During a recent study in Deuteronomy 5 there was a cross-reference to Ezekiel 18:20-32. My first thought was, ha, there it is, proof that you can lose your salvation, and gain it back again!
But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:21
The Once Saved Debate
But, thinking more on the debate, I have come to realize that maybe it’s a matter of perspective. The glass is either half full–to the optimist, or it’s half empty–to the pessimist. Meaning the whole debate is a semantics issue. We can talk all day about whether someone was really saved or not, if he was really saved he wouldn’t fall away and if he does fall away then God will bring him back.
The harsher side of this debate is that once you “fall away” it’s all over. It is true that if you do fall away, the apostle Peter’s words in 2 Peter 2 are so true and the road back is extremely difficult, I know this from personal experience.
For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6
For me the real issue is not whether I really was or was not saved before I “back-slid” or that God knew I would repent so I was never in danger of losing my salvation. What matters is that I know the misery of being out of God’s grace and I know that those brothers and sisters that have veered off the Way are miserable. And after they come back they’re still miserable, living in fear that they might again fail the test and deny their Lord again. The above verses and many others* were used out of context and twisted, by the enemy, Satan, to beat me down for several years after I repented and came back to faith. During a word study I found the that the word since in the phrase “it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since…” can be translated to read because, while, as long as, instead of since. That little word changed everything for me! I hope that it will encourage anyone who is struggling now. To know that the Father loves you and that your repentance is always accepted.
Jesus tells us that, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother”. Matthew 18:15 James say it like this, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins”. James 5:19-20 And Jude says, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh”. Jude 1:22-23 It is my prayer that we, that I, would not worry about hurting feelings
or being socially correct, when I know someone has lost their Way. Jesus said, “…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 I want to show mercy and love, because I know the Father that was waiting with open arms for my return, He is waiting for you!
“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord Jehovah. “Therefore, repent and live.” Ezekiel 18:32
* Matthew 12:43-45; 2 Peter 2:20-22, Hebrews 10:26-27 These are just a few of the verses that haunted me. If you are struggling with any other Scriptures, please share them and lets work through the Word together to restore your faith, peace and joy.
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