Philippians 2:12
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
For if they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (2 Peter 2:20-21).
Back in 2 Peter 2:9 of this Chapter, it says to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. Peter was expecting this day to come any time in his day. But The Dispensation of The Mystery intervened, and these folks died. However, they were unjust believers and will have to face their judgment at some point for the deeds done in the flesh.
In 2 Peter 2:20-21, we find something very sobering and frightening. It shows that if one becomes a believer and fails, he will receive a greater punishment than if he had never been a believer at all. How will the orthodox receive the truth that believers may be punished with a more sore punishment than the unbelievers?
Then 2 Peter 2:22 goes on to say that this failure of a believer is like unto the proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. Most of us have been taught that this refers to those who made a profession, but had not been believers. But the context will not allow that. Lot is a good example of this, and can you think of any more?
It is well to read the whole chapter and get the general setting and description of how far some can go in their failure. We recognize the fact that the setting of all this is the administration of promise.
But how about The Administration of The Mystery? Can such a thing happen to a member of The Body of Christ? Can he suffer loss, too?
Some are such failures that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. Phil. 3:18.
Some may forfeit the inheritance. Eph. 5:3-5.
Each will have to receive for the wrong that he has done. Col. 3:25.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. This indicates that one might not stand and that he might be overcome in the evil day. This is from Eph. 6:11-13.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12).
Beware lest any man spoil you (Col. 2:8).
