When one is saved

[Christ_Sheep]

Yes, if one is saved they can revert to their old ways. Like many said, however, if a person had really made that life long commitment to follow Christ, why would they turn away? We cannot lose our salvation, but we can practice in sin so much that the lord leaves us in a reprobate state, which he said in his word he would do. It's a real depiction of what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah. Thing is, many are quick to put a person whom backslides in hell. For instance, when someone messes up, or is doing something we personally would never think of, it's easy to harp on that person's shortcoming and, in classic fashion, compare it to our own, and how grevious theirs must be in comparison. But all sin hurts god, no matter how small man likes to label his or hers.

What I will say is this in the book of Hebrews Chapter 6, verses 4-6 it says this:

"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift,

who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away,

to be brought back to repenteance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again,

and subjecting him to public disgrace."

That verse applies to the VERY select few of genuine Christians, but not all Christians. I say not all Christians, for the simple fact, most Christians have not been enlightened on that type of a level that the bible speaks of. Oh, no, in no way am I saying that god is not willing, it's just that many haven't asked, have not been patient enough to get to that level and, many, just have not gotten to that quiet place with the lord; that place to reach the holies of holies. Many Pastors claim to have gotten to that degree, but more have not. Those who do turn away and have reached that peak, they, themselves, put Christ to shame. But, for the average Christian, unless the lord allowed them into a reboate lifestyle, they cannot truly turn away. Just because we sin does not make break that relationship we have with Christ, just the fellowship and there's a difference. He is still our lord and savior, though it is important to repent so the sin consciousness and condemnation won't overtake them.

[Massorite]

could it mean that they never were truly born again?

I have great concern for my Mother in law, younger brother in law and sister

in law who claimed to be christians.

My Mother -in-law used to attend the church we went to, as did my brother in law who was baptised in our church.

They lived very holy lives, but I never really saw much "fruit" and "love with my Mother in law. The same goes for my sister in law.

I have heard all the right words that a christian would use but have always failed to see their true love

for one another.

Now, they have all stopped fellowshipping and all I hear is swearing.

My brother in law recently got tattoos, spends weekends with his g/friend

and supports communism.

My Mother in law says she watches some (non christian tv shows) and in the past, she didn't watch them because she was "too churchy".

They mix with unbelievers, attend parties and have gone back to drinking alcohol.

Does this mean they were never truly born again, or have they just gone back into the world?

There seed fell into stoney places and sprang up. But the dirt was shallow and when the sun came out they were dryed up because their roots were shallow like the dirt. Matthew 13:3-9. No body truly knows their heart but God and only He knows if they were truly saved.

[Guest Britty101]

I really think the person is saved. If you truely accept Jesus as your lord and savor than yeah I think your saved.

[Guest]

could it mean that they never were truly born again?

I have great concern for my Mother in law, younger brother in law and sister

in law who claimed to be christians.

My Mother -in-law used to attend the church we went to, as did my brother in law who was baptised in our church.

They lived very holy lives, but I never really saw much "fruit" and "love with my Mother in law. The same goes for my sister in law.

I have heard all the right words that a christian would use but have always failed to see their true love

for one another.

Now, they have all stopped fellowshipping and all I hear is swearing.

My brother in law recently got tattoos, spends weekends with his g/friend

and supports communism.

My Mother in law says she watches some (non christian tv shows) and in the past, she didn't watch them because she was "too churchy".

They mix with unbelievers, attend parties and have gone back to drinking alcohol.

Does this mean they were never truly born again, or have they just gone back into the world?

There's some good replies here, and I thought I'd add something that I don't think any one has covered, yet. (If I'm wrong, sorry!)

I don't think any of us can say for certain whether anyone else is truly saved or not -- that's something only God knows because He knows our hearts.

It is possible, though, to be a Christian and be living in rebellion against the Lord. Some call it "back sliding," but I think its the same thing in this case. I got saved, but there were times in my life when I wasn't doing the Lord's will. It's a miserable way to live too. The Holy Spirit will deal with the person and that means conviction which makes you feel lousy until you get things right. You also feel "off" because if you're a believer you belong to the Lord, not the world. You won't "fit in" with the lost and with the world no matter what you do or get involved in. That's a really lonely way to live.

The only thing you can really do is to pray for them, and live your faith in front of them every day. I know it doesn't sound like much, but prayer and a life that shows the Gospel will work with time. Only God can change a heart.

Hope this helps.

[eric]

If I may, my take to the OP,

It is harder for some who have been born again and made their committment to the Lord, than it is for others to stumble. It's a case, with a lot of new christians, of the magnetism of The holy spirit drawing you to live the life of Christ versus the lies of the devil trying to tempt you back to the world. It's a slippery slope to the top and sometimes you go ahead fine, but there are times when you go ahead four steps and slip back one, but once you get a firm footing you and get further into the word, you will forge ahead.

When family begin to backslide about all you can do is keep them in prayer and tell them occasionally that you mention them in your prayer time, but if you get pushy, you may drive them further away. Never give up on them, because the Lord doesn't

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, avalieth much Jms.5:16 kjv.

[PreciousRubi]

What does the Word say?

Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

2 Timothy 2:11The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

Only God knows the heart of the individual....and we all stumble on our walk with God, some more than others.

