Salvation Archives - The Hermeneutical Quill

The NARROW Gate Is NARROWER Than You Think: Most Churchgoers WILL NOT Inherit the KINGDOM

Look around your church this Sunday.
Look at the worship team, the elders, the smiling faces in the seats, the people posting Scripture memes and “Jesus is King” captions.

Now hear the words of the King Himself:

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14)

Jesus did not say “some.” He did not say “a troubling minority.”
He said most.

And He was talking about the very people who thought they were on their way to heaven.

It’s evident that many who profess to know God in Christ do not even in the remotest way resemble the Spirit of Christ. They lack the divine imprint. They possess a different spirit and a different wisdom — earthly, sensual, devilish — and from within them flows muddy water and bitter fruit (James 3:15–17). They sing about the blood of Jesus while stabbing brothers in the back. They preach grace while living in greed, lust, and pride. They are tares dressed up as wheat, goats wearing sheep’s clothing.

And one day Jesus will look them in the eye and say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23).

“And Such Were Some of You”… Or Were You?

Paul wrote to a church full of people who thought they were safe:

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you.
But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11)

Notice the past tense: were.
True conversion is not a prayer you prayed once. It is a radical, irreversible transformation. You do not just get a new label — you get a new heart, a new spirit, a new Master. The old man dies. The new man lives.

Yet look again at the average church.

Where is the evidence of this washing? Where is the sanctification? Where is the fear of God?

People shack up and call it “love.”
Greed is called “blessing.”
Gossip and slander are called “prayer requests.”
Hatred for a brother is called “discernment ministry.”
Pornography is winked at while the preacher yells about politics.

John could not be clearer:

“Whoever says ‘I know Him’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).

If you hate a brother or sister in Christ — if bitterness and unforgiveness live in your heart — John says you do not have eternal life. Period.

The Terrifying Marks of False Profession

False Professor (Never Truly Born Again)	True Child of God (Imperfect but Real)
No real grief over sin — only damage control when caught	Ongoing brokenness and hatred of sin
Fruit is consistently bitter: division, pride, sensuality, greed	Fruit of the Spirit grows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…
Loves the praise of men more than the praise of God	Loves God and loves the brethren, even when it costs
Can quote Scripture while living in rebellion	Trembles at God’s word and obeys, even imperfectly
Eventually falls away or hardens under trial	Perseveres through fire because God keeps His own

Paul told Titus:

“They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:16).

That is not a description of a “carnal Christian.” That is a description of a lost person play-acting faith.

Do Not Be Deceived

The most dangerous lie in the church today is this:
“You can live however you want and still go to heaven because you prayed a prayer in 1997.”

That is a demonic lie straight from the pit.

Grace is not a license to sin. Grace is the power that kills sin.

If your life does not look increasingly like Jesus — if there is no war against the flesh, no growing love for holiness, no supernatural affection for God’s people — then the Bible says you have every reason to fall on your face and cry out for mercy while mercy can still be found.

The Good News for Today

The narrow gate is still open.
The blood of Jesus still cleanses the worst sinner who truly repents.

The same Paul who wrote the terrifying list also wrote:
“And such were some of you. But you were washed…”

Today — right now — if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.
Run to Christ.

Confess every sin.
Forsake every idol.
Plead for the new birth that only the Spirit can give.

Because one day the door will close.
And most who thought they were inside will find themselves on the outside, forever.

The narrow gate is narrower than you think.
Make sure you have entered it — truly entered it — while there is still time.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

The King is coming.
Be ready.
Be real.
Be found in Him.

Maranatha. 🔥

DEAD Men DON’T Choose: The Undeniable Truth of God’s GRACE

I’ve had it. Lately, I stumbled into a discussion tearing into Calvinism—its theology, its doctrines—and I’m not even a card-carrying Calvinist. I haven’t read his books, haven’t signed up for his club. I just try to follow the Scriptures and the Spirit of God. But what I saw incensed me: ignorance and sheer gall coming against the established Word, picking at gospel verses without context, tossing out the epistles like trash. It’s a butchery of truth, and I can’t shake it off. This battle’s raged for centuries—God’s sovereignty versus human free will—and it’s time to lay it down with the absolute, sledgehammer truth of Scripture. No more dancing around it.

