No one helplessly falls away from Christ - it's a choice

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MyrtleTrees

Junior Member
Sep 5, 2014
805
322
63
#1

They had been redeemed. They were willing to follow Moses (though many times, they wished they hadn't). They had some sincerity in originally having chosen to follow Moses. It is the same way, when people choose to follow God. As can be seen in the demonstrations of the parable of the Sower, and the various soil types. A person can easily be sincere in choices they make in life. They may feel overwhelmingly certain that what they have found is good and something they want. So in that way, at that point, can be called, "sincere" - in this feeling and decion they've made. But some things that we begin with the conclusion that something we've found is right and good - we later come to decide that we don't want after all. Examples: Seeking a mate - sometimes, later on in the relationship, one comes to see that the one they're dating is not the right one to marry, or not as desirable as they'd at first assumed - so he or she breaks off the engagement. It is proper to discontinue something we later discover is not something that would be good for us. Another example: Sometimes, we buy something we overwhelmingly think is desirable and "just what we need" - but later on, we regret we had bought it, and get rid of it.
The same thing often happens in that matter of choosing to accept God's gift of salvation. As can be seen in the parable of the Sower. Some of them who begin with Christ, faithfully continue on throughout hardships & temptations they encounter - without falling away from Christ. But others of them, turn away from Christ, after having been tried by hardships or temptations long enough for it to be possible to determine how faithful they will eventually will be - after that initial starting period.
No one helplessly falls away from Christ, as we all have the ability to make choices in life - God has made it that way. Everyone who chooses to remain faithful to Christ, has ways to help keep himself faithful in Christ - ways the Bible tells us of: Regular prayer, putting on the whole armor of God regularly, etc. God has explained all of that to us, so that we have plenty of ways to keep ourselves faithful to God to the end of our lives.
Paul had full certainty (Philippians 1:23) that he would end up in heaven and that he wouldn't fall away from Christ in this life. That's because he chose to make pleasing God in this life, the most important thing he wanted. He had good certainty, but not complete, absolute certainty about Timothy - it seems, since he also warned him to be careful to remain true to God (I Timothy 6:15). But that shouldn't be surprising - none of us knows what's in other people's hearts as well as God can. All we can know with certainty, if we prayerfully and sincerely serve God and have been tried enough - is that we unbendingly plan to continue to be faithful to Him throughout the end of our lives, and that therefore, God has given us the power to do so.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#2

They had been redeemed. They were willing to follow Moses (though many times, they wished they hadn't). They had some sincerity in originally having chosen to follow Moses. It is the same way, when people choose to follow God. As can be seen in the demonstrations of the parable of the Sower, and the various soil types. A person can easily be sincere in choices they make in life. They may feel overwhelmingly certain that what they have found is good and something they want. So in that way, at that point, can be called, "sincere" - in this feeling and decion they've made. But some things that we begin with the conclusion that something we've found is right and good - we later come to decide that we don't want after all. Examples: Seeking a mate - sometimes, later on in the relationship, one comes to see that the one they're dating is not the right one to marry, or not as desirable as they'd at first assumed - so he or she breaks off the engagement. It is proper to discontinue something we later discover is not something that would be good for us. Another example: Sometimes, we buy something we overwhelmingly think is desirable and "just what we need" - but later on, we regret we had bought it, and get rid of it.
The same thing often happens in that matter of choosing to accept God's gift of salvation. As can be seen in the parable of the Sower. Some of them who begin with Christ, faithfully continue on throughout hardships & temptations they encounter - without falling away from Christ. But others of them, turn away from Christ, after having been tried by hardships or temptations long enough for it to be possible to determine how faithful they will eventually will be - after that initial starting period.
No one helplessly falls away from Christ, as we all have the ability to make choices in life - God has made it that way. Everyone who chooses to remain faithful to Christ, has ways to help keep himself faithful in Christ - ways the Bible tells us of: Regular prayer, putting on the whole armor of God regularly, etc. God has explained all of that to us, so that we have plenty of ways to keep ourselves faithful to God to the end of our lives.
Paul had full certainty (Philippians 1:23) that he would end up in heaven and that he wouldn't fall away from Christ in this life. That's because he chose to make pleasing God in this life, the most important thing he wanted. He had good certainty, but not complete, absolute certainty about Timothy - it seems, since he also warned him to be careful to remain true to God (I Timothy 6:15). But that shouldn't be surprising - none of us knows what's in other people's hearts as well as God can. All we can know with certainty, if we prayerfully and sincerely serve God and have been tried enough - is that we unbendingly plan to continue to be faithful to Him throughout the end of our lives, and that therefore, God has given us the power to do so.
The spiritual choices that are made, are made by the regenerated person, and not the natural man. Phllippians 2:13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
 

