Once Saved Always Saved?

[Daciple]

Actually, I don’t remember when I got saved...I think I was a child who believed, got on the neighborhood Sunday school bus a couple of times and had a pink little pocket Bible to show for it.

I mean that is a bit concerning that you dont remember when the Supernatural phenomenon of being Dead and then being made Alive, of being Lost then Saved, of being an Old Creature and then becoming a New Creature happened.

I personally remember the exact moment I was saved, I remember the night I prayed for Salvation and the second I truly believed in my heart on Christ. Something supernatural happened that day, it was like a light switch was flipped on, I went from someone who didnt believe in Jesus of the Bible to knowing without a doubt He was real, He was my Savior and I was given Eternal Life. I remember calling my mom and telling her I was saved, I remember telling everyone around me about what had happened.

And I just find it strange that anyone can experience something like that and NOT remember what happened to them, regardless of the age. In my Church we have many people that were saved at a young age, and they testify of the same thing I experienced, where they had that moment when Christ entered into their Heart and they went from Dead to Alive.

How can one say they are Saved if they have no Testimony of Salvation? A book, a handshake, a card, none of that means someone got Saved, they have to be Born Again, and that is a Life Changing Experience.

I suppose that is why there is a distinction between those who testify about not being able to Lose Salvation vs those who state they can. I cant ever in my life believe I could come to a point where I could deny what happened to me in 1999, I cant ever see myself ever denying who Christ is and what He did on the Cross and what He has done in my life. I have been in many Spiritual Battles, I have suffered much defeat and even strayed from God, but never once in any time since that day have I ever been able to deny what happened that day and what Christ has done in my life and who Jesus is. My belief in Christ never once has moved regardless of my walk with Him.

And of course when it comes down to it absolutely no one who believes that people can lose salvation, one can ever tell us where or when they point is, two never state THEY can or will lose THEIR salvation and most importantly lie concerning whether or not one can "lose" their salvation and then come back to salvation.

The verse none of them are willing to interpret is:

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

The very clear interpretation of this verse is, it is IMPOSSIBLE for someone who has tasted Salvation IF they were to fall away EVER find Repentance again, so as always we have those who declare you can lose your salvation, not willing to tell us what that line is, when someone actually does lose it, and at the same time telling others they can be "backslidden" and be restored back to Repentance.

I say that once you have tasted the heavenly gift, once you actually have a Born Again experience you will NEVER in your life EVER dream of denying that Supernatural Event, where you went from Dead to Alive, from Lost to Saved, from an Old Creature to a New Creature. If Salvation is based on Faith by Grace, then I can not ever imagine any person who has ever been Saved denying the Faith and Event that they experienced when they were Born Again.

However I could see people who never experienced a True Saving Faith Born Again Experience walking away, because it wasnt truly real to them because they never were actually Saved to begin with..

If you have had a Born Again Experience you would never walk away totally from the Faith no matter how far you may drift from God, period. If you think otherwise then I believe you probably never had a True Born Again Experience because you would know for sure how impossible it would be to ever walk away from the Faith after experiencing such a life changing event...

 

[TokiEl]

If Salvation is based on Faith by Grace, then I can not ever imagine any person who has ever been Saved denying the Faith and Event that they experienced when they were Born Again.

Nevertheless Jesus Christ will tell many christians to go away...

Some christians think it is because those christians did not believe in Him hard enough but that's just ridiculous.

 

[Claire Rousseau]

Actually, I don’t remember when I got saved...I think I was a child who believed, got on the neighborhood Sunday school bus a couple of times and had a pink little pocket Bible to show for it.

Ya, sorry..I wasn’t sure what you meant...like there was some sin I was supposed to know I committed right after I got saved...anyway, yes, I have sinned and no, my salvation wasn’t taken away.

However, if I believed in lies, or was deceived, I would think that I would be walking away from God, since we worship in spirit and in truth. If I don’t have the truth in me anymore...can I really be walking with God? You know...a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough...that’s a slippery slope then.

Again...there’s just way too many if’s for me, too many verses talking about falling away, a few verses talking about once you fall away then you lose your salvation..well, that’s what it comes down to because you cannot be recovered from that. Maybe, that’s what it means to walk humbly with your God? Knowing that you need to walk closely to Him so you won’t fall away?

