The question of “The Security of The Believer” is one that has been batted back and forth for as long as Christianity has existed. I have found in discussing this issue with many on both sides of the question that there are misunderstandings on both sides of the question. My purpose in writing this article is to examine the question and answer it in the “Guiding of the Holy Spirit.”
First, I will deal with the passage that so many point to in The Bible as “proof” of their point of view that a saved person can be saved, then lost, and then saved again with this “cycle” continuing each time the person sins. Usually, persons holding this belief believe that if a person dies after committing a sin before he/she is “saved again” that such a person will go to hell! Here is the passage in question.
Hebrews 6:1-10
6:1 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 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, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 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. 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: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. KJV
The Holy Spirit (in verses 1 and 2) is first of all pointing out to the Hebrew Christians (to whom this letter is addressed) that they should be growing in knowledge and Grace and should not stay as babes in Christ.
From this point the Holy Spirit (in verses 4-6) begins to explain and elucidate deeper truths. He then immediately addresses the possibility of a “True Child of God” (a True Believer) turning his back on the Faith and denying Christ and The Truth of The Gospel. I believe that the principal point in this passage is that if it were possible for a true believer to become unsaved, it would be impossible for him to ever be saved again. Notice that verse 6 begins with the preposition “if.” Interestingly, this little word “if” is not in the original Greek. However it is clearly implied in the tense of the verb used. So, I believe that it is true to the meaning for the term “if” to be inserted for our clearest understanding today.
This seems to be a hypothetical case with no indication that a true believer would (or could) deny Christ and turn his back on the Faith. A Believer may “stray away” for a time, but never “stay away.” The Holy Spirit will draw him/her back to Christ!
A Scripture from 1 John speaks of those that “WERE NOT OF US.” In 1 John 2:19 we read, As the apostle John stated in 1 John 2:18-21 (18)” Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (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. (20) But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (21) I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (KJV)
The Holy Spirit writing through The Apostle John states that those who leave are drawn away by the world and are NOT OF US. IN FACT, SUCH INDIVIDUALS WERE NEVER A PART OF THE BODY
OF CHRIST – THE CHURCH! They were (and are) “pretenders” to the Faith. Such individuals are described in Matthew 7:21-23 where Jesus stated, (21) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (KJV) Sadly, Jesus states that “many” are in this category who “think” they are doing the “work of God” when in fact they are deceived by the devil
and/or his demons and are NOT LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND DO NOT HAVE JESUS AS THEIR LORD! Instead, they are doing “what they think” is the “right thing to do” and trying to put a “label” on it “for the Lord.” Clearly, in The Words of Jesus Himself, this WON’T WORK for it will result in Jesus saying to them, “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Jesus states that these deceived souls are in “SIN!” They are NOT SAVED! How sad, especially since Jesus states, “MANY” will follow this path of deception straight into hell!
Without belaboring the point with numerous other Bible references, it becomes clear that true Believers will not depart from the faith. They may stumble from time to time but, once they become true sons or daughters they will never become unsaved or “unborn.” God is well able to keep saved those He has saved – FOREVER!
The impossibility of true Believers being unable to depart from the Faith I believe can be better understood when we consider the fact that our Salvation is GOD’S WORK within us! Let’s examine what The Bible has to say about what God does when we place our “Faith and Trust” in Jesus Christ and receive Him into our life as our SAVIOR and LORD!
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S CONVICTING WORK:
The first Work is this, God The Holy Spirit convicts the “unsaved person” of his/her sinful state (lost condition). No one will ever come to the realization of his/her sinful condition and “need of Salvation” unless and until The Holy Spirit convicts that “sinner’s heart” of his/her “lost condition.” So, this first step of The Holy Spirit’s “Conviction” is critical. Of course, at this point, a person can say “yes” or “no” to this conviction. If a person says, “yes, I accept the fact that I am a sinner in need of a Savior” then the next step can be taken to “Believe in Jesus” and “Accept Him” into one’s life as Savior and Lord! Please note that this is more than a mere “making a decision” for Christ! It goes to the very depth of the “soul” of the person. It is a deep complete “Belief in’” and “Trust in” The Lord Jesus Christ and a “Receiving Him” into our Heart and Life as Savior and also as LORD! (I fear that many try to accept Jesus as Savior and not as Lord of their life.)
