God does not abort His children!

One point that has escaped many of us is that when we refer to God not aborting His children we are identifying the willful sinner with the picture of innocence. This is very sad. Here we are comparing an adult with a baby. The adult has chosen to do their own thing and sins and as a result has earned judgment and we then say that since they were once saved they cannot lose their salvation. And to bolster this we say that God does not abort His children. I suppose we justify this on the basis of original sin. If this is the case we are obviously agreeing that a new born is completely wicked. All of which is a very sick portrayal of the righteousness and goodness of God. Just how far will we go to justify ourselves?  

The "IF" Verses

There are several passages in the Bible that warn of the consequences if we depart from God. Some of these warnings come in the form of conditional assurances. They say that Christians will ultimately be partakers in our inheritance "IF" we continue or persevere in faith until the end.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, IF thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

That little word "if" shows that the "goodness" that God extends toward believers is conditional upon their "continuing" in His goodness. If not, they will be cut off in the same manner as the natural seed of Abraham. Notice in verse 20 that our perseverance is tied to "faith." What was it that caused God to cut off the Jews who rejected Christ? Verse 20 says that it was because of unbelief. And, Paul makes the point that we stand by faith. So, in verse 22, "continuing in His goodness" is synonymous with persevering in faith, and not succumbing to unbelief.

1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Here Paul says that the Corinthians "received" the gospel, and were "standing" by the gospel. Yet, their salvation is clearly linked to perseverance. There is that pesky little "if" again. What does it mean to "keep in memory" the gospel? The Gospel is all about coming to God by faith. It is clear that the ones Paul refers to were saved. Notice that he is not warning them of their need to be saved, but of their need to persevere. It is not that they need something more than they have. It is that they need to remain and continue in what they already have. Otherwise, their "believing" [faith] will have been in vain. The only way their believing can be in vain, after once having been saved, is if they are lost.

Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; ..

We are reconciled to God through Christ's death so that we will be presented sinless. But, again, that little word "if" messes up the verse! There is a condition attached. In order for the above to be true, we must "continue in the faith," and not be "moved away from the hope of the gospel." Can you see a pattern developing here? The Gospel, and faith, are linked to much more than just an initial salvation experience, where we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Faith in the sacrificial atonement is our means of "standing" or "continuing." And, this is a requirement if we ultimately expect to be presented before the Father with our sins forgiven, and covered by the blood of the Lamb.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; ..

Notice that these verses are addressed to the "brethren." And, notice that he is warning about "departing from God." One must be with God in order to depart from God. This is exactly what apostasy is. Yet, notice that there is one way Christians can depart from God. UNBELIEF! This is the opposite of "faith." But, this passage reveals much more. It clearly tells us HOW this can happen to a believer. Verse 13 warns of a "hardening" that can occur through the deceitfulness of sin. Hardening is a process, it does not occur overnight. Unchecked sin causes hardening of the heart. A hard heart leads to UNBELIEF. And, unbelief leads to departing from God. Then comes the final conditional assurance. We will be made partakers with Christ IF we hold our initial confidence [or faith] until the end.

Sin can be very attractive. Satan dresses up sin and uses it as bait to seduce those who had once escaped its power. That's why Paul told us to put on the whole armor of God so we will not be caught in the "wiles of the Devil," [Eph. 6:11]. The word "wiles" means trickery. Satan entices Christians to fall into sin. If they become entangled in that sin and allow it to go on, over time they will build up a resistance to the convicting voice of the Spirit. This is the hardening of the heart that leads to unbelief, and departing from God. It is not the sin itself that causes someone to fall away, but the unbelief that results from the hardening process. That's why we find repeated warnings in Hebrews to maintain the faith we had at first. And, that requires treating sin as a possibly fatal disease.

Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

"Neglect" is treating something that is precious, casually. It is carelessness. Unfortunately, this is the state of many Christians today. Yet, they think they are in no danger.

