https://churchandfamilylife.com/podcasts/667344e11a0b9ce0df045b5d
Law in Scripture is complicated and there is a tendency among some to reduce its complexity or flatten its dimensions. Sometimes law refers to the commandments of God and at other times it is cast in Redemptive-Historical terms.
I have often made reference to this passage, insisting (contrary to the exponents of 'once saved always saved' that it does not negate the concept of real apostasy. The argument is made that so-called apostates aren't really so, because like the figures mentioned in 1 John 2.19, they were never actually part of the Church. And so when a person seemingly 'falls away', they did not in fact fall away, but merely manifested their unregenerate state. In other words they were never 'real' Christians.
Recently I sat through a sermon on Psalm 112. It was a workshop in moralistic non-redemptive-historical preaching. It wasn't that the content was awful or the exhortations uninspiring, but the preacher missed the essential component of the passage and read it in a Judaized fashion. While disappointing it generated some great and edifying conversation for the drive home.
Consider Colossians 1 – Paul speaks of their faith in Christ, love of the saints, the hope laid up for them in heaven which was heard in the gospel, which has come to them and brought forth fruit (specifically in them). He says they have known the grace of God in truth and that they have love in the Spirit. He exhorts them to knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding, to walk worthy of the Lord, fruitful in every good work. Once again he speaks of them increasing in knowledge – as these concepts of work, fruit, and knowledge go together.
https://www.clr4u.org/will-christ-ever-spew-lukewarm-christians-out-of-his-mouth-revelation-316/
Will Christ ever spew lukewarm Christians out of His mouth?
Dean Davis says no, because he believes in Eternal Security and as such the implied warning is merely hypothetical, a case of hyperbole, a warning to those who aren't actually part of the Church but pretend to be.
Listening to a radio preacher the other day, the question of 'the race' in 1 Corinthians 9 was raised. Paul speaks of a race, a prize, and his seeking of an imperishable or incorruptible crown. The preacher in question insisted this was not about salvation, but simply a question of rewards.