Encouragement

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
1,488
1,298
113
#3

They had been redeemed. They were willing to follow Moses (though many times, they wished they hadn't). They had some sincerity in originally having chosen to follow Moses. It is the same way, when people choose to follow God. As can be seen in the demonstrations of the parable of the Sower, and the various soil types. A person can easily be sincere in choices they make in life. They may feel overwhelmingly certain that what they have found is good and something they want. So in that way, at that point, can be called, "sincere" - in this feeling and decion they've made. But some things that we begin with the conclusion that something we've found is right and good - we later come to decide that we don't want after all. Examples: Seeking a mate - sometimes, later on in the relationship, one comes to see that the one they're dating is not the right one to marry, or not as desirable as they'd at first assumed - so he or she breaks off the engagement. It is proper to discontinue something we later discover is not something that would be good for us. Another example: Sometimes, we buy something we overwhelmingly think is desirable and "just what we need" - but later on, we regret we had bought it, and get rid of it.
The same thing often happens in that matter of choosing to accept God's gift of salvation. As can be seen in the parable of the Sower. Some of them who begin with Christ, faithfully continue on throughout hardships & temptations they encounter - without falling away from Christ. But others of them, turn away from Christ, after having been tried by hardships or temptations long enough for it to be possible to determine how faithful they will eventually will be - after that initial starting period.
No one helplessly falls away from Christ, as we all have the ability to make choices in life - God has made it that way. Everyone who chooses to remain faithful to Christ, has ways to help keep himself faithful in Christ - ways the Bible tells us of: Regular prayer, putting on the whole armor of God regularly, etc. God has explained all of that to us, so that we have plenty of ways to keep ourselves faithful to God to the end of our lives.
Paul had full certainty (Philippians 1:23) that he would end up in heaven and that he wouldn't fall away from Christ in this life. That's because he chose to make pleasing God in this life, the most important thing he wanted. He had good certainty, but not complete, absolute certainty about Timothy - it seems, since he also warned him to be careful to remain true to God (I Timothy 6:15). But that shouldn't be surprising - none of us knows what's in other people's hearts as well as God can. All we can know with certainty, if we prayerfully and sincerely serve God and have been tried enough - is that we unbendingly plan to continue to be faithful to Him throughout the end of our lives, and that therefore, God has given us the power to do so.
There was a time I fell away from God and yes it was a choice I made.Yet my capacity to make the right choice was heavily influenced by loneliness,depression and a host of things...so to fall away from him was to some extent my own self deception.It's interesting how we always most certainly have a free will to choose we can make wrong decisions and the motive for making such decisions is the root of the matter.In 2 timothy 3:6 talks about weak willed women being swayed by all kinds of evil desires and bein loaded down with sin..Samson choose to do what he did (gave into deliah request to find out the secret of his strength)...yet it was due her constant nagging of him that he eventually gave in.Yet we can see (judges 16:20) he had a degree of presumous pride in his motives thinking he would be fine regardless of being spiritually irresponsible with Gods standards in his life..
Yes we all have free will and even though there are certain factors that have a profound influence on our motivations when making choices....we are still accountable for the choice we make.Praise God for his divine mercy and grace.😊😊
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
1,369
113
#4
God is greater than we. He knows our heart, our very essence, from beginning unto our end. I can't condemn people whose life experiences, pains, emotional trauma, lead them to wonder where was God. And maybe even turn away from belief in him because they feel he didn't believe in them enough to save them the suffering they endured.
God knows our life from beginning to end. We may turn away from him but he will never turn away from us. When we are of God, it is eternal. Jesus spoke that truth and died to seal its covenant for eternity.
Those who turn away due to their suffering unimaginably to those of us who do not walk in their shoes will likely turn their way back to him for the same reasons.
God is all things, and all that is exists of and from God. There is nowhere we can go, no turn we can make away from God, that actually takes us from his presence. God is all. And he's there when we find our way back because he was there when we thought we were walking on without him.

