Can backsliders come back to God?

I don't know about the "mocking God" part..we would have to discuss that, but as far as getting involved in long-term sin, and returning back to God, yes, that is possible.

And, I think Satan wants us to believe it is not, in order to cause us to continue in our misery longer. He especially wants us to self-isolate so that we will not hear God's word clearly which should encourage us to return back to him, like the prodigal son.

By the way, I believe this is where those who claim a true believer can lose their salvation actually lead people to misery and self-condemnation. God means for the believer to know that he is secure, and can depend upon the grace of God, even after he has been trapped in sin for a long period of time.

Additionally, I don't believe any true believer is ever lost. I will back that position up with a paper that I have done on this topic.

At the same time, though, my position is "perseverance of the saints" and this means that God will ultimately reconcile the true believer to himself.

To be fair to the guys who believe you can lose your salvation (free-willers), they teach this, but at the same time when someone fears that they have lost their salvation, they will backpedal and encourage the person by claiming that if you care, you haven't lost it, or they will claim you can regain the salvation which you lost. Very few of them are hard-hearted enough to tell some guy, yup, you could have lost your salvation and you might be doomed to eternal damnation. However, their theology actually depends on them for their salvation in the final analysis.

I used to be one of these guys, until I was convicted by good Reformed brothers that God is the author and finisher of my salvation, and he will bring me into glory, and it is not dependent upon me.

At the same time, I am not sure if you are a true believer or not. I don't think you would care about restoring your relationship with God if you were a false believer, so I will assume you are

My encouragement is to pick up and start seeking God. Trust in Christ and his finished work on the Cross, and begin understanding what grace really means. It is the grace of God that transforms the believer, not trying harder. You really need to pray and ask God to reveal his grace to you, and to look toward Jesus on the Cross and not toward the enormity of your sin.

I believe that is ultimately what transforms the person, and not obsession on their personal sin. They need to be obsessed with Christ, and not their sin.

I recommend reading "Union with Christ" by Rankin Wilbourne and " Favor: Finding Life at the Center of God's Affection" by Greg Gilbert.

Also realize that if you ask questions here, you will invariably encounter two harmful groups....one that encourages you to be full of self-condemnation and hopelessness, and one that conveys that obedience doesn't matter. The key to both of those problems (and salvation in general) is related to the concept of union with Christ.

Union with Christ means that if you are a believer, your identity is in Christ, and despite your sinfulness, God views you according to the pleasure that his Son gives him, because you are united with Christ. Additionally, it means that Jesus is joined to the real believer through faith, and because of that, he is one with him in a spiritual sense. His spiritual power is available to empower the believer through all struggles, including sin and trials. You need to be aware of the indwelling power of Jesus, through the mediation of the Holy Spirit. At the same time, though, you need to be aware that the believer is pleasing to God through union or oneness with Christ.

Be aware that many Christian teachers out there will simply point you to your own power, etcetera, which is a bunch of nonsense. It is only when a person realizes that they are weak and helpless that they start depending on God to supply all their need, including their spiritual power to defeat sin and to endure suffering of all types.

And, if a person is a true believer, defeat of Satan, the world and self is inevitable. You may have to learn a lot of lessons and be disciplined by God a lot before you learn the lessons he has intended for you, though. If you want to be the slow learner in the class, then maybe you just keep taking your lumps and the misery associated with them until you change your mind. God disciplines every son he loves.

But, don't let yourself be fooled by free-willers who think salvation is all up to them buckling up and doing better. it is more about being aware of your sinfulness, and turning to God in dependence. It is better to look toward Jesus rather than look toward your sin as your self-identity.

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Some believers struggle with a lack of assurance of salvation.

Reasons for this lack of assurance include spiritual immaturity and poor teaching. Some teachers and pastors believe that a Christian can lose their salvation, which is untrue and harmful to the growth of a new believer. Spiritually sensitive individuals, who realize their brokenness, tend to dwell in fear and self-condemnation if they lack assurance. Dwelling in fear and self-condemnation causes a lack of productivity, and hinders the believer’s relationship with God. God doesn’t want us to fear losing our salvation. Fear is the opposite of love, and it does not belong in a loving relationship (I John 4:8). Scripture is emphatic that God has steadfast love for those who are His, and that he will not leave or forsake us (Psalm 136, John 6:35-40; Hebrews 13:5). We are not under God’s wrath and condemnation once we are saved (John 5:24; Romans 8:1), and God is totally for us. No force can separate us from his love (Romans 8:31-35).

