Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[stormy]

flowers, i just have a quick question for ya...first off, i became a born again Christian some 20 yrs.ago-i have no doubts about my salvation...now for the question...my mother-in-law stopped by the other day after receiving a make-over from someone i can only assume must have had a liquid lunch that day...she was all excited & asked me what i thought...honestly, & i know this sounds terrible but visions of Betty Davis in "Whatever happened to BabyJane" were going thru my head...yet, i could not bring myself to hurt her feelings so i lied & said it looked good...shortly after she left i fell asleep without asking forgiveness for the sin of lying...if i had died during that sleep would i be on my way to hell?

[sopo]

I love your puppy, SOPO. S/he is SO cute!!:hug

Thank you. Someone dropped her on our road 3 weeks ago. I took her in and took her to the humane society. Pat had been gone less than 2 weeks and I was in no shape to care for a dog. They told me that if I left her, she would die of parvo. She was only about 6 weeks old. Of course I couldn't leave her to die, so now, I have a half Shar Pei, half dachshund or a Weenie Pei. :lol2

She is rotten but loved.

[sopo]

I posted this on another thread and will repost here.

I can quote scripture at you as fast as you can quote them at me as far as whether OSAS is right or Biblical or not. I, however, have better use of my time, telling unsaved souls that they need to get ready for Jesus' return rather than arguing doctrine with my fellow brother and sisters.

If you say a person is not welcome on this board that does not believe OSAS, then I will leave. If a person is welcome, then I think that we should all get back to the task at hand of saving souls before we are out of time.

Lovingly in Christ,

[Sassy Granny]

I, however, have better use of my time, telling unsaved souls that they need to get ready for Jesus' return rather than arguing doctrine with my fellow brother and sisters.

As I read today's devotional piece by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest, I was struck by the comfort of it. It's not arguing to reason together, or to establish sound doctrine. :ghug In fact, to not do so is robbing the believer (especially the babe in Christ) of much needed wisdom, if not joy.

Kathleen

Oswald reminds us:

AM I CONVINCED BY CHRIST?

"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not . . . , but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:19, 20

Jesus Christ says, in effect, Don't rejoice in successful service, but rejoice because you are rightly related to Me.

The snare in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service, to rejoice in the fact that God has used you. You never can measure what God will do through you if you are rightly related to Jesus Christ. Keep your relationship right with Him, then whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water through you, and it is of His mercy that He does not let you know it.

When once you are rightly related to God by salvation and sanctification, remember that wherever you are, you are put there by God; and by the reaction of your life on the circumstances around you, you will fulfil God's purpose, as long as you keep in the light as God is in the light.

The tendency to-day is to put the emphasis on service. Beware of the people who make usefulness their ground of appeal. If you make usefulness the test, then Jesus Christ was the greatest failure that ever lived. The lodestar of the saint is God Himself, not estimated usefulness.

It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him. All that Our Lord heeds in a man's life is the relationship of worth to His Father. Jesus is bringing many sons to glory. :bible

Source: http://www.myutmost.org/08/0830.html

[stevenw56]

Flowers, I do not mean to be contentious but what you're saying is that salvation is earned, holding onto salvation is our responsibility (a "work"), and that salvation can be lost altogether if one dies in a state of sin (which we ALL do, by way). That's your doctrinal position, but it's not biblical. You have, in the sweep of your interpretation rendered Christ's atoning sacrifice on the believer's behalf totally vain.

There's no such thing as a non-sinner. There's the saved and the unsaved. How can you be saved, and then unsaved ... especially when the saving is according to God's grace, and the remaining saved as well? It makes no logical sense. It makes no biblical sense either.

If the example you've given actually happened, then that person was either unsaved (no matter how seemingly sincere they were), or they've been duped by the deceiver. The ONLY sin that is unforgiveable and worth of eternal damnation is to reject Christ's offer of salvation. Period. Once you or they are saved, you are sealed. Your name is entered into the Lamb's Book of Life. His life (eternal life) is imparted to you as a new creation. If THAT didn't happen, then you weren't saved. But either way, it's about the heart, and so far as I know, God alone reads hearts.