I understand why you would be concerned that you might not have every single doctrine 100% correct all the time, and that’s normal, because none of us are perfect. Everyone worries that they may have been deceived about something, but if you know you are saved, you are NOT going to fall away from God.

You CANNOT. Once you believe the truth, your salvation is permanent. You are not responsible for keeping your salvation, because you didn’t do anything to get it, it was gifted to you.

Jesus Christ already purchased your salvation in full. It is finished. What is done is done.

You mentioned 1 Timothy 4, so we’ll look at that chapter:

1 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;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

That is the entire chapter.

Does that sound like you?
Is your conscience seared?
Are you telling people to abstain from meats?
Forbidding people to marry? (RCC *cough*)

I really think you are worrying for nothing.

 

[Daciple]

Nevertheless Jesus Christ will tell many christians to go away...

Some christians think it is because those christians did not believe in Him hard enough but that's just ridiculous.

That is an outright lie, Jesus will tell NO TRUE CHRISTIANS to go away, ever. You fall back on this verse all the time but I dont think you ever take into consideration the CONTEXT of to whom and when Jesus said it:

Matt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

In Context what exactly was Jesus teaching about RIGHT BEFORE talking about not knowing them? What does He describe them as doing?

THAT is who is talking about not ever knowing, you however refuse to see IN CONTEXT what Jesus is speaking about and want to apply this to all Christians telling them if they dont do this or that, or if they do this or that then Jesus will say I dont know you. That is WRONG period.

In Context Jesus is speaking of FALSE PROPHETS, and how many FALSE PROPHETS come to others and proclaim how they are Prophesying and say they do it in the name of the Lord? How many FALSE PROPHETS declare to cast out devils in the name of Jesus? How many FALSE PROPHETS declare that they have done wonderful works in the name of Jesus?

Jesus is absolutely describing FALSE PROPHETS and FALSE TEACHERS and FALSE CHRISTS, I mean we have a member on this forum that outright is following the exact thing Jesus said watch out for, this JahTruth liar, this man proclaims he is Christ, he proclaims he is a Prophet, this man claims to do great deed in Christs name, however I am 100% positive that the day he meets the real Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ will tell him that He doesnt know him.

THAT is who Jesus is talking about, not your average Christian, not people like me and you who believe on Him by Faith thru Grace, you twist Scripture to try and convince yourself and others that somehow WORKS have a place in Salvation and they do not.

People like Benny Hinn who have great followings, who say that they are casting out demons in Jesus name, that say they are doing great works in the name of Christ, THEY are the ones that Jesus will be saying, I dont know you, and THAT is the warning Jesus is giving it is about FALSE PROPHETS. I would suggest you stop twisting Scriptures in this aspect and stop saying Christians are going to hear that from Jesus, they are not, not if they have been Born Again. False Prophets (and False Converts) are the ones that are going to hear it...

 

[Thunderian]

@Thunderian I believe you are sincere but you are sincerely wrong on this subject.

Being saved is conditional. There is an eternal "if" in every consideration of eternal security.

Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” John 8:51.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6.

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:14.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13.

Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Romans 11:22.

If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 2 Timothy 2:12.

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. Hebrews 3:14.

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:26.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. 2 Peter 1:10.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15.

Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 1 John 2:24.

These verses are too plain to be misunderstood.

Security is eternal only for those who continually hold onto Christ until He returns.

Jesus said, "But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 24:13.

Paul wrote, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58.

And Revelation 3:5 says, "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." The implication is clear that those who are not overcomers - who do not endure to the end - will have their names blotted out.

Not all of those IF verses have to do with salvation, but here's one that does.

Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.​

By your standard, I am going to hell. I was saved at a very young age, but drifted away from God for almost twenty years. Like the prodigal son, I realized my condition, and asked God for forgiveness and restoration, and since then the fruit of His Spirit and the work God has done in my heart have been plain for me and others to see. But, according to you and to Lisa, I lost my salvation at some point and I can't get it back. I wonder, how was I convicted of my sin, if not by the Holy Spirit inside me? How am I convicted now of my sin, and where does my desire for fellowship with God come from, if not from his Spirit inside me, the same Spirit people claim left me, never to return?

 

[TokiEl]

That is an outright lie, Jesus will tell NO TRUE CHRISTIANS to go away, ever.

