Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Forever is a long time, isn’t it? For those that may be new to Jesus Christ and the salvation of God, this “one offering” mentioned here is Our Lord Jesus. By Him, God will perfect them that are “sanctified” or “set aside for the purpose of God’s Glory”, forever. Let’s look up some definitions pertaining to terms in this passage:

Definition of “perfected” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfected

a : being entirely without fault or defect

b : satisfying all requirements

c : corresponding to an ideal standard or abstract concept

d : faithfully reproducing the original specifically

I believe that the first two definitions of “perfect” denote a process, don’t you? If we were to perfect a dishwasher, for instance, we would take a modern dishwasher that we all know will eventually fail, and improve upon that design until it had no possible mechanical flaws, and so it would run forever, right? -That is, if it where within man’s capabilities to perfect anything in that way (which it is not really.) I love the last definition here also, “faithfully reproducing the original specifically.” This reminds me of these scriptures…

Hebrews 2:10-11 For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name

1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.

So, we see here that “perfected” has all to do with becoming as Christ is. What can God not do?

Luke 18:27 And He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

What about “sanctified”?

Definition of “sanctified” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanctified

a: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate

b : to free from sin : purify

d: to make productive of holiness or piety

If someone is “set apart” by God for His purpose, what other purpose will this person have? Nothing much in this world, we become His and His alone. Remember that we are purchased with a price – the precious Blood of Our Lord and Savior! I like how this second definition not only states “free from sin”, but also signifies the true meaning of this phrase in adding the word “purify”. Go on to the last definition that is captured here: “to make productive of holiness or piety”!

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.

You all know what “righteousness” is, don’t you? “Righteousness simply means to do what is right! Now, we are speaking in context to what is right in the sight of God here, of course. I see holiness as a step further. Holiness is entirety of God’s righteousness, or God’s righteousness perfected in a perfected state, if you will – all of it. Perpetual, incorruptible; no room for error, ever! My friends, this is God’s salvation. Once God’s work is perfected in us, there is no going back. We are sealed, completely and undeniably sanctified and set apart for His sake and Glory; we belong to Him, but more: we are part of Him and His Holiness!

Let’s switch gears for a moment. We all know what an error is? Not necessarily a mistake (but could be), but rather something that seems to be correct, but instead is not. Maybe even a replica, but not the real-deal? What’s that problem with replicas? Well, for one thing, they are often passed off to others as the real thing, when in reality this means that we are being lied to or otherwise presented with falsehood. The other thing about replicas is that they usually fall short in the performance area.

Definition of “error” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/error

: an act or condition of ignorant or imprudent deviation from a code of behavior

: an act involving an unintentional deviation from truth or accuracy made an error in adding up the bill

: something produced by mistake

: a deficiency or imperfection in structure or function

Any musicians out there? If so, you understand the difference between a great solid state modeling amplifier and an authentic tube amplifier, right? The imposter can sound really great and sometimes to the point of making someone believe that it is a tube amplifier. However, the minute that you set up a good tube amp next to it, it becomes obvious that it is a fake, right?

There is just so much better quality coming from the tube amp. It has an unmistakable sound that cannot be reproduced by anything less. No matter what new gimmick they come up with, or what new design, man cannot perfect a simulator. Simply nothing else will do when you need that sound. Only a true tube amp can produce it. The same is true with a child of God.

No matter how hard man or satan tries, they cannot reproduce the same outcome of what the mighty hand of God produces through Jesus Christ in His saints. Only a true child of God can produce God’s righteousness!

Psalms 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.

Alright, so we have established a few things thus far:

· With God all things are possible (to them that believe, that is)

· Jesus Christ came to this earth in the form of a man to offer His life as a sacrifice for all that He might “purchase” some, or to “sanctify” and set us aside for His purpose

· His “purpose” is to recreate sons (and daughters) of God. This is a process, as noted as we expanded upon the first scripture referenced here

· A true child of God will produce the same “fruits” or have the same attributes of God

· While error may sound right and seem to work miracles within people that profess to serve God through false doctrine, it is not able to produce the true results that the process found within God’s Word is meant to recreate in us

· Once God has recreated us in His image, there is no reversing this

Now, I plan to expound more on this last statement if you will stay with us long enough to here us out… there is a teaching in this world that is wide-spread throughout some protestant organizations that use the phrase, “once saved, always saved.” This belief/movement was started by John Calvin around 400 years ago. While it is true: if we are truly saved from sin by the Truth that is found within God’s Holy Word, we are sealed and cannot be pulled away from God at this point – this doctrine of “once saved, always saved”, is unfortunately in error of The Truth of the matter, once you understand the teaching entirely.

The problem? The problem is that the organizations who teach this doctrine also teach that a person can be saved in a second of time, momentarily. They completely ignore that ever-so-many references throughout God’s Word that teach us that this process takes place over a period of time, being a process that God has planned for us to go through in order to achieve this point where we are truly “Singed, Sealed, and Delivered.” Because of this fact, they believe that they perform one of the various first steps of repentance toward God and POOF! – they are saved! – but not so, according to His Word. “Saved” in error, yes, unfortunately. When a person is made to believe that they are saved by God’s Grace erroneously, they are now also made to believe (by this doctrine) that nothing can take away this notion of salvation that another man has convinced them to now have. Needless to say: this is a very dangerous situation to be in!

