For in the case of those who have once been enlightened
And have tasted of the heavenly gift
And have been made partakers of The Holy SPIRIT
And have tasted the good WORD of GOD and the powers of the age to come
And then have fallen away
It is impossible to renew them again to repentance
Since they again crucify to themselves The SON of GOD and put Him to open shame
Hebrews 6:4-6

There are many religious organizations (including those who call themselves Christian) teaching the following heresies or false doctrines:
    • JESUS CHRIST is not the only way to salvation
    • GOD will not destroy the earth
    • Hell does not exist or is not a place of eternal suffering
    • Once saved always saved

Why even mention any of these controversial topics? For at least four reasons. First, our teachings are not our own (Luk 10:16, Jhn 7:16-17, 2 Tim 3:16-17), we teach messages from the BIBLE when HE commands us to teach them (Eze 3:16-21, Act 20:26-27, 2 Tim 4:1-5). Second, the four aforementioned heresies or false doctrines are among the reasons many are turning from the faith. Through them, the consequences of sin, and knowledge of the only way to salvation has been removed. Third, this BIBLE study is meant for those who trust in and follow JESUS CHRIST The Nazarene (Mrk 16:5-7, Act 22:8), it is not meant for the wicked nor those unwilling to hear (Mat 7:6, 2 Ths 2:10-12, 2 Tim 4:3-4, 1 Jhn 4:5-6). Fourth, we are never called to shrink back from teaching truth (Act 4:1-22, Act 5:25-33, 1 Cor 9:16↔ Eze 33:1-9, 2 Tim 4:5).

Through Scripture we will provide the truth these heresies or false doctrines oppose:
• JESUS CHRIST is the only way to salvation! Only through JESUS CHRIST can we be saved (Jhn 10:10, Jhn 14:6, Act 4:10-12). HE is the only way to salvation in this life, and only through HIM can we receive eternal life at our resurrection (Jhn 6:40, Jhn 5:29). HE is the judge (2 Cor 5:10, Jhn 5:22, Act 17:31, Rom 2:16, 2 Tim 4:1) that will either reward us and allow us to enter into eternal life or be turned away to a second, eternal death (Mat 7:21-23, Mat 25:31-46, Luk 13:22-28, Rev 20:11-15, Rev 21:8).
• GOD will destroy both the heavens and the earth. GOD will indeed destroy both present heavens and earth with fire (2 Pet 3:7, 2 Pet 3:10-12) and create new ones (Isa 65:17, Isa 66:22, 2 Pet 3:13, Rev 21:1).
• Hell does exist, and is a place of eternal suffering. Hell is spoken of throughout The BIBLE, many times by our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST. Hell is indeed a place of eternal suffering, and is known by several names:
    o eternal destruction (2 Ths 1:8-9)
    o eternal fire (Mat 18:8-9, Mat 25:41-46, Jud 1:7)
    o furnace of fire (Mat 13:40-42, Mat 13:49-50)
    o lake of fire (Rev 19:19-20, Rev 20:10, Rev 20:11-20, Rev 21:8)
    o outer darkness (Mat 8:12, Mat 22:13, Mat 25:30)
    o second death (Rev 2:11, Rev 20:6, Rev 20:14-15, Rev 21:8)
    o unquenchable fire (Isa 1:28-31, Isa 66:24, Mat 3:12, Mrk 9:43-48, Luk 3:17)
• Enduring until the End. Our beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST tells us in Matthew 24:12-13, that because lawlessness or sin is increased (1 Jhn 3:4), most people’s love will grow cold (Jhn 14:15, Jhn 14:21, Jhn 14:23-24). But the one who endures to the end shall be saved. However “once saved always saved” (also referred to as eternal security) is a teaching contrary to The WORD of GOD (The BIBLE). “Once saved always saved” asserts that once a person is truly “born of God” or “regenerated” by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, nothing in heaven or earth can cause them to fall away from the faith or go back to their unsaved condition. There are many Scriptures that refute this false teaching, we will look at the following three.
    First, the opening Scripture Hebrews 6:4-6 warns us that one who has been enlightened (made to see; given evidence; filled with saving knowledge) concerning the gospel of JESUS CHRIST (Jhn 1:9, Act 26:18, 2 Cor 4:6, Eph 1:18-23, Heb 6:4); tasted (personally experienced) both the goodness and kindness of THE LORD (Psa 34:8, 1 Pet 2:3) as well as HIS WORD (Psa 119:103, Heb 6:4-5); and have been a partaker (to have a share of; participate in, partner with) of The Holy SPRIT of GOD (Isa 55:1, Jhn 4:10-14, Jhn 7:37-38) is one who has truly been reborn. And according to Hebrews 6:6, this one can fall away from the faith.
    Second, Hebrews 10:36-39, also warns the righteous that endurance in living by faith and doing GOD’s will brings the promise of eternal life (Heb 10:36, Heb 9:15, Tit 1:2), but shrinking back from that faith and HIS will brings destruction.
    Third, 2 Peter 2:20-23, tells us that one who has escaped the defilements of and ungodly life or unsaved condition, by the knowledge of our Beloved LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, and has known the way of righteousness; then turns back to that unsaved condition, that condition becomes become worse than the state they were first in before salvation.

