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==Probably not.==
<p>Would you agree from reading Paul's warning to the Galatians that Paul did not subscribe to the doctrine of "once saved always saved." </p>
<p>Of the ten virgins, five were foolish. When they wanted to go in to the wedding, the door was shut in their face. </p>
<p>The fact that they were "virgins" indicates that they were believers in Christ. At one time they had the light of eternal life. But they lived carelessly from day to day, giving no thought to the fact that the time might come when they would run out of oil. </p>
<p>Did Christ love and forgive them, have mercy on them while they were screaming in their terror? No, He did not. And He will do the same to you and me if we behave foolishly. </p>
<p>Today is a season of preparation before violent Christian persecution arrives. Do you and I have enough "oil" of the Holy Spirit to stand in the darkness that is approaching America? </p>
<p>Little boys and girls in Iraq are being decapitated because they will not deny Christ. What will you and I do if this takes place in America? </p>
<p>Jesus may call to us in a time of tremendous spiritual darkness. If we have not prepared ourselves beforehand, carrying our cross of deferred desires patiently behind Christ, the door may be shut before we can gain enough spiritual strength to obey Christ. </p>
<p>Do not think this cannot happen. It certainly can, if we do not get busy right away and look to Jesus to see what His will is for us as an individual. </p>
<p>I sincerely believe this period of preparation is taking place today. </p>
<p><em>The Coming of Christ to Take Away Our Sins </em></p>
In the Jewish Day of Atonement, a goat is slain and its blood sprinkled upon and in front of the Ark of the Covenant. This action portrays our sins being forgiven by the atonement made by the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary.
<p>However, the forgiving of our sins is only one-half of the atonement. The other half is the removing of the cravings and practices of sin. Can you see the sense of this? If our sins are forgiven, but we then keep on sinning, what has been accomplished? The goal is to make us in God's image, and God does not sin! </p>
<p>The second half of the atonement was portrayed as a live goat was presented before the Lord, the High Priest laid both hands on the head of the living goat and confessed the sins of the people, and then the goat was led away into the wilderness. One can see in this dramatization not the forgiving of the sins but the taking away of the sins. </p>
<p>I am not certain to what extent the taking away of the cravings and practices of our sins has been preached, but it is certain that the forgiveness of our sins has been preached to a much greater extent. </p>
<p>All aspects of the program of redemption are announced and emphasized in God's time. In previous centuries the forgiveness of the cross has been announced and emphasized. Now the taking away of our sins is being announced and emphasized. </p>
<p>The Book of Hebrews speaks of the new covenant "taking away" our sins. But I wonder if we do not interpret this as meaning taking away the guilt of our sins rather than the practice of sin. </p>
<p><em>Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer <strong>have felt guilty </strong>for their sins. (Hebrews 10:2) </em></p>
<p>It sounds like the difference between the two covenants is that under the new covenant we can continue to sin but we will not feel guilty. We are cleansed from the guilt of our sins rather than the practice of the sins. </p>
<p>I cannot believe that this is true, although it is what the writer of Hebrews stated. However, in several places the writer of Hebrews speaks of the fearful consequences if Christians sin deliberately. </p>
<p>Perhaps this is one of those times that God has permitted a passage of the Bible to be written that can be interpreted to mean that God will forgive our sins while we keep on sinning. This sort of double meaning occurs also in the early verses of the text of the Book of Romans, where Paul's argument against the Law of Moses can be interpreted to mean that grace is an excuse for ungodly behavior. </p>
<p>We are to be praying and looking to Jesus throughout the day and night, as we continue with our responsibilities. As we do, the Spirit of God points out to us the sins dwelling in our flesh that cause us to act in an ungodly manner. </p>
<p>We are to confess to Christ each sin pointed out to us, just as the High Priest of Israel confessed the sins of the people and placed them on the head of the scapegoat. </p>
<p>Christ will forgive the sin and lessen its power over us. Then, as He leads us and gives us strength, we are to turn away from that behavior and never practice it again. This is an eternal judgment. Unless we choose to return to that sin, it is gone from us forever. </p>
<p>Try it and see? We cannot receive resurrection life when Jesus next appears if we are walking in the sins of the flesh. </p>
<p>As far as our sins of behavior are concerned, that are not sins dwelling in our flesh but are part of our personality, such as pride, or arrogance, or sullenness, or stubbornness, God will send afflictions upon us until they are driven from our personality. During this season of chastisement, we must keep trusting in Christ and not blame people or God for our suffering. </p>
<p>If we hold steady during our suffering, we will become a new creation. </p>
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