By the grace of God and His help, we as disciples, are to make disciples of new believers that have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ.
Since we had been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we shall live by teh grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd.
The whole point is to live that reconciled relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but not every saved believer will do that.
Salvation is not a stake, but what we build on that foundation will be judged by God at the pre trib rapture event; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17 wherein those left behind will suffer physical death for defiling the temple of God by sowing to the works of the flesh rather than sowing to the fruits of the Spirit; Revelation 2:21-23
That is what makes a saved believer "damned" as a vessel unto dishonor in His House when they become castaways for not looking to the author & finisher of our faith ( our Good Shepherd ) to help us discern inqiuity to lay down every weight & sin in running that race by faith in Jesus Christ to finish; Philippians 1:6-11 & 1 John 3:3,8 & 2 Timothy 4:18 & Jude 1:24-25 They are still His, even though left behind, but they will be resurrected after the great tribulation to serve the King of kings.
Only vessels unto honor will attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb which is why even former believers are called to depart from iniquity ( 2 Timothy 2:18-21 ) for He still abides in them as He is faithful when saints are not ( 2 Timothy 2:11-13 )
So it is not about living in fear but leaning on Him as our Good Shepherd to continually apply faith in Jesus Christ in living that reconciled relationship with God through Him since He is more than just our Saviour, but our Good Shepherd as well.
Consider it as excommunication at the pre trib rapture event...whereas those left behind may never have that first inheritance, but they, as the prodigal son, that gave up that inheritance for wild living, will find that he is still son.
But it would be better to go before that throne of grace now and ask Jesus if everything is okay between you & Him and if not , to plead Him to help you to see what iniquity you need to depart from with His help so you can be received by Him.
2 Corinthians 5:[SUP]7 [/SUP](For we walk by faith, not by sight
[SUP] 8 [/SUP]We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.[SUP]9 [/SUP]Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. [SUP]10 [/SUP]For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
1 Peter 4:[SUP]17 [/SUP]For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? [SUP]18 [/SUP]And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? [SUP]19 [/SUP]Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
So you are not running to obtain salvation because you are saved, but you are running by faith in Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd to help you lay aside every weight & sin to abide in Him as His disciples to be received by the Bridegroom when He comes t avoid the consequence of not only losing the rewards of crowns but avoiding the dire consequence of becoming a castaway as well..
Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [SUP]2 [/SUP]Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Corinthians 9:[SUP]24 [/SUP]Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [SUP]25 [/SUP]And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [SUP]26 [/SUP]I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [SUP]27 [/SUP]But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 John 3:[SUP]3 [/SUP]And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.....[SUP]8 [/SUP]He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
2 Timothy 4:[SUP]18 [/SUP]And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
So apply your hope in Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd in helping you to walk in the light as He is and help you to be willing to leave the cares & treasures & loved ones of this life into His hands when the Bridegroom comes.