Here’s the question: If we reject the points Calvinism leans on—total depravity, unconditional election, irresistible grace, all of it—what do we undo from the Word of God? Not just a system, but the Bible itself. I’m not here to defend a man-made label; I’m here to let God’s Word speak. And it’s screaming: we’re dead without Him, saved by Him, and He provides it all. Let’s hammer this home.

The Deadness: "Nekros" and Dry Bones

Start here: we’re dead. Not wounded, not limping—”nekros”. Ephesians 2:1—“You were “nekros” in your trespasses and sins.” That’s Greek for corpse. No pulse, no breath, no life. Romans 3:10-12 piles on: “None righteous, no one understands, no one seeks God. All have turned away.” Not some—”all”. Colossians 2:13—“You were “nekros” in your sins.” Dead men don’t choose. They don’t seek. They rot.

Ezekiel saw it too. Chapter 37: a valley of dry bones, scattered, hopeless. God asks, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel doesn’t play hero—“Lord, you alone know.” Humanly? No chance. Dead bones don’t wiggle. But God says, “Prophesy,” and the Spirit’s breath—”ruach”—sweeps in. Bones rattle, flesh forms, and they stand—a vast army. Who did that? Not the bones. God. Ezekiel 37:14—“I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live.” Dead means “nekros”. No life ‘til God moves.

John 6:44 seals it: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.” “Can”—ability. Without the Father’s pull, we’re stuck. Romans 8:7—“The mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit, nor can it.” Hostile. Incapable. “Nekros”. If you think a corpse picks itself up, you’re not reading the Bible—you’re writing fiction.

The Process: God Provides All

Salvation’s not steps we take—it’s God’s work breaking us alive. He’s not waiting for us to climb a ladder; He’s emptying our grave. Listen:

– He’s the Seed Supplier: 1 Peter 1:23—“Born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the word of God.” Matthew 13:37—“The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.” Christ plants life in “nekros” soil. We don’t sprout ourselves—He sows.

– He’s the Knocker: Revelation 3:20—“I stand at the door and knock.” Jesus isn’t begging us to knock first—He’s pursuing. Dead men don’t knock back; “nekros” hearts don’t answer—He’s the hunter breaking in. Luke 19:10—“The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” He seeks; we’re lost.

– He’s the Convictor: John 16:8—“The Spirit will convict the world of sin.” Acts 2:37—Pentecost’s crowd, “cut to the heart,” didn’t self-diagnose. The Spirit stabbed them awake. Dead hearts don’t feel ‘til He strikes.

– He Gives His Spirit: Ezekiel 37:14—“I will put my Spirit in you.” John 3:5—“Born of the Spirit.” Titus 3:5—“Saved by the renewal of the Holy Spirit.” No Spirit, no life. He breathes; we don’t.

– He Provides the Lamb: John 1:29—“The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Romans 3:25—“God put [Him] forward as a propitiation by his blood.” We didn’t slay the Paschal Lamb—God did. Hebrews 9:12—“With his own blood, he secured eternal redemption.” All Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:10

These aren’t steps to be redeemed—check off faith, grab grace, earn the cross. That’s works, and Ephesians 2:9 says, “Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” It’s His process, His redemption, His hammer smashing our “nekros” chains. Acts 13:48—“As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Ordained, then believed—not the other way around. Romans 2:4—“God’s kindness leads you to repentance.” He leads; we follow. He provides all, or it’s not salvation—it’s self-help.

The Gift: No Paychecks Here

If God does it all, it’s a gift. Ephesians 2:8—“By grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God.” Faith too—not your grit, His grant. Philippians 1:29—“It has been granted to you to believe.” Granted, not grabbed; to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ—2 Peter 1:1. Hebrews 12:2—“Jesus, the AUTHOR and perfecter of our faith.” He writes it, not us.