Some might ask, Is it really important that we believe Christians can forsake God and be eternally lost? Isn't it enough to realize that if we sin we are displeasing God? Apparently it is not enough for some. Or else God would not have wasted His breath on all these warnings. Paul is speaking to believers and includes himself as needing these instructions

Heb 12:25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

Heb 4:11 Let us do our best to go into that place of rest, too, being careful not to disobey God as the children of Israel did, thus failing to get in.  TLB

Many Christians have fallen into worldly traps and vices and cannot get free. They don't realize where this path leads, because they have been taught "once saved always saved." Things are going to get really bad. Persecution is coming. Some of us will face a choice between denying Christ or martyrdom. Do you think the average Christian will stand like the martyrs of old? Many Christians will depart from the faith under persecution. Temptation is busy on several fronts setting Christians up for the kill. It is seducing many into sinful habits, while lulling them into a false sense of security. . All because of the sinfulness prevalent inside the Church.

1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

This warning is not to the unsaved. It was written by Peter to the elders of the churches. It is the job of the leaders of the Church to be watchmen for Christ's flock. But, alas, many are more interested in building their own kingdoms.

Jer 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

Ezek 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?... 5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

It is our responsibility to guard the sheep from the roaring lion. How? We must demand that our leaders be both righteousness and learned people and of good and stable character. They must be about warning the people. Preaching against sin. And, telling them the truth about where continued rebellion leads. For those who are already entangled in sin, follow James' advice.

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (KJV)

(The following are complete passages and excerpts of several articles I have found on the web.)

The Co-Existence of Sovereignty and Free Will

God is sovereign, but that doesn't lead to the conclusions of the Stoics, St. Augustin, or John Calvin. God chooses to limit His sovereignty in the case of man's free will. He has established a framework of natural laws and spiritual laws. His natural laws include the laws of physics. Everything in the universe obeys God's natural laws. Gravity is a good example of God's physical laws. Spiritual laws apply to people. A good example of a spiritual law is found in -

Ephesians 2:8. "The wages of sin is death."

God allows events to run their natural course in conformity to His laws. Evil is most often the natural result of man's choices, not God's sovereignty. God allows man to make choices that can have far reaching effects both good and bad. He even allows Satan some freedom on earth but only within certain limited parameters. Because mankind has largely rejected his Creator, God allows the natural consequences to take their toll.

People do not need a devil to get into trouble. They only need to give themselves over to pleasing their own natural desires and eventually they have created a demon of lust within themselves.

Many Calvinists would have you believe that you must choose between a God who is all sovereign, directly controlling everything both good and evil, or else you must believe in a God who is weak and unable to control everything. But, logical thinking, and biblical evidence, indicates "none of the above." God is both all powerful, and self restraining. He can control everything, but He chooses not to. He allows free will. He loves every sinner and earnestly desires that all repent and turn to Him for mercy. Yet, He holds man's freedom to choose above His love for man, and His desire to save. While He provided the ultimate gift of love, by becoming a man and paying the penalty for sin Himself, He will not violate the freedom to choose. He warns of the consequences of rebellion against His laws, and He offers salvation and forgiveness to all, even the pagans in remote places, [Psalm 19:1-4, Rom. 1:18-20]. But, he allows man to make his own choice. In this way God is not responsible for evil at all. He does not create evil, nor does He cause evil. God has established universal laws. When people oppose God, the natural result is bad things happen. God does not cause them to happen, they happen as the result of God's laws.

In the physical realm, if you step off a cliff, you will fall and get hurt. God did not hurt you. No decision was made by God that you should be injured. But gravity, God's physical law, which is obeyed by all physical matter, does not make an exception for you. It takes its toll on you because of your bad decision or stupidity.

In the same way, man's rebellion against God's spiritual laws has terrible natural consequences. These consequences may be manifest for several generations. They can accumulate and compound, affecting people long after the offender is gone.

