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Author
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Topic: The Parable of the Soils and the Security of the Saints
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mathews
Advanced Member
Member # 7873
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posted
Dear Eden
What a good thought. A Person once saved should faithful through out his life. Otherwise crown will loose. I am learning a lot from You. You may not know how much your thoughts made changes in my life
Let me cut short
Mathews
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mathews
Posts: 23 | From: U A E | Registered: Sep 2009
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Eden
unregistered
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posted
Hi, becauseHElives, your article said quote:
So while this article will certainly take a definitive position about the possibility of falling away, my hope is that we won't get lost in the semantics.
Good luck with that one ... once you take a position about the possibility of falling away, all you really HAVE is the proof texts for your side, and it is NOT "merely about semantics" as if the proof texts used by the "other side" are "mere semantics", but yours is not.
In previous discussions about this important subject of whether we are "once saved, always saved" or whether we can "lose our salvation during our lifetime if we stop believing in Jesus as our Substitute", I became of the opinion that Jesus will not decide whether someone will be saved until that person's death.
If that person is faithful at his death, then the person will be saved, but during his lifetime, the person may be in faith for 10 years and then go out of faith again for 5 years, and so on.
The issue about whether we are "once saved, always saved" or whether we can "lose our salvation during our lifetime if we stop believing in Jesus as our Substitute", ONLY comes into play when we think that Jesus will decide who is saved DURING ONE'S LIFETIME, instead of AT DEATH.
But when someone "still believes AT DEATH", then Jesus saves them, and if someone "NO LONGER believes AT DEATH", then Jesus will NOT save that person.
In this way, the whole issue of whether we are "once saved, always saved" or whether we can "lose our salvation during our lifetime if we stop believing in Jesus as our Substitute", DOES NOT EVEN COME INTO PLAY and only arose because we were "looking at the wrong time in a person's life for Jesus to decide whether a person will be saved or not". Only when Jesus decides the issue at death, then the whole problem goes away.
And so I came yesterday across this scripture and it reminded me of the idea that Jesus "DECIDES AT DEATH and NOT BEFORE", because BEFORE we can be fickle, but at death it is very clear what we believe. Here is the verse:
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: look, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: but be you FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH and I will give you a crown of life.
love, Eden
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becauseHElives
Advanced Member
Member # 87
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posted
The Parable of the Soils and the Security of the Saints
Today, we're going to revisit the topic of the security of the believer. A typical discussion on the believer's security usually centers around key proof texts for either side. This tends to polarize the discussion and prevents fruitful dialogue. So while this article will certainly take a definitive position about the possibility of falling away, my hope is that we won't get lost in the semantics. For illustrative purposes, we're going to use the parable of the sower/soils as a backdrop for this lesson. I'm going to cite Luke's version of the parable although it appears in other Gospel accounts as well. I'm going to pick up with Jesus' explanation of the parable in Luke chapter 8:
Luk 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Luk 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luk 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. Luk 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. Luk 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. (KJV)
Let's begin by looking at the constant in this parable; the Word of God. One cannot overemphasize the role of the word of God in evangelism. Paul declares that God has chosen the "foolishness of preaching" (not foolish preaching) to save them that believe (I Cor 1:21). He told the Romans that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom 10:17). Peter tells us that the new birth takes place because of the Word (I Peter 1:23). Jesus describes four different types of soil, but each soil is exposed to the same seed. The response of human beings represents the variable in this equation. How is it that four different people can hear the same message, but react and respond in such vastly different ways? The Word of God penetrates the human heart, and exposes not only our actions, but our intentions (Heb 4:12). We have a choice when we hear the Word and it reveals who we are. We can go our way, and disregard the message (as James calls it being "a forgetful hearer" in James 1:25), or we can be a hearer and a "doer" of the word. As I stated earlier, the Word is the "constant" in this parable. Now, let's look at the "variables" in the equation- the soils.
Verse 12 of Luke 8 describes those by the wayside. They hear, but are never converted. They are the typical AM radio attempting to receive an FM transmission. Matthew further explains this type of hearer by describing him as one who does not understand (Matt 13:19) what he hears. Paul says that the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God- they are foolishness unto him (I Cor 2:14). While we don't want to overstate his role, we don't want to underestimate the role of the devil in the case of "wayside" soil. The Gospel writers tell us that the devil is out to steal the seed before it ever takes root in a person's life. Have you ever shared your faith with someone- felt you made some real progress- only to find them in a worse condition the next time you meet? Their initial receptiveness seems to have waned, and skepticism has replaced it. At this point, we often feel frustrated and second-guess ourselves; wondering if somehow we squandered an opportunity or said the wrong things. While this might be the case, it is often simply a matter of the devil coming to immediately steal the precious seed that has been sown. Since we are discussing the security of the believer in this parable, it is important to note that this type of soil/person is not truly converted or saved (vs.12). So if we are to borrow from a popular slogan, we might say "they were never really saved to begin with".
Next, we come to those "on the rock". While being "on the rock" in another context might be a good thing, in this particular example, it most certainly is not! This particular type of soil is going to pose a problem for those who dogmatically assert that unconditional eternal security is a pillar of the Gospel. I believe verse 13 proves not only that it is possible for a person to fall away, but that there are some who actually will! In comparison to those by the wayside, these individuals also hear the Word of God. But by contrast, these are different because they actually "receive the Word with joy". They are not unlike the multitudes who come to altars in church sanctuaries, all across the globe each week. Often this is met with thunderous applause in mega-churches as the crowds rejoice in the souls that have been saved. Jesus told us that we ought to rejoice when sinners repent- after all angels do! (Luke 15:10). The problem is not in the initial joy that all experience when a person comes to initial faith in Jesus. The problem is in the development of a root system, or the lack thereof.