If we choose God without His seed, knock, conviction, Spirit, and Lamb, that ain’t a gift—it’s a paycheck. “I chose wisely; pay me salvation.” Romans 3:27—“Where is boasting? Excluded.” Why? A “nekros” soul doesn’t choose—it’s chosen. John 15:16—“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” 1 John 4:19—“We love because he first loved us.” First. Always Him first. If we kickstart it, why the cross? Galatians 2:21—“If righteousness were through [us], Christ died for nothing.” Dead men don’t earn gifts—they receive them.

The Folly of Free Will Chasing

Some scream, “But free will!” Sure, we respond—”after” He moves. Acts 2:37—“What shall we do?”—comes after the Spirit cuts. John 1:13—“Born not of human decision, but of God.” Charles Spurgeon saw it clear: “Free will carried many a soul to hell, but never a soul to heaven. Anyone who believes that man’s will is entirely free and that he can be saved by it does not believe the fall.” He’s right. Romans 3:23—“All have sinned and fall short.” Free will without grace is freedom to rot, not rise. Romans 8:7—“The flesh “cannot” please God.” Cannot. “Nekros”.

2 Corinthians 4:6—“God… has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” We didn’t flip the switch—He did. Dead hearts don’t chase light; light chases them. Spurgeon’s not guessing—he’s echoing Scripture: a “nekros” will, unbound by grace, runs to ruin, not redemption.

Lay It Down

This war’s dragged on too long—centuries of dodging the obvious. Scripture’s clear: we’re “nekros” without God, revived by His Spirit, saved by His Lamb. He’s the seed, the knock, the conviction, the breath, the blood. Spurgeon’s words ring true—free will without grace is a one-way ticket down, never up. Reject that, and you’re not just undoing Calvinism—you’re undoing the gospel. Dead men don’t choose; God chooses them. John 6:44. Ezekiel 37. Ephesians 2. Romans 9:16—“It does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” It’s a sledgehammer of truth, and it’s time to swing it. He provides all. Let the Word silence the noise. Full stop.

Can we lose SALVATION?

Introduction:

In the labyrinth of theological discourse, a poignant question echoes through the corridors of faith: Can we lose salvation? This enigma lies at the heart of our spiritual journey, challenging us to delve into the depths of our beliefs and convictions. As we grapple with the complexities of sin, repentance, and the enduring grace of God, the text before us beckons us to unravel the mysteries that shroud the concept of spiritual preservation. Let us embark on a quest for understanding, guided by the sacred verses illuminating the path toward redemption and the eternal pursuit of salvation.

“To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” – 1 Corinthians 5:5.

This text provides insight into whether a saved soul can lose salvation.

Forsaking one’s spiritual position is a serious matter, leading to spiritual death. That is disconnecting from the source of life. Jesus said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you; no branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine (it needs to stay attached to the vine); neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” – John 15:1-5. “Fall away” “This involves turning away from Christ, betraying Him by prioritizing worldly desires, and wilfully sinning. It refers to those who were once enlightened, experienced the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of God’s word and the power of the age to come. If they turn away, as described in Hebrews 6:4-6, they cannot be restored as they have abandoned the Lord and the correct path, leading to destruction as outlined in 2 Peter 2:15 and Hebrews 10:38, 39.

Rejecting the source of life is the “willful sin” that leads to death and separates us from God, not our inherent sinful nature. Sin is present with us until the Lord transforms our vile body – Phil 3:21; Romans 7: 17-24; 1 John 1:8. Acts 3:14-13:46 and Romans 1:21-21 reveal that certain Jews deliberately turned their backs on God and His truth. And that is sin unto death, defiance. We must recognize that this is entirely different from giving in to our naturally wicked inclinations.

A tendency towards sin does not separate us from God but rejecting a life of righteousness does or leaving the path of life or departure from Christ, which is apostasy. Even by continuing to harbor hatred and walk after the flesh, one could still remove oneself from the life of God – 1 John 3 and 4. Through faith in Christ, we have access to God’s grace, in which we stand – Romans 5:2. It is only by the goodness of God that we are kept safe, not by our own merits – Romans 11:22, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Romans 2:4.”

