Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?

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On May 07, 2019, The Christian Post published an article which begins by stating that “Dave Gass, a former pastor who most recently led Grace Family Fellowship in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, has renounced his Christian faith as a system rife with abuse that caused him ‘mental and emotional breaks.’ ”

Dave Gass walking away from Christianity (and thus Jesus) is important to examine and discuss for three reasons:

1. This incident will create confusion and doubt for those who proclaim to be Christians.
2. Atheists are already using this as ammunition to launch attacks on those who claim to be Christians in order to cause others to abandon the faith.
3. This incident brings to light an important question: “Can a believer lose his/her salvation?”

Dave’s Explanation:

So, what were Dave’s reasons for walking away from Christianity? Though Dave’s social media accounts have either been changed, are now private, or deleted, he had posted his reasons on Instagram, which got copied and shared all over the Internet. I will post five screenshot images down at the bottom of this article that you can refer to, and I’ll be quoting from them in this article. Here’s a summarized list of reasons why Dave abandoned Christianity:

• Dave said he had doubts since childhood regarding Greek mythology being so similar to the Bible.
• He doesn’t like the way the Bible became canonized; consequently, he questions the inerrancy of the Bible.
• Christianity didn’t provide him solutions to his problems; he doesn’t like suffering; he wants to be happy.
• Prayers weren’t answered to his satisfaction.
• He didn’t witness supernatural miracles; therefore, he believes Christianity is false.
• His Christian parents were abusive.
• He doesn’t like church politics and organized religion.
• He said his marriage was a sham and never became what he was promised it would be.
• Church people were “shitty” and hurt him yet non-Christians often showed him love and acceptance.
• The church burdens people with fear, shame, and guilt in order to maintain control. 
• Christianity is an impossible standard and a system that doesn’t work.

Trenton’s Examination:

Ancient Mythology:
Dave spoke about having doubts since he was a child. But why did he carry his doubts into adulthood? Why did he carry his doubts to the pulpit before he preached? He never should have preached one message until he believed what he was preaching and he was confident enough to lead others in Truth. Also, his doubts regarding ancient mythology are easy enough to research. In fact, I published an article about the topic of ancient mythology: “Is Christianity A Copycat Religion?” I believe this reason Dave gave is either a cop-out or he was lazy in his research. Either way, this excuse isn’t a good enough reason to walk away from Christianity — especially when there is so much other evidence in favor of Christianity, such as the origin of the universe, a fine-tuned universe, the origin of life, intelligent design, consciousness, morality, free will, and the historical reliability and accuracy of the texts.

Canonization:
Is there reason to doubt Scripture due to the way the Bible became Canonized? No. From the writings of the apostles, disciples, and early church fathers, the texts considered authentic and sacred remained consistent. See my other article, “How Did We Get The Bible?” In addition, the canonized Bible we now have has withstood all attacks on it since the beginning. Further, if Dave rejects the Bible because of the way it came to be the Bible, he must also live consistent with this rejection by rejecting the vast majority of all history taught in schools. Why? Because the historical reliability of the Bible has been tested by the same criteria by which all historical documents are tested. There are specific tests that scholars, researchers, and archaeologists use to determine the authenticity of a historical document. These are the bibliographical test, the internal evidence test, and the external evidence test. And there’s more evidence for the Bible than almost any other historical document in the world with over 66,000 total biblical manuscript evidences, not to mention citations from other sources who quoted the texts. To live consistently, Dave would need to doubt almost all of what has been taught about history. 

Problems, Suffering, and Happiness:
Are problems a problem for Christianity? Should we expect a life free from problems in this life on this Earth? Should the pursuit of happiness be our purpose? Jesus was honest and clear in that we will have problems in this world (John 16:33); Apostle Paul told us the same (2Corinthians 4:8-10). Jesus also gave us fair warning in advance that a life of sacrificial love will be required of us (Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-36); and again, Paul told us the same (1Corinthians 10:24; 2Corinthians 12:15; 2Timothy 2:10). Apostle Peter also told us the same (1Peter 2:21). Jesus never told us that this life would be without pain and suffering. In fact, logic and reasoning reveals that there is a reason for evil and there is a reason for pain and suffering. However, Jesus did tell us that our new lives on the New Earth under the new heavens will be complete with joy (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4). Clearly, Dave had some unrealistic expectations regarding what his life would be like as a Christian. Dave claims to have read and memorized the Bible yet he expected what was never to be expected according to what is written. So, why did he expect such a problem-free life?

Unanswered Prayers?:
If Dave was upset about his prayers not being answered, it is only because he believed his expected outcomes are what is best and right. But if Dave knew what was best and right in all situations, then he would be GOD. He was angry because he didn’t receive what he wanted. The problem here isn’t unanswered prayers, but an unrealistic expectation regarding prayer. Therefore, we need to rightly understand prayer. While it is true that we should pray for others (Ephesians 6:18-19), it is important that we seek GOD’s will, not our own (Matthew 6:33; 26:39,42; Mark 14:35-36,39; Luke 22:42). Prayer is not a means of merely asking for what we want. GOD is not a magic genie and prayer is not the magic lamp by which to summon GOD. In the connection of prayer, the goal is to come into alignment with GOD’s will. Regarding prayer, it is important to remember that GOD always answers our prayers in one of three possible ways: yes, no, or not yet. And it is important to thank GOD for all the “no” answers. All the “no” answers eventually lead to the “yes” moment. When we pray, we must pray for the right reasons. Motive matters. For a detailed explanation regarding prayer, see my other article, “Superhero: Armor of GOD: Powerful Prayer (2/2)“.

No Miracles?:
Is the existence of GOD determined by a miraculous experience? No. It is written in Matthew 13:57-58 that Jesus didn’t perform many miracles in His hometown due to their unbelief. It is important to understand that people are often their own problems. Truly, we don’t know why GOD didn’t produce specific signs and wonders that Dave expected. Now, it is possible that Dave never witnessed a miracle. However, it’s also possible that Dave did witness miracles yet he never recognized them as being such. In fact, two of the greatest miracles of all time often get overlooked: the creation of the universe and the origin of life. But it simply doesn’t make sense to give up on GOD because GOD doesn’t do what we want Him to do. Consider what is written:

“³² Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. ³³ When they came to a place called The Skull,^[a] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”^[b] And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.^[c] 35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” ³⁶ The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. ³⁷ They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” ³⁹ One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” ⁴⁰ But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? ⁴¹ We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” ⁴³ And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:32-43) -NLT

