Backslidden or Never Saved

[ReneeIW]

How do you know if someone has backslid or was never truly saved in the first place? 

John says is 1 John 3:9 

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
 

So, if a professing Christian goes through a period of time where they revert to their old sinful ways, how do we know if they are backslidden or not truly saved?

 

[ayin jade]

We dont. 

God knows the heart. Whether saved or not, one should attempt to guide them to following the way of the Lord, living a life pleasing to Him, and not following sin. 

[Michael37]

1 hour ago, ReneeIW said:

How do you know if someone has backslid or was never truly saved in the first place?

John says is 1 John 3:9 

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

So, if a professing Christian goes through a period of time where they revert to their old sinful ways, how do we know if they are backslidden or not truly saved?

Hi ReneelW. Have you meditated on Hebrews 12 at all? The whole chapter puts the issue of backsliding in perspective.

Besetting sins are to be laid aside. If this needs enforcing the Lord will chasten in order to produce the peaceable fruit of righteousness. If the heart is so hardened as to resist, there is no place of repentance to be found.

I hope this helps.

Blessings from Michael37.

[missmuffet]

1 hour ago, ReneeIW said:

How do you know if someone has backslid or was never truly saved in the first place? 

John says is 1 John 3:9 

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
 

So, if a professing Christian goes through a period of time where they revert to their old sinful ways, how do we know if they are backslidden or not truly saved?

 

Born again Christians sin but the Christian life is not to be identified by a life of sin. Born again Christians are a new creation. You know them by the fruit of the Holy Spirit that they display. A born again Christian's life will change. Their lives should be holy and drawing closer and closer to God. Any one can call themselves a Christian and unfortunately the name "Christian" has lost its significance. 

[Willa]

In either case they need to repent and return to God for forgiveness.  They need to make Christ Lord and Master of their lives and serve Him as they learn to walk with Him.

[GandalfTheWise]

7 hours ago, ReneeIW said:

How do you know if someone has backslid or was never truly saved in the first place? 

  This question cuts directly to the heart of an argument Christians have been having for centuries.  Some theologians believe the Bible teaches that God is the one who has decided who will be saved.  Other theologians believe that the Bible teaches that God has given that choice to each individual to make for themselves.  When there is someone who appears to start out in the Christian faith and then stops following it, the theologians will explain it differently, and whole groups of Christians will pick sides as to which theologians are correct.  There will be no shortage of Christians who will confidently cast their vote for the biblical answer and then cannot in good conscience have anything to do with Christians who disagree.  

I've been a Christian for a long time and have spent decades in ministries and churches on both sides of this issue and have observed many many Christians with opposing beliefs on this.  As a practical matter, I cannot see any tangible difference in the lives and fruit of Christians on either side of this issue.  Their words and explanations of a few things will be different, but their lives and actions really are not any different.  There are no shortage of those who will point to shortcomings in Christians on the other side as proof of the devastating nature of being wrong, but I have not seen this.  There are some Christians who consider this an essential belief and view those who disagree as heretics.  A few will question whether someone who disagrees can even be a Christian.  However, based on the fruit I've seen in people's lives on both sides, I've come to the conclusion that this is a non-essential belief.  I just try to navigate between the two sides without burning bridges and try to prevent the fighting over this from doing damage and causing division.

I think the important thing is that the work of God in one's life will produce changes and transformation which is the evidence we can see.  The bottom line is that lack of evidence of change and transformation means that one is in a potentially spiritually dangerous position and those believers around such a person should view it as such.   The more deep rooted and obvious the change and transformation we see, the more confidence we have in God's work in one's life.  The less  we see, the less confidence we have.   I think this is in a large part of what the book of I John is about.  When we are at the first stages of change and transformation, we'll stumble and fall and worry that changes are not happening fast enough.  We will lack assurance and peace because of those things.  However, as we continue in Christ and our lives are changed and transformed more and more, we gain assurance and peace.  My opinion is that the book of I John is painting a picture of what the Christian life should and will eventually look like as we grow.  We will see more and more holiness.  Sin will become less and less a part of our life.  Our assurance, peace, and boldness before God will grow.  I think that I John is not so much a series of commands to try to live up to through our own efforts but more a series of promises about what our lives will look like in Christ as we spiritually grow and mature.

 

[enoob57]

The pathway and walk for a new born Christian is to be supernatural and is unsettling to the flesh... we are not to walk by sight but by faith... it is the struggle of Romans 7 into 8 and is the foundation for the meaning of 

1 John 3:9-10

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
KJV
When one looks to sinlessness of self they have taken their eyes off of Jesus and looks to works for proof of salvation. There will be warfare with flesh and s/Spirit in the 'Born of God' and sin will never be acceptable! 

[ReneeIW]

13 hours ago, Willa said:

In either case they need to repent and return to God for forgiveness.  They need to make Christ Lord and Master of their lives and serve Him as they learn to walk with Him.

Amen. 

Isaiah 55:7

 

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

[ReneeIW]

6 hours ago, GandalfTheWise said:

When we are at the first stages of change and transformation, we'll stumble and fall and worry that changes are not happening fast enough.  We will lack assurance and peace because of those things.

What if someone has been a Christian for decades and has produced much fruit, but then fell back into old habits for a period of time? 

[OneLight]

I'll add in James 5:19-20.  Keep in mind James was talking to the body when he made this statement.

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.