An important reason for having assurance of salvation is that one cannot really love God in the fullest sense unless he is secure in his salvation. Those who deny eternal security feel like the threat of impending condemnation is still a reality. This handicaps their ability to truly do good works out of love rather than fear of condemnation.

Their view of salvation is like a father holding a pistol to his head and demanding that his son love him. How much love would be reflected if the son does acts to show love in such circumstances?

It is very helpful to understand ten major reasons why we should have assurance in our salvation.

The first point to understand is that we received eternal life at the moment of salvation (John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:35-40; John 6:47; John 6:54; John 10:28-29; John 11:25; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11, I John 5: 13). Eternal means everlasting;without end. Eternal life is not probationary.

The second point to understand is that salvation is God’s work. It is not our work (Psalm 3:8; Jonah 2:9; Matthew 19:25-26; John 6:39; Acts 28:28; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:28 ; Philippians 2:13). If salvation is God’s work, then the completion of it is based on his competency, not our own. Perseverance is guaranteed because it is based on his competency, not ours (Philippians 1:6; Jude 24). This is why Scripture speaks of our salvation in the past tense (Romans 8:28-30).

The third point is that eternal life and salvation is a free gift from God (Rom 5:15-17; Rom 6:23). Would God give us a free gift, then take it back again? The gifts and calling of God are without revocation (Rom 11:29).

The fourth point to understand is that, when we are saved, God adopted us as children (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17 ; Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1). God chastened his children; he does not cast them away (Hebrews 12:4-11). The goal of chastening is to correct us when we stray. The parenting role of God is a great reason we should have confidence in our salvation. God is not an absentee parent.

The fifth point to understand is that our salvation does not depend on our performance. It is about what Christ has done on the cross and our faith in his sacrifice and its sufficiency (Romans 10:13; 1 Peter 2:6). God has already qualified us for his Kingdom through the sacrifice of his Son (Colossians 1:12-14). We are more than conquerors through him (Romans 8:37). Christ is the source of our righteousness, and he has made us sufficient (1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6). He made us perfect through his sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14). Our works do not add to what Christ did on the cross, and our salvation was earned at the cross (Romans 11:6).

The sixth point to understand is that we received a new nature at conversion that wants to obey God. We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are reborn when we are saved (John 3). Would a person with this new nature want to reject God? Those who claim you can lose your salvation are asserting that it is possible to go back to the old nature.

The seventh point to understand is that our assurance is based on Christ’s ministry of intercession on our behalf (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1). Note especially Hebrews 7:25 that it is Christ who “saves to the uttermost” those who draw near to God.

Examples of Christ’s prayers for us include the prayers of Christ for Peter in Luke 22:31-34. Christ prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. Christ also prayed for believers, including us, in John 17:6-26. He specifically mentioned in this prayer asking God to keep us from being lost (John 17: 11-12). Can anyone have a more powerful prayer warrior interceding for them?

The eighth point to understand is that we enjoy union with Christ when we were saved (Romans 6:5). We are no longer separate from Him, and that is why Scripture says we are in Christ (John 6:56; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 13:5). We were baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27). We were crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). Christ lives in us (Romans 8:10-20; Galatians 2:20). We are identified with him totally. Scripture says that we died with Christ (Romans 6:8; Colossians 2:20), are buried with Christ (Romans 6:4), were made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5), were risen with Christ (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1) and are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).

Unity with Christ has importance with regards to security as well. We are no longer part of unredeemed mankind, which is in union with Adam, and under the condemnation of God (Rom 5). We have left that status, and now belong to Jesus. We are united with him spiritually, and he is the source of our spiritual strength and life.

