Scripture Reading: Hebrews 3:12-15
You Can Fall Away!
Intro.
1. Christians can be confident of our salvation (1 Jno. 5:13; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).
2. However, this does not mean that Christians have a license to sin without the expectation of punishment (Rom. 6:1-2, 23).
3. Christians are called to diligent watchfulness to avoid falling away from God (Heb. 3:12-13).
4. Christians can fall away from grace (Gal. 5:4; Rom. 5:2).
Apostasy literally means “a standing away,” hence the concept of “falling away.” It is “an abandoning of what one believed in, as a faith, etc.” (Webster).
Since so many religious people have been persuaded that it is impossible for Christians to fall away & be lost, we must be very aware of what the Bible actually teaches. Bible truth refutes this false doctrine of men.
THE POSSIBILITY OF APOSTASY:
Righteous can turn away from righteousness & die, Ezek. 18:24.
One who has believed can fall away, Luke 8:13.
Christian severed from Christ – fallen away from grace, Gal. 5:2-4.
An enlightened one can fall away & be unreachable, Heb. 6:4-6.
See: 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Ths. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Jas. 5:19-20
EXAMPLES OF APOSTASY OF GOD’S PEOPLE:
Israel, Exo. 24:7; 32:7-8; Jer. 3:6-14 (“backsliding Israel”).
Simon Peter, Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; Gal. 2:11-14.
Simon, Acts 8:12-13, 18-24.
Fornicator in Corinthian church, 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 13; 2 Cor. 2:5-8.
Hymenaeus and Alexander, 1 Tim. 1:18-20.
Laodiceans, Rev. 3:15-19.
CAUSES OF APOSTASY:
Times of temptation, Luke 8:13.
Worldliness, Luke 8:14; Jas. 4:4; 2 Tim. 4:10.
False doctrine, Acts 20:29-30; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 6:3-5.
Seeking justification by the OT Law of Moses, Gal. 5:4.
Hardened hearts against God’s revealed will, Heb. 3:12-13.
THE PREVENTION OF APOSTASY:
Spiritual growth to maturity, 1 Pet. 2:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:5-11.
Don’t love the world/Seek heavenly things, 1 Jno. 2:15-17; Col. 3:1-3.
Live in the doctrine of Christ, 2 Jno. 9; 1 Tim. 6:3; 1:3.
Know that salvation is only in Christ, Gal. 2:16; Acts 4:12.
Do not harden your heart against God’s will, Heb. 3:7-8.
THE CHRISTIAN’S REMEDY FOR APOSTASY:
Repent of your sin, Acts 8:22; 17:30.
Confess your sin to God, 1 John 1:9.
Pray to God for His forgiveness, Acts 8:22.
Conversion (new life), Jas. 5:19-20; Gal. 6:1; Rev. 2:5.
Conclusion
1. If you are not a Christian you are already standing away from God.
2. The gospel of Christ is your only way to God, Acts 4:12.
3. Christian: Be on guard lest you fall from your own steadfastness, 2 Pet. 3:17-18.