That being said, I am not condoning sin rather pointing out that it is not inherently sinful nature that makes you an enemy of God, but rather rejecting the offered grace and disregarding it.

According to the theme verse, the actions of a man belonging to the Corinthian church were abhorrent/abysmal. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul boldly declares that despite possessing spiritual gifts, the congregation was entirely focused on carnal desires. That entire batch was carnally oriented.

Despite being condemned in the flesh by Christ through Paul, the man’s spirit remained preserved. This suggests that the spirit created after God is eternal and cannot lose its uniqueness despite being encased in flesh. His spirit had been preserved despite his wickedness. Here we see spirit remains distinct from the physical body it inhabits, and this is an immutable fact that cannot be denied. For our spirit is created after God in righteousness and true holiness – Ephesians 4:24; in that sense, he cannot sin – 1 John 3:9.

It’s no surprise that 1 Peter 4:17 declares, “The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. The fire tribulations that the church had to suffer were and are to eradicate the wicked nature from us, enabling us to live righteously – 1 Peter 4:1,2,12. Some may not attain this spiritual maturity and will face severe consequences in the physical realm drinking damnation to oneself – 1 Corinthians 11:27-32. Some may even enter life with impairments, as Jesus foretold. He emphasized that it is preferable to enter life with a handicap than to face eternal damnation with all limbs intact – Matthew 18:8.

This confirms that life is not offered for the perfect, but for the weak, the sick, and the sinful. And Jesus answering said unto them, they that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick – Luke 5:31; The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them – Luke 9:56. Paul said, this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptations, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief – 1 Timothy 1:15.

It is widely stated that there is immorality among you, and such fornication as is not even named among the Gentiles – 1 Corinthians 5:1. That guy brought judgment upon himself since “fornication” is one act that can land us in a very awful place, especially this type (uncovering the nakedness of one’s father – Leviticus 18 – for the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness – Leviticus 20:11); and all types of “fornication” we have been warned about and should avoid – Acts 15:19,20. For this one sin is done against one’s own body. “Flee fornication”; for every evil a man does is external to the body; yet, he who commits fornication sins against his own body – 1 Corinthians 6:18.

Didn’t Jesus say, ALL SINS shall be forgiven unto the sons of men – Mark 3:28. If so, why was this man condemned in the flesh?

In the books of Leviticus 18 and Leviticus 20, there are detailed laws and prohibitions regarding sexual conduct and relationships. Leviticus 18:7-8 addresses the prohibition against uncovering the nakedness of close relatives. These laws were part of the Holiness Code in Leviticus, which outlined various moral and ethical guidelines for the Israelites.

According to Leviticus, violating these laws by uncovering the nakedness of one’s father, mother, or father’s wife was considered a serious offense. The consequences of transgressing these laws were not explicitly stated in Leviticus but were understood to incur divine judgment and punishment. “Both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” – Leviticus 20:11.

It is important to note that even the smallest “root of bitterness” has the potential to defile a person, as stated in Hebrews 12:15. Furthermore, according to 1 John 3:15, anyone who hates their brother is a murderer, and murderers do not have eternal life. It is crucial to understand that while sins like hatred and bitterness are undoubtedly serious, fornication is particularly dangerous as it is committed against one’s own body. Let us not forget that anyone can be susceptible to adultery of the heart; but as we walk in the light the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin – 1 John 1:7.

Unlike other sins that stem from the heart and can be committed without engaging the body, which may still lead to condemnation, if not forgiven through Christ – 1 John 1:7,9/2:1; Fornication is specifically a physical act that is done against oneself. Esau was rejected because he was a fornicator – Hebrews 12:16; and those who practice it shall not inherit the kingdom of God – 1 Corinthians 6:9.

Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence (the sinful nature of strong and wrongful desires, particularly in the context of lust or other forms of immoral craving), and covetousness come under the category of idolatry–which can incite the wrath of God – Colossians 3:5,6 (unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath – Romans 2:8 – This enables sin to once again dominate our mortal bodies – yielding our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin – Romans 6:12,13). Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that works good to the Jew first, and to the Gentile – Romans 2:9,10.

