FROM: 3/3/02 Radio Program
Question: "If A Person Has Been A Christian, Can They Back-Slide And Go To Hell?"
Answer:
This question is one that comes up from time to time. The best way to answer it is to look to the Bible for our
answers.
Paul told Timothy: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Timothy 4:1).
Some say that if a man or woman was lost, they never were saved. Yet, notice what Paul said here. Among other
things, Paul said some would "depart from the faith." Friend, one cannot depart from a place he has never been!
If one departs from the faith, must he not have been "in the faith" at some point? Of course, he must have.
Paul taught this to the Colossians as well. He said, "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not
moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which
is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" (Colossians 1:23).
"If" shows a condition. "If" one continues, and is not "moved away" from the gospel, he will please God. Paul
was concerned about his own soul in I Corinthians 9:27, making sure he was living what he preached to keep from
being a "castaway."
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