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 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 33518 | ||
Zach Greetings from the cold white North Part 3 Paul states that “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Rom. 8:39 and yet in 1 Cor. 9:27 shows concern that he could end up disqualified for the prize. Does this mean that Paul believed that he could lose his salvation in Christ? I don’t think so. Paul also writes “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” 2 Timothy 1:12 Paul suffered greatly for the testimony of the gospel of Christ, not to earn his eternal salvation, but rather out of devotion to Christ. In 1 Cor. 9 is Paul’s defense to them who had accused him of not being an apostle v.2-3 As he reviews his life of service for God, in verse 24-29 he is using a metaphor of the Olympic games to illustrate his method of service. In v.24 he likens the Christian walk “race”, the runner must be qualified to run and the runner who has trained and has strong self-discipline will be the one who is not distracted, keeping his eye always on the prize (award) at the end of the race. In v.25 he contrasts the award which an Olympic runner would get as perishable compared to that of a Christian who runs well and will receive an award which perisheth not. To be in the race of the Christian walk we must first of all be “in Christ” to qualify. If we want to be pleasing to him we will keep our eye on him and not be distracted by those things which would compromise our run for him. If we become disqualified during the race, what will we lose? We will lose the prize or award which is given at the Judgment seat of Christ. 1 Cor. 3: 12-15. Paul in v.26 describes his own race: “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; ( the runner has focus as he runs) “I box in such a way, not as one that beating the air” ( as a boxer he is again focused on his purpose and is effective) The metaphor continues in V27 “I buffet my body, and make it my slave” Paul is speaking of training and self-discipline which will keep the athlete in the race knowing that if he fails to keep himself discipline spiritually, there is the possibility that he will make shipwreck of his life and be disqualified for the award which should be his providing he run the course lawfully. I believe that Paul is teaching that as Christians we cannot become lax in our approach to our walk before God. Paul mentions in Romans “I die daily” meaning that the desires which our sinful nature would bring before us, we must reckon them dead and not allow them to reign in our body. Zach: back to your original question and scripture. I believe that in the last days, many will fall away. We live in a time much like the days of the Church of Laodicea Rev. 3:14-20 when those who profess to be Christians are generally “lukewarm” toward God and their own perception of self is that “I am rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing”. We find that the professing Church has pushed Christ outside the door and are self-sufficient. He appeals to the individuals of that time “Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me” Christians can and will be deceived by false teachers and yet even though they have fallen, they are still part of the family of God. The bottom line is “the Lord knoweth them that are his” Yours by his grace alone Robert |
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2 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | zach† | 37140 | ||
Dear Robert; I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but because of the length of some of your replys it took me awhile to fully look over them. I will just select one comment of yours from this reply and make a short rebuttal concerning it. In your reply you stated: "Christians can and will be deceived by false teachers and yet even though they have fallen, they are still part of the family of God." First off concerning the term "fallen" which to me is not the same as falling away. The first is remedial and the second is final and unremedial. So we first have to distinguish exact terms to better understand each other. Let me post the following comment, while it is not Scripture I still believe the thoughts in it are Scriptura,l for those like myself who believe Scripture states that one can depart totally from the faith he/she previously held. I have listened many times to an explanation of eternal security based upon the analogy of sonship. "My child is born into my family and he will always be my child. He cannot be unborn. Whether obedient or disobedient, he will always be my child." This reasoning avoids the central issue. The question is not whether a child can be "unborn" but whether it can sicken and die. Doctors do not admonish parents about the dangers of their child being "unborn" but rather about proper care of the child to keep it from dying. In fact if the baby is not fed it will soon die. In the same way, Jesus said, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you." John 6:53 Grace and peace be multiplied unto thee; zach† |
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3 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 37276 | ||
Dear brother: Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I realize on this forum that we are not to try and change a persons beliefs. However, Your quote "l for those like myself who believe Scripture states that one can depart totally from the faith he/she previously held. " I understand your differentiation between "falling" and "falling away". I do not believe that a true believer can fall away since "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1Peter 3:5) This salvation is in the present and continuous tense. I believe that all "newborns" into the kingdom of God are indwelt or sealed by the Holy Spirit and that none are born sickly. I agree that as individuals we can become sickly due to our resistance to be obedient to God and that "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Hebrews 12:6) This is my opinion: I think that by believing that I can be lost, robs me of the security that I put in Christ in the first place upon believing. I have read many articles on Heb.6:4-6 and I believe that this reference is not an article in support of saved and fallen away. I will not enlarge on this at the moment. God bless you dear brother in your study of his word. Peace in our Saviour's name Robert |
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4 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | zach† | 37384 | ||
brother Robert; Thank you for your reply, and while we can both disagree on this subject, yet have mutual respect for each other. And of course I am not the final authority on what scripture truly means. I have just one comment on your reply. You quoted; "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1Peter 3:5) And because that is found in scripture I would be foolish to diasgree with it. But at the same time the following verse comes to my mind; Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. So I see between these two verses; The one you quoted and the one I posted a "being kept" and a "keep yourselves" So how do I reconcile the two verses? Thats easy for me. I see the "being kept" and the "keep yourselves" as the abiding. He in us, and we in Him. We have a relationship with the Lord Jesus, and relationships take two willing partners to continue. I would post more on this but at this time I will remain brief rather than overbearing on this topic. Grace and peace be multiplied unto thee. zach† |
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5 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | Robert Nicholson | 37444 | ||
Dear brother: You have rightly pointed out that we are kept and we are to keep ourselves in the love of God. I tend to make a difference between eternal security and discipleship. When we trust Christ we receive eternal life John 3:16 As those indwelt by his Spirit "we hear his voice" John 10 and as sheep of his pasture we follow him. We know however, that following Jesus is not some passive exercise in which we wait for the good Shepherd to guide our every move. In our relationship we still have free will and it is through our obedience that we bring glory to his name. Nevertheless, we can become like Peter and warm ourselves at the world's fires and even deny our saviour because of the fear of man. I believe, however, like Peter of old, the person who is truly born again will have a conscience and will not be happy until they repent and confess their sin to God. Sin in a believer's life will break communion with God or cause one to walk afar off. Just a few thoughts In Christ Robert |
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6 | Some will depart from the faith | 1 Tim 4:1 | zach† | 37464 | ||
Robert; To what you posted I say AMEN Keep abiding in Him zach† |
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