Exactly, how does one “fall away from the faith”? The term “fall away from the faith” (1 Tim 4:1) means to:
 abandon (Pro 4:1-2)
 defect from (Isa 1:2-4)
 forsake (2 Ths 2:3)
 leave behind (1 Kin 14:8-10)
 withdraw from (Jhn 6:60-69)
 turn away from (2 Tim 4:3-4)
It should be noted, that every instance of “falling away from the faith” was a willful decision. The apostate was not snatched, seized (taken by force), plucked (grabbed and pulled away) ― Jhn 10:28-29. Just as they made a decision to trust in GOD and accept HIS free gift, they make a decision to stop trusting in HIM and reject HIS gift.
A person who abandons their faith, will always begin by rejecting a portion of The BIBLE that conflicts with their life choice(s). They will begin to reject more and more of The BIBLE until they reject our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST as the only way to salvation. Many apostates when turning away, claim to be truth seekers; they are not, they have rejected Truth to seek beliefs that more align with their wicked lifestyles (Rom 1:21-32, 2 Ths 2:10-12).

Can’t you have a relationship with GOD without believing in JESUS CHRIST? No, only through The SON of GOD (JESUS CHRIST the Nazarene) can you have a relationship with GOD (Jhn 14:6, Psa 2:7-12, Jhn 16:2-3, 1 Jhn 4:1-3, 1 Jhn 4:15, 1 Jhn 5:1-2). JESUS CHRIST is the very foundation of the Christian faith (Isa 28:16, 1 Pet 2:4-8, Act 4:10-12, 1 Cor 3:10-11), and every single book of The BIBLE points to HIM and HIS redemptive work (Luk 24:44-45).

Is that the reason it is impossible for the apostate to be renewed again to repentance? Yes, only JESUS CHRIST could pay the debt for our sins (Rom 6:23, Psa 49:7-9), and when an apostate rejects JESUS CHRIST, willfully returning to a sinful life; they reject the only way to salvation and repentance (Heb 10:26-31).

Does that mean an apostate can never be saved? Only if they continue to reject our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST, they cannot be saved. But if before they experience physical death or the return of our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST; they humble themselves (acknowledge they were wrong), pray for forgiveness for their rejection of GOD’s only begotten SON, and turn back to GOD, they can still be saved.

But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways
The LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity
Peace be upon Israel
Psalm 125:5

The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there are any who understand
Who seek after GOD
They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt
There is no one who does good, not even one
Psalm 14:2-3

When I prayed to my Beloved LORD GOD concerning the foundational Scripture for a disobedient heart, HE gave me the aforementioned Scripture (Psa 14:2-3). HE revealed to me that this BIBLE study like all other in this series, examines the disobedient heart of believers. It will specifically look at two types of disobedient believers:
       1. those who once knew HIM but have turned away from HIM
       2. those who profess to know HIM but their lifestyle confirm they do not

Before we look at them, let’s take a moment to understand what it means to be disobedient. The English word “disobedient”:
• Is transliterated from the Hebrew word “mārâ” (OT:4784) and means to rebel (go against or defy authority), be contentious (always ready to argue, quarrelsome). This would be an example of the nation of Israel which came out of Egypt (Neh 9:26). This nation was indeed believers in GOD, they prayed to HIM for deliverance when under the cruel bondage of the Egyptians (Exd 3:7). But from the edge of the Red Sea to the edge of the Promised Land they were contentious (Exd 14:10-12, Deu 1:26-32), not trusting in or obeying GOD (Exd 16:19-28, Psa 78:17-22).
• Is transliterated from the Greek word “parakoeés” (NT:3876), and means refusal or unwillingness to hear. This would be an example of Adam (Rom 5:19). Our Beloved LORD GOD gave him access to any tree in the garden, only one tree HE commanded Adam not to eat from (Gen 2:16-17). Adam however refused to listen to GOD and ate from the tree (Gen 3:6), though he was not deceived by anything the serpent (Gen 3:4-5, Rev 12:9) said to Eve (1 Tim 2:14).
• Is transliterated from the Greek word “apeithēs” (NT:545) and means unpersuadable, contumacious (a stubborn person who refuses to obey rules; an example of contumacious is someone who will absolutely not wear a seat belt because they don’t like to be told what to do). This is an example of men in the last days (2 Tim 3:2). A further example of this type of disobedience is from the Old Testament. King Jehoiakim of Judah burned The WORDs of The LORD GOD rather than listen, repent and obey (Jer 36:1-26). And Pharaoh refused to let GOD’s people go (Exd 5:1-2) because he thought he could defy The ALMIGHTY.
• According to the 5th edition of Webster’s New World college dictionary, to be disobedient is to refuse to obey; fail to follow rules or commands, etc.; insubordinate (someone not submissive to authority, nor willing to follow orders). This is an example of those who pretend to be GOD’s people, but refuse to obey HIM (Luk 6:46, Psa 78:34-37, Eze 33:30-33).

Now, as we look at the first group of disobedient believers, those who once knew GOD but have turned away from HIM; we are looking at apostates (those who abandon, turn away, or fall away from faith in GOD―Jer 7:24, Jer 8:5, 2 Ths 2:3, 1 Tim 4:1). They accepted the invitation to Salvation and then turned away. Our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST demonstrates this truth through a parable from Matthew 22:1-14 and Luke 14:15-24. Many people received and accepted an invitation from the King to come to HIS SON’s wedding banquet. But at the dinner hour, when the banquet was ready, they turned from their acceptance, citing other interests. Even today, many people were invited through Salvation to the marriage supper of The Lamb (Rev 19:9-Jhn 1:29, Luk 14:15, Luk 22:15-16), they accepted the invitation to Salvation and then turned away in apostasy. They turned away from GOD (Isa 1:4, Jer 32:33, Heb 6:4-6), and they turned away from HIS WORD (Psa 50:17, Jer 32:33, Heb 10:26-31).

Why did they turn away? It was a process that started with no longer loving GOD more than all else (Deu 6:5, Psa 73:25, Php 3:8, Rev 2:4-5). Their love grew lukewarm (Rev 3:15-16), and finally cold (Mat 24:12). When they stopped loving GOD, they became corrupted (Deu 32:5-6, Zep 3:7, Eph 4:22), defiled (Eze 20:31, 2 Pet 2:10), stained (Rom 2:17-24, Jam 1:27), and they changed into a state worse than the one they were in before Salvation (1 Cor 15:33, Luk 11:24-26).

