Can A Child Of God Fall From Grace?
This Is Not A Question Of Divine Power
God is able—but man must accept. "But he said unto him, A certain man made a great supper; and he bade many: and he sent forth his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one accord began to make excuse." (Luke 14:16-18)
God is able to draw—but man must come. "No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (Jno. 6:44)
God is able to instruct—but man must believe. "It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me." (Jno. 6:45) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Rom. 1:16)
God is able to command—but man must obey. "And having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." (Heb. 5:9)
Christ is the author of our faith—but man must exercise gospel faith. "Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith." (Heb. 12:2) "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
This Is Not A Question Of The Devil's Power
He can be repelled—but he must be resisted. "Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (Jas. 4:7)
He can entice—but men are drawn away by their own lusts. "But each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed." (Jas. 1:14)
This Is A Question Of Man's Choice
Though a sheep cannot be plucked from the Father's hand—it can stray from the Shepherd's fold. "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it"? (Luke 15:4) "My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." (Jno. 10:29)
Though we ought to stand fast in the faith—some fall away from the faith. "But the Spirit saith expressly, than in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Tim. 4:1)
Though we ought to grow in grace—some fall away from grace. "Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace." (Gal. 5:4) "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)
Though we ought not to be carried away with error—we are warned lest we fall from our steadfastness. "Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness." (2 Peter 3:17)
Though we ought to grow and bear fruit despite temptation—some fall away in time of temptation. "And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word of joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."(Luke 8:13)
Though Faith Is Protective —
Some have cast it off; hence have damnation. "Having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge." (1 Tim. 5:12)
Some have put it away; hence have made shipwreck. "Holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith." (1 Tim. 1:19)
Some have drawn back from it; hence God has no pleasure in them. "But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him." (Heb. 10:38)
Some have shrunk back from it; hence go to perdition. "But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul." (Heb. 10:39)