[an error occurred while processing this directive] Why I Am a Member of the Church of Christ  Lesson 22 LESSON 22

Why I am a Member of the Church of Christ

"BECAUSE IT TEACHES THAT A CHILD OF GOD CAN SO SIN AS TO BE ETERNALLY LOST"

by:  Bill Cantrell

Introduction:
Does the Bible teach that a child of God can so sin as to be eternally lost?
Proof texts for the impossibility of apostasy.
Things a person can do to keep from falling.
Conclusion:

INTRODUCTION:

1. Either a child of God can so sin so as to be eternally lost or he cannot. Both of these positions cannot be scriptural. This being the case one of them must be wrong.

2. The doctrine that a child of God cannot so sin so as to be eternally lost is not new. It has been around as long as the devil has. He was the first to preach it and to convince anyone of it. God had instructed Adam and Eve not to eat of the forbidden fruit and in the day they did, they would surely die. In contradiction, the serpent said "you shall not surely die".   Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (KJV)

3. Men today are still promoting this ageless lie, and people are still being deceived by it.

4. By our lesson today I hope to:

A. Show what the Bible teaches relative to the subject.

B. To encourage us to stay on guard and avoid falling.

C. To try to get the truth across to those who have been misinformed.

5. We will approach our study by:

A. Showing that a child of God can fall from grace and be lost.

B. Considering some proof text of those who claim the impossibility of apostasy.

C. Focusing on what a person can do to keep from falling from grace and being lost.

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I. DOES THE BIBLE TEACH THAT A CHILD OF GOD CAN SO SIN AS TO BE ETERNALLY LOST?

A. Paul admonished the Corinthians to take heed lest they fall.

1Cor 10:12   Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (KJV)

B. Paul knew it was impossible for him to be rejected.

1Cor 9:27   But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (KJV)

C. The Galatians were taught that one could fall from grace,

Gal 5:4    Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (KJV)

and they were in the process of it.

Gal 1:6    I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:   7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.   8 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.  9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (KJV)

D. Peter says the man who obeys the gospel and turns from it will be worse off in the end, than the man who never had known the gospel.

2Peter 2:20    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.     22 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. (KJV)

E. Paul foretold of some who would apostatize from the faith.

1Tim 4:1   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;   2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (KJV)

F. Believers may sin and be in danger of death.

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;   20 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. (KJV)

G. One can sin against a brother and cause him to perish.

1Cor 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (KJV)

H. A child of God can lie and die in it.

Acts 5:1    But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part,  and laid it at the apostles' feet.  3  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?   4   Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?  why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.   5  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.    6  And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.     7   And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.     8    And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.  9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.       10  Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.   11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.   (KJV)

All liars who do not repent will be lost.

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (KJV)

I. Parables that teach the possibility of a child of God so sinning as to be eternally lost.

1. Parable of the sower.

Matt 13:3    And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;   4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:     5  Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:  6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:  8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.  (KJV)

Matt 13:18   Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.   19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.   20  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.  23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (KJV)

Luke 8:4   And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:   5   A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.   6  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.   7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.   8  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  9  And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?  10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.  11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  13   They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.    14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.   15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.(KJV)

2. Parable of the vine and the branches.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.   2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.   3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.   4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide  in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.   6  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. (KJV)

3. Parable of the talents.

Matt 25:14   For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.   15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.   16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.  19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents:  behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.   21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  22   He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.   24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:   25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.    26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:       27   Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.   29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)

J. Several passages in the book of Hebrews sets forth the possibility of a child of God apostatizing and being lost.

Heb 2:1   Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  2   For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;  3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them

Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being that heard him; (KJV)                                            tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (KJV)

Heb 3:11   So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)  12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (KJV)

Heb 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases carcases fell in the wilderness? (KJV)

Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (KJV)

Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.   (KJV)

Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:    (KJV)

Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV)

Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)

Heb 6:1   Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.       3    And this will we do, if God permit.    4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,    5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,  6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.        7   For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:           8   But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (KJV)

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.   26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.   28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:   29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (KJV)

Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (KJV)

Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (KJV)

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;    16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.  17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected:  for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (KJV)

Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (KJV)

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (KJV)

K. Illustrations of the point.

     1. The churches of Asia Minor, Revelations chapter 2 & 3.

     2. Ananias and Sapphira, Acts chapter 5.

     3. Saul, the first King of Israel. Some important facts about Saul.

a. Saul was the tribe of Benjamin.

b. Jehovah named him as the first King of Israel.

1Sam 10:24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king. (KJV)

c. Was anointed to be King by Jehovah.

1Sam 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? (KJV)

d. The Spirit of Jehovah was promised Saul.

1Sam 10:6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. (KJV)

e. Saul prophesied with the other Prophets.

1 Sam 10:6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. (KJV)

f. Saul became another.

