What if Moses became a slave master after being sent to deliver the people of Israel from the Egyptians? Or what if the spies of Joshua became clients of Rahab?
Or even worse, what if Jesus had settled for political leadership as against the heavenly one reserved for after his death and resurrection? Can you calculate the cost of these aversions?
Can you imagine how differently history could have played out if these men sent as deliverers had become contributors to the very darkness and decay they had been sent to oust?
Today, more believers are becoming contributors to the darkness they were sent to deliver men from, faster than you can say “Oh my!” What exactly does that look like, what is causing this anomaly, and how can we stop it…if it isn’t already too late?
The Need for Deliverers
Heaven’s Need
Are you familiar with the prophetic cry of Obadiah in the verse 21 of his writings that says, “Saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s”? Well, today you have.
You should know that the greatest headache of heaven is a need of deliverers- men to call forth light of the darkness- prevalent in the hearts, lives and systems of men. Why is this the greatest headache of heaven? Because the very expansion and expression of God’s glory is tied to it.
Jesus revealed this when he said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” the work of deliverers validate the victory of Jesus on the cross, and provision of heaven for the depravity of the earth.
Without these critical men, heaven is practically irrelevant and incomplete. And that is why there is such a great call for them on high…and even more so here on earth…
Earth’s Need
A deliverer is a man who’s light shines before men to provide direction and warmth. For without them, the inhabitants of this world are subject to the dark leadings of a terrible entity; Satan.
”Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4).
The earth’s direct and only answer to the dark leadings of Satan are the deliverers of Mount Zion – heaven’s empowered servants sent to reveal God’s goodness through the most unconventional battle, and strategic warfare known in the history of both spirits and men.
And that battle can sometimes turn really ugly, and sad. Here’s what I mean…
The Deliverers’ Battle
Man was essentially created to occupy the entire heart and attention of God, a position a certain someone sought to take. Today, that someone, the once beautiful morning star whose beauty was perfect and unlike any other, would not take kindly to a replacement.
And so begins the headache and battle of the men called to be heaven’s representatives here on earth. From the desires of the flesh to the pressures of life to direct arrows and missiles from twisted entities, the battles of the deliverer are endless. And yet, it is what truly validates his calling as one.
That is why men called unto the purpose of delivering the saints and God’s children from the corruption of this world, must “strip off every weight…especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
But here’s the million-dollar question: if the scripture teaches us clearly how to escape and fight these battles, why do so many deliverers end up becoming victims of the very thing they were sent to correct?
When Deliverers of Light Become Contributors of Darkness
Imagine for a moment the scenario of a group of police officers sent to arrest armed robbers. Hours go by and these police officers have not returned. There’s no show for them or the armed robbers.
Suddenly the radio cracks with a report of a fresh crime currently being conducted in the very community these policemen were sent to contain. A fresh set of police officers are sent confront the crime, only to be greeted with an unanticipated sight…
…right before them are their colleague police officers, no more in their official uniforms, but in a full robbery regalia and relentlessly defying and breaking the law, even more than the original robbers.
Funny, I know. Maybe even sad. But that’s the situation of the church and many men sent as deliverers from Mount Zion.
Today, mighty men of Zion have been enveloped by the pressures of life. They have become slaves to economic pressures, slaving away the time and energies given to them to labour in prayer. There are others who have fallen prey to the fiery demands of lust, sleeping away their anointing with women they were supposed to mentor and disciple into strength and grace.
Oh but there are those whose skills, abilities and heavenly-ordained intelligence have been employed by the enemy to recruit and send thousands and millions on the path of destruction. Contributors to the very thing they were called to be deliverers of.
Then there’s the final set of deliverers who have simply become negligent of their duties or are simply ignorant of who and what they were called to be.
Harmless as that seems, their ignorance comes at a great cost to the Kingdom of God. Because for every delay caused by their negligence and ignorance, a soul awaiting their deliverance is lost. After all, good news is only good when it gets to the people in time.
Once a Saviour, Always a Saviour?
If God calls you to be a light bearer, does that role ever expire? Think of it: a deliverer turned destroyer, a healer who wounds, a leader who misleads.
But is there any turning back once that line has been crossed? Can someone truly be ‘always a savior’ or does the privilege of that calling depend on the choices they make?”
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)
The Apostle Paul’s words here seem to leave no room for doubt: when God calls someone, that calling stands. Once granted, His gifts and purposes are not withdrawn, even in the face of human failure or resistance.
Yet, scripture also records instances where human will plays a powerful role in shaping destiny.
Consider the account in Deuteronomy 30:19, where God says, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life…This invitation to “choose” signals the profound responsibility humans carry: even with God’s call on their lives, deliverers are empowered to make decisions that either align with His purposes or diverge from them.