Everyone had expectations regarding who the Messiah was supposed to be and what the Messiah was supposed to do. The ones who expected the Messiah thought that He would overthrow the Roman Empire by force and become King of the land in order to establish His Law with righteous living. Instead, the Messiah came as a suffering servant willing to be the sacrifice on our behalf. The people had accurate expectations, but those expectations were for the wrong time period. Jesus will come again, and when He does, He will come as the King who conquers. Likewise, Dave Gass had an accurate expectation of GOD as a miracle worker; however, Dave obviously held his unrealistic expectation for the wrong time period. GOD most certainly can and will heal people and restore us all, but His timing is precise and right. Some people will never know complete restoration until they dwell with the Lord on the New Earth under the new heavens. Consider also that the Roman soldiers and one of the criminals held an expectation of Jesus: “If you’re the Messiah, save yourself! And save us while you’re at it!” The critical criminal held an accurate expectation; however, it was for the wrong time period. Jesus did defy death, but it was days later when He rose from the grave. Jesus was able to save the criminal on the cross, and by Jesus sacrificing Himself on the cross, that criminal could have been saved if only he accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior like the other criminal on the cross had done. And this why the other criminal was saved and was promised eternal salvation. Thus, Luke 23:32-43 reveals that what we think to be best and right isn’t always so. Jesus could have dominated and conquered according to everyone’s expectations; however, according to GOD’s perfect plan and perfect timing, GOD doesn’t always meet our unrealistic expectations. It is written in Matthew 26:53-56 that Jesus could have called upon thousands of angels in order to defeat the Roman soldiers with ease and thus prevent Himself from being arrested. However, the Lord had a perfect plan for a perfect sacrifice and so Jesus allowed the Roman soldiers to arrest Him. Obviously, this did not meet His disciples’ expectations. We know this because it was at that moment they decided to leave Jesus and flee. Clearly, we cannot impose our expectations upon the Lord’s perfect plan. Understand this: people often desire a change in circumstance when GOD desires a change of heart, mind, attitude and character.

Dave Gass is upset because GOD didn’t perform the miracles he believed should have happened. I empathize with Dave’s desire to witness a miracle. In fact, it was one of my demands that needed to be met in order for me to become a believer when I had been an atheist. I refused to believe in GOD unless I witnessed a miracle. GOD didn’t have to show me a miracle (Luke 11:29), but He did — and not just one, but five miracles! I don’t know why GOD deemed me worthy to experience and witness His miracles; I know I didn’t deserve to experience GOD’s miracles. But perhaps GOD allowed me to experience miracles because He knew I would faithfully deliver the Gospel to as many people as possible. Only GOD knows. But I understand that the miracles I experienced were not only for me so that I could believe, but for others when they hear my testimony so that they might believe. To read or see my story, see my other article, “My Testimony: From Agnosticism, To Atheism, To Christianity“. However, the major issue here is the possibility of miracles. Are miracles possible? Dave claims he never experienced a miracle, therefore, Christianity isn’t true. And so he abandoned the Lord. But even without ever experiencing a miracle, logic and reasoning help us understand that miracles are most certainly possible. See my other article, “Miracles or Myths?“. 

Abusive Parents?:
Dave listed his Christian abusive parents as one of the reasons for abandoning GOD. First and foremost, we need to determine what he believes to be the definition of abuse. But Dave didn’t provide that definition. We will give Dave the benefit of the doubt and assume that he had been abused. But even if he had been abused, how does that warrant a conclusion that Christianity is false? It doesn’t. Many people who have been abused have become overcomers and still believe in GOD. In fact, the very argument that abuse is wrong is an appeal to an absolute moral standard, which simply could not exist if GOD did not exist. What is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. We simply cannot know what is crooked unless we first know what is straight. But this issue simply cannot be addressed properly without knowing what Dave’s definition of abuse entails. After all, what if his definition of abuse meant that his parents were strict and set boundaries he believed to be oppressive (ex: you can’t drink any alcohol ever)? This excuse is simply that — an excuse. But it’s not a good one.

Church Politics & Organized Religion?:
Dave doesn’t like the religious rules and/or structure of what the church has become. Truth be told, I also despise church politics and man-made traditions. But Jesus did too (Matthew 15:1-9). I despise the rigmarole of religious rituals, pious performances, superficial celebrations, and pseudo-sacrifices. Truly, I don’t believe that our organized structure of what we call “church” is the way it’s supposed to be. Far too much money goes into operating a church building and programs instead of using that money to actually do the great commission. So, for once, Dave seems to have a valid argument. I’ve witnessed many churches who place their focus on the wrong areas in order to please people rather than GOD. I’ve witnessed fruitless arguments about curb appeal or marketing material. When I had been a youth pastor, I was even once told by my senior pastor not to wear my Goonies t-shirt because the skull and crossbones on the shirt would give the church a bad image. All of this is superficial nonsense misses the point of Christians living out authentic relationships with GOD and other people. Even the popular pastor, Francis Chan, left his megachurch because he believed the politics and religious structure watered down the true meaning of being a Christian. But Francis left his church in order to grow closer to GOD, not to escape. Regardless, I completely understand why Dave would feel this way toward the church in general. However, we must view the church as GOD intends us to view the church. And this means we must examine GOD’s Word to discover what GOD says about the church and how we should live according to His Word regarding the church. So, what does GOD say about the church and religion?

The church can either be seen as an individual Christian congregation or the total body of Christian believers. There is one universal church, consisting of all Christian believers, which takes the form of individual local churches in any given region. The many different individual churches are like the many different branches from the one tree. Of course, some rogue branches will go beyond the boundaries of what is biblically accurate and acceptable; GOD will cut those rogue branches off like a gardener trimming his hedges. The unity of the kath’ holou (the whole) or catholicus (universal) church is in Christ. Jesus is the head and the church is the body (Ephesians 5:29-33; Colossians 1:18). The body consists of all believers. We are all like individual jigsaw puzzle pieces that come together to form one picture. The unity of the church must not be understood sociologically or organizationally, but theologically. The church is one. One body. Just as the body itself has different parts (foot, leg, hand, or arm) yet makes up the whole body, the many different individual churches make up the one body of the universal church (1Corinthians 12:12-31).

The church ought to be pure because GOD’s Word tells us to distinguish ourselves between the holy and the common, the sinner and the saint (Leviticus 20:7-8; Ezekiel 44:23; 2Corinthians 6:14-16); righteousness is the goal. Though righteousness is the goal, the church is stained with sin and will never be able to achieve that pure status in this life; however, our inability to attain holiness does not provide reason for sin nor excuse the sin (Romans 6). So long as the church is striving to be righteous, the unintentional sins can be overlooked and forgiven. In fact, one cannot receive forgiveness unless that person forgives. Forgiveness is fruitful and intercession is important (Psalm 130:3-4; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 23:34; Deuteronomy 9:18-20; Job 42:10; 1Timothy 2:1). The church will not become holy until the body is connected to the head at the end of age; consequently, the church must expect to find itself including both saints and sinners. To attempt a separation in this life is premature, improper, and unloving. The individual churches are hospitals for sinners, not a supercilious society of saints. For the saints, however, the individual churches act as recharging stations and help the saints to acquire what they need so they can go back out into the world. For the sinner, it is comforting to see that the saints are also in need and are not perfect. For the saints, it is comforting to see sinners who desire to become saints. The universal church is made up of sinners who will one day become saints, new saints, and older and experienced saints. But if the church is not defined by holiness, what is its distinguishing feature?

