I began by defining what sin was according to Scripture. When we think of sin, we think of the big things or the obvious things. But according to 1 John 3.4

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

Lawlessness is the Greek word “Anomia” meaning the condition of being without the law because of ignorance or violation of the law. Then we broke it down even more. Why did Adam “sin” when he ate the fruit? Is eating fruit wrong? No, but disobeying God is. That was a heavy part of the discussion.

Then I talked about obedience, and how it causes God to turn and take notice.

But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.

When we are humble (fully dependant on God), contrite (totally broken before God), and tremble at His word, then He takes notice. Obedience is a MAJOR deal to God, and should be so to us.

We claim that we believe God and believe in God, but we don’t obey. This is contrary to Scripture, as belief and obedience were synonymous in the Word. In Hebrews 3, God is talking about how Israel could not enter God’s place of rest because of their diobedience. We all know they disobeyed. Then it uses an interesting set of words in verses 18 and 19.

And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

It uses disobedience and unbelief as the same thing. So to believe meant you obeyed, and to oeby meant you believed. Sad how we no longer walk that way. But God never changes, his laws and principles remain.

So in a nutshell, to get God’s attention, obey Him. It amazed me (not really) how much this word peirced me personally. I realized that I am not totally walking in obedience to God, and that is hindering some of the things that He wants to do through me. May I always be someone that walks in obedience to You, Lord.

We opened with a statement, “Read what you believe or believe what you read?” Most Christians already have a system of belief that they follow, which can be influenced by how they were raised, what they were taught as a believer through their church or denomination, or their own personal experiences with God and His Word. So we had to eliminate that type of thinking first, otherwise someone who believes what is contrary to what the Word says will automatically not receive from the Word.

According to the Word, someone who is part of the true Body of Christ, someone that is truly a believer and not a fake, imposter, or pretender, CAN in fact lose their salvation.

However, if righteous people turn to sinful ways and start acting like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their previous goodness will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.
Ezekiel 18.24

My dear brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back again, you can be sure that the one who brings that person back will save that sinner from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
James 5.19-20

These are just a couple of the main passages that describe the absolute possibility that a true believer has to fall away from Christ and miss out on heaven. Toward the end of the night, I was looking at many “bug eyed” college age people who had come to grips with the fact that a person that falls away has the same fate as a non-believer, and in most cases, will receive far worse then non-believers.

At the end of the night, we broke into groups, and I had a very long discussion with a young man who was very knowledgeable of the Word, but was misguided on some key things in relation to our discussion. He would say things like, “How can a person who is on the foundation come off of that foundation and go to hell?” Basically, it comes down to choice. God will not override man’s free will. Now someone that has a deep intimate relationship with Him more than likely won’t fall away, but the potential is still there.

Overall, it was a great night, with a few more people than last time in attendance. And I can think of a couple people that probably won’t be returning.