Join me as we examine the lives of some of those who were called to be saviors and deliverers in Scripture; using the stories of Saul and David as case studies.
After analyzing their stories, maybe we can finally solve the puzzle: Once a savior, always a savior?
Saul was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, and deliver Israel from their enemies (1 Samuel 9-10). However, Saul consistently disobeyed God’s commands, including his unlawful sacrifices before battle (1 Samuel: 8-14).
God rejected him as king, and spoke through the prophet Samuel that He had “sought a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). Saul’s reign continued in a downward direction as he became obsessed with getting rid of David, whom God chose as his successor.
His pattern of disobedience showed lack of repentance and humility. To add insult to injury, he sought guidance from a source outside of God, indicating his complete estrangement from his calling (1 Samuel 28:7-20).
In his final battle, he was wounded and took his own life to avoid capture (1 Samuel 31:4). Saul’s life indicates the dangers of rejecting God’s guidance and hardening one’s heart.
We can also talk about David, who was also chosen by God as king and deliverer for Israel (1 Samuel 16:13); defeating Goliath, and leading the nation. David is revered as a man after God owns heart.
Despite his anointing, he was consumed with lust and fell into great sin with Bathsheba. To escape from his sins, he went ahead to arrange for the murder of Bathsheba’s husband, leading to a chain of painful consequences for himself and his household (2 Samuel 11:1-27).
When David was confronted by the Prophet Nathan, he immediately acknowledged his sin, expressing deep remorse (2 Samuel 12:13). This repentance is beautifully captured in Psalm 51, where David asks for a clean heart and renewed spirit.
This demonstrates his genuine repentance and desire for restoration with God. Despite David’s shortfalls, God continued to uphold his calling as king and preserved His covenant with him. David remained King until death, continued to lead Israel, made provisions for building God’s temple and eventually handed over the throne to his son Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:6-10).
Now, after analyzing these two stories from Biblical accounts, let’s get back to the question: Once a savior, always a savior?
The story of Saul highlights that while God’s calling is purposeful, deliverers have free will to accept, reject or walk away from that calling. His refusal to walk in the light, hardening his heart, and repeatedly rejecting the grace of God led to his calling not being completed.
In contrast, David’s story indicates that genuine repentance, humility and faithfulness to walk in the light despite one’s weakness can lead to restoration even after failure.
In a nutshell, the question of Once a Savior, Always a Savior? is dependent on the deliverer’s level of faithfulness, humility, and genuine repentance. God blesses only those who remain faithful to their calling. Saul and David remind us that God’s grace and calling are available to all, but faithfulness and a humble spirit is key to fulfilling the purpose God sets for each person.
Are you a Deliverer or Contributor?
It’s a challenging question that demands an honest answer. Have you become a source of light, a guide to the lost and a lifter of burdens; or, perhaps either knowingly or unknowingly, a contributor to the very darkness you were meant to chase away?
Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:30: “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” This challenge speaks directly to the heart of the believer’s mission, a reminder that there is no neutral ground in the spiritual realm.
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). So you see, you either deny your flesh and lean to the spirit, or denounce the spirit and follow the leadings of the flesh; which comes with painful consequences and gnashing of teeth later.
The journey of deliverers like Moses, David, and the early apostles is a reminder that the path of a deliverer is not just to exist but to actively engage in bringing light to dark places. They were not perfect; they stumbled, struggled, and even failed at times.
Yet, in their humility and repentance, they allowed God to lift them, sanctify them, and re-align them with their calling.
On the other hand, Scripture gives us insightful examples of those who turned away the path of their purpose, like Saul and Judas, men chosen for greatness yet chose to please their flesh over their call.
Saul’s tragic journey, for instance, serves as a serious warning. Initially called by God to lead and protect Israel, Saul allowed pride, fear, and jealousy to rule over the leadings of the spirit. Instead of being the deliverer Israel needed, he became a symbol of the very oppression he was supposed to defeat.
Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” We must examine our motives, our desires, and our commitments. Every day, the choice is before us: to stand out as lights or blend into the darkness.
As you reflect on this, consider the intensity of Jesus’ words: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14). Are you fulfilling this purpose? Or are you a contributor to the decay you were meant to stop?
The journey may not be easy, with temptations and challenges here and there; but no matter how hard it gets, remember His Word that says “ But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded”.(2 Chronicles 15:7)
If God finds you worthy enough to dedicate an assignment to you, do not be like the foolish virgins who took their lamps and no oil with them. Instead, be like the wise virgins who took oil in their vessels with their lamps; awaiting their groom.
Once again, are you a contributor or a deliverer? This is not a question to answer lightly. It’s a call to serious self-examination and renewal!