FALLING FROM GRACE
The following
forty-eight (48) texts are examples of how and why believers can fall from
grace. While a few may be questionable, the majority clearly teach that
believers can indeed fall from grace. Since it only takes one example to
destroy the doctrine of eternal security, 2nd Peter 2:20-22 is the
best example.
1. Ex 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive
their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast
written.
God’s plan of salvation is the same in both
testaments. Evidently Moses did not believe in eternal security. Otherwise, he
would not have asked God to remove his name from the book of life. Since
everybody’s name would be in the book of the physically living, Moses was not
referring to physical death.
2, Ex 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses,
Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
The name must be in the believers’ book of
life in order to be blotted out. Only God (Jesus Christ) can be responsible and
die for every sinner (Heb 9:26).
3. Eze 3:20;
18:24
Eze 3:20
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit
iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou
hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness
which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at
thine hand.
…
Eze 18:24 But
when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth
iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man
doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be
mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath
sinned, in them shall he die.
The “righteous” are believers. When these believers “turn away from
righteousness, commit iniquity, and do according to all the abominations that
the wicked man does,” “he shall die in his sin and his righteousness which he
hath done shall not be remembered.”
4. Matt 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth:
but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot
of men.
Since unbelievers have no “savor” to lose,
the text must be referring to real believers. “Ye” believers are the salt of
the earth. When believers “lose their savor,” they become “good for nothing,”
are “cast out” and are “trodden under foot.” That is a description of one who
has fallen from grace.
5. Matt 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said
by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Matt 5:28 But
I say unto you, That “every one continuously looking upon” [participle] a woman
to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Matt 5:29 And
if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell (Gehenna, the lake of fire).
Matt 5:30 And
if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell (Gehenna, the lake of fire).
Since unbelievers are already destined for
hell, Jesus must have been speaking to believers. In order to prevent offending
body parts from causing the whole body to go to hell (Gehenna), the believer
must remove them. In context, this includes castration.
6. Matt 6:15 if [ean: probable] ye
continuously forgive not men their trespasses [present tense], neither will
your Father forgive your trespasses.
This is addressed to believers. It is part
of the disciples’ prayer. When believers/disciples continuously fail to forgive
each other, they will either receive lesser rewards in heaven, or they will
fall from grace if non-forgiveness of sins become extreme and habitual. The
latter is far more logical.
7. Matt 10:33 But whosoever shall deny [past
tense subjunctive] me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which
is in heaven.
“Whosoever” refers to both current
believers and those who never believed. A literal interpretation and
application of this verse leaves no room for debate. If one who has made a
sincere profession of faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, afterwards stops
continuously believing and denies Christ and His gospel, Christ will deny him
before His Father and the believer will fall from grace. This is not eternal
security doctrine.
8. Luke 8:13 They
on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and
these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall
away.
Only true believers “receive the word with
joy” and “for a while believe.”
9. Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No
man, “having put his hand to the plough and continuously looking back” [past participle]
is fit for the kingdom of God.
The two participles must be interpreted as
continuous action. The same believer who changes from continuously believing to
continuously looking back is not fit for the kingdom of God. He has fallen from
grace.
10 Luke 13:8 … I shall dig about it, and dung
it:
Luke 13:9 And
if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
The fig tree represents believing Hebrews
who later habitually fail to produce fruit. Exactly as in John 15:1-6, they
will fall from grace.
11. John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father
is the husbandman.
John 15:2
Every branch in me that “is not bearing” fruit he taketh away: and every branch
“the one (continuously) bearing” [participle] fruit, he purgeth it, that it may
bring forth more fruit.
John 15:3 Now
ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 15:4
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it
“is continuously abiding” in the vine; no more can ye, except ye “are
continuously abiding” in me.
John 15:5 I am
the vine, ye are the branches: “the one (continuously) abiding” [present active
participle] in me, and I in him, the same “is bearing” much fruit: for without
me ye can do nothing.
John 15:6 If [ean:
probable] a man “does not continuously abide” in me, he is cast forth as a
branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and
they are burned.
These verses are quoted by all Arminians to
prove that believers can fall from grace. They do not describe mildly
disobedient believers who are merely being disciplined by God.
12. 1 Cor 3:17 If [ei: factually] any man “is
continually defiling” [present] the temple of God (the believer’s body), him
shall [future] God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
God will “destroy” the believer who
continually “defiles” (destroys) his/her own body. “Destroy” appears twice in the
Greek. This is much stronger than mere discipline.
13. 1 Cor 8:10 For if any man see thee which
hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of
him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1 Cor 8:11 And
through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1 Cor 8:12 But when
ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against
Christ. KJV
Believers with knowledge can “sin against weak
believers (the brethren),” “wound their weak conscience” and cause them to
“perish.” This is illogical if it is only referring to physical death.