What about all the sinning that takes place outside our awareness? Remember, the heart is exceedingly wicked and deceptive. I dare say each and every believer will die and go to hell using your economy.

You can coddle your salvation as if to let it out of your sight is to risk losing it. My dear, it's not that fragile. It was bought with Christ's blood and is very, very durable. God and Christ are true, and the scriptures give ample comfort in the fact and truth of Christ's having sealed the believer for eternity.

By the way, there's no time (increments of chronology) with God. Your sin yesterday, your sin tomorrow, and your sin right now is gone. Forgotten. Tossed into the depths. Not because of who you are or what you do or don't do, but because of Whose your are and what He did. I will never lose what He's done for me and in me. I may suffer the loss of various rewards, but never the loss of the eternal life He's already granted.

1 Cor 3:12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Kathleen

Romans 6: 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Sassy thank you for that post. :) Thank you Jesus for your grace.

[Sassy Granny]

Sassy thank you for that post. :) Thank you Jesus for your grace.

:welcome

:amen

:bouncie

[HeIsEnough]

If you say a person is not welcome on this board that does not believe OSAS, then I will leave. If a person is welcome, then I think that we should all get back to the task at hand of saving souls before we are out of time.

Believers are responsible for their own theology.

God's word is clear to us that He will lose none of His people.

You are free to believe God can lose His people, but promoting it is a different story.


to establish sound doctrine.

Oz was a wise man.



Hebrews 3
8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
Enter the rest of God. By doing so, we can rest in the arms of the Lord, who purchased us at a great price, speedily defeated the Evil one, and He sat down at the Fathers right hand and hid Himself, so that all who look to His work can now rest from their labor as well and He will declare a wicked one such as that, righteous. The Lord is beautiful in all His plans. Confounding those who attempt to earn anything, and saving those who know they have no merit, contrite and humble at heart. The Lord said it was impossible for man, and yet He made a way at the same time. A way in which only those who truly seek His face, find true rest in God's work.

No man who enters God's rest will ever be cast aside. The man is resting on the cross, and the cross is eternally enough.

[bookworm1711]

Mopsie in Post 258 said:


I tried to make it so that I was sure I put that I DO fall from time to time. The difference for me is one who shows no remorse or struggle but willingly and openly accepts a sinful lifestyle.


I believe Mopsie in the above quoted statement has exactly expressed the Biblical stance toward this question.

I must say, having now read 268 as I composed this post, and now jumped to 280 prior posts on this subject in this most interesting thread, I find it amazing that certain aspects of the truth about this subject are either altogether missing or understated.

I believe that the terminology of "Once Saved, Always Saved" (OSAS) is misleading, misguided, unbiblical, and potentially dangerous. The terminology “perseverance of the saints” might be a more accurate label for the concept, but is too aligned with a specific “ism,” even if it is the quite popular Calvinism.

No one can come to hold this doctrine (OSAS) who goes by the Bible alone and in its entirety if they have studied the Bible carefully on Robinson Crusoe's Desert Island apart from the false Sirens of denominational teaching.

Nevertheless, I taught it to many students in Sunday school over many years. I was raised at Highland Park Baptist Church in Highland Park, Michigan, a suburb inside of Detroit, Michigan. This was and still is a very sound, Bible believing church. Dr. Lehman Strauss was the pastor there when I was in my late teen years. The founding pastor, Dr. William G. Coltman, was there in my younger years.

Upon a more careful study of the subject, I think I have found the proper Biblical expression of what is the truth in this matter:

The Bible teaches the absolute eternal security of the believer, not the unbeliever.

The Greek text of every salvation verse, John 3:16 and the rest, that promises salvation as a result of our belief places the verb for belief in the present tense, which in Greek includes the concept of continuing belief, not a one time act of faith. The facet of Greek grammar which displays this feature is called "aspect."

