Will a Christian fall away?

I read this following statement that jumped right out before my eyes. I thought it's such a blessed assurance to those who really want to know if they are really born-again. It's a book that defends the doctrine of the a saint's perseverance. If you understand what Calvism is about, this book is actually written by a Puritan named John Owen. The book Christians are for ever was written in 1654. The puritans live and die by the revealed Word of God. The power of their testimonies weren't just on their conscience or their life style, but by the Spirit of God confirmed through the Word.

What brought my attention to share about it was a chat I had with with a sister yesterday and she was sharing about the life of her friend who used to have all the things going for her in church and all, but the lack of self-control led to one downfall after another until she felt totally depraved and dejected by the things of this world. Here is something for your soul.

...There are many who think themselves as holy, or who are thought to be so by others, who were never truly converted. In others the gift of common grace by the Spirit so affects their conduct that they seem to have been born again though Christ does not live in them.

How then are the saints, or true believes, to be distinguished?

1. Though they were once spiritually dead, God has given them faith which brings salvation. Their holiness is the result of God's eternal purpose in their election by his Grace (Ephesians 1:4).

2. They Holy Spirit has raised them from their deatrh in sin to newness of life. They obtain the precious gift of faith through the work of the Spirit when theuy are made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

3. They Holy Spirit is given in order that he maystay with them for ever (John 14:16) because of the death and intercession of Christ.

4. By reason of the Spirit's work in them they cease to be God's enemies and become his loving and obedient people.

The Holy Spirit uses many expressions to illuestrate what perseverance is Examples are:

1. to walk with Christ as we have received him (Colossians 2:6)

2. to be faithful to death (Revelation 2:10)

3. to hold fast our confidence and faith to the end (Hebrews 3:6)

4. to be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (I Peter 1:5)

...Everyone agrees that believes have the Holy Spirit in them and that they bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). If this is so, what could possibly cause believers to lose the Holy Spirit totally? What could cause the utter faulure of the outworking of His grace in them? Could sin? Certainly sin, if cherished, will weaken our ability to live the Christian life. The Holy Spirit is proveked and grieved by sin in the believer but it is unthinkable that sin should prove victorious over the Spirit. The grace which believers have results from their being new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is not obtained by their own efforts. The root is first made good then the fruit is good. Grace is planted in them by that same mighty power which God showed when he raised Jesus Christ from the daed (Ephesians1:19-20). Countinuance in sin on our part certainly deserves that God should take his Spirit and grace from us, but will our heavenly Father allow sin to have the final victory over his sons and daughters? Will he not rather come to their aid? He may chastise them but he will not cast them away forever.

...Believers who have tasted the love and pardoning mercy of God value it above all the world. They want to do the good things which God has prepared in advance for them. Though His Spirit God will grant them continual supplies of grace so that they are able to bring forth the fruit of holiness in good works, to the glory of God. This grace teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age" (Titus 2:11,12).

If I share everything from the book, I'd have to type out the whole book here. It's really a refreshing view. I very seldom hear such teachings or preaching. I hope we all resolve to live a holy live next year; to set our lives apart for God's glory and service, and have an inward purity that is a given to us by grace through faith. Let's pick up our weapons and fight the good fight!



Have a blessed weekend as we usher in the new year. God Bless You!