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Author: Ron Graham

Tulip

The Possibility of Apostasy
—Can a person fall from grace?

In this lesson, we are going to see from the scripture that it is possible to fall from grace —it's not inevitable, but it can happen if you let it. We will lay some groundwork, then prove the point. Please follow the steps carefully.

1 People Were Saved and Sanctified

Hebrews 10

In Hebrews 10 the writer addresses certain remarks to a definite group of "brethren" whom he knew very well. In verses 32-34 he recalls how he and they had endured persecution together. Throughout the chapter he says several things which he believed to be true of himself and them.

Satisfy yourself that the writer and the people he was writing to were sanctified by the body and blood of Christ, were perfected forever, and fully assured of their salvation. Isn't that true?

2 Those Sanctified People Could Fall Away

Now looking through the rest of the chapter (Hebrews 10), ask yourself whether it was possible for them to lose what they had gained.

Satisfy yourself that the Hebrew writer is still addressing the same "we" as he referred to in the previous passages —that is to say we who are sanctified, perfected forever, fully assured.

Upon whom do these consequences come? The "we" in the phrase "If we sin willfully..." The same "we" and "us" that were said to be sanctified, perfected forever, and fully assured.

It is clear from this examination of Hebrews 10 that the very ones who were sanctified, perfected forever, fully assured, and could hold fast to their hope, were the same ones who could sin willfully, be left without a sacrifice for their sins, become God's adversaries, and be subject to damnation. In short they could either persevere, or they could fall away.

3 Don't Let it Happen to You

In verse 39 of the chapter vthere is the happy statement, "But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul".

Did he say it was impossible for them to draw back to perdition and that the only thing possible for them was believing to the saving of the soul? No. But he did express their firm resolve. It was possible to draw back to perdition, and some folk do (1Peter 2:20-22).

However, it was also perfectly possible, by God's providence and grace, to persevere in believing to the saving of the soul. That is what the writer to the Hebrews, and his brethren, had resolved to do.

May you, dear friend, do likewise, and may God give you every encouragement.


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