Scripture Matters

To the Reader: This article talks about apostasy which I know may be a difficult subject, especially for those who may know someone who has turned away from following Christ. However, we must stand on scripture alone. This would be true even when we are faced with those passages that we’re uncomfortable with. Therefore, I am confident that through God’s word, we can grow and mature as we study His word. Therefore let's: “Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 Webster) Amen.

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” (Hebrews 6:4-6 NIV)

As already mentioned above, this is one of those topics that can be hard to discuss because it involves one’s eternal security. Also, it’s one that can be so abused and misunderstood as well. However, by carefully studying God’s word we can rightly put this into proper perspective. So, let’s start with that passage quoted above. Here we read of a warning against believers who turn away from Christ (commit apostasy). So, if after experiencing the Holy Spirit and the goodness of God they again fall back into the world by renouncing Christ, they have no more hope of repentance. This again is a very heavy warning for us to always keep the faith and not turn away from the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Now, a few chapters over we read: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:26-31 NKJV) So again, we see a stern warning for those who reject Jesus after receiving the truth.

Therefore, by rejecting Jesus Christ and falling back into a life of sin, a person could end up facing God’s wrath on the day of judgment. Now, I know that there may be some who have a head knowledge of who Jesus is and may even claim to believe in him. However, these same individuals may not have truly repented of their sins nor given their heart fully over to him. In other words, there were not truly born again. So, I personally wouldn’t include such people in those passages mentioned above. For I’m hoping they would still be able to repent and truly turn their lives over to God.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NASB20)

Now, it does say above that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. And even though this is true, I don’t believe it means what some teachers claim it says. For in verse 28 of that same chapter, it says: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB20) So, it is those who love God and have put their hope in Jesus that this promise is made to. We see the same thing to be true where Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:27-29 KJV)

So, we who love God and fallow Jesus can’t be force away from God. However, there are those who have professed Christ and have willingly walk away from him. And unfortunately, I have seen this happen with a few people I personally knew. And let’s take note to what the apostle Peter said: “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-22 NKJV) So, let’s be diligent to always love God and follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. More on this below.

“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2 CSB)

Now even though we should do our best not sin as Christian, there may be times that we may make a mistake. However, since we haven’t denied Christ or turned away from God, we are still saved. And let’s remember that King David also committed sin and yet God forgave him when he repented of his adultery. And not only that, but Paul the apostle went through some struggles himself. For he said: “For I delight in the law of God in my inner being. But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” (Romans 7:22-25 NET)

So, what was Paul’s outcome toward the end of his life? Well, he said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV) Yes, Paul loved the Lord and therefore “kept the faith” and received a “crown of righteousness.” So, we also who keep the faith in Christ we will not lose our salvation. Therefore, in light of what we read, let’s keep: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 RSV) So, did you notice that it says “so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.” And we know God’s will is that we keep the faith and bear much fruit by abiding in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So then, my brothers and sisters in Christ, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV) Yes, we are to daily be encouraging each other in our walk with Christ. Therefore: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12-13 ESV) And let’s do just that, always holding on and looking to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now, let’s consider some other scriptures below concerning this topic:

• “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ... 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.” (John 15:1-2, 6 ESV)
• “You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. And even the others, if they do not persist in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:19-23 RSV)
• “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Now everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 LSB)
• “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (1 Timothy 4:13-15 ESV)
• “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire”.” (2 Peter 2:20-22 NASB20)
• “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psalm 51:10-12 KJV)
• “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.” (Ezekiel 18:24 NASB95)

God bless you as you seek to do his well. Amen.

Note: Bible versions that was used in this article are listed below to help you in your study of God’s word:

• ESV = English Standard Version
• NKJV = New King James Version
• NIV = New International Version
• CSB = Christian Standard Bible
• Webster = Webster Common Version
• NASB20 = New American Standard Bible, 2020 edition
• NASB95 = New American Standard Bible, 1995 edition
• KJV = King James Version
• RSV = Revised English Version
• LSB = Legacy Standard Bible
• NET = New English Translation

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