14. 1 Cor 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.
A “castaway” is not a crewmember who is merely
being punished. A castaway is one who has been completely rejected, disowned
and left to perish.
15. 1 Cor 10:1 - 4
Every person who left Egypt with Moses had
been saved. They were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea (10:1),
all were baptized (10:2), all ate the same spiritual food (10:3) and all drank
of Christ (10:4).
1 Cor 10:5 -12
But God was not pleased with many of them
and they were overthrown (10:5). They
lusted (10:6), worshiped idols (10:7), fornicated (10:7), tempted Christ, were
destroyed (10:9) and murmured and were destroyed (10:10). “Wherefore let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (10:12).” See Jude 5 also.
Again, this is illogical unless it refers to falling from grace.
16. Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath
bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth …
Gal 3:2 This only
would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the
hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so
foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4 Have ye
suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
This refers to believers who had “received
the Spirit” (3:2). Those former believers had since become “bewitched” and had
stopped obeying the truth (3:1). The only literal logical explanation for “in
vain” is falling from grace.
17. Gal 5:1 “Stand fast” therefore in the
liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the
yoke of bondage. KJV
When a “freed” believer is once again
yoked, that believer is no longer “standing fast” and is no longer “free.” He
has fallen from grace.
18. Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto
you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. KJV
Speaking to the same former believers
of 3:1 who had “since become bewitched” and “yoked” of 5:1, Paul says “Christ
is become “of no effect “to you.” They had ceased believing in righteousness by
faith and had turned to good works to be saved (5:2-3). Interpreted literally
in context, verse 4 clearly states that they had fallen from grace as the only
path to salvation.
19. Gal 5:19, 21 Now the works of the flesh are
manifest (5:19-21a).
Gal 5:21b … they
which do such things [habitually] shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul is still speaking to former believers
whom Christ had made “free” (5:1). Former believers who subsequently habitually
sin literally “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
20. Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. KJV
This is contrary to what the eternal
security doctrine teaches. The doctrine knows nothing of believers crucifying
the flesh after justification.
21. 1 Tim 1:18 … believers … war a good
warfare;
1
Tim 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away
concerning faith have made shipwreck:
…
1
Tim 1:19 “Continuously having” [present participle] faith, and a good
conscience; which “some having continuously put away” [participle] faith have
made shipwreck:
1
Tim 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan,
that they may learn not to blaspheme.
While
some believers are “continuously holding faith (believing)” [participle] and a
good conscience, other believers “have continuously put away faith” (stopped
believing) and have become “shipwreck.” “Shipwreck” means banishment --- spiritual
life stops. Paul delivered two of the latter group “unto Satan.”
22. 1 Tim 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,
that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Tim 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron. KJV
“Some shall depart from the faith” refers
to believers who were once in the faith. Their consciences have become seared
with a hot iron must refer to believers who have fallen from grace.
**23. 2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer (and we shall suffer),
we shall also reign with him: if we deny him (and some will deny Him), he also
will deny us.
“We”
refers to believers like Paul himself. Literally, those believers who later
deny Christ will be denied by Him and fall from grace. See Matthew 10:33.
24. 2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me,
having loved this present world.
Paul’s long-time companion, Demas,
abandoned him. This means he had probably stopped believing.
**25. Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Interpret this literally. It means exactly
what it says.
26. Heb 3:18 And to whom sware he that they
should not enter into his rest, but to them that “continuously believed not” [aorist
participle]?
Heb 3:19 So we
see that they could not enter in because of unbelief (no faith, stopped
believing).
See 1 Cor 10:1-10 for more context. These
are former believers, not unbelievers.
27. Heb 4:1 Let us fear, lest, a promise being
left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
“Us” are fellow believers. Since true
believers who cannot fall from grace should have nothing to fear, this text is
illogical for the eternal security doctrine. Again, see 1 Cor 10:1-10.
28. Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it “remains” that
some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in
because of unbelief.
Everybody who left Egypt with Moses had
believed and had been saved by the Passover Lamb. However most (over age 20)
must have subsequently fallen from grace. They did not enter into Canaan, a
symbol of heaven. Also see 1 Cor 10:1 -10.
29. Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter
into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Again, interpret literally. The eternal
security doctrine does not teach that believers can fall from grace.
30. Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those
who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made
partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put
him to an open shame.
A literal interpretation teaches once-saved-then-lost-always-lost.
A saved person who falls away and denies Christ cannot be saved a second time.
See Matthew 10:33 and 2 Timothy 2:12.
31. Heb 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by
faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we
are not of them who “are continuously drawing back” [participle] unto
perdition; but of “them that continuously believe” [participle] to the saving
[present tense] of the soul.