To believe in the church is not to trust in the institution of the church, but to affirm that the church is ultimately called into being by GOD, with a mission and authorization which derives from GOD. What truly matters is the great commission. The distinguishing feature of the church should be both the preaching of the gospel and the fruit that becomes evident from the seeds of love planted. The church is not an extension of Christ, but is united with Christ, and called and commissioned by Him to serve the world. The church is thus seen as an event, not an institution. A building does not make the church; rather, the people make the church and then buildings just happen to be built in order to accomplish the great commission. Jesus made disciples and then those disciples became the church. The disciples made more disciples and then those disciples did the same. Every believer is called to be equipped, enabled, empowered, enhanced and emboldened in order to accomplish the great commission. Individual churches are made up of those who are teaching and those who are learning; however, those who are learning are never to stay as the learner. We are all called to grow the church and advance GOD’s Kingdom. Every learner should eventually become a teacher and preacher. They are called in a special way to make the church present and operative where only through them can the church become the salt of the Earth. The church is made up of parts who should act as a whole. The distinguishing feature of the church is the message of the Gospel while performing acts of love.

Marriage?:
Dave listed his “sham” of a marriage as one of the reasons he abandoned Christ. Dave said it was not what he was promised it would be. However, Dave did not clarify what he was promised. What was he promised? I’m certain that what he committed to was for better or for worse. But sadly, he didn’t desire to stay true to his own promise of “or worse.” We simply don’t know if Dave put forth the effort to be faithful to his wife; however, the deacon of his church, Justin Tuttle, tweeted that Dave committed adultery and was unfaithful to his wife (image at bottom of article). This makes sense now as to why Dave would want to walk away from the Lord; GOD’s standard is now at odds with Dave’s desires. GOD’s Word clearly tells us that male and female become one in marriage (Genesis 2:24) and that divorce covers a person with injustice (Malachi 2:16). Except in a case of sexual immorality, divorce is adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery (Matthew 5:31-32; Luke 16:18). Two become one in marriage. What GOD joins together, no one should separate. Moses only permitted divorce due to hardness of hearts, but that was never the design (Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12). Adultery is abhorrent. Everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Discern the difference between lust and love. Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because GOD will judge immoral people and adulterers (Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:18; Proverbs 5; 6:20-35; 7; Matthew 5:27-28; 1Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4). The Bible affirms that we must defend marriage. See my other article, “Defending Marriage“.

Christians Are Bad; Non-Christians Accept Him?:
Dave Gass said church people are “shitty” people. But what he failed to mention is that it’s not “church people” who are the problem. It’s all people. GOD’s Word clearly tells us that no one is without sin and we all need Jesus (Romans 3:23). The church is not an elite club for saints. It’s a hospital for sinners. Of course you’re going to encounter people with problems! But as a pastor, you should be filled with love for people and not hatred. Like Jesus when he looked upon the crowd with compassion (Matthew 9:36), a pastor should also look at his congregation and staff with that same compassion and understanding. Dave, upon making his claim of Christians being crappy people, became the very hypocrite he despises. Dave is now the person who doesn’t accept people. Also, it’s worth pondering on why the non-Christians accept him. Do they accept him because they validate his adultery? They would like to call it freedom. After all, many non-Christians don’t live by the absolute moral standard.

The Church Is Controlling?:
Dave says the church only tries to maintain control via fear, shame, and guilt. But is that true? There is a big difference between conviction and condemnation. I don’t know what Dave was doing as a pastor, but a pastor’s duty is to preach the Word of GOD and to teach what it means to the congregation. Teaching Truth can lead to conviction, but a true teacher of the Word does not use manipulation and does not bring judgment of condemnation. There is one Judge and that is the Lord. Teaching Truth is not a method of maintaining control over anyone’s life; on the contrary, the Truth sets people free (John 8:32). A relationship with GOD is out of love, not fear. Examine what is written:

“⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.⁹ In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. ¹³ By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.¹⁶ So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. ¹⁷ By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ¹⁹ We love because he first loved us. ²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot^[a] love God whom he has not seen.²¹ And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
(1John 4:7-21) -ESV

“¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
(Galatians 5:13-15) -ESV

Dave claims the church is controlling. But the truth is that sin is controlling and those who practice sin are slaves to sin (John 8:34). I believe that Dave allowed himself to get tangled into the snare of sin and started calling evil good and good evil. If that is the case, woe to him (Isaiah 5:20). 

Christianity Is An Impossible Standard & System That Doesn’t Work?:
Does the absolute moral standard set an impossible standard? Yes. But that should be expected if you believe the Bible to be true. That’s the point GOD made when Jesus had to do what we were incapable of doing in order to save us from ourselves. In this sinful and fallen state we all live in, we are incapable of living perfect holy lives. But does that mean that Christianity is a system that doesn’t work? To answer that, we need to know what Dave believed Christianity was supposed to do for him. From the reasons he listed, it seems evident he believed Christianity was supposed to be a cure-all for this present life on this Earth. Christianity doesn’t work if you desire to escape pain and suffering in this life on this Earth. Christianity doesn’t work if you want to be your own god and fulfill your every desire in order to pursue pleasure and feel happy. But Christianity most certainly does work if you desire to grow closer to GOD every day, become a better person every day, and eventually escape pain and suffering by living in eternal joy with the Lord on the New Earth under the new heavens. It all depends on what you believe Christianity is supposed to do for you. What are your expectations? Are they realistic? Are they in alignment with what GOD’s Word says?

Conclusion of Examinations of Explanations:

Dave Gass forced religion (not true relationship) upon himself when he didn’t truly believe. He said so himself — he faked it. He also filled his mind with unrealistic expectations and then got upset because his desires and/or fantasies weren’t fulfilled. I completely understand why he crashed and burned. Did Dave make the right choice by stepping down from being pastor? Yes. He never should have been a pastor. But did he make the right choice by abandoning Christianity (and thus Jesus)? No. 

I don’t believe Dave is a devil in disguise. I don’t believe he had malicious intent. In fact, I believe he started with good intentions. However, good intentions can travel in the wrong direction. I do believe he was selfish and pursued his own pleasure and happiness over purpose. I believe he was unwilling to sacrifice in order to live the life that a pastor must live. He was not content with placing others before himself, and this is why he became miserable. In fact, his deacon stated that he had an affair and became an adulterer. And Dave did ramble on about his marriage causing him misery, so it’s plausible. But until Dave Gass admits that himself, he’s innocent until proven guilty.

