Can the Righteous Die Spiritually?

Some believe in “once saved, always saved” or "eternal security." Augustine, a pivotal figure in 5th-century Christianity, taught the doctrine of “predestination.” This belief meant all were not created equally.

Genesis 2:16,17 Adam was made in God’s image and he was righteous. God gave him a commandment with a consequence of “death.”

Genesis 5:5 Adam’s death was spiritual, not an immediate physical death.

Genesis 3:3,4 The devil lied to Eve and suggested to her that she would not die.

Ezekiel 3:20 This mirrors Genesis.

Ezekiel 18:24

Ezekiel 18:26

Ezekiel 33:13

Romans 8:13 I have a choice about how I will live.

Romans 6:16

Galatians 5:19,20,21

Galatians 6:8,9 Sowing to the flesh will reap death. Sowing after the spirit will reap life.

The “once saved” doctrine makes living a holy life is not as important.

A certificate or baptism or other action at one point doesn’t create a permanent state of holiness without effort.

James 1:14-16 This is the process. The result of sin is death. This matches with what God told Adam in the beginning.

James 5:19,20 If a brother err or has gone away and you have helped bring him back, he was saved from spiritual death.

John 14:6

John 8:51 This was not referring to literal death, because the disciples were righteous and eventually died physically.

If I live a holy life, I will live and make heaven my home. If I sin and turn away from God, this brings spiritual death. I must walk continually, every day.

John 11:25,26 Believe means following in the footsteps of Christ and not sinning.

John 6:47,48,49,50,51

If I think my actions don’t matter or doesn’t affect my spiritual condition, this will effect my decision-making in life. I will be less conscientious.

Live a holy life! Let the spirit drive decisions. Walking with God every day means I will live.