymore. In very vivid terms, the Lord rejects the half-hearted efforts of self-satisfied Christians. If someone has become wealthy and thinks they have need of nothing (Rev.3:17), they just might get vomitted out. The word "lukewarm" is of the condition of the soul wretchedly fluctuating between a torpor (a state of being inactive, sluggishness) and a fervour (great warmth of emotion, zeal) of love. If we really love God, we will obey and keep His word (John 14:21,23).

Revelation 22:19

"...and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Clearly this is saying that God will take away the eternal life that someone thinks they have, and also their part in heaven (the holy city) will be taken away, and also the final redemption in Revelation will be taken away.