This is something that the children of disobedience (the children of the devil) do – Colossians 3:6; 1 John 3:10. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. – Romans 1:28-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. We were sometimes alienated and enemies in our mind by wicked works – Colossians 1:21; And such were some of us: but we are washed, but we are sanctified, but we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God – 1 Corinthians 6:11. Physical suffering is believed to be a necessary discipline for experiencing repentance, sanctification, and soul preservation. I other words, through discipline and facing the consequences of their actions, individuals may come to repentance, be sanctified, and have their souls preserved. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation – 2 Corinthians 7:10. “Soteria” is a Greek word that means deliverance, preservation, safety, and salvation.

The Bible makes this very clear in verses such as 1 Peter 4:1-2,12-13, which state that physical suffering helps to subdue sin; and that suffering in the flesh leads to ceasing from sin and living according to God’s will. How was the captain of our salvation made perfect? Through sufferings, right? – Hebrews 2:10; he learned obedience by the things which he suffered – Hebrews 5:8,9.

Similarly, Hebrews 12:5-11 reveals that God’s love for an individual can be demonstrated through such suffering. God deals with us as with sons – Hebrews 12:7; He deals with us as children, heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him – Romans 8:17. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons – Hebrews 12:8.

It is the sufferings of Christ that we partake of. Moreover, 1 Corinthians 11:32 asserts that the Lord judges and disciplines us so that we may not be condemned along with the world. It is evident from these verses that God only judges those who belong to Him. Why would God judge or discipline someone who does not belong to Him? For whom the Lord loveth he chastens and scourges every son whom he receives – Hebrews 12:6; he chastens him betimes – Proverbs 13:24, that we might partake of His holiness and yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness – Hebrews 12:10,11.

It is imperative to note that sanctification by the Spirit is an absolute necessity to inherit God’s righteousness. Faith alone cannot guarantee this inheritance. Faith received through Jesus Christ, or faith credited to you, positions you correctly – Galatians 3:14,23,25; 2 Peter 1:1; Hebrews 12:2. Faith entrusts you to the Spirit of God to work within you, removing all stains of sin and instilling righteousness. Malachi 3:2,3 affirms that “the Spirit of God shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver,” emphasizing the crucial role of the Spirit in refining and purifying the lives of believers. Therefore, it is unequivocal that the sanctification of the Spirit is indispensable for inheriting God’s righteousness.

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto (until) obedience – 1 Peter 1:2; God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit – 2 Thessalonians 2:13; That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor – 1 Thessalonians 4:4; For this is the will of God, even your sanctification – 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Christ in us is our sanctification – 1 Corinthians 1:30. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless – 1 Thessalonians 5:23; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word – Ephesians 5:26; Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth – John 17:17.

We must remember that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us – Romans 5:8, and we stand by grace, not by our own merits. It is worth noting that nothing good dwells in our flesh – Romans 7. Paul is saying, are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 You cannot perfect your flesh; you can only subdue and keep it under control through the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 9:27; Colossians 3:5. Christ is our example; he left us an example, that ye should follow his steps – 1 Peter 2:21; Phil 2:5. For he through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God – Hebrews 9:14.

Walking in the Spirit is the only means by which we can subdue the flesh – Galatians 5:16. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God – 1 John 3:10; ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him – 1 John 2:29. Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous – 1 John 3:12.

According to the Bible, the heart of a person is the ultimate source of good and evil – Luke 6:45. It determines the path of one’s life, either toward life or destruction. As stated in Proverbs 4:23, all the issues of life flow from the heart. A tree is known by its fruit, and so is a person. If the tree is good, its fruit will also be good, but if the tree is corrupt, its fruit will be corrupt. This concept is emphasized in Matthew 12:33 and James 3:10-17.

Without a doubt, a person’s actions and outcomes are unequivocally influenced by the condition of their heart. It is an unassailable fact that life originates solely from God, while death arises from association with evil. Thus, the outcome is a clear indication of the alignment of one’s heart.