It IS possible to stop believing: Jesus said so in Luke 8:13,


Luk 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.


Clearly, "which for a while believe" tells us that they believed only for a while; therefore, they stopped believing.

Don't tell me they never truly believed. Jesus said explicitly that they did believe—for a while.

The point is, those who lacked spiritual depth ("have no root"), or those whose faith was crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, things which "choked the word," did not continue to believe, but stopped believing, and brought no fruit to perfection (Luke 8:14).

The practical application of this truth for evangelism, soul winning, and discipleship is obvious. We must follow the admonition of Hebrews 3:12, 13,


Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.


Proper follow-up and instruction of new believers is most essential!

Those who support the unqualified doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved," or unconditional eternal security, are in direct denial of another Bible doctrine, the doctrine or teaching of the Bible regarding the possibility of apostasy. There is much in the Bible on this subject, and it cannot simply be ignored or swept under the rug. If you are unfamiliar with the related Scripture, a beginning general resource which contains much unclassified Scripture on the subject would be Nave's Topical Bible.

The Bible delineates two categories of apostasy: moral apostasy, and doctrinal apostasy.

Moral apostasy is clearly warned against in many passages, but to me the clearest passage is 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,


1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Other passages which teach the same truth include Galatians 5:16-21,


Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.


and a similar passage in Ephesians 5:5,


Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.


These three passages are very specific regarding the kinds of sins (in the category I have labeled "moral apostasy") that will cause a person to have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God, IF these sins are willfully practiced and not repented of; if these sins mark the person's willful life style or manner of life. A true believer who falls into such sin will seek God's help in extricating him or herself from such sin, and be sorrowful (2 Corinthians 7:10) for such sin:


Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,


This does NOT mean what some interpreters mistakenly teach, that such a person cannot repent and return to true belief in Christ: it is stating that if we depart from Christ by such moral apostasy, there is no other sacrifice for sins that will avail for our salvation, and if we fail to repent, we have lost our salvation.

Doctrinal apostasy is warned against in 1 Timothy 4:1,


1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

The word “depart” translates the Greek word “aposteesontai,” our English word “apostasy.” The word "apostasy" in Greek (apostasia) "in its religious use necessarily includes a prior turning to God" (Heinrich Schlier, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, volume 1, page 513, note 4), a concept rendered certain here by the next words "from the faith."

Notice Paul's concern for the welfare of those he has previously won to Christ as expressed in 1 Thessalonians 3:5,


1Th 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

It does not appear from this remark that Paul taught or believed in unconditional eternal security. See the "if" in verse 8. To what purpose are the warnings to believers in Scripture, if what is warned against is not possible in the first place? We need to exercise care in formulating our doctrinal systems that we do not wrest Scripture by arbitrarily denying even the possibility of what so many texts repeatedly warn against: doctrinal and moral apostasy.


1Th 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.


In Greek there are four kinds of "if." The "if" in 1 Thessalonians 3:8 is called by grammarians the "First Class Condition," and in plain English, is the kind of "if" in the indicative mood which does not express any doubt, but assumes the truth of the supposition. In 1 Thessalonians 3:8, Paul assumes they are standing fast in the Lord.

A similar statement using the same class of "if" is found in 1 Corinthians 15:2,


1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.


Paul assumes they have kept in memory what he preached to them. He assumes they have in fact held fast to what he has taught them.

But the point is, "unless ye have believed in vain." Paul develops the entire chapter, 1 Corinthians 15, to provide careful teaching about the resurrection from the dead, since some among them were saying that there is no resurrection from the dead:


1Co 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?


In context, therefore, an example of doctrinal apostasy would be to no longer believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ, or the doctrine of resurrection generally. There are certain groups (like the Jehovah's Witnesses) among us today who do not believe in the bodily resurrection from the dead, and argue most strenuously against it, despite clear Biblical proof for the doctrine (John 2:19-22. Luke 24:39).

