1Jo 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Referring to those being like-minded and of the faith: not as being unsaved.
2 Thessalonians 3:1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;...14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
How is that for a "wow"? Here are some wicked and unreasonable men that did not have faith.. that were not following after the tradition taught of us, and yet they were still called a brother because they believed in Jesus. Remember how they have received the Holy Spirit by promise?
Galatians 3: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
So what happens here?
1 Timothy 4: 1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
It doesn't mean they were never saved:
2 Timothy 2:
18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and
overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
So when they went out from us in that they were never of us: it is to show what we need to do by His grace and guidance for some after correction has been given, we are to withdraw in admonishing them, but for those in outreach seeking to restore the lost back into the fold by His grace & help:
2 Timothy 2:24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
So judging others that have fallen away from the faith as those that were never saved, is a lie.
2 Peter 2: 1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Time to recognize eternal security in what Christ has done: but not everyone will be ready when judgment falls on the House of God first. That is why the call is given to be ready and watch... for many are called, but few are chosen.... hence the elect.. the chaste bride:
Colossians 1: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
2 Corinthians 11:1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Jhn 8:31¶Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;
Jhn 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Yes. As disciples.. the elect.. the vessels unto honour in God's House as the truth shall set us free from bondages to sin and to death as long as we heed His words and do them, trusting Him to be Our Good Shepherd as well as Our Saviour so as to be found as a chaste bride in Christ for the Bridegroom.
Scripture teaches that not all who tag along with the Way actually become born of God. There is no lie.
It is the application of those scriptures that is false. If we acknowledge how one receives the promise of the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ as being born of God, then we have to acknowledge that not everyone will follow Him as a disciple.
Some will sow foolishly to the flesh to reap corruption as some will look to dead works that deny faith in Him thus labouring in unbelief as if they can finish it by the flesh what He had started by the Spirit. Yet in all of those iniquities, if they depart from it with His help, they shall be restored as a vessel unto honour in God's House, but if they keep putting it off as in procrastinating in putting away the old man with his deeds, then when He appears, judgment will fall on the House of God where God the Father will chasten every child He receives as those living in not being ready, shall be left behind to go through the great tribulation.:godisgood:
So the vessels unto honour and the vessels unto dishonour will be displaying the power of God in Christ Jesus in what He has done for all those that believed in Him for salvation in God's House.
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So for all those that condemn themselves for falling away and/or for sowing to the flesh in reaping corruption, come back to Jesus for help in finding answers to that which stole your faith in Him to put it away as well as for those that need Him to help them put off the old man with his deeds... before those doors are shut so that they may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus WITH eternal glory as a vessel unto honour in God's House.
Otherwise, for not keeping His words and following Him, those that work iniquity will be found as a vessel unto dishonour in God's house.:tonofbricks:
