LAWLESSNESS CAUSES A DEPARTING FROM THE FAITH:
I know that this is a hard truth for those who embrace the doctrine of “Eternal Security” or “Once Saved Always Saved”, which is a doctrine established in the fourth century by the Catholic Bishop known as Saint Augustine. These Scriptures should reveal to us the fact that believers, not just “professors of the faith” but “possessors of the faith” will fall away.
So what are some of the effects of the spirit of lawlessness? Know this! You cannot sin away your salvation, but you can live a life of sin that will cause you to depart from the faith and in departing from the faith then one can walk away from his/her salvation. This is why we all should be overwhelmed with a sense of sober-mindedness when we read Matt.24:12-13.
Matthew 24:12-13 ESV And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. (13) But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Enduring to the end! Have we not all seen someone whose heart was “on fire” for God and over time the things of God grew cold in their heart as sin entered their lives? With the increase of the mystery of lawlessness believers will be bombarded on every side with iniquity. The pressure to compromise will be great.
If there is any lust in the heart for the pleasure and riches of life or for popularity and power then it will be tested. Many will fail and fall away in these days. It will not happen with a “bang” overnight change but over time like the story of Abraham and Lot. Lot kept pitching his tent towards Sodom until one day he found himself living there.
READ Rom.1:21-32
Romans 1:21 ESV For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
I find this passage of Scripture in Rom.1:21-32 sad. Here are people who knew God yet were unthankful and failed to give God glory. Their hearts became darkened from sin. In this we see the classic characteristic of the doctrine of HUMANISM. Humanism seeks to “dethrone” God and elevate man. Making God into the images of man means that we can make Him any way we desire with any faults or weaknesses that would suit us. Because of this attempt to dethrone God, He turns them over to a reprobate mind.