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You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4
Fallen From Grace – What does “fall from grace” mean? Do you think it’s about denying the Lord? Or about some hideous sin? Not according to Paul’s comments to the Galatians. Falling from grace is the subtle shift from “gift” to “gain.” God’s grace is a gift, but often we try to gain what can only be given.
Now, you will say to yourself, “Hey, I don’t do that! I know that salvation is a gift. I know I can’t earn it.” Yes, you’re right. You accepted God’s gift without meriting it. But what about the other side of the coin? What happens when you fall down, when you sin and feel unworthy once again? You might accept God’s gift of renewed relationship when you are doing well, but what happens when you collapse? Do you start thinking that your failure has now ruined your relationship with the Lord and it’s up to you to get it back? Isn’t that exactly the same process that a legalist would use to try to earn salvation in the first place? Do you think that your sins after accepting God’s grace are somehow handled differently than the sins that you accumulated before you accepted His offer?
It seems to me that a great number of followers entertain theological dualism when it comes to forgiveness. They don’t mean to do this, but they fall prey to their emotions and lose the perspective of Scripture. They are thrilled that God rescues them from lives of tragic disobedience. Then they sin again. Perhaps they go through a period of real struggle with old habits. They feel like failures. After all, they are trying to walk in the Spirit but it just doesn’t seem to be working. Suddenly they start thinking that the relationship they so desire with the Lord is really about their obedience. And since they have not been obedient, they conclude that they don’t deserve this relationship. They set off on the path of strict obedience in hopes that they will once again recover God’s grace. This, of course, is simply legalism in disguise. If God doesn’t demand your unfailing obedience in order to rescue you in the first place, why do you think He demands your unfailing obedience in order to maintain your relationship with Him? Shock of all shocks! He does not!
But wait! Does that mean God doesn’t care if I sin? Of course not. Sin breaks the relationship. But it doesn’t break the relationship from God’s point of view. He is still there, doing all He can to keep you in fellowship with Him. His door is never closed. He has not left the building. You are the one who walked out. And all that is required for the relationship to be renewed is for you to “do what is right.” Does that sound familiar? It should. Back to Genesis, chapter 4. This persistent theological dualism is tied to our emotional confusion, not to God’s unwavering reliability. “If you do what is right, will not your face be lifted up?”
You fell from grace (tes charitos exepesate) says Paul when you took upon yourselves the burden of proving your worth to God. Whether that occurs before or after accepting His gift doesn’t change the approach. When God redeemed you, He settled the matter. Take His point of view on this. He will not walk away as long as you decide to stay. It doesn’t matter how you feel about it. It only matters what He says about it. You don’t earn His fellowship before or after He grants you the gift. You can disrupt it, but you can’t annul it.
Topical Index: fell from grace, charis, ekpipto, exepesate, sin, dualism, gift, Galatians 5:4
Skip …. I have a request I will get to but first ….
1 John 2:1 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, Yeshua Mashiach the righteous: 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Elohim perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Note: John makes it clear in this inspired writing that ultimately “loving thy brother” is the declaration of “light within”! The point however is that genuine believers do sin! 🙁 but praise Yeshua 🙂
Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Note: Again it should be clear that Peter refers to “loving thy brother” as being declarative of “light within” and not as a legalistic means of earning against unrighteousness.
So Skip …. we should all agree with the declaration that “no works will repair a separation” but rather the works of “love” depict a continuing and active relationship with “The Light Of The World”! And as it is declared …. loving Elohim and loving thy neighbor …. in doing this Torah is fulfilled!
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“When God redeemed you, He settled the matter”!
I have personally been involved in a number of discussions recently regarding similar declarations by others …. their point being that all who believe are sealed … permanently.
Please refer to the following from Luke, 2 Peter and Matthew which I used to support a different viewpoint:
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. 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 8:15 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.
2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Yeshua Mashiach, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Matthew: 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
After all … even the demons believe don’t they? And let us not forget those who casted out demons and performed works in preaching the gospel …. yet Yeshua declared that He did not know them! (Matthew 7:21 … a really scary verse in my humble opinion … well for me anyway)
Not really a question but rather a request … could you give me your opinion on the matter since you pointed out that “we can opt to walk away or walk back to YHVH” which I view as being in agreement with my position on “calling versus election”.
Others countered that we can’t even turn back to him on our own and then it started heading into pre-destination versus pre-determination etc., etc.
I do not want to cause a stir here … it is just that the same exact language was used and it really set me off this morning!
Shalom
There is a lot of developmental background needed to see HOW we got to the idea of permanent election before we can really understand what election means and how obedience fits into the picture. A great deal of this background comes from the Greek philosophical influence on the interpretation of crucial verses. The history is long and complicated. Someday I will give a lecture about it and hopefully record the thing.
