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CAN A CHILD OF GOD FALL FROM GRACE?
The above question arises often in religious circles, especially where the effects of Calvinism are strongly in evidence. Some, while claiming to be members of a group espousing the tenets of Calvinism say they don’t really believe that. Really? If so, why do they cling to membership in such religious bodies that teach it? Notice the two following quotations. “They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.” (Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the “We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.” (Pendleton’s Baptist Manual, p. 54). Presbyterianism then goes on to quote some passages that “prove” their doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” One is 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.” Or John which says that those given to God “shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” But such application of scripture does nothing but totally remove man’s free agency. Man himself may remove himself from God’s protective hand! God will not force him to stay there. Such a doctrine makes man nothing but a robot, without any free will whatever. I once cited to a Calvinist the case of Simon the sorcerer as one who had fallen from grace (Acts 8). He sinned in that he attempted to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit with money. Peter then told him he was in the “gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity” (v. 23). The man’s response? “Well, Simon was not truly a Christian to begin with; he was not sincere, and therefore was not truly saved.” Let us see about that. First, Simon did what Calvinists say what one must do to be saved – he “believed” (v. 13). Furthermore, he was baptized (ibid.). If Simon was not truly a Christian, he certainly had Luke, the inspired writer of Acts fooled, for he thought he was! Consider some further evidence. In Galatians 5:19f Paul spoke of some things he called “the works of the flesh.” The list is a fairly comprehensive one. Now – can a child of God do any of the things Paul mentioned there? For example, can he get drunk? Certainly so. Yet in closing out this section, Paul said those who practice such things would not inherit the kingdom of heaven! In addition, Calvinist groups will not tolerate such things among their members, and will discipline them; withdraw from them. But if the man is still saved, why withdraw from him? If God will have him, who are we (or they) to say we won’t have him? The consequences of such a doctrine are absurd at best. Another problem that existed among the churches of Consider another. In Hebrews 10:26-27 Paul spoke of those who would “sin willfully …” Remember, he is writing here to Christians. What will be the end of one who “sins willfully?” Calvinism says he will be alright; he cannot sin so as to be lost; salvation still awaits him. No, Paul said the thing that awaited such a one was a “fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.” Paul did
not believe for a moment that once one was saved that he could never be lost.
Many other scriptures could be noted which show the same thing. If I believed that once I were saved, then I would have no particular motive to practice good and godliness in my life. Why bother – if regardless of what I did would not condemn me? Or, why go to the bother of converting one to Christ, for another of Calvinism’s teaching is that of unconditional election; that some are “elected” by God before they were ever born to either be saved or lost? But that is another of their false teachings. Let us conclude by saying that Paul of all men knew the need to continually be on guard lest one lose his soul. In 1 Corinthians he spoke of always disciplining himself, lest he himself should “become a castaway” (KJV). In answer to the question that serves as a title to this article, “Yes – most definitely a Christian can so sin so as to be lost.” Scripture is too plain about it. – Bill Moseley AH, MODERN TECHNOLOGY
We hear a lot these days about “modern technology” and how it is supposed to
make our lives happier, healthier and (hopefully) not too helter-skelter. I have
some doubts about some of that, but I suppose for the most part that’s true. I
even gave in to the cell phone craze some four or five years ago, and must say
there have been instances wherein it has been good. Then about the time I learn
the nuances of a new computer and/or the software that goes with it, somebody
gravely informs me that is already a dinosaur. At least I haven’t yet had the
experience one guy did that I heard describing it recently.
There I was at the bank, taking care of business when a fellow walked up to the next window. The cashier asked him how things were going. “Not so good,” he groused. The poor guy obviously was at a loss to ask him anything else, so he told her anyway. Pointed to the ATM machine just outside the window and said, “I came by here last week-end and that %@#!!&*& machine ate my card and left me moneyless for the whole week-end.” He probably didn’t realize he was better off. I still sort of like the old fashioned way. If I need some money over the week-end I always have a few pesos tucked away in a jar in my desk drawer. At least the jar doesn’t bite my hand when I go to make a withdrawal! Yeah – the “good old days!” They weren’t all bad. But then when I go to do things like putting out this bulletin, the modern gizmos do make things a tad easier. But when they don’t work, that too might make you better off – you have to think! - Bill Moseley |
