Gospel Essentials: What Does the Bible Teach Regarding falling from Grace?

Can a person fall from "Grace", or rather, fall away from God once they come to him seeking salvation?

·        Hebrews 6:4 For he hath made it impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (6) If they shall fall away, to be renewed again unto repentance; seeing they crucify unto themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

·        Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

·        Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

·        Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; (15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (16) Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (17) For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

·        Matthew 7:30 Verily I say unto you, it is not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter unto the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.

·        Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

·        Matthew 7:22 Repent, therefore, and enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat. (23) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

·        Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. (45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (46) And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

·        I Corinthians 9:27 …But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (The word "Castaway" as used by Paul, is defined in the Greek (#96) as 'adikimos' which means rejected, worthless, unapproved.)

·        I Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

·        I Corinthians 15:6 After that, he was seen of about five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Can a 'Brother' err from the 'Truth'?

·        James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; (20) Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (references to 'being converted' were used by Christ towards his disciples as follows)

·        Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon (Peter), behold Satan hath desired you, that he may sift the children of the kingdom as wheat. (32) But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not; and when you are converted strengthen your brethren. (33) And he said unto him, being aggrieved, Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison, and unto death. (34) And the Lord said, I tell you, Peter, that the cock shall not crow this day, before that you will thrice deny that you know me.

·        Matthew 13:14 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

To those who say it doesn't matter what we do, just as long as we believe:

·        I John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

·        II John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

·        Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

Was this predicted?

·        II Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

·        II Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. (4) Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.