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NASB | Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 10:33 "But the one who denies and rejects Me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven. |
Bible Question:
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 |
Bible Answer: Charis Greetings to you in the name of the Lord. Boy, you sure know how to open a “can of worms”! I think I have made myself clear that I have a “middle of the road” thoughts on salvation but to insure there is not confusion let me state them once more. I do not believe for a minute our salvation depends on our works but is secured by grace. I further believe nothing can separate us for the love of God. However I do believe we can choose to break fellowship with Christ denying him and therefore forfeit our salvation. Take this passages as my example, 1 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” How do we explain a believer that breaks rank and goes into full time sin or a believer that commits suicide. I think the answer to both is even though they were provided a way of escape they refused to accept it and ended up denying Christ. I had a very good friend that was in the ministry for years, it was fruitful and I believe authentic ministry, yet one day he met a woman that would destroy all of it. I talked to him and warned him and one of the last things he said, “I know this is sin, I know this is wrong, I do not care about the consequences I’m willing to sacrifice my soul for this woman.” While I will would never be so bold to pronounce him as future resident of Hell’s fire I will say I do not want to be in his shoes. He had a relationship with Christ but he choose to break it, to walk away ignoring the results, and in effect denying Christ. He denied Christ to himself, to his family to his church, to his community and he brought shame and dishonor to the Name he once called upon. We can go back to the story of Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8. The word clearly states he was a believer and was baptized Acts 8:13, but then he sought to buy the power of the Holy Spirit he was rebuked Acts 8:21 as having no part or portion in this matter. Peter told him to repent and get right with God now we can argue all day whether he was really saved to begin with and if he was truly repentant and etc. Nonetheless the scripture reports him as a believer and unless we count Peter’s response as empty threats I think it fair to say Simon was in grave danger. Yes I think we can deny Christ, is it easy? No! Again sin isn’t the problem, the problem is when we choose to break fellowship, when we deny Christ’s rightful ownership of the believer. As believers through Christ we were bought and paid for, but if we can deny His ownership by willfully following after that which disgraces the name of Christ. That denial will then break our relationship and we find ourselves without hope. EdB |