Because of this incident (and many others like it), it’s important to remember what is written:

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
(James 3:1) -ESV

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ ”
(Luke 9:62) -ESV

Here are some important things to consider from this incident of a pastor falling away:

1. Do you have doubts? Do you have questions? Ask questions! But if you ask questions, you should also be willing to pursue the answers with complete commitment.
2. Identify unrealistic expectations and deal with them! Don’t try to push them down and cover them up. Write out all expectations you have and examine each one to see if any are unrealistic and/or unbiblical. 
3. Examine your motives. See my other article, “Superhero: Motive matters“. Why do you believe what you believe? Why do you do what you do? What’s your ultimate end goal? What do you hope to achieve or accomplish? Is your motive loving? Is your motive selfish or selfless?
4. Do you have accountability or do you try to do conquer all your battles by yourself? The lion seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (1Peter 5:8; John 10:10) desires to find isolated victims. Don’t go into battle by yourself. 
5. Head knowledge is not enough! It is not enough to know the Bible. Satan knows GOD’s Word yet never took it to heart. Satan even used Scripture to try to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:6). Knowing what the Bible says doesn’t mean you understand what it says. And even if you understand what it says, you must be willing to live in obedience to GOD’s Word. Are you willing?
6. Are you being controlled? Are you a slave? Many people don’t believe they’re slaves, but they are. See my other article, “Break Every Chain“.
7. We need to pray for Dave Gass (in a loving way). May he realize where he went wrong, repent, and return to the Lord with all his heart. Let’s not condemn him to Hell. It’s not our place to do that. Until his set time, he still has time to come into a right relationship with the Lord. 
8. We need to pray for all the people who will inevitably be shaken by this incident. May this only help people to realize the seriousness of what is to come and how we need to be prepared (Matthew 24:24). It is written that many people will be led astray due to false teachers and false doctrines. But may the Holy Spirit guide people in wisdom and Truth so they won’t be led astray due to the decision of Dave Gass.
9. We need to pray that truly righteous leaders will rise up and lead for the right reasons.

Can A Believer Ever Lose His/Her Salvation?

Well, we possess free will, right? At any time a person decides to leave, GOD will not keep that person captive and force him/her to stay. Of course, GOD will continue to send reminders their way and pursue them with love. GOD will always continue to watch to see if they desire to return. The ones who leave the beautiful knowledge and relationship of the Father will end up wallowing in mud and muck. But if they ever decide to repent and return to the Father, GOD will see them coming and run toward them in order to accept them once again (read Luke 15:11-32). But I am convinced that a true believer would never abandon this gift of grace. The humbling knowledge of my sin when compared to the greatest gift of grace leaves me awestruck and full of joy to know of GOD’s love for me. Why would I ever leave that? The ones who leave Christ after having come to Him never truly knew Him. People leave Christianity because of their offense to other people or the way people have chosen to operate a religious institute. A person would never leave Christianity because he/she knew Christ unless that person despised being loved. Therefore, because truly knowing Christ will ultimately prevent someone from walking away, I would say that once someone is truly saved, that person will always be saved. I believe the act of being saved is what needs to be put into question, not the act of losing salvation. Was the person ever truly saved? Did the person truly say “yes” to Christ and a complete life transformation? Or did the person say “yes” to a mere moment in order to feel better? When uncommitted followers experience difficulties and no longer possess good feelings, I believe they are walking away from their perceived notion that Christianity is a cure-all concoction. When people walk away, I find that it’s usually because they had desired GOD to be a genie in a magic lamp who exists to grant their wishes. When people don’t get what they want, they tend to go somewhere else to fulfill their desires. I don’t believe a true follower of Christ can lose his/her salvation. I do believe, however, that people claim to be saved when they never were. Did they truly let go and let GOD lead? Did they truly submit their lives and allow Jesus to take the lead? Did they truly allow the Holy Spirit to fill them with conviction and guide them? I’ve never met one fully devoted follower of Christ who ever walked away. Why? Because to truly know Jesus is to truly know the greatest gift we could ever receive. Having knowledge of this, where would one go? And why? Certainly, it’s not because the person knew Christ. Even in Apostle Peter’s case where he abandoned Jesus prior to the crucifixion, Peter only abandoned Jesus out of fear because Jesus wouldn’t allow them to fight (Matthew 26:52-56). If a person can’t fight, they will choose flight. But even when Peter abandoned Jesus, he followed Him out of love and concern (Matthew 26:58). This is not the case with Dave Gass. Dave chose to walk away because he wasn’t happy. But I’m not happy in every occasion, but I would never abandon the One and only Source of Life and Light just because I’m not getting my way. Now that I know Jesus and understand what He taught, my decision to follow Christ is not based upon what I get from Christianity. Just as the Lord had said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). 

It all boils down to relationship. Do you truly know Jesus? Do you truly trust in the Lord with all your heart?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ ”
(Matthew 7:21-23) -ESV

Greater than hearing or knowing GOD’s Word is actually living it out (Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25). Obedience is better than sacrifice (1Samuel 15:22). However, relationship is greater than religious acts (Deuteronomy 6:5-6; Matthew 6:1; 22:36-40). Here’s the crucial question: do you only know of Jesus or do you truly know the Lord (John 8:19; Matthew 16:13-17)?

When a person believes and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, that person is sealed by the Holy Spirit, who guarantees our salvation. Revelation 6:17 asks an important question: Who is able to stand at the End of Days? Of course, everyone will stand — they will stand in front of the great white throne of judgment (Revelation 20:12-14). But GOD marks His children to be saved (Revelation 7:3; 9:4). This seal of GOD is confirmation that we have been examined and inspected. Once inspected, we are approved and then sealed for security purposes, protected from tampering, and authorized by the King (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2Corinthians 1:21-22). A seal can represent a finished transaction (Jeremiah 32:9-10; John 17:4; 19:30); it can represent ownership (Jeremiah 32:11-12; 2Timothy 2:19); it showcases security (Esther 8:8; Daniel 6:17). The Lord knows who is sealed for protection; the Lord knows His children (Exodus 12:1-13; Ezekiel 9:4). 

GOD may allow someone to wander knowing that he/she will repent and return (as was the case in the Prodigal Son of Luke 15:11-32), but no one who is truly saved can ever be taken away by Satan or the world. Remember what is written:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
(John 10:27-30) -ESV

Never Give Up!

The main theme throughout the Bible that runs parallel to the Good News of salvation is the need for endurance. We must endure until the very end, remaining faithful and obedient (Matthew 10:28; 1Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:14-16; 1Timothy 6:11-16; 2Timothy 4:3-5; Hebrews 10:35-39; 2Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 3:16).

See my other article, “Superhero: Never Give Up“.

 

Superhero: Never Give Up

 

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

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This is Part 9 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty.

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But what good would it do for a superhero to start traveling the extra mile journey if he/she quits halfway through? If we make a commitment to go the extra mile, then we need to follow through and see that we go the distance to complete the second mile. In this message (Part 9), we will see that superheroes might get tripped up and fall down. Superheroes might even get beaten up and knocked down, but they do not stay down! Superheroes never give up! To help us understand this message, let’s examine two examples from real life situations: boxing and racing.

Boxing: Get Back Up!

Muhammad Ali, who is arguably the greatest boxer of all time, said, “You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.” One of the greatest victories I’ve ever seen was in the 2005 boxing match of Corrales vs. Castillo. Corrales got knocked down twice in the 10th round, only to get back up and walk away as the winner:

Another one of my favorite boxing matches was the 1990 match of Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas. Tyson was undefeated and had a 42-0 record. Douglas – the obvious underdog – was knocked down in the 8th round and didn’t even get back up until it was almost too late at the 9-second mark. But in the 10th round, Douglas managed to knock Tyson down and out for the win.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”
(2Corinthians 4:8-10) –NIV

We are not impervious to attacks from the enemy. We’re going to get tripped up and fall down. We’re going to get beat up and knocked down. Unless you’re Rocky Marciano or Floyd Mayweather, you’re going to experience a loss at some point in your life. But truth be told, even if you are undefeated in life, you can still lose in death. Are you living life in preparation for death? Rocky Marciano died on August 31, 1969 (the eve of his 46th birthday) in a plane crash. Did Marciano go to Heaven or Hell? Only GOD knows. But even conquerers in life can end up being conquered in death. And this is why it is of utmost importance that we never give up and finish the race well. And if I could tell Floyd Mayweather and anyone else currently undefeated only one thing, I would share this:

“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
(Luke 9:25) -ESV

Those who are motivated by money or propelled by the pursuit for power typically stay down if the winnings of their worldly ways comes to an end and they experience a loss. Because if your treasure is only found in this world, you are destined for disappointment.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:19-21) -ESV

Where is your heart? If you know your ‘why,’ then you will refuse to lose, you will get back up, and you will never give up. In a post-fight interview with Buster Douglas, it was later revealed that he won the fight against Mike Tyson because his ‘why’ was more powerful than Tyson’s punches. Only 23 days before the legendary fight took place that took Tyson’s “0” and gave him a “1” in his losses, Douglas’ mother died. Before she died, she told Douglas that he was going to beat Mike Tyson. Simply put, love is what won the fight for Douglas. And truth be told, love is what we need to persevere! Love compels us to get back up and never give up. In the amazing 2005 movie, Cinderella Man, based on the boxer, James Walter Braddock, there’s a scene where the press is asking him why he’s winning fights. Russell Crowe (Braddock) states he knows what he’s fighting for: milk. The motivation behind the action was love for his family. This movie showcases the power of the ‘why.’

Racing: Finish The Race!
A man by the name of John Stephen Akhwari represented Tanzania in the marathon at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He wounded his knee and dislocated a joint in a fall, but he got back up and continued the race. He finished last place. By the time he crossed the finish line, it was dark outside and most of the audience had already gone home. When later interviewed and asked why he continued running, he said, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”

It was the greatest last place finish ever! John Stephen Akhwari didn’t come in first place in that race; however, he was a winner because he finished the race! There are many people in this world who do not finish the race. In fact, suicide prevents many people from finishing the race. Too many people give up before reaching the finish line.

This world teaches that in order to win we must be first or the greatest. But is that true? Even if you are the last person to arrive in Heaven, you still achieved what others who never arrived never achieved. Last place can most certainly be the best finish. In fact, Jesus told us that those who are now last would be first and the first would be last (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30). Jesus also told us that If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all (Mark 9:35).

When John Stephen Akhwari finally finished the race, it was dark outside and most of the audience had already left. And so it is with life. The majority of people that will be around when you start the race might not be there when you finish. Also, people typically only want to be with you during your greatest moments and tend to disappear during your struggles. And when that happens, it may feel like it’s dark outside and the empty bleachers might make you feel as if no one cares. But the people who truly care about you will stay with you while you are down, struggling, and out of the spotlight. But even if you feel alone and abandoned, know that love will help you finish the race so that you may finish well. Be encouraged: Jesus’ disciples abandoned Him when He got arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). But Jesus’ love for others was the ‘why’ that compelled Him to finish what He started (John 19:30).

As I have written before in one of my songs, I don’t care to win over the crowd – I’m fulfilling all that I have vowed. With or without audience applause, I’m going to do what I do because I do it for the cause. Love compels me to continue and because of that, I care to finish the race so that I may finish well.

I am grateful for John Stephen Akhwari and for many other people like him for being an inspiration and reminding me of what is truly important in life. Indeed, the struggle is real, but our GOD is greater than our problems. What’s truly important is finishing well.

I may not be the best at anything or ever receive praise for any of my efforts, but if I get knocked down, I will always get back up after I fall. I will not stay down. And even if I get injured along the way, I will finish the marathon that is known as life! GOD did not bring me here to merely start my journey – GOD brought me here to finish the race and to finish well! It doesn’t matter how long it will take me to cross the finish line. The goal is to do my best until my last breath.

Persistence, Purpose, Endurance, Eternity:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
(2Timothy 4:7) -ESV

The apostle Paul wrote these words near the end of his life. These three statements reflect Paul’s struggles in preaching the Gospel of Christ and his victory over those struggles. In the 1st century, the Romans celebrated both the Olympic Games and the Isthmian Games. Competitors would spend up to ten months in demanding and difficult physical training. Because the Corinthians were familiar with these events, Paul used the games as an analogy for a believer’s life of faithfulness. He wrote to the church in Corinth saying, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1Corinthians 9:24-25). Paul’s exhortation is that believers should be as focused and dedicated as those ancient runners in the games. Our motivation in serving Christ is much higher; we “run” not for a temporary crown, but for an eternal one. So, by declaring “I have finished the race,” Paul told Timothy that he had put every effort into the work of proclaiming the Gospel. He had completed the course set before him; he had left nothing undone; he did his best. He was ready to cross the finish line into Heaven. And to finish the race well is to experience victory.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2) -ESV

If we are to finish well, we will need persistence with purpose and endurance for eternity. First, we need purposeful persistence in prayer. In seeking GOD’s will, we will find all we need:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
(Matthew 7:7-11) -ESV

But here is the special stipulation to this promise:

“You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
(James 4:2-3) -ESV

Our desires need to be in alignment with GOD’s will. But knowing GOD takes faith, focus, and follow-through. Jesus promises a reward for the passionate pursuit of seeking GOD’s will. We should be asking ourselves three important questions while being persistent in our prayers:

1. What are you asking for?
2. Why are you asking for it?
3. Will it benefit the Kingdom of GOD?

In order to finish the race well, we also need endurance. In fact, GOD calls us to endure until the end. Each of the seven letters to the churches in the book of Revelation contained a promise to the “victor.” In order to receive the promises, you must be a victor. How do we become a victor? Stay in alignment with GOD’s Word and His absolute moral standard! Keep the faith and endure until the end! The only way to be a victor is to fight the good fight, endure it until the end, and finish the race. Everyone who finishes the race will be exhausted, but they will also come into rest. Just as GOD rested from His work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2), we too will come into rest on our ‘seventh day.’ We can picture this life here on Earth as our six days of work and the New Earth under the new heavens will be our seventh day of rest. Everything we accomplish in life here on this Earth within our ‘six days’ falls short of perfection. It is only in our ‘seventh day’ that we will come into perfection and receive rest. Along with the good news of Christ’s return and ultimate victory, the main theme found in the book of Revelation running parallel to the good news is that we must endure until the very end, remaining faithful and obedient (Matthew 10:28; 1Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:14-16; 1Timothy 6:11-16; 2Timothy 4:3-5; Hebrews 10:35-39; 2Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 3:16).