If it was not for God intervening in behalf of His people's prayers, this world would have perished long ago. Sometimes God intervenes in the natural course of events in what may appear to us a negative way, but always in order to prevent the compounding devastating consequences of disobedience. At times, sin and its results go so far that God steps in to judge and bring things to a conclusion so as not to corrupt entire civilizations. Sodom and Gomorrah is a good example of this kind of intervention. This is also the reason God commanded Joshua to wipe out entire cities and tribes. At the time of the flood, things got so bad God wiped out the entire population of the world except eight souls. The original author of this article thinks we are approaching that level of corruption in this country and God may once again intervene in the history of mankind in a cataclysmic way, [2 Peter 3:1-10].

I do not. The world will never see the level of corruption that has existed in the centuries before Calvary nor will it ever see the depths of degradation that existed prior to AD 1100. It is nonsensical to make such a comparison.

However, it seems that He has always been selective or particular and has dealt with individual nations according to the need.

There are biblical reasons for believing that the biblical flood only affected the area around Palestine. That is another subject.

While generally God allows His laws to interact with man's choices, He also personally and sovereignly interacts with His creation by choosing to intervene in this natural course of events in response to faith. He alone can circumvent these natural and spiritual laws. He is looking for people who will choose, by faith, to respond to His offer of grace. He wants to change the undesirable natural outcome of circumstances for His children when they act in faith upon His promises.

2 Chronicles 16 :9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

(Please note that much of this article is a loose compilation and revision of several articles found on the web. Most of it was probably derived from articles on the Revival Theology web site?? )

Where Calvinism Leads

In Calvinism, God is ultimately the author of both good and evil. He sovereignly controls everything including Satan. The Star Wars movies presented this philosophy in its "god," the "Force," with both a good side and a dark side. The nature of Calvinism's God fits perfectly with Chinese philosophy represented by the symbol of the "Yin Yang."
The dark side of the circle represents the evil side of God, while the light side represents the good side. The opposite colored points within the circle represent a touch of evil even within the good side of God, and a touch of good within the dark side. Everything good has an evil side, and everything evil has a good side. Everything has its counterpart. A good example of the counterpart of Christianity is the Occult Black Mass, where the Crucifix is inverted, Scripture is read backwards, etc.. New Agers have adopted this philosophy and its symbols. When the philosophy that drives Calvinism is projected to its logical conclusion, even Satan's activity is an extension of God.

God sovereignly controls Satan's every move, making God the author of everything evil, and the most wicked sinner of all. The God of the Bible does not resemble this kind of god.

I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

It appears that the ultimate ambition of the beast and the beast's system was to usurp God's position, [Isaiah 14:13-15, 2 Thes. 2:3,4]. We cannot make sin holy, but, we can make God appear to be unholy, closing the gap between man's perception of God and Evil. We simply assume that evil is the dark side of God. Then, as Darth Vader puts it, "the circle is now complete." This philosophical merging of God and Evil in effect is behind much of the repeated failures of Christianity.

The danger for Christians, however, is that only one baby step separates the Calvinism, taught in mainstream Evangelical churches, from the logical philosophical conclusion, that God is both good and evil. Ultimately, God is Evil and Evil is God. In periods of slackness in the Church this philosophy has and will continue to excuse Christians for accepting the status-quo.

We must not forget that the NT teaches us that Christ overcame death and hell down here for His people before he set down on His throne. He told us not to fear this world, for He had overcame it.

Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

I Jn 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

All of this was taught to first century believers, in the face of their nearly being annihilated.

Total hereditary depravity

(or Inherited Sin)

I. All babies are born into the world destined for hell

A. Inherited sin demands that babies are born lost and destined for Hell

Luther said, "hereditary sin is truly sin and condemns to the eternal wrath of God all those who are not born again through baptism (infant baptism) and the Holy Spirit."

B. Some churches - (Baptist, Nazarene, Pentecostal, AGC, Alliance) - do not believe inherited sin has any effect upon the newborns soul

Most have never really studied "inherited sin" and don't understand the implications.

People will sometimes study and understand the implications of inherited sin. Instead of rejecting it as false doctrine, they continue to believe in hereditary depravity, but deny that babies are born destined for hell. When this happens they are not being honest and are usually suffering from a conflict between their heart and their head.

