They wanted to go to heaven their own way through works and words but were not changed by Christ. They wanted to be in a club that accepted them with things to do and places to go but had no inkling and understanding about submitting to Christ for Him to do all the work in them. Their walk did not last, after a time they slid back into their old self after pretending through emulating what others were saying and doing which was not in their hearts but only outward appearance of "religion."
1 John 2:19-20 "19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth."
Ephesians 2:8-9
"8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [a]this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
When we have been changed by Christ we do not return to our old selves. Believers still battle the flesh at times but do not continually live a sinful lifestyle. When we fall temporarily the Holy Spirit convicts us and we confess it to be cleansed.
1 John 1:9 "
"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
This passage was written to believers."
Psalm 119:67
"Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word."
Hebrews 12:6 "5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
There are many who claim to be Christians who remain on their way to hell because their desire was to join the Christian club but they had no desire to die to self and be changed by Christ. Some of them thought they would gain accolades from the gathering of believers and others who did it to gain heaven but have never been changed because they attempted to change themselves to fit the group without a desire to be changed by Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new".
When a man tries to change himself to fit into a culture it will not last because a person cannot continue pretense forever, it weighs them down and eventually, they will return to their old selves.
When Christ changes a man's heart it is an act of God and permanent for eternity. No man can undo what God does, nor do they want to undo His work.
Some people say someone who walks away lost their salvation, but they didn't they never had it to lose. If they had been changed by Christ they would never return to their old self again. It is a Spiritual work of Christ to change a person and the Holy Spirit is given to us as a guarantee of our inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
When we have trusted Christ and He has changed us we are His possession.
Romans 8:16
"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."
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