“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” -2 Peter 1:10,11. Bold type & underlining added to emphasize.
Some people claim that once a person is “born again” in Christ, they can never fall from that state, while others say we don’t lose our freedom to choose; yet ALL Christian doctrine needs to be founded upon God’s Word (King James Bible), without adding men’s personal viewpoints to it (Proverbs 30:6, 2 Peter 1:20).
While scripture has many verses which warn about turning from God, it’s good news that nothing our enemy does can separate us from God’s love in Jesus;
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:35,38,39.
Some applaud these verses as a proof the born-again believer can’t lose their salvation, but it’s just one passage out of many in the Bible; and it only covers any EXTERNAL forces working against us, not our free will to choose. And while most who are truly saved wouldn’t knowingly reject the Lord, the devil will seek to deceive us into making compromises against Him.
All of us stumble in our Christian walk, with some offenses being worse than others; yet Jesus is still our advocate. Romans 5:1&2 tells us;
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Bold type added for emphasis.
And we should remember that later on in the same chapter, we find;
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” -Romans 5:8-10. Bold type was again added to emphasize.
Do you see it? If Jesus gave His life for us when we were in sin, He’ll still love us now when we stumble while trying to please Him. One reason some like to think they can’t fall away from God, is simply out of fear that some momentary mistake will keep us from Heaven, something the Lord wouldn’t do. His Word shows that we’ll have struggles here in the flesh, and the victory He brings us (Romans 7). And remember that by confessing our sins, God promises to forgive us (1 John 1:8). Even Peter once fell away by denying Jesus (Matthew 10:33, Luke 22:61), but soon converted back to faith with the other disciples (Luke 22:32, Mark 16:7).
Another reason some think they can’t fall away comes from a misconception of WHEN eternal life begins; and for this we need every Word of God (Luke 4:4) to get the true perspective. God’s gift of eternal life is ours, but we cannot receive it while still in our physical bodies; from the passage in 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 we see;
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption…For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Other passages supporting this are found in Romans 8:18-25, & 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.
One verse that some like to use to support the view of immediate eternal life for believers, is 1 John 5:11, which says;
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” Bold type added for emphasis.
So we see here that the gift of eternal life rests with Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God the Father; it IS our inheritance, but there’s an appointed time to receive it, which comes after death; it’s not immediately received.
“...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” -Hebrews 9:27.
“Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.” -Galatians 4:1,2. Bold type was added.
Hopefully this clarifies it; something like inheriting a car before you’re old enough to drive. There may also be other stipulations for an inheritance that keep it from the recipient for a time. The Bible indicates that such is the case with eternal life, and it cannot be employed in a body of corruption.
With regard to our subject, 2 things always seemed obvious to me; the first is that God gives us free will to choose or reject Him, and never removes this. The second is Heaven & eternal life can ONLY be received after the body dies. It seems like common sense, and it’s clear that after salvation nothing changes physically in or around us. Jesus even told His disciples that, …I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. -from John 14:1,2. Jesus brings us into Heaven, not Heaven into us.
People like to believe they have eternal life immediately, for it would mean they can’t fall away from salvation, but they would lose their free will. The Bible, however, shows something different; God’s Word wouldn’t give so many directions & warnings to believers if there wasn’t still a choice.
Not only is it still possible to fall away, but scripture even warns that names can be removed from the book of Life in Revelation;
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father.”
“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life…” -Revelation 3:5 & 22:19.
It should also be noted in Revelation that 5 of the 7 churches had at least some elements within them that needed to repent (2:5, 16, 22, 3:3, 19), or be cast away; only the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia weren’t rebuked.
Scripture compares the Christian walk with God to a marriage; both parties pledge lifetime commitments through every circumstance, either good or bad. It’s a daily, growing relationship with the Lord that’s intended to be permanent. Yet just like with any marriage, there may be legitimate events which cause it to end. But God is long suffering toward us (2 Peter 3:9), and more faithful than any earthly spouse would be; the fault of separation will always be ours, yet God will still receive our repentance and restore us;
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” -from 1 John 1:8-2:2.
“...If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.” -from Jeremiah 3:1. Added bold type reminds of God’s mercy!
Marriage comparisons are found in Matthew 9:15, 25:1, John 3:29, Ephesians 5:30-32, Revelation 21:2,9, 22:17, and;
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” -Revelation 19:7-9.
Jesus gave 2 examples of falling away in the parable of the sower; the seed in shallow soil, and the one fallen among thorns. For those unfamiliar, the seed of the sower represents the Word of God, and the explanations for the 4 types of seeds are found in Matthew 13:18-23, Mark 4:14-20, and Luke 8:11-15.
The seed in shallow soil is someone who initially receives the Word with joy, yet don’t last long because they’re not well rooted; then when troubles come because of God’s Word, they’re quickly offended. We read in Luke, “these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”
Next is the seed among the thorns, which are the “cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in”; these choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And scripture says,
“that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” -Hebrews 6:8.