Conclusion:
Remember: opportunistic predators wait until either you are too weak to fight or complacent and cannot see the attack coming. Demons don’t need to beat you while you are at your best; rather, demons simply need to slowly chip away at your defense until you become too tired and weak to defend yourself.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
(1Peter 5:6-10) -ESV

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
(James 4:7-8) -ESV

Satan only cares about the outcome, the final decision. Do not give up. Do not ever give up. We are in it to win it. It’s not over until it’s over. We must finish well. Starting is pointless unless we finish. We must fight the good fight. Get back up, go back in. Love never dies (1Corinthians 13:8).

GOD passionately pursues us with the mission of relentless rescue. And if we are to accurately reflect the love of Christ, we need to go above and beyond in love and endure until the end.

“Bow down to the Lord. He will lift you up.”
(James 4:10) –NIRV

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:14-21) -NLT

The person who kneels humbly before GOD can stand up confidently in the name of Christ and resist the devil and watch him flee. GOD provides us with a way to escape temptations and to live through any circumstance until He calls us Home (1Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:11-13). Never give up!

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
(Galatians 6:9) -NLT

Listen! If I can’t inspire you, then I’ll just let Shia LaBeouf do it:

From Caveman To Conqueror

 

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below:

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FROM CAVEMAN TO CONQUEROR

What’s up everybody! My name’s Trenton. I’m going to share a little bit about myself, but before I do that, I want to show you a clip from a television show. Does anybody like the television show Grey’s Anatomy? Real quick, watch this clip and then I’ll continue…

[Clip from Grey’s Anatomy]

Ew! That guy was bloody! Bloody good, right?! I’m not sure if you noticed or not, but that scrawny pale dead guy was me! Yes! I died, I came back, I’m here, it’s strange — I know! I used to be an actor in Hollywood. I’ve been in over 20 television shows, a couple movies and a few commercials. (see my acting resume here!)

That scene where I got zipped up in the body bag was not fun to film. The cast and crew actually played a practical joke on me and left me in the body bag even after they had finished filming. 

That scene of me being inside the body bag is actually a very fitting description of what my life was like back then. By the world’s standards, I had made it. I had made money from acting jobs and I had accomplished what many people can never say they’ve done. But there was one problem: I was an atheist and I didn’t believe in GOD. I also suffered from severe depression, thoughts of suicide, and felt dead inside even though I was very much alive.

I was alive while I had been filming that scene, but I was trapped in darkness. I knew that life was going on all around me, but I wasn’t able to comprehend the truth of what was going on. All I knew was darkness.

Now imagine this: when the joke was over and they unzipped the body bag, I was not only able to see, but I was able to comprehend the truth of what I saw. 

I want to share a message with you about what it’s like to come out of the darkness and into the Light of Truth. 

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
(John 12:46) -ESV

[Prayer]

(If you have a Bible, turn to 1Samuel 22 and leave it open there.)

The people of Israel demanded that they receive a king like other nations had. GOD warned them against it, but they demanded it anyway. GOD gave them what they wanted. And the type of king they wanted was a guy named Saul. But Saul wasn’t a good king. Eventually, GOD had Samuel the prophet go anoint David as the new future king to replace Saul. Instead of having a king who reflected the people’s desires, GOD chose a man after His own heart. (Tag! You’re it!) 

When David got anointed, the Holy Spirit filled David and left Saul. Saul had darkness within him, was bitter, envious, paranoid, etc. A lot of things happened after that, but David ended up working in the palace under Saul. So, David wasn’t king yet, but he was going to be. To make a long story shorter, Saul kept trying to kill David until David went on the run. And that’s where we are at in this story. 

In 1Samuel 22, it is written that David escaped and hid in the cave of Adullam. Everything seemed to be working against David. Saul wanted to kill him and he wasn’t even safe in his own home — Saul sent thugs to David’s house to try to kill him. So, David ran somewhere else. But that didn’t work either — he had more enemies there than where he came from. Let me ask you this: Do you run from your problems, going from this to that, here to there?

David eventually escaped and hid in a cave. How many times in life do we all ‘escape’ and hide in a ‘cave’? You may not escape to a literal cave, but perhaps you escape to your bedroom or a bathroom. Maybe you don’t have a physical location where you can go to feel safe, but you shut your mind down and you hide within yourself. Where is your cave? Why do you go there? When you get discouraged? Distressed? Depressed? Deflated? Defeated? When you don’t see the results you wanted? When people are talking bad about you? When you see your parents fighting? When you feel like a failure? Some people even go to the extremes and hide in the caves of alcohol, drugs, or sexual relations outside of marriage because they think they’re safe there. I hope and pray that’s not you, but if it is, I have Good News to share with you. 

Yeah — David found himself in the cave, but while David was in the cave, he did something that would forever change his seemingly hopeless situation — he wrote Psalm 34! (I want you to find in your Bible where 1Samuel 21 ends and 1Samuel 22 begins and write, “Psalm 34” between them.) David was being hunted like wild game. Meanwhile, he was hiding in a cave, praising GOD in the darkness of the den and declaring deliverance from all his fears! The faith of David! And why not? Look at the faithfulness of GOD! Listen — GOD has a plan! When we call out to GOD in loving trust and praise like David did, we will find that GOD will find us in whatever bad situation we’re in and use it to take us to where He wants us to go. 

Psalm 34 — like many other psalms — is an excellent example of trusting in the Lord. In Psalm 34:8, David said: Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the person who takes refuge in GOD! He was basically saying, “Try it for yourself — you’re going to like it! You’re going to love it!”

David was down, but he was not out! It was there in the darkness of that den that the light of the Lord shined on David! Why? David had placed his focus on the Lord! 

“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”
(Psalm 18:28)-NIV

His physical body may have been in the darkness of that cave, but his thoughts were on the Lord and His ways! David invited the light of the Lord to come into the cave so that he would not cave into temptation to collapse in his current situation. Where the Light is, darkness simply cannot be! 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
(John 1:5)-NLT

Are you complaining about your current cave while dying in your darkness? Or are you inviting the Lord into your situation so He can bring light to your life? With the Lord leading the way as the Lamp who guides our path, we will walk out of the darkness and into the Light. And that’s exactly what David does! 

