The churches are fond of telling tales about “Christians” who lose their salvation and then find it once more.
Have had several discussions lately about those who get caught up in cycles of walking away from Jesus, supposedly repenting, walking away, supposedly repenting.
Is this biblical?
Can someone who TRULY has had their life transformed by the new birth turn their back on the One who laid down His life for us?
Only God knows the heart. Only He knows whether a true transformation has taken place–or merely the appearance of one.
There is no talk of “backsliding” after the sacrifice of Jesus. “Backsliding” is a term used with the OLD covenant.
What of those who claim a new birth but cling to the things of this world?
What does the Bible say about those who have had the truth and walk away from it?
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”
—2 Peter 2:20
This writer knows stumbling–the Bible says Christians who are transformed will stumble or struggle with sin–but what of those who rush headlong back to their former ways?
Who trade Jesus for cheap thrills?
What of the one who says “I’ll be back. I’m not really turning my back on Jesus. I’m just getting it all out of my system.”
Is that biblical–or is it something someone who has known the truth says to ease their conscience while engaging in what they know is planned sin?
Is that biblical–or is it something some who pretends to be a member of the kingdom of heaven says to explain his heathen behaviors?
That situation is a completely different one from stumbling.
When there is no struggle, it is willful sin.
This was part of the answer given yesterday.
We Christians in 2014 America have been taught that someone who is saved can move easily back and forth between the world of darkness and the kingdom of light. We see it apparently happening so often, it must be true, right? But I wonder?
“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
–2 Peter 2:21-22“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,”
–Hebrews 10:26And yes, those who call themselves “ex-Christians” are perhaps the saddest of all. It makes one wonder if they were really ever Christians to begin with?
The mercy of the Lord is such that humans can never know the end of it. But Scripture tells us that His perfect mercy is tempered by the other attributes of His perfection. Jesus Himself spoke of one.
“Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:”
—Mark 3:28-29
Christians love the parable of the Prodigal Son–as well they might. But the wayward son was foolish before heading back home (One considers the many examples of the word “foolish” and the word “wicked” being synonymous in the Bible). It can be argued that the Prodigal Son did not have the knowledge of the truth when he left home but that his experiences in the world of sin helped bring him to the truth.
Christians are also aware that all heaven rejoices at the saving of a sinner.
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
—Luke 15:7
Some church-goers appear to have the view that heaven is holding one long, continuous celebration over the same sinner walking away, returning and walking away again.
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.”
—Romans 6:1-2
At the very least, such a cycle of deliberate sin and repentance is extremely dangerous.
DOES the reader believe he is entitled to God’s mercy whenever it proves convenient?
THERE is still time to change direction (repent) and place one’s trust in Almighty God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
End Time Rising: Running out of Time
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
THE GOSPEL
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”
—2 Corinthians 4:3
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: February 13, 2014 and End Times Prophecy Headlines: February 13, 2017.]
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- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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