We, in our seeming know it all consciousness walk in the light of the God that is all. There is nowhere we can go that God is not there. We make the choices. God made the eternal covenant.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#5

They had been redeemed. They were willing to follow Moses (though many times, they wished they hadn't). They had some sincerity in originally having chosen to follow Moses. It is the same way, when people choose to follow God. As can be seen in the demonstrations of the parable of the Sower, and the various soil types. A person can easily be sincere in choices they make in life. They may feel overwhelmingly certain that what they have found is good and something they want. So in that way, at that point, can be called, "sincere" - in this feeling and decion they've made. But some things that we begin with the conclusion that something we've found is right and good - we later come to decide that we don't want after all. Examples: Seeking a mate - sometimes, later on in the relationship, one comes to see that the one they're dating is not the right one to marry, or not as desirable as they'd at first assumed - so he or she breaks off the engagement. It is proper to discontinue something we later discover is not something that would be good for us. Another example: Sometimes, we buy something we overwhelmingly think is desirable and "just what we need" - but later on, we regret we had bought it, and get rid of it.
The same thing often happens in that matter of choosing to accept God's gift of salvation. As can be seen in the parable of the Sower. Some of them who begin with Christ, faithfully continue on throughout hardships & temptations they encounter - without falling away from Christ. But others of them, turn away from Christ, after having been tried by hardships or temptations long enough for it to be possible to determine how faithful they will eventually will be - after that initial starting period.
No one helplessly falls away from Christ, as we all have the ability to make choices in life - God has made it that way. Everyone who chooses to remain faithful to Christ, has ways to help keep himself faithful in Christ - ways the Bible tells us of: Regular prayer, putting on the whole armor of God regularly, etc. God has explained all of that to us, so that we have plenty of ways to keep ourselves faithful to God to the end of our lives.
Paul had full certainty (Philippians 1:23) that he would end up in heaven and that he wouldn't fall away from Christ in this life. That's because he chose to make pleasing God in this life, the most important thing he wanted. He had good certainty, but not complete, absolute certainty about Timothy - it seems, since he also warned him to be careful to remain true to God (I Timothy 6:15). But that shouldn't be surprising - none of us knows what's in other people's hearts as well as God can. All we can know with certainty, if we prayerfully and sincerely serve God and have been tried enough - is that we unbendingly plan to continue to be faithful to Him throughout the end of our lives, and that therefore, God has given us the power to do so.
Salvation is not a test . Its not a game of snakes and ladders either. Do you think you can fall away in heaven ? Or choose to leave ? is this unfair ? is this a violation of freewill ?
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#6