In 1Samuel 22:1-2, it is written that first, his family found out he was there and came to him. But then all the outcasts of society joined him. They were broke, busted, and disgusted. They owed people money, they were filled with stress, anxiety, and worry, felt like they didn’t fit in or belong anywhere, and people always talked about them behind their backs. These were people who experienced loss and weren’t happy about the way life was going. And If we’re all honest with ourselves, we will be able to admit that maybe we’re kinda like David and all the outcasts who joined him in the cave. Because it’s human nature that when life doesn’t go our way, we often run to the cave. We run to whatever feels good. We hide because we don’t want to face our problems. 

Hide and seek is the worst when someone hides with you in your spot. David was trying to hide, and hundreds of people hide with them. And of course you’ll have that one dodo brain who will have half his body sticking out, yet he thinks he’s hidden because he covered his head. Meanwhile, his body that’s sticking out is basically shouting, “Hey Saul! We’re over here! You can come kill us! Me and every single person hiding in this same spot!” (You’re blowing my cover! Get your own spot!) But that’s not what David thought. David welcomed them.

In 1Samuel 22:5, Gad the prophet delivered a word from GOD to David and told him to leave that cave and go into the land of Judah. David was obedient to GOD, acting on what he heard, which showed him to be faithful. Though David was surrounded by evildoers who served Saul and Satan, he had complete confidence in the Lord’s love and faithfulness. Though David mentions his problems, his focus is on his relationship with GOD. David basically says, “I’m too blessed to be stressed! Ain’t nobody got time for stress and worry! Ain’t nobody want to live in this dank dark depressing cave anyway! So why not leave?! It’s time to get up on out of here! I will leave this cave!”

That’s obedience! When you say, “Yes, Lord! Yes!” and you actually act on what you hear. David was obedient and left the cave. Had David stayed in the cave of Adullam, GOD would not have been with him and he would have died in his darkness because Saul was on the way.

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
(John 12:46) -ESV

We may find ourselves in darkness — it happens sometimes. But we must walk with the Lord if we are to live in the light! GOD is on the move! We need to go on the move with Him! 

That’s why it says in Psalm 23, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”  — No, this ain’t gangsta’s paradise. We don’t take a look at life and realize there’s none left. 

“Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear. Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted.
(Psalm 23:4)-Voice

We are to look at life and realize that GOD has so much more in store! But the key is that you have to be traveling with the Lord. The sheep travel with the Shepherd! And David left the cave to walk with GOD. And guess what happened — everyone else followed David. Why? They saw something in David they wanted. David wrote psalms while in the cave, praised GOD while in the cave, and kept his focus on his relationship with the Lord. David had been speaking life into those outcasts the entire time they were in the cave. Those who were lost found everything they needed through David and in the Lord. And guess what — David’s ragtag motley crew bunch of nobodies eventually forms the core of his military leadership after he becomes king of Israel (2Samuel 23:8~)!

Linda, listen!

Pay attention! Just for clarification: the cave is not the final destination; it’s not where we find ultimate salvation. The cave is a rest stop location during migration. How many people experience frustration because they give into the temptation to lay foundation in the depths of darkness where death destroys creation? Dwell in the darkness? That’s abomination! Don’t accept that invitation! Satan will lie and say it’s acceptable to stay; it’s your home, your life, you don’t need authorization. But after the presentation, if you sign on the dotted line, Satan the salesman becomes your boss and affiliation because you never took into consideration the contradiction of the special stipulations that states your soul is now available for confiscation and condemnation. The decision for sinful cohabitation is a deadly combination. Without hesitation, the boss becomes abuser and you live under constant accusation, intimidation, manipulation, and dehumanization. But it was your negotiation created the situation for suffocation and termination. But GOD’s Word is full of truthful information; some can be difficult to understand and requires further explanation. I’ll save you some aggravation; I’ll provide the translation: (And yeah — go ahead and write down the quotation, unless you’re good at memorization.) Are you ready for the translation? The cave ain’t yo crib, casa, cabin, or cottage! The cave is not the central campground! We should never make the hideout our home!

David’s army grew from a few wimps and knuckleheads to 400 in number, and then to 600, and then David was eventually crowned king of Judah and then all of Israel. But in 2Samuel 23, we find out that David had 37 best of the best warriors, but considered three of them the greatest. (You can be the greatest, you can be the best — these guys were king kongs banging on their chests!) 

And the three had been with David since the cave of Adullam! These are the same guys who had once been on the run and now they’re running people out! They went from wimps to warriors! These guys are what legends are made of! These were the guys who were once broke, busted, and disgusted! Everywhere they went, people told them, “You dusty, you musty, you crusty! Ew!) And now they’re taking territory, getting paid! (Standing in the hall of fame! And the world’s gonna know your name!) “Go ahead and talk about me in the Bible because I’m living right. It’s every day bro!” Bu why? the change? Imagine Dragons:
(First things first, I’ma say all the words inside my head, I’m fired up and tired of the way that things have been – oh – the way that things have been – oh)

Josheb-basshebeth took out 800 men in a single battle setting using only a spear. This guy had once been on the run, and now he’s immovable. He said, “C’mon, I will cut you foo!” He went from running and hiding to hunting and gathering! He went from hiding behind David in the cave (“Yo, where they at?”) to standing in front of David on the battlefield (“Yo, where they at?!”)

Eleazar got stranded when other soldiers ran away during battle. But he stood his ground and struck the enemies down one after another until his hand was weary and locked onto his sword handle. He gripped that mug so tight that his hand just locked in place and refused to let go. He said, “I ain’t scurred! I’ve been running away from my problems for too long! I’m done running! I’m done caving in to evil! I’m never going back to the cave of darkness! I’d rather die living in the light than merely existing in the darkness! David showed me that our GOD is greater! And I’m experiencing that for myself! That’s the truth!”

Shaman — Like Eleazar, he also stood his ground when other soldiers ran away during battle and he defended an area by himself. 

So why the change? Why not?! Some people have been hiding in the cave of darkness for too long! GOD is on the move! It’s time to come out of the darkness and into the light. 

Austin Riesen, professor of psychology, did research into how early visual experience, or the lack of it, affects vision. He raised infant chimpanzees in complete darkness. After about two years, the animals were tested in light conditions and were found to be visually blind though not organically blind. In other words, they could see but could not comprehend. They had lived in the darkness for too long and didn’t know what to do in real life where the light exists. It was only after living in the light-filled condition for a while that they were finally able to distinguish between harmful or not harmful, friend or foe. Likewise, David’s men didn’t automatically become warriors and righteous men after coming out of the darkness and into the light. They had to adjust to the light, change the way they lived, let go of old harmful habits, pick up and learn new good and healthy habits.

In this study, the younger the animal, the greater the loss of vision altogether. The visual cortex in the brain fails to develop properly in the absence of a visual input or stimulation. What does that mean? The longer you live in the darkness, the more you become accustomed to living a life of darkness. And then you won’t be able to function in the real world where the lights exists. 