To experience the life of God, one must be born of God; man’s spirit must undergo regeneration. According to Jesus, it is “entering the kingdom of God” – John 3:5; to be translated into the kingdom of Christ – Colossians 1:13; it is to be cut out of the olive tree, which is wild by nature, and be grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree – Romans 11:24. This cultural shifting can indeed have an impact on one’s nature. When God, the eternal Spirit, revives the spirit, the soul or heart of man receives life. How can one be born of God? Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God – 1 John 5:1.

In John 8:44, Jesus said, “You are of your father the devil, and you will do the desires of your father.” He was addressing those who were living in sin and were influenced by evil. On the other hand, those who belong to God, or rather, those who are born again, are spiritual and resemble God. Their hearts will naturally reflect this truth. Their spirits are created after God in righteousness and true holiness – Ephesians 4:24. If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham – John 8:39. He that is of God hears God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God – John 8:47. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly – 1 Corinthians 15:48; John 15:19.

The state of a person’s heart is unequivocally determined by the spiritual forces and entities that actively operate within. The spirit of “Leviathan” wields power over those who disobey, belong to the devil, or are consumed by pride – Ephesians 2:2; Job 41:34. As stated in Ephesians 5:9–22, “Those who possess the Spirit of God produce fruit that is infused with immeasurable goodness, righteousness, and truth.”

We must keep in mind that after He saved us, He would not cast us away unless otherwise, we disown Christ. He did not save the good and the righteous in the first place; he died for the ungodly and sinners. In Jesus’s words, they that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. (Luke 5:31,32)

Conclusion:

As we bid farewell to this contemplative odyssey, let us carry with us the profound insights unearthed in our exploration of salvation’s enigmatic nature. The question lingers in the air: Can we lose salvation? Yet, amidst the uncertainties that shadow our spiritual journey, one truth remains unwavering—the transformative power of repentance, sanctification, and unwavering faith. Let us walk forward with hearts open to the divine grace that sustains us, mindful of the sacred covenant that binds us to the eternal source of life. In this tapestry of faith and doubt, may we find solace in the promise of redemption and the enduring hope that salvation is a gift bestowed upon the faithful and steadfast souls who walk in the light of righteousness.

Out of the Shadows: The Profound Meaning of Darkness

Introduction: The Weight of the Unseen

Imagine a night so dark you can’t discern friend from foe, a blackness that swallows every landmark. Your feet falter, your breath quickens—where are you going? In that void, darkness isn’t just the absence of light; it’s a presence, a question mark over existence itself. The Hebrew word for this is “Choshek”—darkness, yes, but deeper still: ignorance. Not a simple lack of facts, but a spiritual blindness, a turning away from the knowledge of God and His ways. As God laments in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” In that cry lies a truth: darkness is our cradle, but it need not be our tomb.

The Paths of Darkness

Scripture paints a stark portrait of those who dwell in “Choshek.”. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God,’” declares Psalm 14:1, and so he walks “in the ways of darkness” (Proverbs 2:13), forsaking the paths of uprightness. This isn’t mere folly—it’s a deliberate drift. “He that walks in darkness knows not whither he goes,” Jesus warns in John 12:35, a haunting echo of lives unmoored, stumbling toward nothingness. Proverbs contrasts this with the wise: “The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness” (Ecclesiastes 2:14). The darkness isn’t passive; it’s an active force that blinds, confuses, and leads astray.

This ignorance is no light matter. Ephesians 4:18 speaks of being “alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them” and a vanity of mind that darkens understanding. Hosea 6:6 declares, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Without that knowledge, we’re lost, our “eyes of understanding” dimmed (Ephesians 1:18), groping in a shadow that blinds the heart itself (2 Corinthians 4:4). We are not just ignorant—we are blind. As Jesus warned in Matthew 6:23, “If your eye is dark, great is the darkness, and the whole body is full of darkness.” Spiritual blindness doesn’t just limit sight; it affects the entirety of our being. When our spiritual perception is clouded by ignorance or sin, it permeates our lives, leading us into deeper darkness. It’s not just a lack of knowledge, but a blindness that transforms our entire way of living, causing us to stumble in ways we can’t fully comprehend.

