by Babu G. Ranganathan
In 1 Timothy 1:19-20 Paul tells us that certain Christians
who committed apostasy will remain saved but not escape judgment here in this
world. Paul says, in the passage, that he delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander,
who had shipwrecked their faith (committed apostasy), to Satan so that that
"THEY WILL LEARN NOT TO BLASPHEME." The Apostle is saying that these
men would come again to repentance because they would learn not to blaspheme.
God will use Satan to discipline them, and God only disciplines His true
children. God leaves reprobates alone!
But, if we’re kept by the power of God through faith, as
Scripture teaches, how can apostates still be saved when they have become
faithless (stopped persevering in their faith). Justification faith is a
one-time act of faith whereby we are declared “not guilty.” It is strictly a
legal term. It means that we are saved in our legal standing or position before
God. We don’t keep getting justified. Justification is not a process.
Sanctification, on the other hand, is a process and depends upon an on-going
act of faith whereby we are transformed practically (in our condition) or in
our lives to become more and more like Christ and conformed to Him. That is why
the Apostle Paul says," As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in him" (Colossians 2:6). There’s the faith of receiving
Christ, which is distinct from the faith of walking in Christ. Receiving Christ
is one-time act of faith whereby we are eternally justified. We don’t keep
receiving Christ for salvation. Walking in Christ, however, requires on-going
and constant faith. This will be discussed in more detail later in the article.
Doesn't Hebrews 6 say it is absolutely impossible to bring
apostates back to repentance? No. Context is key here. In the context of the
passage, the Apostle was warning these Hebrew Christians that if they commit
apostasy it would be impossible for them to come to repentance again BEFORE
experiencing fiery judgment.
In Hebrews 6, the Apostle was telling certain Christians
that they were in danger of their hearts becoming so hardened that they would
not be able to repent before they are judged. The Apostle gives an example
towards the end of Hebrews 6 of how land that does not bear fruit will be
burned of its weeds, thorns, etc. The land itself will not be destroyed and may
afterwards become profitable to produce fruit. The Jews were known, in ancient
times, to burn land that only produced weeds, thorns, etc, so that it may be
used afresh again. Obviously, the use of the word "land" represents
Christians (believers).
Most Christians don’t understand the difference between
their position in Christ and their condition. For example, haven’t you ever
asked yourself why, as a believer in Christ, you need to ask forgiveness to God
for your sins but, yet, the Bible says before God’s eyes you are as righteous
and as sinless as Christ because He sees you in Christ. How can both be true?
Our being as righteous as Christ is our position in Christ,
not our condition now. Position has to do with our legal status. When the Bible
says that by faith in Christ we are justified (declared not guilty), it is
referring to our position. The biblical term “justified” has solely a judicial
meaning. Judicially we believers in Christ are declared to be not guilty, but
in our condition we still have guilt because we still have sin.
Here’s an example. A murderer is pardoned (justified or
declared not guilty) by the governor of a state. Does that mean he hadn’t
committed murder? Legally speaking, he is considered as if he had never
committed murder, but in actual history (his condition) he did commit murder.
So, too, before God the believer in Christ is legally considered as sinless or
as righteous as Christ, but in his condition the believer still has sin. God’s
acceptance of us is based on our position (our being in Christ), but our
condition (our practical spiritual and moral state) determines our fellowship
with God.
One day the believer’s condition will be the same as his
position (the same as his legal standing before God). That day will be in
heaven. Until then, the believer, through the Holy Spirit, experiences
sanctification, which is the gradual experiencing in his life what he has in
his legal standing (or position) before God.
Our position (justification) before God is forever secured
by a one-time act of faith in Christ, but our sanctification (our present
condition of being saved) requires continued faith in Christ. Let’s look at it
another way. We are justified only once by our faith in Christ (when we once
received Him as our personal Lord and Savior). We don’t keep getting justified.
We don’t keep receiving Christ as our Savior. Receiving Christ as our Savior
was based on a one-time act of faith (and it is that one-time act of faith that
God uses to keep us saved), but our sanctification (becoming Christ-like in our
lives) is an on-going process of salvation that requires on-going faith. The
sanctification process of our salvation requires continuing in faith. That is
why the Apostle Paul says," As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in him" (Colossians 2:6).
The Scriptures teach, in various passages, that the ultimate
completion of the believer’s sanctification, even when interrupted by sin, is
ultimately guaranteed by God. That is why Scripture says in Hebrews 10:14 “For
by one offering He hath PERFECTED (past tense) FOREVER them that are sanctified
(being saved).” In this life, Christians may fail in their faith when it comes
to their sanctification, but their original one-time faith in justification is
what God will use to keep them from ultimately perishing.
And, of course, Scripture also talks about those who profess
faith in Christ but were never true believers to begin with. We are not talking
about those people in this article. We are talking about in this article true
believers who become apostate.
To access learning more on this subject just google the following:
Understanding God and Predestination by Babu G. Ranganathan
(Some thoughts shared in this article were gleaned from
reading The Bible Knowledge Commentary, a work of the Dallas Theological
Seminary faculty).
Read the author's Internet article, UNDERSTANDING GOD AND
PREDESTINATION
Visit my latest Internet site: THE SCIENCE SUPPORTING
CREATION
Author of popular Internet article, TRADITIONAL DOCTRINE OF
HELL EVOLVED FROM GREEK ROOTS
*The author, Babu G. Ranganathan has his bachelor’s degree
with concentrations in Bible and Biology, and has been recognized for his
writings on religion and science in the 24th edition of Marquis “Who’s Who In
The East.” The author has given successful lectures (with question and answer
period afterwards) defending creation before evolutionist science faculty and
students at various colleges and universities.
To access learning more on this subject just google the
following: Understanding God and Predestination by Babu G. Ranganathan
(Some thoughts shared in this article were gleaned from
reading The Bible Knowledge Commentary a work of the Dallas Theological
Seminary faculty).
I truly hope all will read my article "Understanding God and Predestination" at:
