2 Peter 2:20: "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first."
Here is appears to be one who knew the truth, who lived according to it, who served the Lord and knew the blessings of the Holy Spirit yet chose to abandon these things and return to worldliness. Is that right?
If you do not "know" God or you do not acknowledge that He is - there's no need to answer. I can understand this would not interest you. Thanks.
2007-05-01 04:00:14 · 11 answers · asked by JayDee 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks sister, I want to make sure that I understand the Word as best I can. I know God is right.
I'm just wondering I Peter is saying here: that heir last state will be worse than their first. If there is one thing more tragic than being lost, it is having been lost, saved, and returning to being lost yet again.
2007-05-01 04:08:03 · update #1
madi,
Thank God the we can repent! When we fail to do the BEST that we can do; and we will at times; we can repent. Is that right?
2007-05-01 04:09:43 · update #2
desert, Thanks. I suppose you're right.
2007-05-01 04:10:38 · update #3
Thank YOU Sentinel.
2007-05-01 04:11:20 · update #4
abetterfate, Anybody that "calls" themselves a Christian and says that, is just fooling theselves (and anyone who believes them). You're right.
Of course there are MANY people who CALL themselves Christians.
2007-05-01 04:13:41 · update #5
outraged, it SURE looks like the God's Word says just that.
2007-05-01 04:15:23 · update #6
lazy time,
I suppose it is. But I'm interested in what GOD says. I know man has many "interpretations" But I believe that we ALL have the ablity to comprehend and agree on what God says on this and any matter of gospel significance. I intent to study with this question in mind. Never mind what i want it to say OR what man says. What does GOD SAY. Right?
2007-05-01 04:18:24 · update #7
Jas, Thanks. The Word, I believe supports that. The Word is what saves. Right?
2007-05-01 04:19:50 · update #8
spoken, Aside from facing judgement. I don't think Peter went out of his way here to simply say the person "will face judgement". We ALL will face judgement. Right? It seems that Peter is making a nmore profound point that THAT here.
2007-05-01 04:22:10 · update #9
pelgrim,
"God will never abandon us, but we can abandon Him, turn our back at him"
Isn't that "free-will"?
2007-05-01 04:23:51 · update #10
Well of course it's not like an object. An object is physical.
But, you reference some excellent passages that support what God is saying in II Peter 2. Thank you.
2007-05-01 04:28:04 · update #11
Tre92, Thank you! Believe me; these Words help me to be more diligennt in my service and in my discernment of truth concerning God's Word. Man has MANY, MANY ideas; But I believe we should strive to believe what the Bible says, not men. If we do THIS in ALL honesty, we can be one, and we CAN agree. God is not the author of confusion.
2007-05-01 04:32:35 · update #12
The particular scripture you are referencing is very relevant in today's culture. In this epistle, Peter's main themes are: Scriptures were divinely inspired and there will be great accountability. 2 Peter 2:20 fall under the latter. If you take the previous verse into account you will see Peter is talking about the dangers of false teachers and this directly relates to one giving their lives to Jesus then leaving him. When you are saved it is not an automatic "Get out of jail free" card. You will be judged for you actions. You really must give your faith and love and devotion to the Lord more than lip service. And as Peter warned this epistle beware of false teaching. As it is better to not know now what you didn't know then if you wander from the path God has given you.
2007-05-01 04:21:40 · answer #1 · answered by tre92 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is exactly what it means.
Reference (KJV) Jude 1:12... It talks about being twice dead and plucked up by the roots. We had to die to our old ways, just as Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again. and in order to be born again, there has to be a death... so if you die to your sinful ways and then you return back to them , you have then died spiritually, so you are TWICE dead and plucked up by the roots.
If you pull a plant out of the ground, it can not live. Their roots are not able to get the nutrients it needs from the soil, so there is NO hope.
In order to make this final separation occur, you must blaspheme the Holy Spirit. This is accomplished by turing your back on God once you have recieved the Holy Spirit.
Reply:
I understand what you are saying the Word does save because the Word is God, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one... :) As long as we do not get to the point that we think that it is the letter of the word and not the spirit of it.. As Jesus told the Scribes and Pharisees "By your traditions, you make the law of God none effect"....
There are a couple more places that I will post in here for you to reference with the Peter and Jude... It is quite often overlooked..
2007-05-01 04:11:52 · answer #2 · answered by jas2_dm 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes that is true. I belief it is a Calvinist teaching that baptized Christians can never fall from God's grace.
God will never abandon us, but we can abandon Him, turn our back at him, at the conection He tries to keep "open" with us.
As the NT says all sins will be forgiven but not sins against the Holy Spirit. Now this writing was directed at those who really found him, baptised with His Spirit, as it is His Spirit that works in us the keeping of the law.
Now offending His Spirit when found knowingly makes him a joke.
2007-05-01 04:14:51 · answer #3 · answered by Pelgrim 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the most ridiculous ideas in the world is the belief of some Christians that they can be purified for all time by declaring themselves to be "saved" and that they can do no wrong thereafter.
You do not become a divine being by being "saved".
.
2007-05-01 04:06:55 · answer #4 · answered by abetterfate 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think yes. I have been lost many times since being saved. Christians do not all of a sudden become invincible to temptation and sin as soon as they are saved. We are still imperfect.
YES we can always repent. We will always make mistakes. He knows that and loves us anyways. God bless.
2007-05-01 04:05:42 · answer #5 · answered by Madi 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you can lose your salvation like you lose an object. I think you lose your salvation if you abandon your faith.
"he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Mark 13:13
"He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."
Revelation 3:5
This verse implies that our name can be removed from the book of life.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"
2 Timothy 4:7
Like Paul, we need to finish the course and keep the faith.
2007-05-01 04:16:28 · answer #6 · answered by Gui 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but I believe Peter is saying the person will face judgement, not that he is no longer saved.
2007-05-01 04:13:04 · answer #7 · answered by Spoken4 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The sternest law that God gave us is the Ten Commandments,break anyone of these and die without sincere repentance and you can kiss goodbye to eternal life.
2007-05-01 04:06:45 · answer #8 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to of known Jesus Christ as ones Personal savior, and to turn away from His Grace, and walk away from ones Salvation. Yes, it is !
Be Blessed in Christ Jesus !
Minister..........( Outraged )
2007-05-01 04:07:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The OSAS (once saved always saved) and NOSAS (not once saved always saved) is quite a debate within the Christian community.
2007-05-01 04:09:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