When you come out of a movie theater in the middle of the day, the light is uncomfortable and you can’t see at first. It takes time to adjust. And that’s not even two hours watching a movie — that’s not even in complete darkness. 

All studies have confirmed that the early experience of the environment contributes to perceptual competence in adulthood. What that means is that your adult life is being determined by the decisions you’re making right now. Everything you do or do not do is extremely important. Your childhood and teenage years is your development stage. If you grow up in the darkness, it is likely that you will be blind as an adult. And please understand I’m talking about your spiritual health. It is possible to see but not comprehend. As an adult, you’ll be a darkness dweller, creeping and crawling around in the dark like cave creatures do, simply living out the ways of the world because that’s what society will tell you to do. 

I’m not here to condemn you if you happen to be in a cave right now. But I am here to tell you — like the prophet told David — do not remain in the cave. The only reason why David went into the cave was to seek the Lord. Do you know what that’s called when you go into a cave to seek the Lord? A prayer closest! A prayer room! You need to turn that cave of darkness into a prayer room full of Light. David went into the cave seeking the Lord and then came out of the cave walking with the Lord.

Bruce Wayne ran into a cave, but it was so that he could become Batman, leave the cave, and go out and help people, rescue them, and save them. Likewise, Jesus calls us out of the darkness and into the light so we can go out and help, love, and serve people, and lead them to the One who can actually save them! Jesus is the Light that casts out the darkness of the cave so that it may be our prayer room full of light!

There was about 400 outcasts and David became commander over them. He was a leader of losers! The rejects! Sound familiar? That’s what Jesus did in His ministry (blind, lame, poor, sinners, etc.). And BTW, Jesus went into a cave too; some call it a tomb. But guess what — He came out of the cave! There’s only darkness and death in the cave, but death couldn’t hold Jesus down because He had the crown! He conquered the cave; He conquered the grave!

Romans 8:35-39 says that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are more than conquerors in Christ!

• What is your cave? Where do you run to when problems come your way?
• Are you currently in the darkness of the cave and want to come out? 
• Do you want to know how to make your cave of darkness into a prayer room full of light, love and laughter?
• Do you know someone who is in the darkness you need to help out?

May the church be the cave you run into to seek the Lord. And every time you leave church you walk with the Lord. Now, some of you may feel like you don’t need church. By all means, if you’re perfect I suppose you don’t need church. Because the church is not a holier-than-thou social club for super spiritual saints; rather, it’s a hospital for sinners and place where imperfect people can seek a better life and improvement. We’re all growing together here! This is the cave we come to so that we can be challenged and so we can grow. 

Look around you. How many wimps do you see? Some of you might see some wimps; some of you might even feel like wimps. But when I look at you, all I see are future warriors in Christ. I’m going to speak life into you and show you that GOD is greater. And when you go out into the spiritual battlefield we call life, your hand is going to lock onto the handle of that double-edged Sword, which is the Word of GOD, and you won’t let go! 

First, I want to speak to those of you who are already believers. Maybe you’re already a believer and you’ve been hiding out in the darkness of the cave. But there’s only two types of believers who hide in the darkness of the cave. Either you’re the believer seeking the Lord and you’re at a rest stop location or you’re the believer trying to hide certain sinful actions from GOD because it’s what you want to do. And you’ve somehow convinced yourself that if you do it in the secrecy of the dark that it’s somehow acceptable.  

“ ‘Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?’ says the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 23:24) -NLT

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:14) -NIV

(1) If you’re the believer who is in the darkness because you’ve been trying to hide certain sinful actions, I’m not trying to beat you up — I want to encourage you to come back to Christ. May this be your moment to repent and come out of that cave and join the rest of your committed comrades in the light and come together in the fight.  

(2) If you’re the seeker, I just want to encourage you and let you know that you came to the right place — because this is a prayer room full of Light! Keep doing what you’re doing! Keep seeking the Lord so that we may continue to walk with the Lord!

(3) Maybe you’re not a follower of Christ — you’re not a believer — but you happen to be here right now. Do you think it’s a coincidence that I traveled through different states to come here and give you the message that you should not remain in the cave anymore? Maybe the Holy Spirit spoke into your heart and you feel like you finally see some light in the darkness of your cave. If that’s you, I want to invite you into a personal relationship with Jesus. This is not some self-help seminar or inspirational feel-good-about-yourself pep talk. Jesus is is real; He is there; He is aware; He does care. He sacrificed Himself for us on our behalf to save us from ourselves. That’s how much He loves you! And I promise you that in seeking the Lord, you will walk out of the darkness and into the light and you will be more than a conquerer in Christ!

(All eyes on me…)

Your eyes were closed for a little while and then you opened them and you saw. Let that be symbolic for your spiritual walk with Christ.

Whether this is your first time making a commitment to Christ, or you’re repenting and coming back to Christ, or you’re simply making a declaration to advance forward with Christ, I want to invite every single one of you to participate in something if you raised a hand. Even if you didn’t raise your hand but you know in your heart you should have. I want you all to stand to your feet. (Not yet!) And I’m asking you to do this for two reasons: [1] It takes effort to leave your old ways behind and to walk with Christ. The physical action of standing up takes effort. This is more so that you can show yourself that you’re not only willing to do this, but that you’re able. You can rise up! You can take a stand! [2] I want you to see just how many people around you are on your team. (Okay, now!) On the count of three, if you had raised your hand or knew you should have, stand up. 1,2,3!

Now look around at each other. You’re looking at warriors in Christ. You might want to get to know every single one of them because they are the ones who are going to have your back in the spiritual battle. But also look around and be sure to take notice of anyone not standing up.

Extra: If you see someone sitting down, I want you to love them, encourage them, motivate them, and inspire them! They are not outcasts because they’re not standing up with you! You better invite them in just like David did. And how many people not in this room are out there in the world who feel isolated, alone, and rejected? How many can you love and invite in? How many people feel dead inside yet are very much alive? YOU could be the one to unzip the body bag so someone can come out of the darkness and into the light!

FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS:

(1) What are the problems in life you tend to run away from most often? Why?

(2) Where is your cave? Where do you usually go when problems come your way?

(3) Are you teaming up with others to conquer problems or are you trying to win a war by yourself?

(4) Do you have a righteous mentor (like David) speaking life into your life? If not, what is your next step to finding one?

(5) What are things we can do to ensure that we turn the cave of darkness into a prayer room full of light?

(6) How many people do you think are lost in the darkness and trapped in a cave? What can we do to help others out of the darkness?

(7) Who do you know that’s an outcast, reject, loner, or loser? What are you doing to love that person and invite them into your life?

(8) Are you willing to be the one to help someone out of the bodybag of death by unzipping it? Are you willing to be the one to help someone comprehend the Truth of what they see?

(9) Do you need someone to talk to? If so, I’ll make myself available. Reach out to me!

But why am I a Christian? To find out, read my other article: “Why I Am A Christian“