How can I know that I am not an apostate? The fact that you are going through this BIBLE study, and concerned that you might be, is proof that you have not abandoned your faith in GOD. Crisis of faith is not abandonment of faith. If you are struggling with your faith, or struggling with your walk, seek HIM out through worship (Deu 4:29-31, Psa 63:1, Psa 105:4), draw near to HIM through prayer (Mat 11:28, Heb 7:25, Jam 4:8), turn from your sins (Isa 55:6-7, Act 26:20), ask HIM for forgiveness and refreshing (1 Jhn 1:9, Act 3:19), and finally make sure you continually meeting with others who walk closely to our GOD (Heb 10:25).

Looking at the second group of disobedient believers, or those who profess to know HIM but their lifestyle confirm they do not (Tit 1:16, 1 Jhn 1:5-7, 1 Jhn 2:3-6). This group like demons believe in GOD (Jam 2:19, Mat 8:28-32, Mar 1:23-26), but are believers or followers “in name only” (Isa 48:1-2, Rom 2:17-24, 2 Cor 11:13-15). They pretend obedience to our Beloved LORD GOD (Mat 21:28-32, Mat 23:27-28). However, their disobedient hearts do whatever they want, instead of The FATHER’s will (Job 21:14-15, Mat 23:1-3), while mingling among believers as if they are also (Mat 7:15-20, Act 20:29-30).

Why do these disobedient believers mingle among true believers? Out of greed (1 Tim 6:5, Tit 1:11, 2 Pet 2:3, Jud 1:16), out of lust (2 Pet 2:12-15, Jud 1:17-18), and out of pride (Jhn 7:18, Jhn 12:42-43, 1 Tim 6:3-4).

He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless of conduct will die.
Proverbs 19:16

But HE who enters by the door is a Shepherd of the sheep
To HIM the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear HIS voice
And HE calls HIS own sheep by name and leads them out
When HE puts forth all HIS own, HE goes ahead of them
And the sheep follow HIM because they know HIS VOICE
A stranger they simply will not follow
But will flee from him
Because they do not know the voice of strangers
John 10:4-5

In previous BIBLE studies, we examined Knowing GOD. We looked at three separate groups of people, who thought they knew GOD but did not:
       1) The first group of people are found in Matthew 7:21-23. This group felt that not only did they know HIM but they served HIM. They declared HIS authority over their lives (‘Lord, Lord’ – Mat 7:21-22) though they did not submit to it (Luk 6:46). They thought knowing HIS NAME meant they knew HIM. They taught others through teaching and preaching that HE was the only Savior. They believed they demonstrated that HE knew and worked with them because they cast out demons, and performed many miracles in HIS NAME (Jhn 3:2, Act 2:22, 2 Cor 12:12, Heb 2:3-4). But HE rejected them because they rejected HIS WORD (you who practice sin/lawlessness-Mat 7:23, 1 Jhn 3:4-10). Their disobedient lifestyle testified that they did not know HIM (1 Jhn 2:3-6).
       2) The second group of people are found in Matthew 25:1-13. This group like the first group declared HIS authority over their lives (‘Lord, Lord’ – Mat 25:11) though they did not live CHRIST centered lives (2 Sam 22:29) directed by HIS WORD (Psa 19:8, Psa 119:105, Pro 6:23). This group thought HE knew them, and waited for HIS return (Mat 25:11-12, Amo 5:18-20). Their actions however, showed their lives weren’t lived in readiness for HIS sudden return (Mat 25:7-13, Luk 12:35, Eph 5:15-17, 1 Ths 5:2-8, Rev 3:14-16).
       3) The third group of people are found in Luke 13:22-28. This group like the first two groups also declared HIS authority over their lives (Lord, open up to us – Luk 13:25); they thought they knew HIM because of association with HIM (Luk 13:26). Yet they did not know HIM (Tit 1:16, 1 Jhn 1:5-7), because their hearts were unrighteous and they habitually lived evil lives (all you evildoers-Luk 13:27, Eze 33:30-32, 1 Jhn 3:18, 3 Jhn 11).

