Falling from Grace

I have heard of the concept of "once saved, always saved." However, it's not scriptural because the Scriptures say otherwise. I aver that the concept of "backsliding" and "falling from grace" are one and the same. Let me explain. You cannot fall (or backslide) from somewhere you've never been. That's plain logic. Ergo, we must first have entered into a covenant relationship with the Lord and be saved by His grace before we can fall from it. The Scriptures back this, not only of individuals, but of entire congregations of people:

A. 2 Tim. 4: 9 - Demas' fall
B. Rev. 2: 1-5 - the church at Ephesus
C. Rev. 2: 14-16 - the church at Pergamum
D. Rev. 3: 1-3 - the church at Sardis
E. Rev. 3: 14-20 - the church at Laodicea
F. Gal. 5: 4 - the actual term "fallen from grace" used
G. Heb. 6: 1-6 - It is possible for a Christian to fall from grace

What is grace anyway? What is this thing we can supposedly fall from? It is God's unmerited kindness (Eph. 2: 4-9). Being saved by grace is an intelligent matter--not a charismatic one. It requires your cognizance because you cannot be saved against your will. Grace teaches us (Titus 2: 11-12). We learn right from wrong through our own personal study of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2: 15; 3: 16). Grace shows itself to us through the gospel (Psa. 119: 172; Rom. 1: 16-17; 5: 20-21); and grace is forgiving (Jno. 3: 16; Heb. 9: 22-28).

Consider for a moment the conversion of Saul (Paul) in Acts 9: 1-19. He was genuinely contrite for his persecution of the church once he learned that he was truly wrong. After Ananias was sent to Saul to tell him what he needed to do to be saved, Saul could have refused to obey and he would not have received God's grace.

At the other end of the pole, an erring Christian can fall away from God so as no longer be in a saved condition (note the progression in Gal. 3: 26-27; 4: 8-9; and 5: 1-4). How? By constantly forsaking God for other people or other things because: (a) God knows our hearts (1 Chr. 28: 9); and (b) He only forsakes us when we forsake Him (2 Chr. 15: 2). When our conscience no longer convicts us, we can become lost to Him for good simply because we refuse to come back (1 Cor. 9: 27; 10: 12). Unbelief will condemn many (Heb. 3: 12). It's an insult to Christ's sacrifice when I show such indifference for my soul's regard (Heb. 6: 4-6; 2 Pet. 2: 20-21).

My soul's well-being is dependent upon my acceptance or rejection of Christ (Jno. 3: 36). Our hope of eternal life is contingent upon our living a righteous life (Rom. 6: 22; Rev. 2: 10). Remember, no one snatches us out of God's hand. We allow ourselves to be led away (1 Cor. 10: 13; Jas. 4: 7).

"...Doth not commit sin" in 1 John 3: 9 doesn't mean that it is impossible to sin. See 1 John 2: 4 as well.

God doesn't want to cast anyone out (Mt. 11: 28-30; Jno. 6: 37). If we go to Hell it will be a consequence of the actions we have chosen to take by our own free will. The unprofitable servant will be cast out (Matt. 25: 30; Rev. 21: 7-8, 27). While Jude 24 does state that the Lord is "able to keep you from falling...," earlier Jude 21 states, "keep yourselves," denoting personal responsibility. Romans 8: 35-39 says, "nothing can separate us" from God's love. That's true, but we can separate ourselves from Him to the point where He will no longer hear our prayers as long as we choose to remain in a willfully sinful state (Isa. 59: 1-2).

In conclusion, even as Christians we are capable of committing "sins of the flesh," (Gal. 5: 19-21); but to do so and remain unrepentant will cause us to fall from grace. This was also a problem in the first century church (Jno. 15: 5-8; Rev. 2: 4-5). A fallen child of God can be restored through the avenues of repentance and prayer (Acts 8: 13-24; Rev. 2: 5). James 5: 16 says that we need to confess our sins to each other. However, a confession need be only as public as the sin is. Some things can be handled between you and God alone. Some things will be known by only a selected few besides you and God. Yet others may be so widely known that they require a public acknowledgment. (Never refuse to repent because you're afraid of going forward in the assembly. The elders and preacher will be more than happy to meet in private with you and then make it known publicly at the next assembly that you were restored.)

Bottom line, if we choose the world over God, the truth is not in us and our souls are in jeopardy (1 Jno. 2: 15; Jas. 4: 4).

I know this is a heavy post, but it's one that shouldn't be ignored. I hope it is construed as tough love rather than condemnation.

Love Ya,
God Bless!