The Reign of Ignorance

There’s a ruler in this gloom, a “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), the god of this world who “has blinded the minds of them which believe not” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan’s throne is “in darkness” (Revelation 16:10), his kingdom a prison of deception. We inherit this darkness at birth, as heirs to an original sin that blinds us to the truth of God (1 Peter 1:14). In Acts 17:30, Paul declares, “The times of this ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent.” This raises critical questions: Why does God issue this universal command to repent? And how can He do so, given His awareness of humanity’s total depravity, which renders salvation beyond our own capacity? The answer lies in the nature of divine grace. As stated in Titus 2:11, “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” This theological perspective asserts that redemption is not a product of human ability but is solely achieved through God’s grace. This grace, universally offered, gently tugs at every heart during the current era—often termed the dispensation of grace—which has been extended to humankind. It is a divine invitation, as expressed in Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.” Moreover, this call reaches even those who are spiritually dead, for as John 5:25 declares, “The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.” Through this persistent and powerful outreach, grace not only seeks entry into each life but also awakens and grants life to all who respond. Yet, this period is understood to be finite, with its closure anticipated in the near future.

In former times, God permitted a period of human ignorance, as Paul notes in Acts 17:30, “The times of this ignorance God overlooked.” However, with the revelation of Christ and the outpouring of His grace, this allowance has ended, and there remains no justification for persisting in ignorance. Divine grace, which brings salvation and is made available to all (Titus 2:11), beckons humanity from the darkness of ignorance into the light of truth. It is this grace that both calls individuals to repentance and illuminates the path to redemption. Yet, if left unaddressed, such ignorance becomes a perilous legacy—a fatal inheritance. As John 3:36 warns, “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him,” a consequence stemming from “the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:18).

This is “Choshek’s” full weight: not just not-knowing, but not-seeing, not-living. Paul writes that “the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness” (Colossians 3:6), and ignorance is its fuel. Once, some “were enlightened” but fell away (Hebrews 6:4), trading light for darkness they chose. Hosea mourns, “They know not the knowledge of the Lord” (Hosea 4:6), and in that void, confusion reigns—though “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

The Triumph of Light

Yet darkness has an enemy: light. In Hebrew, knowledge is light, and its pinnacle is “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). God, who “commanded the light to shine out of darkness” at creation, now shines into our hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6), breaking “Choshek’s” hold. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1John 3:8). But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Savior of the world—1John 4:14), the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name—John 20:31. “In Him is no darkness at all,” John declares (1 John 1:5), for God is light, hiding “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). Christ is that light—“the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world” (John 1:9)—shining in darkness, though “the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:4-5).

This is redemption’s dawn. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light,” Paul was sent (Acts 26:18), echoing God’s call: “Repent, and turn to Me” (Acts 17:30). When we do, “the eyes of your understanding are enlightened” (Ephesians 1:18), and “the true light now shines” (1 John 2:8). “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,” Peter prays (2 Peter 1:2-3), for only through that knowledge do we escape. “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5), a treasure darkness cannot steal.

Christ is the “day star” rising in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19), the One we must acknowledge (1 John 2:23). “While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light,” Jesus urges (John 12:35–36). From ignorance’s grip, He delivers us “into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13), where darkness is but a memory.

Conclusion: Step Into the Dawn

So what does “darkness” symbolize? It’s “Choshek”—ignorance, the shadow of sin, the fool’s maze, the prince’s lie. It’s the blindness that binds us, the alienation that dooms us—until light intervenes. “God, who commanded the light to shine,” invites us still (2 Corinthians 4:6). Today, where do you stand? In the dark, denying His ways (Job 21:14), or in the light, eyes open to His glory? The verses cry out: turn, believe, know. The Day Star waits. Will you let Him rise?

And this is the condemnation: that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:19-21

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God. God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4