If a person is made to believe that they are saved and that nothing can change this, when in reality they have not been saved, then they will never seek to truly be saved. It is very saddening to watch. While many of these people appear to be children of God, they are merely replicas that lack the ingredients of the true salvation of God; The Truth of His Word perfected in them. What is this “tube amp” type quality that only the trained ear of God can hear? Salvation, Folks, is from sin. If we are really saved from sin, His Word has been perfected in us. His righteousness has also then been perfected in our lives; the true Holiness of God is evident in the lives we live. These poor people will go on through life and continue in sin, but have been trained to ignore it because they believe that they have already been saved and that nothing can change that.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

Someone who has been fooled by this doctrine of the devil that says, “once saved, always saved” and that it comes in one day by kneeling at an altar, is not likely to ever come to the knowledge of the truth of what God’s salvation really is, I’m afraid. Good news though – the Lord knows them that are His!

Yes, once a person has truly been saved, there is keeping power. Once we actually arrive in paradise, why would we ever even think about leaving? The question is… What is it that children always ask when on a road trip? Are we there yet?! The problem, again, is whether or not your salvation is reality?

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

So, what about those that claim otherwise? What I am asking is, what about those who claim that a person can be saved but then backslide away from Christ? The bible does speak to backsliders, you know. Again – this is because “salvation” is a process. It’s literally like taking a trip. This is why the bible often talks about our path and “The Way”.

Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

How many trips have you planned to take in your life? Even if it were only to the grocery store? Did you always start the journey? Did you always make it to your destination? The point is that when we, as human beings, make plans to go somewhere, we do not always make it there, right? But, when God plans to go somewhere, He always makes it there! This is because He already knows what is before and behind, prior to making the plans. He also has no limits to what He can do. If we are truly traveling with Christ, we will make it to our destination!

But what are some of the reasons that we might plan a trip and not complete it? Can we change our minds before leaving, or midway through the journey as we encounter problems and find rough roads? -Yes. What if we find that we lacked the resources to finish the trip? -Yes. Can we get tired and decide that our plans are not going to deliver what we really wanted? -Yes. Is it sometimes possible for others that are traveling near us to convince us that they trip is no longer worth it? -Yes. What other reasons might we come up with?

Let’s now talk about what our journey with Jesus through this process of salvation looks like. There are many “legs” to this journey. First of all, God already created the travel plans for us who are willing to complete the journey, well before this world was even established.

Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; 8Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: 12That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.

What comes next is that we need to hear about this plan that God has established for us and then make a choice to serve Him. God uses His Word to draw us closer to Him.

Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

If we “repent” of our old sinful ways, and make the decision to follow Christ, we have now then decided to take this trip to find the Salvation of God. Repentance itself is a process though. It begins with our initial decision to turn away from sin and to follow Our Lord to the point of being saved. (This is usually formalized by us asking for forgiveness of our sins, which is also the point where many erroneously believe that the entire process is finished in a moment of time, as they make this commitment.) Repentance also includes water baptism and a continually seeking of God in His Word. We are being fed with milk, just like a child would. This allows us to grow towards the next great event in this process – Conversion.

We “repent” and begin to walk toward God at this point where He waits for us to travel though a period of time that allows us to fully acknowledge what this decision really means and what the sacrifices may be to successfully complete the journey alongside Him. This part of our journey is known as the “Law of Sin and Death.” Again – remember – we are traveling here. “Going through the Law of Sin and Death” means that there is time involved, and that this is also part of the process to salvation. You might say that this is a process that is tucked within the Process of Salvation. Or, that the Law of Sin and Death is one leg of our journey to the point of salvation.

We have a repentant heart, which means that we want so much to perform the will of God and to be pleasing in His sight. However, we soon find out that this is impossible for us to do alone, within our own power, regardless of how hard we might try.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Might a person give up at this point and “backslide” away from Christ? Unfortunately, many will do just that. Some, on the other hand, will “claim it”, much like those that are deceived into thinking that they were saved in a moment of time and that nothing can reverse it. These people who believe that they have been “converted”, when they have not, will never allow themselves to be convinced that they really have not been converted, even though that may be the Truth of the matter. They are too afraid that they may never find God (even though He is faithful and just to forgive), or that others may view them as “backsliders”. We need to fear God and not care what others might think!

We used the word “converted” a minute ago. Did you catch that? This is taught in the Bible as the point where God sees the true sincerity of our heart to serve Him, once we have made the commitment and continued to seek Him, despite our travels through the Law of Sin and Death. What happens once we reach this point with God? He imparts His Holy Spirit within us!

Acts 15:8-9 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; 9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Why is this important? Because The Spirit of God teaches us the deep things of God, and this knowledge is what frees us or rids us of sin.

1 Corinthians 2:9-12 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

So, once you receive God’s Spirit, can you turn back? Not very likely, but: is there any time during the course of any trip, that you cannot turn back? You could even jump from an airplane if you were that compelled to end the journey, right? The fact is, that if you have not made it to your destination, then you are simply not there yet! If you are not there, you could turn back – but please don’t!!! The point here is, that we must sit still and wait for God to finish His work in us. If we become complacent, bored, or allow ourselves to be mesmerized by this world, we might not complete this journey! Remember, we are traveling with Christ. He is our leader. We are following Him. If we lose sight of Him, we lose our way! He is our way to life. He is our life. Sin is a way to death.

2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

There fork is in the road. It is either still ahead of us, or behind us. Our spiritual journey begins there. Have you made that decision yet? Which fork did you take? Did someone switch signs on you? Are you on the right path? The path of God’s righteousness? A path that is walking further and further away from sin and shame toward a pure conscience with God? No one can answer these questions for us but ourselves.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

1 Timothy 1:5-6 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling

If you know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that God has intervened in your life, you have been converted and that you do see evidence of His Will working in your life, keep in His Word and continue moving forward, no matter what happens. He said that He will never leave us or forsake us, but He did not say that we could not leave or forsake Him. Once we fully become part of Him, however, nothing can change that.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Do you have this liberty from sin? If you do, use it. Lay up treasures in heaven. Those will remain forever! Those will seal a fate for us that cannot be undone!

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

rob@intruth.site

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Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

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