This position is untenable, inconsistent and contradictory, both within itself and the Bible: either all babies inherit the guilt and sin of Adam at birth and are lost or babies are born as innocent as Adam was before his fall (thus inherited sin is false doctrine)

By the Bible's own definition, if man is born "spiritually dead" he is lost.

All churches that teach inherited sin, apply the expressions under the "Lost-Hell" column to newborns: How can any of these churches apply these terms to newborns, yet maintain newborns are saved?

B. Infants are not candidates for baptism because:

They do not believe: Mk 16:16; The Eunuch asked, "What prevents me from being baptized" Philip replied, "If you believe with all your heart you may." Acts 8:36-38

They cannot repent: Acts 2:38

C. Churches that practice infant baptism have a double standard:

They will baptize infants who neither believe, repent, understand or consent

Yet for adults, they require faith, repentance and catechism classes

At what age do they stop forcing people to be baptized?

D. The real questions to be answered:

If baptismal regeneration saves infants who neither believe or consent, why won't it save adults the same way?

Why not force masses of unbelievers at gunpoint to be baptized?

Why doesn't a priest sprinkle his "holy water of baptism" at the crowds in the city center on main street?

Absolution From Sin:

A. Understanding Absolution from sin:

When a Catholic dies, a priest sprinkles water on the dead man and says a formula of words which forgives all his sins and ensures he will go to heaven. All this to a dead man!

Absolution is derived from a combination of two false doctrines taken to their logical end: (faith by proxy and the concepts underlying baptismal regeneration)

The "forsaking" David spoke of was a willful and complete turning away from God. No doubt, he was alluding to the former king, Saul, who forsook God, and God turned away from him. He was not speaking of committing some particular sin. David himself was guilty of adultery and murder. His sin caused him to despair. But, he confessed his sin and threw himself on the mercy of God.

Some may say that this verse does not apply to us because it is found in the Old Testament. But, the New Testament teaches exactly the same thing regarding apostasy. The Scriptures warn that in the last days apostasy will be rampant.

First Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Second Thess 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; -(KJV)

The Apostle warns that apostasy will be so prevalent in the last generation, he calls it the "falling away." Paul did not originate this idea. Jesus mentioned it in His Olivet Discourse.

Matt 24:9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. 10 "And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. 11 "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. 12 "And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13 "But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved. (NASB)

In the last days, of the OT system, when real persecution came, many believers did grow cold and abandoned the Faith. Only those who continued until the end were saved. Their faith caused them to leave Jerusalem and they were saved from that holocaust.

The parable of the sower demonstrates clearly that not all who receive the Gospel will persevere in their faith until the end.

Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (KJV)

Notice the same language is used of those who fell away when persecution came, and those who bore fruit. Both "received" the Word. Those who had stony ground became "offended." This is the same word Jesus used in Matthew 24:10 regarding those who will grow cold and betray one another when persecution comes.

Luke's account is even more clear regarding believers who do not endure when persecution comes.

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away... 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Notice the contrast between those in verses 13 and 15. Those who will fall away when persecution comes "received" the Gospel. It even says they "believed" for a time. But, the difference between them and the ones in verse 15 is endurance. The word "keep" is the Greek word "katecw" [katecho]. According to Strong's Greek dictionary this word means: "...to hold fast,...to retain,...to seize on." This word has the idea of grasping and continuing to hold on tightly, [see: Heb. 10:23]. Those who grasp and hold onto the Gospel through faith bring forth fruit with "patience." This is the Greek word "upomonh" [hupomone], which means: "endurance,...constancy,...patient continuance."

It is evident that those who will eventually fall away already had a serious problem before they believed the Gospel. The soil of their heart was rocky. This type of soil makes growing crops difficult, but not impossible. Those with rocky soil need much more care and cultivation if they are to survive and bear fruit. Rocks can be removed, and tender care given to these struggling plants by caring gardeners. We cannot tell the condition of someone's heart. "...man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" [1 Samuel 16:7]. But, we can guard against unbelief in our own lives and try to strengthen our brethren. Someone you know, who appears to be a strong Christian, could be on the verge of abandoning their faith in God. When real persecution comes, and it will, the condition of the root will be what matters, not the pretty leaves.

