I'm not sure where to post? I've been participating in the New Testament Reading Plan recently and have a bible study question.Reading Romans 11:22-23 I am wondering if this means you can lose your Salvation or something else.I've been looking at some commentaries and praying about it.Would love to hear the community input!!
- Thank you!!!!
- KA, Another way to look at the question you ask is, "Can a person be enlightened by God and engage in the things of God, but not be transformed?" The answer to this question is obviously "Yes." We have two biblical examples in Judas Iscariot and Lucifer. Both were direct witnesses to God and how He works. Judas Iscariot spent roughly 2 years with Jesus during His ministry in the Galilee. He was part of Jesus' inner circle. He heard the words, experienced the wisdom, witnessed the miracles, and yet when the time came to make his decision for or against Jesus, he betrayed Him. Lucifer has experienced God in a way that we are unable to while we are here in our fleshly bodies. He has directly seen God's majesty with the Father seated on His throne. However, Lucifer also betrayed God. (Yes, the Angels have free will as well). When I first started as Pastor, I was very much in the "Yes, you can lose your salvation" camp. As your reference and NB.MicK both point out. Yet as I began to look at that question through the "Is it possible to be enlightened but not transformed?" argument, I have found myself thinking that it may very well be "Once you are transformed, you are then saved in such a way that you cannot lose your salvation. But if that were the case, then that would violate our "Free Will." Like many, I am still 100% unsure about which it is. There are people in both camps who are much smarter than I am and have the language and cultural skills to back their position. When asked this question, I then rephrase in the way as mentioned above. But then I remind them that If we are indeed Christians, then why would we ever want to test God to the limit that we would lose our salvation. I know this doesn't answer your question. But I hope it does cause you to think about it and do your own investigation. It may very well be that this is a question that is not supposed to have a definitive answer. That way, we have a fear of punishment when we push the limit.
- Good point Gary. Makes me really ponder and think closely of my walk with the Lord.Thank you!