STANDING AND FALLING
Note I Corinthians 10:12 - Romans 11:11 - Hebrews 6:4 to 6: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” “I say then, Have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their (Israel’s) fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them (Israel) to jealousy.” “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, And have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 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.”
In Galatians 5:1 and 4, Christians were told to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had set them free, and not to get under the law; that “whosoever of you is justified by the law, is fallen from grace.” Here they are told to stand and not fall. This is quite different from I Corinthians 10:12, “let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” In this admonition the Holy Spirit was not thinking of Christians going back under the law. But here is given the example of the fall of Israel under Moses, as we have in Hebrews 4:1 to 11. We remember Peter’s boast that he would never deny the Lord, even if others did, and Peter had quite a fall. (Matthew 26:33 to 35). This does not mean that Peter lost his salvation. But Christians should be humble and boast only in Christ, and profit by the failures and falls of others. (I Corinthians 1:31 - Galatians 6:14).
In II Peter 1:4 to 10 we are told how Christians can be fruitful Christians and keep from being near-sighted and from falling. When they obey these instructions they will not forget that they were cleansed from sin. This is by adding several virtues to faith. It is not the additions, or the failure to add them, that saves; but the faith to which they are added. (Ephesians 2:8 to 10 - Romans 4:4 and 5). But Christians who do not add may fall. Christians stand in grace (Romans 5:2). God is able to keep them from falling (Jude 24); and make them stand. (Romans 14:4).
The Hebrews wanted to return to the sacrifices of Israel’s “shadow” days, to supplement the finished work of Christ with the old testament offerings. (Hebrews 10:1 to 10). The Holy Spirit told them there was no more sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 10:18 - 10:26).
If those Hebrews could have fallen away after trusting in Christ’s shed blood, they could not have been renewed after having fallen away, if they had believed unto the saving of their soul (Hebrews 10:39). But the worshipper once purged should have no more conscience of sin. (Hebrews 10:2).
Therefore, Hebrews 6:4 to 6 could not mean that a person once out of Adam into Christ (II Corinthians 5:17 and I Corinthians 12:13), would fall away, if he should backslide; for the Holy Spirit tells spiritual Christians to restore such a one to the Lord. (Galatians 6:1 and 2). In Hebrews 6:4 to 6 the fallen cannot be renewed. So this does not teach that one in Christ can fall out of Christ. God is able to make them stand (Romans 14:4). A Christian can never be condemned with the world. (I Corinthians 11:32).
There are two Greek words translated “fall” in Romans 11:11 - “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should FALL? God forbid: but rather through their FALL salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” The second “fall” is trespass.
Believing Jews were in the remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5 to 9). The rest were blinded. They fell through unbelief. Through their “trespass”, salvation was sent to Gentiles, who are to stand by faith. (Romans 11:20 and 21).
There is to be a great falling away, but this will be a falling away of professors who believe not. (II Thessalonians 2:1 to 12). And on them the great Stone of Matthew 21:44 will fall and grind them to powder.
Posted By – Cecil and Connie Spivey
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