But the shorter version is that it is tied to the idea of perfection (Greek) and sinful nature (Greek). The Hebrew view is not at all like the Greek view here. While yetzer ha’ra is part of the hebrew understanding of Man, it does not play the same role at the total depravity expressed in the concept of sinful nature. One can resist the yetzer ha’ra. One cannot change his “nature”. So, the Hebrew view embraces a much stronger concept of personal (and corporate) accountability and consequently, a much stronger view of the consequences of disobedience. One can in fact walk away from God, even after tasting the goodness of the Lord. And one can respond to the calling of the Lord in an act of faith. This does not imply that I merit forgiveness any more than my response to an RSVP implies that I paid for the party. So, it is my opinion that the Bible teaches that it is possible to “fall from grace.” Of course, no human being is in the position of determining what that means for another person. God is the judge of my eternal condition, but I can certainly discern the warning signs in others – and in myself!
OK, so what about election. Israel (the corporate entity) is elected. God will never break that covenant promise. That does not mean that every Israelite is elected – as the biblical record clearly shows. It means that God has chosen a people and will work out the redemption of all creation through that people. I can choose to join them if I wish. It also means that God will do everything possible within the boundaries of holiness to bring all His people into alignment with His purposes. He will not be responsible for the loss of a single one. But I share in that arrangement. He might not set me aside, but I certainly can set Him aside.
Now, how does this avoid the legalism and the fear of measuring my daily relationship with Him according to my sin quotient? It is a matter of DIRECTION. Which way am I going over the long run. Today I might fall. The question is not if I sin. It is WHEN I sin. What do I do? Do I repent, get up and get going in the right direction, or do I keep moving away? God calls me back. I must respond to that call, but as Oswald says, the very instant that I turn toward Him, He rushes to assist me.
There is lots more here. But another time. We should hold a conference somewhere.
Excellent my brother. I agree whole heartedly. We can’t judge and all anyone can really do is strive to be the continual “work in process”.
A lengthy teaching as you point out is needed indeed. In some instances to reawaken people to reality and in other instances to keep some from letting themselves be crushed under the weight of guilt and self reliance (legalism by another name)!
Despite all the urgings to be perfect and holy …. this can only be at times and when it is Him abiding in us to be perfect and holy. The other times …. well we are yet to be made incorruptible and we shall stumble. As you say it is not if … only when! Ultimately as you point out T’shuvah is a continual process. And man … does sin crouch at the door!
Praise YHVH for giving us Ruach HaKodesh to take rebuking and understand that it is out of love!
Again … thanks for the quick response!
b/t/w …. What ever happened with the conference and or conference call idea?
How does the logistics look for the community … spread all over? concentrated in specific regions?
Relationship vs fellowship. The “KISS” method. I was born into my father’s family. (right now, it doesn’t matter which “father” we’re referrring to.) The fact remains I was born. Will Rogers was asked for proof of his birth, to which he replied, “I’m here ain’t I”. Well.. I’m here and I belong. I have the inward witness of the Spirit, I belong to Him. (I’ll pause here for a brief “Hallelujah!”). Am I “born again?”. In the words of Sarah Palin.. “you betcha”.. I am a Son and I have a Father. Now.. the next (parallel)question is.. do I ever do things against my father’s will/desires/wishes for me? Have I ever disobeyed my father?
Again, I’ll fire off and honest and quick answer to say (sadly) yes, I have. Does this affect my “relationship” with my father/or Father? (Am I smarter than a fifth grader?) If I realize through the blessed Holy Umpire.. Carl- you have “messed-up” and ask my father/Father’s forgiveness, does He stand ready to forgive? and is He a G-d of incredible patience and understanding? Is the “relationship” restored? A wonderful question to ask myself is “Do I want to live in “right relationship” with my father/Father whom I love?? What is my heart’s desire? Fellowship may falter but relationship remains. The “prodigal” son was still a son. (Actually it is a story about the “prodigal-(lavish) Father) We are told in G-d’s Book- “As you have received the LORD Jesus Christ so walk you in Him.” And how did we “receive” Him? Repentance and faith. As you have learned brother Skip, and so have I, repentance is not a one-time event but in reality, a daily,hourly, moment by moment occurrence as we learn (by our personal Trainer) to “walk in the Spirit”
Skip, when Paul uses the phrase “You have been severed from Christ,” doesn’t that imply more the imagery of being severed from the Vine in this context rather than referring to a conflict of legalism vs. relationship?
That might be the case except that Paul clearly states that those who are severed are the ones who expected to be “justified by the law.” In other words, they thought that keeping the law would bring them into right relationship. So, the continuing idea of “fallen from grace” is Hebraic amplification on the initial thought, namely the difference between relationship as gift and relationship as something earned.