“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:” -John 15:2A.
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” -John 15:6.
Gospel referrals to falling away from faith are found in Matthew 12:43-45, 18:21-35, 24:48-51, 25:1-13, 14-30, Luke21:34-36, John 6:66, and Acts 8:13-22.
Please take time to also read & consider Matthew 7:21-23 which begins, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven,” but ends with Jesus saying, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” This may not be a sample of those who actually fall away, but they would appear to be great Christians! How many of these had been previously assured by others that they were saved? And if the certainty of heaven for people like this couldn’t be known, how can anyone assure them they already have eternal life?
Scripture also gives strong warnings against spiritual deception; warnings which don’t come with any reassurance of not losing a previous salvation! Deceit is the way Satan convinces us to make choices that oppose the gospel of Christ. Some passages about this are Matthew 24:4,5,11,24; Mark 13:5,6,22; 2 Corinthians 11:3,4, 13-15; Philippians 3:17-19; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Jude 3-5; Revelation 13:14 (Christians are still here, v.7). And now for a look at 2 others passages;
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock…For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” -from Acts 20:28-31. Bold type was added.
Paul’s warnings about deception were so deadly serious that he “ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears;” why would he feel this way if people’s souls weren’t in jeopardy of falling away from Jesus? Why didn’t he reassure them that they were eternally secure?
“...there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” -see Galatians 1:6-9.
When Paul warned the Galatians against those preaching “another gospel,” besides the one he’d already preached, he included himself! Paul was acknowledging here that even he could possibly fall away, and turn from the truth. In light of this frailty, he urged them to cling to what he’d already preached;
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. -Galatians 1:11,12.
2 Peter 2, however, carries a very grave warning of another deception to come, and it’s good to read it entirely, but I’ll abbreviate it here;
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of…18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 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. 21 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.” -2 Peter 2:1,2,18-21. Bold type & underlining are added.
The possibility of falling away is plainly shown here, agreeing with the prophecy in 2 Timothy 3:13 which says;
“...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
Another warning for falling away is also found in 2 Peter 3:17.
Bad Behavior. The New Testament has several lists of bad behaviors to avoid, with scripture saying that those practicing such will be lost; yet many who espouse the eternal security view will do these things, bringing a contradiction to their claim. They’ll say they have eternal life, no matter what; yet all the while habitually doing things that God says will keep them from it. At least a few of these lists are found in 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-7.
In the book of Romans we find;
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” -Romans 11:22. See also Romans 16:17,18.
Going forward now into Corinthians we have;
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” -1 Corinthians 10:12.
“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” -2 Corinthians 6:1.
See also 1 Corinthians 3:16,17, chapter 5, 9:27, 11:31,32, 15:1,2, 2 Corinthians 12:20,21, 13:5.
Galatians is an entire book written to a group of believers who were falling back into a works based religion (see Ephesians 2:8-10);
“But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.” -Galatians 2:17,18.
See also Galatians 3:3,4, 4:9-11, 5:1,4.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” -Ephesians 5:13 (v.11-18).
Moving on to the next books we see;
“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” -Philippians 2:16.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” -Colossians 2:8.
See also Philippians 2:12, 3:12,13, Colossians 1:21-23.
Moving on now into Thessalonians we find;
“For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” -1 Thessalonians 3:5.
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” -2 Thessalonians 2:3.
See also I Thessalonians 3:8, 5:14, & 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
Next we look at the letters to Timothy, which are very strong;
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” -1 Timothy 4:1.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
-1 Timothy 6:10. See also 1 Timothy 1:5,6,19, 5:11,12,15.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
-2 Timothy 4:3,4. Bold type is added.
See also 2 Timothy 1:15, 2:10,12,16-18, 3:5,13, 4:10.
And now for a look at the books not yet covered;
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” -Titus 1:16.
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” -Hebrews 3:12.
See also Titus 3:10,11, Hebrews 3:6, 6:4-6, 10:26,27, 12:5-8.
“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” -James 5:19,20.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” -1 John 2:15.
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” -Jude 4.
See also James 1:21-26, 2:26,4:4,17, 1 John 5:16,17, 2 John 9,10.
Christianity is an ongoing relationship with God similar to marriage; that’s what the Lord wants. There are many assurances given in scripture of our relationship with Him; we know His salvation is strictly a gift, and not earned by our works; we’re able to stand before Him through Jesus’ righteousness, and not our own; we have the Holy Spirit within to intercede and strengthen us; but above all else (Psalm 138:2), we have His precious words preserved for us in the Bible (Psalm 12:6,7, 2 Timothy 3:16,17), through which we can weather any storm (Matthew 7:24-27) of the enemy. Let us cling tightly to our Savior in faith, for His gift of eternal life will soon be in view.
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” -Jude 24,25.