1Sam 10:6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them,and shalt be turned into another man. (KJV)

g. God was with Saul.

1Sam 10:7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. (KJV)

h. God came down to Saul.

1Sam 10:8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings:  seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.  (KJV)

i. God showed Saul what to do.

1Sam 10:8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings:  seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.  (KJV)

j. The Spirit of Jehovah came upon Saul.

1Sam 10:10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.   (KJV)

k. The Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon Saul.

1Sam 11:6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. (KJV)

l. Saul sinned in disobeying Jehovah.

1Sam 13:10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.   11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;  12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.   13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.   14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue:  the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.   15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.   (KJV)

m. Saul turned back from following Jehovah.

1Sam 15:11   It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.  12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.  13  And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.  14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?   15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.  16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.   17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD  anointed thee king over Israel?  18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.            19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? (KJV)

n. Saul rejected God’s word.

1Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.  (KJV)

o. Jehovah rejected Saul.

1Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.  (KJV)

p. The Spirit of Jehovah departed Saul.

1Sam 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. (KJV)

q. An evil spirit troubled Saul.

1Sam 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. (KJV)

r. An evil spirit came upon Saul.

1Sam 16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.  (KJV)

s. Jehovah became the enemy of Saul.

1Sam 28:16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? (KJV)

t. Jehovah departed from Saul.

1Sam 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams:  therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.  16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?  (KJV)

u. Saul committed suicide.

1Sam 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.  5  And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.   6  So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. (KJV)

v. Saul died for the trespasses he had committed against Jehovah, because of the words of Jehovah which he kept not.

1Chr 10:14 And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.  (KJV)

L. A child of God can so sin as to be eternally lost, because he can commit the works of the flesh and those who do will be eternally lost.

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,   20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  21   Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  (KJV)

1 Cor chapter 5.

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II. PROOF TEXTS FOR THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF APOSTASY.

A. John 5:24   Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (KJV)

This passage is used to prove that Christians presently have eternal life and therefore cannot fall from grace.

1. Jesus is here speaking of a future possession as though they presently possessed it.

Compare;

Matt 26:28   For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (KJV)

where Jesus speaks of his blood as already shed, when it had not actually been.

2. We know that one passage does not contradict another.

The Bible clearly teaches:

   a.  That eternal life in actuality is in the world to come.

Mark 10:30   But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.  (KJV)

    b.  That eternal life is a promise.

Titus 1:2   In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (KJV)

1 John 2:25   And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.  (KJV)

If eternal life is a present possession how can it still be a promise?

     c.  Eternal life is not a present possession.

Mark 10:30   But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.  (KJV)

Rom 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  (KJV)

     d.  Eternal life is conditional. Eternal life is in Christ,

1John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (KJV)

and to have eternal life one must abide in him.

John 15:1   I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.    3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.   4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.   6 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. (KJV)

2 John 9   Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (KJV)

Also consider the fact that eternal life is conditional on faith, but, one can cease to believe.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  (KJV)

B. Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?   shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,   39 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.  (KJV)

1. It is true that no external thing can separate us from the love of God, but this doesn't mean that we cannot separate ourselves from the love of God.

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.  (KJV)

Jude 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (KJV)

2. The same man that penned,

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 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.  (KJV)

knew he could be a cast away.

1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (KJV)

C. 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  (KJV)

1. The seed is the word of God, Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (KJV)

and the devil can steal the word out of the heart.

Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (KJV)

2. John is not teaching the impossibility of a Christian to sin.

1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (KJV)

1 John 2:1 My little children, 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:  2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV)

3. The passage is teaching that the person who is begotten of God, is a person in who sin does not dwell or live.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  (KJV)

C. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (KJV)

1. The promise is conditional upon their following Christ. One can chose to cease following Christ.

John 6:66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  (KJV)

2. Jesus teaches in the twelfth verse that sheep can be snatched and scattered.

John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.  (KJV)

E. 1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (KJV)

1. We are guarded by the power of God, and it is through faith.

2. One can lose his faith.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (KJV)

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III. THINGS A PERSON CAN DO TO KEEP FROM FALLING.

A. Add the Christian graces.

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.  10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (KJV)

B. Grow in grace and knowledge.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.  (KJV)

C. Be followers of that which is good.

1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?  (KJV)

D. Be prepared with the whole armor of God.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.     13 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.  14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.           17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (KJV)

E. Walk in the light, which is to walk according to the Lord's commandments.

1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  (KJV)

2John 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (KJV)

3John 4   I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  (KJV)

F. Abide in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ.

2John 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:   11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.  (KJV)

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CONCLUSION:

1. Can a child of God so sin as to be eternally lost? The bible clearly teaches he can.

2. Let each of us take heed least we fall.

1Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (KJV)


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