“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”.
1 John 2:1
It is definitely possible for those who began a walk with Christ and have fallen to be forgiven again. God’s promises are sure. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). If we reason from this verse, the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one that is not confessed.
While it hurts God for His followers to fall away, He is always desiring for His people to return (Isaiah 44:22). This is most beautifully illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24). “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).
The issue with those who once accepted Jesus and then fall away is that it does much damage to the cause of God. The Bible states, “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:6). When a person claims to follow Jesus and then falls away, it causes those who see this to doubt God’s saving power and brings shame to God’s church. Once we accept Jesus, we become a spectacle to the world and others are watching our lives as a witness to our faith (1 Corinthians 4:9). While it is not the ideal plan for those who once were saved to fall away and then return, God would rather His people come back to Him than they be lost (Ezekiel 18:32, 2 Peter 3:9).
If we see a person falling away, the Bible reminds us to restore them in a spirit of meekness and wisdom (Galatians 6:1).
There are so many examples of God’s people making mistakes and then being restored, it should encourage us to keep moving forward on our walk to heaven. Think of David, Peter and Miriam who all made big mistakes yet were restored by God’s amazing grace. The point is they are saved because they kept on getting back up.
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…”.
Proverbs 24:16
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