How could they be true Christians ? They thought they were and that's why they were surprised to hear Jesus didn't know them. But where did they get their powers from ? They didn't test the spirits right.

But and this is an important point... it's not only false prophets and false miracle workers that will be told to go away. But also those who don't do what He said... those who do not live according to His will...the underachievers if you will.

 

[Lisa]

I mean that is a bit concerning that you dont remember when the Supernatural phenomenon of being Dead and then being made Alive, of being Lost then Saved, of being an Old Creature and then becoming a New Creature happened.

I personally remember the exact moment I was saved, I remember the night I prayed for Salvation and the second I truly believed in my heart on Christ. Something supernatural happened that day, it was like a light switch was flipped on, I went from someone who didnt believe in Jesus of the Bible to knowing without a doubt He was real, He was my Savior and I was given Eternal Life. I remember calling my mom and telling her I was saved, I remember telling everyone around me about what had happened.

And I just find it strange that anyone can experience something like that and NOT remember what happened to them, regardless of the age. In my Church we have many people that were saved at a young age, and they testify of the same thing I experienced, where they had that moment when Christ entered into their Heart and they went from Dead to Alive.

How can one say they are Saved if they have no Testimony of Salvation? A book, a handshake, a card, none of that means someone got Saved, they have to be Born Again, and that is a Life Changing Experience.

I suppose that is why there is a distinction between those who testify about not being able to Lose Salvation vs those who state they can. I cant ever in my life believe I could come to a point where I could deny what happened to me in 1999, I cant ever see myself ever denying who Christ is and what He did on the Cross and what He has done in my life. I have been in many Spiritual Battles, I have suffered much defeat and even strayed from God, but never once in any time since that day have I ever been able to deny what happened that day and what Christ has done in my life and who Jesus is. My belief in Christ never once has moved regardless of my walk with Him.

And of course when it comes down to it absolutely no one who believes that people can lose salvation, one can ever tell us where or when they point is, two never state THEY can or will lose THEIR salvation and most importantly lie concerning whether or not one can "lose" their salvation and then come back to salvation.

The verse none of them are willing to interpret is:

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

The very clear interpretation of this verse is, it is IMPOSSIBLE for someone who has tasted Salvation IF they were to fall away EVER find Repentance again, so as always we have those who declare you can lose your salvation, not willing to tell us what that line is, when someone actually does lose it, and at the same time telling others they can be "backslidden" and be restored back to Repentance.

I say that once you have tasted the heavenly gift, once you actually have a Born Again experience you will NEVER in your life EVER dream of denying that Supernatural Event, where you went from Dead to Alive, from Lost to Saved, from an Old Creature to a New Creature. If Salvation is based on Faith by Grace, then I can not ever imagine any person who has ever been Saved denying the Faith and Event that they experienced when they were Born Again.

However I could see people who never experienced a True Saving Faith Born Again Experience walking away, because it wasnt truly real to them because they never were actually Saved to begin with..

If you have had a Born Again Experience you would never walk away totally from the Faith no matter how far you may drift from God, period. If you think otherwise then I believe you probably never had a True Born Again Experience because you would know for sure how impossible it would be to ever walk away from the Faith after experiencing such a life changing event...

O, I don’t know @Daciple should I be more concerned about when I was saved or continue to follow God?

I think the reason people can’t get you a definitive line that’s been crossed is because scripture doesn’t talk about that line. However, it does talk about when that line is crossed and what happens then. I don’t think my belief that one can fall away from the faith coincides with my not knowing the exact date I believed but more with various scriptures that talk about falling away...

 

[Daciple]

But and this is an important point... it's not only false prophets and false miracle workers that will be told to go away. But also those who don't do what He said... those who do not live according to His will...the underachievers if you will.

The "underachievers"? Again you want works to be part of Salvation, Grace has become of no value to you...

 

[Lisa]

I understand why you would be concerned that you might not have every single doctrine 100% correct all the time, and that’s normal, because none of us are perfect. Everyone worries that they may have been deceived about something, but if you know you are saved, you are NOT going to fall away from God.

You CANNOT. Once you believe the truth, your salvation is permanent. You are not responsible for keeping your salvation, because you didn’t do anything to get it, it was gifted to you.