Do you really know HIM? Do you really have a relationship with HIM? Would HE really be your companion (2 Cor 6:14-17, Jam 4:4)? This is an excellent time to stop and closely examine your life; probe and test the way you are living.

Let us examine and probe our ways,
And let us return to The LORD.
Lamentations 3:40

I considered my ways
And turned my feet to YOUR testimonies.
I hastened and did not delay
To keep YOUR commandments.
Psalm 119:59-60

I delight to do YOUR will, O my GOD;
YOUR LAW is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:8

If after prayerful examination you can say “I know The LORD, I am indeed still in the faith” (2 Cor 13:5, Jhn 15:4-5, Gal 5:19-26). Can you also say “I know HIS VOICE” as stated in the opening Scriptures Jhn 10:4-5?
    • Do you believe The BIBLE is The WORD of GOD? (Jhn 1:1, Jhn 1:14, Mat 17:5, Mrk 9:7, Luk 9:35―Mat 5:17-20, Luk 24:44-45)
    • Do you believe that The BIBLE is Truth? (Psa 119:142, Psa 119:151, Psa 119:160, Dan 10:21)
    • Do you understand The BIBLE? (Jhn 8:43, Isa 6:8-10, Mat 13:10-17, Heb 5:12-14)
    • Do you know when GOD is speaking and when HE is not? (Jhn 8:47, Jhn 18:37, 1 Jhn 2:21, Jhn 16:13, 1 Jhn 4:4-6, Jhn 14:6, 2 Ths 2:10-12, 2 Tim 3-4)

In this section of the BIBLE study we will examine Knowing HIS VOICE. We will look at Samuel, Job and Martha. Three individuals who lives appeared to know HIM. It was only after they heard HIS voice for themselves, did they come to know HIM:
    • Samuel (1 Sam 1:1-28―Samuel’s mother Hannah earnestly prayed for a son, and promised to dedicate her son to The LORD if HE answered her prayer)
        o even though Samuel ministered to The LORD before Eli the priest, he did not know The LORD or HIS VOICE (1 Sam 2:11, 1 Sam 2:18, 1 Sam 3:1-10)
        o It was not until he listened to the instructions of his master Eli to respond and listen to the voice of GOD, did he personally come to know GOD’s voice (1 Sam 3:11-21)
        o Samuel’s ministering to The LORD before Eli the priest (1 Sam 2:11) allowed him to know the requirements of temple service, but until HE knew GOD and HIS VOICE for himself, he could not know what GOD required of him (Mic 6:6-8, Deu 10:12-13).
   • Job (Job 1:1―Per GOD’s testimony of Job, he was a blameless, upright man who feared GOD and turned away from evil)
         o Job knew The WORD of GOD:
          he knew about sin and the burnt offerings (before the sacrifice of our Beloved LORD JESUS CHRIST) required for forgiveness of unintentional sin (Job 1:5, Lev 4:1-35)
         he knew at birth we came with nothing and at death we will leave with nothing (Job 1:21, Ecc 5:15)
            he understood the omnipotence of our Beloved LORD GOD, WHO alone had the power to make rich and make poor (Job 1:21, Gen 24:35, Gen 26:12-13, Deu 8:18, 1 Sam 2:7-8, Pro 10:22), to give children and withhold children (Psa 127:3, Gen 18:6-14, Gen 33:5, Gen 48:8-9, Psa 113:9, Isa 8:18)
         he understood what distinguished the wise from the foolish Job 2:10, Mal 3:18)
       he understood both good and adversity came from our Beloved LORD GOD (Job 2:9-10, Ecc 7:14)
         he understood true wisdom and all power belongs to GOD alone (Job 12:13-25)
        he knew that GOD was living, was his Redeemer and would one day resurrect him from the dead (Job 19:25-27)
        he knew the end for the wicked (Job 21:30-31, Psa 73:1-19) though the life and the death of the wicked appeared to be at ease with honor (Job 21:7-29, Job 21:32-34)
        he knew GOD’s heart for the worker (Job 31:13-15, Deu 24:14-15, Jam 5:1-6), the widow, the orphan, the poor (Job 31:16-23, ), and the immigrant (Job 31:32, Deu 10:17-21, Deu 24:17-19, Jer 22:3) “Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says The LORD of Hosts (Mal 3:5).
    o Job did not understand that his righteousness came from GOD (Job 32:1-3, Job 35:1-8, Job 41:11, Rom 11:35, Rev 4:10-11). And It was not until our Beloved LORD GOD addressed Job directly, that he came to know HIM, HIS ways and HIS voice (Job 42:1-6, Job chptrs 38-41)
  • Martha (Luk 10:38―a woman who invited JESUS as a guest into her home) did not understand:
     o her presence with JESUS was more important than her service to HIM (Luk 10:39-42)
     o HE was there to share food with her that endures to eternal life (Jhn 6:26-35, Rev 3:20)
     o HE came to her home for salvation (Luk 19:1-10, Luk 7:36-50, Jhn 11:1-46)
     o HE did not come for merely eating and drinking (Mat 6:25, Mat 9:10-13, Rom 14:17)

