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What if I fall?
If a person would happen to fall, then they only need to repent, get back up, and continue in Christ where they left off. The one question that has arisen among many Christians is, if a true Christian was to commit a sin that is condemned by the Bible as a sin unto death, and happened to die before having an opportunity repent of that sin, would that person go to hell? The answer to that question, under many situations may be “yes”. But God knows the heart of every Christian, whether they have a repentant heart or a rebellious heart, and He will be the judge. It is important that we do not put God to a test with sin! Although we are not the judges of a person’s eternal soul, God has given us His Word that tells us that all those who commit certain sins will not see Heaven.
Romans 1:28-32 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”
It is said here that if we do these same things that sinners in the world do, then all those who practice such things, including backslidden Christians, are worthy of death. The thing that we need to understand as Christians is that most people do not just make a simple mistake and commit adultery, fornicate, or do other evil things. It is a process of time as a person neglects the things of God, does not yield to the convictions of God in their lives, refuse to change or commit themselves all the way, or give themselves to lustful thoughts, movies, magazines, or conversations, which all eventually lead to death. James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” For a Christian to fall into the bondage of sin is not just an “OOPS”. It is something that has been at work in their heart for a period of time and they have not dealt with it, so it was conceived and brought forth death. What may seem to be a single act of sin is many times something that was conceived after giving into lust at earlier times, without dealing with it. It is a proven scientific fact that if you put a frog in a kettle of cold water, and then put it on a stove and very slowly turn up the heat, that the frog will stay in the kettle until it boils to death. Because of the gradual rise of heat, the frog cannot tell that it is heading toward a slow death. Sin will complete its work in a person’s life in this same way.
1 John 3:7-10 “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” A true Christian will not continue in or return to sin. It is not that they can’t, but that they won’t, if they have had the full salvation experience. If a person does fall, then they are not of God, but of the devil. A person is “of” God only as long as they follow Him, doing what is right. If they sin they are of the devil. Again, this should be understood as sin that has been conceived through lust, enticed, and birthed, and not just a single sin that a person can quickly repent of after recognizing their fault. In that case we would all be of God most of the time, but then occasionally of the devil if we sin. That is not the point I want to make here. John is talking about sin that has entered into the heart of a man through lust or other works of the flesh, and comes out later through a single act or habitual sin. This person is not of God, even though they may have been saved at one time. It would not have been necessary to address this issue except for the fact that so many will fall into sin and still call themselves Christians. They try living in the best of the two worlds, which is not possible. So regardless what many may say in order to convince themselves or others that they are okay with God, the Bible says that if they live in sin they are of the devil, even if every other part of their lives may appear to be in order. Many people deceive themselves and attempt to justify sin; but God will be the judge in the end.
Romans 2:3-12 “And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who "will render to each one according to his deeds": eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.” There is so much in this passage of scripture that I would encourage you to read it through several times in order to absorb it all. It is also important to note that these letters are written to the Christian Churches, and not to the unsaved. He is warning the Christian of committing the same sins that the unsaved commit. He makes no distinction between sinner and saint, but says the same judgment will fall on all who commit such sins. If it is true that Christians will never be judged for their sin: it is only because a true Christian will have all their sins washed away by the blood of Christ. But the backslider will be along with all other sinners who have rejected so great salvation as this. He also said that Eternal life would be given to those who seek Him by patient continuance. There is always the condition with the promise, if we will only look and see it. He ends this passage by saying “For there is no partiality with God”, whether that be in blessing or in judgment, with sinner or saint. All sin that is not covered by Jesus’ blood through repentance shall be judged. His blood was shed once for all, but we must stay under the blood by continuing in Him. All those who do not obey the truth will suffer the wrath of God. If a Christian falls, Satan is sure to be present to condemn that person. If he or she repents of his or her sin, then that Christian can stand upon the Word of God once again. Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” If a Christian falls, they should have the assurance that God loves them greatly, and will give all that they need in order to be restored in relationship with Him. But those who fall must humble themselves, repent of their sins, and continue once again to walk by faith in Christ, showing forth good works (fruit) of their salvation.
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