Jesus Christ already purchased your salvation in full. It is finished. What is done is done.

You mentioned 1 Timothy 4, so we’ll look at that chapter:

1 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;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

That is the entire chapter.

Does that sound like you?
Is your conscience seared?
Are you telling people to abstain from meats?
Forbidding people to marry? (RCC *cough*)

I really think you are worrying for nothing.

And yet you completely ignore...
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 don’t see how you can argue against it honestly with it being said in black and white...the Spirit tells us...

 

[Thunderian]

I mean that is a bit concerning that you dont remember when the Supernatural phenomenon of being Dead and then being made Alive, of being Lost then Saved, of being an Old Creature and then becoming a New Creature happened.

Absolutely! Praise God! No one can go though this and not remember it. It is an event you remember, because it's the day you were born again. I remember my day of salvation like I remember the birth of my children. You can't forget something like that.

 

[TokiEl]

The "underachievers"? Again you want works to be part of Salvation, Grace has become of no value to you...

Grace for me is Jesus Christ scourged for my sins and crucified for my crimes.

That is absolutely invaluable to me.

Not only me but all sinners since the beginning up until today got a second chance because of Him.

This i do not take lightly let me tell you that.

And it is my right and i might reprove anybody who makes light of this bloody sacrifice for our sins.


I am not spellbound by this faith only no work salvation slogan so popular today. I see right throught it... it's a man made mantra ment to corrupt christians into carelessness concerning His commandments.

 

[TokiEl]

Luke 6 46 Why do you call me Lord Lord and not do what I say ?


Daciple: Are you a work salvationist ?
Jesus: No I am the Lord !

 

[bible_student]

The truth is The Lord will mark your test and you will have absolutely no say in it whatsoever.

 

[bible_student]

"Those of you who claim to be "SAVED" already, are WRONG. You do not mark your own test. Only the Lord marks your test and you will have absolutely NO say in it. So I suggest that you learn some fresh and real humility and start again, this time DOING what the Lord says and not what you decide yourself. The "Self" has to be "crucified DAILY" until it is DEAD and you want only to serve your Lord and the common good, keeping the COMMANDments; Covenants; His Laws and Ways and NOT your own."

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE and THE TWO WITNESSES

 

[Thunderian]

My test is already marked.

 

[Vytas]

O, I don’t know @Daciple should I be more concerned about when I was saved or continue to follow God?

I think the reason people can’t get you a definitive line that’s been crossed is because scripture doesn’t talk about that line. However, it does talk about when that line is crossed and what happens then. I don’t think my belief that one can fall away from the faith coincides with my not knowing the exact date I believed but more with various scriptures that talk about falling away...

It's not the date, it's you lacking special feeling/experience of it. From the way you told it, sounds like just another random day...I don't remember which day it was myself either, but i do remember crying whole night, lying on the ground drowned in tears and snots...That's not something im going to forget...It's different for everyone, for some it maybe tears of joy, but it incredibly strong and powerful spiritual experience for everyone...who has it....

 

[Allegra]

It's not the date, it's you lacking special feeling/experience of it. From the way you told it, sounds like just another random day...I don't remember which day it was myself either, but i do remember crying whole night, lying on the ground drowned in tears and snots...That's not something im going to forget...It's different for everyone, for some it maybe tears of joy, but it incredibly strong and powerful spiritual experience for everyone...who has it....

Yes Vytas, I agree with you.

For me, being Christian my whole life, I don't know how special is born again has to be, maybe we have to mark the day, remembering the day and date. It was like a period of time for me, a brief process. I used to ignore God, even I read gay mangas after a church service. Oof xD
I do remember the things happened that made me return to God. It's that moment you know, "this is it". I stripped the things that in the way and unacceptable to God and I realized this is where I have to start walking with God for the rest of my life. There's no turning back.

Reading Lisa post made me think, there are people who Christian their whole life, baptised and always stay true to walk with God. Never really stray away from God from when they were child. Maybe a result of great parenting or something. Do this people need to be born again? Or having baptised is their 'born again'?

 

[Thunderian]

Do this people need to be born again?

Yes.

 

[Vytas]

Yes Vytas, I agree with you.

