The Mythical Christian

A recent Christian talk show addressed the question to a caller regarding whether or not salvation can be lost. He did it with grace and explained that his was a view, while others disagreed, but went on to explain that he was convinced that it could happen. It got me to thinking. (Hey! I think from time to time. Stop snickering over there.)

Perhaps the biggest single objection to the Eternal Security of the believer is the one that says, "If once you're saved you can never lose your salvation, people can go sin all they want." I actually know of one pastor who believes you can't lose your salvation, but will not teach his congregation this doctrine. "If I tell them that, they'll think they can sin with abandon." I want to address this very volatile fear.

This creature is a frightening one -- a Christian who can sin in comfort. It is a believer without action, a saved person without conviction. This creature ... is a myth.

James is very clear on the subject. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The human being always acts on what he believes to be true, and James says that merely stating you have faith is not proof of faith. The statement is this: It is not profession of faith that saves, but possession of faith. Saving faith, by definition, is accompanied by works.

John also clearly and concisely addresses this mythical beast, the Christian without conscience:

No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (1 John 3:9).

Examine that for a moment. What are we talking about? One who is "born of God" ... a truly born-again person. John is not talking about any gray area here. He is referring to one who is "born of God". What does he claim? He cannot maintain a practice of sin. He cannot continue sinning with impunity. He may sin, but he cannot continue in it. Note that the word is "cannot". It is not an unlikely proposition. It is an impossible situation. It is not possible, according to John for a Christian to continue sinning in comfort. Thus my conclusion that such a person is a mythical animal.

Just as importantly is the reason John gives for the impossibility of such a beast. He cannot continue in sin "because His seed abides in him." Whose seed? God's seed. This is very important. The one who is truly born of God cannot sin with impunity. Why? It is not because he is a better person. It is not because he is stronger, more capable. Nor is it because he is afraid of losing his salvation. It is not superior spiritual insight or a more active conscience. It is God at work in the one who is born again.

We really need to drop this idea of the mythical Christian who sins with impunity. It isn't biblical. And since both James and John so clearly explain it cannot be, we shouldn't be factoring it into the discussion or consideration of Eternal Security.