Paul specifically teaches in no uncertain terms that belief in the bodily resurrection (there is no other kind of resurrection known to Scripture) of Jesus Christ is a requirement for salvation:


Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Greek grammarians call the kind of "IF" in Romans 10:9 the Third Class Condition. It involves the use of the subjunctive mood, and makes salvation contingent upon belief in the resurrection of Christ. Thus, it is an absolute requirement.

A person does not lose his or her salvation "at the drop of a hat," as by failing to confess a sin committed during the day then experiencing death during that night's sleep. Salvation is lost only when the person willfully persists in moral or doctrinal apostasy.

There are different degrees of reward (Matthew 5:12) and punishment (Luke 12:48), and perhaps our rewards could be affected by inadvertently unconfessed sin, but this would not result in the loss of salvation if our heart attitude is to stay as close and faithful to Christ as we can. James clearly teaches that none of us are perfect (James 3:2 with James 3:8). The proper attitude is described in 1 John 3:2, 3,


1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Genuine believers follow a life of holiness, an absolute requirement found in Hebrews 12:14,


Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

I, personally, have no doubts concerning my security in Christ: it is absolute, because I continue to believe in Him, and continue to hear His word, as He commanded.

Only those who meet the conditions specified in John 10:27,


Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:


can claim the security promised in John 10:28,


Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

[flowers]

Would you care to name names? This is really upsetting. How dare you. Would you care to go back and re-read Romans?
Romans 2


Explain something to me. This is a sin, right? I've seen you write about sinners losing their salvation due to ongoing sin. When did this thread start? You've been sinning in your self-righteous pride and glorification or YOUR RIGHTNESS since you began.

I am furious that you would come here, with your 6 posts, and attack my Christian brothers and sisters. Who are YOU to sit in judgement upon them? Who are YOU to elevate yourself to our Savior's position?

We do not attack each other on this board. Now, I realize that you will cry foul and call this a personal attack. I promise, I am showing you with love in my heart for you that you too are sinning. And I fully expect to meet you in Heaven and hug you at our Savior's side. So, with a loving heart, I beg you: with your views on salvation, that you can lose it, PLEASE turn away from your sin. If you do not repent, by YOUR VIEWS you will not be with us.:hug

I beg to differ with you about people not necessarily attacking other believers on this board, but they do attack pastors, evangelists, teachers. I've been coming here for 2 years, although I just registered, and I see a lot of "righteous indignation," especially by the moderators. They are quick to judge what they call false teachers or imposters. While I personally believe that there are false teachers out there, I would not be so bold as to call them that. I pray for those whose teachings are contradictory and I'll call a religion false, but I'm not going to rip a pastor up verbally. IF THAT IS NOT JUDGING, TELL ME, WHAT IS??? David did not even have the audacity to accuse King Saul because he knew Saul was anointed. Your quote up above about your having love in your heart and showing me love, as you put it, who are you trying to persuade? You are fuming because I have an opinion that differs from yours. Seems to me you are the self righteous one!

I really don't want to argue with anyone. I already believe what I believe no matter how many scriptures are put up. I was just giving my honest opinion. I fear though for those of you who think that you can live in sin after a committment to the Lord Jesus and get into heaven. Hey, there are homosexual churches out there! Do you think they'll inherit the Kingdom? What about those having sex before marriage? Adulterers? Liars? Cheaters?

My life is certainly not a perfectly sinless life. I mess up every day, probably more than the average "Christian." Sometimes I question my devotion to God. But you know what? He deals with me. Sometimes I'll go a few days with unforgiveness in my heart toward another or I have slips of the tongue or whatever it is. Eventually though I see my sin for what it is, I humbly go before the Father, and just honestly tell Him what is going on. I don't relish my sin! I would much rather live His way than my way. He knows my weaknesses. He knows I need His help to overcome. I've made a conscious decision that I will love and serve Him. That does not mean that I won't sin at all! I just won't consciously want to sin. Example, I've been married over 22 years, the last 10 have been tumultuous. I'm sure he has been unfaithful to me a few times (I don't have time to get into that). My heart has been broken many times and I've experienced the deepest loneliest that anyone can ever go through. BUT, no matter how bad it has been, one thing I have already decided in my heart, I will never have an affair with another. I know in my heart that is wrong, and I really would not want to insult God or my husband for that matter. But even if I did have a quick affair and realized the error of my way, I know God would forgive if I was truly repentant. However, if I did it continually and had a rebellious spirit over a long period of time, then of course I would be in danger of hell. Rebellion is like witchcraft, according to the bible.

