Bible Question: Hebrews 6 is very clear, this is true. However, my friend, when can WE say that someone is lost forever? This judgement is made by the Lord. I have heard of a lot of presently bad guys who at one time proclaimed to be Christians, and met my fair share, too! But can I know they are now excluded from grace by their actions? Any more than I can look at a nice, religious man and be sure he will be in Heaven? I don't recall the Lord giving us the power to discern such things. (Though, believe me, the temptation is there! :-) It seems to me that Harper went a step too far. But, maybe my eyesight is not as good as some ;-) In Christ Jesus. |
Bible Answer: I interpret the Bible as saying that someone who believes in his heart that he is saved, has honestly submitted himself to Jesus, and follows the other aspects of salvation that are spelled out in the Bible, need harbor no doubt as to his salvation. Certainly, it is not for us to judge the salvation-state of others, as charis and JVH0212 point out in this forum. Moreover, nowhere does the Bible command us to regard the saved and unsaved in different manners. We can only go on what people tell us: if someone claims to be saved, and exhibits outward signs of it, then we must step forward on faith and act as if he is indeed saved. Woe indeed to him to so deceives a person doing what is right in Christ. |