They had been redeemed. They were willing to follow Moses (though many times, they wished they hadn't). They had some sincerity in originally having chosen to follow Moses. It is the same way, when people choose to follow God. As can be seen in the demonstrations of the parable of the Sower, and the various soil types. A person can easily be sincere in choices they make in life. They may feel overwhelmingly certain that what they have found is good and something they want. So in that way, at that point, can be called, "sincere" - in this feeling and decion they've made. But some things that we begin with the conclusion that something we've found is right and good - we later come to decide that we don't want after all. Examples: Seeking a mate - sometimes, later on in the relationship, one comes to see that the one they're dating is not the right one to marry, or not as desirable as they'd at first assumed - so he or she breaks off the engagement. It is proper to discontinue something we later discover is not something that would be good for us. Another example: Sometimes, we buy something we overwhelmingly think is desirable and "just what we need" - but later on, we regret we had bought it, and get rid of it.
The same thing often happens in that matter of choosing to accept God's gift of salvation. As can be seen in the parable of the Sower. Some of them who begin with Christ, faithfully continue on throughout hardships & temptations they encounter - without falling away from Christ. But others of them, turn away from Christ, after having been tried by hardships or temptations long enough for it to be possible to determine how faithful they will eventually will be - after that initial starting period.
No one helplessly falls away from Christ, as we all have the ability to make choices in life - God has made it that way. Everyone who chooses to remain faithful to Christ, has ways to help keep himself faithful in Christ - ways the Bible tells us of: Regular prayer, putting on the whole armor of God regularly, etc. God has explained all of that to us, so that we have plenty of ways to keep ourselves faithful to God to the end of our lives.
Paul had full certainty (Philippians 1:23) that he would end up in heaven and that he wouldn't fall away from Christ in this life. That's because he chose to make pleasing God in this life, the most important thing he wanted. He had good certainty, but not complete, absolute certainty about Timothy - it seems, since he also warned him to be careful to remain true to God (I Timothy 6:15). But that shouldn't be surprising - none of us knows what's in other people's hearts as well as God can. All we can know with certainty, if we prayerfully and sincerely serve God and have been tried enough - is that we unbendingly plan to continue to be faithful to Him throughout the end of our lives, and that therefore, God has given us the power to do so.
No one can fall away from Christ . Thankfully .
 

Encouragement

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
1,488
1,298
113
#7
No one can fall away from Christ . Thankfully .
you yoye saying that it's not possible to backslide as a Christian?
I have known Christian's who have move over to Islam even gone back to their family religion..Naturally who knows how their life till turn out for they could well return having had their eyes opened
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#8
you yoye saying that it's not possible to backslide as a Christian?
I have known Christian's who have move over to Islam even gone back to their family religion..Naturally who knows how their life till turn out for they could well return having had their eyes opened
No one knows if someone who claimed to be a Christian and then goes and joins a religion was really saved to begin with . We can only go on what the bible says .
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#9
you yoye saying that it's not possible to backslide as a Christian?
I have known Christian's who have move over to Islam even gone back to their family religion..Naturally who knows how their life till turn out for they could well return having had their eyes opened
' Backslide ' implies your climbing . Salvation is not ' climbing ' . That would be a works salvation.
 

Encouragement

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
1,488
1,298
113
#10
' Backslide ' implies your climbing . Salvation is not ' climbing ' . That would be a works salvation.
It doesn't matter about the type of terminology used to describe the dynamic in which I am referring to.You havent been able to respond to the couple of examples I just gave you..Are you saying that such things I outlined were not possible?
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#11
It doesn't matter about the type of terminology used to describe the dynamic in which I am referring to.You havent been able to respond to the couple of examples I just gave you..Are you saying that such things I outlined were not possible?
Its possible for a believer to mess up , but not possible to forfiet salvation. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Eph 1.13-14 . Eph 4.30 . Romans 8.23
 

