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NASB | 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 4:1 But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, |
Bible Question:
Dear 10EC, Greetings from Japan in the name of Jesus! You are correct that we probably have much more in common than we do not! :-) The problem is (to me!) quite simple. If we claim that salvation is 'loseable,' we must bear the burden of knowing how it is lost! It is very convenient to say, "That's easy! Whenever we deny Christ, or deny the Holy Spirit (depending on which 'proof-Scripture' we are using), we are separated from His grace by our willful departure." But the hard part is being more specific! This is why I use the word 'theoretical.' According to most popular methods of accounting, some of the greatest men of faith (Moses and David come to mind, as well as Paul by self-confession) deserve death. Yet God has a different method of accounting that we can never fathom. I have given this completely to the Lord. I see your Scriptures, and I see the 'opposing' Scriptures that claim proof of absolute assurance. Both parties (camps) lead to a form of legalism that I do not see substantiated in the Bible. To give an example of said legalism, the 'loseable' side usually ends up having to decide on a 'measure' of saved/unsaved, which does not bear up under the historical record of the Bible. The 'unloseable' side does fine until someone starts acting unsaved, which inevitably leads to 'not saved from the beginning' or 'that was false salvation' judgement. I KNOW the measure of life, but can I know the measure of death? If I err, I err on the side of salvation and grace, placing my life in His capable hands for measure. If you are right, I plead mercy to He who is merciful! Thank you for your kind regards! My blessings to you as well! In Christ Jesus, charis |
Bible Answer: Greetings, charis! Your reasoning is very sound. I, too, cannot find in the Scripture a clear-cut and concise way of knowing exactly and precisely when a person has lost his or her salvation. You are exactly right--we do know the measure of life, but only God knows the measure of death. I think of it like the "line" that separates day from night. Obviously, at the two extremes may be found light and darkness; yet, between them lies a pretty big area of gray--in varying intensities (some call this the "twilight zone"). Who but God really knows at what point the one that wanders from the light into the twilight zone actually crosses over into gross darkness? All I can say assertively is what the Scripture says. "Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?" [Hebrews 10:28-29 NASB] Only God knows how long he will allow someone to "insult grace" before visiting them with judgment. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Tim D. Cormier Tennessee Preacher |