ALONE WITH GOD------

FALLING FROM GRACE TAUGHT BY EXAMPLE

King Saul of Old. He was the first King of Israel, was remarkable for his strength and activity, of gigantic stature, taller by head and shoulders than the rest of the people, in personal appearance “every inch a King.” He was anointed by Samuel to be King of Israel. “And it was so that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day. And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him and he prophesied among them”—I Sam. 10:9–10. This makes it clear he was God called, God anointed, with the Spirit of God upon him, enabling him to do the works of God. He disobeyed God, was rejected, and died on his own sword. This great leader and man of God lost God, his glory and power in this life, and heaven in the world beyond.

Judas Iscariot by transgression fell from the high plane of redemptive grace. Judas with the other eleven was called and commissioned to preach the New Testament gospel, heal the sick, cast out devils (Matt. 10:1–5; Mark 3:13–19). Judas performed his work with the others. “And he called unto him the twelve, (Judas one of twelve) and began to send them forth by two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.… And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them”—Mark 6:7, 12–13; Luke 9:1–2. If Judas had been a devil from the beginning he would not have had the power to perform these works.

Christ said that God had “given” Judas to him once. “While I was with them in the world I have kept them in thy name; those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition. That the scripture might be fulfilled”—John 17:12. Peter said that Judas obtained part in the ministry. “For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry”—Acts 1:17. Peter also said that “Judas by transgression fell”—Acts 1:25. Jesus said that Judas was finally lost (John 17:12). Judas only became the son of perdition because of his wilful malice, his neglect, and abuse of the grace and instructions of Christ and was condemned through his own covetousness, faithlessness, treachery, and despair.

Demas, “my fellow-laborer” (Philemon 24). He is saved at this time, and a fellow-laborer of Paul. Demas “greets you” (Col. 4:14). Nothing is said about his labors in the work of the Lord now. Demas “hath forsaken me having loved this present world … “—2 Tim. 4:10. If Demas ever recovered himself from the present world we do not know it. Angels, meaning God’s messengers, or preachers, and leaders in the patriarchal age, the world before the flood that disobeyed God, sinned and fell. “And the Angels (minister, messengers, preachers) which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation (patriarchal standards of God) he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day”—Jude 6. God did not permit, allow, sanction, or even tolerate disobedience in any, even among the greatest, and earliest of his messengers and leaders.

The Bishop, meaning pastor of the Church at Ephesus fell. “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candle stick out of his place, except thou repent”—Rev. 2:5.

The writer of the book of Hebrews shows the possibility of falling. “Let us (believers) labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief”—Heb. 4:11.

It is possible for sanctified people to backslide and fall from grace. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift (saved) and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost (sanctified), And have tasted the good word of God (obedient disciples) and the powers of the world to come (the supernatural), If they shall fall away (apostatize or fall from grace) to renew them again to repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame”—Heb. 6:4–6.

This teaches the possibility that one saved and sanctified, can fall from grace. It does not teach, however, that if one is saved and sanctified, and backslides, falls from grace, he cannot be saved again. It is clear that when one falls, or apostatizes, there is the danger his heart will become so hard he will not repent, or to renew him to repentance. Jesus says, “I tell you nay, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”—Luke 13:3. There is no salvation short of repentance. If one comes repenting he can be saved. If his heart is so hard he will not repent, there is no possibility of salvation.

A great number of the Jews fell. “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell (from a state of grace and favor with God) severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou shalt also be cut off”—Rom. 11:22.