What happens when a genuine Christian falls into sin? Does a believer lose salvation the moment he sins? Does eternal security give Christians a licence to sin? And if salvation is truly secure, what exactly did Jesus accomplish through His death on the cross?
These are important questions at the heart of the debate about the eternal security of salvation.
In Episode 10 of the Pure Gospel Africa Podcast, Pastor Innocent Letam Akara takes a careful look at what Scripture teaches about sin, salvation, grace, and the believer's new life in Christ. Rather than allowing personal experiences, traditions, or assumptions to determine the answer, this episode returns to the authority of Scripture.
The teaching begins by establishing that God has always hated sin. His grace has not changed His holiness or made sin acceptable. However, the gospel is much more than simply receiving forgiveness for individual sins. Through Christ, God has dealt with the deeper problem of sin and brought believers into a new relationship with Himself.
A major focus of this episode is Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. The repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant could never finally take away sins, but Jesus offered Himself as the perfect and sufficient sacrifice. What does the finished work of Christ mean for the security of those who believe in Him?
The episode also explores the New Covenant, the believer's new heart, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the reality of becoming a new creation in Christ. At the same time, biblical balance is maintained: being born again does not mean that a Christian becomes incapable of sinning. Believers can still stumble, fall, and struggle with temptation.
But there is a crucial distinction:
A believer can fall into sin without living under the dominion of sin.
Romans 6 teaches that sin is no longer to be the believer's master. Grace does not encourage sinful living; rather, grace teaches believers to reject ungodliness and live transformed lives.
This episode also examines the difference between falling into sin and continually practising sin, as well as the important distinction between profession and genuine possession of faith. A person's church attendance, Christian activities, or verbal profession alone cannot prove that he has truly been born again.
Most importantly, this episode challenges the common misconception that eternal security means a Christian can live however he wants. The security of the believer is not based on permission to sin, but on the finished work of Christ and God's continuing work in the life of His people.
Can a true believer still commit sin?
Does committing sin cause a believer to lose salvation?
What did Christ's once-for-all sacrifice actually accomplish?
Is eternal security a licence to sin?
What is the difference between falling into sin and living under sin's dominion?
How does grace change the believer's relationship with sin?
What does the New Covenant mean for the believer?
Can an outward profession of faith be different from genuine salvation?
Key Scriptures: Romans 6; Romans 7; Galatians 5:17; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:11–14; John 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:11–12; 1 John 1:8; 1 John 2:19; 1 John 3:6–9;
This is Part 1 of the discussion. In Part 2, we will examine the question that naturally follows:
If a true believer can still fall into sin, how does God treat that believer? Does He condemn him, reject him, or deal with him as a loving Father who disciplines and restores His child?
Listen, think carefully, open your Bible, and let Scripture speak for itself.
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