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NASB | Matthew 13:20 "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 13:20 "The one on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and at once welcomes it with joy; |
Bible Question:
I have always believed "once saved always saved...osas" and that Christians can "backslide" and not receive the rewards they could have if they kept walking in the Word, but still go to Heaven. Anyone who "claims" to have been a Christian and then renounces Christ...I believe only gave mental assent and were never truly born again. But, will someone please explain 2Peter 2:20,21. "If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they of worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them." NIV Thanks in advance for your response. Bereaniam |
Bible Answer: Hi, Bereaniam... Note that Peter does not state that they are saved. Their knowledge of Christ derives certain benefits in terms of their "escaping" some of the influences of the world. Yet, ultimately, the nature of their faith (a temporary faith) manifests itself in their being recaptured by other traps of the world. Consequently, their true lost nature becomes manifest. We see a similar discussion in Hebrews, where the author warns us of losing our grip or even giving up. Except insofar as we persevere, it is not fully certain who has true saving faith and who does not. We are promised that the wheat and the tares will grow up together. But the tares do not know they are lost. So Scripture warns us to constantly evaluate ourselves to be sure that we are of the faith. In Him, Doc |