Encouragement

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
1,488
1,298
113
#12
Its possible for a believer to mess up , but not possible to forfiet salvation. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Eph 1.13-14 . Eph 4.30 . Romans 8.23
Yes that's right of course that's possible and there are varying degrees in which such things happen in a belivers life.The scripture is full of many truths concerning the security we have in christ..yet in the other element the scriptures also addresses the ability to make decisions and choices too within the dynamic of salvation which is Gods gift to us.Philipians 2:12 Paul encourages us to work our out salvation ect...not to work for if as it is God free gift to us..but to work it out.There are countless verbs throughout the new testament instructing us how to be.Obviously we are under grace not law and its within these parameters that a person can for some reason turn away from the lord for whatever reason and as I mentioned previously I am sure many come back to a place in God.
There is nothing wrong with the various terms use to describe a person who turns away for the lord..hosea 14:4 mentions thr term backsliding..other says "turn away",or "forsake"...Plus I wasnt even suggesting a person could loose their salvation yet some will be deceived into think they are right with him...but he never knew them Matt 7:22...plus jesus said its this who do his fathers will will enter into heaven.
 

Encouragement

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
1,488
1,298
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#13
No one knows if someone who claimed to be a Christian and then goes and joins a religion was really saved to begin with . We can only go on what the bible says .
Of course..only God knows their heart..we can only see the outward elements of their lives
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#14
Of course..only God knows their heart..we can only see the outward elements of their lives
its more about what they say and not necessarily their conduct. There are no doubt many unsaved people who look like Christians but are not . If you lined up a jehovah witness , a Mormon, and a Christian and followed them around all day to see how they behave you might see the cults put us to shame. But ask them who Jesus is and what the Gospel is , now you.ll see the truth .
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#16
Yes that's right of course that's possible and there are varying degrees in which such things happen in a belivers life.The scripture is full of many truths concerning the security we have in christ..yet in the other element the scriptures also addresses the ability to make decisions and choices too within the dynamic of salvation which is Gods gift to us.Philipians 2:12 Paul encourages us to work our out salvation ect...not to work for if as it is God free gift to us..but to work it out.There are countless verbs throughout the new testament instructing us how to be.Obviously we are under grace not law and its within these parameters that a person can for some reason turn away from the lord for whatever reason and as I mentioned previously I am sure many come back to a place in God.
There is nothing wrong with the various terms use to describe a person who turns away for the lord..hosea 14:4 mentions thr term backsliding..other says "turn away",or "forsake"...Plus I wasnt even suggesting a person could loose their salvation yet some will be deceived into think they are right with him...but he never knew them Matt 7:22...plus jesus said its this who do his fathers will will enter into heaven.
The difference from the Old testament is that a person who recieves Jesus is then sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Notice it doesn't say ' until he messes up ' , or ' until he backs slides ' ect
 

Encouragement

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
1,488
1,298
113
#17
its more about what they say and not necessarily their conduct. There are no doubt many unsaved people who look like Christians but are not . If you lined up a jehovah witness , a Mormon, and a Christian and followed them around all day to see how they behave you might see the cults put us to shame. But ask them who Jesus is and what the Gospel is , now you.ll see the truth .
Many of them are deceived and are so deeply devoted to what they belive..I know lovent good natured Hindus,muslims ect whose devotion is second to none...and all they really wanna do is serve God...yet don't know they are being deceived by the enemie.The enemie wouldn't be opposing them coz they are walking in darkness.. but coz a Christian is walking in the light he will naturally seek to attack us in accordance to the truth we know.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#18
Really?

Judas not only backslid, he went into apostasy...by a freewill choice!
Jesus had not died on the cross , dying for the sins of the world . The resurrection had not happened either. The Holy Spirit had not been given either .
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#19
Many of them are deceived and are so deeply devoted to what they belive..I know lovent good natured Hindus,muslims ect whose devotion is second to none...and all they really wanna do is serve God...yet don't know they are being deceived by the enemie.The enemie wouldn't be opposing them coz they are walking in darkness.. but coz a Christian is walking in the light he will naturally seek to attack us in accordance to the truth we know.
Nothing can separate a believer. Rom 8
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36As 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.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39Nor 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.
 

Encouragement

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2020
1,488
1,298
113
#20
The difference from the Old testament is that a person who recieves Jesus is then sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Notice it doesn't say ' until he messes up ' , or ' until he backs slides ' ect
I never implied that it did