Jesus says that those who are on the rock "believe for a while". This is where the whole issue of eternal security becomes incredibly dicey. To pronounce someone eternally secure at the moment of their initial profession of faith is incredibly premature, and in this writer's humble opinion, incredibly irresponsible! Because Jesus says that these individuals believe for a while, but "in time of temptation fall away". I usually make an attempt not to overwhelm my listeners and readers with Greek words. But for illustrative purposes I think it might be useful to look at just a few terms here and in a subsequent verse. First let's look at this word "temptation" (in the Greek it is the word "peirasmos"). It can mean to put to proof, experiment, experience, solicitation, discipline, or provocation. Let's face it- the Christian life is not without its trials. They come in the form of suffering, persecution, and numerous and diverse temptations. Paul admonished Timothy that all who live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12). Jesus simply says "in the world, you shall have tribulation.." (John 16:33). Luke records Paul's method of developing a root system in the converts of the early church in the book of Acts:
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)
While some will endure chastening and testing, others will not. Instead, Jesus says they will "fall away". I'm going to enlist the help of our Strong's Concordance once more here. The English phrase "fall away" is the Greek word 'aphistemi'. It means to depart, withdraw, or to refrain. It is sometimes helpful to look at the other uses of the word in the New Testament to accurately assess the meaning in context. Here are two other uses of this same Greek word 'aphistemi' in the New Testament. Both of which convey the same sentiment:
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (KJV)
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (KJV)
So there you have it. There will be some who start out on the journey of faith, but will not finish in the Kingdom. Now the semantical arguments revolve around whether or not this person was truly saved to begin with. But that being the case, how does anyone know if they are truly saved? Clearly Jesus says that they "believe for a while". Who among us is qualified to judge whether or not a person in this early stage of faith is truly saved or not. Really, all we have to go on is their profession of faith and any visible fruit we might see. In the early stages of faith, there is very little difference in the final 3 types of soil (those on the rock, among the thorns, and the good ground). Jesus warned that the wheat and the tares would grow together, and so we must be careful not to uproot wheat in our zealous pursuit of tares (Matt 13:29).
So how does this affect our evangelistic efforts? Well, for one- I think instead of offering someone unconditional eternal security at the moment of their conversion, we ought to take the biblical route. Jesus told his followers the cost of discipleship. Luke 14:25-35 is a tremendous discourse by Jesus about counting the cost of following Him. I won't post it all here for sake of time and space, but I encourage you to read it on your own. And Paul's model in the book of Acts certainly seems to be the biblical method. Remember that he went back to his initial converts and "exhorted them to continue in the faith" (Acts 14:22). Now let's look at those among the thorns.
Our next group of hearers are those among thorns. The "thorny" believers (as I call them) seem to always be in a valley of decision. They are seemingly initially receptive to the Word of God, but their interests are divided. Jesus is careful to mention that they are consumed with the affairs of "this life". In short, they are worldly. The image of the Laodicean believers who were "lukewarm" immediately comes to mind. Remember that they thought they were rich and increased with goods, but Christ told them that they were poor, miserable, blind, and naked! (Rev 3:17). Because of their preoccupation with the affairs of this life, Jesus says they are not able to bring forth fruit to perfection. This word perfection carries with it the idea of completion or maturity (just as fruit ripens in the natural). They are never able to transition from the milk to the meat. The writer of Hebrews warns against a slothful attitude towards spiritual progress. Those who fail to progress are in danger of falling away (Heb 5:11-Heb 6:6).
Finally, we come to the good ground in the parable. These individuals have not only an ear to hear and receive the Word of God, but a willingness to obey its imperatives. The bible often speaks of the unfortunate truth that many are hearers of the Word, but not doers of the Word. Jesus' illustration of the man who built his house upon the rock and the one who built his house upon the sand conveys this idea as well (Matt 7:24-27). Now before you kick back in your spiritual easy chair, let's look at one more Greek word which pertains to those on good ground. That word is "patience" in English- 'hupomone' (hoop-om-on-ay') in the Greek. In modern times, the word patience often refers to a period of waiting (whether passively or actively). But the biblical usage of this word denotes not only waiting, but endurance. As I mentioned before, it's sometimes helpful to see how the same word is used in other places in scripture. So let's look at some other uses of the word 'hupomone' in the New Testament:
Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls. (KJV) (in this particular context, Jesus us talking about being betrayed and persecuted for the cause of Christ!)
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (KJV)
Some translations render the word "patience" as "endurance" in Hebrews 12:1. I think this captures the idea intended by the writer of Hebrews. Our Christian race is not a sprint, but rather a marathon that requires endurance! Even those who receive the Word of God with joy, must continue in the faith, and perservere. All of the promises to the churches in the book of Revelation are reserved for the "overcomers".
This is by no means an exhaustive study on the security of the believer. It is however, an often neglected passage when one studies or discusses the topic with others. I think the only responsible way to handle this topic is with great awe and reverence for the eternal destinies of men and women. We are not dealing in trivial matters. They demand our utmost attention and careful handling of the Word of God. I will leave you today with this awesome charge from the Apostle Paul:
1 Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (KJV)
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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