The ninth point to understand is that God has a covenant with Christians in regards to eternal life, and that we can rely on God’s covenant love and loyalty, which endures forever. God’s covenant love is hesed in Hebrew. As an example of what God says about his covenant love, see Psalm 136. It repeatedly states that God’s steadfast love, or covenant love, endures forever. Another example of this covenant loyalty is found with ancient Israel. God has not given up on ancient Israel despite their lack of loyalty, as Romans 11 indicates.

This Hebrew word hesed is rendered steadfast love in the ESV. It would be a good exercise to scan through the Old Testament to see how often this word is mentioned in relation to those God has covenanted with. It is mentioned many times.

The tenth point to understand relates to God’s attributes. One of the attributes of God is omniscience. God knows everything, including all details about the future (Is. 46:9-10). How does this relate to assurance of salvation?

If God knows the details of the future, why would he bring someone to salvation, give them eternal life, and work within their life, then reach a point of giving up on them due to some sin? Is God schizophrenic? Why would he bother bringing someone to salvation if he knew the person was doomed to destruction?

Those who think a believer can lose their salvation don’t seem to understand God’s attributes. He knows the end from the beginning, and knows every sin the person will commit before they are saved. How would God be able to relate to a person honestly and in love if he knew that they were going to be lost at some point?

Only those who are truly saved should be assured of their salvation, though. Those who haven’t placed their faith in Christ are under God’s wrath. So, it’s important to know whether you are saved or not. How do you know if you’re saved? Scripture teaches that we should examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5).

We should examine the fruits of our salvation to see if they are present. Fruits are borne over time, so a new Christian may not be able to recognize these fruits earlier in their Christian walk. So, if you are young in the faith and don’t recognize these fruits earlier in your Christian walk, do not be discouraged.

Over time, though, if you don’t observe these fruits in your life, you may have reason to consider whether you were saved. The fact that you are concerned is a good sign. Those who are not saved have little or no concern for their relationship with God.

1 John was written to give believers the assurance of their salvation (1 John 5:13). It gives signs of true believers. The first sign is that they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God and his sacrifice for forgiveness of their sins (1 John 4:15; I John 5:1; 1 John 5:5). A second sign is that they do not practice a habitual lifestyle of sin (1 John 3:9; I John 5:2). This does not mean that Christians cease to sin at conversion; it means that they do not continue to practice their sin with no concern for their disobedience. They grieve over their sins, unlike the unregenerate man who doesn’t care. A third sign is that they continue with the Christian faith; they persevere in the faith (Hebrews 3:14; 1 John 2:19). A fourth sign is that they love Christian brothers; they share a special spiritual connection that unites them, and they know it (1 John 3:14-16; I John 4:7-12; I John 4:21). A fifth sign is that they have the Holy Spirit, which is an internal witness that we belong to God (1 John 3:24).

(continued)

Scripture is clear in teaching that believers have eternal security. It is also clear in teaching that those who are saved depart from evil (2 Timothy 2:19). Believers may experience long periods of spiritual fruitlessness, but they will never fall away from the faith completely and finally.

The fact that Christians grieve over their sins and struggling against them is a proof that they are saved. All believers struggle with such issues in their lives. Those who claim otherwise are either deceived or lying. The new believer should just keep on confessing the sin, and asking for cleansing, as I John 1:8-9 teaches.

Regular confession is very important. We never outgrow our need for God’s grace and our need for a Savior. Satan wants us to get frustrated, and to think that our situation is hopeless. There is no believer who wants to get back into close relationship with God who cannot do so.

The primary focus should be on worshipping God, and not obsessing on continuing indwelling sin. We take practical actions toward holiness, such as getting involved in biblically based recovery groups, but we shouldn’t fixate on our sinfulness. This will lead to greater growth over time.

