In the Old Testament God “allowed” divorce due to hardness of heart. But Jesus says that “what God brings together let no man separate”. As Christians we are the Bride of Christ. We are One with Him. And He promised He would never leave us or forsake us. However… if your heart becomes hard “through the deceitfulness of sin” and you go on sinning without repentance, and your heart naturally hardens…can you “divorce Jesus”? According to “free will” He will never “force” you to stay. He will never leave you...but you can “choose” to walk away. This will help clear up some of those hard to understand passages in the New Testament like, as the Apostle Paul says, “IF you continue in your faith you will be saved…”, or, “IF you continue to the end you will be saved…” and passages similar to these. This is the reason why “once saved always saved” doesn’t appear in the Bible. It would be wise to read the book of Hebrews. I know many have attempted to reconcile difficult passages by what I would call, compromising the scriptures. But if we let them stand on their own, they say what they say. Therefore, we ARE saved by grace through faith, however, faith without works is DEAD, as James says.
So, do not tread on God’s gift of Grace. Paul says one can take God’s grace “in vein”. So, do not take it lightly. The cross of Christ was very, very, serious! In these last days, some will walk away, “divorce” Jesus because of hardness of heart! As 2 Timothy mentions. Also, the writer of Hebrews notes how “if you hear God’s voice today, do not harden your heart!” I am not saying we don’t “struggle” with sin in this life. What I am saying is IF there is no remorse over your sin. IF there is no desire to be near Jesus. Or IF there is no hunger for the things of God. THEN it’s time to ask some hard questions about your faith.
The good news now: our solution to the assurance of our salvation, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” Keep short accounts with God and others. Keep humble and willing to forgive and repent. Keep Christ honored as Holy in your heart, as Peter notes. Be a person of “truth”. So, keep connected to that true Vine, being Christ, since you are only a branch and have no life in yourself. Since your life comes completely from Him. Jesus said “IF you abide in me and I abide in you…” So, pay attention to those little “IF”S“, they are hiding in plain sight. Also, don’t forget to exhort one another “as long as it is called today” to be sure to STAND FIRM until the end, and you will be saved!
Aletheia: Truth in the Darkness 