As I see it....our sins are forgiven when we accept Yeshua as our Saviour and Messiah, but salvation is awarded those of us who endure to the end. And we can see how we are to endure in Revelation 14:12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

PR

[dgolvach]

I'm not going to try to tacle the "OSAS" question. I do know this. A person can ask Christ to save him and then still stumble around for years before he realizes that he or she has absolute immediete access to God at anytime. They still believe that they have to merit his presence so what happens is they usually not long after being saved, stop trying to enter into God's throne room because they never feel spiritually fit. In truth, this is actually pride and works. The real ability to change your life is keeping God close and entering into his presence. We get to do this because we are CLEAN!!!!!SPOTLESS!!!! Jesus made us this way praise God! We need to retrain our hearts and minds into resting on the grace of God. Then we can fellowship with him. His presence is so magnificant that we don't find sin as attractive. Your reletives are trying to get feed because they are hungry and they don't understand that they have full access to God. So they settle for prison food rather than the mouthwatewring cuisine that God offers. Perhaps you should remind them that they can get their needs meet in a much greater capacity than what they seek at the present. God's food is much better than junk food. It promotes growth and spiritual health. If they don't listen, perhaps God will allow them to become so stinking miserable in their deception that they finally look up. God can really use misery sometimes. I crawled in spiritual squalor for 27 years before I ever realized it wasn't nessecary. What a waste! I had to get taken to God's wood shed just to realize that he loves me and desires me. The truth is God loves me bigtime. The truth sets us free.

Dan

[Vickilynn]

There's some good replies here, and I thought I'd add something that I don't think any one has covered, yet. (If I'm wrong, sorry!)

I don't think any of us can say for certain whether anyone else is truly saved or not -- that's something only God knows because He knows our hearts.

It is possible, though, to be a Christian and be living in rebellion against the Lord. Some call it "back sliding," but I think its the same thing in this case. I got saved, but there were times in my life when I wasn't doing the Lord's will. It's a miserable way to live too. The Holy Spirit will deal with the person and that means conviction which makes you feel lousy until you get things right. You also feel "off" because if you're a believer you belong to the Lord, not the world. You won't "fit in" with the lost and with the world no matter what you do or get involved in. That's a really lonely way to live.

The only thing you can really do is to pray for them, and live your faith in front of them every day. I know it doesn't sound like much, but prayer and a life that shows the Gospel will work with time. Only God can change a heart.

Hope this helps.

Shalom,

Amen and amen!!

[damo1]

could it mean that they never were truly born again?

I have great concern for my Mother in law, younger brother in law and sister

in law who claimed to be christians.

My Mother -in-law used to attend the church we went to, as did my brother in law who was baptised in our church.

They lived very holy lives, but I never really saw much "fruit" and "love with my Mother in law. The same goes for my sister in law.

I have heard all the right words that a christian would use but have always failed to see their true love

for one another.

Now, they have all stopped fellowshipping and all I hear is swearing.

My brother in law recently got tattoos, spends weekends with his g/friend

and supports communism.

My Mother in law says she watches some (non christian tv shows) and in the past, she didn't watch them because she was "too churchy".

They mix with unbelievers, attend parties and have gone back to drinking alcohol.

Does this mean they were never truly born again, or have they just gone back into the world?

damo1 high grace222

all you can do is cover them in prayer and leave the rest to god as i know when i ran from god others that prayed for me wear praying that god would put christians in my path also my old pastor was praying that i would remember the bible verses that he shared to me and the gospel messages i had heard preached for the very first time

sevral posters hear have said some good things and i wil have to agree with all the posters that have given you good sound advice

never think that god can reach them wear they are at know if they had at one stage given their lives to god and wear baptised they are still gods children grace many slip back into the world and many never come back al we can do is be jesus to them

never ram anything down their throat as this wil push some one even further away from god

when ever i would run into the darkest areas gods spirit would convict me if i was taking a shot of herroin or speed or smoking pot their was gods spirit bringing peoples faces to my mind also i was starting to remember the gospel messages i heard and the bible verses that daryl james of grace christian fellowship had shared to me

also daryl james prayers wear being answerd as christians wear also put into my path i never wanted to come back as i found it too hard to let go of my past or the people i new wear i grew up in kings cross and had worked with this was my life not church or the fresh life that others wanted for me i could not fit in i could not see my self in a house or moving forward and braking free from my addictions too much of the world was in me even as a christian i played around with things i was so use to grace threw comunion i would say help me and then away from church and those who new me i would be back at the places i was comfterbal with

i found it even hard to give up the action movies i would watch or the music i was so use to listning my friends to i could not give them up and with in a month of being away from those that new me sevral had found out wear i was living and would give me a hard time and remind me of who i was as a person and the vows i made when i became a blood brother not to just one person but to sevral people

i use to also freak out grace when i was invited to a persons home the couple that took me in also tried to show me the love of a family and they saw how hard it was for me but never gave up on me as i also taught them a lot

please trust me when i say this jesus will act but some times we have to pull back and trust them into his care be their for them talk with them tell them that you are hear for them but put aside what ever you are feeling

you wil be amazed at what god wil do if we just trust him 100%

if you are appart of a prayer meeting group put them on the list and ask people you know to keep them in their prayers as there is strength when we stick together in agreement

and when i did decide to step back into a church i had to repent of a lot of things grace know i am a better person as jesus helped me deal with a lot of fears and personal problems wear i use to run once back to the world i no longer do this but i walk in the dark areas i use to run to once and i reach out to those i know that are doing the same thing as me as i have ran into a lot of back slidden christians dont ask me how it just happens to wear the holy spirit wil place something on my heart or lead me to a person that once was active in church and as i begin a conversation with whom ever i am talking to they openly tel me with out me saying a thing or forcing it out of them

wear i use to work as a cleaner their were over 8 people who wear once active leaders but no longer wanted anything to do with church they even moved from the comunitys they wear living in to get away from every one and live in a town that they wear not known in

i did this my self and god convicted me in a town called boggabri

i hope by what has been shared to you in your topic helps you in this situation you are in

god bless from your brother in the lord damien stipic