Subject: Didn't God give man freedom of choice? |
Bible Note: Robert, Thank you. You've provided an excellent response to Teacher's question. I must add that I believe that one can be saved, but still backslide during his/her life. That doesn't mean that they weren't really saved at the time though, just that there was seed sown in thorny ground (ref: Mark 4). It can happen to any of us, because we aren't perfected. If we fall out of the Word, we can all fall away from salvation. Satan will continually try us, because he knows that he has a chance of succeeding. As sowers of the Word, we must work to improve the ground (the heart) of such Christians so that they can again be redeemed to salvation. If successful, then the wayward, previously saved, individual will come back and rededicate themselves to Christ. The road to final salvation is a continual one. None of us have achieved final salvation until we actually go to heaven, which requires that we be in a state of grace in Jesus Christ at the time that we die -- not just right now. That's why it's so important for us to bring the prodigals home again, while there's still time for them. Praise Jesus, Henri |