Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Easy to deny Christ? | Matt 10:33 | charis | 31388 | ||
Dear Saints, I ask this question fully understanding the controversy, but nonetheless interested in the answer to this question: How 'easy' is it to deny Christ once we know him? Is it a common occurence? I well know that a good 'electionist' (;-)) would say that anyone that knew Christ could never deny Him, therfore all who deny Christ never really knew Him. I find this too pat, almost contrived. The Bible DOES seem to give some examples of those that denied Christ, after knowing Him, to their destruction. (but I have NEVER seen anything that hints at saved-lost-saved-lost... etc.) I also know that a good 'freewiller' (;-)) must say that we have the free-will to accept Jesus, and we can just a easily deny (reject) Him. I cannot accept this, as it gives God no glory as the Author (and Finisher) of our faith. But I DO see that the Scriptures they reference have merit. I guess I see both stances as too absolute, too rigid. Our God is a God of 'case by case,' personal judgement of each individual. He is not bound by a human interpretation of His laws. His ways are not ours. He spoke that adultery and murder are capital offences, then spared King David. My point is that though a man may deny Christ and 'lose' salvation (Tim, I hate that word, too!), it can't be very easy to do, or we would all be guilty of denying Christ because we willfully reject His commandments (sin). Strong's on 'deny' - 720 arneomai ar-neh'-om-ahee perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and the middle voice of 4483; to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate:--deny, refuse. This speaks to me of a calculated, purposeful act of will against God, knowing who He is. I honestly doubt that many Christians could accomplish this. But I cannot discount the possibility! Through deception, depression, or oppression, a person of faith COULD turn against Christ. I don't believe it happens often, and I am confident that those committed to a local church, in the care of a good shepherd, and walking in the Holy Spirit are kept from this kind of apostacy. Now I know that those with 'polar' positions on this subject feel obligated to 'deny' my central position, but humor me. (and answer the question) In Christ Jesus, charis |
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2 | Easy to deny Christ? | Matt 10:33 | Makarios | 31415 | ||
Greetings, charis! If someone were to just outright deny Christ, or willfully reject Him and every part of Him, then it would not be a "moment" happening. I believe that if someone was led to do this, then it would be based on circumstances that would happen over the course of the time of someone's life. But, I believe that it is not possible for one who is genuinely saved to completely deny and willfully reject Jesus Christ. In the situation that you have described, (a good question, I would add), I understand it in this way: By accepting Christ, we are dead to our former selves. We have died to the former and left it for dead; that is, we have left the former life behind completely, and irrevocably. So therefore, we are a "new creation" in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we were to deny Christ (as believers), then it would mean that we would have to return to that self that has already died; that self that has already been "put to death." I sincerely do not think that it is possible to return to that, our old selves, which has been irrevocably 'erased', even on our own behalf, and with our wishes! However, we are reminded (at least I am) of our former selves from time to time, and what we used to be like and how we used to act, but we find that we are not what we used to be, not in essense nor in spirit. We have become something totally different now, we are completely and irrevocably changed. And once this "metamorphosis" has occurred, I do not believe that we can return to our former state of being. I liken this suggestion, of completely denying Christ and returning to our former selves, as like to that of a butterfly going back into the cocoon and coming out as a caterpillar again. We all know that the development of a butterfly is a "one-direction" process: caterpillar, cocoon, and then butterfly, and I believe that this is the same case for those who come to salvation as well. Blessings to you, Nolan |
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3 | Easy to deny Christ? | Matt 10:33 | kalos | 31441 | ||
Makarios: Let me be among the first to welcome you to the SpeculationBibleForum. It's always good to see a new guy on the block. I hope you are not one of those nit-picky individuals who insist on using Scripture and reason to answer the questions posted here. Feel free to make up interpretations and doctrines as you go along. After all, almost everyone else does. But always remember, to paraphrase Gershwin: the things that you're liable to read on the Forum, they aint necessarily so. kalos |
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4 | Easy to deny Christ? | Matt 10:33 | Makarios | 31503 | ||
Greetings, Kalos! Thank you for your kind welcome! :-) I'm afraid that it is so: I will turn out to be one of those nit-picky individuals who insists on using Scripture and reason at every turn to answer questions.. :-) From one Greek username to another, Makarios! :-) (mak-ar'-ee-os) |
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5 | Easy to deny Christ? | Matt 10:33 | Morant61 | 31521 | ||
Greetings my friend! May you continue to be both blessed by and a blessing to the Forum! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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6 | Easy to deny Christ? | Matt 10:33 | Makarios | 31550 | ||
Greetings to you also! I have definitely been "blessed" by using this Forum, and I am grateful that the Lord continues to use me to bring blessings to the Forum! I have also been blessed by meeting and making such good and faithful friends like you, and I continue to be amazed and impressed with the stamina and patience that you have become known for on this Forum! You have certainly kept your "cool" since you first signed on, and in so doing, you have become an example for all of us! Blessings to you, my Brother in Christ! :-) Makarios |
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