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QUESTION 22
How is it that so many who profess to be saved go back to their old ways again? Are they really saved?

ANSWER:
This is a question often asked, but seldom scripturally answered. The general answers it that they were never saved or still are saved. Both at their best are wild guesses.

The Bible speaks much about these people - Hebrews 6:4-6. These were professors, but by their lives were not possessors of life. They were people "who crucified afresh the Son of God and put Him to an open shame." These definitely were not saved. Jesus said of many miracle workers that, "I never knew you." Matthew 7:21-23. Many followers of Him when He was here went back. - John 6:64-66. John later says of them "had they been of us, they would have continued with us." 1 John 2:19. These were not saved. The New Testament does not envision a professor as real that does not go on, in some degree, in the things of God.

Neither should we. Paul speaks of two teachers who had erred from the faith - 2 Timothy 2:17. He doesn't know where they stand with God. He adds "The foundation of God standeth sure, the Lord knoweth them that are His, (in other words, I don't know but God does), and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." Jesus makes it clear that if our faith is real it will produce fruit. Matthew 13 (Parable of the Sower).

Salvation is by grace alone, but grace is never alone. Salvation is not of works, but it works. We can only accept people as saved when we see the evidence of God's salvation working in them; otherwise only God knows.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen