A stirring hell warning for Christians, which should cause those of us who have eternal life to be afraid, is Rom. 11:19-23. It is conveniently avoided or twisted by the multitude of counterfeit grace teachers of our hour into something different, if even mentioned. They do that to protect their beloved heresy and original lie from the devil — once saved always saved. Far too few professing Christians know it is even in Scripture. Note the words, he will not spare you either:
You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. (Rom 11:19-23)
It is impossible to see the heresy of eternal security in that passage, because Paul, being directed by the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of truth), never taught it. He wanted the saints in Rome to know the facts about their conditional salvation security, which would cause them to not be arrogant, but be afraid.
We are told to BE AFRAID
Hundreds of times, we are told throughout the Bible to fear not or the like, but here it is vastly different! We are commanded to be afraid! WHY? Because God, who broke off the natural branches due to their unbelief, will do the same to us Christians, unless we continue in his kindness and stand by faith. If we become unbelieving, we too (like Israel) will be severed from the life-giving olive tree. NOTE: even though Israel was under covenant with God, they were still broken off because of unbelief! The same can happen to any individual Christian today! Grace will NOT prevent that! DO NOT BE DECEIVED. Dear reader, do you have ears to hear? If you are a Christian, you can be broken off BY GOD (and die spiritually) over unbelief! That would be fatal! Consequently, we are rightly told to be afraid. So why aren’t you? It’s because your theology is flawed! You need to make important adjustments to line up with Rom. 11:19-23. Remember, he will not spare you either. You also will be cut off. It is also apparent that such unbelief (disobedience) is NOT already forgiven before it might occur. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. (Jonah 2:8). You are battling for eternity. Get serious!