For me, being Christian my whole life, I don't know how special is born again has to be, maybe we have to mark the day, remembering the day and date. It was like a period of time for me, a brief process. I used to ignore God, even I read gay mangas after a church service. Oof xD
I do remember the things happened that made me return to God. It's that moment you know, "this is it". I stripped the things that in the way and unacceptable to God and I realized this is where I have to start walking with God for the rest of my life. There's no turning back.

Reading Lisa post made me think, there are people who Christian their whole life, baptised and always stay true to walk with God. Never really stray away from God from when they were child. Maybe a result of great parenting or something. Do this people need to be born again? Or having baptised is their 'born again'?

Background doesn't matter, either they are born again or they aren't . I think it's impossible to have relationship with Jesus without being born again. Born again experience is first talk "eye to eye " of many. He is waiting, we can pray, learn our bibles by heart, do good works. But if we do not come to him all that is pointless

 

[phipps]

Q. Can you explain Hebrews 6:4-6? A friend has rejected his faith. Does this mean he has no hope? Should we not bother trying to persuade him to return to the fold?

A. It is extremely heartbreaking to see people we care about making decisions to sever themselves from church and abandon the truths of God’s Word. Many of us know people who — having been in the church for years, taking an active part in reaching the lost, and personally experiencing miraculous divine intervention in their lives — inexplicably walk away from God.

Can they be reclaimed in light of Hebrews 6:4-6?

Let’s take a fresh look at the verse in question; “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (NKJV).

Depending on how you look at it, this could certainly be a very difficult and very scary passage for anyone to read.

But first, I think this verse is reminding us of the sobering truth that it is possible for enlightened believers — those who have received the Holy Spirit — to fall away from their faith. For instance, Balaam was a Spirit-filled prophet of God who eventually sold out for money. “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam … who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15 NKJV).

We also learn in the first book of Samuel that King Saul was filled with the Spirit too, but he grieved it away through stubborn pride and rebellion until “the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets” (1 Samuel 28:6 NKJV).

So the next big question is: When a real believer falls away, is it hopeless? Or can they return to the fold? We might simply answer this question by looking at the many case studies found in the Bible — regarding great men of faith like Jacob, Samson, David, Solomon, and Peter. Each of these souls listened to the devil for a time, but then they repented and returned to God to do wonderful things.

We also find a quick answer in Ezekiel 18:21: “If a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die” (NKJV).

Can a backslider repent and return to God for forgiveness and acceptance? We have just read a resounding yes! There are too many other verses we could cite in support of this, but here are just a few more: Jeremiah 3:22 promises, “Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings” (NKJV). Hosea 6:1, 2 adds, “Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight” (NKJV).

So what about Hebrews 6:4? We need to remember that this book is written to the Jewish nation, who had just been exposed to the wonderful truth that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah. If they rejected the clear evidence of the Word and Holy Spirit regarding this precious truth, there was nothing more that God could do to convince them. This is what Jesus referred to when He said, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31 NKJV). In other words, if we reject Jesus and the Holy Spirit after knowing them, we are turning away from the best that God has to offer us. There is nothing better He can send to convince us to follow His Word.

This truth is borne out more fully a little later in Hebrews: “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26, 27). God cannot save us from continuing in willful sin and rejection of the Holy Spirit.

But when a backslider repents of his sins, will God simply reject him? Or can he still be saved? The straight answer is yes, so don’t give up on your friend. Always remember the prideful prodigal son, who went to live with the world for a time. The Lord humbled him, and he returned to his father’s house. Likewise, the Lord is saying that your wondering friends can return to the grace of the Lord.

What can you do? Here are three things:

First, his stubborn will must be softened by prayer if he is going to re-open his heart to God’s truth again. Pray that he will be touched by the Holy Spirit, and that you will be given opportunities to show him how much you still care about him despite any bad decisions he has made.

Second, when and if he is willing, share information. We have many resources you can use to help people realize that they have wandered from the path of salvation.

And finally, be a good example.
Have faith — and trust in the goodness of the Lord. At Amazing Facts, we thrill at all the testimonies of lost sheep returning to the fold and praise our heavenly Father for His mercy and long-suffering toward all of us. It is possible for your friend to find his first love again.

https://www.amazingfacts.org/news-and-features/news/item/id/10888/t/what-about-hebrews-6-4-6.