What About Those
Who Do Fall Away?
I John 2:19
It cannot be denied
that many do depart from Christ, forsake the gospel, fall away from the faith
and leave the
What about them? Do
these examples of apostacy prove that men and women who are truly born again by
the grace of God can be lost? Certainly not! That conclusion would be directly
contrary to the plain statements of the Word of God and all the doctrines of
the gospel. The multitudes who leave Christ never truly knew Christ. Those who
leave the church were never part of the Church. Those who forsake the way of faith, never had true, saving faith in Christ. But these
apostates do stand as beacons to warn and instruct all who profess faith in
Christ. We should learn from them that...
1. Anyone who can leave
Christ will leave him.
2. There is a false faith
by which many are deceived.
3. Salvation is by grace
alone.
4. The one, ultimate proof
of faith is perseverance in faith. "He that endureth to the end shall be
saved." The test of time is the sure test of faith. Experience,
profession, deeds, and feelings are nothing. We are made partakers of Christ
only "if we holdfast the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the
end."
Don Fortner