Padrej,
I really appreciate your response. I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you. My computer has a virus or something. So, I have to use the computer at the library for now. Not able to get here everyday.
Mark 6 7-13 tells of Jesus sending out the 12 disciples and Jesus gave them authority to preach and cast out demons. Verse 13 says “And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” Please keep in mind Judas was one of those 12. Jesus would later go on to call him the “son of Perdition” and say that “it was better that he would never had been born.” Clearly somewhere Judas allowed Satan to enter him and become separated from Christ. So to answer your first question bluntly you can be on the path of salvation and turn because Judas clearly was a prime example of this.
Further the Book of Hebrews tells us in chapter 6 verse 4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” This says that you can taste the heavenly gifts and turn and fall away.
I really had not considered Judas as one falling away. I suppose he is the prime example of one who knew Christ and yet betrayed Him. I have always wondered about the fate of Judas. In Luke’s account, Satan entered Judas. Do you believe that a Christian can become possessed? Can we empty ourselves of God so completely that evil can enter and inhabit us?
Luke 22 (ESV): 3 Then
Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
Matthew 7 (ESV): 21 "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. . . .
Excellent point on this one also. How many do you know who have an outward faith but their actions otherwise do not belay this? Just because a person sits in a church does not make then a Christian any more than sitting in a garage make them an automobile.
I agree. One can give an outward sign that is not consistent with the heart–which leads to yet another question: Can we be wrong about our own salvation? How do we know?
One must persevere: 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. . . .
You are absolutely correct we must each persevere. We must all endure every test that comes our way because that is what makes us stronger in our faith. If our faith was not tested we would have weak faith or no faith at all.
Yes, we are strengthened in our trials, if we truly submit to Christ.
In my mind working out your own salvation means that I cannot worry about what sister Bertha Better than You is doing any more than what sister Mary Holy Water is doing. They and their actions cannot bring me into the Kingdom of God, only I can do this. I cannot ride on my parents coat tail either. My faith is my own faith, if they want to act the fool, let them; let me live for God.
Interesting comment Padrej. I agree that we cannot ride the coat tail of someone else. Yet, as I am writing this, I am wondering about the Scripture that speaks of salvation of one’s household:
Acts 11: 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
Acts 16: 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
30Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31And they said,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
What about salvation of a spouse?
**1 Corinthians 7: **15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
It seems the Sinner’s Prayer cannot provide an assurance of salvation, only the beginning of salvation.
Anna
