Can a once truly saved believer backslide too much and lose the gift of salvation? If so do they need to repent and ask for forgiveness through Christ again? Thoughts are welcome and scripture too!
Some people believe a person cannot fall when they are saved for they believe God chooses who will be saved, and not saved in the beginning.
But this goes against the nature of God that He is good, and His kingdom is true love, not robotic love, for they would have no choice to but to accept seeing no other alternative.
And He is not evil to condemn people who have no choice but to reject the truth.
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
God calls things that have not happened yet as thought they already happened, for if it is a plan of God to happen in the future it is the same as if it happened in the beginning, for it will surely come to pass with no hindrance.
Which the Lamb was slain, and the prophets blood shed, and the kingdom prepared, and all the works were finished from the foundation of the world although they were future events.
Which Jesus told the disciples He went away to prepare a place for them but the kingdom was prepared from the foundation of the world.
They misunderstand the meaning of predestination that it does not mean God chooses who will be saved, and not saved without their choice, but it means that God already had the plan to give mankind salvation in the beginning so it is the same as if the saints have salvation in the beginning, and this salvation is to whoever wants this salvation.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Jesus is the Saviour of the world, and God wants all people to be saved, and anyone can take the water of life freely.
So what they believe is not true, and they can fall if they do not act Christlike led by the Spirit.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Many are called but few are chosen so if God chooses in the beginning then why is He calling people that cannot be saved.
And if they are called then why did they not come to the truth.
1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
When God calls a person according to their heart condition He will work in their life to get them to the truth, and when they get to the door of truth they have to choose to enter for His kingdom is true love, but they would of not got to the door of truth unless He intervened in their life.
And to enter through the door they have to abstain from sin led by the Spirit.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Which there is no excuse for a Spirit led life will not sin which they are not under the law because their sins are forgiven, and they are not sinning therefore the law cannot touch them for prosecution.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
If they hold on to sin then the blood of Jesus cannot wash the sin away for God will not take a sin away that they hold on to.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 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.
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
A person that confesses Christ should know that they are to turn away from sins, and cease doing sins led by the Spirit.
If they do allow the Spirit to lead them and they do not continue in the goodness of God they will be cut off like the Hebrews in the Old Testament.
2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
But some people deny the Spirit leading them, and are lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God, and are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth for they believe they are right despite holding on to sin.
Continued in next post