Guess I'm just talking to myself cause I'm sure no one really cares about all this dribble. I honestly don't want to fight with anyone but will be careful about posting my honest opinions about anything anymore. I'm glad God made me for who I am, not a replica of other people.

Peace.:hug

[Mopsie]

Not so sure I like being used as an example so let me just say that I am not Calvinist for the same reason I am not Wesleyan, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist...

Just my thoughts, even as insignificant as they are, referring to Hebrews 10:26--30...

For if we sin willingly after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Carefully pay attention to the study notes of my Bible:


10:26 sin willfully: The reference here is NOT to an occasional act of sin (which can be confessed and forgiven; see 1 John 1:8,9), but to a CONSCIOUS REJECTION OF GOD. The Old Testament speaks in Num. 15:30, 31 of committing willful sin. A person who sinned persumptously was to be cut off from the people. To sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth is apostasy. If a Christian rejects God's provision for his or her salvation, there is no other remedy for sins (see also Num. 15:29-31), since forgiveness of sins can only be found in Christ's perfect sacrifice.

10:27 With no hope of forgiveness (v. 26), all that one can expect is judgment, described here as a fiery indignation. Those who choose to disobey God become His adversaries (see James 4:4).

10:28, 29 The specific sin in the Old Testament that required two or three witnesses was idolatry (see Deut. 17:2-7). The judgment for idolatry was death by stoning. If idolatry was punished with physical death, how much worse punishment should someone receive who treats the word of Christ with disrespect or disdain? Counted the blood...a common thing means the blood of Christ is treated as no different from the blood of an ordinary man or the blood of an animal sacrifice. Insulted the Spirit of grace is a reference to the Holy Spirit, the agent of God's gracious gift of salvation. A believer who commits these offenses will be judged with a punishment worse than physical death.

10:30,31 The author quotes two passages from Deut. 32 to support his claim that judgment belongs to the Lord and that God's people are not excused from God's judgment. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God because there is no other sacrifice for sin that Christ's sacrifice on the Cross (v. 26), only a fearful expectation of judgment (v. 27). All sin not covered by the blood of Christ will result in great loss at the judgment seat (see 1 Cor. 3:15; 2 Cor. 5:10).

From Nelson's NKJV Study Bible, copyright 1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

To grieve the Holy Spirit, was the person actually a believer to begin with? Doesn't Romans 1:18-2:11 refer to this? Have those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness received the knowledge of the truth in their hearts? When you put the two together you see that there is a difference between receiving the truth with ones heart vs. only with the mind.

I realize I am combatting the beliefs of the author of the study notes in my Bible because I would not begin to equate one who can grieve the Holy Spirit with having been a believer but how could I? To receive the grace, peace and hope of Christ only to throw it away - how is that possible?

I would personally say that I fear the Lord but only so far as I want to live my life for Him and glorify Him. Have I willfully sinned? Yes, but only in the accord of an occasional sin. I could not willfully reject Christ.

To make clear my quoted statement, one who has fully received Christ cannot willfully sin without remorse or grief. One who has NOT fully received Christ but willingly suppressed glorifying God is one who shows NO remorse but willfully continues to sin because they have grieved the Holy Spirit and do not fear God the same as a believer would.

I believe in once saved, always saved because there is a difference in fully receiving the knowledge of truth. It is a head matter vs. a heart matter. We can know OF God but suppress the truth or we can fully know God, respond to the guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit and LIVE in truth.

Also worth noting is Hebrews 10:35-39:

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in Him.

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Seems the author of Hebrews is speaking right out to us, doesn't it?