Where In The Bible Will I Find:

The Ultimate Tragedy?

If you were to fall away (that is, leave the church and go back to your former way of life and/or former religion - back into sin and disobedience), what would be your condition? There are many verses of Scripture which describe the end of those who fall away. John 15:4-6 is part of an illustration Jesus used. As a branch must remain attached to the vine, so every Christian must remain attached to Christ.

Fruit-bearing is an evidence that the "branch" is still abiding in the "vine." Notice the consequences in verse 6. Hebrews 10:26-31 shows the willful sin named in verse twenty-six refers to the deliberate decision to leave Christ and His church. When one does this he has forsaken the only sacrifice for sins and can no longer have any hope of being saved (unless he repents). Verses 28-31 show that to be lost eternally is worse ("sorer punishment”) than being killed without mercy. 2 Peter 20:22 shows the plain fact that when one who has been a Christian forsakes Christ, forsakes Christ's church, and forsakes the truth, he puts himself in a worse position than a heathen who has never known the Lord.

The illustrations of the dog and sow in verse 22 emphasize the ugliness of backsliding into sin. A Christian was once asked, "If you should ever leave the church of Christ, where would you go?" He quickly answered, "To hell." Either the Bible is right or it is wrong. God does not lie. What the Bible says about the necessity of faithfulness in Christ's church, of loyalty to the truth, and of purity of heart and life is true without exception. Excuses and self-approving rationalization cannot change it. When people turn away from God they face terrible consequences.

When a member of the Lord's church goes back into willful sin and ceases to be faithful, the rest of the church must withdraw fellowship from him. Notice Paul's instructions about this in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15. Read also 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, where he deals especially with a brother who was living in fornication. When a person can no longer have the fellowship of God's people, he no longer has fellowship with God. Such a one has no hope until he repents and comes back to the right way.

To die while in a fallen-away condition means being lost forever. You may be thinking that you could never turn your back on Christ and His church. This should certainly be your prayer and your purpose. But remember that 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Always realize that such a possibility exists. Be on guard, therefore, against temptations, against discouragements, and against anything that might cause your love and loyalty to grow weak. If there is the slightest temptation to backslide, come to grips with it at once. While you are talking to God, the devil will not be "talking" to you.

--David Pharr