To truly know our Beloved LORD GOD and to know HIS voice, we must know HIS ways (Exd 33:13, Psa 103:7). HE will never contradict The BIBLE (Mat 5:17-19)! The BIBLE is HIS WORD (Exd 31:18, Exd 32:15-16, 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:21), it is HIMSELF (Jhn 1:1). So let us press on to understand our Beloved LORD JESUS, by knowing HIM, knowing HIS voice, and knowing HIS ways.

But let him who boasts, boast of this
That he understands and knows ME
That I am The LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth
For I delight in these things,” declares The LORD
Jeremiah 9:24

A new commandment I give to you
That you love one another
Even as I have loved you
That you also love one another
John 13:34

How do we love like JESUS? To love like JESUS is to love beyond the world’s standards. To love without getting anything in return. The world:

• Loves those who love them (Luk 6:32)

• Will do good to those who will do good to them (Luk 6:33)

• Will lend to those whom they expect to get something out of it, whether it is a return of what was given (Luk 6:34) or some other advantage (Mat 6:1-4)

When loving like JESUS, you:

• Walk in love with all (Eph 5:2)
Both with those who love you (Jhn 13:35, 1 Pet 1:22), but also with those who hate you (Luk 6:27)

• Pray for those who hate and mistreat you (Luk 23:34, Act 7:59-60)
Even after death, our Beloved LORD JESUS blood cried for forgiveness, not revenge (Heb 12:24↔Gen 4:8-10, Rev 6:9-10, Mat 26:28, 1 Jhn 1:7)

• Do good to all (Mat 5:45)
Those who do good to you (Heb 6:10, Luk 7:4, Act 10:1-2), but also those who cannot (Luk 14:12-14) or will not do good to you (Luk 6:27, Exd 23:4-5, Pro 25:21-22, Rom 12:20)

• Are gracious to all (Psa 37:21)
Freely and cheerful giving, without expecting anything in return (Deu 7:8-9, Pro 14:31, Pro 19:17, Pro 28:27, 1 Chr 29:14)

• Are kind to ungrateful and evil men (Luk 6:36)

• Are merciful, always having a capacity to forgive or show kindness (Mat 18:23-35, 1 Cor 13:5, 2 Cor 5:19, 1 Pet 4:8)

Why is it a new commandment to love others like HE loves us? Because it is more than loving others as much as you love yourself (Lev 19:18, Gal 5:14), it is loving others more than you love yourself. It is a sacrificial love (1 Jhn 3:16, Php 2:17, 1 Ths 2:8)

The one who does not love does not know GOD, for GOD is love.
1 John 4:8