What about Scriptures that seem to indicate you can lose your salvation? Addressing each individual Scripture would be time consuming. However, here is a few examples that are typical explanations of those Scriptures:

• Those who leave the faith were never really saved to start with (I John 2:19). Examples of such individuals include Judas Iscariot. He is commonly used as an example of a saved person who left the faith. However, Scripture is clear in teaching that he was never a believer (John 6:64). In fact, Scripture calls him a devil (John 6:70-71).
• Some Scriptures are talking about losing the ability to share the gospel message, rather than loss of salvation. Examples of this are in Revelation 2:5, where Christ said that the church at Ephesus was subject to having its lampstand removed. This removal was talking about the removal of their opportunity to preach the Gospel message, and to give light to a dying world, not loss of salvation.
• There are warnings in Scripture concerning the need to persevere. These warnings are part of what God uses to keep us in the faith. The elect will heed these warnings, and they are there for this purpose.

I recommend reading Numbers 13, 14, and I Samuel 17. The Ten Israelite spies, and the Israelite Army were fearful and projected a negative view of God and his ability to deliver the Israelites. The faithful ones; Joshua, Caleb, and David, were different. They were bold in God's strength and did not focus on themselves and their pitiful self-effort. Our self-effort fails us all the time. One set of individuals focuses on self-effort; the other focuses on the transforming power of God's Holy Spirit. These two mentalities are as far apart from one another as day and night.

This is a mess of jumbled theology and heresy, likely the same type of “preaching” that’s leads people into a false sense of salvation to begin with.

Hi NOV25,

Considering I posted and shared the video 20 minutes ago, and the video is 57:15 long, you obviously have not watched it, and yet are publicly "disagreeing" with it.

If you watched it, you would see and recognize the pure truth to it. May God deal with the consequences, and you trying to lead others astray.

Or, maybe he already watched it in the past and didn't see your post prior to re-posting it.

I rarely look at the posts of others prior to posting myself.

I wouldn't accuse others without thinking it out.

Yep, here’s some more math for ya. It only took 3 minutes of watching to recognize it’s heretical nature but I watched painfully for an additional 7 minutes to be absolutely positive. 😆

I'm truly sorry to hear that

For a second there I was worried because I thought you approved of the video

I only made it through about 1 minute.

I'm truly sorry to hear that

I agree with everything you said, I would like to add some thoughts.

To understand Hebrews we really need to know the target audience, which were Hebrews practicing Judaism, believing in works-based salvation and repeated animal sacrifices. This letter to them is lecturing them that they cannot just keep crucifying Christ every time they need to because it only happened once.

Hebrews 6:4 is rhetorical. The first hint is that it begins with the word "impossible" meaning that it doesn't happen. Later in the verse it says that Christ is crucified again, which doesn't happen either. The Bible says repeatedly Christ was crucified once and for all - it is finished. If Christ was recrucified every time a Christian sinned then this verse would be evidence that Christ is recrcucified millions of times a day. We know that doesn't happen either because the Bible says Christ is sitting at the Father's right hand. This verse is rhetorical.

Hebrews 10:26 is in the same vein as Hebrews 6:4. 10:26 is once again about animal sacrifice. If they sinned after having performed an animal sacrifice then their sin stayed until the next sacrifice. This is a contrast with the sacrifice of Jesus who, by one offering, perfected forever all who are being sanctified, (Hebrews 10:14) which is how we can tell these verses that appear to be sobering are actually casually misused and misinterpreted.

Did the prodigal son return? Was he accepted back? Was there great rejoicing upon his return?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I think Paul Washer is fine, so I have no idea why the young lady put a red x on your video.
But it seems you just want to get back at her for the red x. I listened to the first 10 minutes of her video and I didn’t here any heresies whatsoever. So how about calling a truce and show some grace?

He’s the red x king. You can post the sky is blue and he’ll give you a red x.

The first three minutes of the video shows the preacher welcoming guests with love and quoting Scripture twice regarding God’s grace, and yet you deem it heretical. 😆

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply, there’s too many to reply to each individually 👍

Right, who doesn’t like Paul Washer? Maybe she didn’t watch it lol 🤷‍♂️

I didn’t want to say anything but since you brought it up, I was the x initiator. I x’d her video first so it seems she is the retaliatory x’er 😆 lol

Little to nothing of repentace of sin or confession for cleansing in that video. Vapid empty seductive used car salesman preaching IMO.

Thats my take on it. The kid definitely should not hold any kind of pulpit position or authority.