Message #53420

[Psalm 51:17]

Hebrews 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6  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.

No, this passage does NOT mean a Christian can lose his or her salvation if they fall away into sin - just think about it(and here's a couple of examples)...

1) Let's say a professing born-again believer is seen by his unbelieving neighbors, co-workers, etc walking into a movie theater to watch a movie with alot of violence, blasphemy, and foul language. Didn't he or she ruin their own testimony and put the Son of God unto open shame?

2) Rick Warren I don't think is a saved man - but nonetheless - a couple of years ago(for example), he asked his congregation at his church for $1m in 72 hours b/c (supposedly)they were under-budget that much. But guess what happened subsequently - even the UNBELIEVING world was able to discern this wickedness(while professing Christians just stood down and acted like he did the right thing). So what did they do? They put the Son of God to an open shame(which Warren himself provoked, to say the least!).

Ultimately, our lives as born-again believers are for Jesus Christ. We don't lose our salvation, but ultimately we have to give an account to the Lord Jesus Christ at the judgment seat of Christ for everything we said and did.

2Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2Co 5:11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.