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Can One Fall from Grace?
Introduction:
The title of this lesson is answered “No” by multitudes
throughout the world. But is that true? The only reliable
answer comes from God’s Word. Let’s first
note Ezekiel 18:20-24.
“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear
the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of
the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon
himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon
himself. But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which
he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is
lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be
remembered against him; because of the righteousness which
he has done, he shall live. Do I have any pleasure at all
that the wicked should die? says the Lord God, and not that
he should turn from his ways and live? But when a righteous
man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity,
and does according to all the abominations that the wicked
man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has
done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness
of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed,
because of them he shall die.” NKJV
Body:
I.
The Danger of Apostasy
· I
Corinthians 10:12 Paul had just mentioned who had fallen in the wilderness.
(Verse
11)
Note
Galatians 5:4.
· Hebrews
3:12-14 Brethren are warned not to depart from the living God.
· Hebrews
6:4-6 These Christians had tasted of the heavenly gift and were
warned about falling away [losing it].
· Hebrews
10:26-29, 37-39 These Christians had received knowledge of the truth; they
had been sanctified, drawn back.
· II Peter
2:20-22 These Christians escaped the pollutions of the world. It
would have been better not to know the way of righteousness;
than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment.
II. Examples of Apostasy
· Acts
5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who lied to the Holy
Spirit and lost their lives.
· Acts
8:13-24 Simon was lost and then saved. (Mark
16:15-16) Then Simon forfeited his salvation because of his
wickedness.
· I Timothy
4:1-3 Some would depart from the faith.
III.
Results of Apostasy
· Matthew
13:41-42 The lawless will be gathered out of the kingdom.
· John 15:6 If someone does not remain attached to the vine (Christ),
they will be cast into the fire.
·
Revelation 3:5 We must overcome or we will have our name blotted out of the
Book of Life. (Revelation
20:15)
Conclusion:
God’s Word is clear. A child
of God can indeed fall from grace. It’s imperative that we
take heed and watch and pray; so that we won’t fall.
Bobby
Stafford
October 13, 2013
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