Hello Readers,
Today I want to address a serious issue in the body of Christ. Can true Christians fall away and be lost forever? My answer might surprise you so please read the whole article. The truth is YES and NO. Some of my Calvinist friends will be shocked that I say this so let me explain I will start with the following scripture.
1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
You see scripture states there are some who abide for awhile but then leave. They seemed to be of us however they proved contrariwise because they left. What is it they left? Not always Christian fellowship or the Church however quite often that is the case. They left the fundamental doctrines of Christ.
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
These are Christians who drift off into Apostasy. Remember all the disciples thought Judas was a true man of God. They thought he was genuine. Many Christians think they are genuine. They think they are born again and we think they are as well and they end up in apostasy and quite often blatant sin. These are true Christians who believe in Jesus Christ and start off in the race.
HOWEVER they were NEVER BORN AGAIN. They heard the gospel, they were probably convicted of sin and judgment. They understood hell was there fate. They changed outwardly but they did not hear it as a HOLY calling. They reformed their lives only to return to their sin. Hebrews 6 and 10 are solemn warnings for hearing the gospel and continuing a sinful lifestyle instead of total repentance and faith in Christ. These once upon a time professors are doomed forever.
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
This is why the Bible is so clear we must examine our faith to make sure we are in it. We must prove that we are born again... How? We LOVE the brethren. We genuinely care about each others souls. We warn each other about the dangers of sin and the biggest danger of sinful heresy which leads men to destruction. We love God and obey His commands.. How? We abide in the vine. Jesus called us and He will keep us unto the end. Let me prove it to you.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (God gives the GIFT of repentance)
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Even your faith is the gift of God.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Before the world was created he chose you to be Holy and blameless in love) Are you called with a Holy calling?
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
These are just a few verses to show that if God called you, He justified you, if He justified you, He will sanctify you, and one day He will raise you to Glory. Praise the LIVING GOD.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Sincerely,
Your Brother In Christ
James Peters Sr.
A great article, and an important one.I think youre on the right track.I would argue the point of predestination in that how you have used it implies that God chooses only a few to be saved, and that means God prevents most from being saved, and that there is nothing a man can do to be saved.It also implies that this may be against that persons decision.How can a God reward a man, or punish him, for things he was not in control of?Too often I hear "we all deserve hell". I totally disagree. Did Adam and Eve have to "deserve" being created? No, it was Gods plan, and total delight in creating us.We are His workmanship, and it is His plan to have everyone be with Him- just not if we decide that we are going to decide what is good, or evil.Salvation is offered under conditions, and we arent expected to be perfect either, only that we choose to follow what we believe to be righteous.
ReplyDeletePredestination is really God seeing the past, present, and future.It is in that way He knows what will happen, not because He necessarily makes it happen, but because it is a certainty.This is also why prophesy works.In a sense its like saying we are living a life which has already happened.We are free to make our own choices, and God, having seen these choices, has predestined us to certain things.
If it isnt that way, then God would literally be forcing most people to hell, and even forcing some into heaven.When it says that Jesus died for the sins of all mankind, it means everybody.When God says He wishes that none should perish, it means He doesnt want anyone to go to hell.
If salvation is by grace alone, this means nothing men do, or choose, has any effect on salvation(which isnt true).If it is by faith alone, then it is salvation simply by believing the word of God, and sin is irrelevant.Jesus says this isnt so(parable of the wise and foolish builders), and by many other verses, ie(not all who come to me and say Lord,Lord, shall enter the kingdom, but he who does the will of my father).
If salvation is by works, then man is entirely responsible for his salvation, and Jesus death was irrelevant since man can earn his own freedom.
The truth is all of these are required, not just one or two.And by works, I am really referring to faithfulness, not a set of rules and accomplishments we do to get rewarded by salvation.
I wonder about this myself. But i hear people say once saved always saved and i am not sure about this.
ReplyDeleteMary. Do more study in scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to give you not only assurance but an understanding of the Word. As far as Rappin Rhymer goes obviously we disagree.Works proceed Salvation. Works are an end result of Jesus saving you. They are produced because God is in us doing them. God bless.
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