There are some people who teach that once a person is saved and becomes a Christian that it is impossible for such a person to fall away from the Lord. While such a doctrine can be very comforting, it finds no foundation in Scripture. The Bible does not teach that a Christian cannot fall, and it actually teaches emphatically against such a dangerous doctrine. Read 2 Peter 2:20-22; Galatians 5:1-4; James 5:19-20; Hebrews 3:7-19; 6:4-6; 1 Timothy 4:1; etc. In these texts (and others), the Lord clearly teaches that one can fall away, He warns against it, and He gives numerous examples of it happening. Every Christian should truly “take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).
While many New Testament Christians today know that the Bible does not teach the impossibility of apostasy—and they themselves do not teach or believe the doctrine—there are some who, nevertheless, are living like such a doctrine is true. They would not admit that, but an examination of their lives would lead to that conclusion.
Would you take a moment and search within your heart? Does the way that you are living support the idea that you, as a Christian, could never fall? Or does the way that you are living indicate that you are diligently trying to make your call and election sure? Some of us may be on dangerous ground, believing that we are “safe” in our self-defined Christian life and going about trying to be of the world and of Christ at the same time. Such will not work. God warns us, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).
Can you truly expect that you won’t fall if you don’t read God’s Word regularly and feed upon it like you do your physical nourishment (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:15)?
Can you truly expect that you won’t fall if you don’t pray regularly and keep a constantly open line of communication with your God (1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6-7)?
Can you truly expect that you won’t fall if you don’t worship the Lord every first day of the week—both attending and actually worshiping, which are not necessarily the same thing (Heb. 10:25; Matt. 4:10; 6:33)?
Can you truly expect that you won’t fall if you don’t regularly and unselfishly serve others in the church (Matt. 25:31-46; Gal. 5:13; 6:10)?
Can you truly expect that you won’t fall if you don’t talk about the Lord and the gospel with unbelievers and try to teach them the way of salvation (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Pet. 3:15)?
Jesus said, “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing” (Matt. 24:46). Is that you?