Jesus even warned His own disciples to "continue in me." His warning was not just idle words, or a hypothetical situation. Jesus told them the final outcome of those who were "in Christ," but chose not to continue "in Christ." The word "abide" in the following verses means: "to continue or remain in a given state or relation."

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide [continue] in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide [continue] in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide [continue] in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth [continues] in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide [remains] not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide [continue] in me, and my words abide [continue] in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

The words "in me" demonstrate clearly that Jesus spoke of saved people. Since Jesus warned His own disciples to continue "in me," how much more should we be aware of the potential of any Christian to fall away?

Peter came dangerously close to abandoning Christ. On the very same night that Jesus spoke this warning to His disciples, Jesus turned to Peter and said:

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Peter was in danger of his faith failing during Jesus' arrest and trial. He denied that he knew Jesus three times. This was his time of sifting by Satan. Yet, thanks to Jesus prayer for his strength, Peter did not totally abandon Christ. If Peter was in such danger, how much more can we be in dire danger given the right circumstances.

Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Paul was borrowing a parable from Jeremiah 11. In this parable God likened Israel to a good olive tree that He had planted. Because of their unbelief and rebellion, God said He would break off it's branches and burn them with fire. Paul used this illustration to show how unbelieving Jews, who rejected Jesus when He came, had been broken off from the people of God. Believing Gentiles were then grafted in their place, among the believing Jews, as the true people of God. However, Paul sternly warned the Roman Christians not to become to haughty or too secure in their new relationship with Christ and the people of faith. He warned that they too can be broken off if they succumb to unbelief.

Notice that they "stand by faith." This means they are continuing in their relationship in Christ through continued faith. If they allow that faith to degrade into unbelief, Paul warns that God will not spare them either. If God didn't spare His chosen people when they fell into apostasy through unbelief, He will certainly not spare Gentiles who follow the same path.

Even Paul knew he was vulnerable to the lusts of the flesh, which can ultimately lead to unbelief.

1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Paul is saying he must keep his flesh in subjection so it does not cause him to loose faith and abandon Christ. The Greek word for "castaway" is usually translated "reprobate" in the KJV. It is found in Romans 1:28, 2 Cor. 13:5,6,7, 2 Tim. 3:8, Titus 1:16, and Heb. 6:8. In the last passage it is translated "rejected." In every single case this word is used of the lost. If Paul was aware of the ever present peril of ultimately being lost through unbelief, we too need to be on guard.

The Power is in the Gospel

The idea that God gives a mystical enlightenment only to a preordained number of individuals is completely foreign to the Scriptures, and to God's integrity. Yes, the Spirit draws people to God. But, many people resist the Spirit. The power that leads people to repentance and experiencing the grace of God, is not mystical at all. That power is contained in the Gospel itself. It enters through the ears into the heart.

Romans 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

First Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Man is incapable of saving himself. He doesn't have the power. But the power to illuminate man to both his need of salvation, and the genuine offer of grace to all, is contained in the Gospel message itself. Whoever hears the Gospel, is capable of receiving it, or rejecting it. God does not only enlighten "the elect." He enlightens all who hear the Gospel. They then choose to accept or reject it.

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

A more inclusive statement could not be used. These verses are not easily dismissed. God enlightens every single person. He clearly means that every person is enlightened when he hears the witness of the gospel message, [vs. 7,8]. When a man or woman is exposed to the gospel message, the Spirit of God enlightens them, exposing their sin, and their need of a Saviour. They can then respond positively or negatively. The choice is theirs.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

These last verses are a summation, they are not the whole counsel of God.

Edited by Vern Manson - Sunday, September 19, 1999 / Tuesday, September 28, 1999

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