A10.2 – POSSIBILITY OF BACKSLIDING

1. Some Christian denominations believe that once somebody is saved, he is saved forever and that it is not possible for him to go back. This is the doctrine of eternal security. It is fallacious because denying the possibility of backsliding erodes the freedom of choice of the individual. It suggests that human beings are mere puppets or robots. This is a false deceptive teaching, Heb 3:12-13

2. Backsliding is a selfish, conscious and deliberate refusal to continue a relationship with God which is caused by persistent and habitual sin, Heb 6:4-6

3. Everybody has the will power whether to turn and serve God or to withdraw from serving God in order to serve Satan, John 15:1-6

4. It is possible for someone who has been saved to still backslide, turn away from God and end up in perdition, Prov 14:14

5. Christianity is conditional on continual practices of the practices of Christ, Hos 14:4-5