Danger in Departing (from God)
The Word of Truth, the Bible, talks about the danger in departing from God or God’s will in terms such as “sin”, “sinner”, “backsliding”, “prodigal”, and “fall away”. A Bible dictionary can fill a page on the word “sin” alone. For a short definition I googled “define sin” and got this from Oxford Languages: sin (noun) an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. Example: “a sin in the eyes of God”. sin (verb) commit sin. A quick look into the Hebrew word for sin, hāttā’th, essentially agrees.
Here’s the danger in departing: Hell (Gehenna) is real. All have sinned. And God, being perfectly holy, must judge us all! Bible: But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Luke 12:5, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23, because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16, He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. John 3:18.
Did you notice the way not to be judged in that last verse? It says, “He who believes in him is not judged. “Him” is God’s Son, Jesus, the Savior! He takes your judgment at His cross when you believe in him and repent of your sins! There is danger in departing from the only exception to judgment! Believe in Jesus! Bible: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6.
Departing can occur before or after believing in Jesus. You can depart from God’s will by not believing in Jesus in the first place. You can depart by trying to invent some other means of salvation, but it won’t work. You can believe in Jesus, but then depart from how God wants you to live. You can depart from truly loving God and Jesus. There is danger in departing in any of these ways!
Bible: There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” Acts 4:12, Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding. Jeremiah 3:22, For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22.
Might you be the “prodigal” child of God? I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’ “He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat, and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate. Luke 15:18-24, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. Titus 2:14, You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5.
If still questioning the danger in departing, please see the free video “FIRE ALARM !” and other free videos at GICFstudy.org.