If we believe not

Means God can save any of his elect.

 

Frogman,

This passage means that if we suffer for the Name of Christ we will reign with Him in eternity. If we backslide away from the Lord He will deny us reigning with Him in His Kingdom. If we go back on our faith, He will still remain faithful to our never dying soul. The statement 'He cannot deny Himself' means that His Spirit has been implanted in our soul and He will never leave us. Note: I John 3:9. His Seed/the Spirit remains in us and we cannot practice sinning. The Apostle Peter calls this indwelling the 'incorruptible seed,' meaning the Presence of the Spirit of God in our hearts. Having faith in Jesus is to be 'born again.'

Blessings to you and yours.

 

Dear Ray

You don't see any contridiction in your statement?

If we backslide we are lost but the HS will never leave us. He comforts us in Hell?

 

"If we believe not." Who is "we," Kemosabe?

A belief is a conclusion. One's beliefs are determined by experience and information. For example, if I offered a prize for believing that the moon is made from green cheese only a psychopathic liar could collect.

 

billwald,

You jumped the track and/or misunderstood what I said.

The Lord is married to the backslider and is not lost. Apparently, you have not yet been enlightened via the Spirit to the fact that not all saints in Heaven will reign with Christ. Some saints will have special authority in the everlasting Kingdom. An example is found in Revelation 20 where it says, 'And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them . . . ' Not all Christians will rule with Christ. This verse points to the future reign of Christ in His Millenial reign on the earth after the saints are taken to Heaven and are rewarded for their labor while on earth. Not every Christian who goes to Heaven or lives in the thousand year reign will have equal authority there.

If Christians backslide they are not lost because the Holy Spirit never leaves their lives/souls. [I John 3:9] The nature of God the Spirit remains in all saved persons.

Berrian, Th.D.

 

"Apparently, you have not yet been enlightened via the Spirit to the fact that not all saints in Heaven will reign with Christ."

Thanks for the good news. I have no interest in giving orders to other people.

 

Pssst! This thread is starting out bad already. Refraining from snippiness now will mean less snipping of posts in the future.
Gina

 

billwald,

Right! Me either . . . I will just be so glad I made it to Heaven because of His matchless grace; especially, in the light that I am now and forever will be unworthy of His Presence and magnificient holiness.