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But we are not of those who draw back to perdition,
but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:39
To what extent can a truly regenerate, saved person, apostatize and fall away? This question was sent to me by someone who reads my column. As I try to answer that question, the first thing we need to do is determine "who a Christian really is." We could also ask, what is it that makes a person a Christian?
We are not referring to someone who made a decision for Christ, was baptized, joined the church, or was involved in Christian ministry. We are not counting those as Christians who have gone front to the altar, raised their hand and prayed the sinner's prayer, or go to church and prayer-meeting. I am not counting those who shed tears because of the results and consequences of their sin; or even the people who believe in the historical Jesus.
James 2:19 says, "You believe that there is one God, you do well, even the demons believe and tremble." Believing in Jesus will never save anyone, there are thousands of people who believe that he existed. In Acts 16:16-18, there was a demon possessed girl who proclaimed the gospel. She was only mocking Paul and the men he was with. But these verses do show that believing in the existence of God and His Son Jesus will not save anyone.
To get a true picture of what a Christian is, we must allow Scripture to speak. John 1:12-13 says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Regeneration (being born again) is a sovereign work of God, whereby He grants the gift of faith, enabling people to repent and believe the gospel.
Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again." Just as God sought out Adam and Eve in the garden, God must work in the heart, mind and will of a sinner; no one will seek God on their own. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them," Ephesians 2:10.
Having said all that, we now move on to the question; "To what extent can a truly regenerate, saved person apostatize and fall away?" Peter denied the Lord and then went out and wept bitterly. God strengthened Peter and restored him, to the extent that he became a pillar in the early church. King David fell into sin with Bathsheba and even had her husband killed. But God sent Nathan the prophet to bring him to repentance, confession, and restoration. They (Peter and David) did not stay in sin and live a sinful life; they were called to holiness.
A true child of God will not continue to live a wicked, ungodly life and dishonor his Maker. Hebrews 12:6 tells us, "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son He receives." God will not allow His children to dishonor Him day after day; He will correct, discipline, and spank them, or they were never saved.
Some people believe that God will call His children home (through death), if they continue in a sinful lifestyle and will not repent.
One of the signs that we are a child of God, is that we persevere until the end, it is called "the perseverance of the saints." Hebrews 3:14 says, "For we become partakers if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." In closing, here are a few points to remember.
1 - A true child of God is someone who has been born again from above by the Spirit of God.
They are given a new heart, mind, and will; old things have passed away, and they are new creatures in Christ.
2 - A true child of God can fall into sin, but they will never continue in that sinful way of life. I John 1:6 tells us, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth". God will correct and discipline His children, even to the point of death. I Corinthians 11:32 says, "But when we are judged we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world."
3 - A true child of God can never apostatize and fall away to the point that they lose their salvation. Romans 8:28-30 makes it clear that everyone that God calls (effectually), will be glorified and experience paradise with God.
4 - A person can do many good works, and preach, teach, be involved in mission work, and still apostatize if they were never born again by the Spirit of God. Solomon is a good example of this, he even wrote Scripture; but in the end he allowed his heart to be turned away from the true God.
In closing, I have one question for all of us. Have we been born again from above by the Spirit of God? If we are pointing back to baptism of any kind, church membership, a decision, going front to an altar, or praying a sinner's prayer; none of those will be enough. It is the Spirit of God that quickens the dead and gives them new life. Salvation is a sovereign work by a sovereign God, for His own honor and glory. Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published three books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016 and Eye of a Needle in 2017 and Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.