GOD’S WORK “ON US” AND “IN US” AT OUR SALVATION:
1. We are “Born Again” into the “Family” of God.
2. Jesus “Baptizes” us “In The Holy Spirit” and with “Fire.”
3. We are made “A New Creation” in Christ Jesus.
4. God “Seals” us with His Holy Spirit.
5. God “Transfers” us form ‘the kingdom of the world” into “The Kingdom of His
Dear Son,” Jesus Christ! Yes, HE “Transfers” us from ‘the kingdom of the devil”
into “The Kingdom of Jesus.”
6. God “ADOPTS” us into His Family! He “CHOOSES” us to be “JOINT HEIRS”
with His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ!
7. God “Places” us in “The Body Of Jesus Christ – His Church!”
8. God makes us “Citizens” of Heaven.
9. God begins His Work of “Growing” us into “His Children” – into “Disciples of Christ” – into “Productive Members” – into “Mature Members” of “The Body of Christ” – “His Church.”
10. God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) come to “Indwell us” – “never to leave us.”
11. Jesus Christ indwells us to WORK THE FATHER’S WILL “IN US” AND “THROUGH US” AS LORD OF OUR LIVES and AS “HEAD” OF “HIS CHURCH” of which we are a part – a “member.”
12. The Holy Spirit begins His Work of “Comforting,” “Guiding,” “Teaching,” and “Leading” us to “MANIFEST” GOD’S WORK IN US AND THROUGH US!
13. God begins His Work of “Conforming” us to The Very Image of Jesus Christ. (This is God’s Work of “Sanctification,” of “Fitting us for Heaven.” Through “Trials” and “Tribulations” He “Prunes,” “Trims,” “Refines,” “Shapes,” and does whatever is necessary to “Conform” us to the very Image of Jesus Christ! We are given the assurance that God will complete HIS WORK in us in Philippians 1:6 where we read, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (NASB)
The above list is not intended to be a complete listing of God’s Work in and through us but, highlights HIS Major Works in and through us! Notice the list and observe that all of these “Works” are The Works of God – none are our “works.” Notice too, that “Our Salvation” does not depend on our “holding on to God.” Rather, our salvation is dependent upon God’s ability to “hold onto us.” Numerous references show that God holds onto us and our salvation depends upon Him and His ability to hold onto us. Let’s explore some of these examples form God’s Word.
1. We are “Sealed” (kept) by God, The Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22 Who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. NASU
Ephesians 1:13
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 promise, NASU
Ephesians 4:30
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. NASU
A serious study of the term “Sealed” shows that this is a permanent action taken by God and never a temporary act. And, NOTHING CAN BREAK THAT SEAL! In fact, to state that I (or anyone else or anything else) can break the “SEAL” of The Holy Spirit on us is to call God a “liar” by saying in essence, “God is not “ALL POWERFUL.” The Holy Spirit is defined in God’s Word as “THE VERY POWER OF GOD.” GOD’S SEAL ON OUR LIVES IS
PERMANENT! WE ARE SECURE IN HIS CARE FOREVER –THAT’S FOR ETERNITY!
2. The “Permanent” Nature of Salvation:
A serious further study of scriptures speaks to the “permanent” nature of God’s Salvation. Both Jesus, The Son and God, and God, The Father hold us in the palm of their hands and according to the Words of Jesus Himself nothing can take us out of their hands. Note John 10:27-30 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 " My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 " I and the Father are one." (NASU) Again, no one – nothing, can take us out of The Hands of God Our Father and God Our Savior and Lord. And, remember, we are “SEALED” by God The Holy Spirit!
These and many other scriptures show clearly that God is well able to keep those who are saved (those who become His Sons and Daughters through Believing in His Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord!)
3. Can we “KNOW” that we are “SAVED?”
Fortunately, the answer to this question is “YES” we can know that we are “SAVED.” Let’s look at the “witnesses” to this TRUTH!
a. The Holy Spirit Bears Witness to our Salvation!
I believe that my salvation is sure for I have the Holy Spirit within me testifying that I am God’s Child. (Romans 8:16 states, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,” (NASU) I believe that my salvation is permanent for it does not depend upon my holding onto God but, my salvation depends upon God, The One Who holds onto me.
b. Jesus Bears Witness to The Security of Our Salvation!
John 3:14-18 (14) “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
In John 10:27-30, Jesus states, (27) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (28) “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (29) “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (30) “I and my Father are one.” (KJV) This is a marvelous scripture that gives us great assurance of our security in Jesus Christ. Note that Jesus states, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish…” Eternal Life is in Jesus (and can be found no where else). When by faith, we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, we gain eternal life in Him. Note that He gives us the assurance, “neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” I love the fact that Jesus uses the term “shall” here. This is a term that leaves no doubt whatsoever. We have His absolute assurance that we are completely safe and secure in His Hand. And as if this was not enough assurance, Jesus gives us further assurance by stating, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”
c. The Holy Spirit Bears Witness to The Security of our Salvation through SCRIPTURE!
We are Held securely in The Hand of Jesus Christ and in The Hand of God, Our Father. To this assurance from God, our Father, and God, our Savior; we can add the assurance from the Words of The Holy Spirit speaking through The Apostle Paul in Romans 8:14-17 states, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; (KJV) Once again The Holy Spirit bears witness to us through The Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 1:21-22 where He states “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (KJV) Notice that it is God, Our Father who seals us by The Holy Spirit. Dare we to think that we can break THE SEAL of THE HOLY SPIRIT upon our lives. The Holy Spirit is described as The Very Power of God within us! Is it even possible for us to have greater assurance of the security of our salvation than this?
d The Bible’s use of the term “ETERNITY:” Yes, this means “Forever.”
Inherent in the term “ETERNITY” is the meaning “FOREVER,” – “UNENDING,” – “WITHOUT AN END.” Various scriptures speak to this TRUTH! For example, we read in the following scriptures:
Hebrews 5:8-10
8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,”
Hebrews 6:19-20
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:18-21
18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath
21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER'")
Hebrews 7:24-27
24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;
27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 9:11-15
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9:24-26
24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own.
26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Hebrews 10:10-14
10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;
12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,
13 waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.
14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
Scriptures from Jesus Christ Himself:
John 3:36 36
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” KJV
John 4:13-14
13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." NASU
John 5:24
24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” NASU
John 6:27
27 "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." NASU
John 6:40
40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." NASU
John 6:47-48
47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.
48 " I am the bread of life. “ NASU
John10:28-30
28 “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
29 " My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
30 " I and the Father are one." NASU
John 12:25
25 "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. NASU
John 12:50
50 "I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me." NASU
John 17:2-3
2 “even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.
3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” NASU
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES ON “ETERNITY:”
John 6:68
68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. NASU
Romans 6:22-23
22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NASU
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. NASU
Hebrews 5:9
9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, NASU
2 Peter 1:11
11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. NASU
1 John 2:25
25 The Promise Is Eternal Life: This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. NASU
1 John 5:11
11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. NASU
1 John 5:13
13 This Is Written That You May Know: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. NASU
1 John 5:20
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. NASU
A COMMENT IS IN ORDER REGARDING 1 John 5:11 above. Notice the statement, “and this life is in His Son.” This scripture and several others (especially the Words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of John) reveal to us that “OUR SALVATION IS “IN” JESUS CHRIST! The point is this, “ETERNAL LIFE IS “IN HIM,” IT DOES NOT COME “FROM HIM!” IN ORDER TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, WE MUST HAVE JESUS AND BE “IN HIM.” As Jesus Himself said in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (KJV) Here Jesus paints us the picture of us being a “branch” in The True Vine – in Jesus Christ! Our “LIFE” is “IN HIM” and can be found in no other place! Remember, “ETERNAL LIFE IS IN HIM!”
I can rest in Him for He (GOD – FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT) is well able to keep that which I have committed unto Him. As The Holy Spirit stated through The Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (KJV) Again in 2 Timothy 1:12 The Apostle Paul testifies, (12) “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (KJV)
As I come to the close of this article a brief word needs to be said about those who are True Christians and those who are “pretending Christians.” In Matt 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. 14 "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” NASB And, in Matthew 7:20-23 we read these Words of Jesus, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'” NASB
In these verses, Jesus discusses three categories of people in the world. In verse 13 Jesus refers to those who are headed for hell because they have not chosen Jesus as Savior. Notice that He refers to these people as “many.” In verse 14, Jesus refers to those who have chosen Him as Savior and Lord. Notice that He refers to these people as “few.” In verses 20 to 23 Jesus refers to those people who are “pretending” to be Christians. Sadly these people are deceived by the devil and/or the world into believing that their “works” will get them into Heaven. Notice that Jesus refers to these people as “many” and declares that He never Knew them as Believers and that they are in the bonds of lawlessness – they are sinners headed for hell. Of these three categories of people only those who are True Christians are referred to as being “few” in number.
This means that most people of this world are headed for hell and many are headed for hell who actually think they are on the road to Heaven because of their “good works.” In addition to these groups of people we can add to their number those who “taste” of Christianity and only have a “head belief” or instead of a “Heart Belief” and in the heat of trials walk away from their shallow “head belief.” These people are those of whom the Apostle John speaks in 1 John 2:19 where we read, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us.” NASB
I believe that these scriptures in Matthew and 1 John describe many (if not all) those who appear to be “Christians” (they are actually “prentending” Christians) and appear to “walk away” from Christianity. They actually never were Christians.
A True Christian may make mistakes – may sin – may “fall from Grace” (fall out of Fellowship) but The Holy Spirit will draw Him back into the “Fold.” Remember, a “True Christian” is “Sealed” by The Holy Spirit and is held securely by God The Father, God the Son, and God The Holy Spirit!
In closing, are you convinced that we can never “Lose” our Salvation? Possibly not! I find that our long-held “beliefs” are held onto with a fierce and “dogged” determination that is hard to shake – even when faced with The Truth. However, if you are not yet convinced, would you answer two simple questions for me? The two questions are:
1. How does one who is “Born” into God’s Kingdom become
“unborn?” And the second question is,
2. How can we change our “Spiritual DNA” so that we no longer
carry The “Spiritual DNA” of GOD, OUR FATHER?
Remember, He made us “ALIVE in The Spirit” and He made us
a “New Creation” in Christ Jesus Our Lord!
ONCE A “SON” (OR “DAUGHTER”) ALWAYS A “SON.”
Let me close with these comments. In Luke 15 the prodigal son is always referred to as a “son.” He is a “lost” son, a “sinful” son, and a “prodigal” son. But, he is always referred to as a “son.” He is out of fellowship with His Father, but he is still a “son.” Sin results in our being “out of fellowship” with our Heavenly Father but it does not cause us to cease to be a son. Once we become a “Son” we are forever a “Son.”
Sadly, I believe that some interpret “falling from Grace” as losing our Salvation. I find nothing in God’s Word to uphold such a belief. Rightly interpreted, the term “falling form Grace” means losing our “Fellowship” with God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). This can happen and does happen anytime we sin! Sin “Separates” us from God. Sin “builds a wall” between us and God. Sin “breaks” our Fellowship with Him. However, this “breaking of our Fellowship” should always only be temporary! We are provided a way for “Full Fellowship” to be immediately restored! Remember, Jesus paid for all sin, for all mankind, for all time, upon the cross of Calvary. This makes is possible for God to Be “Just” and “Faithful” to forgive our sin – all of it! In 1 John 1:9 we read these encouraging words, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (KJV) Praise GOD, we have no excuse to continue (even for a minute) in the “state” of unforgiveness for our sin! We have but to confess it – to “agree” with God – that we have sinned, and HE IS “JUSTIFIED” IN FORGIVING US AND HE IS “FAITHFUL” TO FORGIVE US! And, not only is He Faithful to forgive us but, He “CLEANSES” us of ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS! God “Promises” to DO IT! GOD IS FAITHFUL! GOD DOES NOT LIE!
Isn’t it amazing that God is “Faithful” and “Justified” to “Forgive” us and to “Cleanse” us of “all” Unrighteousness. Because Jesus Christ was obedient to God, The Father – even to the point of death upon the cross of Calvary – Jesus Christ paid for all sin, for all mankind, for all time – in order that “Whosoever” will come to Him (Believing in Him and Receiving Him) shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life.” Because Jesus paid for all sin for all mankind, for all time, God (Our Father) is JUST in Forgiving all our sin and is FAITHFUL to do it. PRAISE GOD –FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Pastor J. Gilbert Hammond