Our New Testament class today was on Hebrews 6:13-20, with the background in Genesis 22:1-18. One of the students after class asked if it is possible for a true child of God to lose his or her salvation. It is a question asked over the ages. This quote from John Calvin seemed to me to shed some light on it. In the parable of the Sower (Luke 8) Jesus says, "They believe for a while . . ." (V. 13). Here is what Calvin said - (Please leave your Comments!):
Is it possible for someone to believe
for a time and then fall away? Yes, but as Calvin notes, the scripture teaches
that those who had this ‘temporary faith’ were not born again:
According to Luke, Christ says that they
believe for a time; because that honor which they render to the Gospel
resembles faith. At the same time we ought to learn, that they are not truly
regenerated by the incorruptible seed, which never fadeth, as Peter tells us,
(1 Peter 1:4) for he says that these words of Isaiah, The word of God endureth
for ever, (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25) are fulfilled in the hearts of believers,
in whom the truth of God, once fixed, never passes away, but retains its vigor
to the end. Still, those persons who take delight in the word of God, and
cherish some reverence for it, do in some manner believe; for they are widely
different from unbelievers, who give no credit to God when he speaks, or who
reject his word. In a word, let us learn that none are partakers of true faith,
except those who are scaled with the Spirit of adoption, and who sincerely call
on God as their Father; and as that Spirit is never extinguished, so it is
impossible that the faith, which he has once engraved on the hearts of the
godly, shall pass away or be destroyed.
Harmony of the Gospels, Volume II (speaking here of the parable of the sower)
http://graceleduc.org/2008/08/06/calvin-on-temporary-faith/
Calvin on ‘Temporary Faith’
Is it possible for someone to believe
for a time and then fall away? Yes, but as Calvin notes, the scripture teaches
that those who had this ‘temporary faith’ were not born again:
According to Luke, Christ says that they
believe for a time; because that honor which they render to the Gospel
resembles faith. At the same time we ought to learn, that they are not truly
regenerated by the incorruptible seed, which never fadeth, as Peter tells us,
(1 Peter 1:4) for he says that these words of Isaiah, The word of God endureth
for ever, (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25) are fulfilled in the hearts of believers,
in whom the truth of God, once fixed, never passes away, but retains its vigor
to the end. Still, those persons who take delight in the word of God, and
cherish some reverence for it, do in some manner believe; for they are widely
different from unbelievers, who give no credit to God when he speaks, or who
reject his word. In a word, let us learn that none are partakers of true faith,
except those who are scaled with the Spirit of adoption, and who sincerely call
on God as their Father; and as that Spirit is never extinguished, so it is
impossible that the faith, which he has once engraved on the hearts of the
godly, shall pass away or be destroyed.
Harmony of the Gospels, Volume II (speaking here of the parable of the sower)
http://graceleduc.org/2008/08/06/calvin-on-temporary-faith/
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