I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people insist on, “Once saved always saved”. They believe this because they say, “Once you’ve been born again, you can’t be reborn again.” What they are doing, is they’re equating becoming spiritually alive, after being spiritually dead, with being born from their mother’s womb. This was the same error Nicodemus was making.
John 3:2-7 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
Being born from the womb is one kind of birth, and being born of the Spirit is a different kind of birth. Being born again means, you’ve become spiritually alive, from being spiritually dead.
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!
Becoming spiritually alive, after being spiritually dead, is not equated with coming out of your mother’s womb. Once you come out of the womb, you can’t go back in. This is not so with becoming spiritually alive.
A person becomes spiritually alive through faith, it’s a free gift. Once we’re spiritually alive, it’s our responsibility to remain spiritually alive by submitting to the Spirit. We do this by saying no to the flesh, and yes to the Spirit.
Romans 8:11-13 If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, is living in you. He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
If we grieve the Spirit, by saying no to it, or if we quench the Spirit, by resisting it, eventually we will spiritually die.
James 1:14-16 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. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Spiritual death does not happen because of sin, it happens when we allow sin to grow to where it hardens and sears our heart, and turns us away from God. A heard heart is a spiritually dead heart.
Hebrews 3:12-14 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. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.
Spiritual death is not irreversible, you just need to repent, and turn back to God. Becoming spiritually alive is like a branch being grafted into a branch that gives life, as long as the branch remains grafted in, it receives the sap of life. The branch can be cut off through sin, but it can be regrafted in through repentance, as long as it’s done before the withering process accomplished it’s goal.
Romans 11:19-23 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. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
John 15:4-6 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.
Spiritual death and spiritual regeneration, can happen many times in our walk, for example, the prodigal son. When the son turned away from his father, to live in the world, he was considered spiritually dead and spiritually lost, but he came to his senses, and repented.
Luke 15:20-24 So, he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So, the party began.
The danger of sin is not so much sin itself, because we still sill. The danger of sin is when we refuse to repent, and allow YAH to cleans our conscience of the effects of our sin, which is what hardens the heart.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Unrepented sin can sear the conscience to where it’s no longer convicted by sin.
1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Through water baptism, we are asking God to cleans our conscience of all the guilt and shame that has hardened our heart though sin.
1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear conscience based on the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah.
It’s our responsibility to keep our conscience clear, and spiritually alive to the voice of YAH, through His Spirit. We do this through worship, and by maintaining a holy life, as defined by the Torah and the Prophets, and demonstrated by Messiah.
1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith.
Acts 24:14-16 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a cult. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Torah and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So, I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
The danger is when, after becoming spiritually alive, we return back to the world, and refuse to turn back to God. We’ve allowed sin to harden our heart, and sear our conscience. This is a tough situation to be in because we enjoy it, until we no longer enjoy it, that’s what God is waiting for.
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.
Don’t be deceived, through the new birth we are cleansed of our past sin, our hard heart is taken away, and we are given the Spirit to empower us to live a holy life.
Ezekiel 36:25-28 Then I will put clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will make you clean from all your unclean ways and from all your false gods. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take away your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My Laws and be careful to do what I tell you. And you will live in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be My people, and I will be your God.
It’s our responsibility to protect our heart, and remain spiritually alive so that we can continue living the holy life.
Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Romans 6:22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.
Hebrews 12:14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
Living a sanctified life can be an “up” and “down” journey in our salvation walk. Work as staying “UP” but when your “DOWN” get up quick.
Proverbs 24:16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Some people turn away from God, and harden their heart, but after a while they repent and turn back, but some don’t, they just go and hang themselves.