“God has no pleasure” in those who “draw
back” unto “perdition” means He will not save them. This text must refer to
believers “drawing back” because unbelievers are already destined for
perdition. The participles are noteworthy.
32. Heb 12:8 But if ye “are” without
chastisement, whereof all [true believers] are partakers, then are ye bastards,
and not sons.
This is a warning to believers to “consider
Christ” “lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (12: 3). Those believers
have not resisted unto blood as Christ had (12: 4). Next, they changed. “You
have forgotten that God called you sons” and promised to discipline His
children (12: 5-7). Therefore, in context, verse 8 means “if you are no longer
being disciplined, you have fallen from grace and are now bastards.”
33. Heb 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.
Believers who are not “making straight
paths for their feet” risk becoming lame and being “turned out of the way.”
34. Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
As discussed previously, the chapter is
addressed to believers. “Holiness” refers to continued believing which produces
sanctification. Those believers who do not “follow peace and holiness with all
men” literally shall not see the Lord. The instructions
are meaningless if one cannot fall from grace.
35. Heb 12:15 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. KJV
…
Heb
12:15 “overseeing” (taking care) lest “anyone is continually falling” [present
participle] “away from” the grace of God [and] lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
Believers
who are not “taking care” of their spiritual lives risk “falling short of the
grace of God” and becoming “defiled.”
36. Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward,
when he [Esau] would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found
no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. See Malachi
1:3-4.
Esau probably fell from grace when he
stopped believing God’s promises and gave up his birthright. The Bible says he
was “rejected” and “found no place for repentance.”
37. James
5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither
by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay,
nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Rom
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.” When the “brethren” “fall into
condemnation,” they have fallen from grace.
38. 1
Pet 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the
faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that
are in the world.
If
eternal security were true, there would be no reason to tell believers to “be
sober, be vigilant” and “resist steadfast” because the devil seeks to “devour”
them.
39.
2 Pet 2:1 … there shall be
false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Many
true believers who have been “bought” by the Lord will become “false teachers”
and “deny” the Lord.
40. 2 Peter 2:20 For if [ei] after they [the
unjust from 2:9] “having continually escaped” [participle] pollutions of the
world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are
again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than
the beginning.
2
Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them.
2
Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog
is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing
in the mire.
Interpreted
literally, these are the strongest texts in God’s Word which teach that true
believers can subsequently fall from grace.
(1)
They began as lost and unjust (2:20).
(2)
They escaped being lost by becoming saved (2:20).
(3)
They were “entangled again” and “overcome” (2:20).
(4)
The latter end is worse than the beginning” (2:20).
(5)
It would be better to have never been born than to turn back (2:21).
This
is radically different from eternal security theology which states that
once-saved, one cannot fall from grace.
41. 2 Pet 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing
ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error
of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
“Beloved”
believers are warned to “beware” “lest you be led away” and “fall from your
steadfastness.”
42. 2 John 8-9 Look to yourselves, that we
lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Whosoever transgresseth, and “abideth not continuously” [participle] in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that “continuously abideth” [participle] in
the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Believers
have to be “in the doctrine” in order to be warned to “abide” in it. Believers
who do not “continuously abide in the doctrine of Christ “do not have God.”
That is very clear! It does not allow believers to remain saved who later deny
Christ and stop believing.
43. Jude 5 I will therefore put you in
remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved
[participle] the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed “the ones
not believing” [participle].
According
to this text, all those who left Egypt had been saved by believing in the
sacrificial blood of the Passover lamb. Many (if not most) who stopped
believing were later “destroyed.” They did not enter Canaan (a type of heaven).
See 1 Cor 10:1-10.
44. Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their
first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting
chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
The
fallen angels who had been created as sinless beings willfully sinned with full
knowledge of sin’s consequences. They fell without any hope of restitution.
45. Rev
2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy
first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do
the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Many
had “fallen” away from God and “left thy first love,” but not completely.
However, they risked falling completely and having their candlestick removed
from the presence of God.
46. Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the
things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works
perfect before God.
Rev
3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments;
and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Most believers in Sardis had fallen
from grace. Only “a few” “remained” “who had not defiled their garments.” And
only those “few” will “walk with Christ in white.” See 3:5 and white garments
of imputed righteousness.
47. Rev 3:5 “To the overcoming one”
[participle], the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot
out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my
Father and before his angels.
The true believer already has his name
in the Book of Life. The threat to remove it is meaningless if such an event
cannot occur.
48. Rev 3:16-17 So
then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out
of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and
knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and
naked.
God threatened
to “spew the lukewarm believer out of His mouth.” He “needs nothing” and does
know that he is “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.”
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