I have a saying: "Salvation is free. Everything else costs." Salvation is the forgiveness, redemption and atonement from our transgressions, those which carried capital punishment or a cutting-off from Israel. This was only possible with the grace and sheer mercy of YHWH, along with the shedding of blood to his death by Yehoshua Hamashiach. This salvation gains us entrance into the greater Commonwealth of Israel and, ultimately, into the Kingdom of YHWH when it is finally brought into its fullness at the end of the ages.

You are redeemed and atoned for freely and without cost, like not having to pay for admission to an amusement park. What you do after admission may cost you something. There are rules in the amusement park, strictly applied, and to break them is called "sin". You have also been given the power of the Ruach Haqodesh to do wonders and to resist sin. If you continue to sin deliberately after receiving this grace and power, it will be required of you. It will come with a cost.

Obedience is conforming to the will of YHWH, and that will for us is defined by the Torah and expounded in the Prophets, Writings, and the words of the Messiah with his Sh' liachym ("Apostles"). Disobedience to YHWH's will and His Word is sin, and this is impermissible.

Your salvation is done, paid for by Messiah and no longer your expense to pay. It is finished. However, if you ask if one can throw away or give up their free salvation by disavowing it or by continued willful sin and disobedience, the answer is yes. This is supported by Torah, and in writings such as Hebrews, chapter 10.

So, how much disobedience is enough to cost us the loss of our salvation? I do not know. We are not told this.

If we were, we would probably push to that limit, and that is not how YHWH wants things done. He "desires obedience, not sacrifice". If one chooses the path of continued willful transgression after having been freely saved, they will eventually forfeit membership in the Qedoshym (the Set-Apart Ones or Saints) and the first resurrection, then find their answer on Yom Hadyn - the Day of Judgement.

Thus, the answer to the question becomes: We must be completely obedient to all the Word and will of YHWH, and do this to the best of our ability? If we do, we are promised everlasting life. If we do not, and if we continue in that way, we will ultimately stand in judgement and probably lose our salvation. Or, maybe not? The decision is not ours to know or make as regards how much. One thing is sure - we will find out.

B' shalom,

Ovadyah

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