We will use the same basic format we used last week, working with what the New Testament specifically says about this topic. Our objective today is to consider what is taught about the possibility of falling from grace. Our objective here is not to answer all of the arguments that would be made against the conclusion we reach, but to simply note the clear teaching of Scripture on this matter. I have again put key words in bold to assist with showing the relationship to our topic of consideration. While many other passages address this theme, here are several:
WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS
Luke 8:13 – “And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.”
John 15:6 – “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
Acts 1:25 – “to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
2 Corinthians 6:1 – “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”
Galatians 5:4 – “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.”
1 Timothy 4:1 – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”
Hebrews 3:12 – “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.”
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2 Peter 2:20-22 – “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.’”
Revelation 22:18-19 – “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
OBSERVATIONS FROM THESE PASSAGES
- It should be noted first that these passages refer to people who did indeed enjoy fellowship with the Lord. All of them are either addressed to Christians or those who began following the Lord before the church was established (they had become disciples of Christ).
- Next notice the concept of “falling” or “departing” (as well as other terms) that are used to refer to the loss of a position or standing. What status had such individuals lost or what status were they in danger of losing?
- Whatever it was, it certainly involves something of serious consequence. It is likened to a “dog returning to his own vomit” (2 Pt. 2:22). Jesus also indicates that the one who will not abide (continue) in Him will be “thrown away… thrown into the fire, and burned” (Jn. 15:6). That sounds serious but is further intensified by understanding that his original state will be better than his final state! What was his original state? He was separated from God by his sin! (see Is. 59:1-2).
- Clearly the behavior (obedience/disobedience) of the child of God has an impact upon him remaining in the grace of the Lord. Paul says in Ephesians, “by grace you have been saved” (2:5). In the passage from Galatians cited above, Paul refers to Christians who had been “severed from Christ” and “fallen from grace” (5:4). So the NT teaches we are saved by grace but can also fall from that grace.
- Summing it up we can say: The Hebrew writer warned of the possibility of falling away (3:12); Paul predicted that some would fall away (1 Tim. 4:1); and he also wrote to some who did (Gal. 5:4). Whatever else is said about this issue must fit within the framework of what these passages teach.
When one simply lays forth what the Bible says about a matter, it is rather easy to understand the teaching of Scripture. However, the waters become very muddy when anyone opens the Bible to “prove” what he believes. Let’s do honest Bible study, believe it, practice it and teach it!
Daren Schroeder
